iconic 90s TV shows can be overlooked. But trust us, once you watch just two episodes of any ’90s show, you’ll be hooked. There’s something strangely addictive about the golden age of ’90s TV shows. Not only will the shows take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions, but we promise you’ll shed a tear or two when they end. In fact, some classic 90s shows still gain new fans and frankly always will.

That’s exactly why this time we’ve put together a perfect little list of 10 critically acclaimed ’90s sitcoms that have not only won multiple awards, but have been winning hearts for decades. So, what are you waiting for scroll on for the ultimate list of the best 90s TV shows of all time.

10 Best 90s Sitcoms That Can Be Your Comfort Shows:

1. Friends (1994–2004)

• TV Show Genre: Comedy, Romance
• Time: 22 min
• Star Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer, Paul Rudd
• Director: David Crane, Martha Kauffman
• Year of release: 1994
• OTT platform: Netflix
• IMDb Rating: 8.9/10

Friends was the biggest sitcom of its time, and even today is one of the most watched shows on Netflix. The show that features the lives of six friends has taken pop culture crazy. In fact, it is said to call an era-defining show with the basic life struggle of six friends living in an apartment above a NYC coffee shop. Whether it’s Chandler and Joey or Monica and Rachel, the show has given major friendship goals. In fact, when it comes to love, fans still love Monica and Chandler’s love story and how the iconic love story of Ross and Rachel ended. The show spawned catchphrases that are still printed on merchandise, such as Ross’ “We were on a break!” and Joey’s “How are you?” Featuring the best years of Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow’s life, the show is the definition of Netflix and chill. We highly recommend you watch it when you don’t even have a plan and we dare you to skip the intro song. (Do not!)

2. Seinfeld (1989–1998)

• TV Show Genre: Comedy, Drama
• Time: 22 min
• Star Cast: Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards
• Director: Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld
• Year of release: 1989
• OTT platform: Netflix
• IMDb Rating: 8.9/10

Another 90s show that will definitely make you feel something is this iconic comedy-drama titled Seinfield. Starring the best of Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Michael Richards, Seinfeld was one of the greatest small screen comedies. The show holds ten Primetime Emmys which should be reason alone to give it a try. The show features the best of Jerry Seinfeld’s straight comedy and Larry David’s wonderful sarcasm. It is a spectacular New York story where Seinfeld, Elaine played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, George played by Jason Alexander, and Kramer played by Michael Richards experience their turbulent life.

3.Sex and the City (1998–2004)

• TV Show Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
• Time: 30 min
• Star Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon
• Director: Darren Starr
• Year of release: 1998
• OTT platform: HBO Max
• IMDb Rating: 7.3/10

Based on the writings of Candace Bushnell, another classic ’90s TV show we highly recommend watching with your girls is Sex and the City. This show starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis features the lives of four best friends as they experience the best of fun, Fashion, friendship and of course men. Definitely ahead of its time, the show sees Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda freely and funny discuss their sex lives while discussing taboo topics on TV including abortion, singleness, sex, female satisfaction, career ambition, menopause, gay marriage, and children. The iconic show has had a few movies as well as a reboot show titled, And Just Like That, which is available on HBO Max.

4. Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990–2000)

• TV Show Genre: Drama, Romance
• Time: 44 min
• Star Cast: Jason Priestley, Shannen Doherty, Luke Perry
• Director: Darren Starr
• Year of release: 1990
• OTT platform: Amazon Prime Video
• IMDb Rating: 6.5/10

Beverly Hills, 90210 is another 9’s TV show that we highly recommend. The show features the best of Jason Priestley, Shannen Doherty and Luke Perry, among others. Watch the show to see a story of high school students. Stream on Amazon Prime Video for a story of Brandon and Brenda in a brilliant 293 episodes.

