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12 Best Shows like Seinfeld you Should Watch Now

April 28, 2023
Shows like Seinfeld

Seinfeld is widely considered to be one of the greatest TV shows of all time. The show has a unique brand of humor, relatable characters, and its ability to capture the everyday situations and quirks of modern life. If you’re a fan of the show and miss it, we created a list of shows like Seinfeld that you might like! Have a look.

Seinfeld is a memorable 90s show well appreciated for it’s talented cast and writers, led by the show’s co-creator and star, Jerry Seinfeld. The show tackled taboo topics and push the boundaries of television and had the signature “show about nothing” concept with an ability to turn mundane situations into comedic gold.

List of Shows Like Seinfeld

  1. It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia
  2. Everybody Loves Raymond
  3. Fraiser
  4. Curb Your Enthusiasm
  5. Arrested Development
  6. The League
  7. Veep
  8. Workaholic
  9. Brooklyn Nine-Nine
  10. Master Of None
  11. The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air
  12. Friends

1. It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (2005)

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia follows a group of friends who run a struggling bar in Philadelphia. The show’s characters are often self-centered, morally questionable, and frequently get themselves into bizarre and outrageous situations. Sound familiar? Fans of a series like Seinfeld will appreciate the show’s ability to take mundane situations and turn them into comedic gold.

Additionally, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is known for its willingness to push the boundaries of what’s considered acceptable on tv. The show is unapologetically crude and often tackles taboo topics with humor and irreverence. This willingness to take risks and challenge social norms is reminiscent of Seinfeld’s willingness to push the boundaries of what was considered acceptable on television in the 1990s.

Also Read: Shows like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

2. Everybody Loves Raymond (1996)

Like Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond has a sharp and witty sense of humor that often arises from the characters’ flaws and idiosyncrasies. Additionally, the show explores the dynamics of family life and relationships, offering a heartfelt and often hilarious portrayal of the ups and downs of everyday life.

The show revolves around the life of Ray Barone, a successful sports writer living in Long Island, New York, with his wife Debra and their 3 children. The show explores the dynamics of Ray’s relationship with his parents, Frank and Marie, and his brother Robert, who frequently visit the Barone household. If you’re looking for a series like Seinfeld and haven’t watched Everybody Loves Raymond, then it’s definitely worth checking out.

3. Fraiser (1993)

The American tv sitcom Frasier is widely considered to be one of the most successful spin-offs in TV history. Successor of beloved show Cheers, this show’s premise centers around Frasier’s relationships with his family and colleagues, as well as his attempts to navigate his love life and career. Alongside his brother Niles, Frasier grapples with the ups and downs of life, including dating, marriage, and the challenges of parenthood.

Throughout the show’s 11 seasons, viewers were treated to a witty and intelligent comedy, clever writing, expertly crafted dialogue, and well-developed characters, which is why it’s a great pick for shows like Seinfeld.

4. Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000)

Curb Your Enthusiasm is a popular long-running sitcom created by Larry David, the co-creator of Seinfeld. The show has since become renowned for its unique brand of humor and its portrayal of everyday life through the lens of Larry David’s quirky and socially awkward character. Are you fan of Larry David? Also Read: Shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm

The show follows Larry David, a semi-fictional version of himself, as he navigates his life in Los Angeles. Each episode features Larry getting himself into awkward situations, often due to his inability to read social cues or his tendency to speak his mind without a filter. Curb Your Enthusiasm’s improvisational style of filming and its willingness to explore taboo topics has been praised by audiences and makes for a great series like Seinfeld.

5. Arrested Development (2003)

The 5-season comedy series Arrested Development revolves around the dysfunctional Bluth family, who are forced to navigate their complicated relationships and financial troubles after the patriarch, George Bluth Sr., is sent to prison for fraud.

The show’s humor is rooted in its absurd and satirical take on American culture, with each episode featuring witty and fast-paced dialogue, recurring jokes, and memorable characters. Arrested Development has gained a cult following and is a crazy fun series similar to Seinfeld.

Also Read: Shows like Arrested Development

6. The League (2009)

The League is long running show about a group of friends who are part of a fantasy football league, with each season focused on their comical and often competitive interactions during the football season.

The show’s ensemble cast includes Mark Duplass, Nick Kroll, Paul Scheer, and Jon Lajoie, among others, who each bring their unique comedic style to the show. 
Fans of The League love its irreverent humor, cringe-worthy moments. Similar to shows like Seinfeld, The League focuses on the mundane aspects of everyday life, and the characters’ flaws and quirks are often the source of the show’s humor.

7. Veep (2012)

Julia Louis-Dreyfus aka Elaine Benes plays the main character of Selina Meyer, a fictional vice president and later president of the United States, and her dysfunctional team of advisors and staff.

