Entertainment

8 Things Every '90s Kid Should Watch On Netflix

by Mary Grace Garis

Once upon a time, there was a world without instant streaming. A world where you had to tune in Wednesdays at 8 p.m. to catch your favorite show, and where you rented these crazy things called videos from this extinct place called Blockbuster. I am, of course, talking about the '90s, and not modern day Staten Island. And though our methods of viewing media have certainly changed in the last two decades, there's still a glorious way you can relive your childhood: you can check out some of the great '90s TV shows and movies on Netflix.

And I'm talking about Netflix instant, of course, because I'm not a monster. Just because you're nostalgic for a simpler time doesn't mean you should be keen to waiting around and churning butter (um, as they were keen to do in the '90s). I understand that if you're on a nostalgia kick, you want a fix RIGHT NOW.

So, good news! I've assembled eight films and classic TV shows that you can power through the next time you're wishing for the good old days of neon fanny packs and cell phones the size of your head. (Actually, I guess the latter is still like, a thing. Whatever.)

1. Saved By The Bell

Why You Should Watch It: Saved By The Bell is so perfect for nostalgia kicks, because it feels like the entire show is as acid washed as jeans were in the late '80s/early '90s — in the best way possible.

2. The Powerpuff Girls

Why You Should Watch It: I think it's always important to revisit the place where your feminist values originated. AND IT'S SO COLORFUL!

3. Scream

Why You Should Watch It: Long before the MTV show and about 3,000 sequels, there was this. Capitalizing on all the horror movie cliches of the '90s and previous decades, Scream is the perfect amount of meta.

4. Pokemon: Indigo League

Why You Should Watch It: Don't even try to TELL me you weren't trading Pokemon cards during recess and praying to the Pokemon gods that you'd finally get that holographic Charizard. I'm pretty sure most of us can't keep up with the current Pokemon count today (I think there's an ice cream-type Pokemon, I swear) but let's flash back to a simpler time when there were only 150. Plus, I always love following around Ash, the worst Pokemon trainer of ALL TIME.

5. Clerks

Why You Should Watch It: Well, see, I grew up where Kevin Smiths films are made, so I'd vouch for Clerks no matter what. But, in this case, you PROBABLY didn't see this back in the '90s — but it somehow captures the Gen X culture while still feeling painfully relatable today. Case and point: it's highly possible your 22-year-old boyfriend also works at a convenience store and wears a lot of flannel.

6. The Magic School Bus

Why You Should Watch It: You really need to brush up on your planets.

7. Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Why You Should Watch It: See above GIFs. The early seasons are antiquated GOLD, and the later seasons are slightly less antiquated, but still gold. Oh, and despite this, it's pretty much the greatest TV show of all time.

8. Clueless

Why You Should Watch It: Yikes, do I really need to give you a reason to watch Clueless? To humor you, I'll give three, and they are: the clothes, "rolling with the homies," and young Paul Rudd (who weirdly looks like old Paul Rudd).

This should keep you occupied for at least a weekend of nostalgia-driven goodness. You're welcome.

Images: 20th Century Fox Television (1); Giphy (9)