Last Updated: July 5th
Our sense of humor is one of the most unique things about us which can make finding a go-to comedy show a bit tough. Do you prefer workplace sitcoms? Maybe surreal musicals? How about a mockumentary-style series or a dramedy that leans more towards the serious side of the comedy spectrum? What we find funny really is relative, but luckily, Netflix has so many great comedy shows, you’re bound to add at least one to your queue. Here are our picks for the 20 funniest shows streaming right now.
Related: The Best Comedies On Netflix Right Now
Schitt’s Creek
6 seasons, 80 episodes | IMDb: 8.4/10
Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara star in this Canadian sitcom about a wealthy family forced to scale down their extravagant lifestyle with hilarious results. Levy plays Johnny Rose, a rich video-store magnate who loses his fortune when his business manager fails to pay his taxes. O’Hara plays his wife, Moira, a former soap opera star who, along with her husband and their two pampered children, must move to a town called Schitt’s Creek. Johnny bought the town as a joke when the family had more money than they could spend, but now, the town and its residents serve as a comedic wake-up call for the family. Over six seasons the series has given us memable characters — Dan Levy’s David and Annie Murphy’s Alexis are the stand-outs — and memorably storylines that, surprisingly enough, made us root for this dysfunctional brood. You won’t find a better feel-good watch on this list. Or, a more quotable one.
Saved By The Bell
4 seasons, 86 episodes | IMDb: 7.1/10
A nostalgia callback for all of the 90s kids, this teen comedy series follows a group of high school friends as they wade through the traditional coming-of-age sitcom tropes. From dating to fake ids to caffeine pills, the Bayside High crew really does it all and even though some of the episodes have aged better than others, the young cast is still just as watchable and the humor just as funny as you remember.
I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson
2 seasons, 12 episodes | IMDb: 7.7/10
Saturday Night Live and Detroiters alum Tim Robinson creates and stars in this 15-minute sketch comedy series that is perfectly happy to offer up a few irreverent laughs without all of the post-comedy commentary that weighs down other funny shows in 2019. It’s a mixed bag of unconnected stories about toddler pageants and old men out for revenge and how Instagram has warped our social interactions in hilariously bizarre ways. What each of these skits has in common is Robinson’s particular brand of comedy and his unrivaled ability to make you laugh.
New Girl
7 seasons, 146 episodes | IMDb: 7.7/10
Fox’s comedy about a quirky girl who moves in with three male roommates quickly evolved from a pretty straightforward premise to become one of the best shows on TV. Zooey Deschanel plays Jess, a teacher who’s forced to room with three other guys, Nick (Jake Johnson), Schmidt (Max Greenfield), and Winston (Lamorne Morris) after she discovers her boyfriend’s been cheating on her. For the next seven seasons, the gang grows to become close friends — getting married, having babies, experiencing sympathy PMS, and getting stuck in Mexico, among other disasters. Still, it’s the chemistry between the four mains that makes every outlandish episode work.
Arrested Development
5 seasons, 91 episodes | IMDb: 8.7/10
Arrested Development is a modern comedy classic, a screwball farce masquerading as a mockumentary about an inherently unlikable clan of rich folks who are as out of touch (how much could a banana cost – ten dollars?) as they are dysfunctional (Motherboy XXX). When patriarch George Sr. is arrested for fraud, it sends the clueless Bluths into a tailspin, desperately trying to cling to their remaining cash and the last vestiges of their lavish lifestyle, propping up the illusion (tricks are something a whore does for money) in increasingly ridiculous ways (and prompting increasingly exasperated commentary from narrator Ron Howard). Breakfast Family may be the most important thing, but when it’s populated with hop-ons, nevernudes who blue themselves, and Franklin the puppet, can you blame Michael for continuously threatening to bail on his? Fortunately, you won’t have any reservations about sticking with the Bluths, especially since the first three seasons – and their intricate, carefully plotted jokes – reward multiple viewings.
The Good Place
4 seasons, 50 episodes | IMDb: 8.2/10
Michael Schur (The Office, Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine) steps away from his usual workplace sitcom for this afterlife comedy, which focuses on Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell), who finds herself in “the good place” after her life comes to an end. Though told this is because she’s led a good, altruistic life, Eleanor knows she’s pretty much a terrible person and is only in this utopia because of its architect’s (Ted Danson) mistake. With this limitless, fictional world, Schur is able to take chances and create a truly goofy show that still deals with morality and other philosophical issues. While the first season is great, a spoiler-filled twist really opens up the show’s potential in its second season and carries that bold style of storytelling through to the end, complete with running Blake Bortles gags and all-knowing burritos.
Bojack Horseman
6 seasons, 77 episodes | IMDb: 8.7/10
BoJack Horseman might originally turn off viewers in its first few episodes due to its silliness. But it gets deeper than a show about a horse-man and fellow animal-people should get, getting very real and very depressing in some spots. But there’s always a layer of comedy woven into its intricate plots that are only heightened by the sadness. After all, there’s a recurring character named ‘Vincent Adultman’ who is very clearly a few young children stacked up inside a trench coat. That’s the kind of show we’re dealing with here. The writing is sharp, the jokes are layered, and the situations are hilarious, but there’s a melancholy undercurrent to the series. Despite being a horse, Bojack is also one of the most human characters on television.
