25 TV Shows That Are Still Good 25 Years Later

“SpongeBob SquarePants” (1999-)

In case you couldn’t tell from the endless memes, “SpongeBob SquarePants” still has incredible staying power. As of 2024, fifteen seasons of the show have aired, having continued after the tragic death of creator Stephen Hillenburg in 2018. Thanks to its timeless appeal, effortless ability to bridge age gaps, and razor sharp writing, “SpongeBob SquarePants” is just as fresh today as it was on May 1, 1999. People who were raised on the show in the early 2000s are now raising their own children and introducing them to the yellow sponge, ensuring his legacy for generations to come.

“Smallville” (2001-11)

Spanning nearly the entire 2000s, “Smallville” expertly blends coming-of-age teen drama with superhero origin story. The superhero, of course, is Superman, with Tom Welling playing a young Clark Kent. The 21st century has been inundated with superhero shows, whether it’s the dramas found over on Disney+ or the Arrowverse that enjoyed huge ratings on The CW. And despite now being over 20 years old, “Smallville” can proudly stand with the best of them, with a great overarching story and a strong cast. It works for both diehard Superman fans and for anyone who just wants an enjoyable coming-of-age story.

“Farscape” (1999-2003)

Once the anchor series on the Sci-Fi Channel, “Farscape” has been mostly forgotten as we progress further into the new millennium. But for a minute there, it was the best piece of science fiction on TV, and for our money, it is still well worth watching. The show has a lot in common with “Firefly,” being focused on space travel and starring a gang of ragtag outlaws, including a protagonist who is constantly referencing pop culture. The show has a dense mythology that can be endlessly studied, not to mention some amazing practical effects and puppetry that still looks great to this day.

“Black Books” (2000-04)

We’re heading across the pond for “Black Books,” which is easily one of the most successful British sitcoms of the early 2000s. Created by Dylan Moran[a] and a pre-“IT Crowd” Graham Linehan, it follows the life of a misanthropic book shop owner named Bernard Black. Bernard has classic odd couple chemistry with shop assistant Manny Bianco, and the series thrives on unpredictability - especially when it comes to its wide variety of comedic styles. Wordplay, pratfalls, absurd scenarios - it’s all here. Add a cozy setting and relatable themes surrounding work and social awkwardness and you have yourself a classic British sitcom.

“Alias” (2001-06)

It’s the show that made Jennifer Garner a star. She plays Sydney Bristow, a CIA agent working as a mole inside the criminal organization SD-6[b]. The show was created by J.J. Abrams, so you know exactly what you’re going to get - lots of tantalizing mystery, fun sci-fi twists, great cliffhangers, and thrilling action sequences that were unlike anything on network TV at the time. Garner is also excellent as Sydney, with her physicality and vulnerability creating a relatable yet formidable character. Despite being a long network show, its character-driven narratives and serialized structure make it perfect for the binging age.

“Jackass” (2000-01)

Take any male millennial off the street, and chances are that he was a fan of “Jackass.” These guys defined a generation, and with nothing more than sheer charisma, some cheap cameras, and a boundless imagination. It’s quite quaint going back to the show after watching the movies, as there is virtually zero production value to speak of. But that’s part of that 2000 MTV magic. It’s just a bunch of silly dudes having fun with their friends, and that is timeless. We’ll probably never get a TV show like this again, so let’s appreciate its place in history - and run a shopping cart into a curb, for old time’s sake.

“Samurai Jack” (2001-04; 2017)

The winner of eight Primetime Emmy Awards, “Samurai Jack” is undeniably one of the best animated shows of all time. This thing has it all - heart, humor, and some great action. The show is visually stunning, using a minimalist yet highly stylized art style that is now instantly recognizable and totally iconic. It also excels in episodic storytelling, which is slowly becoming a rarity in today’s age of binging and serialization. And man, the music and sound design remain top tier. We don’t know how they did it. “Samurai Jack” is a stone-cold classic, and many of its elements remain unmatched.

“Batman Beyond” (1999-2001)

And if you want another fantastic piece of animation, may we veer you towards “Batman Beyond.” The show’s ability to balance tones and bridge age gaps is frankly astounding, with fun superhero elements for kids and dark, mature storytelling for the adults. The city of Neo-Gotham is also wonderfully unique and visually striking with both cyberpunk and noir aesthetics, allowing the show to stand apart from its many, many contemporaries. Yes, it shows some minor signs of aging, but hey, that’s in keeping with the story’s larger themes, and it only makes them that much more impactful.

