The best 1980s TV shows you can watch in 2018
Streaming services are serving up some nostalgic reruns from Roseanne to Full House
As hit television shows such as Stranger Things and Black Mirror take inspiration from the 1980s, streaming services are rerunning original classics from the decade. Here are our top nostalgia picks currently available:
Cheers
“Cheers represents a pinnacle of American pop culture, culminating in a record-breaking finale that caught the attention of millions of views,” Esquire writes.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
This American sitcom, set in a Boston bar called Cheers, follows a group of friends and their trials and tribulations. Despite it having last aired 25 years ago, its comedy and character themes are still lauded today.
Cheers is on Amazon Prime.
Roseanne
Despite the recent controversy surrounding leading actress Roseanne Barr and the Roseanne spin-off, The Connors, the original television series is still worth a watch.
“It only takes a few episodes to understand what made this love letter to the working-class American family so special,” says The New York Times.
The comedy show grapples with day-to-day struggles such as family, love and money.
Roseanne is on Amazon Prime.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Even though this is the Next Generation (not the original Star Trek) it still carries much of the sci-fi charm that has endeared trekkie fans.
Set decades after Captain Kirk's original mission, Patrick Stewart plays Captain Picard as he leads the Enterprise ship. The show won 17 Emmy awards over its seven seasons.
Star Trek: The Next Generation is on Netflix
Full House
The hit American series, first debuting in 1987, has all eight seasons available on Netflix.
“The show never failed to entertain viewers with the antics of the Tanner family,” says Business Insider.
It depicts a widowed talk-show host raising his three daughters, with the assistance of his rock musician brother-in-law and best friend.
Full House is on Netflix.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
This 1980s cartoon series, based upon the Mattel toy line Masters of the Universe, has a complete season available to watch on Netflix.
The show depicts He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe, as he fights an evil skeleton named Skeletor. The show has garnered a huge fan base since its 1983 release date, which has led to a recent release of high-end He-Man action figures.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is on Netflix.
Highway to Heaven
This US drama series, which aired between 1984 and 1989, now has its five seasons available on Netflix.
Highway to Heaven follows an angel who has been stripped of his wings and sent to Earth on probation. The angel teams up with an ex-cop to travel around America, following missions from their boss (God) with the goal of delivering love and humility to those they help.
“This angel pointedly helps those who cannot help themselves,” says The New York Times in a 1984 television review.
Highway to Heaven is on Netflix.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Live in a warm climate? Remember to pack these cold weather necessities for your next winter vacation
The Week Recommends Pack accordingly to avoid freezing during your travels
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
'This quasi-coup attempt has baffled most experts'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The growing list of conditions weight-loss drugs could help with
The Explainer Ozempic and similar drugs have been linked to possibly helping diseases beyond diabetes and obesity. Are they miracle drugs?
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
TV to watch in November, from 'Dune: Prophecy' to 'A Man on the Inside'
The Week Recommends A new comedy from 'The Good Place' creator, a prequel to 'Dune' and the conclusion of one of America's most popular shows
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
5 new horror movies to jump-scare your way through Halloween
The Week Recommends A new take on Stephen King classic 'Salems Lot', a spooky take on late-night talk shows, and more
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Why is there such a long gap between TV seasons?
In The Spotlight Ambitious productions and a focus on data are creating 'staggering' waits
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
TV to watch in October, from 'Disclaimer' and 'The Franchise'
The Week Recommends An HBO comedy from the 'Veep' creator, a mystery from master filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón and a reboot of an '80s classic
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Monsters: why is the Menendez brothers Netflix hit so controversial?
Talking Points Ryan Murphy’s latest true-crime series recounts infamous 1989 Beverly Hills murders, but some critics say his retelling takes too many liberties with the truth
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
The Perfect Couple: glossy Netflix murder-mystery starring Nicole Kidman
The Week Recommends However hard you try to resist it, 'you will want to know the who, what, where and why-dunit'
By The Week UK Published
-
Apollo 13: Survival – a 'real, rare and breathtaking tale of survival'
The Week Recommends Netflix documentary includes 'remarkable' archival footage from near-disastrous moon mission
By The Week Staff Published
-
TV to watch in September, from 'Agatha All Along' to 'The Penguin'
The Week Recommends A 'WandaVision' spinoff, a DC Comics villain's starring turn and a silly Netflix original
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published