From the arthouse brilliance ofTwin Peaksand thebeloved sitcoms likeSeinfeldandFrasierto the birth of modern reality TV with shows likeThe Real World, the 1990s brought audiences some of the most influential shows of our time. However, when it comes to having a lasting impact on the medium, there were also plenty of excitingaction-based series that left their stamp on the genre and fans across the globe.
Buffy the Vampire Slayerpaved the way for shows likeCharmed,The Vampire Diaries, andTeen Wolf, andThe X-Filesmade it possible forFringe,Supernatural, andLostto thrive. But is sci-fi not your jam? Don’t worry; the ’90s also brought us some action-packed dramas against unique cultural backdrops withWalker, Texas Ranger,La Femme Nikita, and others. All of these projects curated dedicated viewership and embraced new styles, pushing the medium of television forward. If you’re looking to get your blood pumping with some small-screen classics, this list has got you covered.
11Renegade (1992-1997)
The series stars Lorenzo Lamas as Reno Raines, a police officer who is framed for a murder he did not commit. Raines goes on the run and joins forces with Native American bounty hunter Bobby Sixkiller.
An action-adventure crime drama,Renegadefollows ex-Army Ranger and San Diego police officer, Reno Raines (Lorenzo Lamas). Framed for a murder he did not commit, Raines goes on the run and later teams up with Indigenous bounty hunter Bobby Sixkiller (Branscombe Richmond), who was hired to bring him in. With a series arc focused on clearing Raines' name, he and Sixkiller hunt various bail skippers each episode, often proving them innocent.
Lamas Kicked Butt as Reno Raine
Primarily known at the time for his work on the soap operaFalcon Crest, lead actor Lamas was keen to joinRenegadeafter discovering he could utilize his own martial arts and motorcycle riding skills on screen. Despite mixed reviews from critics about the scriptwriting, fans of the show continue to sing its praises. A mix of contemporary Western and gritty cop procedural,Renegadecaptivated audiences for its five-season run with its action-centered plot and comfortable pacing.
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If you’re feeling nostalgic and looking for a ’90s binge on Netflix, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
10The Pretender (1996-2000)
The Pretender
As a child prodigy, raised in the custody of The Centre, a highly secretive think tank, Jared completed numerous “simulations,” situations in which he took the viewpoint of another person and arranged the optimal outcome for events. After years of “pretending,” Jared discovered that the data obtained from his work was being used to nefarious ends. Now on the run from The Centre, he moves from place to place, using his skills to dispense justice and aid those in need.
The Pretender,inspired by the real life of serial imposter Ferdinand Waldo Demara, centers on a prodigy and professional imposter named Jarod (Michael T. Weiss). After being abducted as a child and raised in a think tank called The Centre and being exploited for his intelligence, Jarod escapes. He takes on various personas and goes on a mission to locate his biological parents and investigate The Centre’s various crimes all while trying to evade recapture and execution.
The Pretender Showrunners Are Desperate for a Reboot
The series was well-reviewed, garnering several award nominations, and was beloved by fans. In fact, whenThe Pretenderwas eventually canceled (a victim of NBC wiping out its entire “Thrillogy” line-up), fans started a campaign to keep it on the air. Rather than continue the show, two made-for-TV movies were made,The Pretender 2001andIsland of the Haunted, though their unresolved cliffhangers were disappointing to viewers. Co-creators Steven Mitchell and Craig van Sickle have been vocal over the years about wanting to finish telling the story they wrote, but no plans for further production have ever been announced.
9Highlander (1992-1998)
Highlander
Highlander follows one Immortal, Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod (known as “The Highlander” to other Immortals). Duncan MacLeod, born 400 years ago in the Highlands of Scotland, is on an ongoing quest, since “In the End, There Can Be Only One.”
Highlander: The Seriesfollowed the 1986 film of the same name as a sci-fi action-adventure starring Adrian Paul as Scotsman Duncan MacLeod, an Immortal who has honed his skills and fought all over the globe for centuries. Taking part in an ongoing competition called The Game, he must battle other Immortals (who can only die by beheading) until only one is left — all while blending into modern-day civilization.
Critics were fond ofHighlander, the series much more than the film franchise, and generally agree that the show got better as more seasons premiered.Highlanderleft a legacy that has remained long after the show’s end. Among an audio play, an opera, a 10-book series, a comic, and several spin-offs,Highlanderalso inspired a card game, board game, and action role-playing game, cementing its place in the sci-fi zeitgeist.
