One of the most lovable and longest-running sitcoms, Modern Family, has centered around the Dunphy and Pritchett families for 11 seasons on ABC Network. The series had its Finale in 2020, and ever since then, fans have deeply missed the show. Great shows like Modern Family make us happy, laugh out loud, and cry, and it is without a doubt one of the best comedy shows out there. This comedy series went on to win multiple awards, including Primetime Emmys and Golden Globes for their creators, Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan, their writers, and their superb ensemble cast.
The cast includes Claire Dunphy (Julie Bowen), her husband and best father Phil Dunphy (Ty Burrell), their children Haley (Sarah Hyland), Alex (Ariel Winter), and Luke (Nolan Gould), as well as Jay Pritchett (Ed O’Neill), his new wife Gloria (Sofia Vergara), his stepson Manny (Rico Rodriguez), and his daughters family (Nolan Gould). The show also features Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and Cameron (Eric Stonestreet) as a gay couple with their adoptive daughter Lily (Aubrey Anderson-Emmons). Modern Family came to a conclusion in 2020, and since then, the fans have been missing it. We have created a list of 15 hilarious and entertaining that you can watch instead!
List of TV Shows Like Modern Family
1. Schitt’s Creek (2015)
This American comedy show follows a family called the Roses as their life goes from being ultra-rich to poor after becoming a victim of fraud. They are forced to move into their only remaining property, an unsophisticated town called Schitt’s Creek. The family consists of 4 people, the worrying father, Johnny (Eugene Levy); the bold mother, Moira, who used to be an actress (Catherine O’Hara); and 2 children, the Self-centered Alexis (Annie Murphy) and the gay David (Dan Levy) with endless phobias.
Written and produced by the father-son duo Eugene and Dan, every single moment of their interactions in the 6 seasons is filled with sarcastic comments but don’t be fooled; they do actually care about each other and have more logic than it may appear. These are some deeply flawed people that you can’t help but grow fond of! Even the side characters will hold a special place in your heart the way Modern Family did.
2. The Office (2005)
The comedy show The Office has a unique cinematographical style mockumentary similar to Modern Family, where the characters speak their mind in front of the camera without bringing in continuous dialogues or an internal dialogue- narration in mind. This style gives both shows a more realistic flow. The Office US Version is based on Ricky Gervasis’ British 1 season long The Office.
The 9 seasons of this NBC show follow the daily work-life of the employees of the Scranton branch of ‘Dunder Mifflin Paper Company.’ Ordinary at first glance, the employees soon turn out to be a wide variety of distinct characters. The creators, Ricky Gervais & Stephen Merchant, marvelously create a lively and funny environment in the show through an exceptional cast of ensemble characters like Michael Scott (Steve Carell), Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer), Jim Helpert (John Krasinski) and, Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson). Winner of numerous prestigious awards, including a Golden Globe for Best TV Series, The Office is packed with crazy skits, a little bit of drama and romance, and a whole lot of insanely funny pranks and jokes that really bond us with the characters.
3. Married… with Children (1987)
One of the main reasons to have this show on the list is to do with Ed O’Neill. Before Ed played the role of Jay Prichett, he was the main character Al Bundy in this comedy sitcom Married… with Children, but that’s not the only reason why you should watch this show. Much like Modern Family, this show follows the day-to-day life of an American family called the Bundys.
Created by Michael G. Moye and Ron Leavitt, Married… with Children has had its own long-running success with 11 seasons. Modern Family fans have pointed out that the family dynamic of Al Bundy, unhappily married to Peggy Bundy (Katey Sagal) with 2 children -Bud Bundy (David Faustino) and Kelly Bundy (Christina Applegate) feels like an alternative version of his original marriage with DeDe and the children, Claire and Mitch. Regardless of this cool connection, Married… with Children was a highly popular show in its time of airing on FOX networks and is an awesome choice for you.
Also Read: Shows like Friends
4. This Is Us (2016)
Created by Dan Fogelman, This Is Us is an American romantic-family tragedy series. Also featuring an ensemble cast, this series follows the lives of Kevin (Justin Hartley), Kate (Chrissy Metz), and Randall (Sterling K. Brown), 3 siblings who have to go through a unique set of personal struggles at different intervals in life. The trio is trying to find happiness and a way to get through a tragedy of their past.
The 6 seasons of this series highlight the everyday rhythms of family life, the simple happiness of loving and being impatient with your parents or longing to be with your siblings. This Is Us has been the no.1 broadcast drama for adults every season since it began airing on NBC. The series addresses heavy emotions of loss and guilt in an authentic and raw way, receiving high critical acclaim for its writing and performances from actors like Milo Ventimiglia and Mandy Moore. The family journey of This Is Us may not be as light-hearted as Modern Family, but it has so much heart that all the tears will be worth it!
