Every night of the week had its sitcom in the 90s. Thursday was NBC's "Must See TV", Friday was ABC's TGIF, and the rest of the week was filled with family comedies, workplace comedies and shows about friends hanging out in apartments they could never really afford. These are the 25 best 90s sitcoms, and almost all of them are still fun to rewatch.
Quick answer
The best 90s sitcoms include Seinfeld, Friends, Frasier, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Living Single, Boy Meets World, Home Improvement, Martin, The Nanny and Everybody Loves Raymond.
Key takeaways
- NBC's Thursday "Must See TV" and ABC's Friday TGIF were the two big sitcom nights.
- Seinfeld's 1998 finale drew about 76 million US viewers.
- Many 90s sitcoms had reunions or revivals decades later.
The 25 best 90s sitcoms
| # | Sitcom | Years | Network | Why it holds up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seinfeld | 1989–1998 | NBC | The "show about nothing" that defined comedy writing |
| 2 | Friends | 1994–2004 | NBC | Six friends, one coffee shop, endless rewatches |
| 3 | Frasier | 1993–2004 | NBC | Sharp farce and brilliant sibling rivalry |
| 4 | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | 1990–1996 | NBC | Big laughs and real heart |
| 5 | Living Single | 1993–1998 | Fox | Brooklyn friends long before Friends |
| 6 | Boy Meets World | 1993–2000 | ABC | Growing up, from middle school to marriage |
| 7 | Home Improvement | 1991–1999 | ABC | Tool-time chaos and family warmth |
| 8 | Martin | 1992–1997 | Fox | Wild character comedy |
| 9 | The Nanny | 1993–1999 | CBS | Outrageous fashion and a famous laugh |
| 10 | Everybody Loves Raymond | 1996–2005 | CBS | Relatable family friction |
| 11 | Full House | 1987–1995 | ABC | The ultimate TGIF comfort show |
| 12 | Family Matters | 1989–1998 | ABC | A breakout neighbor who stole the show |
| 13 | Mad About You | 1992–1999 | NBC | Grown-up marriage comedy |
| 14 | Sister, Sister | 1994–1999 | ABC / The WB | Twins reunited |
| 15 | 3rd Rock from the Sun | 1996–2001 | NBC | Aliens studying humans |
| 16 | Will & Grace | 1998–2006 | NBC | Fast, witty and groundbreaking |
| 17 | That '70s Show | 1998–2006 | Fox | A 90s show about the 70s |
| 18 | Step by Step | 1991–1998 | ABC / CBS | A blended-family TGIF staple |
| 19 | Sabrina the Teenage Witch | 1996–2003 | ABC / The WB | Magic and a sarcastic cat |
| 20 | Moesha | 1996–2001 | UPN | A teen's life in Los Angeles |
| 21 | Roseanne | 1988–1997 | ABC | Working-class family realism |
| 22 | Saved by the Bell | 1989–1993 | NBC | Saturday morning high school comedy |
| 23 | NewsRadio | 1995–1999 | NBC | An underrated workplace ensemble |
| 24 | Married... with Children | 1987–1997 | Fox | The anti-family sitcom |
| 25 | The Wonder Years | 1988–1993 | ABC | Nostalgia before nostalgia was cool |
"Must See TV": NBC's Thursday nights
NBC's Thursday lineup was the most valuable night in television. At different times in the 90s it included Seinfeld, Friends, Frasier and Mad About You. Watching on Thursday and talking about it at school or work on Friday was a weekly ritual. When Seinfeld ended in May 1998, about 76 million people in the US watched the finale.
TGIF: Friday night family comedy
ABC's TGIF lineup was made for kids and families. Full House, Family Matters, Step by Step and Boy Meets World were its 90s anchors, often with crossover episodes and catchphrase-heavy characters that every kid could quote on Monday morning. TGIF pairs perfectly with our guide to 90s kids TV shows.
Fun fact: "The Rachel", the layered haircut from Friends, became one of the most requested haircuts of the 90s. See more in our 90s hairstyles guide.
Host a 90s sitcom marathon
Sitcom marathon plan
- Pick a theme: "Must See TV" Thursday or TGIF Friday
- Choose 4–6 episodes, about 22 minutes each
- Make 90s snacks and a big bowl of popcorn
- Print a quote bingo card
- End with a 90s trivia round
Conclusion
90s sitcoms are comfort TV at its best. For more screen nostalgia, see 90s game shows, the best 90s animated movies, and our guide to 90s cartoons.
Frequently asked questions
What was the most popular sitcom of the 90s?
Seinfeld and Friends were the two most popular. Seinfeld's 1998 finale drew about 76 million US viewers, and Friends became a worldwide hit that still finds new fans.
What was TGIF?
TGIF was ABC's Friday night family comedy lineup. In the 90s it included Full House, Family Matters, Step by Step and Boy Meets World.
What was "Must See TV"?
"Must See TV" was NBC's branding for its Thursday night lineup, which in the 90s included Seinfeld, Friends, Frasier and Mad About You at various times.
What 90s sitcoms are good for families?
Full House, Family Matters, Boy Meets World, Step by Step, Sister, Sister and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air are all family-friendly picks.
Which 90s sitcoms ran the longest?
Frasier ran 11 seasons (1993–2004), and Friends and Everybody Loves Raymond each ran 10 seasons.