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Table of Contents

- Best '80s Sitcoms

- Best '80s Dramas

- Honorable Mentions

The 1980s gave us a lot to remember, including iconic movies, vibrant fashion trends, and, of course, classic TV shows. The '80s were the golden age of beloved sitcoms like Cheers and The Golden Girls, and as if that wasn't enough, you just couldn't stay away from the kind of drama that shows like Dynasty and Dallas offered each episode.

©NBC / Courtesy Everett Collection / ©ABC / Courtesy Everett Collection

From beloved characters to famous catchphrases, we've put together a list of all the sitcoms, dramas, and animated series from the decade that you may or may not remember vividly, depending on how much time you or your parents spent sitting in front of the living room TV. So, let's take a trip down memory lane to revisit the best '80s TV shows of all time:

Best '80s Sitcoms

Cheers (1982–1993)

©NBC / Courtesy Everett Collection

What it's about: "The regulars of the Boston bar 'Cheers' share their experiences and lives with each other while drinking or working at the bar where everybody knows your name." —IMDb

Starring: Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Kirstie Alley, Rhea Perlman, George Wendt, Woody Harrelson, Kelsey Grammer

Fan Review: "Before Jim and Pam on The Office, there was Sam and Diane (the better relationship by far). Cheers has amazing characters, concentrated single-episode stories, and some really sweet moments. There's not really a single weak character in the cast. There's a reason Frasier spun off from it and became its own comedy. As a TV writer myself, I think the pilot '[Give] Me a Ring Sometime' is one of the best pilots of all time. Sets the tones and characters perfectly. You get Carla, Norm, and Coach immediately when they walk in through that door." —TajesMahoney

The Golden Girls (1985–1992)

©NBC / courtesy Everett Collection

What it's about: "Four previously married women live together in Miami, sharing their various experiences together and enjoying themselves despite hard times." —IMDb

Starring: Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, Estelle Getty

Fan Review: "I watched when it aired. I also watch now with my kids. It's nice to hear them laugh at the one-liners today, just as I had originally. The show has held up, and the clothes are fabulous!" —ShareComprehensive97

A Different World (1987–1993)

©Carsey-Werner Co/Courtesy Everett Collection

What it's about: "A group of students at a historically Black university struggle to make it through college." —IMDb

Starring: Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Darryl M. Bell, Dawnn Lewis, Lisa Bonet, Charnele Brown

Fan Review: "It is an amazing show. I loved it and watched it every week when it was airing, and I still enjoy watching it now. I love Dwayne and Whitley; their romance is iconic, and their wedding episode was so romantic. If you weren’t there, you can’t really understand how intense that build-up really was…how long we pined for them to get back together. That 'Baby, PLEASE!' lives in my head rent-free. I loved seeing the college culture. One of my favorite parts was the stepping episode. I was in high school, so it made me think college was going to be awesome (and it was). Anyway. Was and is one of my favorites. And leaving this here: RELAX. RELATE. Re-LEASE!" —haileyskydiamonds

Diff'rent Strokes (1978–1986)

What it's about: "Follows millionaire Phillip Drummond, his daughter Kimberly, their current housekeeper Edna, and Arnold and Willis, the two pre-teenage sons of their late African American housekeeper from Harlem, whom he adopted and raised as his own." —IMDb

Starring: Gary Coleman, Todd Bridges, Conrad Bain, Dana Plato

Fan Review: "I actually went back and watched the first few seasons a couple of years ago, and I thought a lot of the humor held up pretty well. The tragedies behind the scenes loom over a bit, though. And I will not watch any of the 'very special episodes.'" —krissym99

Married... with Children (1987–1997)

What it's about: "Al is the quintessential working-class dad. Peggy, his wife, always wants more from him. With their children, they go through the highs and lows of ordinary life." —IMDb

Starring: Ed O'Neill, Katey Sagal, Christina Applegate, David Faustino

Fan Review: "It was the perfect anti-'80s sitcom; the anti-Cosby Show: a white trash family on the verge of poverty that can’t stop sabotaging and ruining their chances for a better life. The characters never learn a positive lesson, and the audience is better off not trying to emulate them. It was perfect." —DudebroggieHouser

227 (1985–1990)

What it's about: "This story took place in an apartment building

40 Best &#x27;80s TV Shows That Defined A Generation

40 Best '80s TV Shows That Defined A Generation