The 30 best comedy shows on Netflix to watch now

From underrated sitcoms to Emmy winners, here are the funniest series the streamer has to offer.

Best Comedy Series on Netflix
Kim Fields on 'The Upshaws'; Steven Yeun on 'Beef'; 'Scott Pilgrim Takes Off'. Photo:

LARA SOLANKI/NETFLIX; Andrew Cooper/Netflix; COURTESY OF NETFLIX

When you're in the mood for a quick laugh or desperate for endorphins after a long day at work, picking something to watch can be overwhelming. We get it: Sifting through all the shows on Netflix can make you feel punchy when all you want is a couple of punchlines. So allow EW to be your television shepherd and lead you through the funny farm of content, from multi-cam sitcoms like One Day at a Time to animated animal-infused dramedies like BoJack Horseman.

Here are the 30 best comedy series on Netflix right now.

01 of 30

American Vandal (2017–2018)

American Vandal
Jimmy Tatro and Tyler Alvarez on 'American Vandal'. Netflix

American Vandal is a true-crime parody that sees two teenagers investigate juvenile offenses like graffiti with all the seriousness of Making a Murderer. The series, created by Funny or Die’s Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault, earned a Peabody Award for its ability to mix the potty humor of its central mysteries with an astute examination of the genre it’s skewering.

“The idea of satirizing true-crime docs through the lens of two teen wannabe filmmakers sounds like a nifty idea for a single sketch instead of eight longer-than-half-hour episodes,” writes EW’s critic, “but the longer run time allows Yacenda and Perrault to dig deep into the nuances of high-school friendships, hookups, and rivalries.” —Andrew Walsh 

Where to watch American Vandal: Netflix

EW grade: A– (read the review)

Cast: Tyler Alvarez, Griffin Gluck, Jimmy Tatro

02 of 30

Arrested Development (2003–2019)

ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
Jeffrey Tambor and Jason Bateman on 'Arrested Development'.

Sam Urdank/Netflix/Everett

When George Bluth Sr. (Jeffrey Tambor) is sent to prison for fraud and “light treason,” his straitlaced son Michael (Jason Bateman) takes over business dealings and struggles to make his wealthy, eccentric family adapt to their new financial reality. The absurd antics of the extended Bluth clan are narrated by showbiz vet Ron Howard and presented in a cinéma vérité style by a now all-star cast that EW’s critic deemed “the best ensemble on TV” back in 2004. —A.W.  

Where to watch Arrested Development: Netflix

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Cast: Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Jeffrey Tambor, Jessica Walter, Portia de Rossi, Alia Shawkat, David Cross, Will Arnett, Ron Howard

03 of 30

Astronomy Club: The Sketch Show (2019)

Astronomy Club
(From left to right) Jonathan Braylock, James III, Shawtane Bowen, Jerah Milligan, Caroline Martin, Keisha Zollar, Monique Moses, and Ray Cordova on 'Astronomy Club'. Lara Solanki/Netflix

Part sketch series, part fake reality show, this Netflix original from Black-ish creator Kenya Barris stars the improv theater Upright Citizen Brigade’s first all-Black house team. The many skits, ranging from riffs on ASMR to mansplaining, see the cast play heightened versions of themselves living together in a fictional clubhouse in the Hollywood Hills. Astronomy Club may have been canceled after one season, but the six brilliant episodes, featuring guest stars like Ice Cube and Busy Phillipps, are worth repeated viewings. —A.W. 

Where to watch Astronomy Club: The Sketch Show: Netflix

Cast: Jonathan Braylock, Shawtane Bowen, Ray Cordova, Caroline Martin, Jerah Milligan, Monique Moses, Keisha Zollar, James III

04 of 30

Beef (2023)

Beef. (L to R) Ali Wong as Amy, Steven Yeun as Danny in episode 106 of Beef.
Ali Wong and Steven Yeun on 'Beef'. Andrew Cooper/Netflix

After a near collision in a parking lot, business owner Amy Lau (Ali Wong) and contractor Danny Cho (Steven Yeun) engage in a reckless, road rage-fueled chase that escalates into a series of increasingly destructive attempts at revenge. Touching on everything from philosophy to the cost of the American dream, A24’s Beef earned 13 Emmy nominations and won right, including wins for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series and Outstanding Actor and Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.