And that’s not all, similar to a series like Seinfeld, Veep features a witty and irreverent sense of humour that often arises from the characters’ flaws and foibles. Veep has a focus on the political world that allows for a biting and often scathing commentary on modern-day politics.

8. Workaholic (2011)

Workaholics looks a the lives of 3 millennial friends, Adam, Blake, and Anders, who are roommates and coworkers at a telemarketing company. Throughout the series, they often find themselves situations of absurdity, such as attempting to throw a massive office party or trying to scam their way into a celebrity golf tournament.

The show’s humor is often crude and revolves around the characters’ misadventures and bizarre antics. And despite their often questionable behaviour, the characters’ loyalty to each other remains a central theme throughout the show. Workaholics is a genuine laugh-out-loud series similar to Seinfeld.

9. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013)

Along with quirky and lovable characters, and the humor often arises from their flaws and idiosyncrasies, similar to a series like Seinfeld,  Brooklyn Nine-Nine employs recurring jokes and catchphrases. Brooklyn Nine-Nine is police procedural comedy series about the lives of detectives and officers of the 99th precinct of the New York City Police Department, led by the quirky and talented Detective Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg).

Brooklyn Nine-Nine takes a journey into the personal and professional lives of the characters as they navigate their relationships and careers. This show is one of the best modern New York-based comedies that you can watch!

10. Master Of None (2015)

Just like Seinfeld, Master of None series was co-created by a comedian named Aziz Ansari. The series follows the his life as the fictional character Dev, a 30-year-old actor living in New York City, as he navigates his personal and professional life.

A diverse show, Master of None features multiple languages and has unique camera techniques with a focus on social issues such as race, gender, and relationships. It’s a great series similar to Seinfeld, as it adds the challenges of being an immigrant in America just as authentically as the awkward humour we enjoy.

11. The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air (1990)

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is another popular American sitcom from the 90s and it features Will Smith (with his own name like Jerry Seinfeld) as a teenager from West Philadelphia. Will is sent to live with his wealthy aunt and uncle in their Bel-Air mansion after getting into trouble in his hometown.

There are cultural differences and clashes between Will and his family in Bel-Air, as well as his attempts to fit in with his new surroundings. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is a timeless similar to shows like Seinfeld.

12. Friends (1994)

Friends needs no introduction in the world of sitcoms for being one of the most popular sitcoms ever made but if for some reason you haven’t come around watching it, as a fan of shows like Seinfeld you must give it a try. Friends revolves around a group of 6 friends living in New York City, and their various misadventures and relationships. Enjoy watching shows like Seinfeld and Friends? Also Read: Shows like Friends

Friends has a similar brand of humor to Seinfeld with relatable characters as they navigate the everyday mundane challenges of life. The first 2 seasons especially have a very similar feel to Seinfeld, the rest of the seasons only get better as they go. Extremely funny and heart-warming, Friends is not to be missed!

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few shows like Seinfeld that didn’t make a list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. The Mary Tyler Moore Show
  2. The 70s Show
  3. The Simpsons
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When Lost aired over a decade ago, its successful narrative created a pop culture impact and changed the landscape of television. If you are a fan and want to watch shows like Lost then you can have a look at this list we made just for you.

Lost

The hugely successful television series Lost aired in 2004. The premise, as we know, deals with a group of people surviving a commercial passenger plane crash on a remote island. The show masterfully explores supernatural and sci-fi elements on this mysterious south Pacific island. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTu8iDynwNc

The use of cliffhangers at the end of each episode of Lost kept the viewers on the edge of their seats, desperately craving for the next episode to come. Even though it's a large ensemble cast, most of the characters receive a justifiable personal arch. Lost was inspired by the movie Castaway and became one of the most expensive pilots to be shot at the time! Lost continues to be appreciated for its originality in storytelling and dynamic character arcs. 

List of TV Shows Like Lost

  1. The Leftovers
  2. Manifest
  3. Lost Room
  4. Twin Peaks
  5. The Prisoners
  6. Battlestar Galactica
  7. The New People
  8. Flight 29 Down
  9. Fringe
  10. Alcatraz
  11. Under the Dome
  12. Dark

1. The Leftovers (2014)

IMDB ratings: 8.3/10

Cast: Carrie Coon, Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman and Margaret Qualley

Creator: Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta

The director of Lost, Damon Lindel also created a supernatural drama series called The Leftovers. The show begins 3 years after an unexplainable global event called ‘Sudden Departure’  where almost 2 per cent of the population, nearly 140 million people, disappear. The Leftovers isn't about WHY people are gone, it's about how the ones who remain dealt with their loss, people often try to comfort themselves with dreams, angels, gods, or even death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLT3YUALJno&t=8s

The Leftovers will leave you with so many questions but beyond words, you have to feel it and savour its unanswered questions to find peace. The Leftovers is an incredible television series that starts incredibly well but loses its way by the series's end. I have to say though, Carrie Coon has brilliant moments in the end. The Leftovers is so weird, fragmented and nonsensical at times that it reminds me of Lost. If you are looking for shows like Lost, I recommend that you give The Leftovers a try.