Sex Education
3 seasons, 24 episodes | IMDb: 8.3/10
Following in the footsteps of Nick Kroll’s Big Mouth, this British teem comedy is committed to exploring all of the cringe-worthy, taboo topics associated with sex, just not in animated form. The series follows a mother-son duo navigating their way through those uncomfortable “talks.” Of course, the mother here happens to be a sex therapist named Dr. Jean Milburn (a terrific Gillian Anderson) and her son Otis (Asa Butterfield) is the kid enduring her overbearing tendencies at home while doling out sex advice of his own in an underground sex therapy ring amongst his friends. Sex is a comedy goldmine, and although the show loves to play up ’80s high-school tropes, there’s real nuance and thought that goes into how these teens are portrayed and their interactions with sex. Plus, Anderson’s comedic timing is spot-on.
Big Mouth
5 seasons, 52 episodes | IMDb: 8/10
The animated, coming-of-age comedy from Nick Kroll is full of familiar voices and even more familiar life problems. Centered on a group of pre-pubescent friends, Kroll voices a younger version of himself, a kid named Andrew who’s going through some embarrassing life changes like inconvenient erections and strange wet dreams and bat-mitzvah meltdowns. All these traumatizing and hilarious happenings are usually caused by Maurice, Andrew’s own Hormone Monster (also voiced by Kroll) who takes pleasure (literally) in abusing the poor kid. As painfully accurate as the show is, if you’re lucky enough to be removed from that angst-ridden era of life, you’ll probably appreciate the humor in all of it. And even if the jokes still sting, there’s no way you won’t enjoy Maya Rudolph’s pronunciation of “bubble bath.”
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
4 seasons, 62 episodes | IMDb: 7.8/10
The title may initially turn you off – as may its status as a rom-com/musical hybrid airing on The CW – but as protagonist Rebecca Bunch will tell you, the situation with Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is a lot more nuanced than that. The genre-bending show spends just as much time churning out toe-tapping tunes as it does exploring the depths of mental illness, sometimes simultaneously, but stops just short of becoming an outright dramedy thanks to the impeccable comedic timing of its stellar cast, led by Rachel Bloom as Rebecca and Donna Lynne Champlin as Bex’s coworker and BFF, Paula. There’s plenty of comedy to mine from its music (songs like “Settle for Me,” “Textmergency,” “West Covina,” and “Dream Ghost” are as catchy as they are key to plot development), but it’s the throwaway moments that really make the show pop: Paula the singing raccoon, Daryl proudly declaring himself a “bothsexual,” Heather’s expert knowledge of mating signals, every aside uttered by Father Brah. If loving this show makes us C-R-A-Z-Y, so be it.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
4 seasons, 52 episodes | IMDb: 7.6/10
This joyful series has no business being so sunny, especially considering its pitch-black premise: Kimmy, kidnapped as a teenager and forced to live among a doomsday cult in an underground bunker, is finally rescued, and trying to rebuild her life. But as played by the effervescent Ellie Kemper, this female is strong as hell, and determined to make the most of her freedom. A ragtag roster of supporting characters helps her through her transition (her roommate Titus the most delightful among them, though pretty much everyone she encounters is comedy gold), whether it’s figuring out what slang is outdated, or how best to kill the sentient robot you suspect is sleeping with your husband. Special shout-out to delightful guest star Tina Fey, who co-created the show with her 30 Rock collaborator Robert Carlock.
The IT Crowd
5 seasons, 25 episodes | IMDb: 8.5/10
Another classic comedy from creator Graham Lineham, The IT Crowd shined a light on those oft-neglected saviors of any office, the I.T. department, and the hapless management working above them. The series comes to life from its ridiculous yet relatable humor and its endearing tech team. The three-person team, played by Chris O’Dowd, Richard Ayoade, and Katherine Parkinson, play off each other so well that more than makes up for the multi-cam laughter. It’s a fun show, so much so that it’s best to not think about the American version that almost happened.
American Vandal
2 seasons, 16 episodes | IMDb: 8.2/10
“Who did the dicks?” The question seems juvenile at first, but it’s the enigma that drives American Vandal. Netflix decided to produce a parody heavily inspired by one of its own shows, Making A Murderer, with this teen mockumentary that focuses on the vandalism of 27 faculty cars in a school parking lot. With all the evidence pointing toward the local troublemaker/burnout, the case seems wrapped up before it even begins, but once the protagonists start looking more closely at what really happened, everyone becomes a suspect. It’s a hilarious show but also a tense one as the mystery gets deeper and deeper. Season two only builds on season one’s success, this time having the teen investigate a poop conspiracy that makes those dick jokes look tame. Unfortunately, Netflix has pulled the plug on the show.
