BEST TV SHOWS FROM THE PAST
by jannieratke | created - 06 Mar 2012 | updated - 06 Mar 2012 | Public- Instant Watch Options
- Genres
- Movies or TV
- IMDb Rating
- In Theaters
- Release Year
- Keywords
1. Dawson's Creek (1998–2003)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Romance
Two childhood best friends, Dawson and Joey, go through different stages of adolescence together. Their friendship is later tested when they both start a relationship with different people.
Stars: James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, Joshua Jackson
Votes: 44,679
2. Little House on the Prairie (1974–1983)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Family, Romance
The life and adventures of the Ingalls family in the nineteenth century American Midwest.
Stars: Melissa Gilbert, Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, Rachel Lindsay Greenbush
Votes: 26,915
3. Dynasty (1981–1989)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Romance
The trials and tribulations of two feuding families, the Carringtons and the Colbys, both oil rich families in Denver, Colorado.
Stars: John Forsythe, Linda Evans, Joan Collins, Gordon Thomson
Votes: 8,474
4. Party of Five (1994–2000)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Family
Five siblings raise each other following their parents' untimely deaths.
Stars: Matthew Fox, Scott Wolf, Neve Campbell, Lacey Chabert
Votes: 11,286
5. Saved by the Bell (1989–1992)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Family, Romance
A close-knit group of six friends get through their teens together while attending Bayside High School in Palisades, California.
Stars: Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez, Dustin Diamond, Lark Voorhies
Votes: 37,547
6. Goosebumps (1995–1998)
TV-PG | 22 min | Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
"Goosebumps" was a series of scary anthology stories based on the children's books by R.L. Stine. Series one was hosted by R.L. Stine for twelve episodes.
Stars: R.L. Stine, Kathryn Short, Cody Jones, Scott Wickware
Votes: 15,240
7. Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990–2000)
TV-PG | 44 min | Drama, Romance
A group of friends living in Beverly Hills, California make their way through life from their school days into adulthood.
Stars: Jason Priestley, Shannen Doherty, Luke Perry, Jennie Garth
Votes: 37,613
8. Full House (1987–1995)
TV-G | 22 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
A widowed sportscaster raises his three daughters with assistance from his rock and roll brother-in-law and madcap best friend.
Stars: Bob Saget, John Stamos, Dave Coulier, Candace Cameron Bure
Votes: 63,124
9. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy
A streetwise, poor young man from Philadelphia is sent by his mother to live with his aunt, uncle and cousins in their Bel-Air mansion.
Stars: Will Smith, James Avery, Alfonso Ribeiro, Tatyana Ali
Votes: 144,745
10. M*A*S*H (1972–1983)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy, Drama, War
The staff of an Army hospital in the Korean War find that laughter is the best way to deal with their situation.
Stars: Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, Loretta Swit, Jamie Farr
Votes: 63,847
11. The Muppet Show (1976–1981)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family, Musical
Kermit the Frog and his fellow Muppets put on a vaudeville show at their theatre, bringing in a famous celebrity to help out for each episode.
Stars: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz
Votes: 26,243
12. Blossom (1990–1995)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
A teenage girl living in a house run by men dreams what life would be like if she lived in a more conventional family.
Stars: Mayim Bialik, Jenna von Oÿ, Joey Lawrence, Ted Wass
Votes: 9,293
13. Family Ties (1982–1989)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
Chronicles liberal ex-hippies Steven and Elyse Keaton, their conservative son Alex, daughters Mallory and Jennifer, and later, youngest child Andrew.
Stars: Michael J. Fox, Michael Gross, Meredith Baxter, Justine Bateman
Votes: 20,330
14. The Cosby Show (1984–1992)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family, Romance
The goings-on in the life of a successful African-American family.
Stars: Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Tempestt Bledsoe
Votes: 36,374
15. The Golden Girls (1985–1992)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
Four previously married women live together in Miami, sharing their various experiences together and enjoying themselves despite hard times.
Stars: Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, Estelle Getty
Votes: 47,261
16. Baywatch (1989–2001)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
At a Los Angeles beach, a team of lifeguards led by Lieutenant Mitch Buchannon save lives, deal with personal dramas, fight crime and participate in over the top adventures on a daily basis.
Stars: David Hasselhoff, Pamela Anderson, Yasmine Bleeth, Jeremy Jackson
Votes: 30,344
17. Growing Pains (1985–1992)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
The misadventures of a family with a home business father and a journalist mother.
Stars: Alan Thicke, Joanna Kerns, Kirk Cameron, Jeremy Miller
Votes: 16,352
18. Degrassi High (1987–1991)
TV-14 | 30 min | Drama, Family, Romance
The lives and trials of students of a city high school.
