# The best TV shows of the 1990s

Seinfeld, The Simpsons and The X-Files: the decade that set up TV's golden age (TVLine, Paste, TV Insider).

- 1255 votes · 12 items
- Apr 8, 2026 · Jack Doyle
- https://even.best/en/l/2013/the-best-tv-shows-of-the-1990s

## Top 12

1. **Seinfeld (1989–1998)** (133 · ▲143 ▼10) — The show about nothing that shaped pop culture.
2. **Friends (1994–2004)** (104 · ▲113 ▼9) — The perfect snapshot of 90s culture.
3. **The Simpsons (1989–)** (102 · ▲113 ▼11) — Its mid-90s seasons are among the best-written TV ever.
4. **The X-Files (1993–2002)** (90 · ▲109 ▼19) — Mulder, Scully and the truth out there.
5. **Frasier (1993–2004)** (81 · ▲90 ▼9) — Razor-sharp writing, sophisticated humour and farce.
6. **Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995)** (74 · ▲86 ▼12) — The best animated superhero series ever.
7. **Twin Peaks (1990–1991)** (64 · ▲81 ▼17) — David Lynch reinvents the TV drama.
8. **ER (1994–2009)** (60 · ▲76 ▼16) — The Chicago emergency room that made George Clooney a star.
9. **The Larry Sanders Show (1992–1998)** (58 · ▲77 ▼19) — Garry Shandling behind the scenes of a talk show.
10. **NYPD Blue (1993–2005)** (45 · ▲66 ▼21) — The cop show that pushed network TV's limits.
11. **The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996)** (39 · ▲58 ▼19) — Will Smith moves in with his rich relatives.
12. **Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)** (33 · ▲57 ▼24) — High school as a hellmouth, literally.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.