30 Best '90s Sitcoms Ranked

Summary The 90s sitcoms revolutionized comedy TV with relatable characters and heartwarming humor in groundbreaking shows.

Many popular '90s sitcoms have stood the test of time, with revivals and reboots showcasing their lasting popularity.

From Friends to Seinfeld, the '90s sitcoms continue to hold a special place in viewers' hearts and are still finding new audiences on streaming platforms.

The best 90s sitcoms show why the decade that changed television forever, especially when it came to comedy. Many of these shows involve a slice-of-life approach to humor, focusing on groups of friends or families in relatable settings. The idea of friendships leading sitcoms was a popular idea starting in the '70s, but in the '90s this set-up began to dominate the genre. The 90s not only has some of the best sitcoms of the time, but some of these sitcoms go down in history as the best TV shows of all time, launching the careers of some of their stars in the process.

The 1990s is a nostalgic age for sitcoms, even for viewers who didn't grow up in the decade. These are sitcoms that most people would recognize if they grew up watching television, and many have seen revivals and reboots thanks to their lasting popularity over two decades later. The characters and storylines were relatable while tugging at viewers' heartstrings and making them laugh. It's hard to compare any sitcom to the ones that existed in the ‘90s. The power of ‘90s sitcoms is still strong today, especially as many are now finding new life on streaming platforms.

Related 20 Best '80s Sitcoms, Ranked The '80s was the decade of the family and workplace-centric sitcom and some of those shows are among the best to ever air on TV.

30 Step By Step (1991-1998)

7 Seasons, 160 Episodes

Two well-known television stars of the 1980s teamed up in 1991 for a new sitcom called Step by Step. Suzanne Somers (Threes Company) and Patrick Duffy (Dallas) star as a widowed salon owner and a divorced contractor who meet and marry while vacationing in Jamaica.

With both of them having three kids each, it sets the stage for them to create one big blended family. The sitcom bears a strong similarity to one of the most popular sitcoms in history, The Brady Bunch, with the focus being on bringing two families together and learning how to survive as one atypical yet loving family.

Despite not being the most original premise in the world, it was a good mix of family-friendly comedy and heartwarming moments. This 90's sitcom lasted for seven seasons and coasted by on the star power of Duffy and Somers.

29 Family Matters (1989-1998)

9 Seasons, 215 Episodes

Family Matters might be best known, for better or worse, for one of its supporting characters — Steve Urkel (Jaleel White). The sitcom itself is a spinoff from Perfect Strangers and was part of the successful TGIF block of programming on ABC in the 90s. The show focuses on the Winslow family, with Reginald VelJohnson as Carl, Jo Marie Payton as Harriette, and their three kids.

However, it was nerdy neighbor Urkel who stole the show with his "Did I do that" catchphrase becoming a popular one in the 90s. There is some controversy with the series with it starting out as a grounded sitcom about a blue-collar African-American family only for the series to gradually lean into the popularity of Urkel which led to more sci-fi shenanigans.

Even with that, there is no denying the pop culture icon the character became with viewers embracing his wacky adventures. The show lasted for nine seasons, with the final one airing on CBS instead of ABC. White won two NAACP Awards for playing Urkel.

28 Mad About You (1992-1999)

8 Seasons, 176 Episodes

Mad About You Release Date September 23, 1992 Cast Paul Reiser Seasons 1

Mad About You premiered in 1992 with Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt in the lead roles as a married couple living in New York City. Newlyweds, Paul and Jamie go through their daily lives, dealing with everyday problems, a unique sitcom at the time that dealt with a family without kids. However, that all changes when they have a baby daughter near the end of the show's run.

The series lasted for eight seasons and was very successful, not only picking up big ratings but also winning four Golden Globe Awards and 12 Primetime Emmy Awards. It was a lot of fun seeing this couple deal with life in a relatable yet humorous way, from typical domestic struggles to life-changing events. The show also received a revival in 2019, although it struggled to match its previous success.

27 Coach (1989-1997)

9 Seasons, 200 Episodes

Years before he took on a role in Parenthood, Craig T. Nelson played college football coach Hayden Fox in the ABC sitcom Coach. The series focuses on Fox's life as a football coach while reconnecting with his daughter (Clare Carey), whom his ex-wife raised, who moves closer to him as she begins college herself.

While the family dynamic plays a small role in the sitcom, the biggest laughs and best moments came with Fox dealing with his football players and assistant coaches, specifically with Jerry Van Dyke playing his top assistant, Luther.

There were a ton of cameos from real-life football stars and Coach won two Primetime Emmys. Coach Fox makes for a fun protagonist who celebrates the idea "macho" guy persona of a sport-loving everyman while also poking fun at it in some effective ways.

