A piping hot plate of nostalgia is always the best dish for satisfying your craving for quality TV. For many of us, picking up that handy-dandy TV remote to watch some classic '00s TV shows sounds like the perfect way to ride out whatever storm. So many great series from the decade have the power to bring you back to that incredible (and at times cringeworthy) era—when boybands and Britney Spears reigned supreme, and being on-trend meant you owned low-rise pants and your texting was done on a T-Mobile Sidekick.
The '00s gave us classic comedies like The Office and Arrested Development, copious iconic reality shows, dozens of comforting favorites, and more. With this much greatness, it can be hard to decide what to binge, so we rounded up some of the best 2000s TV shows that you should rewatch immediately.
'30 Rock' (2006–2013)
Starring: Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, and Jack McBrayer
Why it makes the list: Not every show about the entertainment industry hits as much as this one, thanks to Fey's history working at NBC and Saturday Night Live. The jokes come at a mile-per-minute but each one is well-earned; you'll be cracking up your entire binge.
'Alias' (2001–2006)
Starring: Jennifer Garner, Ron Rifkin, Carl Lumbly, Kevin Weisman, and Victor Garber
Why it makes the list: Watching a fresh-faced Garner kick some ass for a secret branch of the CIA is what the doctor ordered! Also, a young Bradley Cooper appears in several episodes, so we have no complaints.
'Arrested Development' (2003–2006, 2013, 2018-2019)
Starring: Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett, Alia Shawkat, and Tony Hale
Why it makes the list: Dysfunctional families who go from filthy stinking rich to dirt poor in hours are the kind of comedies we love to see! Just ask those who came after it, like Schitt's Creek.
'Avatar: The Last Airbender' (2005–2008)
Starring: Zach Tyler Eisen, Mae Whitman, Jack De Sena, Dante Basco, Michaela Jill Murphy, and Mako
Why it makes the list: For every '00s kid who tried water and earth bending at the beach, this cartoon holds a special place in the heart, with its hilarious and heartfelt story about a kid chosen to master the elements and save the world. (If you watch and want more, Netflix gave this animated classic a live-action update!)
'Big Love' (2006–2011)
Starring: Bill Paxton, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloë Sevigny, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Amanda Seyfried
Why it makes the list: This drama series about a fundamentalist Mormon family with one man and his three wives at the center was a huge late-aughts hit for HBO. The acting was especially admired, as several of the show’s main and supporting actors earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations—with one win, a Golden Globe for Sevigny—throughout its five-season run.
'Breaking Bad' (2008–2013)
Starring: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Betsy Brandt, RJ Mitte, and Dean Norris
Why it makes the list: Antiheroes have long been everyone's favorite character on TV, but none compare to high school teacher turned methamphetamine seller Walter White.
'Dawson's Creek' (1998–2003)
Starring: James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, Joshua Jackson, and Busy Philipps
Why it makes the list: The slew of teen-focused shows that flooded TV screens throughout the 2000s and 2010s likely have Dawson’s Creek to thank. A major hit, it followed the intertwined dramas of Dawson Leery (Van Der Beek) and his closest friends and frenemies through their high school years in a small New England town and their early college days, while tackling a range of real-world issues like classism, homophobia, and mental health struggles.
'Deadwood' (2004–2006)
Starring: Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, Molly Parker, Jim Beaver, and Brad Dourif
Why it makes the list: Deadwood lasted only three 12-episode seasons, but that was enough to cement its status as one of the best-written TV shows of all time. It mixes fact with fiction in its depiction of the town of Deadwood, South Dakota, in the 1870s, with many of its plotlines drawn from actual historical happenings and real Deadwood residents’ diaries.
'Degrassi: The Next Generation' (2001–2015)
Starring: Miriam McDonald, Shane Kippel, Cassie Steele, Lauren Collins, Stefan Brogren, and Drake
Why it makes the list: Degrassi was the Canadian drama of the '00s, with its honest depictions of real problems affecting teens (bullying, teen pregnancy, even school shootings) and its cast featuring several generations of young stars.
'Desperate Housewives' (2004–2012)
Starring: Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, Eva Longoria, Ricardo Chavira, and James Denton
Why it makes the list: Suburban life didn't seem that boring, thanks to the ladies of Wisteria Lane. From hooking up with the sons of their neighbors to figuring out what happened to one of their own, every episode was like a totally normal day in the neighborhood.
