Who needs a time machine when TV can take you straight back to the days of arcade games and cassette tapes? The ‘80s were known to be the decade of bold (and bright) fashion and some of the best music we still listen to up until today. That’s why it’s always fun to see how many modern TV shows use the ‘80s setting for their stories. It might not be for everyone, but for those who are fans of retro vibes, these shows feel like being in a pop culture time capsule.
We’re a sucker for these kinds of shows, so we’ve scoured various streaming services to find the ones that really nail that ‘80s vibe. Let’s start so you can add these shows to your lineup, well, if they’re not already on it. Let’s start!
Chernobyl
1 Season | 5 Episodes
Chernobyl is a drama based on the real events of the 1986 nuclear disaster in the Soviet Union. The show takes you through what happened before, during, and after the explosion at the Chernobyl power plant. The first time I watched this, it broke my heart because I saw and felt the fear, confusion, and bravery of the people who had to face something they didn’t fully understand. It’s really not an easy watch, but it really opens your eyes to how serious the disaster was and how much it changed lives
Stranger Things
5 Seasons | 34 Episodes
Friends don’t lie. If you’ve watched at least a few episodes of Stranger Things, you know that line by heart. This TV series is set in the ‘80s, when a secret laboratory in a small town starts conducting experiments that open the door to a strange and dangerous world. It all begins when a boy goes missing, which leads his friends to meet a mysterious girl with powers who changes everything. If you’re planning to binge-watch this on your next TV streaming session, make sure you have a stable internet connection.
The Goldbergs
10 Seasons | 229 Episodes
The Goldbergs feels like flipping through an old family photo album if you grew up in the ’80s. This show is about Adam Goldberg. He is a kid with a video camera who documents his everyday life with his loud and over-the-top family. It’s full of throwbacks to the toys, music, and pop culture of the decade, all wrapped in funny and heartwarming stories. It’s a bingeable series if you want a light and relatable show.
Dark
3 Seasons | 26 Episodes
If Stranger Things had a darker, more complex cousin, it would be Dark. This German sci-fi thriller starts in a small town where a young boy goes missing. It might seem like a typical missing person story at first, but then there’s suddenly time travel, family secrets, and events that connect different years. It’s a bit of a brain workout, but if you like shows that keep you thinking and piecing things together, you will really enjoy this series. It’s not a typical show you see on most streaming services and traditional TV like DISH TV deals.
Cobra Kai
6 Seasons | 65 Episodes
If you watched The Karate Kid before and liked it, chances are you’ll enjoy this as well. Cobra Kai is set decades after the original movies, so it mostly takes place in the present, but it’s packed with ‘80s throwbacks like classic karate moves and old rivalries. It might not be fully set in the ‘80s but the show gives enough ’80s vibes for many of us to enjoy.
Wrapping Up
The ‘80s were a memorable decade for many of us, even for our parents. So it’s understandable if you sometimes want to go back in time and experience those years once again. The good thing is, these TV shows make that easy because even without leaving your couch, you can still get that ’80s fix. Happy watching!