“Yeun and Wong are exceptional,” writes EW’s critic, who praised the duo for dosing out “physical and intellectual comedy, apoplectic rage and stifled, stomach-churning frustration, abject despair and numbing emptiness… all seamlessly while maintaining the aching humanity of their increasingly unlikable characters.” —A.W. 

Where to watch Beef: Netflix

EW grade: B (read the review)

Cast: Ali Wong, Steven Yeun, Maria Bello, Joseph Lee, Young Mazino, David Choe, Ashley Park, Patti Yasutake

05 of 30

Big Mouth (2017–present)

BIG MOUTH
Nick Birch (Nick Kroll) and Connie the Hormone Monstress (Maya Rudolph) on 'Big Mouth'. NETFLIX

This irreverent animated series chronicles a group of middle schoolers and the sticky (sometimes literally) situations they encounter during puberty. Their raging libidos physically manifest in the form of “Hormone Monsters” voiced by co-creator Nick Kroll, Maya Rudolph, and Thandiwe Newton.

In fact, the cast is a who’s who of stars, featuring the likes of Jason Mantzoukas, Ayo Edebiri, and Andrew Rannells, while the wild plotlines tackle everything from furious masturbation to first love. The result, in the words of EW’s critic, is “an endlessly empathetic reminder that everyone is confused, shocked, horrified, and in awe of life pretty much always, especially in times when life’s foundation seems shaky.” —A.W. 

Where to watch Big Mouth: Netflix

EW grade: A– (read the review)

Cast: Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Jason Mantzoukas, Maya Rudolph, Thandiwe Newton, Andrew Rannells, Ayo Edebiri, June Diane Raphael, Jessi Klein, Jordan Peele

06 of 30

BoJack Horseman (2014–2020)

BoJack Horseman Season 4
BoJack Horseman (Will Arnett) on 'BoJack Horseman'. Netflix

You may not expect an animated comedy about a horse with an alcohol problem to inspire existential dread, but BoJack Horseman packs many emotional punches. The series follows the exploits of the title character (Will Arnett), a washed-up has-been actor (and yes, a horse) who attempts a Hollywood comeback but struggles to escape the shadow of his wholesome starring role on the Full House-style sitcom Horsin’ Around.

This sharp satire of the entertainment industry tackles serious issues like addiction and depression while never skimping on the jokes. Whether it’s silly gags like a bartending fish named “Marlin Brando” or a character who’s just three kids in a trench coat, BoJack Horseman will make you laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time. —A.W. 

Where to watch BoJack Horseman: Netflix

EW grade: A– (read the review)

Cast: Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie, Paul F. Tompkins, Aaron Paul

07 of 30

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–2021)

BROOKLYN NINE-NINE: (L-R) Melissa Fumero,Terry Crews, Stephanie Beatriz and Andy Samberg in the "Full Boyle" episode of BROOKLYN NINE-NINE airing Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014
(From left to right) Melissa Fumero, Terry Crews, Stephanie Beatriz, and Andy Samberg on 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine'.

FOX Image Collection via Getty

New York City crime has met its match in the 99th Precinct. Under the guidance of Capt. Raymond Holt (Andre Braugher), the team of detectives that make up Brooklyn’s Nine-Nine squad are determined to make the city’s streets safe again — and to have fun while doing it.

