A piping hot plate of nostalgia is always the best dish for satisfying your craving for quality TV. For many of us, picking up that handy-dandy TV remote to watch some classic '00s TV shows sounds like the perfect way to ride out whatever storm. So many great series from the decade have the power to bring you back to that incredible (and at times cringeworthy) era—when boybands and Britney Spears reigned supreme, and being on-trend meant you owned low-rise pants and your texting was done on a T-Mobile Sidekick.
The '00s gave us classic comedies like The Office and Arrested Development, copious iconic reality shows, dozens of comforting favorites, and more. With this much greatness, it can be hard to decide what to binge, so we rounded up some of the best 2000s TV shows that you should rewatch immediately.
'30 Rock'
Original run: 2006-2013
Starring: Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, and Jack McBrayer
Why it makes the list: Not every show about the entertainment industry hits as much as this one, thanks to Fey's history working at NBC and Saturday Night Live. The jokes come at a mile-per-minute but each one is well-earned; you'll be cracking up your entire binge.
'Arrested Development'
Original run: 2003-2006, 2013, 2018-2019
Starring: Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett, Alia Shawkat, and Tony Hale
Why it makes the list: Dysfunctional families who go from being filthy stinking rich to dirt poor in a matter of hours are the kind of comedies we love to see! Just ask those who came after it, like Schitt's Creek.
'Avatar: The Last Airbender'
Original run: 2005-2008
Starring: Zach Tyler Eisen, Mae Whitman, Jack De Sena, Dante Basco, Michaela Jill Murphy, and Mako
Why it makes the list: For every '00s kid who tried water and earth bending at the beach, this cartoon holds a special place in the heart, with its hilarious and heartfelt story about a kid chosen to master the elements and save the world. (If you watch and want more, Netflix gave this animated classic a live-action update!)
'Alias'
Original run: 2001-2006
Starring: Jennifer Garner, Ron Rifkin, Carl Lumbly, Kevin Weisman, and Victor Garber
Why it makes the list: Watching a fresh-faced Garner kick some ass for a secret branch of the CIA is what the doctor ordered! Also, a young Bradley Cooper appears in a couple of episodes, so we have no complaints.
'Breaking Bad'
Original run: 2008-2013
Starring: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Betsy Brandt, RJ Mitte, and Dean Norris
Why it makes the list: Antiheroes have long been everyone's favorite character on TV, but none compare to high school teacher turned methamphetamine seller Walter White.
'Degrassi: The Next Generation'
Original run: 2001-2015
Starring: Miriam McDonald, Shane Kippel, Cassie Steele, Lauren Collins, Stefan Brogren, and Drake
Why it makes the list: Degrassi was the Canadian drama of the '00s, with its honest depictions of real problems affecting teens (bullying, teen pregnancy, even school shootings) and its cast featuring several generations of young stars.
'Desperate Housewives'
Original run: 2004-2012
Starring: Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, Eva Longoria, Ricardo Chavira, and James Denton
Why it makes the list: Suburban life didn't seem that boring, thanks to the ladies of Wisteria Lane. From hooking up with the sons of their neighbors to figuring out what happened to one of their own, every episode was like a totally normal day in the neighborhood.
'Everybody Hates Chris'
Original run: 2005-2009
Starring: Terry Crews, Tyler James Williams, Tichina Arnold, Tequan Richmond, Imani Hakim, and Vincent Martella
Why it makes the list: Comedian Chris Rock narrates this iconic Black TV show about his childhood in the '80s. It's clever, and its honest retelling won an NAACP Image Award for its writing in 2007.
'Friday Night Lights'
Original run: 2006-2011
Starring: Kyle Chandler, Taylor Kitsch, Brad Leland, Connie Britton, Aimee Teegarden, and Zach Gilford
Why it makes the list: Say it with us, "Clear eyes. Full hearts. Can't lose." While we can't technically ever attend a Dillion Panthers football game (ugh), Friday Night Lights was one of the strongest and most well-executed teen dramas of its time, tackling topics like racism and teen pregnancy with a whole new lens.