2. Manifest  (2018) 

IMDB ratings: 7.1/10

Cast: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas and J.R. Ramirez 

Creator: Jeff Rake


The Manifest is a supernatural drama show about a bunch of people who discover that they lost 5 years of their lives when they landed in New York after their aeroplane faced severe turbulence. All the people on the plane were presumed to be dead. Now, these people have to find a way to adjust themselves to a new life around their loved ones. Mild spoiler! They learn their loved ones and the rest of society is not as they left it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1hNAIzkQWY

I found that the show’s premise was very intriguing and the actors give a very convincing performance. The narrative details of the show, however, in my opinion, are a bit sloppy and inconsistent. The writers surely have room for improvement but their concept is incredibly thrilling. Every episode of Manifest keeps you on your toes. Manifest has completed 3 seasons up until now and continues to be on air. Manifest is a pretty good choice if you want to watch TV shows like Lost.

3. Lost Room (2006)

IMDB ratings: 8.1/10

Cast: Peter Krause, Julianna Margulies and Peter Jacobson

Creator: Christopher Leone, Laura Harkcom

This lesser-known show The Lost Room is an American Sci-fi television miniseries which only had 3 episodes of 90 mins each and no follow-up seasons. The show was based on a very unique idea where the room in question (known as the ‘Lost Room’) and the objects in the said room had supernatural powers. This strange room is set in a 1960s motel along the iconic U.S. Route 66. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfWrECLnFYU

One day the protagonist (Peter Krause) Joe Miller’s daughter disappears inside the room. Joe, with the help of objects present in the room, tries to find his daughter Anna (Elle Fanning). The story of Lost Room was intensely engaging. I found the direction and the actor’s performances to be absolutely brilliant. It baffles me that the creators did not return to make another short season within the same concept. If you have been searching for TV series like Lost then I can assure you that Lost Room will be worth a watch.

4. Twins Peaks (1990) 

IMDB ratings: 8.8/10

Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn and David Lynch

Creator: David Lynch

David Lynch, the well-known director of weird and captivating films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet created an iconic show called Twin Peaks. It is a hauntingly eccentric show about the investigation of the mysterious murder of a small-town homecoming queen named Laura Palmer. Believe me, as odd as the show may seem at first, you will grow to love it, after all, it is considered to be one of the best mystery shows ever created. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwn9ou_nf-I

With the mysteries, the supernatural elements and the list of bizarre characters, Twin Peaks has it all. In my opinion, the cinematography of the show was truly ahead of its time. Kyle’s Dale Cooper was especially entertaining. Twin Peaks’ experimental formula of the satirical soap opera is extremely unsettling yet rewarding to watch, I must warn you, it’s not for the faint-hearted!  If you are in search of TV shows like Lost then Twin Peaks won’t disappoint you.

The Prisoners (1967)

IMDB ratings: 8.5/10

Cast: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat and Geroge Markstien

Creator: Patrick McGoohan


The Prisoner centres around an unnamed British agent (Patrick McGoohan) who tries to flee his country after abruptly quitting his high-ranking government job. He is abducted and held captive in a strange ‘sea-side’ village that is isolated from the rest of the world. This village is a highly secure and monitored place filled with weird technology. There are only 17 episodes to this late 60s show but it manages to bring up such surreal surprises, it's sure to leave a great impact on the viewer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JrNr85fPms

The Prisoner’s unique concept influenced many popular shows including Lost. The creators of Lost even cited the show. I was very impressed by how ahead of its time The Prisoners proves to be. If you want to watch more shows similar to Lost the Prisoners should definitely be on your list.

6. Battlestar Galactica (2004)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Katee Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos and Tricia Helfer 

Creator: Glen A. Larson

The 2004 Battlestar Galactica is a reboot of the original 1978 miniseries of the same name. Do not be mistaken by the title, the show is not related to Star Trek.  Battlestar Galactica is set in the 7th millennium AD and follows Cylons, the robot enemy of humanity that resurfaces to destroy the 12 colonies of Mankind. Only a few survive and are able to escape on ships led by a powerful warship called Battlestar Galactica. Mankind struggles to fight the Cylons and work their own political agendas and disputes while finding their long-lost 13th colony Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnYsf2Yv8i8

The show is a dark, intense and gritty socio-political commentary with EPIC cinematic value. The script is especially clever and as a huge fan of sci-fi shows, this show ticks the boxes in all the right categories. When the show was released, it blew the viewers and critics away. As far as an obsessive and gripping story goes, Battlestar Galactica is one of the most similar to shows like Lost. 