A procedural that manages to find the funny in policing, while also providing a surprisingly self-aware commentary on the systemic issues associated with modern law enforcement, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a goofy sitcom that gets smarter and more nuanced as the seasons progress. And if you need more convincing about the show’s charm, there’s no better argument than this iconic cover of a beloved Backstreet Boys song. —Ilana Gordon 

Where to watch Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Netflix

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Cast: Andy Samberg, Stephanie Beatriz, Terry Crews, Melissa Fumero, Joe Lo Truglio, Chelsea Peretti, Andre Braugher, Dirk Blocker, Joel McKinnon Miller

08 of 30

Cobra Kai (2018–2025)

Cobra Kai Season 5 Character Rankings
Griffin Santopietro on 'Cobra Kai'. Curtis Bonds Baker/Netflix

Karate Kid bully Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) has never recovered from his defeat at the hands of underdog champion Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) in 1984’s All-Valley Karate Tournament. Now a middle-aged burnout, Cobra Kai finds the one-time hotshot reviving the titular brutal dojo and its “no mercy” mantra in a last-ditch attempt to relive his glory days, reigniting the long-dormant rivalry between him and LaRusso and tangling their young protégés in their unresolved adolescent beef. “

As both men rediscover what drew them to karate in the first place, they inspire (and in Johnny’s case, insult) a new generation of bullied kids,” writes EW’s critic. “The result is an entertaining dramedy that mixes nostalgia and teen angst with an interesting meditation on the ever-shifting definition of masculinity.” The final season is split into three parts (five episodes apiece), the next of which continues on November 15. —A.W. 

Where to watch Cobra Kai: Netflix

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Cast: William Zabka, Ralph Macchio, Xolo Maridueña, Mary Mouser, Tanner Buchanan, Jacob Bertrand

09 of 30

Cunk on Earth (2022)

CUNK ON EARTH
Diane Morgan on 'Cunk on Earth'.

Netflix/Everett

This send-up of historical docuseries produced by Black Mirror’s Charlie Brooker follows fictional investigative reporter Philomena Cunk (Diane Morgan) as she interviews real-life experts around the globe on topics like religion and the Renaissance. Cunk on Earth plays like a Daily Show segment spread out across five hours, in which viewers watch the earnest — and ofttimes exasperated — talking heads field inane questions from Morgan’s uproariously daft Cunk. A continuation of the BBC’s Cunk on Britain, this Netflix iteration continues the original’s tradition of combining factual information with absurd belly laughs. —A.W. 

Where to watch Cunk on Earth: Netflix

Cast: Diane Morgan

10 of 30

Dead to Me (2019–2022)

DEAD TO ME (L to R) CHRISTINA APPLEGATE as JEN HARDING and LINDA CARDELLINI as JUDY HALE in DEAD TO ME. Cr. Saeed Adyani / © 2022 Netflix, Inc.
Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini on 'Dead to Me'. Saeed Adyani/Netflix

Dead to Me sees Christina Applegate play Jen, a recently widowed realtor who joins a grief support group after her husband is killed in a hit-and-run. Despite her desire to keep everyone at arm's length, Jen forms an unexpected friendship with fellow attendee Judy (Linda Cardellini), who is mourning her fiancée and harbors a secret.

As the duo connects over drinks and their mutual love of The Facts of Life, Jen soon turns into a “white wine vigilante,” searching for the driver who killed her partner. EW’s critic praises the dark comedy's central relationship, writing, “It’s still all too rare for TV to offer an honest, thoughtful representation of a relationship between two women bonding over life’s challenges and disappointments.” —A.W.  

Where to watch Dead to Me: Netflix 

EW grade: B (read the review)

Cast: Christina Applegate, Linda Cardellini, James Marsden, Sam McCarthy, Luke Roessler

11 of 30

Derry Girls (2018–2022)

Derry Girls
The cast of 'Derry Girls'. Netflix

Set in the '90s against the backdrop of Northern Ireland’s Troubles, Derry Girls follows the adventures of five Catholic school outsiders who can’t seem to keep themselves out of mischief. (In one hilariously blasphemous episode, the crew pretends to witness a miracle involving the Virgin Mary to get out of taking a history exam.)

