Summary
The sole purpose of rewatching some of thebest TV shows of the 1990sis to bring the audience back to the nostalgia of the decade. However, there are some modern series set in the iconic era of grunge fashion, upbeat pop music and changing technology. While these shows are more contemporary, they focus on the social and historical issues that defined the time.
From nostalgic, family-centered shenanigans toR-rated comedies, they offer a combination of humor, drama, and detail that makes the ’90s return to life. The format of these shows provides a nice trip down memory lane, while still introducing the decade’s culture to a newer generation.
10 Best Dark Comedies Of The 1990s
The 1990s produced some of the best dark comedies of all time, with filmmakers injecting bleak humor into a wide range of different genres.
City on a Hill
Cast
City on a Hill is a crime drama series set in 1990s Boston, exploring the city’s corrupt legal system and the unexpected alliance between Assistant District Attorney Decourcy Ward (Aldis Hodge) and a potentially compromised FBI veteran, Jackie Rohr (Kevin Bacon). They work together to take on a family of armored car robbers, leading to a broader inquiry into Boston’s pervasive criminal justice issues.
Boston’s crime scene in the 1990s is explored vividly inCity on a Hill. With its top-notch writing, directing, acting, and post-production, it quickly became one of thebest Boston crime dramas.It thoroughly managed to attract viewers with its broader themes of corruption and crime.
The show was very firm at aiming to create an authentic ’90s feel, so much so that they involved Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, who grew up in Boston at that time, to consult about its depiction of the city. The chemistry between the main characters was very unique, with both of them coming from completely opposite backgrounds, but brought together to tackle Boston’s police problems in the ’90s.More so, it made its viewers understand what goes on behind criminal acts and react on a case-to-case basis.City on a Hillbecame a staple in the “Boston Crime” subgenre, making it a must-watch for fans of police dramas.
Cruel Summer
Cruel Summer is set in Texas, where Kate Wallis, a popular teen in high school, is kidnapped. The series takes place over the summer of 1993, 1994, and 1995, showing Jeanette Turner becoming the new popular girl in her town to one of the most hated women in America. Cruel Summer stars Chiara Aurelia as Jeanette and Olivia Holt as Kate.
From beginning to end,Cruel Summerkept its fans on the edge of their seats. With it being based in a small Texas town in 1993,it directly referenced major societal issues of the time. However, it is worth noting that the show spans three years (‘93-‘95), in which the producers were set on creating an immersive but evolving landscape. The show depicted the stumbling blocks of adolescence and tackled sensitive topics like grooming - which used to happen in different ways compared to nowadays.
Cruel Summerhad constant twists, but it stayed consistent at recreating everything to imitate the look and feel of 1993.The interior design, the music, and fashion helped set the tone of the era, adding a nostalgic touch.With its unpredictable plot, it hooked viewers of all ages, not just teens. There are some unrealistic uses of technology that do detract from the authenticity, but despite these flaws, it is still a bingeworthy experience.
Everything Sucks!
Set in the 1990s, Everything Sucks! follows the lives of high school misfits in Boring, Oregon, as they navigate the trials of adolescence, including friendships, budding romances, and the clash between the A/V Club and Drama Club.
Everything Sucks!likes to constantly remind the audience of its setting in the ’90s with its cultural references and dialogues.Its constant focus on face-to-face interactions contrasts with today’s digital ones,providing a sense of deep sentimentality to those who grew up in the era. The show makes it very easy to fall in love with the characters and their journeys, as they do provide a solid, realistic feel of teenage life in the ’90s.
The series captures the essence of growing up in that era and the trials of high school, awkwardness, relationships, and self-discovery.Many of its episodes faced more significant and common problems in the ’90s,like single-parent households and social hierarchies. The actors made the characters their own and made their stories feel genuine at all times. Sadly, its cancelation left many fans longing for more.
Clarice
Clarice is a psychological horror/thriller series loosely adapted from the Red Dragon novel series that tells the story of FBI Agent Clarice Starling as she returns to the field after the events of The Silence of the Lambs. Brilliant and vulnerable, Clarice’s bravery gives her an inner light that draws monsters and madmen to her. However, her complex psychological profile that stems from her difficult childhood makes her capable of seeing angles of crimes others cannot comprehend.
Based on 1991’sThe Silence of the Lambs,Claricedoesaremarkable job at capturing the psychological thriller atmosphere that was so popular in ’90s cinema. The show managed to stand on its own by focusing on a female protagonist, as opposed to how male-dominated the police field actually was in the decade. Its exploration of darker themes made good reference to many genres of that time.
With its suspenseful storytelling,Claricewas able to provide a fresh perspective on the process of catching serial killers.The show was able to show a deep look at the political and social landscape of the time, setting the stage for a series of events that got better with each passing episode. Ultimately, the show’s commitment to navigate through the hardships of a career and personal life was what made it relatable and beloved by fans.
10 1990s Comedies Barely Anyone Remembers
The 1990s were packed with incredible comedy movies, although some truly under appreciated gems have been mostly forgotten by modern audiences.
Yellowjackets
Yellowjackets is a television series exploring the survival ordeal of a high school girls’ soccer team stranded in the remote wilderness after a plane crash. It interweaves psychological horror and coming-of-age themes, simultaneously depicting their harrowing transformation and its lasting impact on their lives 25 years later.
