When you need something that will make your heart feel good and your cheeks hurt from smiling, nothing compares to a great comedy series. Funny movies are great, too, of course, but when you're looking to watch something for hours on end with non-stop laughs, nothing beats must-watch TV shows. You get to know the characters, can escape into their world, and pick up on season-long or even series-long bits. Comedy TV shows are the emotional equivalent of comfort food: a soothing feast for your eyes that always lifts your mood.
From classic sitcoms and iconic Black TV shows to feel-good series to more irreverent titles and dramedies, the best comedy series are like visiting an old friend and help us through the harsh realities of modern life. So to help curate your binge-watch, we rounded up the best comedy TV shows of all time.
'30 Rock'
Original run: 2006-2013
Starring: Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer, Scott Adsit, Judah Friedlander, and Alec Baldwin
Why it makes the list: The cast is incredible. They made even the weirdest, most off-the-wall plots work, and pushed the envelope with jokes aimed at entertainment industry insiders.
'Abbott Elementary'
Original run: 2021–Present
Starring: Quinta Brunson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Tyler James Williams, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, William Stanford Davis, and Janelle James
Why it makes the list: The teachers at Abbott are so hilarious and dedicated that you'll love them like your own childhood teachers (or both love and hate them, in the case of James' incompetent Principal Ava).
'American Vandal'
Original run: 2017–2018
Starring: Tyler Alvarez, Griffin Gluck, Jimmy Tatro, Camille Hyde, Calum Worthy, Melvin Gregg, and Travis Tope
Why it makes the list: This true-crime sendup gave us two excellent seasons of high schoolers solving crimes about dick drawings and poop pranks (and we still want another season, Netflix!).
'Arrested Development'
Original run: 2003–2006
Revival run: 2013–2019
Starring: Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Alia Shawkat, Tony Hale, David Cross, Jeffrey Tambor, and Jessica Walter
Why it makes the list: The show redefined the idea of a dysfunctional family comedy and is, to this day, one of the best ensemble shows out there.
'Atlanta'
Original run: 2016–2022
Starring: Donald Glover, Brian Tyree Henry, Lakeith Stanfield, and Zazie Beetz
Why it makes the list: Atlanta took a simple premise about an up-and-coming rapper (Henry) and his cousin/manager (Glover) trying to make it in the music industry and redefined what a series could be. The show examines race and gender politics, while keeping a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, and features a handful of must-watch vignettes, so the series never fails to surprise.
'Better Things'
Original run: 2016–2022
Starring: Pamela Adlon, Mikey Madison, Hannah Riley, Olivia Edward, Hannah Alligood, and Celia Imrie
Why it makes the list: This family comedy is more in the vein of Atlanta than Modern Family, with each episode showing the deep bond between single mother Sam (Adlon) and her three daughters (Madison, Alligood, Edward).
'Black-ish'
Original run: 2014–2022
Starring: Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Yara Shahidi, Marcus Scribner, Miles Brown, Marsai Martin, Jeff Meacham, Jenifer Lewis, Deon Cole, and Peter Mackenzie
Why it makes the list: The show features an incredible ensemble and balances all-out hilarity with tackling important social and cultural issues.
'Bob's Burgers'
Original run: 2011-present
Starring: H. Jon Benjamin, Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman, John Roberts, Kristen Schaal, and Larry Murphy
Why it makes the list: The Belcher family may be full of oddballs, but their our favorite oddballs, and we'd stop by Bob's Burgers any day.
'Bojack Horseman'
Original run: 2014–2020
Starring: Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie, Aaron Paul, and Paul F. Tompkins
Why it makes the list: Bojack (Arnett) may be darker than most of these shows—and darker than you'd expect an animated series about an anthropomorphic horse to be—but we could all use a dose of dark humor at some point. Plus, the adorable, animal-themed background gags almost make up for it.
'Broad City'
Original run: 2014–2019
Starring: Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer
Why it makes the list: If anyone ever claims that women aren't funny in your presence, just show them a clip from Broad City and that will be the end of that nonsense.
'Brooklyn Nine-Nine'
Original run: 2013–2021
Starring: Andy Samberg, Stephanie Beatriz, Terry Crews, Melissa Fumero, Joe Lo Truglio, Chelsea Peretti, Andre Braugher, Dirk Blocker, and Joel McKinnon Miller.
Why it makes the list: Brooklyn Nine-Nine is one of those shows that starts funny and quickly escalates to hilarious as you get to know the characters and their quirks. Never has crime-solving been so fun.
