I don’t know about you guys but one of my favourite things to do in my free time is to watch programmes from yesteryear. Life can be super stressful at times so watching movies from our childhood can be so comforting and bring back some wonderful nostalgic memories.
Growing up, I watched a variety of movies and tv shows. A mix of action, tearjerkers and comedies. Many of them are still my favourites to this very day. So let’s open up the popcorn, bring out the snacks and enjoy some throwbacks!
Check out my 40 nostalgic movies and tv shows to watch to bring back some feel good, old school vibes!
40 Nostalgic Movies and TV Shows to watch
20 TV Shows
Courage the Cowardly Dog (1996-2002) This programme was really scary when I was a kid but I love it now! It sure has creepy vibes! It’s about a dog called Courage, abandoned as a pup, he was found by Muriel who lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband Eustace…If you know, you know haha! Weird things always happen to Courage and he has to save the day!
The Powerpuff Girls (1998-2005) I absolutely loved this programme, it was one of my favourites; especially that evil character, HIM! Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup have to save the town from evil villains.
Recess ( 1997-2001) The theme song to this was brilliant, always made me and my sister watch!
Spongebob Squarepants ( 1999-Present) I have loved this programme since forever! As I have got older I think I am more like Squidward LOL!
Dexters Laboratory (1995-2003) Another classic! I really enjoyed watching this and would rewatch this again with my kids. It’s about a boy who has a lab, his sister Dee Dee usually destroys his experiments.
Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996-2003) What can I say to do this programme justice? I love it so much that I called my cat Salem.
Keenan & Kel (1996-2000) This programme is just full of laughs, worth the watch.
Dragonball Z ( 1996-2003) Another one of my sister and myself favourites! My parents weren’t too pleased though aha, they thought it had too much fighting. A classic!
Gladiators (1992-2000) I loved the American adaption of Gladiators, when I was younger I wanted to grow up to be a Gladiator.
Blind Date (1985-2003) I wish they would bring this back, it was brilliant. Cilla Black was the perfect host.
Continued…
The Crystal Maze (1990-2020) The original series was by far my favourite, it had so much character. Its a game show where contestants when in as a group to do tasks to get time in the crystal maze for prizes.
Keeping up Appearances (1990-1995) I have been in tears of laughter many times watching this! Hyacinth Bucket is a character for sure!
Art Attack (1990-2007) An art show which I always wanted to follow along with but never had the supplies lol!
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-1996) A show that needs no introduction, legendary!
Ricki Lake (1993-2004) I really enjoyed watching this show, it had a vast amount of subjects.
The Vicar of Dibley (1994-2007) I recently rewatched this during Ramadan last year, wonderful watch.
Mr Bean (1990-1995) A man of few words but so many laughs! I could watch Mr Bean every so often.
Drake & Josh (2004-2007) They are step brothers with opposite personality, learning to live under one roof while at the same
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003) I have always loved Vampire themed programmes/films, this gave me chills watching before but love to watch now.
Unsolved Mysteries ( 1987-2010) Before all the documentaries they were ‘Unsolved mysteries. This programme was a programme I watched with my mum.
Top 20 Nostalgic Films
Harry Potter film series (2001-2011) I am sure we have all seen the Harry Potter movies but if not I recommend them. I grew up watching these movies so makes it great to look back onto.
Pirates of the Caribbean film Series (2003-2017) These were my favourite films when I was a teen, Jack Sparrow and Will Turner were epic in these films.
Edward Scissorhands ( 1990) I watch this film every Christmas, it brings happy tears to my eyes. It a man created and he’s left unfinished with scissors as hands when his creator unexpectedly dies.
Happy Gilmore (1996) Happy learns his gran is going to lose her house so he ends up entering a golf tournament. The thing is he wanted to be a hockey player…
The Bodyguard ( 1992) Rachel is a singer/actor and she gets death threats from an obsessive stalker, she hires a bodyguard and falls for him. Love this film, Whitney Houston played the part perfectly.
The Mummy and The Mummy Returns (1999-2001) I am a huge fan of ancient Egypt so these films have been watched many times! i know its not historically correct but still, its wonderful.
Blade series ( 1998-2004) I love these so much that I have them on DVD. Blade is half human and half vampire, who hunts vampires.
Jurassic Park series (1993-2001) Based on the book, this science fiction film series is a must for anyone wanting nostalgia.
Men in Black ( 1997) K & J, (the men in black) are agents fighting against intergalactic events. Everyone thinks the song is catchy right? ‘Here come the men in black…the galaxy defenders, na na naa…’
Of Mice and Men ( 1992) I am not the only one who learnt about this book/film in English class right? It made me cry that’s for sure.
Continued…
The Mask (1994) Stanley has a simple life as a bank employee till he finds a mask created by Loki(God of Mischief). When he wears the mask becomes an eccentric/fun and somewhat powerful character.