Stars: Pat Mastroianni, Stefan Brogren, Maureen Deiseach, Angela Deiseach
Votes: 3,185
19. ALF (1986–1990)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family, Sci-Fi
When an ugly creature, who loves eating cats, crash-lands into the Tanner family's garage, they treat him as a guest and allow him to live with them as he comments on the stupidity of mankind.
Stars: Mihaly 'Michu' Meszaros, Paul Fusco, Max Wright, Anne Schedeen
Votes: 39,154
20. 21 Jump Street (1987–1991)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The cases of an undercover police unit composed of young-looking officers specializing in youth crime.
Stars: Johnny Depp, Dustin Nguyen, Peter DeLuise, Holly Robinson Peete
Votes: 14,095
21. Melrose Place (1992–1999)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Romance
Classic serial drama around a group of friends living in Melrose Place, California.
Stars: Heather Locklear, Andrew Shue, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Thomas Calabro
Votes: 13,296
22. The Wonder Years (1988–1993)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
Kevin Arnold recalls growing up during the late 60s and early 70s; the turbulent social times make the transition from child to adult unusually interesting.
Stars: Fred Savage, Dan Lauria, Alley Mills, Jason Hervey
Votes: 40,799
23. Family Matters (1989–1998)
TV-G | 30 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
The Winslow family deals with various misadventures, many of them caused by their pesky next-door neighbor, ultra-nerd Steve Urkel.
Stars: Reginald VelJohnson, Jaleel White, Darius McCrary, Kellie Shanygne Williams
Votes: 30,032
24. The Addams Family (1991)
PG-13 | 99 min | Comedy, Fantasy
Con artists plan to fleece an eccentric family using an accomplice who claims to be their long-lost uncle.
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld | Stars: Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd, Dan Hedaya
Votes: 180,056 | Gross: $113.50M
25. Parker Lewis Can't Lose (1990–1993)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Fantasy
For a cool high-school kid and his friends, thwarting authority figures and other enemies is never a problem.
Stars: Corin Nemec, Billy Jayne, Troy W. Slaten, Melanie Chartoff
Votes: 6,235
26. Are You Afraid of the Dark? (1990–2000)
TV-14 | 30 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
A group of teenagers meet in the woods, and tell scary stories.
Stars: Ross Hull, Daniel DeSanto, Raine Pare-Coull, Jodie Resther
Votes: 16,197
27. Home Improvement (1991–1999)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy, Family
The daily trials and tribulations of Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor, a television show host raising three mischievous boys with help from his loyal co-host, loving wife, and eccentric neighbor.
Stars: Tim Allen, Earl Hindman, Taran Noah Smith, Zachery Ty Bryan
Votes: 49,147
28. Step by Step (1991–1998)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family, Romance
Divorced contractor Frank Lambert and widowed beautician Carol Foster meet, fall in love and quickly get married. Both have three children and when the families all move in together the kids and parents have a lot of learning to do.
Stars: Patrick Duffy, Suzanne Somers, Brandon Call, Staci Keanan
Votes: 16,306
29. Martin (1992–1997)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Sassy sitcom centering on radio and television personality Martin Payne. Series focuses on his romantic relationship with girlfriend Gina, her best friend Pam and escapades with best friends Tommy and Cole.
Stars: Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, Thomas Mikal Ford, Carl Anthony Payne II
Votes: 10,850
30. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993–1998)
TV-G | 60 min | Drama, Family, Western
The trials and adventures of a female doctor in a small Wild West town.
Stars: Jane Seymour, Joe Lando, Shawn Toovey, Chad Allen
Votes: 13,734
31. Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993–1997)
TV-PG | 46 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
In addition to fighting evil, Superman has a burning romance with Lois Lane in both of his identities.
Stars: Dean Cain, Teri Hatcher, Lane Smith, K Callan
Votes: 26,401
32. The Nanny (1993–1999)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy, Family, Romance
After being fired from her job and dumped by her boyfriend, a cosmetics saleswoman becomes the nanny to the three children of a rich English widower. As time passes, the two fall for each other.
Stars: Fran Drescher, Charles Shaughnessy, Daniel Davis, Lauren Lane
Votes: 49,356
33. Sister, Sister (1994–1999)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
Tia Landry and Tamera Campbell are twins separated at birth who learn of each other's existence and come together as teenagers.
