When it comes to television, comedy is right up there as one of the medium’s most popular genres. Comedy is one of the most dominant genres in television, with every network and streamer offering their own suite of fantastic comedy shows. The format of smaller storytelling is perfect for comedy TV shows as it offers viewers bite-sized laughs, small chunks of entertainment to help pass the time without having to commit to a two-hour movie. This also makes comedy series perfect for bingeing, as it is easy to get sucked into funny TV shows full of great characters.
When looking atwhat fans consider to be the best comedy shows of the century onIMDb, it makes for a varied mix. Everybody has their own favorites, and when looking at the best comedy TV shows of the 21st century, there is a nice amount of variety. Both animation and live-action features, while some picks lean heavily into dark humor, drawing laughs from things we should not find funny, while other shows are noticeably more wholesome, creating comedy from relatable scenarios rather than inflicting physical and emotional pain on their characters. Whether you like animated or live-action, satire or slapstick, American shows or British ones, the comedy genre has something for everyone.
18’Atlanta' (2016 - 2022)
IMDb Score: 8.6/10
After playing the beloved Troy Barnes onCommunity,Donald Glovershows off his acting and comedy chops once more in the showAtlanta. Created by Glover himself, Atlanta follows the lives of Earn Marks (Glover) and his rapper friend Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles (Brian Tyree Henry) as they take on and struggle to find success in the Atlanta hip-hop scene.
The show wasn’t afraid to break rules and stimulate the viewers to the point where they questioned their own views and principles, as it dived deep into heavy topics like sexism, racism, homophobia, and more.Atlanta’s groundbreaking and uncommon balance of surrealist and satirical comedywith heavy realism has made the show’s dark and authentic storylines an easy pill to swallow and enjoy.
Watch on Hulu
17’What We Do in the Shadows' (2019 - 2024)
After the success of the 2014 mockumentary fantasy film of the same name,What We Do in the Shadowswas released in 2019, focusing on a different set of vampires who are trying to blend into the human world. Blood-sucking vampires Laszlo (Matt Berry), Nandor (Kayvan Novak), Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), as well as their roommate and energy vampire Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch), offer a film crew a glimpse of their eventful life on Staten Island.
With the help of Nandor’s familiar, Guillermo (Harvey Guillén), the group of vampires go on ridiculous hijinks such as helping Nandor become an American Citizen or disposing of the body of a powerful vampire Baron.Its crass jokes and humor, as well as its absurd and sometimes dumb main characters, have the viewers in a chokehold. It has become an incredibly successfulshow that overshadows the critically acclaimed movieit’s based on.
What We Do in the Shadows
What We Do in the Shadowsoffers a comedic glimpse into the nightly lives of four vampire roommates—Nandor, Laszlo, Nadja, and energy vampire Colin Robinson—residing in Staten Island. Alongside their human familiar, Guillermo, they navigate modern challenges like paying rent, attending social events, and dealing with supernatural politics, all while maintaining their centuries-old habits.
16’Parks and Recreation' (2009 - 2015)
Parks and Recreationis a political mockumentary show on Fox that follows the employees of the Parks and Recreation Department in Pawnee, Indiana. While all of the characters have their own entertaining quirks, the show is arguably led by Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler), who is a cheerful, optimistic, and idealistic deputy director who mildly annoys those around her.
The show managed tostand out against other comedies that relied on sarcasm and cynicism due to its wholesome and uplifting comedy. While Leslie can be a handful at times, she makes sure that she celebrates her coworkers and her job in a positive way. The show has a lot of heart and a charming ensemble cast of characters that make it worth the watch, although new fans will have to brace for thefirst season ofParks and Recreation, which is admittedly its worst.
Parks and Recreation
15’The Thick of It' (2005 - 2012)
IMDb Score: 8.7/10
The Thick of Itis a satire of the inner workings of the British government, focusing on the fictional Department of Social Affairs and Citizenship. Multiple ministers and officials make up the department, each more bumbling than the last, and the show draws humor from the constant messes they find themselves in.
