The 10 Best Nickelodeon Live-Action Shows, According To Reddit

Nickelodeon is mostly synonymous with iconic animated shows like SpongeBob Squarepants and Avatar: The Last Airbender. But since the 1990s and the 2000s, the television network has also established its brand in live-action shows, a large chunk of them being coming-of-age teen comedies. Many future stars such as Josh Peck, Ariana Grande, and Keenan Thompson have found their footing through these live-action Nick originals. 

Many Redditors also delve into admiration for these light-hearted shows that also go on to evoke nostalgia for many who grew up in the 2000s. In several discussion forums on the best Nickelodeon shows of all time, many Reddit users back these live-action series along with the animated ones. 

iCarly (2007-2012)

Carly is an average high-school-going teenager until she gets a viral following, thanks to an internet show of hers that unexpectedly gets popular. iCarly deals with this premise of newfound fame in the age of the internet, a theme that has only gotten more relevant over the years. 

iCarly’s popularity among younger viewers was such that the original show also spawned a TV revival on Paramount+. As Reddit user ImHomelessGiveMoney puts it simply, “iCarly was f****** amazing”.

Drake And Josh (2004-2007)

The sitcom that launched Drake Bell and Josh Peck’s career is a beloved Nickelodeon original. The two titular protagonists are step-brothers who have their fun moments together but their opposite personalities also cause troubles at home and high school. 

The charismatic energy of the leads and the hilarious quotes in Drake & Josh ensured that it became a cult favorite and a large chunk of Redditors agree. RaiderThunder04 commented, “The comedic timing and chemistry Drake and Josh have holds it superior in my opinion.” while byesymphony backed the same claim by saying “Drake and Josh was at the peak of Nickelodeon entertainment.”

Kenan & Kel (1996-2000)

Just like Drake & Josh, Kenan & Kel features Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell as a duo with opposite personalities. Kenan is often the mischievous teen who devises plans to avoid responsibilities and make a quick buck. But his plans are unintentionally foiled with his best friend Kel’s naive nature.

Featuring a host of guest stars such as Britney Spears and Ron Harper, Kenan & Kel was an instant hit for Nick. Further, the TV show is also notable for starring Kenan Thomspon who went on to be one of SNL‘s longest-running cast members. On a Reddit thread discussing which is the best live-action Nick show out of Drake & Josh, Victorious and iCarly, Redditor CrowsVegables simply commented, “None. Kenan and Kel all day!”. Such has been the show’s legacy.

Victorious (2010-2013)

The show that made a star out of Ariana Grande is also a popular Nickelodeon title when it comes to live-action sitcoms. Victoria Justice leads the cast as sixteen-year-old Tori, an aspiring singer who gets to attend a fancy performing arts high school. The show revolves around her everyday tussles as she struggles to fit in.

Victorious didn’t only gain popularity because of its performances but also its original songs as several characters were singers and musicians. Rock_CourageOP went on to say that, “Victorious was the last good show on Nickelodeon”. While it can be debated whether Nickelodeon originals tanked after Victorious or not, it is safe to say that the show has its set of admirers.

Ned’s Declassified Survival Guide (2004-2007)

Junior high and middle school can be quite a tumultuous arena for several students. Ned Bigby and his best friends come to the rescue with all sorts of hacks and solutions. Of course, their ideas can sometimes, cause more trouble instead but that’s what adds to the rewatchable teen drama of Ned’s Declassified Survival Guide.

The Nickelodeon show made for a perfect watch for younger audiences seeking a school comedy, capturing the social anxiety that some students can go through. As 50ShadesofKrillin puts it, “Can I please mention how underrated that show was? Seriously, one of Nick’s best live-action shows.”. Additionally, Discobombing mentions how the show also worked because it didn’t have a forceful laugh track, unlike other kids’ sitcoms.

The Adventures Of Pete & Pete (1992-1996)

Sibling rivalries or friends with differing personalities, such tropes have always worked for Nickelodeon’s live-action shows. The Adventures of Pete & Pete is no exception. Spawning out of a series of shorts, the series features two brothers (both named Pete) discussing the surreal happenings of their fictional town and offering rational and irrational solutions.

As compared to other Nickelodeon sitcoms, Pete & Pete was more absurdist in its approach. This is why it is still regarded as a unique classic for the network. Reddit user 14thCenturyHood has a detailed analysis that explains why it still holds up to this day. To summarize the post with the title, “The Adventures of Pete & Pete is an awesome, unique, and imaginative show for both kids and adults”.

All That (1994-2020)

A good break from the usual sitcoms on Nickelodeon would be All That, a variety series that featured several comedy sketches and musical performances with alternating cast members. Running for more than two decades, All That is also one of those Nickelodeon shows with the most episodes.

All That is a beloved Nick classic for the youth it celebrated. Variety shows like Saturday Night Live are family-friendly but their humor is more suited for older audiences. Redditor lopealllope rightfully dubbed All That as “SNL for kids” while crazzzzzzzy_person demanded, “We gotta start a petition to get this show on blu ray or something”.

Zoey 101 (2005-2008)

In the same vein as other teen comedies of Nickelodeon, Zoey 101 is a delightful blast from the past for viewers looking in for some 2000s content. The show deals with Zoey, a teenager who moves into a boarding school. As she comes to terms with her new life, Zoey explores her friendships, romantic crushes, and the general fears of growing up in every episode.

On Reddit, whatevennnn commented, “Zoey 101 was the GOAT” while sovngrde added that “Zoey 101, Spongebob, iCarly, and Drake & Josh are all top tier”. All in all, despite there being no dearth of high-school teen shows, Zoey 101 still stood out on its own.

Are You Afraid Of The Dark? (1992-1996)

Every episode of Are You Afraid of the Dark began with a group of high-school friends sitting around a bonfire at night and telling each other a spooky story. The horror anthology was quite thrilling with all sorts of real-world and supernatural episodes and added a tinge of mystery in Nickelodeon’s programming which was otherwise just filled with light-hearted shows.

The original Nickelodeon episodes of Are You Afraid of the Dark are still beloved by many. For the ones who grew up in the 90s, it could be quite scary too. So, when CarmelaMachiato commented on a Reddit thread discussing the best Nickelodeon shows, “Seriously, not one mention of Are You Afraid of the Dark?”, another Reddit user JustALittleOod replied, “Ah yes, the reason behind many of my irrational fears and phobias”!

100 Things To Do Before High School (2014-2016)

100 Things To Do Before High School can be seen as Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide for newer audiences. Not only do the two shows bear thematic similarities but they both also have Scott Fellows as the creator and showrunner. The basic premise deals with three best friends navigating their life through middle school.

On Reddit, several users agree that while it might not match the status of Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide, 100 Things still managed to walk on its path and entertain audiences. And as compared to the other panned Nickelodeon live-action shows of 2010s, 100 Things still seemed to be better. JackboManhorse put this argument in a nutshell, “To be honest, I liked it. It’s the least annoying show on Nick right now, and did have some funny parts.”

About The Author

Shaurya Thapa
(724 Articles Published)

Shaurya Thapa is an Indian freelance journalist who mostly dabbles in writings on cinema, music, and human interest features. When it comes to Screen Rant, he writes lists on a wide array of subjects ranging from international films to mainstream Netflix series and comic book trivia. He also hosts a podcast called ‘BhindiWire’, an Indian parody of IndieWire.

More From Shaurya Thapa