'Girlfriends'
Original run: 2000-2008
Starring: Tracee Ellis Ross, Golden Brooks, Persia White, Reginald C. Hayes, and Jill Marie Jones
Why it makes the list: There are tons of shows about a group of 20-somethings going through life together, but none are as funny or relatable as Girlfriends. From tackling issues from interracial relationships to parenthood, all while wearing elite '00s fashion, the show that introduced us to Tracee Ellis Ross is a must-watch.
'Gilmore Girls'
Original run: 2000-2007
Starring: Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Keiko Agena, Scott Patterson, and Melissa McCarthy
Why it makes the list: Team Dean, Team Jess, or Team Logan? This was the biggest problem for pop culture lovers everywhere in the '00s, and we have Rory Gilmore and her inability to make a proper decision on Gilmore Girls to thank for it.
'Gossip Girl'
Original run: 2008-2012
Starring: Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, Taylor Momsen, Ed Westwick, and Chace Crawford
Why it makes the list: What's better than watching a bunch of hot, wealthy New York socialites get in all sorts of messy drama while simultaneously trying to avoid becoming the subject of Gossip Girl, the most talked-about anonymous gossip blog, like ever? Absolutely nothing. Plus, you'll get lots of style inspiration, as Gossip Girl features some of the most fashionable TV characters ever.
'How I Met Your Mother'
Original run: 2005-2014
Starring: Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris, and Alyson Hannigan
Why it makes the list: Hearing how your parents met shouldn't be this funny. Years later, we haven't stopped quoting it (or expressing our frustrations with that massively divisive finale).
'Laguna Beach'
Original run: 2004-2006
Starring: Kristin Cavallari, Talan Torriero, Stephen Colletti, Lauren Conrad, and Lo Bosworth
Why it makes the list: Laguna Beach walked so that The Hills could run! Forever thankful to MTV for following eight Laguna Beach teens during their last years of high school and considering it high-quality entertainment. (It is!)
'Lost'
Original run: 2004-2010
Starring: Jorge Garcia, Josh Holloway, Yunjin Kim, Evangeline Lilly, Terry O'Quinn, and Daniel Dae Kim
Why it makes the list: Watching a group of strangers try to survive on a deserted island after a deadly plane crash should get boring after a couple of seasons, but with legendary showrunner J.J. Abrams as one of the writers, think again.
'My Wife and Kids'
Original run: 2001-2005
Starring: Damon Wayans, Tisha Campbell-Martin, George Gore II, Parker McKenna Posey, Jennifer Freeman, and Noah Gray-Cabey
Why it makes the list: The Kyles became one of the most relatable families on TV as they strived not to be the cookie-cutter family we see on network television.
'The O.C.'
Original run: 2003-2007
Starring: Mischa Barton, Adam Brody, Peter Gallagher, Kelly Rowan, Ben McKenzie, and Rachel Bilson
Why it makes the list: Teenage soap dramas set in Southern California for the win! Primarily when they're set in Newport Beach and feature a baby-faced Brody and McKenzie trying to survive high school.
'The Office'
Original run: 2005-2013
Starring: Steve Carell, Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski, Mindy Kaling, B.J. Novak, and Ed Helms
Why it makes the list: Friends to the '90s was The Office to the '00s. The dysfunctional paper company Dunder Mifflin and its employees in Scranton, Pennsylvania, brought a new outlook to the 9 to 5 experience.
'One Tree Hill'
Original run: 2003-2012
Starring: Chad Michael Murray, James Lafferty, Hilarie Burton, Bethany Joy Lenz, Sophia Bush, and Lee Norris
Why it makes the list: The high school drama of the teens of Tree Hill, North Carolina can get a little bit cheesy at times, but it's a classic angsty, coming-of-age staple that paved the way for the Riverdale-y genre of television we see today.
