These 10 Underrated ’90s TV Shows Have Become Cult Classics Today

In the 1990s, television was evolving, and there are plenty of iconic TV shows of the decade that are widely talked about today. However, many of the most underrated projects deserve to be better remembered. TV series like Babylon 5 are considered cult classics, but the legacy and influence that so many of these projects have cultivated make them so much more than that. Even though more popular shows might have overshadowed the boundary-pushing formats of these works, they have found their audiences in the years since they went off the air.

While the best cult classic movies of the 1990s are widely talked about, these TV shows should be just as widely discussed since so many weren’t readily available for so long. The increased use of streaming services and the ability to find overlooked titles on these platforms has led to a resurgence in popularity for many of these series, giving them a second life. When these TV shows are recognized by wider audiences, it helps keep them in the cultural conversation and demonstrates how many modern series owe so much to the works that came before them.

10

Babylon 5 (1993–1998)

Babylon 5 is a vividly imagined addition to the sci-fi genre

Babylon 5

Release Date

1993 – 1998-00-00

Showrunner

J. Michael Straczynski

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Babylon 5 is a sci-fi TV show that I would love to see make a comeback, even though the tight five-season run of the original series is nearly perfect. Hailed for its multi-season arcs and carefully planned storylines and character development, Babylon 5 is a TV series that turned a corner within the sci-fi genre. It’s difficult to imagine where science fiction would be today without Babylon 5, as the way we watch and engage with the genre has been influenced so heavily by this underrated classic.

It was a socially progressive and philosophical show that reflected the most relevant issues and conversations of the 1990s through its setting in the far future. The visuals and otherworldly effects that Babylon 5 utilized might be dated by today’s standards, but they were groundbreaking in the ’90s. This elevated the already intricate plotting and design of the world of Babylon 5, which encouraged audiences to view the world through a lens of understanding and kindness.

9

Freaks And Geeks (1999–2000)

A beloved teen TV show that’s developed more than a cult following

It’s impossible to talk about overlooked classics of the 1990s without discussing Freaks and Geeks. Judd Apatow and Paul Feig’s beloved series is well known and popular enough today that it might have started to transcend the moniker of cult classics. However, there are still new audiences discovering Freaks and Geeks for the first time, learning why the show has gained its almost flawless reputation. Few shows are so consistently hailed for realistically tackling what it’s like to be a teenager.

Fortunately, Freaks and Geeks is a high school TV show that can be revisited year after year, losing none of its power to transport you right back to the pangs of adolescence. The all-star cast features James Franco, Linda Cardellini, Seth Rogen, Jason Segal, and Busy Philipps, to name only a few of the stellar performers who got their start on Freaks and Geeks. Though it’s set in the early 1980s, it’s difficult to find a show today that’s as emotionally truthful and painfully hilarious as Freaks and Geeks. ​​​​​​​

8

The Critic (1994–2001)

This animated series engages with the pitfalls and joys of watching movies

The Critic

Release Date

1994 – 2001-00-00

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  Jon Lovitz

  Jay Sherman (voice)

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  Christine Cavanaugh

  Marty Sherman (voice)

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  Charles Napier

  Duke Phillips (voice)

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  Judith Ivey

  Eleanor Sherman (voice)

Animated TV shows of the 1990s are some of the funniest and most overlooked additions to the genre, and The Critic is no exception. While works like The Simpsons and South Park were dominating the airwaves, The Critic was a subtle and snarky series that appealed to film lovers and anyone interested in discussing media. The protagonist, Jay Sherman, voiced by Jon Lovitz, is the titular movie critic who has his own TV show where he gives cynical critiques of films.

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However, The Critic was far from a mean-spirited series, as it showcased the many sides of Jay and his struggles to engage with the real world as well as he does with the movies. As time has progressed, The Critic has only become a more beloved addition to the animation genre, as it has such a human heart. With plenty of tongue-in-cheek references to popular movies and famous critics of the 20th century, The Critic holds up well today even though the movies have changed.

7

Living Single (1993–1998)

Revisiting this iconic sitcom proves how timeless its stories and characters are

Living Single is frequently compared to the hit sitcom Friends. While there are undoubtedly similarities between the two projects, it would be unfair to only talk about one series in relation to the other, as Living Single premiered before Friends did. Living Single was a sharp, witty exploration of the lives of a group of friends living in New York, navigating their careers, relationships, and the changing world. Centering on Black characters and voices, Living Single was set in Brooklyn and starred Queen Latifah as Khadijah James​​​​​​, one of the series’ protagonists.

Of all the best TV shows set in New York City, Living Single is rarely talked about among the iconic sitcoms that defined the 1990s. Living Single has aged well and is an exciting series to rediscover today, as it features such a talented cast and touches upon some of the most relevant topics of the 1990s. The show intended to showcase the lives of young Black professionals in a way that many contemporaneous projects didn’t, allowing it to stand out in the TV landscape and earn a dedicated following.

6

Sliders (1995–2000)

This sci-fi series puts a high-stakes spin on the concept of parallel universes

It’s widely agreed upon that Sliders is a 1990s sci-fi show that’s overlooked and should be widely regarded as a boundary-pushing addition to the genre. Long before the multiverse became mainstream in film and television, Sliders took the concept of parallel universes and created an unforgettable adventure that took its characters to unrecognizable versions of Earth. The original cast members include Jerry O’Connell and John Rhys-Davies, who boast a strong chemistry that made their journey even more exciting to watch.