As more and more people become aware of the inner workings of politics thanks to constant coverage online and on TV,The Thick of Itdoes not feel too unrealistic. Its characters and the problems they face feel like they have been ripped from the headlines, addingan extra layer of enjoyment to this pitch-black comedy.
The Thick Of It
14’Letterkenny' (2016 - 2023)
Letterkennyis set in the fictional town of the same name in Ontario, Canada. A rural community, Letterkenny is home to only 5000 people and each of the eccentric residents has their own quirks that make this show great. The series mostly follows siblings Wayne and Katy, who operate a small farm and produce stand.
Thehighest-rated Hulu original series,Letterkennycalls to mindTrailer Park Boys, as they are both cult comedies that focus on small-town life in Canada. Like that show,Letterkenny’s unique sense of humor will not be for everyone, but those who gel with itfind themselves obsessed with a comedy that is far removed from most shows on television.
Letterkenny
13’Peep Show' (2003 - 2015)
One of the biggest cult hits of the 2000s,Peep Showfollows friends and roommates Mark (David Mitchell) and Jeremy (Robert Webb). Both are dysfunctional man-children, and the show regularly showcases their inability to grow as people and deal with adult situations, often making complete fools of themselves.
Peep Showis famous for its unique presentation, with the show using point-of-view shots while the thoughts of its two leads are provided via voiceover. It is one of the funniest TV shows of the 21st century thanks to its realistic portrayal of modern life, with Mark and Jeremy feeling like two people we all either know or have been.
Watch on Tubi
12’The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' (2017 - 2023)
Set in the late 1950s,The Marvelous Mrs. Maiselfollows Miriam Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan), a homemaker who discovers she has a talent for stand-up comedy. As she indulges this new-found ability, she goes on a journey that takes her from her comfortable family life to touring the comedy stages of New York.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maiselis one of the best comedy shows to release in the age of streaming, offeringa charming lead character and storyline that everyone can enjoy.Brosnahan is terrific in the lead role, creating a character that deserves to be mentioned in discussions about the best lead characters in comedy television.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
11’Fleabag' (2016 - 2019)
Based onPhoebe Waller-Bridge’s one-woman comedy show,Fleabagsees Waller-Bridge reprise her role as the titular character, a volatile young woman who struggles to navigate life and love in London. Not afraid to tell people what she really thinks, the protagonist floats between being unlikeable and relatable through a series of classic Fleabag moments.
Despite only running for two seasons,Fleabagwas a massive critical success, hailed as one of the best shows of the decade while launching Waller-Bridge into stardom. The wayFleabag breaks the fourth wallas she interacts with the audience helps set it apart from other comedy shows, similarly to howDeadpoolseparates itself from other superhero movies.
10’Arrested Development' (2003 - 2019)
When the wealthy Bluth family sees their patriarch arrested and their assets seized, they are faced with their greatest fear: being poor. Unable to take care of themselves, the kooky family turn to middle child Michael (Patrick Bateman), a widowed father trying to raise his teenage son and the closest one to normal in the clan.
A cult favorite,Arrested Developmenthas been praised as one of the best shows of the 21st century despite never gaining large mainstream success.It is stacked with a great cast who launched into stardomthanks to the show, with the likes ofMichael CeraandWill Arnettgiving life to some of the best characters in the genre.
Arrested Development
9’The Boys' (2019 - )
Set in a world where superheroes are not quite the heroes they are supposed to be,The Boysfollows the titular gang who are responsible for keeping the supes in line. As these corrupt superheroes abuse their powers to harm innocent civilians, the powerless Boys battle against the odds for what is right.
A recent breakout hit,The Boys' humor is as dark as it gets. Innocents are regularly abused by their heroes inridiculous and wildThe Boysscenesthat are played for laughs, while the “supes” themselves are pretty rough around the edges as well. It all makes for a nice palette cleanser from the PG-rated antics of the MCU that dominates the superhero realm.
