20 Best Comedy Shows of All Time, Ranked According to IMDb

Is there a better feeling than stumbling upon a new TV series that has direct access to your funny bone? Whether you like your comedy animated, wacky, witty, sarcastic, silly, or even dark, the mountain of content now available means, there’s something for everyone. Between historical comedy shows and female-led comedy stories, there are unlimited choices.

Of course, not all comedy shows have a universal appeal. Some attract only niche audiences while others become globally renowned. Some of these shows are the best comedy series of all time and have steadily climbed the ranks to become the highest-rated comedy series on IMDb, alongside other great shows that fans of the genre may want to check out.

20 ‘Archer’ (2009 – 2023)

IMDb Rating: 8.6/10

While adult animation has been a mainstay of comedy television for decades now, the 2010s saw the genre actively embark on darker, more nuanced stories of complex and challenging characters with dazzling results. One of the best examples of this expansion is Archer, a satirical spy series that follows the exploits of Sterling Archer (H. Jon Benjamin), an American espionage agent who carries out missions in several different eras while working alongside a dysfunctional group of colleagues.

The series is a walking parody of the anachronistic machismo and chauvinism found in many of the defining spy movies, presenting Archer as a confident and suave though bumbling and deeply scarred agent. It ran for 14 seasons, transpiring in a vast range of settings such as Cold War-era America, the South American jungle, the interwar South Pacific, and even a film noir inspired 1940s Los Angeles. – Ryan Heffernan

19 ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ (2019 – 2024)

IMDb Rating: 8.6/10

A brilliant dose of supernatural comedy that launches from the platform of Taika Waititi’s New Zealand film of the same name, What We Do in the Shadows coasts on the talent of its outstanding cast to be one of the funniest series currently running. It follows three vampires sharing an apartment in modern day New York, exploring their efforts to navigate the modern world as they consistently clash with other paranormal entities and even each other.

Starting off strong and only improving as it progressed, all five seasons of What We Do in the Shadows have received critical acclaim and been ratings successes. Wonderfully absurd and buoyed by ceaselessly hilarious performances from the likes of Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, and Kayvan Novak, the series revels in the ridiculous as it meshes foul-mouthed fun with supernatural splendor to rousing effect. WWDITS will end with its sixth season set to air in October this year. – Ryan Heffernan

18 ‘Parks and Recreation’ (2009 – 2015)

IMDb Rating: 8.6/10

Famous for its endearing characters, its welcoming sense of warmth, and its many hysterical misadventures, Parks and Recreation is nothing short of an iconic series in the context of 2010s television comedy. Set in the fictional town of Pawnee, it follows Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) as she rises up the chain of bureaucracy in the city’s Parks and Recreation department. With the support of her misfit colleagues, she tries to make the town a happier place and squashes local problems as they arise.

Granted, there were some teething pains in Season 1, but the series began to truly thrive in its sophomore outing as it established its own unique identity and, as a result, its comedic style became more natural and accessible. Unabashed in its optimism, its faith in the political system to improve people’s lives, and the ability of a community to band together and persevere, Parks and Recreation has remained a fan-favorite series ever since its conclusion, with its sincerity and good-will making it a go-to comfort show for many. – Ryan Heffernan

17 ‘Fleabag’ (2016 – 2019)

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

A masterful balancing act of laugh-out-loud comedy and devastating human drama, Fleabag sees Phoebe Waller-Bridge excel at bringing her one-woman stage show to the small screen. Running for just two seasons, it follows the titular Fleabag (Waller-Bridge) as she navigates her own family drama, sexual desires, and romantic earnings amid the chaos of modern-day London all while still reeling from the recent death of her best friend.

Laced with an acidic wit, the series explores the daily experience of many adults in a way that is outrageously funny, painfully relatable, refreshingly inventive, and, above all else, profoundly touching, especially with the poise and depth with which it revels in Fleabag’s lingering trauma and depression. From Fleabag‘s seamless fourth-wall breaks to the sublime casting, the snappy dialogue, and the dysfunctional family dynamics, the show is exceptional across the board. – Ryan Heffernan

16 ‘Fawlty Towers’ (1975 – 1979)

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

A quiet gem of British comedy from the 1970s, Fawlty Towers serves up John Cleese at his witty and snide best as Basil Fawlty, the rude and obnoxious owner of a seaside hotel in Devon. Running for just 12 episodes over its two seasons, the series follows Fawlty’s best efforts to ensure the hotel maintains a distinguished reputation even as his employees and guests work against him in his self-indulgent pursuit.

