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    Home/Browse/TV Shows/1990s TV Shows/1990s Drama TV Shows

    1990s Drama TV Shows

    The 40 most popular 1990s drama TV shows, ranked. Click any show for ratings, reviews, trailers, and where to watch.

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    Law & Order
    TMDB3.6

    Law & Order

    1990

    country: United States

    In cases ripped from the headlines, police investigate serious and often deadly crimes, weighing the evidence and questioning the suspects until someone is taken into custody. The district attorney's office then builds a case to convict the perpetrator by proving the person guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Working together, these expert teams navigate all sides of the complex criminal justice system to make New York a safer place.

    Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
    TMDB4.0

    Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

    1999

    country: United States

    In the criminal justice system, sexually-based offenses are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories.

    Among Friends
    TMDB1.9

    Among Friends

    1998

    country: Hungary

    Miklós introduces viewers into the world of Money and Charm.

    Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten
    TMDB2.7

    Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten

    1992

    country: Germany

    Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten is a long-running German television soap opera, first broadcast on RTL in 1992. The programme concerns the lives of a fictional neighborhood in Germany's capital city Berlin. Over the years the soap opera tends to have an overhaul of young people in their late teens and early twenties; targeting a young viewership.

    Young Hearts
    TMDB3.1

    Young Hearts

    1995

    country: Brazil

    Malhação is a Brazilian television series for the teenage audience. The soap started in 1995, and was set in a fictional Gym Club called Malhação on Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro. Through the years the location varied slightly. Although the name of the soap remains the same, it is now set in the Múltipla Escolha High School.

    C.I.D.
    TMDB2.9

    C.I.D.

    1998

    country: India

    A team of dedicated men and women in the Crime Investigation Department will risk everything to solve Mumbai's toughest, most complicated crimes.

    JAG
    TMDB3.6

    JAG

    1995

    country: United States

    Harmon "Harm" Rabb Jr. is a former pilot turned lawyer working for the military's JAG (Judge Advocate General) division, the elite legal wing of officers that prosecutes and defends those accused of military-related crimes. He works closely with Lt. Col. Sarah Mackenzie, and together they do what needs to be done to find the truth.

    Midsomer Murders
    TMDB3.7

    Midsomer Murders

    1997

    country: United Kingdom

    The peacefulness of the Midsomer community is shattered by violent crimes, suspects are placed under suspicion, and it is up to a veteran DCI and his young sergeant to calmly and diligently eliminate the innocent and ruthlessly pursue the guilty.

    Touched by an Angel
    TMDB3.6

    Touched by an Angel

    1994

    country: United States

    Monica, an angel, is tasked with bringing guidance and messages from God to various people who are at a crossroads in their lives.

    The Sopranos
    TMDB4.3

    The Sopranos

    1999

    country: United States

    The story of New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads. Those difficulties are often highlighted through his ongoing professional relationship with psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi. The show features Tony's family members and Mafia associates in prominent roles and story arcs, most notably his wife Carmela and his cousin and protégé Christopher Moltisanti.

    Secret Lives
    TMDB2.1

    Secret Lives

    1999

    country: Finland

    Salatut elämät (Secret Lives) is a Finnish television soap opera that premiered on MTV3 on 25 January 1999. The series' storylines follow the daily lives of several families who live in the same apartment block in Helsinki.

    Charmed
    TMDB4.1

    Charmed

    1998

    country: United States

    Three sisters (Prue, Piper and Phoebe) reunite and unlock their powers to become the Charmed Ones, the most powerful good witches of all time, whose prophesied destiny is to protect innocent lives from evil beings such as demons and warlocks. Each sister possesses unique magical powers that grow and evolve, while they attempt to maintain normal lives in modern day San Francisco.

    Family Affairs
    TMDB1.9

    Family Affairs

    1997

    country: United Kingdom

    Focuses on the lives of residents in the fictional London suburb of Charnham.

    Holby City
    TMDB2.9

    Holby City

    1999

    country: United Kingdom

    Drama series about life on the wards of Holby City Hospital, following the highs and lows of the staff and patients.

    Star Trek: Voyager
    TMDB3.9

    Star Trek: Voyager

    1995

    country: United States

    Pulled to the far side of the galaxy, where the Federation is 75 years away at maximum warp speed, a Starfleet ship must cooperate with Maquis rebels to find a way home.

    Twin Peaks
    TMDB4.2

    Twin Peaks

    1990

    country: United States

    The body of Laura Palmer is washed up on a beach near the small Washington state town of Twin Peaks. FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper is called in to investigate her strange demise only to uncover a web of mystery that ultimately leads him deep into the heart of the surrounding woodland and his very own soul.