8Walker, Texas Ranger (1993-2001)
Walker, Texas Ranger
Walker, Texas Ranger is an action-packed TV series that follows Cordell Walker, a Texas Ranger with a strong sense of justice, played by Chuck Norris. Set in contemporary Texas, the show combines martial arts, crime-solving, and moral lessons. Walker teams up with James Trivette (Clarence Gilyard), and together they tackle a range of criminal activities while upholding the law. The series emphasizes traditional values and integrity.
Celebrated martial artist and actor Chuck Norris had plenty of action films under his belt when he made his major television debut withWalker, Texas Ranger. Norris was the titular star of the action series that was based on the movieLone Wolf McQuade, which Norris also starred in. The show focuses on the Texas Rangers, a state-run investigative police force. Vietnam veteran Sergeant Cordell Walker embodies the persona of a Wild West sheriff in his pursuit of justice, while his partner and friend, Jimmy Trivette (Clarence Gilyard), embraces the new technology of the times to solve cases.
Chuck Norris Shows Off His Martial Arts Skills
Walker utilizes his remarkable martial arts skills to demonstrate his power, although the show was also commended for its morality, which included significant community involvement.Walker, Texas Rangerwas one of the most-watched shows on CBS during its run and spawned a spin-off calledSons of Thunderand a made-for-TV movie,Trial by Fire. Areboot of the series that Norris gave his blessing to,Walker, premiered in 2021 with Jared Padalecki ofSupernaturalfame in the lead role.
10 Most Over-The-Top Episodes of Walker, Texas Ranger
Chuck Norris butt-kicked his way into the hearts of fans all across the world with his winning performance in Walker, Texas Ranger.
7Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995-1999)
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
Preceded by five made-for-TV movies,Hercules: The Legendary Journeysis a fantasy interpretation of Ancient Greece, following the titular character Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) and his sidekick Iolaus (Michael Hurst). Running for six seasons, the series showcased the two battling monsters, warlords, and even other Greek Gods, like Hera (Meg Foster) and later Ares (Kevin Smith). Hercules' adventures led to many exciting accomplishments, such as creating the Olympics, joining the Argonauts, and conquering the evil demon Dahak.
Hercules Led to Many More Projects
The show became a franchise, eliciting two spinoffs,Young Herculesand the belovedXena: Warrior Princess. A novel trilogy, a YA book, and a five-issue miniseries comic based on the series were all published in the late ’90s. Hercules also transformed into a collectible card game, a video game for Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Color, and a board game. The success ofHercules: The Legendary JourneysandXena: Warrior Princessalso inspired a 1998 animated series,Hercules and Xena — The Animated Movie: The Battle for Mount Olympus, in which many of the original cast members voiced their roles. However, Hercules and Xena’s success as characters didn’t necessarily translate into the real world, as actorsSorbo and Lucy Lawless have clashed over racist remarks.
6La Femme Nikita (1997-2001)
La Femme Nikita
Nikita is a drug-addicted juvenile delinquent who was accused of killing a police officer in cold blood during an attempted robbery of a pharmacy. She is later arrested and sentenced to death by lethal injection, upon which she was secretly drugged by the government, faking her death. Nikita is then “recruited” by a secret government organization and transformed into a highly skilled assassin who cannot be traced.
Based on Luc Benson’s 1990 French film of the same name,La Femme Nikitabrings action and drama to the world of spies. Peta Wilson plays the titular character who begins the series as a homeless woman falsely accused of murdering a cop and is then taken in by a clandestine counter-terrorism organization called Section One, who trains her to become an assassin. She fights to hold on to her humanity and maintain her moral center while also carrying out her ruthless assignments.
Fans Tried to Save La Femme Nikita
La Femme Nikitaran on the USA Network for four seasons before its cancelation, despite its high ratings and popularity. Fans were so devastated that the show was pulled that they created a large campaign called “Save LFN” in an attempt to convince the network to revive it. Their efforts were successful and the series was brought back for a shortened fifth season. A reboot calledNikitapremiered on The CW in 2010 starringMaggie Q in one of her best performances, though it only lasted three seasons.
5Nash Bridges (1996-2001)
Nash Bridges
Inspector Nash Bridges is in his 40s, twice-divorced, and co-parenting his teenage daughter, Cassidy. He convinces recently retired Inspector Joe Dominguez to return to the force and partner with him, and the pair cruise the streets of San Francisco for the Special Investigations Unit.
