Are you in need of a good laugh? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of the 30 best sitcoms of all time that are sure to tickle your funny bone. Whether you’re a fan of classic shows or prefer modern comedies, this list has something for everyone. From witty one-liners to slapstick humor, these sitcoms have made us laugh, cry, and everything in between. So, get ready to embark on a laughter-filled journey as we dive into the top 30 sitcoms of all time.
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Best Sitcoms of All Time
30. “Friends”
Streaming on HBO Max, this iconic ’90s sitcom follows a group of six friends as they navigate life and relationships in New York City. With its witty humor, unforgettable catchphrases, and lovable characters like Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe, “Friends” has become a cultural phenomenon that continues to captivate audiences today.
29. “The Office”
Streaming on Peacock, this mockumentary-style sitcom depicts the daily lives of office employees at the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. With its quirky characters, awkward situations, and brilliant comedic timing, “The Office” has earned a dedicated fan base and is considered one of the greatest sitcoms of all time.
28. “Parks and Recreation”
From the creators of “The Office,” “Parks and Recreation” follows the employees of the Parks and Recreation Department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. With its absurd humor, memorable characters like Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson, and heartwarming moments, this sitcom has become a beloved favorite among comedy fans. It is currently streaming on Hulu.
27. “The Big Bang Theory”
This popular sitcom revolves around a group of socially awkward scientists and their interactions with each other. Known for its nerdy humor, pop culture references, and endearing characters like Sheldon, Leonard, and Penny, “The Big Bang Theory” has gained a massive following since its debut. Originally on CBS, you can now stream the sitcom on HBO Max.
26. “How I Met Your Mother”
Narrated by a father recounting the story of his youth and how he met their mother, this sitcom follows a group of friends in New York City as they navigate love, friendship, and careers. With its witty humor, clever storytelling, and memorable catchphrases, “How I Met Your Mother” has become a fan-favorite. You can stream it on Hulu.
25. “The Simpsons”
This long-running animated sitcom has been entertaining audiences for over three decades. Follow the adventures of the Simpson family, including the bumbling but lovable father Homer, his wife Marge, and their three children: Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. Known for its irreverent humor, satirical commentary on society, and memorable characters, “The Simpsons” has become a cultural phenomenon. It streams on Disney+.
24. “Seinfeld”
Often hailed as one of the best sitcoms of all time, “Seinfeld,” is actually a show about nothing. While following the life of comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his eccentric friends in New York City, sudden misadventures or aggravations lead to hilarious scenarios. Known for its observational humor, memorable catchphrases, and iconic characters like George Costanza and Cosmo Kramer, “Seinfeld” has left a lasting legacy in the world of comedy. All seasons are currently streaming on Netflix.
23. “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”
Starring a young Will Smith, this beloved ’90s sitcom follows a teenager from a poor family in Philadelphia who is sent to live with his wealthy aunt and uncle in their Bel-Air mansion. With its blend of humor and heart, memorable catchphrases, and breakout performances, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” has become a cultural touchstone, addressing issues of race, family, and identity with wit and charm. It’s available on HBO Max and Hulu.
22. “The Golden Girls”
This classic ’80s sitcom follows the lives of four older women who share a home in Miami. With its groundbreaking portrayal of aging and female friendship, “The Golden Girls” has become a timeless favorite, known for its witty banter, strong performances, and progressive themes. You can check it out on Hulu.
21. “The Good Place”
This critically-acclaimed sitcom explores the afterlife, following the journey of Eleanor Shellstrop as she tries to navigate the titular “good place” after mistakenly ending up there. With its unique blend of philosophy, humor, and heart, “The Good Place” has gained a dedicated fan base and is known for its thought-provoking storytelling and memorable characters. It’s available to stream on Netflix.
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20. “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”
This police procedural comedy follows an ensemble cast of detectives in the fictional 99th precinct of the NYPD. Known for its diverse representation, clever humor, and endearing characters, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” has gained a loyal following and has been praised for its inclusive storytelling and progressive themes. You can stream it now on Hulu.