'Dexter' (2006–2013)
Starring: Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter, Erik King, and Lauren Vélez
Why it makes the list: Dexter put a spin on the classic detective show by making its titular forensic analyst a vigilante serial killer by night. The series has remained so popular that it spawned a follow-up limited series in 2021 and a prequel series that debuted in late 2024.
'Everybody Hates Chris' (2005–2009)
Starring: Terry Crews, Tyler James Williams, Tichina Arnold, Tequan Richmond, Imani Hakim, and Vincent Martella
Why it makes the list: Comedian Chris Rock narrates this iconic Black TV show about his childhood in the '80s. It's clever, and its honest retelling won an NAACP Image Award for its writing in 2007.
'Freaks and Geeks' (1999–2000)
Starring: Linda Cardellini, John Francis Daley, James Franco, Samm Levine, Seth Rogen, and Jason Segel
Why it makes the list: Unlike other canceled-too-soon shows on this list that were revived in additional seasons or feature films down the line, Freaks and Geeks remains a one-season wonder. But that hasn’t stopped the Judd Apatow-produced series from becoming a beloved cult favorite, thanks to its spot-on and truly timeless depiction of high school’s often impossible-to-navigate social system.
'Friday Night Lights' (2006–2011)
Starring: Kyle Chandler, Taylor Kitsch, Brad Leland, Connie Britton, Aimee Teegarden, and Zach Gilford
Why it makes the list: Say it with us, "Clear eyes. Full hearts. Can't lose." While we can't technically ever attend a Dillion Panthers football game (ugh), Friday Night Lights was one of the strongest and most well-executed teen dramas of its time, tackling topics like racism and teen pregnancy with a whole new lens.
'Gilmore Girls' (2000–2007)
Starring: Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Keiko Agena, Scott Patterson, and Melissa McCarthy
Why it makes the list: Team Dean, Team Jess, or Team Logan? This was the biggest problem for pop culture lovers everywhere in the '00s, and we have Rory Gilmore and her inability to make a proper decision on Gilmore Girls to thank for it.
'Girlfriends' (2000–2008)
Starring: Tracee Ellis Ross, Golden Brooks, Persia White, Reginald C. Hayes, and Jill Marie Jones
Why it makes the list: There are tons of shows about a group of 20-somethings going through life together, but none are as funny or relatable as Girlfriends. From tackling issues from interracial relationships to parenthood, all while wearing elite '00s fashion, the show that introduced us to Tracee Ellis Ross is a must-watch.
'Gossip Girl' (2008–2012)
Starring: Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, Taylor Momsen, Ed Westwick, and Chace Crawford
Why it makes the list: What's better than watching a bunch of hot, wealthy New York socialites get in all sorts of messy drama while simultaneously trying to avoid becoming the subject of Gossip Girl, the most talked-about anonymous gossip blog, like ever? Absolutely nothing. Plus, you'll get lots of style inspiration, as Gossip Girl features some of the most fashionable TV characters ever.
'How I Met Your Mother' (2005–2014)
Starring: Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris, and Alyson Hannigan
Why it makes the list: Hearing how your parents met shouldn't be this funny. Years later, we haven't stopped quoting it (or expressing our frustrations with that massively divisive finale).
'The L Word' (2004–2009)
Starring: Jennifer Beals, Mia Kirshner, Pam Grier, Laurel Holloman, and Katherine Moennig
Why it makes the list: This Showtime series broke new ground with a main cast made up completely of lesbian and bisexual female characters. Though, like many other entries on this list, the show has some problematic elements that are now outdated by 2020s standards, it still holds largely true as a snapshot of what life was like for many queer women in the 2000s.
'Laguna Beach' (2004–2006)
Starring: Kristin Cavallari, Talan Torriero, Stephen Colletti, Lauren Conrad, and Lo Bosworth
Why it makes the list: Laguna Beach walked so that The Hills could run! Forever thankful to MTV for following eight Laguna Beach teens during their last years of high school and considering it high-quality entertainment. (It is!)
