Everyone has a comfort sitcom or two they always return to. Heck, some of us (definitely me) binge-watch a select few options in rotation, breaking out occasionally to watch a new film or the latest show everyone is talking about.
But as creatures of habit and comfort, we return to the warm, glowing embrace of our favorite sitcoms, where we’re always greeted with open arms. Now, everyone’s list will differ, but these are the sitcoms I could watch forever without ever getting bored.
12
Peep Show
Watch Peep Show on Prime Video or Hulu
Peep Show is a uniquely British sitcom that somehow makes awkwardness an art form. Mark Corrigan and Jeremy Usborne are two of the most disastrously mismatched flatmates in TV history—Mark, uptight and neurotic, and Jez, a delusional slacker who thinks he’s destined for musical greatness. What makes Peep Show endlessly rewatchable is its commitment to showing us their inner thoughts. The POV camerawork means we’re literally in their heads, privy to every intrusive, ridiculous, or despairing thought they have.
The brilliance lies in how relatable it all is. Mark’s anxieties about work, relationships, and life’s general unfairness feel painfully familiar. Jez’s schemes and general life are a constant whirlwind of wild decision-making, terrible choices, and the influence of the absolutely hilarious Super Hans. Even after multiple rewatches, the cringe moments hit just as hard, whether it’s Mark blurting out something terrible on a date or Jez accidentally joining a cult. The humor never dulls, because life’s awkwardness never really does either.
It’s definitely up there as one of the shows I wish they’d make more of. Equally, it has a fitting ending for the two main characters, and it felt natural and deserved in many ways.
11
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Watch Brooklyn Nine-Nine on Netflix
I can’t count how many times I’ve watched Brooklyn Nine-Nine from start to finish. Brooklyn Nine-Nine is pure comfort TV, the kind of sitcom you can throw on at any time and immediately feel better—it’s one of those shows you can binge-watch again and again.
At the heart of it is Andy Samberg’s Jake Peralta, an immature detective who somehow still manages to be brilliant at his job, and his growth throughout the series. However, it isn’t just Peralta that grows. The whole force develops throughout the show, with some surprising changes along the way.
The ensemble cast is what really makes this copy show come alive. Captain Holt’s (Andre Braugher) deadpan delivery makes even the simplest line unforgettable. Rosa’s (Stephanie Beatriz) toughness hides her loyalty and warmth. Boyle’s (Joe Lo Truglio) bizarre quirks and unwavering love for Jake create constant laughs. And then there’s Gina (Chelsea Peretti), the wildcard whose confidence defies all logic, along with the bulging muscles and family-focused management of Terry Jeffords (Terry Crews). Together, they turn the 99th precinct into one of the best sitcom workplaces ever created.
The humor is fast-paced but layered, which means you’ll always catch a new detail or joke on the second (or tenth) viewing.
10
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Watch It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia on Hulu
I strongly believe It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is more of a social experiment than a sitcom. At least, that’s what it’s evolved into over the 16+ seasons we’ve experienced so far.
The Gang—Mac, Dennis, Dee, Charlie, and Frank—are selfish, manipulative, and frequently offensive, but their chaotic adventures are pure comedy brilliance. Every episode is a new descent into some wild scheme: they’ve faked deaths, started cults, tried to sell gas door-to-door, and even created an entire musical about a very questionable topic.
No matter how many times you watch, the sheer absurdity remains jaw-dropping, which is exactly why it works. Unlike most sitcoms, there’s no growth or redemption arc here, just relentless chaos.
9
Modern Family
Watch Modern Family on Hulu
My kids watch Modern Family on repeat, which means by default, I’ve watched it from start to finish multiple times.
But it really is a show you can watch on repeat. Modern Family’s mockumentary-style sitcom blends heart and humor, with each character bringing something unique and personal to the show. Some sitcoms are all laughs with no emotional payoff, but Modern Family gives you both. It’s just as enjoyable when you want light entertainment as when you want something that feels a little deeper.
I think what appeals to my family when we watch Modern Family is that it covers all ages, and you see the Pritchett-Dunphy clan grow over time. Also, it’s obviously hard to escape, but the whole cast also ages together, which makes the sitcom feel more alive and grounded in reality.
I don’t know if everyone feels the same, but it’s one of my family’s comfort shows when we need something easy to watch.
8
Blackadder
Watch Blackadder on Hulu
My grandfather first introduced me to Blackadder. We would watch the VHS box set at my grandparents’ house, often watching a whole series from start to finish on a rainy morning before Sunday Lunch.
As one of the crown jewels in Britain’s sitcom crown, Blackadder is one of the most beloved shows in the UK—but it’s also available in the US. Across four series, Rowan Atkinson plays Edmund Blackadder in different eras of history, ranging from medieval times to World War I. The premise alone keeps it fresh, but the writing is what makes it one of my favorite shows to watch over and over again.