Nash Bridgeswas a delightful follow up to Don Johnson’s previous classic cop show,Miami Vice, presenting the actor as an older, less cool, but still charming police inspector, this time with much more humor. That humor is elevated thanks to the great casting of Cheech Marin, who plays Johnson’s partner in San Francisco’s Special Investigations Unit. It’s one of the best buddy cop pairings in TV history.
A More Realistic & Lovable Don Johnson
Johnson takes on a much more realistic and grounded role, playing a middle-aged, divorced father dealing with his teenage daughter in between solving the crimes of San Francisco. The show has some excellent action sequences, especially its great chase scenes, but is at its best when simply following Johnson and Marin around San Fancisco as they banter in a 1971 Plymouth convertible.
4Stargate SG-1 (1997-2007)
Stargate SG-1
Stargate SG-1is a military adventure series based on the 1994 sci-fi movieStargate. It follows an American Air Force special ops team who are tasked with exploring the galaxy for alien technology and combating Earth’s ancient alien enemies, the Goa’uld. The ensemble cast includes Richard Dean Anderson as the SG-1 leader Jack O’Neill, Michael Shanks as Egyptologist Daniel Jackson, Amanda Tapping as astrophysicist Sam Carter, Christopher Judge as Goa’uld alien defector named Teal’c, and the late, great Don S. Davis as the Stargate major general George Hammond.
SG-1 Was One of the Best
The series was immediately popular with audiences and earned eight Emmy nominations throughout its run and is consideredone of the best sci-fi shows of all time.SG-1utilized authentic Air Force uniforms, transformative prosthetics and special effects makeup, and impressive visual effects to create an immersive atmosphere. The production team worked closely with the U.S. military to fact-check scripts for plausibility, utilized real bases for filming, and even included some real officers as extras. The show spawned several spinoffs, including an animated seriesStargate Infinity, and two live-action series,Stargate AtlantisandStargate Universe.
3Xena: Warrior Princess (1995-2001)
Xena: Warrior Princess
Written, directed, and produced by Robert Tapert,Xena: Warrior Princesswas created as a spin-off toHercules: The Legendary Journeys. Xena (Lucy Lawless) was only supposed to have a three-episode arc on that show, but her character’s immediate popularity spawned a series of her own. Set in Ancient Greece, though eventually becoming global,Xena: Warrior Princessfollows the titular character, a former villain who fights valiantly for the innocent as a way to redeem herself for her past sins.
The series incorporates fantasy, action, adventure, and everything in between, with moments of intense drama and slapstick comedy. Each episode centers on a different mission for Xena, who is accompanied by her ally and “soulmate” Gabrielle (Renee O’Connor), as she takes down enemies and goes on important quests.
Xena Grew a Cult Following
Xena and Gabrielle’s relationship was intentionally left ambiguousby the showrunners, though there is plenty of innuendo and subtext to suggest they were romantically involved. As the series gained a cult following, Xena became a lesbian icon for the LGBTQ+ community.Xena: Warrior Princesswas successful and immensely popular, earning seven Primetime Emmy Award nominations with one win and becoming a franchise. Several Xena-related movies and video games followed the TV show, as well as its very own convention for superfans.
2Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
A mix of horror, martial arts, fantasy, and a good dose of humor,Buffy the Vampire Slayerbecame one of the most iconic shows of the ’90s. Sarah Michelle Gellar stars as the titular Buffy Summers, a teenage vampire slayer who has supernatural abilities such as increased physical strength and healing and psychic abilities. She is chosen by fate to battle evil forces and is guided by her “Watcher,” Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head). Set against the backdrop of a suburban California high school, Buffy gathers a group of friends (affectionately nicknamed the “Scoobies”) who help her navigate her bizarre new life.
Where the Buffyverse Began
Buffy the Vampire Slayerfollows a serialized format consisting of villain-of-the-week episodes tied into season-long arcs where Buffy must defeat a major antagonist referred to as the “Big Bad.” The show became a major pop culture phenomenon and was touted by academics, critics, and the public for its influence on narrative, cultural influence, and overall success. The franchise, including its inspired video games, novels, various spinoffs, and one of the greatestcomic book series to come from a TV show, became known colloquially as the “Buffyverse” and maintains an avid fanbase to this day. The most successful spinoff was the TV showAngel, which aired from 1999 to 2004 and starred David Boreanaz.
One of the Most Influential TV Shows of the 90s Now Streaming for Free on Tubi
Sarah Michelle Gellar’s small screen hit inspired a generation of fans and filmmakers, and now you can watch it for free.
