The 1990s were a defining decade filled with groundbreaking technology, unforgettable pop culture, and trends we still look back on with pure nostalgia. From dial-up tones to iconic TV shows, here are 20 reasons why the ’90s truly were the best time to be alive.
Pogs
This is what gambling looked like back in the day.
Nickelodeon Shows
Hey Arnold! , Rugrats , Kennan and Kel where only some of all the amazing shows we’d watch back in the day.
Tamagotchis
Everyone had one, and everyone accidentally “killed” theirs by forgetting to feed it.
MSN
Everyone would love to bring MSN back. Changing your status to online and offline several times so your crush could see you were there was a feeling that teenagers will never understand nowadays.
Pixar Movies
You were there when Pixar was born, and grew up alongside their heartwarming movies.
Going to The Mall
You just knew someone was going to be there; you didn’t know who or where, but that was what made it so exciting.
African American Representation on TV
Half & Half , Sister, Sister, and Fresh Prince are some of the sitcoms that showcased the African American culture on TV.
Beepers and Pagers
Before smartphones, having a pager on your hip meant you were important. When that screen lit up, you’d race to the nearest payphone to see who needed you.
90s Movies
Movies from the 90s just hit different. From Titanic to The Silence of the Lambs , and even Jurassic Park , this decade brought us a lot of iconic films.
Saddle Shoes
Yes, they look like bowling shoes, and no, we didn’t wear them to go bowling.
Developing Photos
The excitement you felt while opening those envelopes and seeing if the pictures were good was thrilling!
Clear Phones
They were the coolest phones for you to be yelled at by your dad for spending too much time on it, talking to your bestie.
The Grunge Movement
Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden, among others, were more than music. Teenagers felt seen with this spirit, and it was also represented in clothing, makeup, and even hairstyles.
Waiting in Line
No Ticketmaster wars or prices changing due to high demand. You just had to stand in line and you’d get your ticket.
Teen Magazines
You’d get a magazine with the latest makeup and fashion trends, gossip, and even posters for you to hang on your walls. And of course you’d read them with your friends at a sleepover.
Blockbuster
Gen Z kids will never understand how exciting it was to rent movies and get snacks at a Blockbuster. Some people even remember the scent the stores had.
Boy Bands
The Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, 98 Degrees, and NKOTB were only some of the boy bands people listened to in the ‘90s.
Disney Classics
This was a golden era for Disney. A lot of movies came out like Beauty And The Beast , Pocahontas , and Hercules . With these, all the iconic Disney music came with them.
Letters
If you had friends or family living abroad, waiting for their letters was super exciting.
Space Jam
Having Michael Jordan, NBA players, and The Looney Toons in one movie was one of the coolest things ever.