Drawing much hilarity from the fact that Basil Fawlty, seemingly the least hospitable man ever put to screen, strives to flourish in hospitality, the series incorporates everything from crude word play to performative excess and even slapstick comedy to conjure laughs. While it was initially met with only lukewarm positivity from critics, Fawlty Towers has endured over the decades to be an iconic highlight of British television that still appeals to new viewers almost 50 years after it first aired. – Ryan Heffernan

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15 ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ (2017 – 2023)

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

From the mind of Gilmore Girls‘ Amy Sherman-Palladino, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is a period comedy-drama show that follows the titular character, also called Midge (Rachel Brosnahan). Despite her seemingly perfect life in New York, she decides to pursue stand-up comedy, which she finds an unexpected passion for.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel chronicles her challenging journey as she jumps from one nightclub to another and navigates the surprisingly unforgiving comedy industry. Along the way, fans have more than a few laughs and fall in love with the likable character, who bid goodbye to viewers with the finale that aired just last year.

14 ‘Arrested Development’ (2003 – 2019)

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

When a wealthy dysfunctional family runs into financial trouble, things begin to unravel in Arrested Development. The popular sitcom follows the comedic lives of the Bluths, particularly following its only seemingly normal and logical member, Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman). Michael tries to hold his dysfunctional relatives together after his father’s arrest for white-collar crime, but their quirks and eccentricities make it challenging.

With impeccable witty writing paired with unconventional storytelling methods, Arrested Development offered something novel to viewers and critics alike, and it stuck. Full of sharp humor, running gags, and endless entertaining scenarios thanks to the family members’ unhealthy dynamics, it’s a modern masterclass in the genre.

13 ‘Six Feet Under’ (2001 – 2005)

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

A beloved dark comedy series that revolves around the lives of the Fisher family, Six Feet Under is an underrated HBO classic. In the series, the Fishers, led by patriarch Nathaniel (Richard Jenkins), deal with the unique challenges that come with running a funeral home while having their own personal struggles. Each episode begins with a new death, but then ventures into the exploration of characters’ individual story arcs.

Despite its seemingly heavy topic, Six Feet Under uses humor to provide moments of levity and to tackle then-taboo topics through a comedic perspective. It has held up incredibly well throughout the years and is worth discovering for the first time (or rewatching) today.

12 ‘South Park’ (1997 – )

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

A legendary animated sitcom created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, South Park follows the misadventures of the foul-mouthed kids, Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman, and Kenny McCormick. The series often sets up outrageous scenarios as backdrops for its irreverent humor and political and social commentary.

South Park‘s best episodes have been known to stir up discussions and debates, often becoming controversial (like its episode about Scientology). The recently released storylines for Season 26 of South Park are already proving to be among the funniest episodes from the long-running series, which still manages to shock and amuse audiences today.

11 ‘The Simpsons’ (1989 – )

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

With its most recent episodes already being praised as an unexpected return to form for the long-running animated sitcom, The Simpsons‘ future looks promising. The series follows the lives and misadventures of the Springfield-based titular family, made up of the bumbling but lovable father Homer (voiced by Dan Castellaneta), overly patient mother Marge (Julie Kavner), mischievous son Bart (Nancy Cartwright), overachieving daughter Lisa (Yeardley Smith), and baby Maggie.

The show has changed a lot over the years, with its ability to evolve with the times part of what continues to make it appealing for both long-time and new fans. A few aspects that apply across its entirety is The Simpsons‘ best episodes’ ability to provide sharp social commentary and clever parodies of pop culture all presented with irreverent humor. No matter what happens next, there’s no denying that it’s one of the most influential and important comedy series ever made.

10 ‘The Boys’ (2019 – )

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

For audiences into superhero flicks and especially dark comedies, The Boys is probably something that’s already familiar. The Amazon Prime Video original series is based on the eponymous comic books and is set in a world where superpowered individuals are marketed by capitalistic organizations. At the top sits the Seven, a group of the most powerful “supes” who are admired by the world, but are actually all kinds of messed up.

Introducing terrifying characters like Homelander (masterfully played by Antony Starr), the supe-hater Billy Butcher (Karl Urban), the initially naive Starlight (Erin Moriarty), and more, The Boys uses gore, violence, and very dark humor to create a wild series that now has a massive fanbase.

9 ‘Freaks and Geeks’ (1999 – 2000)

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

Despite only airing for one season, Freaks and Geeks has stood the test of time by becoming a beloved cult classic. Created by Paul Feig, the coming-of-age series is centered on the titular groups of high school students, with “freaks” made up of rebellious and daring teens and “geeks” being the more socially awkward but intelligent students.

Starring an ensemble cast who gave career-defining performances, Freaks and Geeks is remembered for its comedic yet realistic depiction of the high school experience. The one-season show that was canceled too soon uses humor to tackle hard-hitting subjects like divorce, identity, and even drug use, and it does so without alienating its young viewers.

8 ‘BoJack Horseman’ (2014 – 2020)

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

Widely regarded as one of the best Netflix original series ever made, BoJack Horseman tells the story of the titular character (voiced by Will Arnett), a washed-up 90s sitcom star who struggles with his career, relationships, identity, and more. He constantly engages in self-destructive behavior and is eventually revealed to be living with depression and addiction.

