It's safe to say that most of us learned the facts of life from watching teen dramas in the 90s.

After all, it dealt with some heavy storylines. Teen pregnancy, homosexuality, running away from home, losing your virginity - all set to the music of Dido, Bic Runga and Alanis Morrisette.

We've delved deep into the time machine and come back with the ten best teen dramas of the 1990s.

Get the flannel shirts and ripped jeans out because we're going all the way.

 

10. BREAKER HIGH

It may be better known as the launchpad for a certain individual by the name of Ryan Gosling, but there was a lot going on. There was so much to it than just a school on the boat. Although, how crap was it that they had to go to school on a cruise ship? So unfair.

 

9. ROSWELL

Aliens. Dido. Max Evans. So much emotions going on. It got super, super weird when Tess got pregnant with her alien baby. Seriously, how was this show made? IT HAD ALIEN BABIES, FOR FECK SAKE.

 

8. SWEAT

Again, another launching pad for a heart-throb in the form of Heath Ledger. Playing a gay athlete and the trials that came with in the mid-90s was pretty damn progressive. Real shame that it only lasted one, glorious season.

 

7. MY SO CALLED LIFE

It may have be the breeding ground for the Claire Danes Cry Face phenomenon, but it also had Jared Leto in the Most 90s Costume Ever, complete with bead-choker, flannel shirts and channeling the spirit of Kurt Cobain. Teenage angst was never so real as My So Called Life. 

 

6. FREAKS AND GEEKS

Everyone now likes to claim that they watched Freaks And Geeks when it originally aired, but the truth is there was a select few who watched and loved it. Which probably explains why it wasn't picked up for a second season and is considered to be one of the best dramas - never mind teen dramas - ever made. And what a cast, too - Jason Segel, Seth Rogen, James Franco and Linda Cardellini.

 

5. POPULAR

What was up with the opening credits for this? Since when do teenagers get fashion shoots done? Maybe it was a forerunner to selfie culture. Who knows. And why were there so many people in the cast called Bryce?

 

4. BEVERLY HILLS 90210

BUHRRRENDDAAAA! BURHRRRANDON!

 

3. BOY MEETS WORLD

If only all teachers gave such good advice like Mr. Feeney. We don't recognise the current remake because, come on, they should have left it where it was.

 

2. DAWSON'S CREEK

Even back then, it was so clear that Joshua Jackson and Michelle Williams had a career waiting after this. Lest we forget the James Van Der Beek crying face. We were supposed to root for Dawson, but we only ever wanted Pacey and Joey to get together. Let's face it - Dawson was a selfish prick and all he cared about films. And who talks like that, anyway?

 

1. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER

No joke, Buffy The Vampire Slayer genuinely some of the best storylines ever. That time when Angel turned evil when he had a moment of happiness / had sex with Buffy? Or when (gasp) Buffy got it on with Spike? And when Willow split up with Oz because he was a werewolf? And when Nathan Fillion turned up as a serial killer priest? And the musical episode? THIS SHOW WAS INCREDIBLE.