26 Boy Meets World (1993-2000)

7 Seasons, 158 Episodes

Boy Meets World Release Date September 24, 1993 Cast Ben Savage , William Daniels , Will Friedle , Rider Strong , Lee Norris , Lindsay Ridgeway , Danielle Fishel , Alex Désert , Maitland Ward Seasons 7

Boy Meets World arrived in 1993 and lasted for seven seasons on ABC, delivering a funny a sweet coming-of-age sitcom. Ben Savage took on the lead role of Cory Matthews, who starts out the show as a young pre-teen and progresses to adulthood throughout the seven years the show was on TV.

Each episode deals with Cory's life at home and school as he navigates his teenage years and learns valuable lessons along the way. This was part of the TGIF block of comedies on ABC, and it picked up several nominations at the Young Artist Awards throughout its entire run.

It was a show that was elevated due to its ensemble of characters, from Corey's love interest Topanga to his dim-witted brother Eric to his neighbor and teacher Mr. Feeny. In 2012, Disney brought it back with the spinoff Girl Meets World, which lasted for three seasons. Some of the original cast members also run a successful podcast, Pod Meets World, centered around the show.

25 Wings (1990-1997)

8 Seasons, 172 Epiosdes

Wings was one of the first big sitcoms to premiere at the start of the 1990s. The show follows two pilot brothers, Joe and Brian Hackett (Tim Daly and Steven Weber) who fly out of a small two-airline airport in Massachusetts. Almost every episode takes place inside the airport itself as it follows the various colorful characters and their mishaps while running the airport, Joe's relationship with Helen, who works at the lunch counter, and a rivalry with a larger airline.

The unique setting for the show helped it to stand out among the rest of the 90s sitcom crowd. The series also has some huge names early in their careers, including Thomas Haden Church and Tony Shalhoub. Wings picked up a pair of Emmy nominations and is set in the same fictional universe as Cheers and Frasier.

24 Blossom (1990-1995)

5 Seasons, 114 Episodes

Before she took on the role of Amy in The Big Bang Theory, Mayim Bialik starred as the title character in the 90's sitcom Blossom. She plays a teenage girl who lives with her single dad and two older brothers. Living in this male-dominated household, Blossom has to find her own way in the world while dealing with her brother's problems and idiosyncrasies.

However, while this was Bialik's show, her brother Joey stole the show. Played by Joey Lawrence, his catchphrase of "Whoa" became a standard across many schoolyards and workplaces in the 90s. Blossom stands out for its use of fantasy sequences, with Blossom often living in this daydream world that are both relatable to the average teen viewers and add a special element to the series. These sequences often featured fun celebrity cameos as well.

23 Living Single (1993-1998)

5 Seasons, 118 Episodes

Friends might not exist without Living Single, as many have pointed out that this series set the template for what Friends ended up becoming a year later. The storyline was almost the same, with six New York City friends living in a Brooklyn brownstone and navigating their personal and professional lives in the Big Apple. The one big difference is that Living Single tells the same story but with a predominantly Black cast, led by Queen Latifa and Kim Fields.

While Friends was a massive success, Living Single earned its own lasting legacy. The show was one of the biggest among African-American viewers during this era, showing a side of their life that was not explored in sitcoms often. Living Single lasted for five seasons and picked up three Image Awards wins in six nominations.

22 Married... With Children (1987-1997)

11 Seasons, 259 Episodes

Married... With Children Release Date April 5, 1987 Cast Ed O'Neill , Katey Sagal , Amanda Bearse , Christina Applegate , David Faustino , Ted McGinley Seasons 11

Married... with Children was one of the most successful sitcoms of the 90s that didn't rely on heartwarming families or life lessons. Instead, the Bundy family gained a huge audience thanks to its raunchy and slapstick storylines concerning their lack of any sense of morality.

Al Bundy is a former high school football star who is now a shoe salesman who hates his life. Peggy is his wife, who is lazy and has little drive. Kelly is their beautiful yet clueless daughter and Bud is their wise-cracking, but equally clueless son.

This 90's sitcom lasted for 259 episodes and, while controversial for its content, went on to become beloved as a cult classic. It pushed boundaries in terms of humor while also showing a sitcom family that was not loving and wholesome like fans of the genre were used to seeing. Looking back on the show, it is fun to see how the cast went on to other great successes on television, such as Modern Family's Ed O'Neill and Sons of Anarchy's Katey Sagal.

Related Married With Children: 12 Facts You Didn’t Know About Kelly Bundy Christina Applegate's Kelly Bundy was a staple of 90s TV culture, and here are 10 facts about her which most fans won't know.

