Ranker TVList RulesOnly shows made before or after the 1980s and set within the decade (i.e. no shows made in the actual '80s).
Take a trip back to the past and check out this list of the best TV shows set in the '80s. Both before the '80s hit and long after they passed, this eclectic era has long been the subject and setting for a range of TV shows and movies. Whether it's the awesome '80s music, the funky clothes, or simply the overall feel of the decade, the '80s are sorely missed—but we have plenty of awesome TV shows set in the 1980s to reflect back on the good ol' days. But which show about the '80s is the very best?
From newer sci-fi shows like Stranger Things to well-written dramas like GLOW and hilarious sitcoms such as The Goldbergs—not to mention That '80s Show—the top shows set in the '80s span a variety of genres. We even have animated shows taking place in the '80s, including Whatever Happened to... Robot Jones and Code Monkeys. In short, the 1980s were a fine time to pretend to be in, and numerous shows did it quite well.
What modern TV shows set in the '80s are your favorites? How about those made prior to the 1980s? Check out the list of shows below and vote up the ones you think are best. If you're adding a show to the list, be sure it wasn't released during the '80s—you can vote on the best '80s shows if that's what you're looking for.
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26935Stranger Things
Winona Ryder, David HarbourPremiered: 2016
Stranger Things (Netflix, 2016) is an American science fiction-horror web television series... more
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8347Freaks and Geeks
Linda Cardellini, John Francis DaleyPremiered: 1999
Freaks and Geeks (NBC, 1999) is an American teen comedy-drama television series created by... more3
7556The Goldbergs
Wendi McLendon-Covey, Sean GiambronePremiered: 2013
The Goldbergs (ABC, 2013) is an American television sitcom created by Adam F. Goldberg. Adam... more4
4532Chernobyl
Jared Harris, Stellan SkarsgårdPremiered: 2019
Chernobyl (HBO, 2019) is an American-British historical drama television miniseries created by... more5
6157GLOW
Alison Brie, Betty GilpinPremiered: 2017
GLOW (Netflix, 2017) is an American comedy-drama television series created by Liz Flahive and... more6
3639Red Oaks
Craig Roberts, Jennifer GreyPremiered: 2014
Red Oaks (Amazon Video, 2015) is a comedy web television series created by Joe Gangemi and... more7
4858Everybody Hates Chris
Terry Crews, Tichina ArnoldPremiered: 2005
Everybody Hates Chris is an American sitcom based on the teenage experiences of African... more8
3746The Americans
Keri Russell, Matthew RhysPremiered: 2013
The Americans (FX, 2013) is an American period drama television series created by Joe... more9
87White Gold
Ed Westwick, James BuckleyPremiered: 2017
White Gold (BBC Two, 2017) is a British comedy series created by Damon Beesley. The story of a... more10
3039Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp
Marguerite Moreau, Zak OrthPremiered: 2015
Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp (Netflix, 2015) is a comedy web television series... more11
3951This Is Us
Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy MoorePremiered: 2016
This Is Us (NBC, 2016) is an American television series created by Dan Fogelman. Follows a... more12
1830When They See Us
Jharrel Jerome, Jovan AdepoPremiered: 2019
When They See Us (Netflix, 2019) is an American drama web television miniseries created by Ava... more13
2032Snowfall
Damson Idris, Carter HudsonPremiered: 2017
Snowfall (FX, 2017) is an American crime drama television series created by John Singleton,... more14
2137Halt & Catch Fire
Jared Padalecki, Jensen AcklesPremiered: 2014
Halt and Catch Fire is an American period drama television series created by Christopher... more15
28Luis Miguel, The Series
Diego Boneta, Óscar JaenadaPremiered: 2018
Luis Miguel, The Series (Telemundo, 2018) stylized onscreen as "Luis Miguel, la serie", is a... more16
821Dead of Summer
Elizabeth Mitchell, Elizabeth LailPremiered: 2016
Dead of Summer is a 2016 American supernatural horror television series. Set in 1989, school... more17
1532The Carrie Diaries
AnnaSophia Robb, Austin ButlerPremiered: 2013
The Carrie Diaries (The CW, 2013) is an American teen comedy-drama television series developed... more18
722Garth Marenghi's Darkplace
Richard Ayoade, Matt BerryPremiered: 2004
Garth Marenghi's Darkplace (Channel 4, 2004) is a British horror parody television series... more19
1643That '80s Show
Glenn Howerton, Tinsley GrimesPremiered: 2002
That '80s Show is an American sitcom that aired from January through May 2002. Despite having... more20
826Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
Richard Basehart, David HedisonPremiered: 1964
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea is a 1960s American science fiction television series based on... more21
933Danger 5
David Ashby, Sean James MurphyPremiered: 2012
Danger 5 is an Australian action comedy television series which premiered on SBS One on 27... more22
829Code Monkeys
Adam De La Peña, Andrew SipesPremiered: 2007
Code Monkeys is an American animated television program by Adam de la Peña. Set in the early... more23
733The Company
Michael Keaton, Alfred MolinaPremiered: 2007
The Company is an American miniseries about the activities of the CIA during the Cold War. It... more24
522The Camomile Lawn
Rebecca Hall, Claire BloomPremiered: 1992
The Camomile Lawn (ABC, 1992) is a television adaptation of the book of the same name by Mary... more25
518The Take
Tom Hardy, Brian CoxPremiered: 2009
The Take is a four episode British drama TV series on Sky 1 based upon the Martina Cole novel.... more
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