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The 28 Best ’80s TV Shows, Ranked

From 'Who's the Boss?' to 'Punky Brewster'

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We’ve already expanded our streaming queue with travel shows and comic relief, but it’s still missing a little…nostalgia. Join us as we take a walk down memory lane with the 28 best ’80s TV shows, ranked from binge-worthy to sensational.

All of the series are available to watch on streaming services, including Netflix, Prime Video and Hulu. Plus, the options range from comedy classics that started in the '80s like Seinfeld to family dramas that dominated the decade like Dynasty.

28. Perfect Strangers

  • Who's in it: Bronson Pinchot, Mark Linn-Baker, Melanie Wilson, Rebeca Arthur, Belita Moreno
  • When did it run: 1986 to 1993
  • Original network: ABC

Larry Appleton is thrilled to move into his first apartment in Chicago. Everything changes when his long-lost cousin arrives and suggests they become roommates.

80s tv shows whos the boss
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27. Who’s the Boss?

  • Who's in it: Tony Danza, Judith Light, Alyssa Milano
  • When did it run: 1984 to 1992
  • Original network: ABC

It's about a widower and former professional baseball player who takes a job as a housekeeper. The catch? He and his daughter must move into the family’s residence. The will-they-won't-they romantic tension between Angela and Tony will have you on the edge of your seat.

26. LA Law

  • Who's in it: Corbin Bernsen, Jill Eikenberry, Alan Rachins
  • When did it run: 1986 to 1994
  • Original network: NBC

The series follows the attorneys at a powerful law firm called McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak. It also focuses on co-worker relationships and romances, so prepare for loads of drama.

80s tv shows diff rent strokes
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25. Diff’rent Strokes

  • Who's in it: Gary Coleman, Todd Bridges, Dana Plato, Conrad Bain
  • When did it run: 1978 to 1986
  • Original network: NBC, ABC

The plot centers around a wealthy businessman who adopts two children after their mother passes away. Together, they take on life’s most valuable lessons—and give us some of the most iconic catchphrases.

24. Night Court

  • Who's in it: Harry Anderson, John Larroquette, Markie Post, Charles Robinson
  • When did it run: 1984 to 1992
  • Original network: NBC

Harry T. Stone is a judge who approaches his cases with an open mind. With assistance from his courtroom guard, Bull, he tackles a variety of silly cases that arise in night court. (Once you’ve finished the original, be sure to check out the remake, which airs on NBC.)

80s tv shows alf
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23. Alf

  • Who's in it: Paul Fusco, Max Wright, Anne Schedeen, Andrea Elson, Benji Gregory
  • When did it run: 1986 to 1990
  • Original network: NBC

ALF (aka Alien Life Form) is an extraterrestrial creature who befriends a family after crash-landing in their garage. The question is: Can he learn to live with the Tanner family?

22. EastEnders

  • Who's in it: Adam Woodyatt, Steve McFadden, Letitia Dean, June Brown, Pam St. Clement
  • When did it run: 1985 to present-day
  • Original network: BBC One

EastEnders is one of the longest-running soap operas, and it’s still producing new episodes to this day. The story follows the residents of Albert Square, which is located in London’s East End. They establish a supportive community as they encourage each other through life and loss.

80s tv shows miami vice
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21. Miami Vice

  • Who's in it: Don Johnson, Philip Michael Thomas, Saundra Santiago, Olivia Brown
  • When did it run: 1984 to 1989
  • Original network: NBC

These two Miami detectives aren’t afraid to turn to violence if it means getting one step closer to ridding the streets of drugs and crime. Plot aside, the soundtrack and stylish fashion can’t be beat.

20. 227

  • Who's in it: Marla Gibbs, Helen Martin, Hall Williams, Jackée Harry
  • When did it run: 1985 to 1990
  • Original network: NBC

If you loved Friends, you need to watch 227. The series follows a group of four people living in an apartment building—this includes Mary Jenkins, the building’s resident gossiper.

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19. Growing Pains

  • Who's in it: Alan Thicke, Joanna Kerns, Kirk Cameron, Tracey Gold, Jeremy Miller
  • When did it run: 1985 to 1992
  • Original network: ABC

Dr. Jason Seaver is a psychiatrist who works out of his home while his wife pursues a career of her own. Comedy—and plenty of drama—ensues.

18. MacGyver

  • Who's in it: Richard Dean Anderson, Dana Elcar, Bruce McGill, Robin Mossley
  • When did it run: 1985 to 1992
  • Original network: ABC

Meet MacGyver, a top agent for an agency that protects the world against evil. However, he’s very different than his coworkers. Not only does he refuse to use a weapon, but he also uses everyday objects—like duct tape—to do his job.

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17. Family Ties

  • Who's in it: Michael J. Fox, Michael Gross, Meredith Baxter, Justine Bateman, Tina Yothers
  • When did it run: 1982 to 1989
  • Original network: NBC

The Keaton family consists of two liberal parents and their children, notably their conservative eldest. Cue the awkward tension.

16. Designing Women

  • Who's in it: Dixie Carter, Annie Potts, Meshach Taylor, Jean Smart, Delta Burke
  • When did it run: 1986 to 1993
  • Original network: CBS

Julia Sugarbaker and her sister, Suzanne, open a design firm and hire their two best friends. The show is funny, feminist and includes plenty of iconic speeches.