21 Roseanne (1988-1997)

10 Seasons, 231 Episodes

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Roseanne Release Date October 18, 1988 Cast Roseanne Barr , John Goodman , Laurie Metcalf , Sara Gilbert , Lecy Goranson , Michael Fishman Seasons 10

Roseanne was one of the most-watched sitcoms in the 90s through its 10-season run. Co-created by Roseanne Barr, she plays Roseanne Conner, a wife and mother in a blue-class hard-working family. The show reached the top of the Nielsen charts during its run and was always in the top 10 most-watched shows for all 10 seasons.

The show was mostly a success because it focused on a family who struggled to make ends meet, yet never quit - something that was uplifting for many TV viewers in America.

On top of its ratings success, Roseanne also picked up 14 Golden Globe nominations, winning three, and 27 Emmy nominations, winning four. The lasting legacy of the show can also be seen in the success of the sequel series The Conners, which will return for its seventh and final season even though Roseanne's character was killed off due to the actor's controversy.

20 Saved By The Bell (1989-1993)

4 Seasons, 86 Episodes

Saved By the Bell Release Date August 20, 1989 Cast Tiffani-Amber Thiessen , Mario Lopez , Mark-Paul Gosselaar , Lark Voorhies , Dustin Diamond , Elizabeth Berkley , Ed Alonzo , Dennis Haskins Seasons 4

Saved by the Bell was only on for four seasons, but it's one of the most beloved sitcoms from the '90s. The series follows high school students, Zack Morris, A C Slater, Kelly Kapowski, and their friends at Bayside High.

Saved by the Bell is relatable and helped popularize teen sitcoms of the era, which was followed by the likes of Boy Meets World. It focused on growing pains, family problems, and the ups and downs of teenage hormones.

The characters in Saved by the Bell are some of the most memorable from any '90s sitcom and moved on to appear in two spin-offs and two TV movies. This was another series that offered viewers the chance to see these characters grow up in real-time with their priorities, interests, and struggles changing as they went from young teens to young adults.

19 The Nanny (1993-1999)

6 Seasons, 146 Episodes

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The Nanny Release Date June 23, 1999 Cast Fran Drescher , Lauren Lane Seasons 6 Streaming Service(s) HBO Max , Prime Video

One of the most popular setups in the 90s sitcom era was the fish-out-of-water concept which often saw characters enter into fancy and high-class societies where they would stick out in a big way. The Nanny follows the stylish and outgoing Fran Fine from a cosmetics saleswoman to becoming the nanny for three children of the wealthy Broadway producer Max Sheffield. The sitcom focuses on the family coming together, including their butler, Niles, and business partner C.C. Babcock.

The Nanny had more of a sarcastic edge to it that made it enjoyable for all audiences with a lovable family at the center like the other great '90s family sitcoms. Fran Drescher made for a terrific lovable protagonist with an infectious laugh who helped to introduce some fun and color into the stiff rich life of the other main characters.

18 The King Of Queens (1998-2007)

9 Seasons, 207 Episodes

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The King Of Queens Release Date September 21, 1998 Cast Kevin James , Victor Williams Seasons 9

King of Queens lasted for nine seasons and followed the middle-class life of Doug Heffernan, his wife Carrie, and his loving yet invasive father-in-law, Arthur. In the sitcom, Doug and his wife live in Queens, New York, and are a typical working-class couple.

Doug acts as a delivery man while he and his wife spend the majority of their day meeting the demands of Arthur. The highly successful series was a spinoff of Everybody Loves Raymond, and it excels at that relatable humor while separating itself from other sitcoms by focusing on a childless couple and their hijinks.

Kevin James and Leah Remini made for a wonderful couple who would often bicker back and forth yet still loved each other more than anything. However, it was Jerry Stiller who stole the show as Arthur, adding absurd and eccentric humor to the series.

17 Sports Night (1998-2000)

2 Seasons, 45 Episodes

While Aaron Sorkin became one of the most acclaimed writers on television with his political drama The West Wing, there are many fans that might not have known that he actually preceded that hit series with the sitcom Sports Night.

The show followed two sports reporters, Casey McCall (Peter Krause) and Dan Rydell (Josh Charles), who co-hosted a sports show together, and the producer of their show, Dana Whitaker (Felicity Huffman).

Despite being a more light-hearted show than Sorkin's other series, it featured his brilliant writing style that made it feel more energetic and captivating than most shows of its kind. The sitcom was full of quick-witted and hilariously smart dialogue and was about more than just sports, as it reckoned with current events, politics, and interpersonal relationships in the workplace. In its two seasons, it picked up eight Emmy nominations, winning three.

