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' (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' (2021– )
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' (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' (2003–2006; 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' (2016–2022)
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.
'Bojack Horseman' (2014–2020)
Starring: Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie, Aaron Paul, and Paul F. Tompkins
Why it makes the list: Bojack Horseman may be more intense than most comedy series—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' (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. Expanded from their web series of the same name, Jacobson and Glazer impeccably documented what it's like to try to, not grind, but attempt to get by, in N.Y.C. as an early 20something, and get up to hijinks with your besties along the way.
'Cheers' (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 one of the most classic TV shows of all time.
'The Comeback' (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 and remains one of the most beloved '00s HBO hits—so much so that we're still eagerly waiting for a long-rumored third season all these years later.
'Community' (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' (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' (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. (Plus, we can't get enough of Susie's incredible 'fits.)
'Fleabag' (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. That's the case in 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.
'Fresh Off the Boat' (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' (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' (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' (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' (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' (2021– )
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 lot of heart.
'How I Met Your Mother' (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 Think You Should Leave' (2019– )
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' (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' (2006–2010)
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 (Parkinson).
'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' (2005– )
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.
'Living Single' (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.
'Modern Family' (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 it's laugh-out-loud funny. It's won a mountain of Emmys and it deserves them.
'Monty Python's Flying Circus' (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 classic 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' (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' (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, as it follows high schooler Devi amid her grief, academic competition, and pursuit of crushes. Beyond being both hilarious and a thoughtful tearjerker, it's also been praised for challenging Asian stereotypes.
'New Girl' (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, New Girl will change that with its incredible one-liners from an array of lovable characters.
'The Office' (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' (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' (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' (2019–2021)
Starring: Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle
Why it makes the list: This cringe comedy (produced by the Lonely Island) sees two adults portray versions of themselves at 13, surrounded by a cast of actual tweens. Erskine and Konkle's characters hilariously depict what it was like to be a middle schooler in the 2000s, including all the uncomfortable moments like daring AIM chats, first kisses, and awkward crushes.
'Saturday Night Live' (1975– )
Starring: So. So. SO many people over the years.
Why it makes the list: SNL has great seasons and some less great installments, but no shortage of hilarious sketches throughout. Sometimes the cast and the writers click and the result is comedy gold. Over its many decades on the air, the late-night show 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' (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' (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' (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' (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.
'Veep' (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.