'Lost' (2004–2010)
Starring: Jorge Garcia, Josh Holloway, Yunjin Kim, Evangeline Lilly, Terry O'Quinn, and Daniel Dae Kim
Why it makes the list: Watching a group of strangers try to survive on a deserted island after a deadly plane crash should get boring after a couple of seasons, but with legendary showrunner J.J. Abrams as one of the writers, think again.
'Monk' (2002–2009)
Starring: Tony Shalhoub, Bitty Schram, Jason Gray-Stanford, Ted Levine, and Traylor Howard
Why it makes the list: Another still-beloved and majorly binge-able show on this list, Monk is a procedural whose titular detective must grapple with obsessive-compulsive disorder, germophobia, and a host of other mental health issues. Throughout the entire series, while he deals with various mysteries of the week, he also works work to unearth the details of his wife’s murder. Fun fact: Until it was overtaken by an episode of The Walking Dead three years later, Monk’s 2009 finale held the record for the most-watched scripted cable drama.
'My Wife and Kids' (2001–2005)
Starring: Damon Wayans, Tisha Campbell-Martin, George Gore II, Parker McKenna Posey, Jennifer Freeman, and Noah Gray-Cabey
Why it makes the list: The Kyles became one of the most relatable families on TV as they strived not to be the cookie-cutter family we see on network television.
'The O.C.' (2003–2007)
Starring: Mischa Barton, Adam Brody, Peter Gallagher, Kelly Rowan, Ben McKenzie, and Rachel Bilson
Why it makes the list: Teenage soap dramas set in Southern California for the win! Primarily when they're set in Newport Beach and feature a baby-faced Brody and McKenzie trying to survive high school.
'The Office' (2005–2013)
Starring: Steve Carell, Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski, Mindy Kaling, B.J. Novak, and Ed Helms
Why it makes the list: Friends to the '90s was The Office to the '00s. The dysfunctional paper company Dunder Mifflin and its employees in Scranton, Pennsylvania, brought a new outlook to the 9 to 5 experience.
'One Tree Hill' (2003–2012)
Starring: Chad Michael Murray, James Lafferty, Hilarie Burton, Bethany Joy Lenz, Sophia Bush, and Lee Norris
Why it makes the list: The high school drama of the teens of Tree Hill, North Carolina can get a little bit cheesy at times, but it's a classic angsty, coming-of-age staple that paved the way for the Riverdale-y genre of television we see today.
'Punk'd' (2003–2015)
Starring: Ashton Kutcher
Why it makes the list: Watching your favorite celebs get secretly pranked by other A-listers and host Kutcher was peak reality television. How so many of them kept cool during the high-stress situations is astounding.
'Pushing Daisies' (2007–2009)
Starring: Lee Pace, Anna Friel, Chi McBride, Field Cate, and Kristin Chenoweth
Why it makes the list: This quirky, fairytale-esque series is another example of 2000s showrunners’ attempts to spice up the classic crime procedural format—and is a true delight to watch. Pace stars as Ned, a baker who can bring the dead back to life and uses his gift to solve murders. Though it was canceled far too soon, after only two seasons, those 22 episodes garnered plenty of critical acclaim, plus an impressive 17 Emmy nominations and seven wins.
'Reba' (2001–2007)
Starring: Reba McEntire, JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Steve Howey, Christopher Rich, and Melissa Peterman
Why it makes the list: Unlike most sitcoms of the time, Reba's main character was a single mother of three. While most shows portray that as a setback, Reba hardly did as she managed to navigate every situation with strength (and some Southern sass.)
'Scrubs' (2001–2010)
Starring: Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, John C. McGinley, Ken Jenkins, and Neil Flynn
Why it makes the list: Scrubs proved that shows based in hospitals could be fun, not the drama-fests we're used to. (We still love you, Grey's Anatomy!)
'Sex and the City' (1998–2004)
Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon
Why it makes the list: It may have started at the tail end of the ‘90s, but when you think Sex and the City, you likely think first of its many (many) iconic early-aughts fashion moments. The show remains beloved and regularly rewatched, and has also been followed by two movies, a prequel series, and, of course, the ongoing sequel series And Just Like That…
'The Simple Life' (2003–2007)
Starring: Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie
Why it makes the list: A show about Hollywood socialites ditching their designer handbags and extravagant ways of life to live like "the middle class" is '00s reality TV at its best.
