There are no two ways about it: Netflix is an entertainment wonder of our age. But while many of its series make for amazing binge watching, the slowburn nature of 1990s TV shows is something that still brings a sense of comfort to my millennial heart. And, I assume, it will do the same to you, too.
Here are the three I’m planning on rewatching soon.
The X-Files: Running from 1993 to 2002 on FOX, it’s hard to overestimate this show’s cultural impact, which is why it totalled 218 episodes plus two films. The premise centres around Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, two FBI agents who deal with unexplained cases that include UFOs, mythical creatures, and sci-fi-inspired lifeforms. Apart from the now-outdated special effects, this show’s storyline is just as intriguing now as it was back then… Just don’t let it turn you into a conspiracy theorist in the process!
Dawson’s Creek: This teen drama kicked off in 1998 and ran until 2003. In a nutshell, this coming-of-age series is based on six friends trying to figure out who they are, how to grow up, and what love means as they go through highschool and college. While, today, the storyline and plot may seem somewhat demure, it was actually extremely controversial in its time, particularly as it covered topics like sex and homosexuality head-on.
Charmed: From 1998 to 2006, magic and witchcraft found a home in this The WB series, which told the story of three sisters who discover their powers and use it to fight evil in the shape of monsters and demons. In the words of Ken Tucker, an Entertainment Weekly writer, ‘Charmed is Charlie’s Angels with an Ouija board.’ In other words, if you’d like a good dose of girl-power, this show is where it’s at!
Are there any other 1990s TV shows you’d recommend? We’re always on the lookout for something new to watch or rewatch, so let us know!