Despite the exaggerated shenanigans, the series manages to present a more relatable view of teenage angst than most high school media, with EW’s writer asserting that it “doesn’t so much tug on our heartstrings as pluck at them as it throws us back to the years of dressing garishly, writing fervently in diaries and believing every setback to be the end of the world.” —A.W. 

Where to watch Derry Girls: Netflix

Cast: Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Louisa Harland, Nicola Coughlan, Jamie-Lee O'Donnell, Dylan Llewellyn

12 of 30

Documentary Now! (2015–present)

Documentary Now
Fred Armisen and Bill Hader on 'Documentary Now!'. Tyler Golden/IFC

This anthology series mercilessly spoofs some of the most famous (and infamous) documentaries of our time, and it’s a perfect watch for news aficionados and Saturday Night Live fans alike. A straight-faced Helen Mirren hosts each episode, introducing parodies of classics like Grey Gardens and The War Room.

“The show is often a cutting satire of cultural storytelling in general, and how all reporting about reality — people, places, ideas – is unreliable at best, distorting fiction at worst,” writes EW’s critic, who also praised the stellar efforts of core comedy players Fred Armisen and Bill Hader. —A.W. 

Where to watch Documentary Now!: Netflix

EW grade: A (read the review) 

Cast: Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Helen Mirren

13 of 30

Girls5eva (2022–present)

GIRLS5EVA Season 3
Catherine Cohen and Busy Philipps on 'Girls5eva'.

Emily V. Aragones/Netflix

Fans of 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt will love the most recent offering from the Tina Fey/Robert Carlock producing universe: Girls5eva. A girl group that peaked when they became one-hit wonders around the turn of the millennium, the show follows the remaining four members as they reunite as middle-aged women to pursue a second shot at stardom and personal fulfillment. 

Originally made for Peacock, Girls5eva moved to Netflix for its third season. A clever look at the music industry and second acts, EW’s former critic writes, “the show celebrates the characters' self-nostalgia but also undercuts it. They are horrified by their old lyrics, so full of obvious wish fulfillment by sleazy males looking to attract an unabashedly sleazy nation. Can they rewrite their own story by writing their own hit song?” —I.G.

Where to watch Girls5eva: Netflix

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Cast: Sara Bareilles, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Busy Philipps, Paula Pell

14 of 30

GLOW (2017–2019)

GLOW_201_Unit_00585R
The cast of 'GLOW'. Erica Parise/Netflix

Ruth (Alison Brie) is an out-of-work actress who sleeps with her best friend Debbie’s (Betty Gilpin) husband due to a deep-seated resentment. Desperate for a paying gig, she auditions for a women’s wrestling TV show, but when the enraged Debbie discovers the affair, she pulls up and kicks her ass up and down the ring — leading the producers to cast them both.

Inspired by the real Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, this fictional version of the ‘80s series sees the pair work out their relationship through clotheslines and powerbombs. Surrounded by a delightful cast of weirdos — with a scene-stealing, hilarious turn by Marc Maron as sleazy director Sam Sylvia — GLOW is a comedy match-up worth cheering for. —A.W. 

Where to watch GLOW: Netflix

EW grade: A (read the review)

Cast: Alison Brie, Betty Gilpin, Sydelle Noel, Britney Young, Marc Maron, Britt Baron, Kate Nash, Gayle Rankin

15 of 30

The Good Place (2016–2020)

THE GOOD PLACE
Kristen Bell, William Jackson Harper, Ted Danson and D'Arcy Carden on 'The Good Place'. Colleen Hayes/NBC

Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell), a self-centered sales rep from Arizona, is hit by a truck and finds herself in the afterlife, where she is accidentally assigned to “the Good Place.” Desperate to keep her secret and avoid being sent to “the Bad Place” where she belongs, she enlists the help of Chidi Anagonye (William Jackson Harper), an ethics professor mistakenly designated as her soulmate.

