Table of Contents
Some nights you want a gritty thriller. Other nights you want a documentary that changes your world view. But every so often, all you need is a show that makes you laugh out loud. The best comedy series are more than just time-fillers – they’re comfort food for the brain, the kind of television you return to again and again, quoting lines by heart and annoying your friends with recommendations.
With new streaming platforms launching all the time and hundreds of shows competing for your attention, finding genuinely funny television can feel overwhelming. That’s where this guide comes in. I’ve dug through the recent hits, the timeless classics, and the underappreciated gems to put together a list that covers every sense of humour.
What Makes a Comedy Series Great?
A great comedy doesn’t just make you laugh – it makes you care. Think about your favourite sitcom. The jokes matter, but the characters matter more. Shows like Frasier and Seinfeld worked because their casts had chemistry that few shows can replicate. More recent favourites like Ted Lasso and Hacks mix sharp writing with genuine warmth, proving that the best comedy series are the ones that leave you feeling better than you did before you pressed play.
A few things separate the best from the rest:
- Rewatchability: The best shows reveal new jokes on the third or fourth viewing. Notice how Arrested Development hides visual gags in the background.
- Defined characters: You should be able to describe each character in one sentence.
- Stakes: Even a sitcom needs something to lose. The Office works because we worry about Jim and Pam.
- Smart jokes: It’s fine to go broad, but the funniest shows layer their humour with clever callbacks.
Great comedy is subjective, of course. What makes me cry with laughter might just make you sigh. That’s why this list covers a range of styles, from dry British wit to high-energy American sitcoms.
The Modern Classics – Shows That Set the Gold Standard
These are the shows that have become shorthand for great television comedy. If you’ve somehow missed them, now’s the time to catch up.
Parks and Recreation
A mockumentary about local government shouldn’t work, but with Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman at the centre, it soars. The show finds its rhythm in season two and never looks back.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Andy Samberg leads an ensemble comedy about a New York police precinct. The show balances absurd humour with genuine emotional moments. It ran for eight seasons and barely lost momentum.
The Good Place
Michael Schur’s philosophical comedy asks what it means to be good – then makes it hilarious. It’s one of the few shows that gets better with every season, ending exactly where it should.
What We Do in the Shadows
Based on the Taika Waititi film, this vampire mockumentary is pure gold. Every episode has at least one moment that will make you spit out your drink.
Arrested Development (Seasons 1-3)
Before it became a cautionary tale about revivals, this was the sharpest comedy on television. The jokes are so dense you could watch it ten times and still find new ones.
If you’re in the mood for a proper binge session, this curated guide to the best series to watch right now has more ideas across every genre.
The New Wave – Fresh Comedy Series You Can’t Miss
The landscape of the best comedy series has shifted. Streaming allows creators to take risks, and the results are fantastic. These newer shows have already earned their place in the canon.
Ted Lasso
No show has taken the world by storm quite like Ted Lasso. It’s the story of a college football coach hired to manage an English Premier League soccer team, despite knowing nothing about the sport. The writing is warm, the jokes land, and the character development is exceptional.
Hacks
Starring Jean Smart as a legendary stand-up comic forced to work with a young dissatisfied writer, Hacks is sharp, cynical and surprisingly moving. It’s won multiple awards for good reason.
Shrinking
From the creators of Ted Lasso, this show follows a grieving therapist who starts telling his patients what he actually thinks. Harrison Ford’s comedic timing is a delight.
Jury Duty
What happens when you put an unsuspecting person in a fake courtroom filled with actors? You get the funniest concept show in years. Ronald Gladden, the man at the centre, is an absolute treasure.
Abbott Elementary
This mockumentary style sitcom set in a Philadelphia public school is a love letter to teachers. It’s heartwarming, it’s smart, and it’s consistently hilarious.
Many of these are available on platforms like Netflix, Apple TV+, and Hulu. If you’re looking for even more recent recommendations, check out the new Netflix series for 2026 list for fresh arrivals.
International and Animated Comedy Series That Punch Above Their Weight
Comedy translates, but sometimes it travels even better without a laugh track. Some of the best comedy series in recent years have come from outside the US or from animation studios.
Fleabag
Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s one-woman show turned into a television masterpiece. It’s dark, honest, and absolutely devastating – while also being one of the funniest things you’ll ever watch.
Derry Girls
Growing up in 1990s Northern Ireland gives this sitcom its unique setting. The humour is loud, chaotic, and brilliantly Irish. You’ll fall in love with the misfits within one episode.
Bluey
Think it’s just for kids? Think again. This Australian animated series about a family of dogs has captured adult audiences worldwide. It’s a rare show that makes both parents and children laugh for completely different reasons.
BoJack Horseman
Don’t let the cartoon horse fool you. This is a profound series about depression, fame, and the human condition – wrapped in some of the cleverest writing on television.
The Great
A historical absurdist comedy about Catherine the Great, starring Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult. It’s anachronistic, outrageous, and completely addictive.
For those who enjoy animation and want to explore the genre further, the deep dive into why anime series are so addictive is worth a read – there are plenty of anime comedies that break expectations.
How to Choose the Right Comedy for Your Mood
In a perfect world, every show would make you laugh from start to finish. But we all have different moods, and the best comedy series often cater to specific tastes. Here’s a quick guide to matching your mood to the perfect show.
Need a pick-me-up?
Go with Ted Lasso or Parks and Recreation. Both are relentlessly optimistic and will leave you smiling.
Want something sharp and witty?
Arrested Development or Fleabag deliver jokes that reward careful attention.
Feeling cynical?
What We Do in the Shadows or The Great will help you laugh at the absurdity of everything.
Looking for something the whole family can watch?
Bluey or Abbott Elementary can work for a range of ages.
Want to binge for hours?
Brooklyn Nine-Nine has 153 episodes. That’s a lot of laughter.
If you’re open to exploring beyond comedy, the best TV shows to watch right now guide covers dramas, thrillers, and everything in between.
And if you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber, you’ll find plenty of comedies there too, including the Emmy-winning The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. For movie nights in between seasons, the best Amazon Prime movies right now list is a great companion.
No matter what kind of humour you’re into, there’s a comedy series out there with your name on it. The key is to start watching. Give a new show two or three episodes to find its feet – many of the greatest sitcoms of all time needed a little time to warm up. So grab some snacks, dim the lights, and let the laughter begin.