30 Rock
7 seasons, 138 episodes | IMDb: 8.2/10
Few shows have as many jokes per minute as 30 Rock. The brainchild of Tina Fey, 30 Rock shows the daily madness of an SNL-like variety show, which Fey’s Liz Lemon at the helm. As she tries (sometimes failing) to wrangle her writers and her actors (Tracy Morgan and Jane Krakowski), Lemon also attempts the ever-elusive dream of “having it all.” Her quest will feel very, very familiar to viewers, particularly women, as they try and balance work, life, love, and even a small bit of success. With Alec Baldwin turning in his best performance to date (come at me, Glengarry Glen Ross fans) as Jack Donaghy, Lemon’s boss, mentor, and eventual friend, 30 Rock has the perfect blend of weirdness, sharp writing, and genuine laughs that will make it a favorite for years to come.
Shameless
10 seasons, 122 episodes | IMDb: 8.6/10
The long-running Showtime series understands better than any other drama on television what it’s like to be poor in America. Set in Chicago, Shameless follows the lives of the Gallagher family as they struggle beneath the poverty line to make ends meet. The family is afflicted with alcoholism, drug addiction, mental illness, poor decision-making skills, and the kind of terrible luck that so often follows poor families, but they’ve also got each other, their resilience, and a determination to break the cycle, but in Shameless, impoverishment is the boogeyman that always comes back, hilariously and heartbreakingly.
Community
6 seasons, 110 episodes | IMDb: 8.5/10
Has there ever been a sitcom as downright clever as Community? Aside from the gas leak year, Community was quicker than nearly every other comedy out there, with jokes flying fast but also taking seasons to reach a punchline. After getting caught with a phony degree, former lawyer Jeff Winger (Joel McHale) heads to Greendale Community College to get a legitimate degree. There he gets into increasingly hilarious hijinks with his Spanish study group. Between paintball wars, zombie outbreaks, and the increasingly ridiculous presence of Senor Chang (Ken Jeong), Community is never, ever boring. Quit living in the darkest timeline and get to watching.
Derry Girls
2 seasons, 12 episodes | IMDb: 8.4/10
It’s positively blasphemous how underappreciated this comedy series about a group of rowdy Catholic school girls living in Northern Ireland during the ’90s. The girls get into all kinds of trouble — stealing lipstick from dead nuns, pranking hot priests, and holding holy statues hostage — against the backdrop of the Northern Ireland conflict. It’s funny and heartfelt and manages to weave the terror and trauma of living in a war-zone with the normal angst and adventures of teenagedom.
Jane the Virgin
5 seasons, 100 episodes | IMDb: 7.8/10
This genre-defying telenovela send-up has one of the weirdest premises of any show, ever: Jane Villanueva, a devout Catholic who’s vowed to remain a virgin until marriage, is accidentally artificially inseminated during a routine gynecological visit, and becomes pregnant. It sounds more soap operatic than comedic, but that’s where Jane proves naysayers wrong, infusing the title character’s unlikely journey with countless laugh-out-loud funny moments that shock and delight viewers at every turn. While Gina Rodriguez’s radiant performance as Jane is the heart of the show, its comedic success is largely thanks to two characters: Her long-lost father, telenovela superstar Rogelio de la Vega (Jaime Camil); and the Narrator (brilliantly voiced by Anthony Mendez), whose helpful explanations and perfectly timed interjections make him as integral to the proceedings as Jane herself. The Narrator is both an audience stand-in (regularly exclaiming “OMG!” at surprising developments) and the ultimate insider (showrunners have teased that his connection to the characters runs deeper than just an omniscient voiceover presence). The preening Rogelio steals the show; the Narrator keeps you coming back for more.
The End Of The F***ing World
2 seasons, 16 episodes | IMDb: 8.1/10
The End of the F***ing World is a dark comedy based on the comic series by Charles S. Forsman about James (Alex Lawther), a withdrawn and disturbed 17-year-old who believes he is a psychopath, and his burgeoning Bonnie & Clyde-like relationship with Alyssa (Jessica Barden), a classmate damaged by a dysfunctional family. Written by Charlie Covell and directed by Jonathan Entwistle and Lucy Tcherniak, the series is akin to a high school version of True Romance and about two deeply troubled, misanthropic teenagers who find comfort in one another and who are willing, if necessary, to perpetrate crimes to maintain their relationship. It’s bleakly funny but things take a more serious turn in season two, when Alyssa is left managing the aftermath of the pair’s crime spree and a new psychopath enters the mix.
Seinfeld
9 seasons, 171 episodes | IMDb: 8.9/10
For a show about nothing, Seinfeld has left a cultural imprint that few shows can boast of achieving. Back before shows about neurotic people were the latest trend, Jerry Seinfeld blended his own neuroses with his stand-up act, creating a New York landscape that many could relate to. With stories based on the minutiae of relationships and everyday living, Seinfeld embedded itself in the cultural zeitgeist like few shows have done. Even if you’ve never seen an episode, you still know about the Soup Nazi and Newman. Plus, Veep fans will enjoy seeing a pre-presidential Julia Louis-Dreyfus as the hilariously frazzled Elaine Benes.
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