To say too much more would give away the surprising twists and turns this half-hour comedy takes on its tour of the other side. An existential comedy about the meaning of existence and what we owe each other, The Good Place will make you laugh while pondering life’s biggest questions. —A.W. 

Where to watch The Good Place: Netflix

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Cast: Kristen Bell, William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, D'Arcy Carden, Manny Jacinto, Ted Danson

16 of 30

Grace and Frankie (2015–2022)

GRACE AND FRANKIE - (L to R) Jane Fonda stars as Grace and Lily Tomlin as Frankie in episode 3 of GRACE AND FRANKIE, season 7. Credit: Saeed Adyani/©NETFLIX 2021
Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin on 'Grace and Frankie'. Saeed Adyani/Netflix

When their husbands (Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston) leave them for each other, these septuagenarian ladies — the type-A, boozy WASP Grace (Jane Fonda) and flighty, pot-loving bohemian Frankie (Lily Tomlin) — are forced to live together as they transition into their new, post-divorce lives. Grace and Frankie proves that comedy doesn’t have an age limit, telling fully fleshed-out stories beyond the typical “old people” jokes (although there are plenty of those as well). With plotlines revolving around vibrators for the arthritic, prescription drug smuggling, and assisted suicide, it’s a sitcom unafraid to push boundaries through punchlines. —A.W. 

Where to watch Grace and Frankie: Netflix

Cast: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Sam Waterston, Martin Sheen, June Diane Raphael, Brooklyn Decker

17 of 30

I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson (2019–present)

I Think You Should Leave
Tim Robinson on 'I Think You Should Leave'. Netflix

If you like your sketch comedy served loud with a side of awkwardness, then look no further than I Think You Should Leave from former SNL writer and Detroiters star Tim Robinson. Its best moments are born from Robinson’s penchant for leaning into cringeworthy social interactions, but it also features several fantastic guest star turns, like Vanessa Bayer’s outrageous send-up of disingenuously self-deprecating Instagram captions.

Produced by the Lonely Island trio of Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, and Jorma Taccone, and featuring appearances by Bob Odenkirk, Steven Yeun, Patti Harrison, and Sam Richardson, I Think You Should Leave will have you laughing so hard you just might crash your hot dog car. —A.W. 

Where to watch I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson: Netflix 

Cast: Tim Robinson

18 of 30

Insecure (2016–2021)

Insecure - Episode 6: Issa Rae. photo: Anne Marie Fox/HBO
Issa Rae on 'Insecure'. Anne Marie Fox/HBO

Insecure follows best friends Issa (Issa Rae) and Molly (Yvonne Orji) as they navigate their personal and professional lives as millennial Black women in Los Angeles. Created by Rae — and based on her critically acclaimed web series Awkward Black Girl — the show spent five seasons blending storylines like workplace microaggressions and cringe-worthy romantic encounters with the smooth flow of one of Issa’s often hilarious (and sometimes infamous) pep talk mirror raps. Thanks to its razor-sharp writing and acting, the HBO original series earned 14 Emmy nominations and cemented itself as a modern-day classic. —A.W.  

Where to watch Insecure: Netflix

EW grade: A– (read the review)

Cast: Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Natasha Rothwell, Amanda Seales, Jay Ellis, Kendrick Sampson

19 of 30

Kim’s Convenience (2016–2021)

Kim’s Convenience
Simu Liu and Andrea Bang on 'Kim's Convenience'.

CBC Media

Kim’s Convenience centers on the dysfunctional Kim family and their hysterical interactions with each other and the customers of their corner store. Based on the play of the same name by showrunner Ins Choi, this Toronto-based sitcom finds estranged, rebellious Jung (Simu Liu) and wannabe artist Janet (Andrea Bang) butting heads with their old-school immigrant parents.

