Best Series Premiering Each Year of the Decade

The 1990s were a significant decade that brought us some of our favorite series, and these are the greatest TV shows that premiered every year. The 1980s saw the premieres of some of the most groundbreaking sitcoms, from the sarcastic everyday humor of Seinfeld to the cozy and heartwarming tone of The Golden Girls.

The next decade not only built on those comedic strengths but also featured some dramas that are just as meaningful to rewatch today. From a sweet animated series that started in 1991 and remains a nostalgic hit today to what is arguably HBO’s most significant crime drama, these ’90s shows definitely left their mark and are still popular now.

1990: The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air

Some huge shows premiered in 1990, including Twin Peaks, Wings, and Beverly Hills, 90210, but The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air left a big impression on the sitcom genre. Although it’s of course a funny show, its characters make it as unforgettable as any hilarious lines or dance scenes.

Fresh Prince earned its legacy due to its perfect tone, as it balances lighter and more serious topics. The smart premise of Will Smith moving in with his family, who are well-off, allows for depictions of topics that need to be discussed, from gun violence to racism. There are also plenty of fun storylines seen on many sitcoms, like weddings and family vacations.

1991: Rugrats

Before Rugrats, it might have been tough to picture an animated series about babies, as what could those episodes be about? From the start, Rugrats proved that it had a rich, fascinating, and fun story to tell, with Tommy Pickles (E.G. Daily) and his friends finding out more about the world every day.

Unlike some children’s shows, this one can be watched by any age group, as the characters have relatable experiences and just want to have fun, spend time with loved ones, and find friends who understand them. Rugrats also deserves praise for depicting more somber storylines, like when Chuckie Finster’s (Christine Cavanaugh, Nancy Cartwright) dog passes away.

1992: Are You Afraid Of The Dark?

Horror TV shows for a children’s audience aren’t a huge trend today, but Are You Afraid of the Dark? was a significant part of many childhoods after season 1 began airing in 1992. Throughout five seasons and two revivals, the show follows a clever formula as the Midnight Society tells terrifying stories while sitting around a campfire in the forest.

Episodes like “The Tale of the Dangerous Soup” and “The Tale of Apartment 214” were so compelling because they featured simple subjects that kids could relate to, from creepy soup at a restaurant to a strange resident in an apartment building. Sadly, The Are You Afraid of the Dark? reboot wasn’t good, so it’s definitely better to rewatch the 1990s show rather than check out those three seasons.

1993: The X-Files

Sci-fi TV was altered by the premiere of The X-Files, from the engaging and creepy format to Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) and Fox Mulder’s (David Duchovny) partnership. The show is definitely a big reason why the genre became more popular and mainstream.

Since time has passed since the pilot came out, it’s only natural to critique some parts of the show, as any sci-fi series with mysteries can feel frustrating at times. However, the Scully/Mulder dynamic is why you keep watching, and it’s endlessly fascinating to watch two main characters who disagree about the existence of the supernatural.

The show has such a big fanbase that no one wanted to say goodbye to these characters, leading to a 2008 movie and season 10 and 11 coming out in 2016 and 2018. Ryan Coogler is planning a reboot of The X-Files, and if it comes out, it’ll be fun to see his take.

1994: Friends

While 1994 saw the premieres of the moving coming-of-age seriesMy So-Called Life andthe hit medical drama ER, it’s hard to compete with Friends, which is still an overwhelmingly popular sitcom.

When watching the pilot, it was impossible not to be charmed by Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston) and her hopes for a better life in New York City with Monica Geller’s (Courteney Cox) friend group. Over 10 seasons, the show features great character development as you watch the group fall in love, figure out their careers, and grow up.

Friends altered the sitcom landscape by inspiring several NYC-set comedies about twentysomethings hanging out with their pals and trying to find love, from Happy Endings to How I Met Your Mother. But many fans come back to Friends as a comforting rewatch, although of course, there are some frustrating episodes and storylines, like Ross Geller (David Schwimmer) and Rachel’s “break.“

1995: Star Trek: Voyager

Although not the first TV show in the franchise, Star Trek: Voyager is an important one, with 77% on Rotten Tomatoes and great performances from the entire cast, especially Kate Mulgrew. It’s celebrated for having a strong female character in charge, Mulgrew’s Captain Kathryn Janeway, as that hadn’t been done before in the franchise.

Voyager is such a big part of the Star Trek universe that a limited series, Star Trek: Voyager: Homecoming, came out in September 2025. The ’95 series had seven great, intense seasons, and many appreciate how well-crafted the pilot episode, “Caretaker,” was. It perfectly sets up the captivating setting of the Delta Quadrant.

1996: Everybody Loves Raymond

Some fun, nostalgic, and quirky series also came out in 1996, including charming and offbeat sitcoms Sabrina the Teenage Witch and 3rd Rock from the Sun. But none made as big an impact as Everybody Loves Raymond, which is still thought of as one of the most important TV comedies.

Although it wasn’t the first family sitcom and premiered several years after Full House, Growing Pains, and Family Ties, it was arguably the first sitcom to properly articulate the frustrations that many people feel toward their siblings, parents, or in-laws.

The show helped bring Ray Romano from comedian to Hollywood star, and every time Marie (Doris Roberts) and Debra Barone (Patricia Heaton) experience tension, more than a few viewers see themselves in their relationship. And we can look forward to seeing the cast members again on the CBS Everybody Loves Raymond reunion, which will air in November 2025.

1997: Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Buffy the Vampire Slayer cemented itself as the most memorable 1997 release with an excellent first season. These 12 episodes introduce Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), her moving dynamic with mentor Giles (Anthony Stewart Head), her epic romance with Angel (David Boreanaz), and the danger she’d face for seven seasons.

The ’90s were a big decade for teen dramas, but Buffy still managed to stand out as she was tougher and more confident than many protagonists. She also has a more important mission than getting good grades, making new friends, and going on dates. And we’re still discussing Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s villains, characters, and relationships decades later.

Buffy absolutely paved the way for other teen shows to include sci-fi/fantasy elements, and while the most obvious comparison is The Vampire Diaries, other recent compelling shows feature a blend of genres, including Stranger Things.

1998: Sex And The City

Before 1998, we saw family sitcoms or comedies centered around friend groups going through life together, but no TV show focused on four single women whose daily lives were treated as meaningful and important.

Sex and the City has memorable episodes about the experiences we all have, from going on dates to figuring out how someone feels to navigating envy and changing priorities in our friendships. Even low points, like Carrie Bradshaw’s (Sarah Jessica Parker) disappointing love interest, Mr. Big (Chris Noth), still work since too many people experience similarly painful relationships.

Sure, beloved dramas like Felicity and Dawson’s Creek also premiered the same year as SATC, and there’s no doubt that they had huge audiences who still love them today. But SATC has been a consistent presence in pop culture ever since its pilot episode aired, with not only a revival series but two movies as well.

1999: The Sopranos

The Sopranos began airing two years after the fantastic crime drama The Wire premiered on HBO, but all the elements of the James Gandolfini-starring show came together to create Sunday night magic. It was the TV drama you had to tune into, predating the fun conversations we’ve all had about big shows like Game of Thrones and Succession.

After the solid first season, it’s no surprise that the series finale still leads to conversations. The show could have been a violent exploration of what it’s like to be a mob boss in New Jersey, but the emotional plotlines about Tony Soprano’s family members make it more universally accessible and appealing than it otherwise might have been.