There is something truly enthralling about a timeless and well-crafted sitcom—the kind that makes its audience cry out with laughter, think, and feel all at the same time. From an unforgettable cast to clever writing, there are a few classics that have shaped pop culture in iconic ways. Whether it’s set in the hubbub of New York City or the quiet suburbs, there exist quite a few comedic bangers that can never go out of style.
Shows like The Golden Girls, which embodies perfection all throughout its run, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which blends class commentary and comedy with genuine emotions, are just two series that not only stood the test of time but did so with their back-to-back episodes of high-quality content. On this list are 10 series that range from modern comedic classics to finely aged sitcoms, each featuring heartfelt moments and hilarity that is truly timeless, enthralling audiences with humor that still holds up long after its run.
10
‘The Good Place’ (2016–2020)
This fantasy sitcom is a hilarious bag of fun that often hits audiences with a surprisingly touching ethics lesson.The Good Place follows the afterlife of Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell), who awakens in a heaven-like neighborhood called “The Good Place.” Eleanor almost instantly recognizes that she’s undeserving of being in “The Good Place,” so she takes it upon herself to seek out help to transform herself into a good person worthy of the heavenly utopia she’s living in.
The Good Place is a unique watch that showcases a philosophy-meets-sitcom blend that is surprisingly more entertaining than one may think. The writing is consistently sharp and hilarious, keeping fans hooked from start to finish. It’s a memorable modern classic that proves it’s never too late to change for the better— even when the leading lady is, in fact, dead. The more Eleanor experiences emotional growth, the more the series evolves into not only one of the greatest fantasy shows ever made but genuinely one of the best modern sitcom classics that remains consistently captivating right up until the finale credits roll.
9
‘The Golden Girls’ (1985–1992)
The Golden Girls is a charming American classic that’s beloved not only for its cast but also for its genuine sass and humor. The series centers on a group of four older women sharing a house in Miami: sharp-tongued Dorothy Zbornak (Beatrice Arthur), her 80-year-old mother Sophia Petrillo (Estelle Getty), the sweet, naive widow, Rose Nylund (Betty White), and the man-hungry Southern belle, Blanche Devereaux (Rue McClanahan).
Across seven brilliant seasons of sharp wit and amazing humor, The Golden Girls explores themes of family visits and relationships with a fabulous ensemble of characters that wield incredible chemistry. Winning multiple Emmys for its excellence, The Golden Girls shone as a sitcom that ranked among the very best TV series of its era. Even with multiple decades between its first airing, The Golden Girls holds up well with its humor and story, making it one of the very best standout classics on this list.
8
‘The New Adventures of Old Christine’ (2006–2010)
This series is an underrated banger that is definitely worth a lot more recognition. The New Adventures of Old Christine follows a divorced mother in her mid-30s, Christine Campbell (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), who is navigating running a gym, parenting, a social life, and her ex-husband, who is dating a younger woman also named Christine (Emily Rutherfurd).
The New Adventures of Old Christine is genuinely funny. The show is filled with witty gags and awkward social encounters that can get a laugh out of anyone. The 2006 series is a relatable watch that offers a refreshing portrayal of single motherhood. Though the series only lasted five seasons, it was heavily praised for its performances and writing. Every episode is a fun and captivating good time, featuring a masterful blend of heartfelt scenes and moments of absurd comedy, making The New Adventures of Old Christine the perfect watch for fans in search of a classic sitcom that is a banger from beginning to end.
7
‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ (2013–2021)
Making its debut in 2013 with a light cop comedy vibe is the beloved and extremely popular sitcom, Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The police sitcom is set in New York’s 99th precinct and centers around the detectives of the NYPD’s 99th Precinct as they navigate office life under their strict and stoic commanding officer, while solving crimes.
Lauded for its humor and positivity, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is well-known for its wholesome story that tackles sensitive topics without ever sacrificing its laugh-out-loud comedy. Spanning many seasons, the show delivered episode after hilarious episode, featuring amazing characters who are capable of drawing in viewers so thoroughly that they often wished they could be part of the brilliant cast themselves. With a consistent high quality of sharp writing, heartwarming tone, and an endearing cast of characters, Brooklyn Nine-Nine stands as a modern comedy classic that is a true banger from its very first episode right on up to its memorably heartfelt finale.
6
‘Seinfeld’ (1989–1998)
This iconic banger is an American sitcom that has been known to be referred to as “a show about nothing.”Seinfeldfollows stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld (Jerry Seinfeld) and his three friends—the smart and outspoken Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), neurotic George Costanza (Jason Alexander), and the lanky, eccentric bachelor Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards)—as they comically navigate their daily lives in New York City.
