7 Sitcoms More Universally Loved Than 'Friends'

Image via NBC Published Aug 25, 2026, 8:55 PM EDT Remus is a writer, editor, journalist, and author with an eye for detail and an extremely active imagination. He is an enthusiast of everything to do with the graphic medium, whether it's Western comics and their adaptations or manga and anime. Remus is also the author of the sci-fantasy novel Once Upon a Time in Hyperspace and several works of short fiction in the mystery, comedy, and horror genres. Sign in to your Collider account David Crane and Marta Kauffman’s Friends was not just a hit '90s sitcom about a group of friends living in New York City; it quickly became a cultural touchstone and a global pop culture phenomenon. Its decade-long run cemented Friends as an icon of comedy television, setting new trends and standards for the genre. While some of its jokes, characterization, and settings might seem outdated in the modern context, the massive influence and fan following of Friends are undeniable. However, there are several contemporary and later sitcoms that have earned broader acclaim for their sharp writing, timeless humor, and universal appeal across generations. From popular and long-running classics to more recent pop culture landmarks, each of the following sitcoms promises as much comedy, drama, heartfelt moments of friendship, and valuable life lessons as Friends did, and sometimes even more. So, without further ado, here’s our selection of sitcoms that are more universally loved than Friends. 1 ‘Seinfeld’ (1989–1998) Image via NBC Famously called “a show about nothing,” Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld’s legendary NBC sitcom is, in fact, a biting comedy about everything in everyday life. Featuring Jerry Seinfeld as a fictionalized version of himself, Seinfeld satirizes contemporary American life through the perspectives of its central characters: Jerry; his ex-girlfriend, Elaine Benes; his childhood friend, George Costanza; and his neighbor, Cosmo Kramer. Played respectively by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards, the characters often find their neurotic personalities and bizarre social outlooks clashing with reality. Seinfeld redefined sitcom conventions of the time, thriving on the most awkward human behavior that no one expects and yet is extremely relatable. The sharp meta-humor and the unabashedly selfish, morally ambiguous characters can often surpass the comforting eccentricity of Friends. Even if some of its jokes and character arcs do not hold up to the modern lens, Seinfeld is a true landmark of comedy television that stands out with its clever writing and iconic performances. 2 ‘The Office’ (2005–2013) Image via NBC Adapted from the British original by Greg Daniels, The Office became a defining workplace sitcom of the 21st century. Set in the Scranton regional office of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, the series follows eccentric manager Michael Scott, played by Steve Carell, who “somehow manages” being a manager to a quirky ensemble of employees. Other key characters are played by Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, B. J. Novak, Mindy Kaling, and more. The Office popularized mockumentary storytelling in modern-day television and is easily one of the most-loved workplace comedies ever, with its raw filming style and meme-worthy one-liners still finding new fans today. The sitcom balances absurdity with heart, grounding cringe comedy with honest emotions, making even the most dislikable characters relatable. From a cult comedy icon, The Office has since evolved into a massive cultural hit, spawning international remakes and becoming unforgettable for its meta humor and intimate character arcs. 3 ‘Modern Family’ (2009–2020) Image via ABC Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan’s multi-Emmy-winning sitcom Modern Family explores the lives of three interconnected family units in suburban Los Angeles, all related through the patriarch, Jay Pritchett. Narrated in mockumentary style, with direct-to-camera interviews and candid shots with the characters, it follows the chaos and humor of early 21st-century family dynamics. The show stars Ed O’Neill, Sofía Vergara, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet, and more. Modern Family might not have the same international footprint as Friends, but it became a widely loved comedy of the 2010s and a pop culture hit of its time. The show earned its reputation for its refreshing humor, stemming from its reflection of contemporary social and cultural landscapes and blending satire with heartfelt storytelling. Its unique structure and decade-long run cemented Modern Family as one of television’s most successful family comedies of the 21st century that still resonates today. Collider Exclusive · The Sorting Hat Awaits Which Hogwarts House Are You? Gryffindor · Slytherin · Hufflepuff · Ravenclaw Four houses. One destiny. The Sorting Hat has considered thousands of students — now it's your turn. Answer honestly and discover where you truly belong at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. 