FX
Last updated: January 3rd
Comedy is one of the most personal genres of entertainment, as subjective and divisive as politics. Thank heavens, then, for the wide library of Netflix, which is here to service all of our laughter needs. Craving a traditional laugh-tracked sitcom? A more serious, single-cam series? A mockumentary? Done, done, and done. It’s all there at the click of a mouse (or tap of a phone screen).
Of course, it’s impossible to definitively declare the following offerings the “best” or “funniest” without argument; there’s sure to be plenty of it. But that’s the beauty of Netflix: If you don’t like what you see, you can always proceed to the next screen. So here are the 15 funniest shows on Netflix streaming right now.
Related: The 25 Funniest Movies On Netflix Right Now
15. Friends
NBC
There are some who argue that Friends was an overrated sitcom, with protagonists as unrealistic as they were lily-white. But like a big bowl of mac ‘n cheese, Friends is TV comfort food: not exactly great for you, but sometimes exactly what’s needed. From classic episodes like “The One With the Embryos” and “The One Where Everybody Finds Out” to its sprawling cast of eccentric supporting characters, the enduringly funny Friends will be there for you when you need to kick back and forget about the real world for a while.
Add To Netflix Queue
14. The Inbetweeners
E4
Plenty of comedies focus on those awkward teenage years, but few are as painfully funny as The Inbetweeners, a Britcom about four pals struggling to make it through high school, and all the bullying, underage drinking, and thwarted sexual encounters – so, so many thwarted sexual encounters – that go with it. The lads can sometimes revert too easily to their archetypes (Will is the impossibly nerdy protagonist who can’t seem to ever do or say the right thing; Jay, the crude skirt-chaser whose intact virginity is the bane of his existence), but you’ll be laughing too hard at their boneheaded antics and horrendous luck to care.
Add To Netflix Queue
13. Don’t Trust the B—- in Apt. 23
ABC
Who knew that James Van Der Beek playing a fictionalized version of himself would be one of the funniest sitcom turns in recent memory? The former Dawson’s Creek star nearly steals the show right out from under its titular star thanks to his commitment to portraying himself as a narcissistic, arrogant, shamelessly self-promoting has-been, desperate for a comeback at any price. Thankfully, the delightful Krysten Ritter is there to go toe-to-toe with the Beek, and she’s perfectly cast as the title bitch, who scams unsuspecting roommates out of months of rent in order to maintain her high-priced, hard-partying lifestyle. Thanks to Ritter’s brilliant performance, you almost find yourself getting sucked into Chloe’s schemes, justifying her horrifying actions alongside her.
Add To Netflix Queue
12. Cheers
NBC
Mike Schur, the creator of Parks and Recreation, is an avowed disciple of Cheers, citing the NBC sitcom as his favorite show and driving influence. It’s not hard to see why: Cheers is a classic for a reason, a sitcom populated with colorful characters (Norm!), complicated relationships (Sam and Diane), and reliably hilarious hijinks (that legendary Thanksgiving food fight) that easily sustain its 11 seasons. Schur has often said that he modeled the protagonists of Parks on the characters of Cheers, people who genuinely liked each other in spite of their differences. Sure, Cheers frequently features caustic one-liners (particularly those delivered by Carla) and grating personalities (why anyone hung out with Cliff is a bit of a head-scratcher). But despite the occasional unpleasantness, Cheers isn’t just a place where everybody knows your name – it’s where everybody’s family, misfit barflies and all.
Add To Netflix Queue
11. Jane the Virgin
The CW
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.
Add To Netflix Queue
10. The Office (U.K.) / The Office (U.S.)
BBC Two
Yes, this entry is cheating, since these are obviously two different series. But the latter owes its existence to the former, and is a great example of the rare success of an American remake of a beloved British property. The U.K. version was the original cringe comedy, starring Ricky Gervais as clueless boss David Brent, whose desperate attempts at connecting with his underlings are a painful exercise in futility. Steve Carell plays his American counterpart, though his Michael Scott, while equally awkward, proves himself to be more sympathetic as time goes on. There are some who will never see the U.S. version as anything other than a pale imitation of its British predecessor, and it’s true that its overextended existence (it really should have ended when Carell departed in season seven) takes some of the shine out of the series. But both can and should be viewed on their own merits, and when enjoyed as such, have moments of equal, cringe-inducing brilliance.
Add To Netflix Queue
9. Freaks and Geeks
NBC
Speaking of cringe-inducing, Freaks and Geeks takes adolescent awkwardness to its extreme, focusing on the titular losers at a Michigan high school during their most formative and embarrassing years. Whether it’s watching Sam proudly strut down the hallway in his new leisure suit, or listening to Nick serenade Lindsay with some Styx, viewers can immediately recognize that brief moment of triumph that comes before crushing disappointment; you laugh, but you also wince knowingly, because you’ve been there, too. Freaks has been hailed as one of the best one-season wonders in television history, and it more than earns that reputation, thanks to thwarted prank phone calls, misguided mascot tryouts, ill-timed pot smoking, and unlikely Dungeons & Dragons cohorts. Its cast of future stars (Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jason Segel, and Linda Cardellini, among many others) doesn’t hurt, either.
