It’s easy to think old TV shows faded away because they weren’t very good. But surprisingly, a lot of beloved classics just got lucky. Plenty of shows that were just as good – or even better – were forgotten due to bad timing or other unfortunate circumstances. That’s the story behind these ten excellent series from the 1990s.
Following the success of The Sopranos, which ushered in a new era for television, many shows began featuring complex and flawed protagonists. While characters like Walter White, Omar Little, and Don Draper are now considered television icons, Vic Mackey from The Shield often gets overlooked despite being just as compelling.
Horror films have been a part of cinema from the very beginning, inspiring countless filmmakers over the years. Despite this long history, they often aren’t taken seriously by the media. The reason horror movies continue to be popular isn’t simply because they’re scary, but because they’re well-made.
Earlier this month, Quentin Tarantino criticized Paul Dano’s performance in There Will Be Blood on a podcast, calling him a “weak sauce” actor and even labeling him the “worst” in the Screen Actors Guild. Since then, several prominent figures in Hollywood, including Daniel Day-Lewis and Ben Stiller, have voiced their support for Dano. Ethan Hawke notes that this outpouring of support is a valuable lesson: you shouldn’t let negative comments bother you.
“I think that saved me from the pain. That’s good advice for anybody.”
The Pirates of the Caribbean movies are considered some of the most exciting adventure films of the 2000s, and many people who watched them as kids and teens still love the series. The first movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, is a standout adventure film, and Captain Barbossa has a particularly memorable scene that remains unmatched.
We have a pretty good sense of what the upcoming The Mandalorian and Grogu film will be like. Considering the three seasons of The Mandalorian and the initial trailers, we know Din Djarin will likely continue hunting down remnants of the Empire for the New Republic. However, the movie’s exact plot remains a mystery, though the film Predator might offer some insight into its direction.
While the show gained popularity, its scientific accuracy is questionable. Astrophysicist Paul Sutter discussed several movies and series on Insider’s How Real Is It? podcast, giving positive reviews to titles like The Expanse. However, he criticized 3 Body Problem, calling it scientifically inaccurate and illogical.
Shows like Westworld, Stranger Things, Black Mirror, and The Expanse consistently appear on “best of” lists, and many of them are available on Netflix. Despite its tendency to cancel shows prematurely, Netflix generally gives science fiction series a chance – with the notable exception of The OA.
Many fantasy TV shows share similar qualities, but the massive popularity of series like Game of Thrones is relatively rare. Fans deeply invested in the fantasy genre often look for something with a truly original magical system. For these viewers, The Magicians is an exceptional show that deserves attention.