Some television shows never go out of style – and the ’80s gave us plenty of them. It was a golden era of TV, packed with unforgettable moments, larger-than-life characters, and stories that still feel relevant through pop culture today. Decades have passed, but these iconic shows just refuse to fade. They’ve aged like fine wine and are still quoted, streamed, and loved by fans old and new.
Whether it’s a sitcom that defined family life, a crime drama, or a sci-fi series that predicted the future, these ’80s gems continue to shape how we watch and talk about TV. So, let’s take a look at 10 shows from the ’80s that are still just as powerful and relevant as ever.
10. The Golden Girls (1985 – 1992)
The Golden Girls is one of those rare ’80s shows that still feels fresh no matter how many years go by. It followed four older women – namely, Blanche, Rose, Dorothy, and Sophia – who shared a home in Miami and tackled life with sharp humor and strong friendship.
The mix of a widow, a divorcée, and a fiery mom made for hilarious and touching moments that fans still connect with today.
When the show began, there was even a live-in cook named Coco, but he disappeared after the first episode. Why? Because the creators realized that the women bonded over food in the kitchen – so no cook was needed. Another surprise here was Sophia, who was meant to only appear once in a while. But the viewers loved her so much that she became a main character.
After seven successful seasons and several famous guest appearances, the show ended in 1992 when Bea Arthur, who played Dorothy, decided to quit the show. Her character got a happy ending (marrying Blanche’s uncle and moving away). But the friendships continued in a spin-off, The Golden Palace. So, with witty one-liners and fearless takes on aging, The Golden Girls remains one of the most beloved shows from the ’80s.
You can currently rent The Golden Girls in the USA on Apple TV and Hulu.
9. Cheers (1982 – 1993)
For many, Cheers isn’t just a show – it’s a piece of television history that still holds up today. Set in a cozy Boston bar where “everybody knows your name,” the show brought together several iconic characters, such as Sam Malone (the ex-baseball player turned bartender) and regulars like Norm and Cliff, who made the place feel like home.
Later, Diane, Carla, Coach, Frasier, Woody, Lilith, and Rebecca only added to the magic. When it first aired in 1982, Cheers almost disappeared without a trace. That’s right – it ranked near the bottom in its first season. But over time, it became a ratings giant and earned its place as one of NBC’s most iconic Thursday night shows.
Its humor and chemistry kept fans coming back – and when it ended in 1993, over 93 million people tuned in for the finale. The show didn’t just make people laugh – it helped shape the future of TV comedy. Moreover, it inspired several spin-offs, the most famous of which was Frasier, which became a hit in its own right, won 28 Emmy Awards, and remains a fan favorite.
Sadly, with the recent passing of George Wendt, who played the beloved beer-loving Norm, fans are once again revisiting the show’s legacy. His role and the entire Cheers gang remind us why this ’80s classic still matters.
You can currently rent Cheers in the USA on Apple TV and Hulu.
8. The Cosby Show (1984 – 1992)
Back in the ’80s, The Cosby Show wasn’t just a hit – it was a cultural reset. At a time when TV rarely showcased successful Black families, the show introduced viewers to the Huxtables. They were a warm, funny, and well-educated family living in Brooklyn. Led by Cliff, a doctor, and Clair, a lawyer, the series changed the game by proving that stories about Black excellence belonged front and center on primetime television.
Despite later controversy around Bill Cosby, the show’s impact can’t be denied. It spent five seasons as the number one show in America – something that no other scripted series with a mostly African American cast has done before or since. Moreover, it also helped launch the careers of its stars and paved the way for future series like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Black-ish.
Clair Huxtable, played by Phylicia Rashad, became an icon for working moms on television. Meanwhile, Cliff’s colorful sweaters even sparked a fashion trend that made a comeback in the 2010s. The show’s spin-off, A Different World, set on a fictional HBCU campus, was also a big success.
Globally, The Cosby Show reached audiences in places where Black-led sitcoms had never aired before. While it ended after eight seasons, despite its complicated legacy, the show’s influence on TV, representation, and pop culture is still felt.
