10 Must-Watch Sitcoms, Ranked

Sitcoms have been a mainstay in the TV space for decades, ever since the ‘50s when families gathered around the TV to watch shows like I Love Lucy and Leave it to Beaver. Sitcoms have changed over the decades, but one thing remains the same: they’re a great escape from the daily grind and a fun way to enjoy alone or family time before the end of the day.

There have been many iconic sitcoms through the decades, but a few can be considered must-watches for various reason. Each one is unique in its own way, and while the options are by no means the only sitcoms worth checking out, they are all ones that virtually anyone would enjoy.

10

‘Abbott Elementary’ (2021-)

Created by Quinta Brunson

Earning 24 Primetime Emmy nominations and winning four, Abbott Elementary is a newer sitcom that speaks fittingly to current times. There’s a lot of focus on the education system and its challenges by depicting the staff and kids at an underfunded and predominantly Black public school in Philadelphia. While Abbott Elementary is a downright hilarious single-camera sitcom, its deeper message sheds light on societal issues.

The show depicts unqualified people in positions of power, a school board that just doesn’t get it, and underpaid teachers trying their hardest to do right by kids while being constantly chastised by others. The show is one to which virtually anyone who has kids in the public school system can relate. All the best episodes of Abbott Elementary will give viewers new appreciation for everything teachers do, and kids love the fun storylines, too.

9

‘Modern Family’ (2009-2020)

Created by Christopher Lloyd, Steven Levitan

While Modern Family didn’t invent the single-camera mockumentary style, arguably no show does it as well when diving into the personal lives of a unique family dynamic. The series follows three intertwined families, including a dad with his second wife, her son, and their new baby; daughter with her husband and three kids; and son and his husband and adopted daughter. As the families deal with daily challenges, they speak to the camera about their perspectives of what’s going on.

Bitingly funny, cleverly written, wonderfully acted, and filled with double entendres and hilarious misunderstandings, Modern Family is the type of show the entire family can enjoy. The show won a total of 22 Emmys through its run, including five times for Outstanding Comedy Series.

8

‘How I Met Your Mother’ (2005-2014)

Created by Carter Bays, Craig Thomas

The polarizing final season and ending aside, How I Met Your Mother was like Friends for a new generation. Set in present day, the premise is framed by an older Ted (Josh Radnor, voiced in the future by the late Bob Saget) in the year 2030 telling his teenage kids the story of how he met their mother. But he goes on and on, recalling memorable times he spent with friends, the various women he dated before finding the one, and the ups and downs he dealt with throughout, from his career to his personal troubles.

The nature of the show leaves fans eager to find out the mother’s identity and constantly guessing as to who she is. With tons of running gags, funny one-liners, and memorable characters, How I Met Your Mother is a must-watch, even if some aspects didn’t age well.

7

‘Roseanne’ (1988-1997)

Created by Matt Williams

Roseanne was a game-changing series that flipped the traditional sitcom concept on its head. At the time of its release, most sitcoms centered around middle-class or wealthy families. Roseanne took a more real approach, depicting a working-class Midwest family just barely getting by. Aside from struggling to pay the bills and keep a roof over their heads, the parents dealt with challenges from their kids as well, including two rebellious daughters, from irresponsible Becky (Lecy Goranson, Sarah Chalke in some seasons) to the brooding Darlene (Sara Gilbert).

Looking back, Roseanne was brilliant in the way that it depicted relatable family dynamics versus the rose-colored glasses that most other sitcoms presented. Family life is messy. Sometimes, it’s about choosing to pay the electric bill or buy groceries. Roseanne wasn’t afraid to tackle these tough topics, so it’s for good reason that it’s named among the best shows of all time. The series was briefly resurrected in 2018, then switched to sequel spin-off The Conners.

6

‘The Simpsons’ (1989-)

Created by Matt Groening

The great thing about The Simpsons is that there’s no continuity with the series. In fact, the entire family never ages, the kids remaining the same today as they were in 1989. This makes it simple to check out the animated sitcom at any time and not feel like there’s something missing. For many, however, they have been watching since the concept began as shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show.

