26 Light-Hearted Sitcoms To Watch
Hey, friends! I’ve been feeling more anxious than usual this week, and when I get like this, all I want to do is put on a good show that makes me laugh. You know the shows, right? Friends, New Girl, and even Gilmore Girls (even though it’s not a sitcom) are just a few shows that put me in a good mood and make me laugh.
I read this article recently where we like to re-watch shows because they bring us comfort and familiarity. For example, I watch Gilmore Girls because I know the characters, the setting is a small town, and the overall plot and character storylines bring me comfort.
So, if you’re feeling anxious or find yourself feeling down this week, here are a few sitcoms that are bound to put you in a good mood and make your day a little bit brighter. ✨
ADDITION: As I’m about to hit publish on this post, I received news of the horrific and heartbreaking mass shooting in Uvalde, TX. Enough is enough — I, along with many Americans, am tired and exhausted from seeing the same headlines. I want to still publish this post because although we should direct our energy into calling our Senators (link to Brady Campaign to end the filibuster against a bill that would strengthen background checks in the gun violence epidemic and a link to donate to the Everytown Gun Safety campaign.), but also we need to protect our mental health as well. Put on a comfort show, light a candle, read a book, go on a walk, eat a sheet cake. 🤍 I also want to encourage any Christians reading this post to lift the families in Uvalde who lost loved ones. Our first reaction should always be prayer —- however, but not our only reaction.
On Netflix:
Never Have I Ever
Mindy Kaling is a comedic genius. That’s it, that’s all I need to say. But honestly? I love Never Have I Ever and I’d re-watch it in an instant. Season three comes back this summer, and I could not be any more excited. I am a hardcore Paxton stan, but I still love Ben and honestly, on another re-watch, I could switch to Team Ben, but Paxton still has my heart. 🤍
The Good Place
I haven’t seen The Good Place, starring Kristen Bell, so I may watch this soon. I watched one episode and it was good, but not good enough to keep watching for me in this moment. I definitely will re-add this to my watch list.
Schitt’s Creek
I watched until season five or six and then stopped. It’s not like I didn’t like the show, I just found myself uninterested. Now that I see it everywhere, I might pick it back up again just to give it another chance. I love all of the David Rose TikTok audios and honestly that’s just reason enough to pick this show back up.
Young & Hungry
I watched about half of a season and I think I started watching because of two reasons: it has food and it has Lily from Hannah Montana (and she plays a food blogger/personal chef). I liked this show enough to keep watching, but honestly, I forgot about it and started watching other shows. I think I’ll pick it back up soon, but probably not a show to binge-watch. Still, I see it as a show to watch when I feel anxious or sad.
New Girl
Probably in my top five favorite shows EVER. I love New Girl and probably could do a big deep dive into the entire show (could be a potential podcast episode…). I love each character separately and each character intertwined with another. Jess and Nick’s romance, Jess and Cece’s friendship, Schmidt and Nick’s friendship, Winston and Nick, Winston and Schmidt, Winston and Cece (classic messaround) … it’s just so incredible and I can watch this show anytime, anywhere. One of the best shows to turn on no matter what mood I’m in.
Seinfeld
Like The Good Place, I’ve never seen Seinfeld so maybe I’ll watch it at some point, but honestly, I’m a Friends gal. I feel like you’re either a Friends fan or a Seinfeld fan.
Fuller House
This show is SO cheesy (as all remakes are). I don’t think the actors are even trying to be good, they’re just glad to be around each other again and be together. It starts with D.J. Tanner moving back into her dad’s house, and her dad gives the house to her and moves in with his fiancee/wife (I honestly forgot what she was to him). D.J. can’t raise her three sons (a sharp comparison to the first episode of Full House when Danny had to raise his three daughters after his wife died) alone, so she enlists her sister, Stephanie, an internationally-renowned DJ (a sharp comparison to Uncle Jesse from the first episode) and her best friend, Kimmy Gibbler (a sharp comparison to Joey from the first episode). It’s a cute show and I’ll have it on the background while I work, and maybe I’ll pick it back up again.
On Hulu:
Abbott Elementary
OH MY GOSH … if you’re not watching this show, stop what you’re doing and go watch this show. I want to say that fans of The Office will love this show … but honestly, Abbott Elementary is 1000x better. (This is my personal opinion, lol.) Quinta Brunson is another comedic genius and currently, she’s working on the script for season two. I love this show so much, so just go watch it. I may do another re-watch again, soon.
How I Met Your Father
I love How I Met Your Mother. I remember when there was only six seasons on Netflix (now on Hulu) and then watched as each new episode came out until its season finale. (Still not over it.) How I Met Your Father, the spinoff starring Hilary Duff, is basically the Lizzie McGuire reboot. Is it one of the best sitcoms? I wouldn’t say so. I watched it about halfway through because I was too enthralled in Abbott Elementary, so I’ll probably pick this show up later.