Each season reinvents itself with new historical settings, ensuring it never grows stale. And the final moments of Blackadder Goes Forth, set in the trenches of WWI, remain one of the most powerful sitcom endings ever put to screen.
Community is one of the smartest, most inventive sitcoms ever made. On the surface, it’s about a group of misfits attending Greendale Community College, but in reality, it’s a show that constantly reinvented what a sitcom could be.
Dan Harmon’s writing took sitcom tropes and exploded them into something new. Paintball episodes turned into cinematic action parodies. A claymation Christmas special explored depression through stop-motion. There’s even an entire episode devoted to a roll of dice splitting the group into alternate timelines—the famous “darkest timeline” gag.
What makes Community binge-worthy is how much is packed into every episode. The pop culture references, running jokes, and background gags mean you’ll always find something new on a rewatch.
Once you’re done watching, you can start to hypothesize about the fabled Community Movie, a production that fans have been demanding for years. After all, the show does say “Six seasons and a movie.” According to updates on the supposed movie, it’s in the process, with key cast members confirming their participation.
For example, Jim Rash, who plays Dean Pelton, confirmed to Screen Rant, while Joel McHale, who plays Jeff Winger, delivered a similar statement, also to Screen Rant.
6
Archer
Watch Archer on Hulu
Archer is proof that animated sitcoms can rival live-action when it comes to sharp comedy that you’ll want to watch again. On the surface, it’s about a dysfunctional spy agency centered around its leading spy, Sterling Archer, a suave but incompetent secret agent. In reality, it’s a machine for delivering rapid-fire jokes, callbacks, and running gags.
What I really love about Archer is that it constantly reinvents itself. One season saw Archer and the team playing out a space opera, while a whole two seasons take place within Archer’s mind while he’s in a coma. Each time, you don’t truly know what to expect (at least, on your first watch), but it’s so worth sticking with to reach the hilarious conclusions.
Another bit of Archer that makes the show almost unique is the longevity of certain jokes. Some run for seasons and seasons, while others only make sense a couple of seasons later. It’s all pieced together intricately with great writing and style.
5
The IT Crowd
Watch The IT Crowd on Pluto
The IT Crowd is another British classic that you’ll find people quoting up and down the country. Similar to Peep Show (and other British sitcoms), the show revolves around the intense social awkwardness of the two central characters, Roy and Moss, who spend their days dealing with clueless coworkers, while their boss, Jen, pretends to understand technology.
It’s packed with surreal moments that take the show out of the office, packed with incredibly memorable one-liners, and situations that anyone who’s worked in IT will know all too well. It also features Chris Morris as Denholm Reynholm and Matt Berry (who appears twice on this list!) as Douglas Reynholm, both of whom deliver some of my most loved lines in sitcom history.
While many feel it was a show that ended too early, its creator, Graham Linehan, wanted to end it while it was still fresh and before the format became stale. Furthermore, there was an attempt to produce a US version of The IT Crowd (IMDb), featuring Community’s Joel McHale and Richard Ayoade reprising his role as Maurice Moss from the original. However, NBC didn’t like the pilot, and (thankfully), the show was canned immediately.
4
Ted Lasso
Watch Tad Lasso on Apple TV+
Where most sitcoms lean into cynicism, Ted Lasso is all about kindness, optimism, and belief. Jason Sudeikis’s portrayal of Ted, an American football coach dropped into the world of English soccer, brings an endless supply of positivity, even when everything around him is falling apart. And then there is the fact that this whole show was started as a spin-off for—wait for it—a character originally featured in an advert.
There are so many reasons to love Ted Lasso. On a personal level, it features my favorite team, Tottenham Hotspur. But outside of that, the cute one-liners and off-pitch, fish-out-of-water antics make it the perfect tonic to a rubbish day.
Something I have found interesting while writing this list of my favorite sitcoms to rewatch is the mixed reviews for Ted Lasso, which I had no idea about. I thought it was a generally all-around well-loved show. But some outlets, such as The Guardian and Tom’s Guide, were downright joyous about the show coming to an end.
I have to say, of all the shows on this list, Ted Lasso is the one I’ve watched the least on repeat, so maybe it’s time I go back and rewatch it to see if it’s as good as I remember.
3
Toast of London
Watch Toast of London on The Roku Channel
I said Matt Berry would appear twice on this list, and here he is again as the titular lead in Toast of London. Berry plays Steven Toast, an eccentric, failing actor navigating bizarre auditions, terrible flatmates, and an industry that doesn’t want him.
It’s a surreal descent that borders on farce, often skirting the realms of sensibility, and all backed up by Berry’s iconic voice and his delivery. From misread voiceover jobs to disastrous theatre productions, every episode feels unpredictable.
It’s also a showcase of how much a single performance can carry a show. Berry’s Toast is pompous yet pathetic, charming yet disastrous. Watching him blunder through life never loses its charm. It’s not as well-known as some other sitcoms on this list, but if you like some weird, surreal, almost trippy comedy, Toast of London should definitely be something you watch.
