10 Extremely Bingeworthy TV Shows That Are At Least 20 Years Old

Viewers have enjoyed watching multiple episodes of their favorite TV shows for a long time. Back in the day, channels would broadcast marathons, with multiple episodes running for full weekends and even weeks. Full seasons would come out on VHS tapes, and fans would get excited when they were able to get their hands on a complete collection. DVD box sets were even more of a game changer, with new and old shows available to binge. Nowadays, with the convenience of streaming, most shows from the past are available on one platform or another.

With so much variety at their fingertips, audiences are spoiled for choice. It can be eye-opening to discover a hidden gem from decades past, which can open viewers' eyes as to what life looked like back then. There are some cult classic shows that are constantly referenced in media, so having a binge session to catch up could be a great way to fill in the knowledge gaps. While there may be a limited number of hours in the day, there is some must-see TV just waiting to be binged.

10 Friends (1994-2004)

235 Episodes At About 22 Minutes Each

This show has been binged in one way or another ever since its premiere in 1994. It was so popular from the start, that many people would tape the shows so they could re-watch any time they wanted, and it is one of the best-selling box sets on both VHS and DVD. It's been syndicated all over the world, and many channels would run multiple episodes in a row daily, with special marathons a couple of times a year as well. When it became available on streaming, another level was unlocked.

edited image featuring matt le blanc as joey and jennifer anniston as rachel in friends.

10 Harsh Realities Of Rewatching Friends Season 1, 30 Years Later

Rewatching the first season of Friends 30 years after it aired reveals a lot of surprising realities about the early days of the hit sitcom.

Posts

People of a certain generation have inevitably watched every scene multiple times, but binging each episode in order hits differently. As probably the most well-known sitcom in the world, most viewers are aware of the story, the quotes and the iconic characters. But, on the off-chance someone has yet to see Friends, it is definitely worth a watch. Some storylines will have aged badly, the lack of diversity might feel frustrating, but, it has brought so many memorable TV moments. Hearing Ross say "pivot", and seeing Phoebe dance seductively to try and "seduce" Chandler, couldn't "be" any funnier.

9 Magnum P.I. (1980-1988)

158 Episodes At About 48 Minutes Each

Sometimes, when wanting to learn more about a particular decade, viewers want to immerse themselves in the time completely. The themes don't need to be timeless, and the topics do not need to appeal to absolutely everyone. Magnum P.I. is such a great time capsule of a very flamboyant decade, that it's the dated feel that makes it so great to watch in the modern day. Though the remake attempted to be much more slick and cool, the original still manages to out-slick it, even with its short shorts and loud shirts.

His mustache became his calling card, and there will undoubtedly be many who will try to celebrate the iconic facial hair once they choose to binge it now.

The appeal of Tom Selleck in the 1980s was so huge, with many viewers either wanting to be him or be with him. His mustache became his calling card, and there will undoubtedly be many who will try to celebrate the iconic facial hair once they choose to binge it now. Each episode mixed James Bond-style action with a laid-back beach feel, which felt like being on a high-octane Hawaiian vacation. The case-of-the-week format makes it so easy to dip in and out, which is ideal for binging.

8 Bewitched (1964-1972)

254 Episodes At About 25 Minutes Each

There are certain shows that fit into the category of total classics, and Bewitched is one of them. Though it comes from an era where the whole family would gather around their chunky television sets and marvel at the magical escapades of Samantha et al., it still makes for a great binge today. Elizabeth Montgomery is one of the most likable leading ladies of her time, and she's just as appealing to watch now as she was back then. And, everyone will be recreating that nose wiggle once they see it.

Witches have always had a popular place in pop culture, and Samantha is one of the most famous witches of all. She was able to lead the way for Sabrina and the Halliwell sisters, as the show mixed the supernatural elements with day-to-day life, romance, and even mundane sitcom topics. But, most importantly, the show is not only funny but, for the most part, it touches upon some societal issues in a surprisingly progressive way.

7 The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air (1990-1996)

148 Episodes At About 22 Minutes Each

From the moment viewers hear "in West Philadelphia, born and raised", serotonin will be unleashed, and it will be difficult to switch off any subsequent episode. This hugely popular sitcom is filled with so many hilarious moments. Even beyond the Carlton dance, each cast member got their chance to tickle the funny bone. But, it's not only reliant on laughs, there is a lot of heart and some genuinely moving moments that make the show so watchable.

Will Smith in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air with an old TV background

5 Saddest Episodes Of Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air

The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air could effortlessly go from hilarious scenes to heartbreaking moments and had some very sad episodes with serious themes.

Posts

The chemistry between the cast is a joy to behold, as the family grows together and grows closer in the most beautiful way. Will Smith is at his most charming and charismatic, so it's a lovely nostalgic feeling to see him at his comedic best. It was also such a cultural phenomenon that seeing the fashion of the time, hearing the music, and finding out about the relevant issues that society was dealing with, makes for a great binge re-watch.

6 The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)

156 Episodes Between 25 And 50 Minutes Each

While this classic show might feel ancient in the mid-2020s, its historical relevance makes it extremely worthy of binging. The name of the show became a common saying within the English language, and discovering the etymology of the phrase rooted in horror and sci-fi is actually extremely entertaining. With each episode following an anthology format, there is a different theme every time, and there is always an eerie twist that shocks and delights the viewer.

Many topics that were relevant 60 years ago can still resonate today, with themes of war, mob mentality, and surveillance that stand the test of time.