16 Spin City (1996-2002)

6 Seasons, 145 Episodes

Michael J. Fox was already a star thanks to his previous sitcom success on Family Ties as well as his iconic role as Marty McFly in the Back to the Future movies. However, he brought his considerable charm and star power back to the small screen with Spin City followed Fox as the Deputy Mayor of New York, Mike Flaherty.

What made the sitcom funny was the number of issues that arose during Flaherty's workday and how he and his team could squander the issues before they became larger problems. The sitcom also starred famous faces like Heather Locklear, Richard Kind, and Alan Ruck.

Sin City lasted on the air for seven seasons but Fox sadly had to leave the show after four seasons due to his health concerns over his Parkinsons diagnosis. Charlie Sheen stepped into the lead role, and despite Fox's absence being felt, the show managed to carry on with the same humor and wit that made it such a hit.

15 NewsRadio (1995-1999)

5 Seasons, 97 Episodes

NewsRadio is another sitcom with a simple premise that is made into a huge success largely thanks to sharp writing and a fun cast of characters. Similar to the classic 1970s sitcom WKRP In Cincinnati, NewsRadio involves a group of people running a radio station and the relationships between them. NewsRadio is another great example of a workplace comedy with a terrific ensemble cast that brings it to life.

Kids in the Hall cast member Dave Foley shines as the star of this series as the news director. It also features an incredible cast that includes Stephen Root, Joe Rogen, and the late Phil Hartman as a standout. While not the most prominent '90s sitcom, NewsRadio nevertheless holds up as a solid entry to the genre from the era, and continues to have a cult following to this day.

14 Ellen (1994-1998)

5 Seasons, 109 Episodes

Long before she became known for her talk show, Ellen DeGeneres was another one of the many comedians who got their own sitcom in the 90s. Ellen was a typical show in the genre at first as it followed Ellen Morgan, a 30-something neurotic single woman who dealt with her strange friends, annoying parents, and a dating life that is less than perfect.

The show thrived thanks to DeGeneres' brand of humor that was relatable and self-deprecating. However, Ellen also made a substantial impact on television history when Ellen Morgan followed DeGeneres' journey in real life and came out as gay in the show's fourth season. While the ground-breaking move eventually led to a ratings decline, it opened the door for many future series with a brave way of defying critics to push representation on screen a little further.

13 Martin (1992-1997)

5 Seasons, 132 Episodes

After finding success on the standup stage but before becoming a movie star with hits like Bad Boys and Big Momma's House, Martin Lawrence became a star with his influential sitcom. Martin revolves around Martin Payne and his relationship with his girlfriend and friends.

Martin Lawrence is a very funny comedic actor and Martin has a great ensemble cast, all giving wonderful performances. The show sees Martin as a radio host in Detroit and focuses on his romantic relationship with Gina (Tisha Campbell).

The show was groundbreaking when it arrived in the 90s, with a predominantly Black cast and a wide range of non-stereotypical roles aimed directly toward a Black audience. While ignored by the Emmys, it still picked up several nominations and awards from the NAACP Image Awards. The excitement around the series' reunion in 2024 is proof of its lasting legacy decades later.

12 Full House (1987-1995)

8 Seasons, 192 Episodes

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Full House is one of the classic '80s-'90s sitcoms that is recognizable in pop culture even if fans didn't grow up watching the series. It followed a close-knit family including Danny Tanner raising his three daughters; DJ, Stephanie, and Michelle, after the passing of their mother. He has the help of their two uncles Jesse and Joey, making for a unique household with these three father figures attempting to raise three young women.

Some of the best Full House episodes dealt with some tough issues for a family-friendly show. Similar to most other sitcoms, the series at times covered serious topics facing teenagers, most notably dealing with peer pressure.

However, it was also a lovable and goofy exploration of this unorthodox family, with safe and good-natured humor delivered by the strong ensemble that included Bob Saget, John Stamos and star-making turns for Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen.

11 3rd Rock From The Sun (1996-2001)

6 Seasons, 139 Episodes

The 90s era of sitcoms was known for some shows taking big swings with their premises, going into absurd territory. While this could fall flat at times, there were some examples, like 3rd Rock From the Sun, that became hits for embracing that silliness.

This hilarious, over-the-top sitcom involves a group of aliens who come to Earth to learn about humans and their customs. They take the form of humans themselves, leading to a fantastic, fish-out-of-water TV series. John Lithgow stars in this series, and he gives a fantastic performance as the childish leader of the group.

3rd Rock From The Sun also launched the career of movie star Joseph Gordon-Levitt playing the oldest member of the crew trapped in the youngest body. The premise is wacky, yet despite not being a grounded story this 90s sitcom was a huge success. It was a great ensemble comedy that was hilarious, lighthearted, and entertaining, from beginning to end.