Life can be hard, and picking what TV show to watch next shouldn't add to everything else. That's where the best classic TV shows come in. Putting on what's gone down as a must-watch series is a guaranteed good time, as you can binge through the iconic pop culture you may have missed or are in for a reliable rewatch.
Between captivating dramas, side-clutching, essential comedies, and gripping sci-fi, classic TV shows serve up heaps of nostalgia, grade-A acting, galloping plots, and even insights into the big questions in life. They can range from award-winning hits to cult classics to feel-good watches—and deliver as much comfort as they can conviction to consider issues and people differently, and have gone on to influence series to follow in some way. Below, find the best classic series that have stood the test of time.
'30 Rock' (2006–2013)
This is one of those classic TV comedies that benefits from a rewatch: It moves fast, so you'll catch more of the jokes and Easter eggs when you put it on a second time. If you happen to know anything about show business, it becomes even more fun as a sharp satire.
'The Andy Griffith Show' (1960–1968)
A '60s staple, the show was already playing on nostalgia (specifically for the community and simplicity of the '30s) when it originally came out. But this look at small-town America, headed by the titular sheriff and populated by some very silly characters, is still fun and soothing.
'Arrested Development' (2003–2019)
Let's be honest, if you love Arrested Development, you've probably rewatched it (or at least revisited your favorite clips on YouTube, since it's a highly memeable show). And if you have ever dealt with a dysfunctional family or in-laws, you're rewatching it as a reminder that things could still be worse!
'Battlestar Galactica' (2004–2009)
An underrated classic show, depending on whether you caught it when it originally aired, Battlestar Galactica is itself a remake of the '70s show. But it's a fascinating examination of the question, "What happens if robots look like humans and turn against us?" and as compelling on rewatch as it was the first time.
'Big Love' (2006–2011)
If you never saw this HBO series about a fundamentalist Mormon man (Bill Paxton) practicing polygamy with three wives (Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloë Sevigny, and Ginnifer Goodwin), you missed out on a very funny drama. If you watched and liked it, go back and be impressed by the late Paxton's acting prowess.
'The Brady Bunch' (1969–1974)
This light and fluffy (and deliberately apolitical) feel-good series is designed to be timeless. It follows the interworkings of a blended family learning how to get along (plus the various problems teens have to deal with). It'll warm your heart, as it gets surprisingly deep about interpersonal issues, and you'll have the theme song memorized in no time.
'Breaking Bad' (2008–2013)
Few shows became appointment television and water cooler talk—and subsequently streaming favorites—like Breaking Bad. The series about science teacher turned meth distributor Walter White (Bryan Cranston) took many turns, but if you go back and rewatch it, you'll be impressed by how tight and evenly paced the plot structure is.
'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' (1997–2003)
If you haven't rewatched this teen classic in a while, throw it on (and not just because Pedro Pascal made a cameo back in the day!). It's got very '90s fashion and dialogue, making it the perfect time capsule. Consider it: nostalgia to the max, with a paranormal bent.
'Columbo' (1971–1978)
If you like classic mystery novels of the Agatha Christie variety, you'll love Columbo. The titular detective (played by Peter Falk) is seemingly a bumbling mess in a trench coat but incredibly astute at solving crimes. And he always solves the case in the end.
'Dexter' (2006–2013)
I will warn you that if you start watching the show and are totally hooked, the last couple of seasons are...rocky. (The reboot has been critically acclaimed as an extension of the original story, so you'll have more to watch if you finish the original show.) But I could watch Michael C. Hall as a murderous "good guy" all day.
'The Dick Van Dyke Show' (1961–1966)
Dated? Sure, because this show originally aired in the '60s, but this much-beloved show has lots to recommend. Plenty of people were tuning in because Mary Tyler Moore was just so adorable, but her and Dick Van Dyke as a sweet couple with a kid is the TV equivalent of cotton candy.
