The reinvention of television as the peak TV era arguably happened in the 2000s, and plenty of TV shows from that time that still muster up feelings of nostalgia. From groundbreaking sitcoms to brilliant genre-bending dramas, and just about everything in between, the 2000s were the beginning of a golden age for television. Before streaming, and before the popularity of DVRs, audiences could often find themselves treated to these excellent shows while flipping through the channels. 

Almost 20 years on, the 2000s television landscape is a clear landmark time with its bolder, riskier content and its string of massive successes. Casts became more diverse as creators began to recognize the importance of representation in media. Tired of the cheesy sitcoms of the 90s, audiences found renewed interest in dramas. Meanwhile, sitcom writers looked for fresh new ideas, many finding it with darker comedies and the invention of the mockumentary format. Anyone who remembers the 2000s will find a bolt of nostalgia with these 10 excellent television shows.

11 Malcolm in the Middle (2000-2006)

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Compared to the charming sitcom families of the ’80s and ’90s, Malcolm in the Middle, with its dysfunctional central family, was unique. Intelligent and hilarious, the show centered on its title character, a genius born into a family of troublemakers. The show followed Malcolm and his three disorderly brothers as they schemed and wreaked havoc for his strict mother, his kooky father, and just about anyone they came into contact with. The best Malcolm in the Middle episodes were filled with hijinks, family infighting, and great guest actors. Mixing the zippy energy of a typical sitcom with a completely original depiction of familial dysfunction, the show garnered acclaim from both critics and award bodies for its uniqueness and genuine hilarity.

9 Smallville (2001-2011)

Wildly successful, Smallville followed the high school and early adult years of Clark Kent before he would officially become Superman. One of the earliest examples of a later onslaught of reimagined origin stories for popular comic book characters, Smallville was a clear inspiration for the likes of Joker and Gotham (a Batman prequel similar to the original idea for Smallville). Already nostalgic at the time for readers of the earlier comic books, this brilliant and intense series is still one of the best TV shows of the superhero genre.

8 Charmed (1998-2006)

A San Francisco-set story of three sisters who discover they are witches (the good kind), Charmed initially followed its three leads as they attempted to balance their human lives with their new lives using their powers to protect the world from evil. Despite starting its run in the late ’90s, much of the series was released in the early 2000s when the show gained a loyal cult following. Filled with both exciting fantasy and realistic family drama, Charmed was a gripping (and, yes, charming) story about three powerful women saving the world. The show’s success would later inspire a comic book and, more recently, a reboot.

7 Everybody Hates Chris (2005-2009)

Inspired by the real-life childhood of comedian Chris Rock, Everybody Hates Chris focused on the comedian’s nerdy younger counterpart as he navigated moving into a dangerous new neighborhood of Brooklyn in the 1980s. While focused on the experiences of an African-American family, Chris’s constant battles with his siblings and the pressure he faced from his exhausted parents made for a show that was incredibly relatable. As Chris found constant trouble navigating Brooklyn and his all-white public high school, the real Chris Rock provided some of the show’s best moments with priceless voiceover interjections. Farcical and hilarious, Everybody Hates Chris was unafraid to find humor and heart in the story of a messy and eccentric family trying to get by.

6 Lost (2004-2010)

Often ranked as one of the greatest drama series of all time, Lost centered around a group of plane crash survivors trying to make sense of the mysterious island they found themselves stranded on. Mixing drama with elements of adventure and science-fiction, Lost was a show like no other. The show divided fans as much as it intrigued them, and Lost‘s divisive ending with its many unanswered questions was no exception. Still, it’s one of the most iconic and acclaimed television shows to come out of the 2000s, and its twists and foreshadowing make it endlessly rewatchable.

5 The King of Queens (1998-2007)

Over nine seasons and 207 episodes, The King of Queens and its brilliant cast delivered consistent gut-busting laughs. Focused on the lives of working-class delivery driver Doug, his wife Carrie, and Carrie’s demanding father as they all tried to cope with living together in a house in Queens, the show was a smash hit. While Doug’s frequent absurd attempts at deceit got him into hilarious trouble with his wife, many of the funniest moments in King of Queens belonged to Arthur, Carrie’s father played by the legendary Jerry Stiller. The show, with its realistic and hilarious exploration of marriage and family, is still running in syndication.

4 Ugly Betty (2006-2010)

Before inspiring feminists around the world in blockbuster hit Barbie, America Ferrara was the star of the quirky comedy-drama Ugly Betty. The show centered around a hard-working young woman hoping to make it as a writer. Despite her poor taste in clothes, she finds herself hired by the owner of a high-fashion magazine to assist his son, the editor-in-chief, because his father believes she is the only woman he can hire that his son won’t attempt to seduce. With fierce fashion, big laughs, and an equally big heart, the show gained a loyal fan base, despite Ugly Betty‘s cancelation after season 4.

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With clear influences from film noir, Veronica Mars balanced a mystery-of-the-week format with teenage drama and unexpectedly humorous social commentary. Kristen Bell starred as the title character, who when the series started was a high school student moonlighting as a private detective. Though canceled after three seasons, a massive cult following saw Veronica Mars rebooted twice, once in 2014 as a feature-length film, and again in 2019 for a full season. Fondly remembered and consistently ranked as one of the most underrated television shows of all time, Veronica Mars is sure to ring with a sense of nostalgia for its many fans.

2 Scrubs (2001-2010)

Another series that pushed the previously seen limits of the comedy genre in the early 2000s, Scrubs followed the lives of the medical interns and employees at Sacred Heart Hospital. Fast-paced, with frequent surreal fantasy sequences in the form of the sensitive main character JD’s daydreams, Scrubs was quick-witted and irreverent. Exploring the friendships, love lives, and career paths of its ensemble cast of characters, Scrubs found endless laughter even while tackling heavy subjects. The quirky, irreverent humor still holds up, and some of TV’s most heartfelt (and heartbreaking) episodes found their origins on Scrubs.

1 Friday Night Lights (2006-2011)

Following the tight-knit members of a Texas town’s beloved high school football team, Friday Night Lights was notable for its refreshingly realistic portrayal of Middle America. Over the course of five seasons, Friday Night Lights tackled deep subject matters, exploring contemporary small-town issues such as familial pressures and substance abuse. Incredibly moving and boldly realistic, the show won love for its many well-drawn characters, despite never finding a big audience to compliment its critical success. Still, Friday Night Lights remains one of the most memorable shows of the 2000s, thanks to its phenomenal cast and crew, and its focus on emotional realism.