🦁Gryffindor 🐍Slytherin 🦡Hufflepuff 🦅Ravenclaw PLACE THE HAT → 01 What quality do you value most in yourself? Answer as honestly as you can — the Hat always knows. ACourage — I act even when I'm afraid, because what's right matters more than what's safe. BAmbition — I know what I want and I have the drive and cunning to get there. CLoyalty — I show up for the people I love, no matter what it costs me. DWisdom — I think before I act and I'm always hungry to understand more. NEXT QUESTION → 02 A friend is being treated unfairly. What do you do? How you protect others says everything about who you are. AStep in immediately and confront whoever is responsible — I won't stand by. BWork out the best strategy to address it — a smart move beats a rash one. CBe by their side, support them, and help them through it however they need. DAnalyse what's actually happening and find the most reasoned, fair solution. NEXT QUESTION → 03 What does success look like to you? What you're working toward defines who you're becoming. ABeing remembered as someone who fought for what was right, whatever the odds. BAchieving the goals I set for myself — influence, status, and earned respect. CA life where the people I care about know I was there for them, always. DMastering my field, contributing something meaningful, and never stopping learning. NEXT QUESTION → 04 What is your greatest fear? Fear is the most honest thing about a person. ABeing a coward when it mattered — looking back and knowing I did nothing. BMediocrity — fading into obscurity without making my mark on the world. CLosing the people I love or letting them down when they needed me most. DIgnorance — being wrong and not knowing it, or never reaching my potential. NEXT QUESTION → 05 The rules say no. Your gut says go. What do you do? Every institution has rules. What you do with them is a choice. ABreak the rules — if it's the right thing to do, no rule should stop me. BFind a way to get what I want without getting caught. Rules are guidelines. CProbably follow the rules — but I'd find a way to help within them if I could. DThink it through carefully — is the rule unjust, or is my gut just impatient? NEXT QUESTION → 06 What kind of friend are you? Who you are to the people you love is who you really are. AThe protector — I will go to the ends of the earth for the people I care about. BThe strategist — I give sharp advice and I'm the one who figures out how to fix things. CThe constant — I'm always there, always reliable, and I never make it about me. DThe guide — I help people think things through and see perspectives they've missed. NEXT QUESTION → 07 You look into the Mirror of Erised. What do you see? The mirror shows the deepest desire of your heart. AYourself standing victorious, having faced the greatest challenge and won. BYourself at the height of your power — respected, successful, and in control. CYourself surrounded by everyone you love, whole and happy and together. DYourself with all the answers — every book read, every mystery solved. NEXT QUESTION → 08 The Sorting Hat pauses. It whispers: "You could do well in any house. But what matters most to you — truly?" This is your tiebreaker. The Hat always listens. ABravery. I want to be the kind of person who acts when others won't. BGreatness. I want to leave my mark and be more than ordinary. CBelonging. I want to be part of something good and never let my people down. DUnderstanding. I want to know the truth of things and keep growing forever. REVEAL MY HOUSE → The Sorting Hat Speaks Your House Has Been ChosenAfter careful deliberation, the Sorting Hat has made its decision. This is the house your values, your instincts, and your particular way of being in the world were made for. 🦁 GryffindorYou have nerve. Not the reckless kind, but the deep, quiet courage that shows up even when you're terrified — especially then. Gryffindors don't act because they're fearless — they act because they understand that some things are worth being afraid for. You stand up for people when it would be easier to look away. You charge toward what's right even when the odds are terrible. Harry, Hermione, Ron — the heroes of Hogwarts's greatest chapter — all called the tower with the scarlet and gold home. And now, so do you. 🐍 SlytherinYou are driven, sharp, and utterly clear-eyed about what you want and how to get there. Slytherin has long been misunderstood — painted as the house of villains when it is, at its best, the house of those who refuse to accept limits placed on them by others. You are resourceful, strategic, and you play the long game. You know your worth. You protect your own fiercely. The dungeon common room with its view of the Black Lake is yours — and the ambitions that will take you further than anyone expects are yours too. 🦡 HufflepuffYou are the kind of person that makes the world genuinely better just by being in it. Hufflepuff is not the "safe" house or the "leftover" house — it is the house of those with the greatest heart and the most unwavering integrity. You show up. You work hard. You don't need glory or recognition — you do what's right because it's right. Your loyalty never wavers, even when tested. Nymphadora Tonks, Cedric Diggory, Newt Scamander — some of the wizarding world's finest. And now you join them. 