Fall means two things for me: pumpkins on my front porch and the excitement of big network season or series premieres. Thankfully in the time of Netflix and other streaming services, we’re typically treated to new shows year-round. Even so, the fall holds a special kind of excitement, waiting for the new season of Grey’s Anatomy, Abbott Elementary, or my personal favorite, Survivor.
Since some of our go-to series might take a bit of extra time to return to our small screens nowadays—was anyone as desperately excited as me when Stranger Things finally came back a few months ago?!—it can be a good time to rely on old favorites once the kids are in bed.
In my own house, we’ve already rewatched The Office (highly recommend when you need a light comedy with your old pals Jim and Pam) and also Entourage, but I’ve actually left Entourage off the below list. I did thoroughly enjoy our marathon viewing, but boy is that show problematic and basically offensive to all groups. Some shows are better left in the past.
If you need a little fall television inspo, here are some of our old favorites—dramas, comedies, and spooky faves—that we’re loving for a rewatch this time of year.
Dramas
Gilmore Girls
Where to Watch: Netflix
Number of Seasons: 7
Not only is Gilmore Girls a staff favorite, but it also has some stellar fall vibes, making it an excellent cozy watch this season.
Scandal
Where to Watch: Hulu
Number of Seasons: 7
Need some Olivia Pope back in your life this fall? You’ll get more than enough drama from a marathon viewing of Scandal—and love every second of it.
Parenthood
Where to Watch: Hulu
Number of Seasons: 6
The perfect “feel-good yet I’m crying” kind of show that I’ve personally watched two times all the way through.
Desperate Housewives
Where to Watch: Hulu
Number of Seasons: 8
Before there were the Real Housewives, there was Desperate Housewives, and this show deserves another round of viewing.
Grey’s Anatomy
Where to Watch: Netflix
Number of Seasons: 19 (and counting!)
This list is supposed to be focused on shows that have come to a conclusion, but with 18 seasons under its belt (and season 19 airing now on ABC), it felt OK to add Grey’s Anatomy to this list. All those episodes will keep you busy for a while! And if you catch up to current time, might as well go and watch the Grey’s spin-off Private Practice on Hulu as well.
Comedies
Parks and Recreation
Where to Watch: Peacock
Number of Seasons: 7
If you didn’t watch Parks and Rec on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime, it’s now available to watch on Peacock. If you’re up for signing up for yet another streaming service, you’re sure to love this laugh-out-loud show.
The Mindy Project
Where to Watch: Hulu
Number of Seasons: 6
Mindy Kaling is the funny best friend we’re all searching for. Maybe this friendship will never become a reality, but at least we can spend 30 minutes with her through Hulu.
Glee
Where to Watch: Hulu
Number of Seasons: 6
Even if you just have this on in the background to hear the music, it’s a great choice.
The Good Place
Where to Watch: Netflix
Number of Seasons: 4
With only four seasons, it won’t take you too long to get through this recent cult favorite.
The Office
Where to Watch: Peacock
Number of Seasons: 9
As a recent rewatcher of The Office, I can tell you that I literally LOL-ed multiple times during each episode. This show really holds up.
Sex and the City
Where to Watch: Hulu and HBO Max
Number of Seasons: 6
SATC is just a generally enjoyable nostalgic show. I watched it during college with all my girlfriends crammed into a tiny dorm and dreamed of my future life in New York City. I was totally a Carrie. (But what 20-something thought any differently?)
Schitt’s Creek
Where to Watch: Hulu
Number of Seasons: 6
Alright, confession time. I kind of hated Schitt’s Creek for about 2.5 seasons. But everyone was so obsessed with it that I forced myself to power through, and by 2.6 seasons in, I also was obsessed. I think this means I need to re-watch it so I can really appreciate those first few seasons when I was full of doubt.
New Girl
Where to Watch: Netflix
Number of Seasons: 7
Sometimes you need a quirky, feel-good, light comedy and if ever there was a time, 2022 is when you need it most. New Girl fully delivers on that.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Where to Watch: HBO Max
Number of Seasons: 6
There’s nothing quite like a ’90s sitcom to set your mind at ease. Now’s as good a time as any to catch up on old episodes and brush up on your rendition of the theme song (but let’s be real, anyone who grew up in the ’90s for sure still has this memorized). When you’re done bingeing, watch the 2020 cast reunion special on HBO Max next!
To Get in the Spooky Spirit
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Where to Watch: Hulu
Number of Seasons: 7
I did watch this show growing up and basically have zero recollection of what happened, so a rewatch would be like a whole new experience.
Supernatural
Where to Watch: Netflix
Number of Seasons: 15
One more long-running show we’ll add to this list: Supernatural. It’s been on for 15 seasons and will take some work to get you up-to-date.
American Horror Story
Where to Watch: Hulu
Number of Seasons: 10
For the ultimate spooky fall viewing, head to American Horror Story and enjoy (or cover your face with a blanket, which would be my approach).
Charmed
Where to Watch: Peacock
Number of Seasons: 8
Watch the original Charmed, watch the new version on Netflix (it’s four seasons long!), or maybe just watch all of it.
Vampire Diaries
Where to Watch: HBO Max
Number of Seasons: 8
Halloween is right around the corner, so we’ll end our list with one more vampire hit to re-watch.
This article was originally published in 2020 and has been updated for timeliness.
