These are the greatest sitcoms that you might not have gotten the chance to watch yet. There are a lot of hilarious and intelligent shows that get lost in the crowd of comedies, whether classic '90s sitcoms like Seinfeld or more recent award-winning fare like Ted Lasso.
But there are just as many sitcoms that deserve a moment in the spotlight. From smart sitcoms that depict the ups and downs of parenting to a particularly clever take on life as a Hollywood star (and starring a beloved actress from a '90s sitcom), you should definitely add these shows to your list. They won't disappoint.
Party Down (2009-2023)
With a fantastic cast including Jennifer Coolidge, Lizzy Caplan, Jane Lynch, and Adam Scott, Party Down tells a funny and relatable story about actors who work at a catering company and dream of becoming successful.
More of a cult classic show than a huge hit, Party Down maintains its quality and captures the tough reality of an artistic life. Party Down season 3 aired in 2023, several years after the season 2 finale, and all three seasons feature appearances from beloved actors, including Kristen Bell and Nick Offerman.
Children Ruin Everything (2022-2025)
The bold title sums up the theme of this underrated four-season sitcom: parenting is tough, so let's be real and honest about it. But the more you watch James (Aaron Abrams) and Astrid (Meaghan Rath) balance raising their three kids with work, the more you realize that they're perfectly fine with how their kids have changed their lives forever.
Children Ruin Everything works so well because every character is quirky and genuinely funny, from James and Astrid's two oldest kids to their coworkers and relatives. Episodes focus on relatable challenges like leaving the house on time in the morning and actually relaxing on a date night.
My Boys (2006-2010)
The slightly silly premise of My Boys becomes more meaningful as the show goes on. Initially, it might sound a bit corny for an entire show to be about sports journalist P.J. Franklin (Jordana Spiro) hanging out with her male friends.
However, the series is a fascinating look at the power and importance of friendships that last for years. You care about P.J.'s quest to find love, but the show does a great job of depicting close friends spending time together and having fun. It's a funny, uplifting, and relaxing sitcom to binge-watch.
Catastrophe (2015-2019)
The accidental pregnancy trope can be horrible, but it works perfectly in Catastrophe, which Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney co-wrote and created. They play a teacher and an ad professional, respectively, who start dating when they learn they're expecting a baby.
Although the show has all the silly storylines you'd expect, since the couple doesn't know much about babies, there are dramatic plotlines like Rob's alcoholism. The show ultimately has something serious to say about commitment, happiness, and healing. It's also worth watching to see the late, great Carrie Fisher play Mia, Rob's mother.
Single Parents (2018-2020)
It's a shame that the high-quality Single Parents didn't get more than two seasons because once you watch this friend group, you don't want to leave them. It's almost too much fun watching smart, compassionate characters like Poppy Banks (Kimrie Lewis) and Angie D'Amato (Leighton Meester) try to enjoy themselves despite the tough moments of raising kids on their own.
While the premise is solid, Brad Garrett's performance as a cynical dad scared of his confident twins stands out, along with Adam Brody's appearance as Angie's ditzy ex-partner.
Don’t Trust The B---- In Apartment 23 (2012-2013)
Whether you find the tale of two roommates with opposite personalities relatable or just appreciate seeing James Van Der Beek play himself, Don't Trust The B---- in Apartment 23 is a fun sitcom that you'll wish you had seen years earlier.
Although the main characters might play into TV tropes, with Chloe (Krysten Ritter) as an intense, overly confident social butterfly and June (Dreama Walker) as the more innocent "good girl," they still feel like realistic characters who really would end up living together.
Samantha Who? (2007-2009)
The trope of a woman who has lost her memory may be a staple of pop culture, but it still makes for an enjoyable story, and the two-season 2000s sitcom Samantha Who? does a great job with it. It's also fun seeing talented movie star Melissa McCarthy in an early TV role.
Through the story of Samantha Newly (Christina Applegate), the sitcom examines family, love, and career decisions. Even though we've likely never had the same experience, we can relate to Sam's desire to have more fun and the show's theme of appreciating the things and people in your life.
The Unicorn (2019-2021)
The sweet sitcom about a single father is not only a showcase for Walton Goggins's comedic talents, but it's a genuinely moving and authentic look at how an entire family deals with grief.
While watching Wade help his two daughters with the loss of his wife and their mom, you'll cheer when he tries to find love and enjoy watching his intelligent, compassionate friend group, too.
American Housewife (2016-2021)
American Housewife not only features one of the best sitcom couples of all time, but it's a genuinely funny and moving family sitcom that doesn't rely on cliches.
Besides watching Katie (Katy Mixon) and Greg Otto (Diedrich Bader) lean on one another through parenting chaos and life's constant changes, American Housewife is refreshing thanks to its compelling child characters. Rather than simply existing to say cute catchphrases, money-obsessed Oliver (Daniel DiMaggio), quirky Anna-Kat (Julia Butters), and ditzy Taylor (Meg Donnelly) are a joy to watch.
The Comeback (2005-2026)
Lisa Kudrow's awkward and quirky sitcom is returning for season 3 in 2026, and it'll be great to see the rest of actress Valerie Cherish's story. A few years after she stopped playing Phoebe Buffay on Friends, the beloved star stepped into one of her most memorable roles.
The Comeback is a smart look at the downside of fame and how tough it is to continue to make it in Hollywood. The meta storyline of Valerie starring on a reality show about her life and career allows the show to poke fun at that genre, too.