In a loving tribute to the series, EW’s writer penned, “[T]he heart of this program isn't just in the amusing situations our beloved family finds themselves in, but rather in the kernels of familial truth that ring true no matter what shade you are or what country you're from.” —A.W. 

Where to watch Kim’s Convenience: Netflix

Cast: Simu Liu, Andrea Bang, Jean Yoon, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Andrew Phung, Nicole Power 

20 of 30

The Kominsky Method (2018–2021)

THE KOMINSKY METHOD
Michael Douglas and Paul Reiser on 'The Kominsky Method'. Michael Yarish/Netflix

Sandy Kominsky (Michael Douglas) is a prominent L.A. acting teacher who once had a brush with stardom. Now in his 70s, Sandy and his longtime agent and friend Norman (Alan Arkin) struggle with the realities of aging, grief, and an ever-shifting culture.

In addition to the joy of watching two Hollywood legends work their magic together, fans of Douglas' work in Romancing the Stone, Jewel of the Nile, and War of the Roses will want to check out the final two seasons, which reunite the actor with his frequent '80s costar Kathleen Turner, who plays his ex-wife. The Kominsky Method, created by sitcom uber-producer Chuck Lorre (The Big Bang Theory) has earned 12 Emmy nominations and two Golden Globe wins. —A.W. 

Where to watch The Kominsky Method: Netflix

Cast: Michael Douglas, Alan Arkin, Sarah Baker, Nancy Travis, Paul Reiser, Kathleen Turner

21 of 30

Never Have I Ever (2020–2023)

Never Have I Ever
Jaren Lewison and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan on 'Never Have I Ever'. Lara Solanki/Netflix

This coming-of-age comedy follows the exploits of 15-year-old Devi Vishwakumar (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), who deals with the emotional fallout of her father’s death while juggling school, a complicated relationship with her mother, and an obsessive crush on a classmate. Her acerbic inner monologue (voiced by tennis legend John McEnroe) is a clever meta-commentary on her rage issues, but the lead actress is still the series’ highlight.

“Newcomer Ramakrishnan, whom [creator Mindy] Kaling found through an open casting call on Instagram, has remarkable comedic swagger,” writes EW’s critic. “[S]he delivers Devi’s savage takedowns with the cheerful confidence of a young Amy Poehler.” —A.W. 

Where to watch Never Have I Ever: Netflix

EW grade: A– (read the review)

Cast: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Poorna Jagannathan, Richa Moorjani, Jaren Lewison, Darren Barnet, Ramona Young, Lee Rodriguez, John McEnroe

22 of 30

On My Block (2018–2021)

ON MY BLOCK
Jessica Marie Garcia on 'On My Block'. KEVIN ESTRADA/NETFLIX

On My Block kicks off as a group of childhood friends enter high school and experience the highs and lows of adolescence. However, the fraught waters of young love and homework are not the only things they have to navigate; gangs, death, sex, and even a treasure hunt are just some of the extracurricular obstacles in their way.

The show — co-created by Lauren Iungerich (Awkward), Eddie Gonzalez, and Jeremy Haft — brings some much-needed diversity to the YA genre. And even if the subject matter is heavy at times, On My Block inspires more smiles than tears as the Freeridge kids find hope and triumph in each other. —A.W. 

Where to watch On My Block: Netflix

Cast: Sierra Capri, Jason Genao, Brett Gray, Diego Tinoco, Jessica Marie Garcia, Julio Macias

23 of 30

One Day at a Time (2017–2020)

One Day at a Time
Marcel Ruiz, Justina Machado, and Isabella Gomez on 'One Day at a Time'. Nicole Wilder/POP TV

A reimagined take on Norman Lear’s classic ’70s series, this critically acclaimed reboot shifts the focus to a Cuban American family led by single mother/military veteran Penelope Alvarez (Justina Machado) as she raises two children with the help of her mother, Lydia (the legendary Rita Moreno). Though filmed as a typical multi-camera sitcom — complete with a studio audience — One Day at a Time tackles fresh stories beyond the traditional fare, touching on queerness, mental health, gentrification, racism, and more.