You can currently stream The Cosby Show in the USA on Philo or rent it on Apple TV.
7. Miami Vice (1984 – 1989)
When Miami Vice hit television screens in 1984, it didn’t just tell crime stories – it made them look cool. The show followed two undercover cops, Sonny Crockett (Don Johnson) and Rico Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas), as they battled drug lords and crime in Miami. But what made it stand out wasn’t just the action; it was the style.
That’s right – from fast cars and pastel suits to a soundtrack filled with ’80s rock and pop, Miami Vice looked like a music video and felt like a fashion magazine. It perfectly captured the flashy and rebellious energy of the decade and turned it into something unforgettable. Critics even said that it was the first show that looked truly modern since color TV began.
Though it ended in 1989 after five glorious seasons, the show’s influence never faded. It shaped how crime dramas were shot, edited, and styled. And moreover, it even inspired the hit video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, which paid homage to its flashy aesthetic and gritty underworld vibe.
The legacy of the show also lives on in Hollywood. A movie adaptation came out in 2006, and now a fresh new reboot is in the works for 2025, directed by Joseph Kosinski and written by Dan Gilroy.
You can currently rent Miami Vice in the USA on Apple TV.
6. Magnum, P.I. (1980 – 1988)
If you think detective shows are cool now, you’ve got Magnum, P.I. to thank. Set in sunny Hawaii, this ’80s classic followed private investigator Thomas Magnum (Tom Selleck), who solved crimes while living the dream. He had access to a luxurious estate, cruised around in a red Ferrari, and frequently found himself surrounded by beautiful women and, of course, beachside mysteries.
Magnum wasn’t your typical hard-nosed detective. He wore colorful Hawaiian shirts, a Tigers baseball cap, and always sported his signature thick moustache. And let’s not forget his quirky sidekick T.C., who flew him around in a chopper, often grumbling, “All I need is gas money.” What set the show apart from the rest was how it perfectly mixed action and humor.
Magnum talked directly to the audience through voice-over narration and gave fans a peek into his thoughts. The show also wasn’t afraid to get emotional, so much so that when producers tried to end the series by killing off Magnum in Season 7, fan backlash brought him back for one more season. Decades later, Magnum, P.I. still feels fresh, making Magnum one of TV’s most beloved detectives.
You can currently rent Magnum, P.I. in the USA on Apple TV.
5. Knight Rider (1982 – 1986)
Back in the ’80s, Knight Rider brought a new kind of action to television – one that came with a talking car. The show followed Michael Knight (played by David Hasselhoff), a former cop given a second chance at life with a new face, a new name, and a mission to fight crime. But he didn’t do it alone.
His partner? KITT – a high-tech, nearly indestructible black car loaded with gadgets, AI, and a voice of its own.
Together, both Michael and KITT took on criminals that regular law enforcement couldn’t handle. From explosive chases to undercover missions, the show was a mix of sci-fi, action, and, of course, adventure. What made Knight Rider stand out from the rest was its futuristic concept.
A talking car might have seemed wild back then, but today, with AI assistants and smart machines becoming real, the show feels surprisingly ahead of its time. Moreover, the bond between man and machine also gave the series emotion – something that fans still remember fondly.
Even though the show ended in 1986, it gained cult status, inspired spin-offs, and is still referenced in pop culture today.
You can currently rent Knight Rider in the USA on Apple TV.
4. Family Ties (1982 – 1989)
Family Ties can easily be one of the most loved sitcoms of the 1980s, and its themes still hit home today. Premise-wise, the show followed the lives of the Keaton family living in Ohio as they tried to balance old values with a changing world. What made things stand out was the clash between generations.
That’s right – the parents, Steven and Elyse, were former hippies who believed in peace, social justice, and above all, staying grounded.
All of which was completely absent in their son Alex, who was just obsessed with money, business, and conservative politics. Played by actor Michael J. Fox, Alex quickly became a fan favorite and breakout star. He was smart and confident, even when his plans to get rich quickly went wrong.
