Nothing quite hits like a truly brilliant comedy series, does it? The world of television comedy is brimming with funny situations, clever writing, and characters who just make you laugh out loud. These shows often offer an escape, that can deliver consistent laughs whether its through witty dialogue or delightfully absurd scenarios. Finding your next go-to for giggles is always a welcome treat.
So if you just want laughs and no drama, you should use our handy guide of the best comedy series to watch now. Our selection includes everything from beloved sitcom classics, innovative modern comedies, and giggle-worthy dark comedies. Rest assured as they’ve all ranked by the awards they’ve won, to give you some serious laughs as you discover where you can start streaming the best comedy series available today.
What are the best comedy series to watch now?
We’ve compiled our list of the top comedy shows primarily based on the prestigious awards they’ve won, a clear indicator of critical acclaim and industry recognition. This approach helps us hand-pick only the most exceptional series, from timeless sitcom classics and hot new modern comedies to sharply written dark comedies.
Other than awards, you’ll find a more detailed breakdown of each series including its title, the main cast members, the streaming service it’s available on, and the director. We also give you a little synopsis and the exact genre of comedy to help you narrow it down. This way, you get a better picture for each title and can make an informed decision so you can dive straight in.
Mr Inbetween
Comedy •Crime •Drama
Overview
Ray Shoesmith is a father, ex-husband, boyfriend and best friend: tough roles to juggle in the modern age. Even harder when you’re a criminal for hire.
Cast
Scott Ryan, Chika Yasumura, Brooke Satchwell, Jeremy Sims, Damon Herriman
Arrested Development
Comedy
Overview
The story of a wealthy family that lost everything, and the one son who had no choice but to keep them all together.
Cast
Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Alia Shawkat
Taskmaster
Comedy
Overview
Greg Davies is the Taskmaster, and with the help of his ever-loyal assistant Alex Horne, they will set out to test the wiles, wit, wisdom and skills of five hyper-competitive comedians. Who will be crowned the Taskmaster champion in this brand new game show?
Director
Andy Devonshire
Cast
Greg Davies, Alex Horne, Dara Ó Briain, Fern Brady, John Kearns
Mr. Bigstuff
Comedy
Overview
Glen and his fiancée share a perfect, perfectly mundane life together. Sure, Glen’s got crippling erectile dysfunction and Kirsty has a secret shoplifting habit, but they’re happy. That is until his brother Lee comes crashing into their lives, whilst on the run from a past that’s quickly catching up with him. The trio are forced together: a perfectionist, a fantasist and an anarchist all living under the same roof in an Essex cul-de-sac. It’s not long before their ‘perfect’ lives start to unravel faster than a cheap carpet.
Cast
Ryan Sampson, Danny Dyer
Superstore
Comedy
Overview
A hilarious workplace comedy about a unique family of employees at a super-sized mega store. From the bright-eyed newbies and the seen-it-all veterans to the clueless summer hires and the in-it-for-life managers, together they hilariously tackle the day-to-day grind of rabid bargain hunters, riot-causing sales and nap-worthy training sessions.
Cast
Ben Feldman, Lauren Ash, Colton Dunn, Nico Santos, Nichole Sakura
Community
Comedy
Overview
Follow the lives of a group of students at what is possibly the world’s worst community college in the fictional locale of Greendale, Colorado.
Cast
Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Alison Brie, Jim Rash
Parks and Recreation
Comedy
Overview
In an attempt to beautify her town — and advance her career — Leslie Knope, a mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee, Indiana, takes on bureaucrats, cranky neighbors, and single-issue fanatics whose weapons are lawsuits, the jumble of city codes, and the democratic process she loves so much.
Cast
Amy Poehler, Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt
The IT Crowd
Comedy
Overview
Two I.T. nerds and their clueless female manager, who work in the basement of a very successful company. When they are called on for help, they are never treated with any respect at all.
Cast
Chris O’Dowd, Richard Ayoade, Katherine Parkinson, Matt Berry
The Office
Comedy
Overview
The everyday lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company.
Cast
Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Ed Helms
Gavin & Stacey
Comedy •Romance •Drama
Overview
Gavin is an ordinary boy from Billericay, Essex. Stacey is an ordinary girl from Barry Island, South Wales. They’ve spoken on the phone every day at work for months but they’ve never actually met… until now.