    Diagnosis: Murder
    TMDB3.5

    Diagnosis: Murder

    1993

    country: United States

    Dr. Mark Sloan is a good-natured, offbeat physician who is called upon to solve murders.

    The West Wing
    TMDB4.2

    The West Wing

    1999

    country: United States

    The West Wing provides a glimpse into presidential politics in the nation's capital as it tells the stories of the members of a fictional presidential administration. These interesting characters have humor and dedication that touches the heart while the politics that they discuss touch on everyday life.

    Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
    TMDB4.0

    Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

    1993

    country: United States

    At Deep Space Nine, a space station located next to a wormhole in the vicinity of the liberated planet of Bajor, Commander Sisko and crew welcome alien visitors, root out evildoers and solve all types of unexpected problems that come their way.

    The Practice
    TMDB3.8

    The Practice

    1997

    country: United States

    A provocative legal drama focused on young associates at a bare-bones Boston firm and their scrappy boss, Bobby Donnell. The show's forte is its storylines about “people who walk a moral tightrope.”

    Chicago Hope
    TMDB3.6

    Chicago Hope

    1994

    country: United States

    Chicago Hope is an American medical drama television series, created by David E. Kelley. It ran on CBS from September 18, 1994, to May 4, 2000. The series is set in a fictional private charity hospital in Chicago, Illinois.

    Buffy the Vampire Slayer
    TMDB4.0

    Buffy the Vampire Slayer

    1997

    country: United States

    Into every generation a slayer is born: one girl in all the world, a chosen one. She alone will wield the strength and skill to fight the vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness; to stop the spread of their evil and the swell of their number. She is the Slayer.

    Beverly Hills, 90210
    TMDB3.6

    Beverly Hills, 90210

    1990

    country: United States

    Follow the lives of a group of teenagers living in the upscale, star-studded community of Beverly Hills, California and attending the fictitious West Beverly Hills High School and, subsequently, the fictitious California University after graduation.

    3rd Rock from the Sun
    TMDB3.8

    3rd Rock from the Sun

    1996

    country: United States

    The high commander of an alien expedition lands on Earth -- what he considers to be the least-important planet -- in human form as Dick Solomon. Along for the ride are his alien compatriots Harry, Sally and Tommy -- who is the eldest of the group but is now angrily trapped in a teen's body.

    ER
    TMDB3.9

    ER

    1994

    country: United States

    ER explores the inner workings of an urban teaching hospital and the critical issues faced by the dedicated physicians and staff of its overburdened emergency room.

    That '70s Show
    TMDB4.0

    That '70s Show

    1998

    country: United States

    Crank up the 8-track and flash back to a time when platform shoes and puka shells were all the rage in this hilarious retro-sitcom. For Eric, Kelso, Jackie, Hyde, Donna and Fez, a group of high school teens who spend most of their time hanging out in Eric’s basement, life in the ‘70s isn’t always so groovy. But between trying to figure out the meaning of life, avoiding their parents, and dealing with out-of-control hormones, they’ve learned one thing for sure: they’ll always get by with a little help from their friends.

    Melrose Place
    TMDB2.9

    Melrose Place

    1992

    country: United States

    Follow the lives of a group of young adults living in a brownstone apartment complex on Melrose Place, in Los Angeles, California.

    El Desafio
    TMDB5.0

    El Desafio

    1995

    country: VE

    El Desafio is a Venezuelan telenovela that was produced by and seen on Venezuela's Radio Caracas Televisión. Martin Hahn and Salvador Garmendia were the telenovela's writers, Salvador Garmendia was also in charge of dramatics, Carlos Lamus was its executive producer, Renato Gutierrez was its director, and Hernando Faria was the producer. This telenovela lasted 113 episodes and was distributed internationally by RCTV International.

    NYPD Blue
    TMDB3.5

    NYPD Blue

    1993

    country: United States

    Police drama set in New York City, exploring the internal and external struggles of the fictional 15th precinct of Manhattan. Each episode typically intertwined several plots involving an ensemble cast.

    Sunset Beach
    TMDB3.1

    Sunset Beach

    1997

    country: United States

    Sunset Beach is an American television soap opera that aired on NBC from January 6, 1997 to December 31, 1999. The show follows the loves and lives of the people living in the Orange County coastal area named Sunset Beach, on the coast of California. Although there is a town in California called Sunset Beach, the show's beach scenes were shot on nearby Seal Beach. The show was co-produced by NBC and Spelling Television. Sunset Beach won two Daytime Emmy Awards and was nominated another eleven times. The show also received twenty-two nominations for various other awards.

