It’s funny to think of the term “screen time” when many of us grew up with dial-up chat rooms and full-time television. The shelter that raised me? Nickelodeon. Let me tell you, the Nickelodeon shows of the ’90s (both live-action and cartoon) were incredibly popular, which is why today I’m looking for a list of the best Nickelodeon shows to share with teens.
My oldest child is 10 years old and he often asks me about my childhood. What it was like growing up, my favorite things to do, my friends, and it was so fun to share all of these moments with her. But I realized recently that while I’ve shown her a lot of movies from my era (including a classic Nickelodeon movie released on orange VHS): harriet the spy), she didn’t watch many of the TV shows I watched as a kid. The early shows were still great, but not as popular as my favorite Nickelodeon shows from the 90s – from dwarf arrive hey man and Are you afraid of the dark? Nickelodeon really has it all. It was the golden age of children’s television.
All of the shows on this list are weird, fun, and come from a time when kids felt in control. Even the ridiculous cartoons feel empowering! us It must be selected. us Gotta watch it. And our parents knew nothing about it. So in honor of all these good vibes, grab some popcorn and an orange soda (who likes orange soda? Ke-ke-ke-Kel loves orange soda.) and put on Nickelodeon for you and your kids One of the classic programs.
The Secret World of Alex Mack
although The Secret World of Alex Mack It’s literally about a shady chemical company accidentally pouring some chemical on a teenage girl, giving her superpowers, and it’s full of girl-power moments. Alex has an older sister whom she trusts for many sweet sister gatherings. Her mom is back in school; I mean, even the CEO of a (horrible) chemical company is a woman. But it’s a great tween show, with a bit of an “I was an outcast” vibe, and a lot of very normal kid bedrooms and issues – something some newer shows aimed at kids seem to lack.
The show also had its share of wacky, kid-friendly shenanigans, but some of the subplots got really dark as the show progressed through all four seasons. It’s great for teenagers who want to watch a bit of a sci-fi show but still enjoy the situation comedy format, and it really works today. (I also wanted some Alex Mack powers.)
You can stream The Secret World of Alex Mack Via Apple TV and Prime Video.
double challenge
When was the last time you watched a game show with your kids? Jeopardy It doesn’t sit well with them, and some of the other shows on TV now are more about celebrity interactions. but double challenge? It’s so exciting, fun and wholesome – a great show to sit down and enjoy with your kids. You know, given the chance, you could get that ticket out of the mucus in your nostril faster than anyone else.
You can stream double challenge Via Paramount+.
hey man
I can still sing the theme song from memory and I can’t believe I haven’t shown it to my 10 year old yet. hey man Basically a workplace situation comedy for kids, set on a ranch staffed by mostly teenage ranch hands. But it has everything you need for the perfect tween show, from family drama to romance and friendship competition. Here’s a fun little story to introduce your kids to the ’90s.
You can stream hey man Via Paramount+, Prime Video and Apple TV.
dwarf
Don’t you think for one minute that your kids can’t appreciate it? dwarf. The show is a Nickelodeon staple and has jokes that are definitely suitable for older kids and adults alike. Your kids will probably find the baby parents more interesting than the little ones’ hijinks, and I’m a fan of any way that more people can appreciate the artwork of Charlotte Pickles or Betty Deville.
You can stream dwarf Through Netflix, Paramount+, Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video and Apple TV.
courage
If you thought the Olympics were breathtaking, maybe you don’t remember how intense Nickelodeon’s show was courage Was. This competition show is a must-watch for your kids for a number of reasons, but mainly so they know exactly what Aggro Crag is. It’s always fun to see kids your own age representing their country and being energetic, and you’ll enjoy it whether you’re an athlete yourself or not. (The theme song really doesn’t take that much effort.)
You can stream courage Via Paramount+.
Doug
like dwarf, Doug Might be an animated series, but man is it awesome. it honestly gives off some Dalia Now that I’m rewatching it as an adult, it’s a perfect little comfort show to share with your kids. Who can’t relate to Doug Funnie and his best puppy friend Porkchop? Don’t you want your kids to know about the classic hit song “Bangin’ on a Trash Can” by the Beets? Exactly.
You can stream Doug Via Paramount+, Prime Video and Apple TV.
Clarissa explains it all
Oh man, if you weren’t haggard from Clarissa Darling’s Room Clarissa explains it allso what are you actually doing? The show was a huge leap into stardom for Melissa Joan Hart, and it had an incredible fourth-wall-breaking energy that made you feel like Clarissa was directly Talk to you. She’s a little weird, unique, and very confident in herself, which gave me a lot of confidence while watching her. A must-see for teenagers.