5. The Simpsons (1989)
The longest running Animated comedy sitcom, The Simpsons, explores the lives of the said family living in Springfield – The father- Homer Simpson (voiced by Dan Castellanet), is an idiotic man who usually comes off as selfish but does care for his family, while Marge (Julie Kavner) is a hardworking, devoted wife and mother of 3 children, Bart (Nancy Cartwright), Lisa (Yeardley Smith) and Maggie. Created by Matt Groening, the show has been a part of viewers for more than 3 decades. This satirical representation of American life was first produced by Groening as animated shorts, later turned into a series, and they went on to be a regular sitcom on Fox.
Bart is always up to some sort of mischief causing, while Lisa is a diligent, mature, and smart young girl, and Maggie. Well, she is just a normal baby (or is she?). Either way, by now, you might have realized just how similar the family dynamic sound to the Dunphys! The Simpsons has entertained generations with 35 seasons so far and won dozens of awards since it debuted as a series, including 35 Primetime Emmy Awards and 2 Peabody Awards. For a family comedy, you can’t go wrong with The Simpsons!
Watch it on Hulu and Disney Plus
6. Full House (1987)
This beloved ABC hit comedy, Full House, was created by Jeff Franklin and was a huge hit in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Danny (Bob Saget) is a widower who is raising his 3 little girls after the death of his wife. But he has help from his musician brother-in-law, Jesse Katsopolis (John Stamos), and his best friend, comedian Joey Gladstone (Dave Coulier).
After 3 decades, the episodes continue to be funny and engaging. Like Modern Family, it’s a true, wholesome American family entertainment. Full House is a classic 90s family-friendly sitcom with important life values. It is a funny comedy show with some crazy drama with heartfelt moments. You will feel as if you are a part of this family.
7. Fresh Off the Boat (2015)
Fresh Off the Boat is a sitcom about a Taiwanese-American family of 5 who have moved from Chinatown of Washington, DC, to Orlando, Florida. Created by Nahnatchka Khan, the show opens with the 11-year-old Eddie Huang (Hudson Yang) and his struggles to fit in at his new school as the only Asian kid.
Quite like Modern Family, Fresh Off The Boat is a funny, smart, and charming family sitcom. Randall Park and Constance Wu’s comedic timing as Asian parents makes the show that much more special. The sitcom was produced by 20th Century Fox Television for ABC and ran for 6 seasons. Every episode is so silly and relatable that you will enjoy every minute of it!
8. Malcolm In The Middle (2000)
Malcolm in the Middle, a creation of Linwood Boomer, is one of the first sitcoms to set itself apart from the usual family-friendly clichés and feature a totally irredeemable, dysfunctional family, and in the process, get rid of the overplayed laugh-track. In fact, the 7-season long series doesn’t need to remind viewers when to laugh since it’s secure in its comedic ability.
Reese (Justin Berfield) is as stupid as a sheep and is only good at performing practical jokes, being the bully at school, and getting away from Lois’ punishments. Like Alex Dunphy from Modern Family, Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) is a literal genius with a 165 IQ, but his academic accomplishments are only rivaled by his ability to get into trouble. With brilliant actors like Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek as a part of the lead, Malcolm in the Middle is worth watching!
9. Black-ish (2014)
The satirical TV series Black-ish is based on the premise that society perceives blackness to have a particular connotation or simply that certain actions and viewpoints are “black.” Contrary to its title, it doesn’t center on race at all (in fact, it barely mentions it), but instead, the 8 seasons deftly and hilariously explore how values and self-identification evolve through time.
Strong writing from Kenya Barris, wonderfully cast main performers, and an irreverent look at the problems facing an upper-class black family are what set this ABC network series apart from other television shows. The show received an Emmy and a Golden Globe nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series. Tracee Ellis Ross, who plays Rainbow Johnson, one of the leads, has received individual praise, winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. At the end of the day, this show is purely funny and entertaining, just the way Modern Family is.
10. Young Sheldon (2017)
While we are talking about shows with one intelligent kid and 2 not so intelligent (but popular and street-smart) kids, nothing compares to the Big Bang Theory spin-off show Young Sheldon. Being a spin-off, viewers who haven’t seen the original show might think it will be harder to follow or not up to the mark, but not only does the show stand well on its own, but it is extremely hilarious!