5. Law and Order (1990–2010; 2022)

• TV Show Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
• Time: 45 min
• Star Cast: Jerry Orbach, Jesse L. Martin, Dennis Farina
• Director: Dick Wolf, Rick Eid
• Year of release: 1990
• OTT platform: Amazon Prime Video
• IMDb Rating: 7.8/10

For all those who like classic crime dramas, Law & Order should be your choice. The unique show is a 90s masterpiece that follows an intensive investigation into a crime. This highly-rated ’90s drama garnered six Emmys, including Best Drama Series in 1997. Featuring the best of Jerry Orbach, Jesse L. Martin, Dennis Farina, Chris Noth, Angie Harmon and Jill Hennessy, among others, the show is available on Amazon Prime Video to stream. In 2022, the show also released a reboot featuring several OG actors reprising their roles.

6.ER (1994–2009)

• TV Show Genre: Drama, Romance
• Time: 44 min
• Star Cast: Anthony Edwards, George Clooney, Julianna Margulies
• Director: Michael Crichton
• Year of release: 1994
• OTT platform: Amazon Prime Video
• IMDb Rating: 7.9/10

If it weren’t for the success of the classic ’90s medical drama ER, there would be no New Amsterdam, The Good Doctor, or even Grey’s Anatomy. With an amazing cast that includes Anthony Edwards, George Clooney, Maura Tierney, Mekhi Phifer, Noah Wyle, Ming-Na Wen and Julianna Margulies, the show features an insatiable plot. The show has 23 Emmy wins and is definitely a must watch.

7. Ellen (1994–1998)

• TV Show Genre: comedy
• Time: 30 min
• Star Cast: Ellen DeGeneres, David Anthony Higgins, Joely Fisher
• Director: Carol Black, Neal Marlens, David S. Rosenthal
• Year of release: 1994
• IMDb Rating: 6.1/10

The show that made Ellen DeGeneres a household name before her talk show, has to be Ellen. The show definitely had an impact on pop culture as it was the first show ever to cast an LGBTQ protagonist. Featuring the story of bookstore owner Ellen Morgan and how she came out as a lesbian. This show will forever be celebrated as the first ever clear representation of out and proud LGBTQ characters.

8. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)

• TV Show Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy
• Time: 44 min
• Star Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan
• Director: Joss Whedon
• Year of release: 1997
• OTT platform: HuluPlus
• IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

Another ’90s TV show we highly recommend watching is Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Released in 1997, the show is one of the best shows that features a spectacular action drama fantasy. The highly rated show features the best of Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon and Alyson Hannigan, among others. If you like teenage melodrama, with elements of witty banter, high school experiences, the exploration of sexual identities and frenemies, this show is for you.

9. Boy Meets World (1993)

• TV Show Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family
• Time: 23 min
• Star Cast: Ben Savage, Rider Strong, William Daniels
• Director: Michael Jacobs, April Kelly
• Year of release: 1993
• OTT platform: disney plus hot star
• IMDb Rating: 8.1/10

Another unique sitcom with a suburban family that we highly recommend is Boy Meets World. With the best of Ben Savage, Rider Strong and William Daniels among others, this show features a family and how it grows together. Witness the daily experiences of a family filled with fun, emotions and so much more. The show is available on Disney Plus Hotstar to stream.

10. The Simpsons (1989-)

• TV Show Genre: Animation, Comedy
• Time: 22 min
• Star Cast: Dan Castellaneta, Nancy Cartwright, Harry Shearer
• Director: James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, Sam Simon
• Year of release: 1989
• OTT platform: disney plus hot star
• IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

If you haven’t heard of The Simpsons, you’ve probably been living under a rock. The show was controversial because they accurately predicted the future. It predicted facts like, Disney will buy 20th Century Fox, Richard Branson going to outer space, a pandemic taking over the world, and the most talked about prediction of all time, Donald Trump becoming president of the USA. You should watch the show, and The Simpsons movies

Every show listed on the list of the best 90s TV shows can definitely be your comfort show. In fact, we assure you if you stay for an episode or two, you’ll be rewatching these shows for the rest of your life. They are classics after all.