For anyone who enjoys TV shows like Black Mirror or American Horror Story, it's important to know that they would most likely not exist in the same way without The Twilight Zone. Coupled with one of the most famous theme songs in TV history, this show would be great to binge around Halloween to hit the theme in style.

5 Seinfeld (1989-1998)

172 Episodes At About 22 Minutes Each

When it came out, this hilarious sitcom was groundbreaking for the audiences of the time. The unfiltered musings of a stand-up comedian and his motley crew of quirky friends struck a chord on the cusp of a new decade. It went on to become a blueprint for many comedies to follow and is one of the more influential TV comedies of the 1990s. The mixture of Jerry Seinfeld's own on-stage material and a narrative following the main characters feels fresh to this day.

Many jokes are still very relatable, mostly because most of the issues they discussed were mundane, everyday occurrences that could resonate with a lot of people. There are some great catchphrases just waiting to be discovered, and the show features some very well-known characters that defined a whole generation. The episodes aren't particularly long, so it would be very easy to catch up with the whole series within a few dedicated weeks.

4 Ally McBeal (1997-2002)

112 Episodes At About 45 Minutes Each

It is quite surprising how ahead of its time this legal dramedy actually was. There were some very intriguing cases, quirky comedic beats, and some relatable existential dread that mostly came from the main protagonist. With the feeling of a rom-com set in the courtroom, the show feels like a mix of The Good Wife and Sex and the City, but with a more surreal twist to it. Calista Flockhart was a delight in the lead role, and the supporting cast was stacked with so many familiar faces.

As a character, Ally McBeal is romantic, neurotic, and just trying to figure it all out, and that is something many viewers will relate to.

Lucy Liu, Jane Krakowski, and Portia de Rossi were all series regulars, and recurring characters included the likes of Robert Downey Jr., Jon Bon Jovi, and Taye Diggs. Along with legendary creator David E. Kelley, this combination of talent was able to produce some of the most compelling TV of the late '90s and early 2000s, which would be a fresh addition to anybody's viewing list. As a character, Ally McBeal is romantic, neurotic, and just trying to figure it all out, and that is something many viewers will relate to.

3 Cheers (1982-1993)

270 Episodes At About 22 Minutes Each

As one of the biggest hits of the 1980s, Cheers drew in millions of viewers every week. Following the escapades of a group of friends who love spending time at their regular bar provides plenty of opportunities for laughs, and the show would deliver with every episode. Frasier may have been able to make an impact all on its own, and is also extremely bingeable, but seeing where it all began is a great watch as well. After all, most people want to go where everybody knows their name.

Shelley Long as Diane Chambers and Ted Danson as Sam Malone in Cheers.

The Best Episodes Of Cheers That Showcase Each Main Character

From bar proprietor Sam Malone to the late bartender Coach, each of Cheers' main characters have a defining episode that best showcases who they are.

Posts

Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson, and Shelley Long are only some of the huge names to take their place behind the bar, with Kelsey Grammer and John Ratzenberger occupying the stools in front of them. There is romance, deception, and the type of character-driven comedy that can only come from a cast that has as much chemistry and camaraderie as this one. A funny, warm sitcom, with tonnes of awards and critical acclaim, it is primed for a marathon session.

2 Dawson’s Creek (1998-2003)

128 Episodes At About 60 Minutes Each

Dawson's Creek

Drama

10.0/10

Release Date: 1998-00-00 - 2003-00-00
Network: The WB
Directors: Greg Berlanti
Writers: Kevin Williamson, Greg Berlanti, tom kapinos

Cast

See All

James Van Der Beek
Katie Holmes

In the small town of Capeside, Massachusetts, fifteen-year-old Dawson Leery and his friends — tomboy Joey, class clown Pacey, and many more — experience the highs and lows of teenage life and coming of age.

Seasons: 6
Story By: greg berlanti

Filled with emotion and angst, Dawson's Creek is the ultimate teen drama. It has everything the genre needs, from will-they-won't-they romantic entanglements, high-stakes life decisions, and a beautiful cast of future stars. Michelle Williams went on to become a multiple Academy Awards nominee, Joshua Jackson has maintained his heart-throb status for decades, and Katie Holmes is still one of the most recognizable actors in Hollywood.

Then there is the writing. Kevin Williamson introduced a whole group of young viewers to so many multi-syllable words and outlandish adjectives that had them reaching for a thesaurus after every episode. It was also such a big influence on so many shows that came after it. One Tree Hill, Gilmore Girls, and even The Summer I Turned Pretty have all benefitted from the storytelling and high drama that came from Capeside. Binging it in order will feel just like growing up, and invariably open up some pent-up feelings that might need to be unleashed.

1 The Golden Girls (1985-1992)

177 Episodes At About 30 Minutes Each

This iconic comedy is so sharp and witty, it is sometimes hard to catch every new zinger because viewers are too busy laughing at the previous one. With four such strong leads, each one has a clear personality and type of humor, and they play off each other in the best ways. It's not easy to find chemistry as strong as the one between Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia. The actors' huge talent was recognized and rewarded, with every single one of the four leads receiving an Emmy Award for their respective roles.

The show also touched upon some hard-hitting topics, like aging, loneliness, death, and LGBTQ rights. It is actually very impressive how progressive a show about four older women made in the '80s can be. Some people may have seen the show get name-checked on The O.C., some may have watched it multiple times already, and there may also be those who have never even heard of it. But, The Golden Girlslives up to its name in more ways than one, and should be at the top of any comedy fan's binge list.

zo/span>lentz