The 20 best vintage TV shows to stream right now
When you feel like you've watched basically everything on every streaming service, it can feel like there's just nothing great out there to watch anymore. But fortunately, TV history is positively replete with excellent shows, and there's no time better to give them a rewatch — or check out something new — than when you're feeling burned out on all the new stuff.
Flip through the slideshow for 20 of the best vintage TV shows to stream right now, from classic sitcoms like "Seinfeld" and "The Jeffersons" to iconic dramas like "Murder She Wrote."
Seinfeld
After its 1989 premiere, "Seinfeld" moved the sitcom into a brand new era. Described as a "show about nothing," it remains a cult favorite among fans of Jerry, Elaine, George, and Kramer. Stream it on Netflix.
The Golden Girls
Thank you for being a friend! This classic '90s sitcom starring Bea Arthur, Rue McLanahan, Estelle Getty, and Betty White is just as good today as it was when it first premiered. Stream the entire series on Hulu.
The Jeffersons
The '70s were a significant era for television sitcoms, and few are better than "The Jeffersons." Find this iconic "All In The Family" spinoff on Tubi or Amazon Prime Video.
I Love Lucy
Though it only ran for six years, few television shows have stood the test of time like "I Love Lucy." Endlessly funny and always quirky, it's the kind of show that's earned fans from pretty much every generation. Stream it on Paramount+.
Boy Meets World
Throughout its seven-year run, from 1993 to 2000, "Boy Meets World" is beloved by pretty much every millennial. It's great for a nostalgic re-watch, and you can stream the whole series on Disney+ before watching the 2014 reboot "Girl Meets World."
Night Court
Before you watch the "Night Court" reboot on NBC you can stream the full original series to get a better idea of the machinations of Judge Harry Stone on Peacock.
Columbo
Considering our current true crime obsession, it might be time for a "Columbo" rewatch. You can follow the famed LAPD homicide detective through all 10 seasons on Tubi, the Roku Channel, and Amazon Prime Video.
The Twilight Zone
Arguably the progenitor of the spooky television show, "The Twilight Zone," originally premiered on CBS in 1959, where it ran for five seasons. There have since been multiple reboots and revivals, but the original remains a classic. Stream it on Paramount+.
Star Trek
With its legendary cast that included Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner, the original "Star Trek" is the stuff of sci-fi legend. Stream it on YouTube or Amazon Prime Video.
Law & Order
There have been so many spin-offs of "Law and Order," including a series in Los Angeles, but the New York original is still great for a re-watch. Keep an eye out for the countless cameos from actors who got one of their first roles on the long-running police procedural when you stream it on Peacock.
Doctor Who
This long-running BBC series, which first premiered in 1936, has been through countless iterations and developed a seriously devoted fanbase in the meantime. Stream it on HBO Max.
Murder, She Wrote
Who doesn't love a good mystery? Especially when Jessica Fletcher, played by the eternally charming Angela Lansbury, is constantly on the hunt for clues. A cult favorite, "Murder She Wrote" ran for 12 seasons before its finale in 1996. Stream all of them on Peacock.
Frasier
Before the much-anticipated reboot that's headed to Paramount+ in the coming months, stream all 11 seasons of the classic '90s sitcom about neurotic radio psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane on Peacock.
The X-Files
This series centered around all things supernatural — hauntings, aliens, and so much more — remains a cult favorite among sci-fi fans. Starring Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny, the series ran for more than 200 episodes, ending in 2002. Stream it all on Amazon Prime.
MASH
All 11 seasons of this beloved wartime dramedy, set during the Korean War, are available for streaming on Hulu.
Gilligan's Island
For those days when you'd rather be on a deserted island than schlep to work or do chores, head to the couch and binge-watch some "Gilligan's Island" instead of running away from home. You can stream on Philo.
Laverne & Shirley
This "Happy Days" spinoff stars director Penny Marshall before she went on to become an Academy Award-nominated director. Stream all episodes on Pluto TV, and don't be surprised if you find yourself singing "Making Our Dreams Come True" after watching a few.
The Nanny
This cult-favorite series starring Fran Drescher, Charles Shaughnessy, and Daniel Davis is the kind of show you can watch repeatedly and still laugh every single time. It's relatively new to streaming, but you can watch all episodes on Tubi or Amazon Prime Video.
The Wonder Years
Relive your childhood — or simply revel in the '60s nostalgia — with a rewatch of "The Wonder Years," a classic coming-of-age tale that centers around one family living in the suburbs. Stream it on Hulu.
Beavis and Butt-Head
Okay, it's a little juvenile, but any '90s kid will still find plenty to laugh at when rewatching "Beavis and Butt-Head," Mike Judge's classic slacker cartoon. Stream it on Paramount+, then watch 2022's "Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe."
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