“You don’t have to be Cuban, an immigrant, gay, or a recovering addict to understand and/or to feel understood, and such is the beauty of this show,” says EW’s writer, which only made its cancellation hurt that much more—A.W. 

Where to watch One Day at a Time: Netflix

Cast: Justina Machado, Todd Grinnell, Isabella Gomez, Marcel Ruiz, Stephen Tobolowsky, Rita Moreno

24 of 30

Russian Doll (2019–2022)

Russian Doll
Natasha Lyonne and Greta Lee on 'Russian Doll'. Netflix

Russian Doll is a Groundhog Day-style comedy in which sardonic New Yorker Nadia (Natasha Lyonne) meets her untimely demise on her 36th birthday, only to relive the same 24 hours over and over again. She soon hooks up with the down-on-his-luck Alan (Charlie Barnett), a fellow time loop prisoner, and the two work together to escape the cycle while repeatedly dying in comically gruesome ways.

The darkly funny series earned 13 Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Lyonne and a writing nod for co-creators Amy Poehler and Leslye Headland (Bachelorette). —A.W. 

Where to watch Russian Doll: Netflix

Cast: Natasha Lyonne, Charlie Barnett, Greta Lee, Elizabeth Ashley, Chloe Sevigny, Annie Murphy

25 of 30

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023)

Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) and Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) in 'Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.'
Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) and Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) on 'Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.'. COURTESY OF NETFLIX

Thirteen years after the comic book adaptation Scott Pilgrim vs. the World became a cult classic, Edgar Wright returns to produce this anime continuation with the original all-star cast.

The hyperkinetic love story of bass player Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) battling Ramona Flowers’ (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) seven evil exes was fertile ground for an animated update, and it shocked viewers by ejecting our titular hero “in order to show viewers more about his friends, enemies, and lovers,” EW’s critic analyzed. “But instead of coming off like a cheap ploy, it demonstrates a wise maturity. There’s more to someone else’s life than being your girlfriend’s ‘evil ex,’ after all; maybe you aren't the center of the universe. These are important life lessons delivered in an extremely entertaining way." —A.W. 

Where to watch Scott Pilgrim Takes Off: Netflix

EW grade: A– (read the review)

Cast: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Brie Larson, Kieran Culkin, Anna Kendrick, Chris Evans, Aubrey Plaza, Jason Schwartzman

26 of 30

Seinfeld (1989–1998)

Seinfeld
(From left to right) Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards on 'Seinfeld'. Joey Delvalle/NBCU Photo Bank

“Sponge worthy,” “yada yada yada,” and “no soup for you!” are just a few of the endlessly quoted lines from this iconic series. When Seinfeld debuted in 1989, it introduced viewers to the idiosyncratic exploits of New York comedian Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld), his ex-girlfriend Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), best friend George (Jason Alexander), kooky neighbor Kramer (Michael Richards), and a parade of memorable side characters and guest stars.

EW’s critic wrote in 1992 that Seinfeld is “one of the purest of all TV-viewing pleasures” in part for its simplicity, proving that “...the little things that happen to all of us — forgetting where you parked your car in a mall garage, waiting too long for a table in a restaurant — are the true stuff of comedy.” —A.W. 

Where to watch Seinfeld: Netflix

EW grade: A (read the review)

Cast: Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, Michael Richards

27 of 30

Sex Education (2019–2023)

Sex Education Season 3
Ncuti Gatwa and Asa Butterfield on 'Sex Education'. Sam Taylor/Netflix

Otis (Asa Butterfield), the teenage son of prominent sex therapist Dr. Jean Milburn (Gillian Anderson), opens a secret sex therapy clinic at Moordale Secondary School with fellow student Maeve Wiley (Emma Mackey) to help his classmates navigate the birds and the bees (and make some extra cash along the way). But Otis soon finds himself developing feelings for his business partner — and learns he is much better at dishing out advice than he is at taking it.

