Shows like 'Hannah Montana' that made every 90s kid's childhood: 'Wizards of Waverly Place', 'iCarly' and more

Before OTT had algorithms and YouTube had recommendations, we had a TV schedule we memorised by heart. Every afternoon was a ritual, every episode felt like hanging out with friends, and every character taught us something about growing up without making it feel like a lesson. These are the six shows that did not just fill our screens; they shaped our entire personalities.

One of the biggest hits of its era, 'Wizards of Waverly Place' follows the Russo siblings, a regular New York family with one extraordinary secret: they are wizards in training competing to become the sole family wizard. Starring a then-teenage Selena Gomez as the witty and effortlessly cool Alex Russo alongside David Henrie and Jake T. Austin, the show struck a perfect balance between magical chaos and genuine family warmth that made it impossible to miss on a school night.

Equal parts slapstick and heart, 'The Suite Life of Zack & Cody' follows twin brothers Zack and Cody Martin, who live in a luxury hotel where their mother works as a lounge singer, turning the lobby, kitchen, and every corridor into their personal playground. Dylan Sprouse and Cole Sprouse brought an irresistible real-life twin energy to the roles, and with Brenda Song and Ashley Tisdale rounding out the cast, the show became an instant classic that had every kid glued to the screen.

A teen sitcom with a genuinely clever twist, 'That's So Raven' follows Raven Baxter, a psychic teenager whose brief, blurry visions of the future always manage to land her in more trouble than they save her from. Raven-Symoné carried the show with an electric comedic energy and physical humour that was completely her own, supported by Orlando Brown and Anneliese van der Pol as her loyal best friends who somehow always got dragged into the mess.

A surprisingly ahead-of-its-time show about internet fame, 'iCarly' follows Carly Shay and her best friends Sam and Freddie as they accidentally launch a web show that turns into a cultural phenomenon, all while navigating school, crushes, and the chaos that comes with unexpected stardom. Miranda Cosgrove led the cast with effortless charm alongside Jennette McCurdy and Nathan Kress, and the show captured something real about friendship and creativity that still holds up today.

Few shows captured the anxiety and awkwardness of being a teenager quite like 'Lizzie McGuire', which followed the endlessly relatable Lizzie as she stumbled through middle school, friendship drama, and the constant fear of embarrassing herself in front of everyone she knew. Hilary Duff made the role entirely her own and became a global teen icon almost overnight, with the show's animated inner monologue device giving voice to every thought Lizzie was too nervous to say out loud.

'Victorious' is set inside a performing arts high school where everyone is talented, a little unhinged, and absolutely unforgettable. The show follows Tori Vega, a regular girl who gets thrown into this world and somehow has to keep up. Victoria Justice was the heart of it all, but honestly, a pre-fame Ariana Grande as the sweet and completely bizarre Cat Valentine is what people remember most. Every episode felt like a mini concert wrapped inside a comedy, and once you started watching, you were not stopping.