Younger
Speaking of Hilary Duff, I couldn’t NOT include Younger. I’m currently doing a re-watch of this and on season seven, so that’s why I need a new show to watch! I love Younger and each time I watch again, the more I realize that Charles is the worst and Josh is incredible. #TeamJosh 🥰
Home Economics
The reason I want to get into this show because it gives Modern Family (another show to binge-watch!!) vibes and has Topher Grace from That 70’s Show. (Which is another sitcom to binge-watch!!) I think it has Kellan Lutz from Twilight in it, too, and I think those three reasons are reasons enough to start this show. It should only have one season as it’s still relatively new so all you have is one season to commit to.
Brooklyn-Nine-Nine
This show has A LOT of seasons, but it’s been a show that so many people have recommended to me. I’ll probably pick it back up again soon, so maybe this list will inspire me to watch it.
Baby Daddy
Like Young & Hungry, I started watching Baby Daddy and stopped watching about halfway through the first or second season. It’s not a show that a lot of people come back to, but it was a good show for the time being. Plus, Chelsea Kane (formerly Chelsea Straub from JONAS) is in it and she’s really good.
Cougar Town
Honestly, the only reason why this was on my list is because Monica from Friends is on it. That, and Busy Philipps is also in it and I read her book, “This Should Only Hurt A Little” and it was so good.
How I Met Your Mother
I forgot how much I love this show. Especially the early seasons, but I do love Barney and Robin. (Still not over the ending.) I think this was one of those sitcoms that defined what sitcoms are now, and the cast is just incredible together and as individuals.
Shrill
This has been on my list for some time now, and now that Aidy Bryant departed from SNL (alongside Kate McKinnon and Pete Davidson), I really want to start watching her show. It focuses on her as the main character, Annie, a young journalist determined to change her life without changing her body.
On Prime Video:
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
The only “sitcom” that I could find on Prime Video and I wouldn’t even classify it as a sitcom. Still, I love it and it’s a really great show to get into when you need a good laugh (and cry, tbh). Love, love, love this show and cannot wait for season five!
On HBO Max:
Friends
I don’t think this show needs any explanation —- so I will just include it here. This is THE show to watch when I’m anxious or overwhelmed. I do not have an HBO Max account, so I can’t watch it anymore, but I’m so close to investing in a DVD player and getting all the season DVDs just so I can watch this show.
Full House
I included Fuller House so I had to include the 90s sitcom that we all know and love. This, like Friends, Seinfeld, and Sex and the City, are great shows to re-live the 90s. Honestly, I think it’d be cool to watch Full House and then Fuller House on Netflix right after.
Sex and the City
This sounds like the show to watch when you’re feeling sick or overwhelmed or just on a rainy day. And honestly, that’s so true. This is the perfect show to watch when you’re feeling sick or on a rainy day, or when you feel like a rainy day. You can re-live the classic 90s early seasons and it just gives you all the feels. (And then watch the revival And Just Like That…)
Veep
I started watching season one a while ago, and it was good. I honestly don’t know why I stopped watching — probably because I was watching other things. It is a good show, starring Julia Louie-Dreyfus, and I recommend picking it up when you need a good political show.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Will Smith is another incredibly talented actor, but don’t sleep on Alfonso Ribeiro (who plays Carlton, the creator of The Carlton dance), who is also known as season 19 winner of Dancing with the Stars. But The Fresh Prince is another delightful (and serious at times) 90s sitcom show that everyone is bound to love. And don’t forget to check out its revival show.
The Office (US)
Just like Friends, The Office (US) is another show that everyone probably puts on in the background. But honestly? This show is just so good overall. Every time I watch it, I just always end up laughing.
Insecure
I’ve heard this is SO good and it’s been on my list for a while. Issa Rae is a talented actress and I really want to watch this series, especially knowing that it’s finishing after season five. I just found out that it’s on Hulu as well, but it is considered an HBO show. (For those people like me who don’t have an HBO Max account but they do have a Hulu account!)
Love Life
This show looks so good. It stars William Jackson Harper as Marcus Watkins in season two, but stars Anna Kendrick for season one. It follows the main character from their first romance to their last romance.
The Sex Lives of College Girls
Again, Mindy Kaling is a comedic genius. I binge-watched this show in one day and it was so, so good. I am SO excited for season two (it’s currently filming!). I’m excited to see each of the girls’ storylines and where they’ll go in season two.
I realized after putting this list together that I didn’t include shows from Peacock or Paramount Plus, which has The Office and Parks and Recreation, which are classic sitcoms (The Office is on HBO Max). Feel free to drop any sitcoms that you like in the comments to share some suggestions! I’m always looking for shows to watch.