'Doctor Who' (2005–2022)
Like The Simpsons or Star Trek, this show has many iterations. The brilliant conceit of Doctor Who's "regeneration" into different forms (which allows the character to be played by different actors) means that you can choose your favorite Doctor(s) and watch their seasons as a standalone.
'Felicity' (1998–2002)
Long before Taylor Swift sang “You Belong With Me,” Felicity (played by Keri Russell) followed her high school crush to college. Yep, you read that right. Until Felicity debuted in the early aughts, shows about college kids frequently dissolved into soapy shiny bummers. Breaking with tradition, this coming-of-age drama seemed custom-cut to address common challenges without glossing over the big stuff like abortion, domestic violence, and declaring a major.
'Frasier' (1993–2004)
Fraiser is like a soothing balm of a TV show. Spun off Cheers, it sees therapist Fraiser Crane's move from Boston to Seattle where he begins a new life as a talk radio show host. Despite his sweet presence in his professional life, the chaos of his personal life makes the show all the more watchable.
'Freaks and Geeks' (1999–2000)
This will be a short rewatch since it's only 18 episodes, but getting a peek at some future famous faces as they lament teenage life (in the talented hands of creator Paul Feig and producer Judd Apatow) is a trip down memory lane. Bonus points: It gets the awkwardness of teendom right.
'Friday Night Lights' (2006–2011)
Whether you're a sports super fan or go to football games for the uniforms, Friday Night Lights will have you learning your buck sweep from your razzle dazzle in no time. Set in small-town Texas, Friday Night Lights follows Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) and his family as they embark on leading a high school football team to victory... maybe. This show digs into everything: teenage love, family drama, and class tension that shows up as much on the field as off. Also, Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch). Yay, sports.
'Friends' (1994–2004)
Given how popular this sitcom still is, you've probably rewatched (or considered rewatching) Friends. Nowadays, it's hard to ignore some of the series' dated flaws, but revisiting the best episodes can also be a comfort. As the theme song says, it'll "be there for you" whenever you feel like you need to laugh with your besties, on the couch of Central Perk or otherwise.
'Futurama' (1999– )
This show has been canceled and revived several times, which may mean you haven't watched it in all its iterations. The creator of The Simpsons (another very rewatchable show) envisions the life of a regular guy who accidentally gets cryogenically frozen and wakes up in the horrifying, hilarious future.
'Gilmore Girls' (2000–2007; 2016)
Also known as the show with the fastest-talking characters of all time, Gilmore Girls always benefits from a rewatch (so you can catch each of their quips). The mother-daughter dynamic is still adorable, the Connecticut setting is nothing short of cozy vibes, and we can all laugh at the millennial attitude towards school and dating.
'Golden Girls' (1985–1992)
Not many shows focus on older women, much less their lives with compassion and relatability, but The Golden Girls does. No matter your age, it has the power to remind you of your own girlfriends, as it depicts female friendships in a hilarious but very human way.
'I Love Lucy' (1951–1957)
The show is aptly titled; Lucille Ball makes the show, from her over-the-top facial expressions to her ingenious physical comedy. Frankly, the fun of the rewatch is to observe her brilliance (and, if you watched this as a kid, remember a simpler time in your life).
'Justified' (2010–2015)
Timothy Olyphant is 90 percent of this series' appeal, but it doesn't hurt that it's a compelling neo-Western. Olyphant plays Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, who is relocated to a Lexington, Kentucky jurisdiction, which includes his small hometown after he kills a mobster. We won't give much else of the plot away, because this thriller is more fun the less you know if you're watching for the first time.
'Lost' (2004–2010)
Debuting 20 years ago, Lost still has people talking. A surreal sci-fi drama that spurred countless fan theories, the show laid the groundwork for the likes of The Leftovers and Black Mirror. The show begins when a plane crashes into the sea, washing surviving passengers onto the shores of a deserted island. But are they really alone? You’ll have to watch to find out.
