Top 7 Highest-Rated Sitcoms of All Time
Sometimes the best kind of weekend is one which we spend in our comfiest pajamas, watching sitcoms that have us drowning in laughter. From workplace chaos to dysfunctional families, a group of oddballs to a loner contemplating life, and grounded comedies to other-worldly animations, these shows pull the perfect punches while also throwing curveballs that make us weep and ponder at times. Here are seven such sitcoms one must binge-watch:
Rick And Morty- IMDb Rating 9.2
Put a zany grandpa and grumpy grandson together in a series of misadventures through alternate realities and multiple dimensions, and what you get is one of the highest-rated sitcoms. Rick and Morty is an animated adult sci-fi comedy that began airing in 2013 on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim.
Thanks to its ingenious concepts and dark humor, eccentric scientist Rick Sanchez and 14-year-old Morty have amassed a passionate fan following. The critically-acclaimed sitcom has become a pop cultural phenomenon, forming a massively successful media franchise and merchandise lines.
The Office - IMDb Rating 9.0
Even if you don’t know anything about The Office, we are sure you can recognize the characters from multiple memes that flood the internet. It was one of those sitcoms that checked all the boxes- multi-faceted and lovable characters, dry humor, and an incredible cast that made the show a classic workplace comedy.
Structured in a mockumentary format, The Office recorded the lives of the employees at the Scranton Branch of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, working under a quirky regional manager, Michael Scott. The nine-season sitcom, an adaptation of the BBC series of the same name, began airing in 2005 and completed its run in 2013 with an emotional finale.
Friends - IMDb Rating 8.9
The internet broke down when HBO announced a reunion special of the sitcom Friends in 2021. Given that the show ended in 2004, the immense buzz the reunion generated is a testament to its tremendous cultural impact, legacy, and popularity.
On-air for ten seasons, the show began in 1994 and revolved around the struggles and triumphs of six twenty-something friends trying to find their way in New York City. A permanent fixture in every best show list, the show has aged like a fine wine, and fans still can’t get enough of even reruns.
Seinfeld - IMDb Rating 8.9
When comedian Jerry Seinfeld was given a chance to write a show, he had no idea his namesake would become a path-breaking show in the history of sitcoms. Spanning over nine seasons, from 1989-1998, the show followed Seinfeld, a fictionalized version of Jerry, and his best friends in Manhattan city.
Often called "a show about nothing," it’s remarkable how the sitcom gave everyone laughter doses by depicting tedious aspects of daily life. The witty writing spawned many popular catchphrases and became an inspiration for future hit shows like Friends and How I met Your Mother.
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia - IMDb Rating 8.8
Starting in 2005 and having already done more than ten seasons, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia has achieved cult status on the small screen. The outrageous comedy and absurd storylines have kept the fans hooked for almost two decades. After its renewal in May 2020, it became the live-action American sitcom with the most number of seasons of all time.
The show focused on a group called "The Gang," with egomaniacal characters who owned an Irish Bar in South Philadelphia. Praised for their acting, the cast did a brilliant job portraying the characters' ludicrous schemes and cons against each other, eliciting hysterical reactions from the audience.
Bojack Horseman - IMDb Rating 8.8
An animated talking horse might mislead you from checking out the show, but what if we tell you it’s one of the best adult cartoons of all time? Easily a deviation from this list, Bojack Horseman depicts the life of a forgotten sitcom star in a world where humans and anthropomorphic animals co-exist.
The series ran for six seasons, from 2014 to 2020, and received widespread acclaim for its profound and consistent writing. Managing a perfect balance between relatability and entertainment, the show delved into heavy topics like depression and addiction through the nihilistic tendencies of the titular character.
Curb Your Enthusiasm - IMDb Rating 8.8
After the success of Seinfeld, co-writer Larry David returned to television with an hour-long special, Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm, in 1999. This time, David wrote about a fictionalized version of himself, and the program followed a mockumentary-style screenplay.
What was intended to be a one-off special was made into the series Curb Your Enthusiasm, which aired its first episode in 2000. The show is a slice-of-life sitcom like Seinfeld and depicts dark comedy, often through improvisational techniques. With high ratings and critical acclaim, the series has garnered a cult following since its debut.
Conclusion
Some other honorable mentions for this list are The Simpsons, Archer, Arrested Development, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. We hope this list offers you the kind of shows you were looking for and serves as an excellent remedy for your weekday blues!