Frequently compared to other well-known sci-fi romps like Doctor Who, Sliders stood out because the characters were accidentally stuck in parallel universes and had to travel continuously to new ones in the hope of finding the correct Earth. This opened the door for Sliders to touch upon historical and sci-fi concepts and settings, creating something for everyone who watched the show. There are many references and tributes to classic books and films of the genre throughout the episodes of Sliders​​​​​​​.

5

3rd Rock From The Sun (1996–2001)

The sitcom and sci-fi genres clash in this comedic take on alien life

Blending the sci-fi genre and the classic nuclear family formula of the sitcom, 3rd Rock From The Sun is a unique series that subverts many of the pitfalls of ’90s TV. With an ensemble cast including a young Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Kristen Johnston, John Lithgow, and French Stewart, 3rd Rock From The Sun is uplifted by the hilarious cast. Following the lives of a group of aliens masquerading as a regular human family, 3rd Rock From The Sun has no trouble mining comedy from its premise.

Sci-fi and speculative fiction, in general, are used as a way for TV shows to critique modern society and demonstrate how strange humans might seem from an outside perspective. As the series progressed, the central characters of 3rd Rock From The Sun started to enjoy and understand human life more than they ever thought they would. Though the show is a comedy first, there are still plenty of surprisingly emotional and poignant moments to be found throughout the narrative.

4

In Living Color (1990–1994)

A lesser-known sketch comedy show that gave many iconic performers their starts

In Living Color never received the same attention as Saturday Night Live, one of the most famous sketch shows of all time, but this allowed the classic series to push more boundaries and experiment with form even further. Created by Keenan Ivory Wayans, In Living Color centered the writing and performances of Black comedians, which instantly set it apart among the largely white TV landscape of the 1990s. In many ways, In Living Color was the most relevant and engaging sketch show of the decade.

Iconic actors like Jamie Foxx and Jim Carrey rose to prominence thanks to their work on In Living Color, and this has maintained interest in the series long after it stopped airing in 1994. Comedy was changing in the 1990s, and In Living Color is a time capsule of the sense of humor of the period. Thanks to the incredible talent featured in In Living Color, it’s even more fun to look back on the series and see the early work of beloved actors.

3

Sports Night (1998–2000)

Aaron Sorkin’s lesser-known series is worth revisiting

Though audiences typically think of heavy-weight TV shows like The West Wing when remembering Aaron Sorkin’s projects of the 1990s, Sports Night is a sharp addition to his body of work. Starring well-known actors like Josh Charles, Peter Krause, and Felicity Huffman, Sports Night is a clear precursor to contemporary series like The Morning Show. It follows the lives and experiences of people working on a sports commentary show similar to programs on ESPN.

Touching upon the behind-the-scenes drama that goes into making a tight hour of television, Sports Night boasts Sorkin’s typical lightning-fast dialogue and commentary on the nature of contemporary culture and politics. Though the end of Sports Night allowed Sorkin to work more closely on The West Wing, cementing its legacy, it would have been interesting to see where Sports Night went. Toeing the line between comedy and drama, Sports Night has a lot in common with similar series of the modern era.

2

My So-Called Life (1994–1995)

This teen drama is considered the benchmark for shows of the genre

A young Claire Danes lends uncanny depth and nuance to her performance as Angela Chase, the angsty protagonist of My So-Called Life. The 1990s were packed with teen dramas that began to explore more serious subjects and take adolescence more seriously, but My So-Called Life is easily the best of the genre. Angela deals with intense ups and downs in her personal life and at school, and My So-Called Life doesn’t shy away from discussing topics that were largely taboo during the ’90s.

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The writing of My So-Called Life has allowed the show to age well and remain relevant, connecting with contemporary teenagers who can easily relate to Angela and her experiences. This well-crafted world is heightened by Danes’s uncanny ability to draw viewers into Angela’s universe. These qualities have made My So-Called Life a highlight of the genre, even though it was canceled after season one. Had My So-Called Life continued for multiple seasons, it would be even more widely regarded as an unmissable TV show.

1

Spin City (1996–2002)

Michael J. Fox leads this genial political sitcom

Originally led by Michael J. Fox, Spin City follows the inner workings of the mayor’s office in New York City, with Fox’s character, Mike Flaherty, playing the Deputy Mayor. Though Charlie Sheen would later take over as the star when Fox left, the series is largely defined by its early seasons and the charismatic work of Fox as the series’ protagonist. Though Spin City was far from the only sitcom set in New York in the ’90s, it’s an underrated one.

Spin City was on the air for six seasons, eventually being canceled, likely in part due to Fox’s departure. However, it’s a fun show to revisit today, showcasing a different side of 1990s TV than we typically think of today. While Spin City never reached the heights of popularity that shows like Friends or Will & Grace did, it’s a strong foil to the more self-serious political dramas of the era. For fans of Fox’s work and ’90s series in general, Spin City is a show that shouldn’t be overlooked.