80s tv shows dallas
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15. Dallas

  • Who's in it: Larry Hagman, Ken Kercheval, Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray
  • When did it run: 1978 to 1991
  • Original network: CBS

Get to know the Ewing family and their massive oil empire, which financially supports their lavish lifestyle. Before long, you’ll be asking the age-old question: Who shot J.R.?

14. Star Trek: The Next Generation

  • Who's in it: Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Marina Sirtis
  • When did it run: 1987 to 1994
  • Original network: Paramount

Inspired by Star Trek: The Original Series, the show takes place 78 years after Captain Kirk’s original mission. It documents a new generation of Starfleet officers as they embark on another space journey.

80s tv shows magnum pi
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13. Magnum, P.I.

  • Who's in it: Tom Selleck, John Hillerman, Roger E. Mosley
  • When did it run: 1980 to 1988
  • Original network: CBS

Meet Thomas Magnum, a private investigator living in Oahu, Hawaii. The show is the perfect escape, if you ask us.

12. Quantum Leap

  • Who's in it: Scott Bakula, Dean Stockwell, Deborah Pratt, Dennis Wolfberg
  • When did it run: 1989 to 1993
  • Original network: NBC

Dr. Ben Song is a physicist who runs a top-secret time-travel program called Quantum Leap. When he secretly travels back in time to rewrite his past, he soon realizes that he’ll need his team to help him return to the present-day. 

80s tv shows facts of life
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11. The Facts of Life

  • Who's in it: Lisa Whelchel, Kim Fields, Nancy McKeon, Mindy Cohn, Charlotte Rae
  • When did it run: 1979 to 1988
  • Original network: NBC

Mrs. Edna Garrett is the Drummonds’ former housekeeper (yup, it’s a Diff’rent Strokes spinoff). The series documents her journey to become a housemother at a girls’ boarding school.

10. Punky Brewster

  • Who's in it: Soleil Moon Frye, George Gaynes, Cherie Johnson
  • When did it run: 1984 to 1988
  • Original network: NBC

When Punky Brewster is abandoned by her family, she’s taken in by a cranky photographer, Henry Warnimont, who soon becomes her foster parent. She uses her silly antics to show Henry how to live life to the fullest, no matter the circumstances.

80s tv shows dynasty
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9. Dynasty

  • Who's in it: John Forsythe, Linda Evans, Joan Collins, Gordon Thomson
  • When did it run: 1981 to 1989
  • Original network: ABC

The Carrington and Colby families are two notoriously wealthy clans who have been feuding for years. This is their story.

8. Teen Wolf

  • Who's in it: Townsend Coleman, James Hampton, Don Most, Jeannie Elias, June Foray
  • When did it run: 1986 to 1987
  • Original network: CBS

If you loved the 1985 movie, then you need to watch this ’80s animated series, which is known in the U.K. as The Cartoon Adventures of Teen Wolf. The story is about a young boy who's hiding a dark secret: he and his family are werewolves.

80s tv shows the wonder years
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7. The Wonder Years

  • Who's in it: Fred Savage, Danica McKellar, Josh Saviano, Dan Lauria and Daniel Stern
  • When did it run: 1988 to 1993
  • Original network: ABC

It documents the childhood of Kevin Arnold. Narrated by his adult self, the series is a coming-of-age story that never gets old.

6. Married…with Children

  • Who's in it: Ed O'Neill, Katey Sagal, Christina Applegate, David Faustino
  • When did it run: 1987 to 1997
  • Original network: Fox

Meet the Bundys, a suburban family who’s living in Chicago. They aren’t the kindest to one another, and they often bicker over money, intimacy and housework. Sounds right up our alley.

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5. Saved by the Bell

  • Who's in it: Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez, Dustin Diamond, Lark Voorhies, Dennis Haskins
  • When did it run: 1989 to 1992
  • Original network: NBC

The story focuses on the students of Bayside High School. The series follows Zack Morris and his friends, who are simply trying to escape the wrath of their principal, Mr. Belding.

4. M*A*S*H

  • Who's in it: Alan Alda, Loretta Swit, Jamie Farr, William Christopher
  • When did it run: 1972 to 1983
  • Original network: CBS

The drama takes place during the Korean War and follows members of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. Together, they care for patients and use humor to escape the horror they see on a daily basis.

80s tv shows golden girls
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3. The Golden Girls

  • Who's in it: Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, Estelle Getty
  • When did it run: 1985 to 1992
  • Original network: NBC

Join four mature women who are living in Miami Beach, Florida. Their biting wit and Rose’s St. Olaf stories make this classic a must-binge.

2. Seinfeld

  • Who's in it: Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, Jason Alexander
  • When did it run: 1989 to 1998
  • Original network: NBC

Seinfeld premiered in 1989 and ran for nine seasons, but it’s still considered an ’80s show in our book. The series documents the lives of four single friends who are living in New York City and navigating adulthood. *Cue the canned laughter*

80s tv shows cheers
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1. Cheers

  • Who's in it: Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger, George Wendt
  • When did it run: 1982 to 1993
  • Original network: NBC

It centers around a bar called Cheers, where everybody knows your name. After a few episodes, you might even consider yourself a regular.


greta

Senior Editor

Greta Heggeness is a California-based editor at PureWow and has been writing about entertainment since 2015. She covers everything from awards shows to exclusive celebrity...