Interview with the vampire (1994) I first watched this in my teens, it has so many amazing actors in it, which reminds me, I need to rewatch this.
Sleepy Hollow (1999) Ichabod Crane is a police detective called to a village to find out whos behind a series of murders. He soon finds out its a headless horseman with a curse.
The Addams Family Series ( 1991) A supernatural black comedy film created by cartoonist Charles Addams. This gothic family is different from many but very family-based. I love the relationship between Gomez and Morticia.
Hook (1991) Peter Pan (Robin Williams) has grown up but needs to return to Neverland to save his children from the dastardly captain hook.
The Witches (1990) A film il never tire from! This is based on Roald Dahl’s novel. A boy uncovers a witches convention and tries to stop them but gets turned into a mouse. He has to stop them from turning all kids into mice.
Death Becomes Her ( 1992) A writer and an actress have hated each other for years. They want the same man and it leads to them taking a miracle cure to stop the ageing process, thing is that it has effects, oh dear!
10 Things I Hate About You ( 1999) If you haven’t seen this then I recommend it!
Beyond the mat (2000) a documentary film worth watching if you are an old school wrestling fan like me.
The Truman Show (1998) I love this film, it has to be my favourite of all time. Truman is an insurance salesman when he slowly discovers people around him are actors and he’s in a tv show. 100% recommend.
What are your thoughts?
I hope you enjoyed my top 40 picks! They are many I have missed I am sure but let’s be honest, looking back they have been some brilliant films and programmes!
Comment down below and tell me your favourite nostalgic movies/tv programmes
until next time
Mel x
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I love Drake & Josh. That show is so funny. I remember watching this show when I was younger. Also I love 10 things I hate about you. It’s such a classic.
I haven’t seen all of these, but I have seen most of them! I definitely agree with your picks. One that I had forgotten about was Death Becomes Her. I rented that all of the time in my teen years. Haha! One of my favorites of all time is Dirty Dancing. I could watch it over and over without getting tired of it. There is some comfort in watching movies I love from my childhood. 🙂
When I signed up for Disney+ I started watching Recess again, it brought back so many memories from childhood. I loved Art Attack too. 10 Things I Hate About You was one of my faves as a teen, I used to swoon over Heath Ledger! You’ve mentioned some fab movies and tv shows here. Thanks for taking me on a trip down memory lane x
I LOVED watching Sabrina the Teenage Witch when I was a kid & Spongebob Squarepants is great too!
As far as films, Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hallow & Harrpy Potter are my favs!
This is such a great list! Used to love Courage the cowardly dog, Dexter’s laboratory, Sabrina, Dragon Ball and The fresh prince! SUch a great walk through memory lane, really need to add some of these to my list! Death becomes her and Hook were some of my favourites! Thank you for sharing x
Oh my goodness, I have actually watched so many of those films recently. I love dipping in and out of some old classic TV. I really love Sabrina the teenage witch.
I have been watching old Hannah Montana with my daughters recently and loved that!
I haven’t thought about Recess in years! What a brilliant throwback. I’ll be coming back to this post when I need some film inspo!
Rosie
I used to love The Crystal Maze & Gladiators, I might have to try and watch them later! I love them so much!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
You have so many good movies and shows here. I think I need to re-watch Hook with my kids. Love that movie!
There are times when I come across something that makes me feel well and truly old. This is one of those things.
Also, I remember all of these shows. They’re awesome.
I am always watching vaintage shows like All in the Family and Love Boat. I can always watch an old Joan Crawford movie when they are on
A movie night sounds good to me. There are so many great choices to select from.
I remember watching some of those shows with my kids. I need to watch all the Harry Potter movies again.
I’ll never get tired of Harry Potter and Mr. Bean. Especially Harry Potter. I love it in a cold weather.
I already watched some of them and my favorites are Harry Potter, Men in Black, Mr.Bean, Dragon Ball Z and a lot more. LOL!
I love overdosing on nostalgia! Music, clothes, looking through old photos, watching old movies and shows. It’s the best! I’m currenly binging Blossom.
These are nostalgic indeed. So many of them bring back so many memories of my teen years
So many fun choices on this list. I am a huge “Keeping Up Appearances” fan!
I love Addams family series, mask, The Mummy and The Mummy Returns films so much😍I need to watch Harry Potter movies again!
I love taking a trip down memory lane with old movies and shows. It is crazy how much time has passed since these flicks.
I am literally here for every single one that you have mentioned!
Danielle | thereluctantblogger.co.uk
Love several of your choices. That Mr. Bean just made me laugh out loud!!
As a family, we love to watch movies together. Spongebob and Dexter’s Laboratory are really fun. We also enjoy the Jurassic Park series. This list are full of interesting movies.
A lot of these are classics that we absolutely love and some are new to us so thanks for the recommendations.
omg i love a lot of those. sabrina the teenage witch takes me back to high school