'Catastrophe'
Original run: 2015–2019
Starring: Sharon Horgan, Rob Delaney, Mark Bonnar, Ashley Jensen, Daniel Lapaine, Jonathan Forbes, Sarah Niles, and Carrie Fisher
Why it makes the list: This show about a couple who gets pregnant after a one-weekend stand and decide to have the baby is full of sweet and laugh-out-loud moments about the absurdity of the situation, and life itself.
'Cheers'
Original run: 1982-1993
Starring: Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Nicholas Colasanto, Rhea Perlman, George Wendt, John Ratzenberger, Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson, Bebe Neuwirth, and Kirstie Alley
Why it makes the list: Who doesn't want to go where everybody knows your name? It's a classic.
'The Comeback'
Original run: 2005–2014
Starring: Lisa Kudrow, Damian Young, Robert Michael Morris, Laura Silverman, and Malin Åkerman
Why it makes the list: This satire is very tongue-in-cheek as it stars Kudrow flexing her comedy muscles as Valerie Cherish, the former star of a '90s sitcom who wants to reboot her career by starring in a new show. It ends up being a hysterical look at the entertainment industry at large and remains one of the most beloved '00s HBO hits—so much so that we're still eagerly waiting on a long-rumored third season all these years later.
'Community'
Original run: 2009–2015
Starring: Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Donald Glover, Ken Jeong, Chevy Chase, and Jim Rash
Why it makes the list: Community developed a cult fanbase thanks to its smart, meta humor and creative event episodes. Fans have long called for six seasons and a movie, so we'll keep our fingers crossed for a feature-length reunion down the line.
'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend'
Original run: 2015–2019
Starring: Rachel Bloom, Vincent Rodriguez III, Santino Fontana, Donna Lynne Champlin, Pete Gardner, Vella Lovell, Gabrielle Ruiz, David Hull, Scott Michael Foster, and Skylar Astin
Why it makes the list: This CW musical comedy used humor (and catchy AF songs) to bring attention to issues like mental health, addiction and recovery, bi-erasure, and more.
'Curb Your Enthusiasm'
Original run: 2000–2024
Starring: Larry David, Jeff Garlin, Cheryl Hines, Susie Essman, and J. B. Smoove
Why it makes the list: The show's plots are outlined, but the actors improvise much of the dialogue. The result is a genius series about uncomfortable situations that could only come from the mind of a comedy legend, Larry David himself.
'Dear White People'
Original run: 2017–2021
Starring: Logan Browning, Brandon P. Bell, DeRon Horton, Antoinette Robertson, John Patrick Amedori, Ashley Blaine Featherson, Marque Richardson, DJ Blickenstaff, and Giancarlo Esposito
Why it makes the list: This Netflix comedy tackles issues of race and privilege through the stories of college students studying at a fictional Ivy League university.
'Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23'
Original run: 2012–2013
Starring: Krysten Ritter, Dreama Walker, Liza Lapira, Michael Blaiklock, Eric Andre, James Van Der Beek, and Ray Ford.
Why it makes the list: Ritter is at her comedic best as conniving It Girl/grifter Chloe and Van Der Beek's performance as a fictional, self-obsessed version of himself deserved all the Emmy awards.
'Extras'
Original run: 2005–2007
Starring: Ricky Gervais, Ashley Jensen, Stephen Merchant, Shaun Williamson, and Shaun Pye
Why it makes the list: Gervais will forever be remembered for The Office, but his brief series Extras deserves recognition too. The show follows an aspiring actor struggling as an extra as his career begins to take off. The real genius comedy comes courtesy of the guest stars though, as A-list stars like Kate Winslet, Orlando Bloom, and Patrick Stewart play bizarre fictional versions of themselves.
'Fleabag'
Original run: 2016–2019
Starring: Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Sian Clifford, Olivia Colman, Andrew Scott, and Jenny Rainsford
Why it makes the list: Sometimes you need to laugh through the pain. As is the case with this critical darling created by/starring Waller-Bridge, based on her one-woman stage show of the same name. The show follows the flawed titular character's grief amid the loss of her best friend (Rainsford), and the emotional turmoil she subjects herself to, making this one all the more relatable.
'Frasier'
Original run: 1993–2004
Revival run: 2024–present
Starring: Kelsey Grammer, Jane Leeves, David Hyde Pierce, Peri Gilpin, and John Mahoney
Why it makes the list: Like so many sitcoms from the '90s and early '00s, there's just something comforting and simple about Frasier. Plus, Eddie the Dog is one of the greatest actors of the 20th century—fact.