7. The New People (1969)

IMDB ratings: 7.3/10

Cast: David Moses, Zooey hall and Tiffany Boiling

Creator: Larry Gordon Aaron Spelling

The New People is an American Tv series that aired only for 1 season and is focused on a couple of college students who survive a plane crash. The incident takes place while they were returning from a trip to Southeast Asia, their plane crashes on an island in the south of the Pacific ocean. 

By now this show must already be sounding a lot like Lost to you, and it surely is. The remaining group of people discover an unusual truth about the island: there’s an above-ground unused nuclear test site filled with supplies for the survivors. If you want to see more plane survival stories like Lost then The New People should definitely be on your list.

8. Flight 29 Down (2005)

IMDB ratings: 7.2/10

Cast: Allen Alvarado, Halle Hirsh and Corbin Bleu

Creator:  Stan Rowgow D. J. MacHale

The show Flight 29 Down is a drama series about a group of pre-teens/teens who are stranded on a South Pacific island after their plane crashes in a tropical storm while they were flying from an eco-adventure camping trip in Palau. The show is in many ways a younger version of the Adult-centred show Lost but sans the supernatural elements. I’d say that the show draws inspiration from the show The New People.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLeG0w3kL8k

Flight 29 Down uses the technique of a video diary as a plot device for the viewers to keep up with the story of these children. It was very engaging to watch young intelligent characters finding their way on the island. The first two seasons of the show are quite engaging but I seemed to lose interest in its 3rd and final season. Regardless, Flight 29 Down is a really good series to watch if you want to see TV shows like Lost.

9. Fringe (2008)

IMDB ratings: 8.4/10

Cast: Anna Torv, John Noble and Joshua Jackson

Creator: J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci

Fringe is a popular Sci-fi crime drama television series. It may seem like a standard procedural drama at first, but the show actually explores the parallel universe, alternate versions of people filled with crazy scientific experiments. I personally had a great time watching this show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29bSzbqZ3xE

Fringe is actually inspired by shows like Lost, The X-files and The Twilight Zone. The 3 main characters of the show work with a special division called Fringe. There are so many brilliant twists and turns in Fringe that in my opinion, the show is at the top of its category. If you are searching for TV series like Lost, I strongly recommend you watch Fringe. 

10. Alcatraz (2012)

IMDB ratings: 6.9/10

Cast: Sarah Jones, George Garcia and Jonny Coyne 

Creator: Elizabeth Sarnoff, Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt

This American fiction show is based on the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary built on Alcatraz island in San Francisco Bay. The prison is now closed but once kept some of the most dangerous criminals of America. The show takes the liberty to make a show around the conspiracies of the place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V514ACIGp_k

In the interesting premise we see that under unknown circumstances, 256 inmates and 46 guards of the prison disappear without a trace. Later the disappeared ones start to appear one by one without ageing a day and resume their criminal activities with no realisation of disappearance. A special government unit is dedicated to finding and putting those criminals back in prison. If you are looking for mystery shows similar to Lost, try watching Alcatraz. 

11. Under the Dome (2013)

IMDB ratings: 6.5/10

Cast: Alexander Koch and Rachelle Lefevre

Creator: Stephen King

Based on a novel written by the sci-fi legend Stephen King, Under the Dome tells the story of the residents of the fictional small town called Chester's Mill, when a huge, transparent and indestructible dome suddenly cuts them off from the rest of the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Y5YeYrqUk

Now the trapped residents try to find a way to discover the truth, origin and purpose of these domes. This journey forces them into situations where they learn more about each other than they ever knew. Under the Dome may not be on the top of this list but it’s quite a decent watch if you’re looking for mystery shows similar to Lost. 

12. Dark (2017)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari and Gina Stiebitz

Creator: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese

The German-language Netflix series Dark is an interesting blend of Science fiction and Mystery. Truly a compelling and mind-bending story to watch. At the beginning of Dark, many children suspiciously start disappearing in the German town of Winden. The dark past of generational mysteries of 4 families living in the town namely, Kahnwald, Nielsen, Doppler, and Tiedemann is brought to light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrwycJ08PSA

After the discovery of a wormhole, the lives of the families intertwine more than one can imagine. I believe every element of the show is top-notch, especially Dark’s cinematography, which is a TRUE masterpiece. If you are looking for TV series similar to Lost then the intense and gripping story of Dark is sure to keep you engrossed.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few TV shows like Lost that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Carnivale
  2. Yellowjackets
  3. Game of Thrones
  4. Black Mirror
  5. Flashforward
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