'Mad Men' (2007–2015)
The brilliance of setting a prestige TV show in the '60s (beyond the joyful costume drama vibe of it all) is that it doesn't really age: We could watch Don Draper drink his way through business meetings and Peggy Olson claw her way up the corporate ladder all day, every day.
'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' (1970–1977)
It may seem simple but this show was groundbreaking by following a single woman (gasp!) with a job. But it was the dawn of a new era and inspired countless other career women in reality and on-screen. That's all thanks to the star, Mary Tyler Moore herself, who was divine as a sweet, determined, talented woman in her 30s working as a producer on an evening news show in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
'My So-Called Life' (1994–1995)
Don’t be misled by its single season. My So-Called Life was a show ahead of its time. Featuring baby-faced Claire Danes and Jared Leto, the show punches well above its weight, easily earning classic status. Come for the outfit inspo and stay for the storyline, the show dives into high school issues without turning them into a parody or frothy teen blitz.
'The Office' (2005–2013)
Who among us hasn't thrown on a couple of episodes of The Office when we need a pick-me-up in the form of a binge-watch? Its workplace comedy setting is all the more relatable and everybody in the ensemble is hilarious in their way. Years later we're still quoting some of the best bits.
'Parks and Recreation' (2009–2015)
If you have ever worked for the government (or a job with a similarly hilarious amount of bureaucracy) then you already understand the premise of Parks and Recreation. But over time, the sitcom became about its ensemble cast as much as it was about the ever-cheerful Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler).
'Orphan Black' (2013–2017)
Orphan Black falls into two big rewatchable categories: classic and underrated show. It started strong, with Tatiana Maslany seemingly effortlessly embodying a ton of clones of her character, and—even though there were ups and downs—it also ended strong after five seasons.
'Seinfeld' (1989–1999)
Seinfeld was a cultural touchstone for many, and its focus on the smallness of everyday life helped make it evergreen. The core cast of Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld's hysterical sitcom will have you in stitches, but we're partial to Julia Louis-Parker's iconic turn as Elaine, from her glorious curly hair to her empowered attitude about dating.
'Six Feet Under' (2001–2005)
If you haven't had the pleasure of watching this strange comedy, it's worth a watch. It's a rumination on death that has never felt more alive—about a family running a funeral home (and living life very dramatically).
'Skins' (2007–2013)
A postcard from the indie sleaze era, this U.K. show captures the hot messiness of the time distilled into a group of high schoolers overwhelmed by their unfortunate circumstances, poor decisions, and hard partying. You'll be impressed by how many now-A listers got their start on this teen drama.
'The Sopranos' (1999–2007)
The Sopranos is one of the greatest shows of all time—and no one can argue with that! The plot is gripping, the humor is surprising, and the characters are wildly complex and inspired more shows centered around complicated antiheroes, thanks to James Gandolfini's nuanced portrayal of Tony Soprano. The HBO classic dared to redefine what TV could be.
'Star Trek' (1966–1969)
There are so many Star Trek iterations and episodes that you could rewatch for years (which, if you want to take on the project, could be fun). The original remains as inventive as ever, with its sci-fi stories and still-relevant themes. Plus, William Shatner gives one of the best-ever TV performances as Captain Kirk.
'The Twilight Zone' (1959–1964)
You don't have to tell horror or sci-fi fans about how influential The Twilight Zone is. With each episode featuring spooky vignettes, you'll find dozens of incredible stories throughout the show's long run—many of which are quite nightmare-inducing, despite the show's age.
'Twin Peaks' (1990–1991)
Twin Peaks is a soapy, surreal, sometimes terrifying show that gripped watchers over its central mystery: Who killed Laura Palmer? The fun of the rewatch is to understand some—probably not all—of what creator/director David Lynch was trying to do creatively.
'The Wire' (2002–2008)
While many people may have caught The Wire in reruns or understand that it's considered one of the best shows of all time, it's hard to overstate its brilliance. Each season focuses on the inner workings of a different Baltimore institution surrounding narcotics; rewatching only hammers home what a piece of art this show is.