19. “New Girl”
This quirky sitcom follows an offbeat teacher, Jess, as she moves in with three single men after a bad breakup. “New Girl” is known for its eccentric characters, witty banter, and heartwarming moments. It has become a fan-favorite, known for its comedic chemistry among the cast and its charming storytelling. This sitcom recently moved over to NBC’s streaming service: Peacock.
18. “The Office (UK)”
Before its American counterpart, the original British version of “The Office” was created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant and paved the way for the mockumentary-style sitcom. With its cringe-worthy humor, awkward situations, and memorable characters like David Brent, “The Office (UK)” has become a cult classic. It’s available on Prime Video and Hulu.
17. “Cheers”
This classic ’80s sitcom is set in a Boston bar and follows the lives of the bar’s regulars and employees. With its witty humor, memorable characters like Sam Malone and Norm Peterson, and iconic theme song, “Cheers” has been one of the most re-watched and best sitcoms of all time. It’s known for its timeless charm and engaging storytelling. You can check it out on Peacock or Hulu.
16. “MASH”
Set during the Korean War, this classic sitcom follows the lives of the staff at a mobile army surgical hospital. Combining comedy and drama, “MASH” has been praised for its blend of humor and social commentary, tackling serious issues such as war, trauma, and humanity’s capacity for compassion. It’s currently available to stream on Hulu.
15. “Black-ish”
This critically-acclaimed sitcom follows an upper-middle-class African American family as they navigate issues of race, identity, and culture. Known for its timely and relevant social commentary, “Black-ish” has been praised for its humorous yet thoughtful approach to addressing important issues, making it a standout sitcom of the modern era. You can stream “Black-ish” on Hulu.
14. “The Brady Bunch”
“The Brady Bunch” is a classic sitcom that originally aired from 1969 to 1974 and is available for streaming on Hulu. This iconic show follows the blended Brady family, consisting of a widowed mother, three daughters, three sons, and their quirky housekeeper. “The Brady Bunch” is known for its catchy theme song, memorable characters, and wholesome family values.
13. “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”
This groundbreaking sitcom from the 1970s features Mary Tyler Moore as Mary Richards, a single woman working as a news producer in Minneapolis. Known for its progressive portrayal of an independent working woman, it is witty writing, and its memorable characters, “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” has left a lasting legacy in the world of sitcoms. It’s available for those with either Prime Video or Hulu subscriptions.
12. “Schitt’s Creek”
This is a critically-acclaimed sitcom that follows the Rose family as they suddenly find themselves broke and are forced to live in a small town they bought as a joke: Schitt’s Creek. Known for its heartwarming storytelling, quirky characters, and LGBTQ+ representation, “Schitt’s Creek” has gained a dedicated fan base and has won numerous awards. It’s streaming on Netflix for your viewing pleasure.
11. “The Jeffersons”
A spin-off of the iconic sitcom “All in the Family,” “The Jeffersons” follows the lives of George and Louise Jefferson, an African American couple who move from Queens to the Upper East Side of Manhattan. With its groundbreaking portrayal of a successful African American family, witty writing, and memorable characters, “The Jeffersons” is one of the best sitcoms of all time. It is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
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10. “Everybody Loves Raymond”
This popular sitcom follows the life of Raymond Barone, a sports writer, and his eccentric family, including his overbearing mother, father, and brother. Known for its relatable family dynamics, sharp humor, and memorable performances, “Everybody Loves Raymond” has become a fan-favorite and is known for its timeless appeal. You can watch the sitcom with a Peacock subscription.
9. “The IT Crowd”
This British sitcom follows the misadventures of the IT department at Reynholm Industries, led by the socially awkward Roy and Maurice, and their clueless manager, Jen. Known for its witty writing, geeky humor, and eccentric characters, “The IT Crowd” has gained a cult following and is often lauded for its unique blend of workplace comedy and nerd culture references. It’s available to stream on Netflix.