'Fresh Off the Boat'
Original run: 2015–2020
Starring: Randall Park, Constance Wu, Hudson Yang, Forrest Wheeler, Ian Chen, Lucille Soong, Chelsey Crisp, and Ray Wise
Why it makes the list: The show follows an Asian-American family, making it the first show to do so since 1994 (which is just bonkers on its own). Jessica Huang (Wu) is amazing. She's the TV character we need, not the one we deserve.
'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'
Original run: 1990-1996
Starring: Will Smith, James Avery, Janet Hubert, Alfonso Ribeiro, Karyn Parsons, Tatyana M. Ali, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid, and Ross Bagley
Why it makes the list: Admit it: The Fresh Prince theme song and images of the Carlton dance are already playing on a loop in your head at the very mention of this show. That's how you know it's iconic.
'Friends'
Original run: 1994–2004
Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer
Why it makes the list: Friends shaped a generation of viewers and perfectly captures that time in your 20s when your friends are your family. From the all-time best episodes to even the ones that you arguably could skip, the classic sitcom is required viewing for millennials who want to understand weird references made by the rest of their generation.
'The Golden Girls'
Original run: 1985–1992
Starring: Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty
Why it makes the list: These women are still who we want to be when we grow up.
'The Good Place'
Original run: 2016–2020
Starring: Kristen Bell, William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, D'Arcy Carden, Manny Jacinto, and Ted Danson
Why it makes the list: Firstly, no series will make you think more about ethics, morality, and mortality like The Good Place. Watching it is like taking a college-level philosophy class that's fun. Second, the completely serialized show manages to blow up its premise multiple times (and, more impressively, get better each time).
'Hacks'
Original run: 2021–present
Starring: Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Paul W. Downs, Megan Stalter, and Kaitlin Olson
Why it makes the list: Two generations collide in this whip-smart series about a Vegas comedy legend (played by the iconic Smart) who hires a Gen Z writer (Einbinder) to help spruce up her act. It's full of powerhouse performances, hysterical punchlines, and a whole lot of heart.
'Happy Endings'
Original run: 2011–2013
Starring: Eliza Coupe, Elisha Cuthbert, Zachary Knighton, Adam Pally, Damon Wayans Jr., and Casey Wilson
Why it makes the list: File this one away under the "gone too soon" category, for sure. This short-lived Chicago-set sitcom was the victim of a changing schedule that made it hard for it to find an audience, but we dare you not to binge the entire series in a week once you start streaming. The comedy is smart, character-driven, and genuinely laugh-out-loud hilarious.
'How I Met Your Mother'
Original run: 2005–2014
Starring: Josh Radnor, Jason Segal, Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris, Alyson Hannigan, and Cristin Milioti
Why it makes the list: This rom-com sitcom has a bit of mystery to it. While it follows a group of Manhattanite friends through various hijinks, it focuses on one hopeless romantic's journey to meet his future wife and the mother of his children.
'I Love Lucy'
Original run: 1951–1957
Starring: Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and William Frawley
Why it makes the list: Without I Love Lucy, we wouldn't have the sitcom as we know it today. The show has also aged incredibly well—it is just as hilarious today as it was in the 1950s, which is saying something.
'I Think You Should Leave'
Original run: 2019–present
Starring: Tim Robinson, Sam Richardson, Patti Harrison, Conner O'Malley, and Tim Heidecker
Why it makes the list: Sketch shows got a major revamp when I Think You Should Leave hit Netflix. From SNL alum Robinson, the absurdist series imagines various cringe situations that get increasingly odd, and you'll find yourself cracking up at each one. The show also features a rotating cast of incredible comics.
'Insecure'
Original run: 2015–2021
Starring: Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, Lisa Joyce, Natasha Rothwell, Amanda Seales, Y'lan Noel, Alexander Hodge, and Kendrick Sampson
Why it makes the list: Issa Rae and Yvonne Orji's characters get real about all of the insecure moments their characters have as Black women in the best, funniest way.
'The IT Crowd'
Original run: 2006–2010 (plus a 2013 special)
Starring: Chris O'Dowd, Richard Ayoade, Katherine Parkinson, and Matt Berry
Why it makes the list: The British comedy, which aired originally on Channel 4, doesn't have a lot of episodes (just 25 total, including the 2013 special that wrapped up the series), but each one is gold. The series focuses on the basement-bound, IT department at a big corporation, computer experts Roy (O'Dowd) and Moss (Ayoade), and their technologically-illiterate manager, Jen.
'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'
Original run: 2005–present
Starring: Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, Kaitlin Olson, and Danny DeVito
Why it makes the list: This underdog FX show has proven its staying power as one of the longest-running series in TV history. And, if you like shows about terrible people being consistently terrible, you won't find a show that does that better than It's Always Sunny.