You can stream Clarissa explains it all Via Paramount+, Prime Video and Apple TV.
all these
Don’t let your love of nostalgia fool you— all these Even as a first time viewing in 2024, it’s pretty good. She’s incredibly talented and the jokes still hit 100 percent – even though I had to explain some of the pop culture references to her, like Ross Perot.
You can stream all these Streaming on Prime Video, Apple TV and BET+.
rocket power
When I became a full tween rocket power Here Comes It – This wasn’t a show I grew up with when I was six, like some of the other shows on this list, but I really enjoyed it. Yes, an animated show too, but it’s just cool. Each episode has a bad girl character, lots of extreme sports, and a fun coastal town full of characters. It’s all healthy and fun.
You can stream Rocket Power on Paramount+, Prime Video, and Apple TV.
Are you afraid of the dark?
It wouldn’t be Saturday night without SNICK, and you can’t miss the end of SNICK, the complete series of perfect horror movies Are you afraid of the dark? You know your kids best, so if you suspect that the little boy in the woods shivering “I’m…cold…” will scare them, or that the abandoned swimming pool or the funny mirror house will scare them, then maybe Wait a little longer. But for kids who like some weird stuff and really good storytelling, this is the show. As you know, some of these stories will stay with them forever.
You can stream Are you afraid of the dark? on Paramount+ and Prime Video.
Hey Arnold!
Yes, another cartoon. But come on, Hey Arnold An absolute classic, like Clarissa, Arnold also had an enviable room. He also lives in a great city environment (should it be New York? A combination of cities? I don’t know.) and has a great relationship with his best friend Gerald, his grandparents, and all his friends and boarding house residents Had some really great moments together.
You can live stream Hey Arnold! Through Paramount+, Prime Video, Apple TV, Disney+ and Hulu.
Kabram!
Did a memory just unlock for you? cable Very enjoyable and strange, full of vignettes and funny moments that make it an anthology series. From Action League Now to The Lives of Ruby, Prometheus and Bob, we all have our favorite moments cable The show is made in such a way that you never get bored. Teenagers deserve one like this for the humor…but also just for the sheer weirdness.
You can stream Kabram! Via Paramount+.
Ah! real monster
Talk about delightful weirdness, Ah! real monster One of the best ever. Before Sully and Mike Wazowski showed up, Iggy, Oblina, and Krum all went to monster school to learn how to scare humans. They’re gross, they’re funny, and they’re downright weird. 10/10, still valid.
You can stream Ah! real monster Via Paramount+, Apple TV and Prime Video.
Salute to your shorts
Another theme song you can probably recite, Salute to your shorts What a great experience. Set at Camp Anawana, this situation comedy follows a colorful cast of characters who get into all sorts of mischief. Who among us hasn’t been hurt by Zeke the Plumber? It’s time to show off your tweens.
You can stream Salute to your shorts Via Paramount+, Prime Video and Apple TV.
Ren and Stimpy Show
You know when today people started talking about the “bullshit” kids watch? I can only assume it’s because they don’t remember how many hours we watched Ren and Stimpy Show. It’s so gross, so weird, and so funny, and teenagers will 100% buy into the humor. (And then some of the jokes will still fly over their heads and you can laugh to yourself.) Happy, happy, happy, happy!
You can stream Ren and Stimpy Showa on Paramount+.
Rocco’s modern life
Did I save the best for last? perhaps. Rocco’s modern life is another animated show that’s filled with raunchy, dirty humor, and a lot of very adult jokes that you’d be surprised to see the brass at Nickelodeon pull off. but rock Still funny, my brother and I still quote Heffer to this day.
You can stream Rocco’s modern life Streaming on Paramount+, Apple TV, Prime Video and BET+.
Honorable mention
Nickelodeon has tons of great shows you’ve forgotten about but are worth watching for your kids, and many of them are still very hard to find. amazing Space case A story about a school lost in space that can only be found on YouTube, The Adventures of Pete and Pete (We miss you, Artie!) is only available on Amazon Prime and does not offer full episodes, as well as other limited-run shows such as cousin skeeter and 100 Deeds of Eddie McDodd Not available.
So Nickelodeon, if you’re reading this – bring it all back. We now have tweens and we need to show them our childhood in perfect orange and slime coloring.