“A sweet, progressive British dramedy from newcomer Laurie Nunn, Sex Education… blends teen sex-romp tropes with a refreshing level of empathy,” writes EW’s critic—A.W. 

Where to watch Sex Education: Netflix

EW grade: A– (read the review)

Cast: Asa Butterfield, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, Gillian Anderson, Connor Swindells, Kedar Williams-Stirling, Aimee Lou Wood, Mimi Keene, Patricia Allison, Tanya Reynolds

28 of 30

Six Feet Under (2001–2005)

(From left to right) Frances Conroy, Lauren Ambrose, Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall, and Freddy Rodriguez on 'Six Feet Under'
(From left to right) Frances Conroy, Lauren Ambrose, Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall, and Freddy Rodriguez on 'Six Feet Under'.

HBO

A show about a family of morticians could’ve been unrelentingly depressing. Instead, this HBO drama celebrates life in all its messiness and examines how death isn’t something to fear. Following the untimely demise of their patriarch, the dysfunctional Fisher family tries to keep their lives together while running their Los Angeles funeral home.

Whether via impulsive eldest son Nate (Peter Krause), anxious middle son David (Michael C. Hall), artsy little sister Claire (Lauren Ambrose), or their repressed mother Ruth (Frances Conroy), the struggles the Fishers face are almost painfully relatable. And it all builds up to one of the best series finales in television history. —Kevin Jacobsen

Where to watch Six Feet Under: Netflix

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Cast: Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall, Frances Conroy, Lauren Ambrose, Freddy Rodriguez, Mathew St. Patrick, Jeremy SistoRachel Griffiths, James Cromwell, Justina Machado

29 of 30

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015–2020)

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - Season 1
Sara Chase, Ellie Kemper, and Lauren Adams on ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’. Eric Liebowitz/Netflix

After being held captive in an underground bunker for 15 years by a charismatic cult leader, Kimmy Schmidt (Ellie Kemper) moves to New York City to restart her life. There, the naïve, bright-eyed woman moves in with a cynical, down-on-his-luck actor (Tituss Burgess), and the two push each other to look at the world in new ways. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is filled with double entendres, silly puns, and slapstick humor, but underneath it all lies a heartwarming story about the resilience of the human spirit and the power of friendship. —A.W. 

Where to watch Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Netflix

EW grade: A– (read the review)

Cast: Ellie Kemper, Tituss Burgess, Carol Kane, Jane Krakowski

30 of 30

The Upshaws (2021–present)

THE UPSHAWS
(From left to right) Mike Epps, Kim Fields, Journey Christine, and Wanda Sykes on 'The Upshaws'. LARA SOLANKI/NETFLIX

Bennie Upshaw (Mike Epps) and his wife Regina (Kim Fields) try to balance work, romance, and their three kids while coping with the consequences of his past extramarital affair with Tasha (Gabrielle Dennis) and her and Bennie’s son, Kelvin (Diamond Lyons). Tensions notably come to a head between Bennie and his sister-in-law Lucretia (a game Wanda Sykes) because of his past infidelity, which provides some of the sitcom's funniest moments via razor-sharp one-liner wars.

EW’s critic likened the dialogue to “an old-school, Norman Lear-style rhythm to the writing” while praising how the series co-created by Regina Y. Hicks (Insecure) “juices the multicamera-family-sitcom model with fresh dynamics, depth, and genuine laughs.” —A.W. 

Where to watch The Upshaws: Netflix

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Cast: Mike Epps, Kim Fields, Khali Spraggins, Wanda Sykes, Journey Christine, Jermelle Simon, Diamond Lyons, Gabrielle Dennis

Related Articles