Today, throwbacks are trending—with shows like Gilmore Girls and The Office making a HUGE comeback. These shows are like a time-machine to the past but feature familiar faces. Whether you are looking for a comedy or thriller, there is something on this list for you! Here are 6 shows with vintage throwback vibes for your next watch:
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Get notified of top trending articles like this one every week! (we won't spam you)1) Everything Sucks
Everything Sucks, a victim of Netflix's absurd cancellations, is set in the 1990s and follows high school misfits in the drama and AV clubs at Boring High School as they make a movie. Luke, one of the protagonists, and his friends are part of the AV club and are hopeful about their freshmen year. Luke falls for Kate, a sophomore and the principle's daughter, who is discovering her own sexuality and grappling with a crush on a girl in her class.
The teens navigate sexuality, romance, friendship, mental health, and the all the drama that comes with growing up. The show is a time machine to the 90s: everyone is dressed in flannels and the soundtrack features iconic bands like Weezer and The Cardigans. Fans of a good coming of age story, who do not have time for a multi-season show will love this!
I watched Everything Sucks around three years ago, the summer before high school. It was one of the first shows that I saw that made me interested in TV. I liked the way it told a story about regular high school kids, while keeping it interesting.
It put a Freaks and Geeks-esque spin on modern day teen TV, and I think that everyone entering a new phase of their life, like high school, where identity and self-discovery is kicked into high gear, should watch this. Seeing that it still has an impact on me three years later highlights its importance.
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2) Stranger Things
Stranger Things is returning for its fifth and final season, and it would be a crime to not add it to this list. It is set in 1980s Indiana, and season one follows a group of Dungeon and Dragons playing 11 year old boys, when their friend, Will disappears, and they meet El, a girl, who just happens to have superpowers. At the same time, the older characters, Nancy and Jonathan, Will's brother team up as they discover more about the supernatural occurrences, while Will's mom, Joyce, and local sheriff, Hopper, search for Will.
Stranger Things is one of the most popular shows on Netflix! Fans who are looking for an 80s throwback, mystery, a little fantasy, and watching some of today's biggest stars growing up on screen will love this show.
For years, I was scared of watching Stranger Things. I have never been much of a horror/gore girl, and the way all my classmates in middle school were talking it seemed so scary.
However, eighth grade is where things took a turn, and I decided that it was finally time to figure out what everyone was hyping up. I ended up feeling really close to the characters, they were so real, despite the fantastical elements.
I loved Nancy's journalism arch, which partly inspired me to apply as an editor for my school newspaper, and seeing Steve's development into a genuine, kind person, and break out of the 'high school boyfriend' mold showcases the superperb writing. Even though I admit, I did get a little scared, and maybe cried during some of the death scenes, it was also surprisingly funny.
3) Sydney to the Max
If you're looking for a family watch-together, Sydney to the Max is a great option.
It follows single-dad, Max, and his daughter, Sydney. In present time, Sydney deals with every-day problems, that parallels Max's childhood memories. Each episode transitions between current day (Sydney), and the 80s (Max), but the moral of the story stays the same in both timelines.
This show was really fun to watch as a kid, and it surprises me that more people do not talk about it. I really liked how they incorporated Max as a kid into the storylines, showing that no matter the time, the same lessons are true. I watched a lot of this with my childhood friend, and I remember giggling over random jokes, and making references to the show for years after.
4) Daisy Jones and the Six
Daisy Jones and the Six is based on a book of the same name, and follows, documentary style, a band in the 1970s.
With drama that akin to the infamous Fleetwood Mac stories, and complex characters that frustrate and inspire. The main plot covers a band who rose to fame, but after an iconic show called it quits. Now, decades later, they reunite for a documentary unveiling what led to their untimely implosion.
This miniseries is an essential for rock lovers, those prepared to see the highs and lows of superstardom. It also has a great original soundtrack, bringing to life the fictional album from the show.
I read the book, and it remains one of my favorites to this day. The book was written like a series of interviews with each member of the band, so it truly was meant to be adapted into a show. I was a little worried to watch the series, nervous it would completely ruin the images of the characters I had in my head.
I was pleasantly surprised at the casting, and the storylines they added actually worked well with the original plot. The songs were better than I imagined, I really felt like I was watching a documentary about a rock band.
5) The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
The five season show follows Midge Maisel on her journey from a late 1950s housewife to the stand-up comedy scene. When her husband leaves her, her life completely changes, and she discovers her talent for comedy. She transitions from a comfortable life in the Upper West Side of New York, to comedy work in cafes and nightclubs around the city.
Anyone who enjoys a good blend of comedy and drama, along with witty, fast-talking characters akin to those in Gilmore Girls will love this show!
I'm still in the process of finishing this show, but my mom loved it! Every time a new season would come out, she would go on and on about it. I think it is the type of show that emphasizes how women didn't just start randomly wanting to work/free themselves from the 60s housewife mold, but it has been a steady movement for ages. It was wonderful to see such a well-thought out character, with hopes and dreams, longing for connection, and a great sense of humor!
6) Wandavision
Wandavision, in my opinion, is one of the best Marvel series. It takes place after the events of Avengers: Endgame, and centers around Wanda.
The format of the show has such throwback vibes, as every episode is inspired by sitcoms from a different decade. For example, episode one has references to shows like I Love Lucy and Leave it to [censored], while the last episode has references to newer sitcoms like The Office and Modern Family.
While general knowledge of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) will help viewers follow along better, sitcom lovers will adore this show as well! It reveals a lot about family and grief, all while taking viewers on a mysterious journey in discovering who is messing up Wanda's powers.
As a Marvel and sitcom fanatic, this show was one of my most loved watches. Every week my dad and I would be ready in front of the TV for the next episode. Wanda was always such an interesting character to me, and I was glad to see Marvel giving her the attention she deserved.
Conclusion
A lot of times when people think throwbacks they think older shows. However, we can still get a taste of what life was like a few decades ago, or find comfort in seeing references to the 80s, for example. I think that a lot of these shows find creative ways to highlight their throwback inspiration, and make sure that they still connect with modern audiences, and issues. I hope you enjoy these recommendations!