Stars: Tia Mowry, Tamera Mowry-Housley, Jackée Harry, Tim Reid
Votes: 13,755
34. Due South (1994–1999)
TV-PG | 46 min | Adventure, Comedy, Crime
The adventures of an impossibly upright Royal Canadian Mounted Police constable and his American colleagues in the city of Chicago.
Stars: Paul Gross, Beau Starr, Tony Craig, David Marciano
Votes: 7,574
35. Ocean Girl (1994–1997)
TV-Y7 | 25 min | Action, Adventure, Family
Set against the beauty of Far North Queensland, Ocean Girl is the story of Neri, a mysterious young girl from the ocean, who is discovered by the young inhabitants of an underwater research colony.
Stars: Marzena Godecki, David Hoflin, Jeffrey Walker, Alex Pinder
Votes: 1,993
36. Friends (1994–2004)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy, Romance
Follows the personal and professional lives of six twenty to thirty year-old friends living in the Manhattan borough of New York City.
Stars: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc
Votes: 1,088,889
37. Wishbone (1995–1998)
TV-Y | 30 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
An intelligent and witty dog imagines himself in the role of characters from classic books and gets involved in similar real-life adventures.
Stars: Larry Brantley, Jordan Wall, Christie Abbott, Adam Springfield
Votes: 4,387
38. 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996–2001)
TV-PG | 60 min | Comedy, Family, Sci-Fi
A group of aliens is sent to Earth, disguised as a human family, to experience and report life on the third planet from the sun.
Stars: John Lithgow, Jane Curtin, Kristen Johnston, French Stewart
Votes: 55,742
39. Dharma & Greg (1997–2002)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Romance
A free-spirited yoga instructor finds true love in a conservative lawyer and they get married on the first date. Though they are polar opposites, he fulfills her need of stability and she fulfills his need of optimism.
Stars: Jenna Elfman, Thomas Gibson, Joel Murray, Mimi Kennedy
Votes: 32,151
40. 7th Heaven (1996–2007)
TV-G | 60 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
Eric Camden, a minister, and his wife Annie deal with the drama of having seven children, ranging from toddlers to adults with families of their own.
Stars: Stephen Collins, Catherine Hicks, Jessica Biel, Beverley Mitchell
Votes: 27,004
41. Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996–2003)
TV-G | 22 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Sabrina is a normal teenager, except for one thing - she's a witch. Guided by her aunts, who come from a long line of witches, and Salem, a mischievous warlock doing penance as a cat, Sabrina continually struggles to harness her powers.
Stars: Melissa Joan Hart, Caroline Rhea, Beth Broderick, Nick Bakay
Votes: 42,794
42. Flipper (1995–2000)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Dr. Keith Ricks returns to Florida to lead a team of scientists studying dolphins.
Stars: Whip Hubley, Anja Coleby, Gus Mercurio, Darrin Klimek
Votes: 1,118
43. Skippy (1968–1970)
25 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
Sonny and his kangaroo Skippy live in Waratah National Park in New South Wales. Matt Hammond, Sonny's father is the park ranger. Skippy saves the day in many adventures.
Stars: Ed Devereaux, Tony Bonner, Ken James, Garry Pankhurst
Votes: 1,170
44. Lassie (1954–1974)
TV-G | 30 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
The ongoing saga of the Martin family and their beloved collie, Lassie.
Stars: Lassie, Jon Provost, June Lockhart, Hugh Reilly
Votes: 3,812
45. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)
PG-13 | 86 min | Action, Comedy, Fantasy
Flighty teenage girl Buffy Summers learns that she is her generation's destined battler of vampires.
Director: Fran Rubel Kuzui | Stars: Kristy Swanson, Donald Sutherland, Paul Reubens, Rutger Hauer
Votes: 49,486 | Gross: $16.62M
46. Ally (1999–2000)
30 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
In this half hour version of the FOX top rated show Ally McBeal, David E. Kelley adds un-aired scenes of the original show. Plus, he cut all the court stories, making the show about Ally's personal stories only.
Stars: Calista Flockhart, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Lisa Nicole Carson, Jane Krakowski
Votes: 249
47. Round the Twist (1989–2001)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Tony Twist and his three children--14-year-old twins Pete and Linda and 7-year-old Bronson--move to an old lighthouse on the rugged Australian coast.
Stars: Mark Mitchell, Esben Storm, Rian McLean, Mathew Waters
Votes: 2,869
48. Emily of New Moon (1998–2003)
TV-G | 60 min | Drama
An orphan is sent to live with relatives in picturesque turn-of-the-century Prince Edward Island.
Stars: Martha MacIsaac, Sheila McCarthy, Stephen McHattie, Jessica Pellerin
Votes: 543
Tell Your Friends