8. “Fawlty Towers”
“Fawlty Towers” is another classic British sitcom that aired from 1975 to 1979 and is available for streaming on HBO Max. This iconic show is set in a fictional hotel in Torquay, England, and follows the chaotic and humorous misadventures of the hotel’s owner, Basil Fawlty, played by John Cleese, and his eccentric staff and guests. “Fawlty Towers” is known for its slapstick humor, clever wordplay, and memorable characters.
7. “The Andy Griffith Show”
“The Andy Griffith Show” is a beloved sitcom that aired from 1960 to 1968 and is available for streaming on Hulu. This classic show is set in the fictional town of Mayberry and follows the life of Sheriff Andy Taylor, played by Andy Griffith, and his small-town adventures with his son Opie, Aunt Bee, and his eccentric deputy, Barney Fife. “The Andy Griffith Show” is known for its wholesome and heartwarming humor, memorable characters, and timeless values.
6. “Curb Your Enthusiasm”
Created by Larry David, co-creator of “Seinfeld,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm” follows a fictionalized version of Larry David as he navigates his life in Los Angeles. Known for its improvisational style, cringe-worthy humor, and Larry David’s unique brand of social awkwardness, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” has gained a devoted following and has been praised for its witty writing and comedic performances. This show exclusively streams on HBO Max.
5. “The Middle”
This family sitcom follows the Heck family, a middle-class family living in the fictional town of Orson, Indiana. Known for its relatable characters, quirky humor, and depiction of the struggles and triumphs of everyday family life, “The Middle” has been praised for its realistic portrayal of middle-class families in America. “The Middle” is available on HBO Max and Peacock.
4. “Mom”
This sitcom follows a single mother, Christy, who is trying to rebuild her life and mend her relationship with her estranged mother, Bonnie, while navigating the challenges of addiction recovery. Known for its blend of humor and drama, heartfelt moments, and strong performances, “Mom” has been praised for its portrayal of addiction and recovery. Check out “Mom” on Hulu.
3. “Fraiser”
“Frasier” is a critically acclaimed sitcom that aired from 1993 to 2004 and is available for streaming on Hulu. This popular show is a spinoff of the hit show “Cheers” and follows the life of Dr. Frasier Crane, a psychiatrist and radio host, as he navigates his personal and professional life in Seattle. “Frasier” is known for its sophisticated humor, witty dialogue, and well-developed characters.
2. “Malcolm in the Middle”
Also streaming on Hulu, this family sitcom follows the life of Malcolm, a gifted but awkward teenager, and his dysfunctional family. Known for its unique blend of slapstick comedy, clever writing, and innovative camera work, “Malcolm in the Middle” has been praised for its realistic depiction of family dynamics and its humorous exploration of the challenges of growing up.
1. “Happy Endings”
Last, but not least, this underrated show is one of the best sitcoms of all time as it follows a group of six friends in Chicago, navigating their relationships, careers, and friendships. Known for its fast-paced dialogue, quirky characters, and pop culture references, “Happy Endings” has gained a cult following for its offbeat humor and clever writing. Hulu has all seasons of the show for you to stream.
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In conclusion, our list of the 30 best sitcoms of all time represent some of the very best television programs that have ever been broadcast, covering a variety of time periods and themes. These television shows have left an indelible mark on popular culture and continue to excite fans in every corner of the globe. Some of these shows, like “Friends” and “The Office,” are considered to be comedies with a long and illustrious history, while others, like “Schitt’s Creek” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” are considered to be comedies with a more contemporary following.
This list covers a variety of comedies that will appeal to a wide range of people, including classic sitcoms with laugh tracks, mockumentary-style comedies, and sitcoms with a twist that sets them unique from one another. You can watch these programs and appreciate the timelessness of their humor in addition to the captivating tales they present because streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ are so easily accessible.
Now is the perfect moment to grab some popcorn, make yourself at home on the couch, and watch some of the funniest and best sitcoms of all time.