'Punk'd'
Original run: 2003-2015
Starring: Ashton Kutcher
Why it makes the list: Watching your favorite celebs get secretly pranked by other A-listers and host Kutcher was peak reality television. How so many of them kept cool during the high-stress situations is astounding.
'Reba'
Original run: 2001-2007
Starring: Reba McEntire, JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Steve Howey, Christopher Rich, and Melissa Peterman
Why it makes the list: Unlike most sitcoms of the time, Reba's main character was a single mother of three. While most shows portray that as a setback, Reba hardly did as she managed to navigate every situation with strength (and some Southern sass.)
'Scrubs'
Original run: 2001-2010
Starring: Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, John C. McGinley, Ken Jenkins, and Neil Flynn
Why it makes the list: Scrubs proved that shows based in hospitals could be fun, not the drama-fests we're used to. (We still love you, Grey's Anatomy!)
'The Simple Life'
Original run: 2003-2007
Starring: Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie
Why it makes the list: A show about Hollywood socialites ditching their designer handbags and extravagant ways of life to live like "the middle class" is '00s reality TV at its best.
'Six Feet Under'
Original run: 2001-2005
Starring: Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall, Frances Conroy, Lauren Ambrose, and Freddy Rodriguez
Why it makes the list: HBO was in its heyday in the early aughts, and Six Feet Under is one of the series that contributed to that reputation. While it might not get as much contemporary rewatch love as some of the network's other hits, it's definitely about time you tuned in. Revolving around the lives of the Fisher family, who own and operate the Fisher & Sons Funeral Home, it's an extremely dark comedy that tackles difficult subjects tacfully.
'Skins'
Original run: 2007-2013
Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Kaya Scodelario, Joe Dempsie, Hannah Murray, and April Pearson
Why it makes the list: You could argue that Skins started off the whole teens-behaving-badly genre that led to shows like Euphoria dominating the airwaves now. Watching this show is also a Where's Waldo for your favorite British actors (including Dev Patel and Daniel Kaaluya!).
'The Sopranos'
Original run: 1999-2007
Starring: James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli, and Steven Van Zandt
Why it makes the list: Before Games of Thrones became the hot girl on campus, a.k.a HBO, The Sopranos ruled the network. The show about a mob boss and his family set the standard for dramedies everywhere. Watching now, you'll find more than enough #mobwifeaesthetic looks to copy.
'Ugly Betty'
Original run: 2006-2010
Starring: America Ferrera, Ana Ortiz, Mark Indelicato, Eric Mabius, Tony Plana, Ashley Jensen, and Vanessa Williams
Why it makes the list: Though she comes into the office wearing a kitschy poncho on her first day at the prestigious Mode magazine, you can't help but love Betty Suarez in this workplace comedy. It's one for both the fashion and comedy fiends; and it even made history, as Ferrera became the first Latina to win the Best Actress in a Comedy Series for her portrayal as the lead.
'The West Wing'
Original run: 1999-1996
Starring: Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, Allison Janney, John Spencer, and Bradley Whitford
Why it makes the list: Today's culture lovers know a fair share of political dramas center around the White House, and we owe it all to this bad boy right here. Countless scandals, threats, and political scuffles ran amok over its seven seasons, and the show introduced us to a ton of stars we still love today.
'What I Like About You'
Original run: 2002-2006
Starring: Amanda Bynes, Jennie Garth, Wesley Jonathan, Leslie Grossman, Allison Munn, and Nick Zano
Why it makes the list: Was it the 2000s without teen queen Bynes? Absolutely not! While iconic 00's movies like What a Girl Wants and She's the Man get all the love, this underrated favorite about a 16-year-old who moves in with her older sister (Garth) has all her usual funny antics and more.
'The Wire'
Original run: 2002-2008
Starring: Dominic West, Wendell Pierce, Lance Reddick, Sonja Sohn, John Doman, and Deirdre Lovejoy
Why it makes the list: Every part of the drug food chain, from addicts to dealers and from cops to politicians, gets dissected in this gritty HBO drama set in Baltimore. Narcos, who?