“Trailer Park Boys” (2001-07; 2014-18)

At this point, we don’t know why Ricky, Julian, and Bubbles aren’t on the Canadian currency. A national institution, “Trailer Park Boys” is arguably the most popular sitcom to come out of the Great White North, following the animated inhabitants of the Sunnyvale Trailer Park. The show is every bit as funny as it was in 2001 - in fact, its inventive mockumentary style has aged remarkably well considering the proliferation and popularity of the genre. This is a little less family-friendly than shows like “The Office” and “Parks and Rec,” but just as gut-busting. Effin-a, bud, this is a good one.

“One Piece” (1999-)

If you haven’t already, we don’t recommend starting “One Piece” from the beginning. Well, we do recommend it, because it’s an awesome show, but it’s a heck of a time commitment, so, you know, clear your calendar. The show has aired over 1,100 episodes and is still going strong, like a jacked grandfather. The world building is second to none, with deep lore that can be studied and discussed for days on end. Of course, the overarching story is also excellent, with great characters, fun mysteries, and limitless imagination, and the fact that its quality has remained consistent is nothing short of remarkable.

“Queer as Folk” (2000-05)

Based on the UK series of the same name, “Queer as Folk” follows five gay men from Pittsburgh. It aired at a time when LGBTQ+ rights were still a hotly debated issue, helping pave the way for cultural acceptance and pushing boundaries with its bold portrayal of sexuality. It not only forced mainstream audiences to confront their biases and assumptions, it also offered a raw and unapologetic depiction of gay life. Of course, it wasn’t just representation for the sake of it - the characters are relatable and their journeys compelling, making “Queer as Folk” a genuinely great show, even divorced from its groundbreaking cultural implications.

“Spaced” (1999-2001)

Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Edgar Wright are big names today, but that wasn’t the case in 1999. It was then that they released a little show called “Spaced,” and it helped launch their careers into the stratosphere. The plot concerns two 20-something strangers pretending to be a couple in order to rent a flat, but that’s just an excuse to get into various Pegg-ian shenanigans. Pop culture references abound, and Wright films the sitcom with a very cinematic flair, offering turn of the century viewers a glimpse of his creative genius. It was only a taste of things to come.

“The West Wing” (1999-2006)

While it aired on NBC, “The West Wing” is a prestige cable drama through and through. This political drama is set primarily in the White House during the Presidential run of Josiah Bartlet, following the lives of the President and his Executive Branch. Actors like Martin Sheen, Allison Janney and Rob Lowe brought a Hollywood flair to the network drama, which at the time was virtually unheard of. The writing of Aaron Sorkin is also timeless, with the show being known for its razor sharp dialogue and intricate plots. It’s undeniably one of the greatest political dramas of all time, and probably the most revolutionary.

“Gilmore Girls” (2000-07)

While it was never a huge hit during its original run, “Gilmore Girls” has become a bonafide cult classic. Its idyllic small town atmosphere and quirky characters prove very comforting, which is a balm in our time of uncertainty and anxiety. Alexis Bledel and Melissa McCarthy went on to become huge stars, so curious viewers wish to see where it all began. And finally, the show is very multigenerational, with the theme being built into the plot. It’s a tradition for mothers to watch “Gilmore Girls” with their teenage daughters, ensuring a generational bridge that has endured throughout the last quarter century.

“Malcolm in the Middle” (2000-06)

Nowadays, it’s common to see a single camera sitcom without a laugh track. But that wasn’t the case back in 2000, when “Malcolm in the Middle” aired to great acclaim. Its filming style proved revolutionary and helped pave the way for successive sitcoms, eventually leading to the likes of “The Office” and “Modern Family.” But style aside, the show is also gut-bustingly hilarious, with fantastic characters and an authentic working class family atmosphere. It made Frankie Muniz a star, and Bryan Cranston’s Hal has to be one of the best characters in sitcom history.

“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (1999-2024)

Shortly after leaving “Seinfeld,” Larry David created “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” which, if nothing else, gave us a brilliant meme. David stars as a fictionalized version of himself, often getting into heated arguments and horribly awkward social scenarios based on gross misunderstandings. It’s like a darker and meaner “Seinfeld,” which makes sense considering it aired on HBO. The show’s humor and writing continues to draw acclaim, and its celebrity guest cameos - most of which were entirely improvised - simply never get old. And with a fearless approach to taboo topics, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” has long endured in the cultural conversation.

“24” (2001-10; 2014)

In 2025, “24” turns 24 years old. How fitting. And there is still no other TV show like it. The story follows federal agent Jack Bauer as he battles various terrorist organizations and threats like bombs, cyberwarfare, and Presidential assassinations. He’s one of the most iconic characters in TV history, with his unrelenting determination and moral ambiguity making him both heroic and deeply flawed. He’s one of the OG antiheroes of television. And the show’s format remains innovative a quarter-century later, with each season unfolding in real time and utilizing split screens to weave together multiple concurrent storylines. It’s brilliant stuff.

