5 Best TV Series From the 80s That Will Hit You Right in the Nostalgia, Ranked by IMDb
It's time to experience the magic of good old television.
The 1980s left an indelible mark on the hearts of millions of viewers around the world. With their vibrant costumes, synthesizer music, naive yet charming storylines, and iconic characters, the shows of that era still evoke a sense of warm nostalgia and a longing to return to those carefree times.
5. 'ALF', 1986-1990
IMDb Score: 7.4/10
The Tanners – Willie and Kate, their children Lynn and Brian, and their dog – live an ordinary life in the San Fernando Valley. One day, a spaceship crashes into their garage. Inside, they discover an alien from the planet Melmac. Willie nicknames him ALF – short for Alien Life Form.
Since his home planet has exploded, he stays with the Tanners. While ALF is generally good-natured and loves his new family, he has a difficult personality.
To make matters worse, the alien is constantly hungry and even tries to devour the family's cat because felines are a favorite delicacy among the inhabitants of Melmac.
4. 'Moonlighting', 1985-1989
IMDb Score: 7.6/10
Maddie Hayes was a famous model who rose to fame by starring in shampoo commercials, however, her agent stole her money. Needing a livelihood, Maddie decided to shut down several unprofitable businesses.
One of these businesses was a detective agency. But the detective working there, David Addison, persuaded her to become his business partner and join him in investigating cases.
Thus began the complicated relationship between the detective and the former model. The two constantly bickered yet grew closer with each passing day.
3. 'Tales from the Crypt', 1989-1996
IMDb Score: 8.0/10
A living dead man – a guardian who knows hundreds of terrifying tales – dwelling in a dark crypt. Sometimes he tells the stories himself, and at other times, famous figures stop by to visit.
Each episode of the series is a standalone tale: one might be the story of a criminal handcuffed to a dead police officer or an account of a man in the morgue whom everyone believes to be dead, though he is actually conscious.
Or perhaps it's a tale about a killer who receives an unusual tattoo. The only thing these plots have in common is that they do not have happy endings.
2. 'Married... with Children', 1987-1997
IMDb Score: 8.1/10
Al Bundy is the phlegmatic and lazy head of the family. He works in the women's shoe department of a store for very little money. He loves watching TV, drinking beer, and sitting on the toilet.
His family is cut from the same cloth: his wife, Peggy, is a total slacker, their son is lecherous and rude, and their daughter is dim-witted but pretty.
Yet, strangely enough, the Bundys manage to coexist: when the need arises, they even stand up to insolent neighbors and other enemies, all while never missing a chance to take jabs at one another.
1. 'Quantum Leap', 1989-1993
IMDb Score: 8.2/10
In 1995, scientist Sam Beckett developed time-travel technology. In order to convince investors of its efficacy, he tests the device himself. However, he becomes trapped in a time loop in the past.
In order to advance to the next stage, he must either prevent a tragedy or help someone. Fortunately, his friend Al Calavicci remains in 1995 and appears as a hologram. Al consults a supercomputer to determine each of Sam's new objectives.
The main question remains unanswered, though: how can Sam get back home?
