The Best Modern TV Shows Set in the ’80s

It’s clear that 1980s nostalgia is everywhere in movies and TV shows. There’s something appealing about the decade’s bright colors, bold hairstyles, and distinctive fashion. Beyond the style, people are drawn to the whole cultural feel of the ’80s—from the music and movies to the major events and even the game shows. Even though it’s been years, we still love the look and vibe of that era.

We’re seeing a lot of recent movies and TV shows taking place in the 1980s. This could be because filmmakers are trying to evoke a sense of nostalgia, appeal to adults who fondly remember that era, or recreate actual historical events. Films like Atomic Blonde, It, and Sing Street have all successfully captured different parts of the ’80s experience for viewers. TV shows have been doing this for years, starting with the popular, though short-lived, Freaks and Geeks back in 2000. Here’s a look at some of the best and most entertaining TV shows that are set in the ’80s.

‘GLOW’ (2017-2019)

Netflix

GLOW, starring Alison Brie, tells the story of Ruth Wilder, an actress in Los Angeles who unexpectedly finds an opportunity in women’s wrestling. She joins the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling and works with 12 other women all trying to make it in the entertainment industry. Things get complicated when Ruth discovers the show’s director hired her old friend, leading to conflict.

This show perfectly captures the vibrant fashion and exciting pop culture of the 1980s. From the bright, neon colors to the over-the-top wrestling outfits, big hair, and dramatic makeup, it’s a visual feast. GLOW is visually stunning, with colors that pop without being distracting. And beyond the style, it’s genuinely funny – the jokes still hold up today.

‘Deadly Class’ (2018– 2019)

Inspired by the comic book series, Deadly Class takes place at King’s Dominion, a secret school that trains teenagers to be assassins. The show, set in the rebellious 1980s, centers on Marcus Lopez Arguello (Benjamin Wadsworth), a homeless teen who finds himself at the academy. There, Marcus struggles to stay true to his values while dealing with a brutal education and dangerous classmates.

I’ve noticed a lot of shows set in the ’80s tend to focus on the fun, colorful side of things, so it’s really cool to see something that explores the grittier, more underground parts of the decade. Forget the bright neon – this show leans into the punk and rock scenes that were huge back then. And because it’s based on comic books, it’s got this fantastic mix of action and humor that I think anyone who loves shows like The Umbrella Academy would totally dig.

‘Red Oaks’ (2014–2018)

Prime Video

Red Oaks is a nostalgic comedy set in the 1980s that follows David, a college student spending his summer before graduation. He takes a job at the Red Oaks country club in New Jersey to keep busy, and the show explores his experiences with family, friends, and the colorful characters he meets there.

Summer is strongly linked to the 1980s, and many popular movies and TV shows from that era are set during the warmer months. Red Oaks perfectly recreates the atmosphere of an ’80s summer, bringing back fond memories for those who experienced the decade, and even creating nostalgia for those who didn’t. The show’s New York City setting also provides a unique look at the culture of the area during that time.

‘Video Nasty’ (2025)

BBC Three

This BBC series takes place in Dublin in 1985 and centers around three teenagers fascinated by ‘video nasties’ – films that were outlawed at the time. The teens have almost a complete collection of these banned movies and embark on a quest to find the last missing VHS tape, hoping to sell the entire set for a large profit. However, their search takes a dangerous turn when they become entangled in a murder investigation and are considered suspects.

The Irish comedy series Video Nasty is a loving tribute to the golden age of horror, inspired by the real moral panic surrounding video releases in Ireland and the UK. It perfectly captures the style and growing fascination with cult films of that era, and thoughtfully examines deeper cultural themes beyond just censorship. It’s a funny, charming, and nostalgic show that’s easy to watch all the way through – perfect for horror fans.

‘Pose’ (2018–2021)

Set in 1980s New York City, Pose is a musical drama that contrasts different worlds – from the city’s artistic and intellectual circles to the vibrant ball culture scene. The show sheds light on often-overlooked aspects of life during that decade.

Pose highlights the stories of communities often overlooked in media and society. It mainly centers on Black and Latino LGBTQ+ individuals and the vibrant drag ball culture of the 1980s, which continues to impact today’s world. The show is celebrated for its authentic and thoughtful depiction of these experiences.

‘Physical’ (2021–2023)

Apple TV+

Set in sunny San Diego in the early 1980s, the dark comedy Physical follows Sheila Rubin (Rose Byrne), a seemingly perfect housewife who is secretly struggling. She finds a surprising outlet for her frustrations in the world of aerobics. Initially drawn to the workout itself, Sheila soon realizes she can turn her passion into a successful video business.

Before fitness trends like Zumba and Pilates, aerobics was the go-to workout for women in the 1980s. The movie Physical really captures how incredibly popular aerobics was during that time. This craze also heavily influenced the fashion of the decade, creating many of the iconic looks we still associate with the ’80s. It also reflects the growing focus on consumerism and material possessions during that era.

‘It’s a Sin’ (2021)

Channel 4

The British series It’s a Sin tells the story of a group of young friends in London between 1981 and 1991, a time deeply impacted by the HIV/AIDS crisis. The show, which almost wasn’t made, follows these friends as they share a flat they affectionately call “Pink Palace.” What begins as a fun and carefree time quickly changes as a disease spreads and inaccurate information creates devastating consequences for their lives.

The BBC passed on this project, and it eventually landed on Channel 4, which shortened it from a planned 8 episodes to 5. Despite the reduction in length, the show became a huge success and received widespread critical acclaim for its raw and moving portrayal of the AIDS crisis. It captured both the hardships and the vibrancy of the affected community, tackling difficult issues while also showcasing the energy of the time and the strong bonds between people.

‘The Carrie Diaries’ (2013–2014)

Image via The CW

Set in 1984, The Carrie Diaries tells the story of a young Carrie Bradshaw during her junior year of high school. The show follows her as she experiences first loves, explores relationships, and learns about sex while growing up in Manhattan.

Carrie Bradshaw’s unique fashion choices and passion for heels are clear even when she’s a teenager, as this show demonstrates. She starts developing the style we know her for, but with a fun, ’80s twist that wasn’t present in the original Sex and the City. Despite being set in the mid-80s, the show still felt relatable to audiences when it first came out.

‘Halt and Catch Fire’ (2014–2017)

AMC

Set in the early 1980s, Halt and Catch Fire tells the story of the rise of personal computers through the lives of three ambitious individuals: a skilled engineer, a young programming genius, and a charismatic leader. Together, they challenge established tech companies, but their drive for success and personal conflicts threaten their partnerships and the burgeoning tech scene in Texas.

We often think of the recent tech boom as starting in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and that’s not inaccurate. However, much of the technology we use today actually has roots in the work done during the 1980s. The show Halt and Catch Fire beautifully illustrates the drive to improve life through computing. While computers were used in businesses during the ’80s, they weren’t common in homes – unless you were like the character in the movie War Games.

‘Chernobyl’ (2019)

HBO

Chernobyl is a dramatization of the real nuclear disaster that occurred in April 1986 at the Chernobyl power plant in the Soviet Union. The series tells the story of the brave individuals who worked tirelessly to control the situation and the sacrifices they made to prevent an even larger catastrophe.

Although the Chernobyl series doesn’t capture the bright, energetic style often associated with the 1980s, it offers a powerful and realistic portrayal of a defining historical event of that era. Rather than showcasing the upbeat American experience of the decade, the show depicts life in the Soviet Union, creating a striking contrast that still provides an authentic view of the 1980s.

2026-03-15 23:12