Through dark humor and surprisingly emotional storylines, BoJack Horseman manages to be both comedic and heartbreaking. It also delves into heavy themes like existentialism, mental health, and the problems that come with fame. BoJack has one of the best character arcs of any protagonist on the small screen, making it worth investing some time into watching is tragicomedy unfold.

7 ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ (2005 – )

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is the longest-running live-action sitcom of all time, and it’s an accolade that the hysterical show truly deserves. The series, which is the brainchild of Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, and Glenn Howerton, received a bumper renewal in 2020 that will see the show air until series 18 at least.

Also starring Kaitlin Olson and Danny DeVito, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia follows the owners of Paddy’s Pub, who may just be the worst people in the world. Across the series, the gang has done many terrible things, including selling booze to children, stealing drugs from the mafia, and breaking just about every law in desperate attempts to make more money. It’s wild, chaotic, and unapologetic in the best possible way, and everybody should watch it.

6 ‘Ted Lasso’ (2020 – 2023)

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

Starring Jason Sudeikis as the now-iconic TV sports coach, Ted Lasso follows the eponymous protagonist, an American college football coach hired to teach an English soccer team, with the expectation that he will fail. To everyone’s surprise, Ted’s inexperience isn’t a hindrance to the team’s success, and his idealism even inspires his members to believe in themselves and push their limits.

The series is a fantastic showcase of the power of optimism in inspiring personal growth, even in the face of impossible odds. Ted Lasso is humorous and uplifting, and is the perfect pick for fans who just want a feel-good series to binge-watch after a stressful day. Ted’s infectious optimism can warm even the coldest of hearts.

5 ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ (2000 – 2024)

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

Created by and starring Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm follows Larry David as a fictionalized version of himself and the many predicaments he stumbles into with his friends and complete strangers. With 12 seasons already released, the long gap between seasons eight and nine has done nothing to slow the momentum of this comedy juggernaut.

While the protagonist is certainly the comedic anchor of the show, L.D. is not the only comedy great lending his talent to the project. He stars alongside Cheryl Hines, Jeff Garlin, and J.B. Smoove in the exceptional series that has won two Emmys thus far and will likely win many more awards before it eventually concludes.

4 ‘Seinfeld’ (1989 – 1998)

IMDb Rating: 8.9/10

With a whopping ten Emmys to its name, it’s no surprise that Seinfeld is considered one of the best comedy series ever made. The series, which starred Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, and Jason Alexander, followed the misadventures of New York comedian Jerry Seinfeld and equally dysfunctional friends.

Given that Jerry Seinfeld created Seinfeld, it’s predictably gut-bustlingly funny. The problems encountered by Jerry and his friends are relatable (especially if you live in New York), and the characters are easy to root for. Seinfeld perfected the sitcom, and many, many shows have tried and failed to emulate its success in the years since.

3 ‘Friends’ (1994 – 2004)

IMDb Rating: 8.9/10

Could a TV show be any more iconic? If you read that in the ever-sarcastic voice of Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry), you’re probably familiar with Friends, arguably the most popular TV show of all time. Friends, which followed the personal and professional lives of six friends living in New York, transformed its six main characters into some of the biggest names in TV.

Perry, Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Courtney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, and David Schwimmer all became synonymous with the characters they played, and hope for a follow-up film or a reunion series has never ceased amongst fans. While that may seem unlikely, at least viewers can rewatch the ten seasons on a loop and finally decide if Ross and Rachel were actually on a break or not.

2 ‘The Office’ (2005 – 2013)

IMDb Rating: 9.0/10

The Office, a US adaptation of the hit British series created by Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais, followed Michael Scott, a bumbling office manager who’d rather be friends with his employees than run a successful business. The series was phenomenally well cast, starring Steve Carell, Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski, and Rainn Wilson, to name just a few.

The Office was a huge hit, taking on board what its predecessor did well and adjusting the material to provide more emotional arcs for supporting characters while also dialing up the wackiness. The series won five Emmy awards, and talk of a reunion has never ceased, although not everybody is convinced that would be a good idea.

1 ‘Rick and Morty’ (2013 – )

IMDb Rating: 9.1/10

According to IMDb, Rick and Morty, an animated series following the adventures of the most intelligent man in the universe and his dim-witted grandson, is officially the best comedy series of all time. The series, which Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon created, continues to amaze fans with its combination of sharp wit and relentless pop culture ridicule.

Roiland voices both titular characters, with Sarah Chalke, Spencer Grammer, and Chris Parnell providing the voices for the rest of the Smith family. Following Roiland’s controversial exit from the series due to charges of domestic violence, the show’s popularity hasn’t ceased. Fans are likely hoping Rick and Morty can cement its legacy as a great animated series for adults and eventually stick the landing.

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