“Family Guy” (1999-2002; 2005-)

It was January 31, 1999, and 83 million people had just watched the Broncos defeat the Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII[c]. 22 million then stuck around to watch a little new show called “Family Guy.” Of course, you now know this show as the cultural behemoth that it became. Like its obvious influence “The Simpsons,” opinion remains divided on newer seasons of “Family Guy,” but most people find that it is still well worth watching, even now 26 full years into its run. As for the first four or five seasons? They remain some of the best animated comedy in television history.

“Futurama” (1999-2003; 2008-13; 2023-)

Just two months after “Family Guy” premiered, another iconic animated sitcom was born. This, of course, is “Futurama,” created by none other than Matt Groening of “Simpsons” fame. The show takes place 1,000 years in the future, after pizza delivery man Philip J. Fry gets reawakened from cryogenic sleep. “Futurama” was never the cultural phenomenon that “The Simpsons” was, but it still held its own with a unique setting, fun characters, and that signature Groening-esque satire. The memes that sprouted from this show are unparalleled, and they speak to the cultural influence that “Futurama” has had on multiple generations of fans.

“Freaks and Geeks” (1999-2000)

It’s amazing how just one season of TV can alter the course of pop culture. John Francis Daley. James Franco. Seth Rogen. Jason Segel. You know these names, and it’s all thanks to a little show that came and went on NBC called “Freaks and Geeks.” The cast is absolutely stacked, and one could certainly argue that it’s the most iconic cast in television history. At least in terms of creating future stars. And even if they didn’t become Hollywood royalty, the show would still hold up incredibly well thanks to its rich writing, mature storylines, and realistic glimpse into high school life.

“Scrubs” (2001-08; 2009-10)

A lot of sitcoms from the 2000s have not aged particularly well, but that is not the case with “Scrubs.” The lack of a laugh track certainly helps, as does the show’s style, which still hasn’t been replicated. It’s a genius mix of goofy comedy and hard-hitting drama (of both the personal and medical variety), and the show has a rather unique atmosphere with its use of voiceover and surreal cutaways. The cast is also brilliant, with Zach Braff in particular becoming a major star and earning three Golden Globe nominations. Medical shows are a dime a dozen, but there has never been anything quite like “Scrubs.”

“The Office” (2001-03)

It’s the show that started a phenomenon. Created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the show is a masterpiece of cringe comedy and is undeniably one of the best British sitcoms in television history. While it’s much darker than its American counterpart, it is still breathtakingly funny, with astonishing performances, clever camera work, and sensational writing from Gervais and Merchant. Sometimes we forget we’re watching a show, so realistic is its style and technique. David Brent may be one of the most complicated protagonists in sitcom history, but he sure makes for good television - and Gervais plays him to perfection.

“Six Feet Under” (2001-05)

As you can probably tell from its title, “Six Feet Under” is obsessed with death. A mix of black comedy and psychological drama, it follows the owners of a Los Angeles funeral home, their family drama, and their profound interactions with grieving individuals. It’s a very dark show, but it has a lot of smart and interesting things to say about mortality and the meaning of life. Oscar-winning screenwriter Alan Ball[d] proves an adept showrunner, bringing a writing quality to TV that was revolutionary for the time. And man, that series finale drops the mic harder than any drama before or since.

“Band of Brothers” (2001)

Many people make rewatching “Band of Brothers” an annual tradition, often around Veterans Day or Christmas, and it speaks to the show’s incredible staying power. Following “Saving Private Ryan,” Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg teamed up again to create this historical epic following Easy Company in the European theater of World War II. “Band of Brothers” is one of the best war dramas ever made, containing a remarkable cast of huge stars, a deeply emotional storyline, and some of the best production values in television history. It’s remarkable how well the show holds up, and it deserves every second of its annual rewatchings.

“The Sopranos” (1999-2007)

Television changed forever on the night of January 10, 1999. The second James Gandolfini sat down opposite Lorraine Bracco, we knew we were watching something different. The acting was impeccable. The writing flawless. The themes it was speaking on universal and relatable. And that’s just the first five minutes! What followed is one of the greatest, and certainly the most influential dramas in TV history, changing the course of the medium forever. And legacy aside, “The Sopranos” is just as fresh, funny, and hard-hitting today as it was 26 years ago. And now everyone knows what gabagool is. There may be no better legacy.

Can you believe these shows are now 25 years old? Let us know in the comments below!

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[d]https://youtu.be/mm-pu7x--F8?si=zbrj6i2QTUTovQdo&t=139