10 modern TV series about the USSR that will evoke nostalgia and make you think.

Projects for every taste.

1. Thaw

• Russia, 2013.
• Drama, melodrama.
• 1 season.
• IMDb: 7.7.

Victor Khrustalev is a promising operator at the very beginning of his career. After a sit-down with a friend, screenwriter Kostya, the hero finds out that he fell out of the window. Victor finds Kostya's manuscripts and decides that he will definitely film them.

“The Thaw” became the serial debut for Valery Todorovsky. Before this project, he was known for his work on the films “Hipsters” and “The Lover.” “The Thaw” laid the foundation for the visual style in which almost all projects about the USSR are now filmed .

2. Food block

• Russia, 2021.
• Thriller, detective, fantasy.
• 1 season.
• IMDb: 6.1.

Strange things begin to happen in the Burevestnik children's camp on the banks of the Volga. Children disappear at night and return in the morning completely different. Most counselors enjoy the summer and do not notice what is happening around them. The boy Valera and the counselor Igor are the only ones who decide to reveal the secret of the “Burevestnik”.

The director of “ Food Block ” is Svyatoslav Podgaevsky. Before the series, he worked on the films “The Bride”, “Mermaid. Lake of the Dead" and "Yaga. Nightmare of the Dark Forest." The result is a good thriller that combines an interesting plot and the surroundings of a pioneer camp.

3. Magomaev

• Russia, 2020.
• Biography, drama, music.
• 1 season.
• IMDb: 7.6.

Muslim Magomayev is the main star of the 60s. One day he meets the modest beauty Tamara Sinyavskaya, an opera singer. Feelings immediately arise between them. The problem is that Muslim is in a relationship, and Tamara is married. They have to fight not only for a place on stage, but also for the opportunity to be together.

The role of Muslim Magomayev was played by Milos Bikovich, and Irina Antonenko acted as his partner. It is noteworthy that Tamara Sinyavskaya personally approved the actors. It turned out to be a good series for those who love Soviet pop music.

4. Fartsa

• Russia, 2015.
• Crime, drama.
• 1 season.
• IMDb: 6.8.

Four young people grow up together from childhood and are ready to do anything for each other. One day, one of them loses big at cards to local bandits and ends up in debt. The whole company decides to engage in blackmail in order to pay the money. As the underground business grows and develops, the heroes begin to change, not for the better.

The main role in “Farts” was played by Alexander Petrov. Critics noted the good script and excellent work on the costumes, as well as the acting. The series may appeal to those who love stories about Soviet fashion .

5. Vertinsky

• Russia, 2021.
• Biography, music, drama.
• 1 season.
• IMDb: 6.9.

Alexander Vertinsky is one of the main chansonniers of the Soviet Union. He was loved and recognized in all corners of the world. However, the artist had many enemies, as well as problems in his personal life, which often interfered with his creative work.

The director of the biographical project was Avdotya Smirnova, who also worked on “The Story of One Destination.” The role of Alexander Vertinsky was played by Alexey Filimonov. It turned out to be an interesting series about Soviet music of the Stalinist period.

6. Guests from the past

• Russia, 2020 - present.
• Comedy, fantasy.
• 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 7.0.

Matvey Piotrovsky conducts scientific experiments at home. One of them is the creation of a time machine. As a result, two eras settled in the apartment: his, 1982, and the second, with the Internet. Now the new neighbors are trying to get along together, but it’s not always successful.

The premiere of the series “Guests from the Past” with Yuri Stoyanov in the title role took place on the STS TV channel. At the moment, two seasons have been released, the project will not end there. It will surely appeal to those who love naive and simple comedies .

7. Mosgaz

• Russia, 2012.
• Detective, crime.
• 1 season.
• IMDb: 7.1.

Vladimir Ionesyan “Mosgaz” is the first, as is commonly believed, serial killer in the USSR. He entered the apartments of his victims, posing as a utility worker. By personal order of Khrushchev, two weeks were allocated to search for the killer - specialists completed the case on time.

The director of the crime series “Mosgaz” is Andrey Malyukov. He also worked on another successful project, Storm Gates. Despite the fact that the series cannot exactly be called light and kind, it perfectly conveys the details of Soviet life - from the interior to the clothes.

8. Eighties

• Russia, 2011–2016.
• Comedy, melodrama.
• 6 seasons.
• IMDb: 6.5.

Vanya Smirnov is a Muscovite, a second-year student and the first in his family to receive higher education. The parents are proud of their son, although they believe that perhaps it would be better for him to go to work at the factory. Vanya Smirnov is surrounded by ordinary Soviet everyday life, but he constantly finds adventures for himself.

“The Eighties” is a successful series that premiered on the STS TV channel in 2011. The project greatly embellished the life of Soviet people, but this is exactly what many liked.

9. Optimists

• Russia, 2017.
• Drama, history, adventure.
• 1 season.
• IMDb: 7.0.

In the 1960s, Soviet diplomats are trying to establish connections between the USSR and other countries. To prevent scandals, the heroes are ready to take any measures. At the same time, personal relationships often interfere with work.

The main roles in “The Optimists” were played by Vladimir Vdovichenkov, Artyom Bystrov and Egor Koreshkov. The screenwriter is Mikhail Idov, who later worked on the film “The Comedian.” “The Optimists” is more of a melodrama than an attempt to tell something unusual about the Soviet era, but many liked the general atmosphere of the series.

10. Fashion model

• Russia, 2014.
• Melodrama.
• 1 season.
• IMDb: 5.9.

18-year-old Alexandra, a child at an orphanage, moves to Moscow to go to university. The girl’s plans collapse, and she has to get a job at the Model House, but only as a cleaner. Sasha's career takes off after she is noticed by one of the fashion designers.

A naive melodrama about a provincial girl who made her way from a cleaner to the main Soviet fashion model won the hearts of the audience. The fairy tale about a girl with dreams of great love was released in 2014 in the format of a mini-series. Starring Anna Mikhailovskaya.