1. Mean Girls (2004)
Why it’s so iconic: This movie gave us some of the most quotable movie lines of the last 20 years. The Burn Book plot twist is memorable, and Gretchen Weiners’ Julius Caesar monologue and the Jingle Bell Rock scenes are unforgettable. Some of the best quotes include “She doesn’t even go here!,” “On Wednesdays we wear pink,” “Boo, you whore” and “Is butter a carb?”
2. Spongebob Squarepants (1999-)
Why it’s so iconic: Spongebob was the cartoon of our childhood. When we were younger we all wanted to be Spongebob or Patrick, but soon realized that we became Squidward. We still want to eat a Krabby Patty and go jellyfishing. Songs like “Campfire Song Song,” “The Fun Song” and “I Wanna be Back in Texas” are forever in our brains. The most memorable quotes include “I’m ready, I’m ready!,” “You like Krabby Patties, don’t you Squidward?,” “I’m ugly and I’m proud,” “Are you feeling it now, Mr. Krabs?” and “Is mayonnaise an instrument?”
3. New Girl (2011-)
Why it’s so iconic: New Girl has some of the best running jokes on TV, including the douchebag jar, True American, Ferguson the Cat, and never finding out Schmidt’s first name. The male roommates of Loft 4D are the friends you’d want in real life, and Jess and Cece are female icons. While the show isn’t best known for its one-liners, the dry humor and hilarious interactions between characters give it its life force.
4. Grey’s Anatomy (2005-)
Why it’s so iconic: Grey’s Anatomy is now on its 13th season, and even though some of the most beloved characters have been killed or written off (see above GIF), we continue to watch it. Meredith and Cristina have defined female friendships, and the men of the show are very nice to look at. It has given us quotes such as “He’s very dreamy, but he is not the sun, you are,” “It’s a beautiful day to save lives” and “You’re my person.”
5. High School Musical 1, 2, & 3 (2006, 2007, 2008)
Why it’s so iconic: These Disney Channel original movies shaped many of our childhoods. It’s safe to say that Troy Bolton was many girls’ first celebrity crush, and a lot of girls wished they were either Gabriella or Sharpay. The lyrics to songs “Breaking Free,” “We’re All in This Together,” “Bet on It,” “I Gotta Go My Own Way,” “High School Musical” and “The Boys are Back” will always come back to us.
6. Legally Blonde (2001)
Why it’s so iconic: Elle Woods is the woman we all strive to be. She is a feminist icon who broke the sorority girl stereotype to get into Harvard Law school because she was told she couldn’t. It gave us the best flirting technique, the “Bend… and snap!” and amazing quotes like “’You got into Harvard?’ ‘What? Like it’s hard?’” and “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t.”
7. Parks & Recreation (2009-2015)
Why it’s so iconic: Parks and Rec gave us some of the best characters and scenes on TV in the last 10 years. Pawnee gave us Leslie and Ron, Ben Wyatt Human Disaster, Tom and Donna, April and Andy, Jerry/Larry/Garry, Ann and Chris, but most of all, ‘Lil Sebastian. Of the many amazing quotes, some of the best are “Treat yo’ self,” “Everything hurts and I’m dying,” “Bring me all the bacon and eggs that you have,” “The calzones… betrayed me?” and “Alcohol is fun and delicious.”
8. Friends (1994-2004)
Why it’s iconic: Friends is the epitome of 90s sitcoms, and its 10 seasons are hilarious. While some characters are viewed to be annoying, others still love them. The show gave us Smelly Cat, Central Perk, Ugly Naked Guy, and by far the most relatable character, Chandler Bing. *cue Janice voice* Some of the best quotes are “We were on a break!,” “He’s her lobster!,” and “How you doin’?”
9. Finding Nemo (2003)
Why it’s iconic: Pixar has made many amazing movies, but not many compare to Finding Nemo. Nemo, Marlin, and Dory’s scenes are so memorable; almost everyone can recite P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney and we all hated Darla. Finding Dory was just as amazing, but she first gave us whale language, “Just keep swimming,” “Fish are friends not food” and “He touched the butt.”
10. The Harry Potter Series (1998-)
Why it’s so iconic: Whether you read the books or just saw the movies, almost everyone knows something about the story. The Wizarding World created by JK Rowling is elaborate and there is a reason for everything that happens. The story is still continuing with “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” and “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” There are so many iconic scenes like Hermione punching Malfoy, Harry giving Dobby one of his socks, and just about every scene in The Half Blood Prince. There is an endless number of quotes, but some of the most memorable are “Turn to page 394,” “It’s levi-o-sa, not levio-sa,” “’Yer a wizard Harry.’ ‘I’m a wut?,’” “I solemnly swear that I am up to no good,” “Not my daughter, you b*tch” and of course “Always.” Hogwarts will always be there to welcome us home.