Breaking records as the longest-running American animated series, longest-running American sitcom, and longest-running American scripted primetime series, The Simpsons is still going strong. The series constantly changes with the times with pointed and topical parodies and jokes that parents will love along with funny storylines kids will appreciate in all its best seasons and episodes.

5

‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ (1990-1996)

Created by Andy Borowitz, Susan Borowitz

Those who only know Will Smith from his incredible movie career, maybe even some of his newer music, are missing out. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is one of the best sitcoms, a must-watch for so many reasons. Not only does the fish-out-of-water story appeal to just about anyone, the storylines shift from downright hilarious to deeply serious and emotional.

At the heart is a young man who is sent to Bel-Air to live with his wealthy aunt and uncle to keep him off the streets of Philadelphia. Will doesn’t fit in with the lavish lifestyle, his ridiculous fashion sense and laissez-faire attitude frowned upon by his wealthy extended family. But he brings something to them that they were missing, too. With a fantastic cast, clever writing, and emotional moments that transcend the typical sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air never gets old, even 30 years later.

4

‘The Golden Girls’ (1985-1992)

Created by Susan Harris

Even without cell phones, the Internet, and some of the conveniences society enjoys today, The Golden Girlsstill fits like a glove now, 40 years after it originally aired. At the center are three women in their 50s, two widowed and one divorced, and one’s elderly mother who all live together in a house in Miami. As they navigate the new state of their lives after marriage and kids, they find solace in one another.

The sarcastic remarks, distinct personalities, and hilarious situations the ladies find themselves getting into all combine to make The Golden Girls an iconic show. Everyone can relate to having a tough day, after all, and gathering with pals to talk it out over some midnight cheesecake.

3

‘The Big Bang Theory’ (2007-2019)

Created by Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady

The premise of The Big Bang Theory sounds like it’s a show that would only appeal to science and physics nerds. But it’s exactly the opposite. Despite the complicated, technical dialogue, it’s a downright funny sitcom that viewers of any age would love. Penny (Kaley Cuoco) represents the average person, an attractive young woman who moves in across the hall from Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon (Jim Parsons), two brilliant Caltech scientists, and shakes up their usual dynamic.

A beautiful story about friendship, acceptance, tolerance, and smarts, The Big Bang Theory proves that being a “nerd” can actually be cool. The show led to an ever-expanding franchise that now includes prequel series Young Sheldon and its spinoff Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage and has tons of rewatchable episodes.

2

‘Friends’ (1994-2004)

Created by David Crane, Marta Kauffman

Even those who already watched Friends back in the day have returned to the series via streaming to watch it again. Considering it has been 30 years since viewers were first introduced to the core group of six friends, it’s easy to forget some of the moments and episodes. But there’s also a whole new fanbase of the show who appreciate the humor, one-liners, and memorable scenes.

Friends has so many quotable lines and the show has become a cultural phenomenon. It’s one with great re-watch value, a wonderful story about young friends in their 20s coming into their own and growing into adulthood, with all the messiness that happens in between.

1

‘Seinfeld’ (1989-1998)

Created by Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld

Jerry Seinfeld stars in Seinfeld as a fictional version of himself, a stand-up comedian living the single life in New York while interacting with his three close friends. A show described as being about nothing more than the minutiae of daily life, Seinfeld, one of the best sitcoms of all time, manages to do yet still be incredibly funny. Whether it’s Jerry trying to date a woman who talks too quietly, George (Jason Alexander) or Kramer (Michael Richards) running one of their schemes, or Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) confronting a woman who refused to give her toilet paper from the next stall over in a public bathroom, every moment gets laughs.

Larry David continued a similar trend with Curb Your Enthusiasm, which has become hugely popular for a new generation. But Seinfeld is one for the history books, with jokes that never get old.