'Six Feet Under' (2001–2005)
Starring: Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall, Frances Conroy, Lauren Ambrose, and Freddy Rodriguez
Why it makes the list: HBO was in its heyday in the early aughts, and Six Feet Under is one of the series that contributed to that reputation. While it might not get as much contemporary rewatch love as some of the network's other hits, it's definitely about time you tuned in. Revolving around the lives of the Fisher family, who own and operate the Fisher & Sons Funeral Home, it's an extremely dark comedy that tackles difficult subjects tactfully.
'Skins' (2007–2013)
Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Kaya Scodelario, Joe Dempsie, Hannah Murray, and April Pearson
Why it makes the list: You could argue that Skins started off the whole teens-behaving-badly genre that led to shows like Euphoria dominating the airwaves now. Watching this show is also a Where's Waldo for your favorite British actors (including Dev Patel and Daniel Kaaluya!).
'The Sopranos' (1999–2007)
Starring: James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli, and Steven Van Zandt
Why it makes the list: Before Games of Thrones became the hot girl on campus, a.k.a HBO, The Sopranos ruled the network. The show about a mob boss and his family set the standard for dramedies everywhere. Watching now, you'll find more than enough #mobwifeaesthetic looks to copy.
'The Thick of It' (2005–2012)
Starring: Peter Capaldi, Chris Langham, Rebecca Front, Chris Addison, and Joanna Scanlan
Why it makes the list: This show is to Veep what the original British The Office is to the U.S.'s The Office. Created by Veep showrunner Armando Iannucci, it’s a dark comedy and political satire focusing on a U.K. government minister and his staff. If the Veep ties aren’t enough to convince you to give it a watch, maybe the fact that Succession creator Jesse Armstrong also served as a writer for its first few seasons will.
'Ugly Betty' (2006–2010)
Starring: America Ferrera, Ana Ortiz, Mark Indelicato, Eric Mabius, Tony Plana, Ashley Jensen, and Vanessa Williams
Why it makes the list: Though she comes into the office wearing a kitschy poncho on her first day at the prestigious Mode magazine, you can't help but love Betty Suarez in this workplace comedy. It's one for both the fashion and comedy fiends, and it even made history, as Ferrera became the first Latina to win the Best Actress in a Comedy Series Emmy for her portrayal of the lead character.
'Veronica Mars' (2004–2007, 2019)
Starring: Kristen Bell, Percy Daggs III, Teddy Dunn, Jason Dohring, and Enrico Colantoni
Why it makes the list: Bell plays the titular detective in this mid-aughts show, which blended the teen drama and crime procedural TV genres into one extra-sharp and smartly written series. Veronica Mars remains so beloved that its fans were able to crowdfund a movie version in 2014, which then inspired Hulu to take up the mantle and put out a belated fourth season of the show in 2019.
'Weeds' (2005–2012)
Starring: Mary-Louise Parker, Elizabeth Perkins, Justin Kirk, Tonye Patano, and Romany Malco
Why it makes the list: There was no shortage of dark dramedies on premium cable in the 2000s. Across eight seasons, this Showtime offering followed a suburban single mother’s (Parker) decision to start selling marijuana to support her family’s upper-middle-class lifestyle after the untimely death of her husband.
'The West Wing' (1999–2006)
Starring: Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, Allison Janney, John Spencer, and Bradley Whitford
Why it makes the list: Today's culture lovers know a fair share of political dramas center around the White House, and we owe it all to this bad boy right here. Countless scandals, threats, and political scuffles ran amok over its seven seasons, and the show introduced us to a ton of stars we still love today.
'What I Like About You' (2002–2006)
Starring: Amanda Bynes, Jennie Garth, Wesley Jonathan, Leslie Grossman, Allison Munn, and Nick Zano
Why it makes the list: Was it the 2000s without teen queen Bynes? Absolutely not! While iconic 00's movies like What a Girl Wants and She's the Man get all the love, this underrated favorite about a 16-year-old who moves in with her older sister (Garth) has all her usual funny antics and more.
'The Wire' (2002–2008)
Starring: Dominic West, Wendell Pierce, Lance Reddick, Sonja Sohn, John Doman, and Deirdre Lovejoy
Why it makes the list: Every part of the drug food chain, from addicts to dealers and from cops to politicians, gets dissected in this gritty HBO drama set in Baltimore. Narcos, who?