Cast
Joanna Page, Mathew Horne, Alison Steadman, Ruth Jones, James Corden
The Librarians
Drama •Adventure •Action •Comedy •Fantasy
Overview
A group of librarians set off on adventures in an effort to save mysterious, ancient artifacts. Based on the series of “The Librarian” movies.
Cast
Rebecca Romijn, Christian Kane, John Harlan Kim, Lindy Booth, John Larroquette
Suits
Drama •Comedy
Overview
While running from a drug deal gone bad, Mike Ross, a brilliant young college-dropout, slips into a job interview with one of New York City’s best legal closers, Harvey Specter. Tired of cookie-cutter law school grads, Harvey takes a gamble by hiring Mike on the spot after he recognizes his raw talent and photographic memory.
Cast
Gabriel Macht, Sarah Rafferty, Amanda Schull, Rick Hoffman, Dulé Hill
Saturday Night Live
Comedy •Music •Musical
Overview
A late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels. The show’s comedy sketches, which parody contemporary culture and politics, are performed by a large and varying cast of repertory and newer cast members. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest, who usually delivers an opening monologue and performs in sketches with the cast, and features performances by a musical guest.
Cast
Michael Che, Mikey Day, Colin Jost, Cecily Strong, Kenan Thompson
Duration
89 minutes
What We Do in the Shadows
Comedy •Horror •Fantasy •Sci-fi
Overview
A documentary-style look into the daily (or rather, nightly) lives of a group of vampires in Staten Island who have “lived” together for hundreds and hundreds of years.
Cast
Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch
QI
Comedy
Overview
Comedy quiz show full of quirky facts, in which contestants are rewarded more if their answers are ‘quite interesting’.
Director
Diccon Ramsay
Cast
Alan Davies, Sandi Toksvig
The Big C
Comedy •Drama
Overview
A suburban mother faces her cancer diagnosis while trying to find humor and happiness as well.
Cast
Laura Linney, John Benjamin Hickey, Oliver Platt, Gabourey Sidibe, Gabriel Basso
Frequently asked questions
Sitcom classics offer comfort and familiarity with their beloved characters and often predictable, yet charming, humour. You’ll find yourself returning to these shows for their witty dialogue, relatable situations, and the comforting feeling of catching up with old friends. They’re like a warm, funny hug. Kind of like Friends or The Big Bang Theory.
Modern comedies often experiment with format, narrative structure, and sometimes darker themes, moving beyond traditional sitcom setups. They can offer more nuanced humour, deeper character development, and a sharper take on contemporary life. You’ll discover fresh perspectives and innovative comedic styles.
Dark comedies bravely blend humour with serious, often taboo subjects like tragedy or difficult social issues. The humour comes from finding absurdity in life’s darker corners, offering a unique way to process uncomfortable truths. You might find them thought-provoking, they might make you giggle, and they are often surprisingly funny. A great example of a sitcom that makes use of dark and crude humour is the animated series South Park.
Streaming services consider a mix of factors: audience data, critical acclaim, and trending topics. They look for shows that align with viewer preferences and fill gaps in their catalogue. They aim to provide you with a diverse range of options, ensuring there’s always something to make you laugh.
Absolutely! You’ll find a fantastic selection of the best comedy series available across various Australian streaming services. Platforms like Netflix, Stan, BINGE, Prime Video, and even free-to-air catch-up services frequently feature these award-winning shows, giving you plenty of laughs at your fingertips.
Awards won serve as a strong indicator of a comedy series’ excellence and industry recognition. While individual humour is subjective, a show with numerous awards has typically been celebrated for its sharp writing, brilliant performances, and overall impact, offering a credible guide to top-tier laughter. Recently, acclaimed comedies with several awards and nominations include Abbott Elementary (Disney+), The Bear (Disney+), What We Do in the Shadows (HBO Max), Nobody Wants This (Netflix), Only Murders in the Building (Disney+), Hacks (Stan), Shrinking (Apple TV+), and The Studio (Apple TV+).
Comedy series are highly rewatchable because familiar jokes often get funnier with each viewing, and you might catch new details or subtle gags you missed before. The comfort of returning to beloved characters and predictable, feel-good scenarios also creates a comforting, repeatable experience for you. Think Modern Family, The Office, Derry Girls or How I Met Your Mother.
Definitely! Comedy series cover a vast spectrum of humour, from broad slapstick and witty banter to dry sarcasm and satirical commentary. Whether you enjoy wholesome family laughs, intelligent satire, or edgy dark humour, you’ll find a series tailored to your comedic taste.
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