Add To Netflix Queue
8. Bob’s Burgers
Fox
Comedy pilots are tricky creatures, since it’s often impossible to establish the tone of an entire series in less than 30 minutes. But Bob’s Burgers begins strong right out of the gate, with “Human Flesh” introducing the general premise (Bob Belcher and his family run a struggling burger joint) and core characters (Louise earns her troublemaker reputation early by starting the “our burgers are made from human meat” rumor) in instantly memorable fashion. Even the daily special (the Child Molester Burger – comes with candy!) immediately sets the tone for things to come. Now in its seventh season, Bob’s continues to blur the line between sweet family show and chaotic, madcap comedy, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Add in butt-obsessed Tina Belcher, a self-possessed heroine for the ages, and an A-plus voice cast, you have the recipe for an enduring classic.
Add To Netflix Queue
7. Archer
FX
The titular characters of Archer and Bob’s Burgers share a voiceover star (H. Jon Benjamin), but that’s where their similarities end. If Archer were simply a spy send-up, it would still be brilliant; that it’s also a workplace sitcom about the most dysfunctional group of spies/drug runners/private eyes ever assembled sends it into the comedic stratosphere. Though latter seasons have sometimes sagged plot-wise thanks to constant premise reboots, Archer – both the show and the character – has never lost its sarcastic, booze-soaked edge. Seven seasons in, reliable recurring gags (phrasing, Danger Zone, Archer’s increasingly long outgoing voicemail greetings) still delight, and the supporting cast never fails to one-up each other in the hilarious/pathetic/hilariously pathetic department. The unfortunately-named ISIS may be gone for good, but Archer remains an enduring pleasure. (Phrasing?)
Add To Netflix Queue
6. Arrested Development
Fox
Setting aside its disjointed fourth season (a divisive effort that’s best viewed as its own entity), 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.
Add To Netflix Queue
5. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Netflix
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. Season two delves a little deeper into the psychological toll the Reverend’s kidnapping had on Kimmy, but despite the darker material, the show maintains its madcap charm. Special shout-out to delightful guest star Tina Fey, who co-created the show with her 30 Rock collaborator Robert Carlock.
Add To Netflix Queue
4. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
The CW
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.
Add To Netflix Queue
3. Parks and Recreation
NBC
The idealism of longtime public servant Leslie Knope can seem a little hard to swallow in these post-2016 election times, but that’s precisely why we need Parks and Rec: Leslie’s optimism makes us believe that government – and life itself – can truly be good if you stand by your work and imbue everything you do with passion (and an undying hunger for waffles). And if you aren’t ready to adopt such a sunny disposition for yourself just yet, you can always look for distraction and a laugh in a classic like “Flu Season.” Or “Lil’ Sebastian.” Or “The Debate.” Or “Halloween Surprise.” Or any number of episodes populated by the hilarious, delightfully demented residents of Pawnee (Perd Hapley, Joan Callamezzo, Ethel Beavers, and so many more) and the stacked cast of regulars populating the Parks Department (Chris Pratt, the MVP of non-sequiturs and pratfalls; Jim O’Heir, the perennially upbeat punching bag Jerry/Larry/Terry/Garry). And if nothing else, Parks gave us Ron Swanson, a pyramid of greatness unto himself. You had us at “meat tornado.”
Add To Netflix Queue
2. Scrubs
NBC
It’s easy to overlook the brilliance of Scrubs, which flew under the radar for most of its run. Like many long-running comedies on this list, latter seasons lose a little bit of the magic of the early years, but even sub-par Scrubs is still excellent television. The hospital-set series boasts frequent fantasy sequences (complete with elaborate costumes, musical numbers, and celebrity cameos galore) that are absolutely bonkers, and yet absolutely crucial to driving the plot – or sometimes simply explaining what the hell is going on inside of J.D.’s (Zach Braff) head at any given moment. Recurring gags like “Eagle!,” “Hooch is crazy,” Dr. Cox’s endless string of nicknames, and Turk and J.D.’s bromance for the ages only get better with time, as does the show’s ambition; not many sitcoms would devote multi-episode arcs to postpartum depression, suicide, and the mental breakdown of a doctor who’s just lost three patients. Despite tackling such tough subject matter, Scrubs remains one of the most reliably funny series ever, thanks in large part to its giant beating heart. Maybe the show borrowed it from the World’s Most Giant Doctor.
Add To Netflix Queue
1. 30 Rock
NBC
Fey and Carlock created a comedy for the ages with 30 Rock, the sitcom set at an SNL-type sketch show that was supposed to die a quick death in the shadow of its splashier counterpart, Aaron Sorkin’s Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. But improbably — and thankfully — things started lining up for old Liz Lemon and co., thanks to brilliant writing, nonstop jokes, and a perfectly cast group of supporting weirdos whose wisdom will remain with us forever. (“Live every week like it’s Shark Week”? Done, Tracy Jordan. “Never go with a hippie to a second location”? If you insist, Jack Donaghy.) The show never shied away from leaning into some of its zanier elements (Avery’s kidnapping by Kim Jong-Il, Kenneth’s immortality), and even its throwaway gags are stupidly funny (Liz workin’ on her night cheese, porn parody Fresh-Ass: Based on the Novel Tush by Assfire). It’s enough to make us want to start a marathon right now. Could somebody bring us some ham?
Add To Netflix Queue
For everything else you should be streaming on Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu, check out our comprehensive What To Watch guide.