With nine seasons under its belt, Seinfeld kept up its high-quality content throughout its entire run. Going from modest rating to becoming an iconic pop culture hit, the series earned a massive and devoted fanbase who appreciated its unforgettable characters, witty observational humor, and clever satirical approach to everyday life in New York City. Standing as a one-of-a-kind sitcom during its run, Seinfeld opened the door to bold and inventive sitcoms with a dark streak, making it a perfect addition to this list of comedic classics.
5
‘Modern Family’ (2009–2020)
This mockumentary-style sitcom has won many awards for its humor and heart.Modern Family follows three branches of an extended family in Los Angeles. The story centers around patriarch Jay Pritchett (Ed O’Neill) and his family: Jay’s second wife, the vivacious Columbian beauty Gloria (Sofía Vergara), and her sensitive son Manny (Rico Rodriguez); Jay’s eldest daughter Claire Dunphy (Julie Bowen), her husband Phil (Ty Burrell), and their children; as well as Jay’s son Mitchell Pritchett (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and his husband Cameron Tucker (Eric Stonestreet) with their adopted daughter.
While using cutaway gags and talking head interviews, Modern Family makes the most of its eleven seasons. Highly praised for its diverse characters and witty writing, Modern Family is a classic gem that features tons of warm family moments. The series captures the ups and downs of modern parenting, multicultural dynamics, and gay marriage in a captivatingly upbeat way. From storytelling to representation, Modern Family is a consistently humorous watch from start to finish and definitely counts as a defining sitcom classic.
4
‘How I Met Your Mother’ (2005–2014)
How I Met Your Mother is a highly rated banger that stole the hearts of fans of sitcoms far and wide. The series follows Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) as he tells his children the long and extravagantly winding tale of how he met their mother.
Structured as a frame story, How I Met Your Mother is nine seasons of iconic romances, beautiful friendships, and a story worth investing in. The show is incredibly addictive, and even with its many episodes, it never gets boring. The series is lauded for its inventive narrative, with its extensive flashbacks and flashforwards, while also using an unreliable narrator. With such originality and bold humor, the nine seasons of How I Met Your Mother remain a true banger from beginning to end, mixing heartfelt storytelling and genuine laugh-out-loud comedy throughout the entirety of its run.
3
‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ (1990–1996)
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air stands as one of the best sitcoms to ever grace television screens, showcasing a predominantly black cast and celebrating black culture in a heartfelt way. The show follows street-smart 16-year-old Will (Will Smith), who moves from West Philadelphia and is sent to live with his wealthy aunt and uncle in Bel-Air, Los Angeles.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air captures the humorous culture clash between Will’s working-class mindset and the Banks family’s upper-class attitude, a dynamic that very much works for the series. Season to season, the sitcom offers a blend of comedic hijinks with occasional serious messages that’s capable of moving its audience. With a strong balance of comedy and feeling, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air stood as not just a ’90s cultural touchstone but also a true modern classic that continues to resonate with its timeless themes and unforgettable performances, making it the ideal choice to sit among this list of classic bangers.
2
‘Arrested Development’ (2003–2019)
This beloved satirical sitcom has a habit of using running gags and a nonlinear style that rewards its viewers, especially during rewatches. Arrested Development follows the highly dysfunctional and formerly wealthy Bluth family. Narrated by Ron Howard while using flashbacks and montage techniques, the story brilliantly unfolds in a burst of absurd situations and an extremely clever narrative.
Critically acclaimed, Arrested Development earned its truly devoted cult following with its richly layered humor and absurdist style. Often regarded as one of the greatest shows of all time, Arrested Development remains consistently entertaining throughout its run. The true joy of the series comes in its rewatches, as jokes and setups often tend to pay off in a very big way with repeat viewings. With the constant use of brilliant writing and offbeat format, Arrested Development stands as a landmark comedy series that many would definitely call a banger.
1
‘Frasier’ (1993–2004)
Standing tall as a brilliant spin-off of the beloved series Cheers, Frasier is an American sitcom that won 37 Emmy Awards. The iconic classic banger follows the pompous but caring psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer), who returns to his hometown of Seattle after his divorce, with the intention of hosting a call-in radio show.
Highly regarded for its performance and writing, Fraiser remained consistently brilliant throughout its run. Featuring endearing characters and intelligent humor, the series was counted as one of the best TV had to offer for its balance of relatable life lessons and witty humor. It’s a rewatchable comedy that hosts genuine warmth—a well-known best of the ’90s. Rarely, if ever, stumbling, Fraiser is a true banger classic from start to finish due to its farcical plots, well-rounded characters, and razor-sharp dialogue—all of which have aged incredibly well.