His constant arguments with his parents brought both laughs and real conversations about how America was changing.
Each episode blended several different elements but focused on something simple: how families deal with not always seeing eye to eye. It also showcased how kids could grow up with completely different views from their parents – and how that’s okay.
Because of this, even decades later, the show’s themes feel fresh. Whether it’s politics, personal values, or what it means to succeed, Family Ties keeps reminding us that families come with all kinds of opinions – but love keeps them together.
You can currently rent Family Ties in the USA on Apple TV and Paramount+.
3. Murder, She Wrote (1986 – 1996)
Murder, She Wrote first aired in 1984 and quickly became one of TV’s most beloved mystery shows. It starred Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher, a smart and curious mystery writer who always found herself solving murders, whether in her hometown of Cabot Cove, Maine, or across the globe. The show ran for 12 seasons and aired over 260 episodes, ending in 1996.
But its impact didn’t stop there. It led to four made-for-TV movies, two video games, and even a book series that’s still being published in 2025. What made Murder, She Wrote stand out was its unique mix of crime-solving and the clever lead character who wasn’t a police officer or detective but always outsmarted the authorities.
Lansbury’s performance earned her 10 Golden Globe nominations (she won 4) and 12 Emmy nods, setting records in the process. At its absolute peak, the show drew about 25 million viewers every week and became a Sunday night favorite on CBS. Today, it continues to air in reruns around the world and has gained a new fan base through streaming platforms.
Its influence is clear in current hit shows like Only Murders in the Building and The Afterparty, proving that a good mystery never goes out of style.
You can currently rent Murder, She Wrote in the USA on Apple TV and Prime Video.
2. Full House (1987 – 1995)
Full House first aired in 1987 and became one of the most loved family sitcoms of its time. The story followed Danny Tanner, a widowed dad in San Francisco, raising his three young daughters: D.J., Stephanie, and Michelle. To help him, he brings in his brother-in-law Jesse, a rock musician, and his best friend Joey, who’s a stand-up comedian.
The show was never a favorite with critics but became a huge hit with viewers. From season two onward, it stayed in the Nielsen Top 30 and found new life through reruns and international broadcasts. Audiences loved its warm message about unconventional families. Moreover, what made Full House special was how it showed three very different men stepping up to raise kids with love, laughter, and, of course, plenty of life lessons.
As the series progressed, we saw Jesse fall in love with morning show co-host Rebecca “Becky,” whom he married in season four. They later had twin boys, Nicky and Alex. Meanwhile, Danny moved from being a sports anchor to co-hosting Wake Up, San Francisco with Becky.
In 2016, Netflix brought back the magic with a sequel, Fuller House, which ran for five seasons and reunited most of the original cast. Even today, the show continues to attract new fans with its feel-good charm and classic family values.
You can currently rent Full House in the USA on Apple TV and Max.
1. The Wonder Years (1988 – 1993)
The Wonder Years first aired in 1988 and brought something completely different to television. That’s right – unlike the usual sitcoms, it detailed the story of growing up in America during the late 1960s and early ’70s. The show followed the life of Kevin Arnold, a regular teenage boy trying to figure out life, friendship, and love.
With his best friend Paul and crush Winnie Cooper by his side, Kevin navigated the ups and downs of middle and high school. What made the show even more special was how it perfectly mixed humor with real emotions, all through the voice of adult Kevin looking back at his youth.
Set against the backdrop of events like the Vietnam War and cultural shifts of the era, The Wonder Years touched on everything from heartbreak to family struggles. Moreover, Fred Savage, who played Kevin, became the youngest actor ever nominated for an Emmy in a lead comedy role. The show itself won multiple awards, including a Primetime Emmy and a Peabody for changing how stories were told on TV.
Even today, The Wonder Years continues to inspire shows like This Is Us and Young Sheldon. Its honest, emotional storytelling has stood the test of time, making it one of the most meaningful and relatable shows to come out of the ’80s.
You can currently watch The Wonder Years in the USA on Hulu.
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