    Wings
    TMDB3.4

    Wings

    1990

    country: United States

    Brothers Brian and Joe Hackett attempt to run an airline on the New England island of Nantucket while surrounded by their various wacky friends and employees.

    Madres egoístas
    TMDB4.5

    Madres egoístas

    1991

    country: Mexico

    Madres egoístas is a Mexican telenovela produced by Juan Osorio for Televisa and originally broadcast on Canal de las Estrellas from February 4 to June 7, 1991. It is a remake of the 1963 telenovela of the same name produced by Valentín Pimstein. Created by Mimí Bechelani and adapted by Josefina Palos y Romo, the telenovela stars Julieta Rosen, Enrique Novi, Orlando Carrió, and Chantal Andere. The story follows Raquel Rivas Cantú, a young orphan and heiress who is raised by her housekeeper Mariana, a woman who secretly carries resentment against the Rivas Cantú family. After marrying Pablo, a widower with a daughter, Raquel's life becomes marked by tragedy, family conflicts, and betrayal. As secrets from the past emerge, Raquel and her loved ones must face revenge, ambition, and the search for justice and happiness.

    Third Watch
    TMDB4.0

    Third Watch

    1999

    country: United States

    The exploits of a group of men and women who serve the City of New York as police officers, firemen, and paramedics, all working the same fictional 55th precinct during the 3pm to 11pm shift - the 'Third Watch'.

    Sex and the City
    TMDB3.7

    Sex and the City

    1998

    country: United States

    Based on the bestselling book by Candace Bushnell, Sex and the City tells the story of four best friends, all single and in their late thirties, as they pursue their careers and talk about their sex lives, all while trying to survive the New York social scene. 

    WWE Heat
    TMDB2.6

    WWE Heat

    1998

    country: United States

    Feel the heat of the Attitude Era as WWE Superstars such as "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and The Rock compete in exclusive matches.

    Babylon 5
    TMDB4.0

    Babylon 5

    1994

    country: United States

    Babylon 5 is a five-mile long space station located in neutral space. Built by the Earth Alliance in the 2250s, its goal is to maintain peace among the various alien races by providing a sanctuary where grievances and negotiations can be worked out among duly appointed ambassadors. A council made up of representatives from the five major space-faring civilizations - the Earth Alliance, Minbari Federation, Centauri Republic, Narn Regime, and Vorlon Empire - work with the League of Non-Aligned Worlds to keep interstellar relations under control. Aside from its diplomatic function, Babylon 5 also serves as a military post for Earth and a port of call for travelers, traders, businessmen, criminals, and Rangers.

    Initial D
    TMDB4.0

    Initial D

    1998

    country: Japan

    Takumi’s job as a tofu delivery boy has turned him into one of the most formidable drivers around. Behind the wheel of his Eight-Six, he’s one with the road—and his life shifts into high gear when the underground street racing world takes notice. Drivers from across the region are lining up for a shot at the new guy. Takumi’s not just focused on winning—he’s out to prove he’s the best.

    Silent Witness
    TMDB3.8

    Silent Witness

    1996

    country: United Kingdom

    A team of exceptional forensic pathologists and scientists investigate heinous crimes and use their skills to catch the people responsible.

    Party of Five
    TMDB3.5

    Party of Five

    1994

    country: United States

    Five brothers and sisters are determined to stay together following the tragic loss of their parents.

    Alarm for Cobra 11: The Motorway Police
    TMDB3.3

    Alarm for Cobra 11: The Motorway Police

    1996

    country: Germany

    A long-running German television series about a two-man team of highway police, originally set in Berlin and later in North Rhine-Westphalia.

    About 1990s Drama TV Shows

    The 1990s

    1990s television was the last era of true mass audiences, when a network sitcom or a season finale could be a shared national event.

    Drama

    Television drama is where the medium made its case as film's equal, from the cable era's antihero epics to the current streaming wave. Long-form gives character change room to actually happen.

    In this list

    Best reviewed
    The Sopranos (8.7)
    Often also
    Crime, Soap, Comedy
    Longest run
    50 seasons

    Common questions

    What are the best 1990s drama TV shows?
    By popularity across Flickfolio and TMDB, the top picks right now are Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Among Friends. The full ranked list of 40 sits above — open any show for ratings, reviews, and streaming availability.
    How is this list ranked?
    1990s drama TV shows are ordered by overall popularity, which blends how often a title is viewed, searched, and logged. It updates as viewing habits shift, so the list reflects what people are actually watching rather than a fixed critical canon.
    Where can I watch these TV shows?
    Every show page lists current streaming, rental, and purchase options for your region, alongside community ratings and reviews from Flickfolio members.

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