10 classic shows on Stan that you need to watch before you die.

If you want to support independent women's media, become a Mamamia subscriber. Get an all-access pass to everything we make, including exclusive podcasts, articles, videos and our exercise app, MOVE.

We all know that feeling. You've just finished binge-watching one series, and now you're staring at your screen like a lost soul, scrolling endlessly through streaming platforms trying to find something — anything — that will fill the void in your heart and your evening plans.

Well, consider this your intervention.

Instead of diving headfirst into another true-crime documentary that'll keep you awake at 2am, why not revisit some of the greatest television ever made? Stan has quietly assembled a treasure trove of classic shows that are basically comfort food for your soul.

Watch the trailer for Dawson's Creek. Article continues after video.

These aren't just any old shows — these are the ones that defined generations, launched a thousand catchphrases, and gave us characters we still quote at dinner parties.

Here are the 10 classic shows on Stan that deserve a spot on your must-watch bucket list.

Pride and Prejudice.

Image: BBC.

If you haven't watched Colin Firth emerge from that lake in a wet white shirt, have you even lived? This 1995 BBC adaptation of Jane Austen's masterpiece is the gold standard of period drama — six hours of pure, unadulterated swooning.

If you've been living under a rock, Pride and Prejudice follows a headstrong young woman named Elizabeth Bennet and a seemingly arrogant wealthy gentleman named Mr. Darcy as they navigate misunderstandings, family drama and societal expectations in Regency England before discovering that — maybe — they're absolutely perfect for each other.

The chemistry between Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle in this adaptation is so palpable you can practically feel it through the screen. It's a must-watch.

Dawson's Creek.

Image: Stan.

Before there was social media drama, there was Capeside drama. This show gave us the blueprint for every teen series that followed, plus dialogue so pretentious that actual teenagers would never speak this way — and somehow we loved every minute of it.

Dawson's Creek explores the coming-of-age journey of four friends navigating love, friendship, and self-discovery in the fictional town of Capeside, Massachusetts. And while James Van Der Beek's Dawson might have been the title character, let's be honest — this show belonged to Joey Potter (Katie Holmes) and Pacey Witter (Joshua Jackson). Their slow-burn romance was the stuff of legend, proving that sometimes the best relationships start with the most unlikely pairings.

Sure, the dialogue was overwrought, and the teenagers looked like they were pushing 30, but that's exactly what made it so wonderfully, ridiculously addictive.

Will & Grace.

Image: NBC.

The show that made "hey, honey" a legitimate greeting and proved that friendship really can conquer all. Will & Grace was groundbreaking television disguised as a sitcom, and Karen Walker remains one of the greatest characters ever written.

Will & Grace is a wholesome show about the friendship between a gay lawyer and his straight best friend as they navigate love, relationships, and life in New York City alongside their eccentric friends Jack and Karen.

What made Will & Grace special wasn't just its representation — though that was groundbreaking for its time — but its heart. These characters genuinely loved each other, flaws and all, and their friendship felt real in a way that transcended the laugh track.

Plus, Karen's one-liners are still comedy gold two decades later.

The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

Image: NBC.

Essentially Will Smith before he was, well… Will Smith. This show tackled serious issues while making us laugh until our sides hurt. Plus, you'll finally understand why everyone over 30 starts rapping whenever they hear the theme song.

What started as a fish-out-of-water comedy about a street-smart kid from Philadelphia living with his wealthy relatives became something much deeper. The show dealt with racism, class differences, family expectations and growing up, all while maintaining its comedic heart. Will's relationship with Uncle Phil (James Avery) was the emotional core of the series — a father-son bond that could make you laugh one minute and cry the next.

Not to mention, the supporting cast was incredible: Carlton's dancing, Hilary's vapidness, Ashley's precociousness, and Geoffrey's dry wit. Perfection.

The Nanny.

Image: CBS.

Fran Drescher's nasal New York accent and fabulous wardrobe made this show an instant classic. It's comfort viewing at its finest — predictable, warm, and guaranteed to make you smile.

Meet Fran Fine, a working-class woman from Queens who becomes the nanny to three wealthy children on Manhattan's Upper East Side, bringing chaos and heart to their stuffy household.

Fran was the fashion icon we didn't know we needed — from her mini skirts to her statement jewellery, every outfit was a masterclass in '90s glamour. But beneath the surface-level comedy was a show about family, belonging and finding love in unexpected places. The slow-burn romance between Fran and Mr. Sheffield (Charles Shaughnessy) was perfectly paced, and their chemistry was undeniable.

Breaking Bad.

Image: AMC.

This show is dark, it's intense, and it's absolutely unmissable.

A high school chemistry-teacher-turned-meth-cook named Walter White and his former student Jesse Pinkman navigate the dangerous world of drug dealing in Albuquerque, proving that sometimes the quiet suburban dad next door might just be the most terrifying person you'll ever meet.

This isn't just television — it's a masterclass in storytelling, character development, and moral complexity. Bryan Cranston's transformation from bumbling dad to ruthless drug kingpin is nothing short of extraordinary, while Aaron Paul's Jesse provides the emotional heart that keeps you invested even when Walter becomes increasingly unlikeable.

The OC.

Image: Fox.

Welcome to the OC! This show defined early 2000s teen drama with its perfect blend of family dysfunction, romantic entanglements, and social commentary wrapped up in sun-soaked California glamour.

The plot of The OC follows a troubled teen named Ryan Atwood — a boy from the wrong side of the tracks — who gets adopted by a wealthy family, bringing working-class reality to Orange County's privileged bubble while everyone falls in love with the wrong people and makes seriously questionable life choices.

Plus, the soundtrack was legendary, introducing a generation to indie bands and creating the template for every teen show that followed.

Charmed.

Image: The WB.

Three sisters discover they're powerful witches destined to protect innocent people from demons and supernatural threats, juggling their magical duties with careers, relationships and the everyday drama of being siblings who can literally blow things up with their minds. What could be better?

The Halliwell sisters — Prue, Piper, and Phoebe (later joined by Paige) — weren't just witches… they were women trying to juggle it all and save the world on a weekly basis. The show's feminist undertones were clear: these were powerful women who didn't need men to save them, though they certainly didn't mind having them around for support.

Skins.

Image: All3Media International.

This isn't your typical teen drama — Skins is raw, unflinching, and absolutely fearless in its portrayal of adolescence.

A group of British teenagers navigate the chaos of adolescence with brutal honesty, tackling everything from mental health to sexuality to family dysfunction while partying, falling in love, and generally making a beautiful mess of growing up.

Each character gets their moment to shine, allowing for deep character development and genuine emotional investment. The show tackles serious issues like eating disorders, addiction, and mental illness with a sensitivity rarely seen in teen programming.

Veronica Mars.

Image: The CW.

Kristen Bell's Veronica was the teenage detective we all wanted to be — smart, sassy and completely unafraid to take on the corrupt elite of her hometown.

The show follows Veronica as she navigates high school whilst moonlighting as a private investigator, solving cases that expose the dark underbelly of Neptune's secrets.

But it was Veronica's relationships — with her father Keith, best friend Wallace, and on-again-off-again boyfriend Logan — that gave the show its emotional weight. The dialogue was razor-sharp, the mysteries were genuinely compelling, and Veronica herself was a protagonist worth rooting for. It's the kind of show that makes you wish you were half as clever as its heroine.

Feature Image: Stan.