'Just Shoot Me!'
Original run: 1997–2003
Starring: Laura San Giacomo, George Segal, Wendie Malick, Enrico Colantoni, David Spade, Chris Hogan, and Rena Sofer
Why it makes the list: If you're of a certain age, Just Shoot Me! was one of those shows you watched in the afternoon on TBS when you were supposed to be doing your homework and it's now ingrained in your brain as a happy place. That happy place is now accessible via streaming and this show holds up more than you may have expected.
'The King of Queens'
Original run: 1998–2007
Starring: Kevin James, Leah Remini, Lisa Rieffel, Patton Oswalt, Larry Romano, Victor Williams, Jerry Stiller, Nicole Sullivan, and Gary Valentine
Why it makes the list: The main character (James) works for UPS and his wife Carrie (Remini) has a short temper. That's really all you need to know about the plot; their chemistry and Stiller's role as Carrie's father is where it's at.
'Living Single'
Original run: 1993–1998
Starring: Queen Latifah, Kim Fields, Erika Alexander, Kim Coles, John Henton, and T.C. Carson
Why it makes the list: This classic sitcom that inspired Friends is a hilarious love letter to friendships in your 20s and Blackness as a whole.
'Malcolm in the Middle'
Original run: 2000–2006
Starring: Frankie Muniz, Jane Kaczmarek, Bryan Cranston, Christopher Kennedy Masterson, Justin Berfield, Erik Per Sullivan, and Catherine Lloyd Burns
Why it makes the list: This show defined the early-aughts family comedy, and its fourth-wall-breaking style was a welcome break from the usual mainstream comedies of the time.
'Modern Family'
Original run: 2009–2020
Starring: Ed O'Neill, Sofía Vergara, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet, Sarah Hyland, Ariel Winter, Nolan Gould, Rico Rodriguez, Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, and Jeremy Maguire
Why it makes the list: The ensemble is strong. The jokes are smart and laugh-out-loud funny. It's won a mountain of Emmys and it deserves them.
'Monty Python's Flying Circus'
Original run: 1969–1974
Starring: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Terry Gilliam
Why it makes the list: From the comedic minds that brought us movies like Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Life of Brian, and The Meaning of Life, this BBC sketch series shaped a generation of comedy. The comedy troupe's humor was so groundbreaking that fans and critics coined a new term—"Pythonesque"—to describe it and projects and comedians influenced by it.
'Nathan for You'
Original run: 2013–2017
Starring: Nathan Fielder
Why it makes the list: Fielder toyed with what non-scripted TV could be with his cult-loved series Nathan for You. Portraying a version of himself who "graduated from one of Canada's top business schools with really good grades," he "helps" real small businesses with various issues—and episodes never go where you expect they might.
'Never Have I Ever'
Original run: 2020–2023
Starring: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Poorna Jagannathan, Richa Moorjani, Jaren Lewison, Darren Barnet, and John McEnroe
Why it makes the list: This coming-of-age comedy created by Mindy Kaling is hilarious and heartfelt and has been praised for challenging Asian stereotypes.
'New Girl'
Original run: 2011–2018
Starring: Zooey Deschanel, Jake Johnson, Max Greenfield, Damon Wayans Jr., Lamorne Morris, and Hannah Simone
Why it makes the list: One word: Schmidt (Greenfield). If you've never laughed out loud at a show before, New Girl will change that with its incredible one-liners from an array of lovable characters.
'The Office'
Original run: 2005–2013
Starring: Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, B. J. Novak, Ed Helms, James Spader, Melora Hardin, David Denman, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Kate Flannery, Angela Kinsey, Oscar Nunez, Phyllis Smith, Mindy Kaling, Paul Lieberstein, Creed Bratton, Craig Robinson, Ellie Kemper, Zach Woods, Amy Ryan, Catherine Tate, Clark Duke, and Jake Lacy
Why it makes the list: Mostly for the pranks between Jim (Krasinski)and Dwight (Wilson). And the one-liners. And the funny-because-it's-true commentary on soul-sucking work.
'The Other Two'
Original run: 2019–2023
Starring: Heléne Yorke, Drew Tarver, Case Walker, Ken Marino, and Molly Shannon
Why it makes the list: No other series is as incredible of a send-up of the entertainment industry. The underrated show follows two 30somethings (Yorke and Tarver) with dead-end jobs who discover their younger brother (Walker) has become an overnight pop sensation and try to ride his success.
