Genre · ranked
The best comedy series of all time
25 ranked · updated June 2026
The history of comedy is defined by a delicate balance between mundane workplace friction and the surreal, existential anxieties of modern life. This collection highlights series that masterfully use satire, character-driven humor, and absurd premises to transform the everyday experience into something profoundly funny and culturally resonant.
How this ranking works
Ranked by a Bayesian-weighted score (rating average + rating count) across series whose primary genre is Comedy & Humor.
The Office
Greg Daniels
The Office captures the excruciating hilarity of the modern workplace through its iconic mockumentary format and deeply relatable, eccentric character dynamics.
Regular Show
J.G. Quintel
Regular Show earns its place by blending mundane groundskeeping duties with wild, surreal escapism that celebrates the enduring bond of male friendship.
BoJack Horseman
Raphael Bob-Waksberg
BoJack Horseman offers a biting, dark exploration of celebrity culture and existential depression that remains unmatched in the realm of adult animation.
Malcolm in the Middle
Linwood Boomer
Malcolm in the Middle remains a definitive suburban comedy by perfectly encapsulating the chaotic, often frustrating reality of growing up in a dysfunctional family.
Ranma ½
Ranma ½ pushes the boundaries of the martial arts genre by utilizing a high-concept gender-bending premise to generate endless fish-out-of-water comedy.
Friends
Marta Kauffman
Friends solidified its legacy by turning the universal struggle of early adulthood into a comforting, character-driven template for the modern sitcom.
The Amazing World of Gumball
Ben Bocquelet
The Amazing World of Gumball utilizes a unique visual style to deliver sharp, absurdist satire that playfully mocks the tropes of suburban school life.
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War transforms the standard romantic comedy into a high-stakes intellectual battleground defined by pride, genius, and clever psychological warfare.
South Park
Trey Parker
South Park remains a titan of satire, consistently using its irreverent child protagonists to provide scathing commentary on the most pressing social and political issues.
Drake & Josh
Dan Schneider
Drake & Josh serves as a quintessential buddy comedy, finding humor in the contrasting personalities of step-siblings navigating the awkwardness of teenage life.
Bluey
Joe Brumm
Bluey proves that preschool animation can be deeply sophisticated, using imaginative play to explore complex family dynamics and the nuances of childhood development.
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide
Scott Fellows
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide remains a beloved educational comedy because it empowers viewers through its relatable fourth-wall-breaking advice on surviving middle school.
Assassination Classroom
Assassination Classroom brilliantly subverts the school anime genre by pairing an underdog story with a high-stakes premise involving a teacher-student assassination mission.
Ted Lasso
Jason Sudeikis
Ted Lasso resonates as a feel-good workplace comedy by championing radical optimism and kindness in the face of cynical sports culture.
Fleabag
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Fleabag is a masterpiece of dark comedy that uses raw, fourth-wall-breaking confessionals to navigate the painful intersections of grief, sexuality, and modern womanhood.
Common questions
What are some of the best adult animated comedy series?
Top-rated adult animated series include BoJack Horseman, which explores existential themes and celebrity culture, and South Park, which is widely recognized for its irreverent social and political satire.
Are there any good comedy shows about school life?
Yes, several highly-rated shows focus on school, including Kaguya-sama: Love Is War for high school romance, Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide for middle school tips, and Assassination Classroom for a unique action-comedy perspective.
Which comedy series feature a workplace setting?
Several acclaimed comedies center on workplace dynamics, such as The Office, which depicts life at a paper company, Regular Show, which follows park groundskeepers, and Ted Lasso, which explores the world of professional soccer management.