Yellowjacketsbecame very notable from the start after receiving excellent reviews from both critics and audiences alike. Often compared to other shows that were actually released in the ’90s, likeThe X-FliesandTwin Peaks,it shared a similar feel while introducing fresh segments. As a dramatic thriller,it kept viewers guessing and eager for more.
Yellowjacketsdrew inspiration from various pieces of media, fromThe Shining, to the Uruguayan Rugby Team’s 1972 plane accident.
Yellowjacket’sepisodes exceeded everybody’s expectations with its many twists and turns, making it addicting for anyone watching.The blend of drama, mystery, comedy, and even action makes the episodes feel like a rollercoaster of emotions. The story focusing on a group of girls stranded in the wilderness helps add a coming-of-age feel to its scenes, making even the slowest episodes maintain their quality.
5That ’90s Show
A Sequel That Honors The Original
Trying to capture the specific essence of 1995,That ’90s Showwas released as a sequel toThat ’70s Show.The new show is full of funny lines, and thereturn of many characters fromThat ’70s Showbrought back the classic humor that audiences loved from the original. At times, it can feel more like a modern teen flick rather than a sitcom, but that’s what makes it garner fans of its own.
Compared to other entries,That ’90s Showfelt like it was trying to appeal to a younger, Gen-Z audience, while also attempting to gain back its old viewers by being nostalgic. To some, the writing often felt unrealistic with the situations it put its characters in, but others argue that that’s part of the excitement of it being set in the 1990s.The show has a lot of potential,so thethird partof season 2can still give it a better chance at adding some depth.
Pose
Pose is an FX drama series that explores the deeper parts of ballroom culture in New York City at the end of the ’80s through the ’90s with an additional focus on the various problems affecting various communities that find families within each other as they build their own unique subcultures.
When startingPose,audiences were given a more detailed inside view of the different problems many communities had in the 1980s and 1990s. Being one ofthe best shows to stream on Paramount+, it features a dedicated cast of characters that tell how the world used to look for marginalized people.Poseexcelled at showing the importance of family, either biological or chosen, and was not afraid to put the spotlight on how individuals can create their own support systems when traditional ones fail.
The hardships of many during the AIDS crisis are also a focus for many of its most impactful moments.While there are some areas where the show could’ve been more polished,Poseis a beautifully-crafted series that reflects the dedication of all the people involved in its production.Posemanaged to address the tensions of society of the ’90s in an extremely realistic way, while also having the visual cinematic upgrades of later decades.
Young Sheldon
A spinoff of the sitcom The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon follows the youth and coming-of-age of Sheldon Cooper during his childhood in Texas as he pursues science and academia. The show also follows his parents, siblings, and Mee-Maw, painting a picture of the world where Sheldon grew up.
Television critics and fans ofThe Big Bang Theorywere skeptical upon the announcement ofYoung Sheldon, a spin-off focusing on the childhood of Sheldon Cooper. Set in the early 1990s,Young Sheldongave viewers a rare sight of clean family entertainment while also describing the difficulties of the time.The show did not shy away from including topics like marital strain, seeking independence, and financial struggles- all encapsulating the realities that people had to live in the ’90s.
Being a successor to one ofthe best sitcoms of all timeis hard, but many fans feel like it has the potential to surpass it. Certain improvements, like ditching the laugh tracks, made the show even more funny.The casting for this show was perfect,with Sheldon and Missy tackling some interesting family dynamics. Each week, viewers anticipated clever dialogue and steady character development.
Derry Girls
Derry Girls centers on Erin Quinn, a 16-year-old girl living in Northern Ireland in the ’90s. Derry Girls tells the story of her life and the complicated exploits of her family Saoirse-Monica Jackson stars as Erin in this comedy series that lasted for a total of three seasons between 2018 and 2022.
Using the Irish city of Derry as its main setting,Derry Girlshas always beennotable for its political and religious commentary.Brilliantly written, with a ton of funny, rapid-fire jokes, the show centers on the adventures of a group of four Irish girls and one English boy. ThoughDerry Girlsis a fictional series, it was able to weave real-life occurrences of the 1990s, providing a different type of setting for the characters to develop in.
References to historical events like the Clintons visiting Ireland and the Northern Ireland peace processes are relevant to the episodes’ plots. To achieve a better sense of authenticity, the show’s producers went the extra mile andincorporated real footage of shows and news from the era into the background.WhereDerry Girlsreally shines, however, is in its interesting selection of characters. Each has a very distinct personality, but together they felt relatable and serve as a good representation of teens from the decade.
Fresh off the Boat
Inspired by the autobiography of chef Eddie Huang, Fresh off the Boat stars Hudson Yang as Eddie, the oldest son of the Huang family, who moves with his parents and younger brothers to Orlando Florida in the mid-1990s to open a restaurant. The series chronicles the family’s lives and business ventures in the intervening years. Randall Park and Constance Wu also star.
Fresh Off the Boatis a show that takes full advantage of its 1990s setting. Based on Taiwanese-American experiences, the show has a bold approach to discussing race and stereotypes of the period. The characters are so relatable and likable, that they are able to balance comedy and cultural insights in a way that is enjoyable for everybody, whether they are Asian or not.
Set in the 1990s, the show followed an immigrant family adjusting to their new lives in Orlando. With its plots involving common problems of the era like discrimination and trying to achieve the American Dream,Fresh Off the Boatfocuses on different challenges for the family. The premise had the potential to develop into something edgy, butit instead evolved into a well-crafted narrative.The series is also extremely meticulous when adding references to music, TV, and slang from the ’90s, making it feel genuine.