'Parks and Recreation'
Original run: 2009–2015
Starring: Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Paul Schneider, Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Adam Scott, Rob Lowe, Jim O'Heir, Retta, and Billy Eichner
Why it makes the list: It's smart. It's hilarious. It's satirical. It's ridiculous. It's heart-warming. It's everything you could want from a series and then some. Plus, Leslie Knope (Poehler) is a feminist icon in her own right.
'PEN15'
Original run: 2019–2021
Starring: Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle
Why it makes the list: Erskine and Konkle's characters hilariously depict what it was like to be a middle schooler in the 2000s, including all the cringeworthy moments like first kisses and awkward crushes.
'The Righteous Gemstones'
Original run: 2019–present
Starring: Danny McBride, John Goodman, Walton Goggins, Adam DeVine, and Edi Patterson
Why it makes the list: Every holier-than-thou character in this satire about a family of televangelists is a godsend. (We're particularly fond of Patterson's portrayal of Judy.) Seriously, hallelujah for this at times ridiculous but always genius black comedy.
'Saturday Night Live'
Original run: 1975present
Starring: So. So. SO many people over the years.
Why it makes the list: SNL has good years and less good years. Sometimes the cast and the writers click and the result is comedy gold. Over its many decades on the air, SNL has produced some of the most biting political satire around and launched the careers of some of the biggest comedians in the world.
'Schitt's Creek'
Original run: 2015–2020
Starring: Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Dan Levy, Annie Murphy, Emily Hampshire, Jenn Robertson, Chris Elliott, Tim Rozon, Sarah Levy, Dustin Milligan, Noah Reid, Karen Robinson, and John Hemphill
Why it makes the list: The show follows the formerly-wealthy Rose family as they try to start their lives over in the small town of Schitt's Creek—and executes some perfect commentary on wealth and privilege in the process.
'Seinfeld'
Original run: 1989–1998
Starring: Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, and Jason Alexander
Why it makes the list: Seinfeld regularly places high on lists of the best TV shows of all time. The "show about nothing" changed the game for sitcoms and paved the way for character-driven (rather than premise-driven) series.
'Sex and the City'
Original run: 1998–2004
Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon
Why it makes the list: Saying which Sex and the City character you identify with most is still shorthand for explaining what kind of a person you are. (A bonus: This one features some great fashion.)
'Silicon Valley'
Original run: 2014–2019
Starring: Thomas Middleditch, T.J. Miller, Josh Brener, Martin Starr, Kumail Nanjiani, Christopher Evan Welch, Amanda Crew, Zach Woods, Matt Ross, Suzanne Cryer. Jimmy O. Yang, Stephen Tobolowsky, and Chris Diamantopoulos
Why it makes the list: This comedy from Office Space scribe Mike Judge is the perfect skewering of tech culture in Silicon Valley—and it gets major bonus points for catapulting Nanjiani into the mainstream.
'The Simpsons'
Original run: 1989–present
Starring: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, and Harry Shearer
Why it makes the list: This animated series is the longest-running in sitcom in history, which has to count for something.
'South Park'
Original run: 1997–present
Starring: Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Mary Kay Bergman, Isaac Hayes, Eliza Schneider, and Mona Marshall
Why it makes the list: When it comes to biting, razor-sharp social commentary satire, it's hard to find a team that does it better than South Park creators Parker and Stone.
'Superstore'
Original run: 2015–2021
Starring: America Ferrera, Ben Feldman, Nico Santos, Lauren Ash, Colton Dunn, Mark McKinney, Kaliko Kauahi, and Nichole Sakura
Why it makes the list: The workplace comedy about employees in a big-box store has a huge cast of characters you can't help but love.
'Ted Lasso'
Original run: 2020–2023
Starring: Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Jeremy Swift, Phil Dunster, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Nick Mohammed, and Juno Temple
Why it makes the list: Sudeikis is his utmost charming as an American head coach of an English soccer team. You won't believe how moved you'll be by this heartwarming hit.
'Veep'
Original run: 2012–2019
Starring: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Anna Chlumsky, Tony Hale, Reid Scott, Timothy Simons, Matt Walsh, Sufe Bradshaw, Kevin Dunn, Gary Cole, and Sam Richardson
Why it makes the list: Because Louis-Dreyfus is a comic genius and a national treasure.
'You're the Worst'
Original run: 2014–2019
Starring: Chris Geere, Aya Cash, Desmin Borges, and Kether Donohue
Why it makes the list: Sometimes being the worst can be kind of the best. This show, about two selfish, self-destructive humans trying to navigate a relationship, was wildly ahead of its time and wonderful in all the right ways.