🦅 RavenclawYour mind is your greatest gift, and you've always known it. Ravenclaws are the thinkers, the questioners, the ones who find a puzzle irresistible and a good book better company than most people. Ravenclaw is not merely about intelligence — it's about the love of learning, the pursuit of truth, and the rare courage to admit you don't know something yet. You see the world with unusual clarity and depth. Luna Lovegood, Filius Flitwick, Rowena Ravenclaw herself — all extraordinary, all original. And so are you. ↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ 4 ‘The Big Bang Theory’ (2007–2019) Image via CBS Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady’s The Big Bang Theory is one of the biggest reasons why geek culture became mainstream and the hottest new trend in the 2010s. Centered on physicists and roommates Leonard and Sheldon, their neighbor Penny, and friends Howard and Rajesh, the sitcom chronicles their social awkwardness and nerdy quirks against real-world challenges. The main ensemble cast features Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Kunal Nayyar, and Simon Helberg, and their characters have since grown into true pop culture icons. Often labeled as Friends for geeks and a spiritual successor to the NBC hit, The Big Bang Theory is adored for its sharp performances with humor rooted in character eccentricities, evolving into a mature comedy about friendship and growth. With consistently impressive viewership, The Big Bang Theory became a landmark of television comedy, spawning multiple spin-offs and reviving interest in science-driven humor. Like Friends, and sometimes even more, The Big Bang Theory’s success lies in the universal appeal of its comedic tales about unlikely friendships. 5 ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ (2005–Present) Image via FX One of the longest-running comedy shows on television, created by and starring Rob McElhenney and Glenn Howerton, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia flips the sitcom formula and is a class apart in the genre. Also starring Charlie Day, Kaitlin Olson, and Danny DeVito, the sitcom follows a group of narcissistic misfits running a struggling Irish pub in South Philadelphia. The show embraces the chaos and moral ambiguity of their dysfunctional relationships and outrageous antics. A record-breaking cult comedy that has run for over two decades, the popularity and legacy of It's Always Sunny is undeniable and arguably greater than that of Friends. An antithesis to the NBC sitcom, It's Always Sunny thrives on a darker, more cynical take on friendship, satirizing social conventions through flawed characters. By turning transactional relationships into comedy gold, the show carved out a unique space in modern sitcom history and has become a meme-worthy pop culture giant. 6 ‘Parks and Recreation’ (2009–2015) Image via NBC In their follow-up to The Office, Greg Daniels and Michael Schur created Parks and Recreation, aka Parks and Rec, which also became a cult-hit workplace mockumentary sitcom. Starring Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, an endlessly optimistic bureaucrat in Pawnee, Indiana, the series follows her relentless endeavors to navigate government red tape, political ambitions, and personal challenges alongside her colleagues. The ensemble cast also features Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Adam Scott, Rob Lowe, and Retta in key roles. Initially niche in popularity, Parks and Rec quickly grew into a cultural phenomenon, noted for its sharp writing, wholesome optimism, and celebration of found family, which still resonates deeply with fans. By the end of its run, Parks and Recreation became a universally acclaimed sitcom that defined its era, anchoring itself as one of NBC’s greatest sitcoms of all time. While Parks and Recreation never garnered the same international recognition as Friends, it is loved as much as the '90s classic, if not more. 7 ‘The Simpsons’ (1989–Present) Image via FOX If there is any comedy on American television that can rival the success, popularity, and universal fan-following of Friends, it is none other than the country’s favorite TV family, The Simpsons of Springfield. Created by Matt Groening, The Simpsons revolves around family members Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie, among the other colorful characters of the town, satirizing American life through topical humor and cultural commentary. Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, and Harry Shearer voice the main characters, amid a rotating ensemble cast. The longest-running sitcom and longest-running animated series on American television, The Simpsons stands as a cornerstone of television. Still airing new episodes, The Simpsons functions as a cultural time capsule and often a disturbingly prescient mirror to society. In particular, the earlier seasons from the '90s are considered to be some of the best episodes of The Simpsons, capturing the cultural zeitgeist with witty dialogue and clever gags, foreshadowing many of the cultural and political trends of today. Release Date December 17, 1989 Network FOX Showrunner Al Jean Cast Homer Simpson / Abe Simpson / Barney Gumble / Krusty (voice) Julie Kavner Marge Simpson / Patty Bouvier / Selma Bouvier (voice)