Why Your Next 90s Binge Should Be Sabrina The Teenage Witch

Sabrina The Teenage Witch was one of the most beloved shows of the 90s, captivating audiences with its blend of magic, humor, and relatable teenage experiences. The show followed Sabrina Spellman, a half-witch, half-mortal teenager, as she navigated high school, friendships, and romantic relationships with the help of her aunts and talking cat. 

Over two decades later, Sabrina is making a comeback with a dark and edgy reboot, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. But before you dive into the new series, it's worth revisiting the original for a dose of nostalgia and a reminder of why Sabrina stole our hearts in the first place. 

We're exploring why Sabrina The Teenage Witch is the perfect show for your next 90s binge, and what makes it so timeless.

Sabrina the Teenage Witch is a fantasy sitcom that premiered on ABC in 1996 and later moved to The WB for its final three seasons. The show is based on the Archie Comics series of the same name and follows the life of Sabrina Spellman (played by Melissa Joan Hart), a teenage girl who discovers on her 16th birthday that she is a witch.

Sabrina lives with her two aunts, Hilda (Caroline Rhea) and Zelda (Beth Broderick), who are also witches, and their talking black cat Salem (voiced by Nick Bakay), who was once a powerful wizard but was transformed into a cat as punishment for his misdeeds. Sabrina must keep her witchcraft a secret from her mortal friends, including her boyfriend Harvey (Nate Richert) and best friend Valerie (Lindsay Sloane), while also learning how to use her powers and navigate the magical world.

Throughout the series, Sabrina attends high school and later college, where she faces typical teenage problems such as crushes, schoolwork, and fitting in, as well as supernatural challenges like battling evil witches, ghosts, and flying on a vacuum cleaner! She also has a love-hate relationship with Salem, who often tries to manipulate her for his own gain, but also cares for her in his own way.

Sabrina's aunts also have their own storylines and love interests, with Hilda being more laid-back and carefree, while Zelda is more strict and logical. Other recurring characters include Dashiell Calzone (Donald Faison), who is also half mortal and half witch and has a brief relationship with Sabrina, and Principal Willard Kraft (Martin Mull), who has a crush on Hilda and Zelda but often finds himself caught up in the supernatural antics of Sabrina and her friends.

The show's wit and heart-warming moments made it a beloved classic, and it ran for seven seasons, concluding in 2003. Sabrina the Teenage Witch also spawned several spin-offs, including an animated series and two live-action series, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and a reboot of Sabrina the Teenage Witch, both of which premiered on Netflix in 2018 and 2021, respectively.

Like all good teen shows, Sabrina The Teenage Witch has a wide range of emotional themes and storylines that audiences young and old will relate to and feel nostalgic over. It really is a coming of age story where Sabrina has to learn to live with her new identity on her 16th birthday. She is a teenager who is discovering her personality and coming to terms with her abilities as a witch throughout the series. Sabrina faces challenges that are common to many teenagers, such as making friends, dealing with crushes and relationships, and figuring out who she is.

Sabrina's family is also central part of the show, with her aunts and Salem playing major roles in her life. The relationships between these characters are often complicated, with disagreements and misunderstandings, but they also show a strong bond and support for each other. Sabrina often uses her powers to fix things, but her spells often go awry. Some of the most memorable mishaps include turning herself into a pineapple and shrinking her aunts. 

Salem is often cited as one of the most memorable characters from the show. The talking black cat, is known for his sarcastic and witty comments. Some of his best one-liners include "It's official, I'm bored and you're nuts" and "I am not a pet, I am a scientist who occasionally enjoys tuna."

Sabrina's mortal friends, Harvey and Valerie, are also important to her and provide a connection to the non-magical world and many mishaps happen when trying to keep her witch identity away from them. Harvey does finally find out allowing their connection to blossom into Sabrina's adult life in later series. Sabrina's romantic relationships are a major theme throughout the series too including with Harvey, Josh and Dash. She has crushes on various boys, but her relationship with Harvey is a constant thread that runs throughout the show. The series explores the challenges of young love and the importance of communication and trust in relationships.

In the later seasons of the show, Sabrina goes to college and faces new challenges, including difficult roommates and a job at a coffee shop run by a demon. While Hilda and Zelda still make appearances, we follow Sabrina's ambitions to become a journalist in the music industry. Talking of music, Sabrina the Teenage Witch had several musical episodes, including "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch: The Album" and "Sabrina in Wonderland." These episodes showcased the talents of the cast and provided some of the most memorable songs from the series including "Shake That Whammy Fanny" which is catchy for US audiences but absolutely hilarious to British audiences.

The show also has a serious side in which Sabrina must balance her magical responsibilities with her everyday life, which can be challenging at times. The show explores the theme of responsibility and the consequences of using one's powers for personal gain. Sabrina is often judged for being a witch, and she must navigate prejudice and stereotypes. The series explores the theme of acceptance and the importance of being true to oneself, even in the face of discrimination.

Sabrina the Teenage Witch is a first and foremost a show about growing up, navigating relationships, and finding one's place in the world but with a beloved magical twist. It really is a timeless classic that is well worth revisiting for a nostalgic trip down memory lane. With the show's recent revival and its continued relevance in popular culture, now is the perfect time to rediscover the magic of Sabrina the Teenage Witch and see why it remains a beloved classic for fans of all ages.

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