Chuck Lorre and Steven Molaro created Young Sheldon as a narration from the perspective of grown-up Sheldon Cooper about his life as a 10-year-old from Texas. Played by Iain Armitage, as a young boy, Sheldon lived with his loving and religious mother Mary (Zoe Perry), football coach father George (Lance Barber), his older brother George-y (Montana Jordan), twin sister (Raegan Revord), and his favorite – Grandmother, Meemaw (Annie Potts). This CBS series opens with Sheldon being promoted to a higher grade in school, but his lack of social understanding and arrogance makes for an interesting, delusional, and funny point of view. Young Sheldon is a great alternative to Modern Family, with 6 seasons so far.
11. Arrested Development (2003)
The sitcom Arrested Development first aired on Fox and follows the story of a dysfunctional wealthy-extended family which loses everything overnight. The series usually works as a set of multiple running story arcs. The Bluth family, developers who are in bankruptcy with the father in prison for fraud. One son, Michael (Jason Bateman), tries to be responsible and keep things going, while the rest of the group is entirely self-centered and can’t seem to focus on the fact they are broke and in disgrace.
Arrested Development, created by Mitchell Hurwitz, is a brilliant blend of absurdism, visual humor, running gags, and wordplay. The series didn’t have very high viewer ratings but went on to be recognized by critics and won 6 Primetime Emmys, including Outstanding Comedy and Best Actor for Jason. The success of the 5 seasons of Arrested Development laid the groundwork for family comedy shows like Modern Family to do well.
Already seen it? Read Shows like Arrested Development
12. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015)
This is Ellie Kemper’s unhinged comedy at best. The series was created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, and though it starts slow, only in a few episodes, you’ll be hooked. In the 4 seasons, the writing goes from zany and out of this world to surprisingly profound and sweet with a stellar sense of humor. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is a series like Modern Family that only gets better with time.
Ellie Kemper plays the titular Kimmy Schmidt, an infectiously optimistic young woman who has just been freed after spending 15 years underground as part of an Apocalypse Cult. Not knowing what to do with her life now that she is finally free, she settles on staying in New York City, where she will get into numerous misadventures. Streaming on Netflix, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is a wonderful and wildly entertaining series with some of the most refreshing and enjoyable characters you will ever see.
13. How I Met Your Mother (2005)
How I Met Your Mother is a popular sitcom created by Craig Thomas and Carter Bays for CBS. Told in a sort of flashback way by Ted (Josh Radnor), the main character explaining to his kids how he met their mother. Ted is an architect; the other main characters are Marshall (Jason Segel), a lawyer who’s married to Lily (Alyson Hannigan), a kindergarten teacher. Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) is a lady’s man, and Robin (Cobie Smulders) is a television reporter.
This is a comedy show based in the heart of New York, filled with love; adventures mixed up with tons of funny stories. Modern Family has a similar kind of creative humor to How I Met Your Mother since they use popular cultural references, trends, and celebrities as a part of their narrative to elevate the relatability. How I Met Your Mother went on for 9 seasons and became a staple for young viewers who love watching sitcoms revolving around friendships.
14. The Middle (2009)
Another great 9 seasons-long family comedy, The Middle, follows the misadventures of the Heck family in the small town of Orson in the flyover state of Indiana. Frankie (Patricia Heaton) does everything to make ends meet. Strong silent type Mike (Neil Flynn) is the supervisor at the quarry. The oldest child Axl (Charlie McDermott), is self-possessed to a fault. Middle child Sue (Eden Sher) is unflinchingly positive despite constant bumblings. Brick (Atticus Shaffer) exists on the spectrum.
A superb show, The Middle sadly never really gained the wider acclaim it deserves, though it has a very loyal fan base, and that’s just as important. Creator Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline’s idea was to make typical middle-class American issues very comical and entertaining. The writing is very funny and entertaining, and it showcases the writer’s raw talent. Fans of Modern Family are sure to enjoy this underrated ABC network series!
15. Parks and Recreation (2009)
This recommendation list is incomplete without mentioning Parks and Recreation. Set in a horrid little fictional town in Indiana named ‘Pawnee.’ It is a mockumentary comedy- much like The Office and Modern Family. However, instead of trying to copy the main points of success by The Office, Michael Schur came up with his very own recipe for Parks and Recreation.
Amy Poehler is amazing as the lead actress; she plays an extremely enthusiastic city official in a department filled with bludgers and lazy bums. Before you know it, you will wish your own city had such a department, and you will fall in love with the show.
Already seen it? Read Shows like Parks and Recreation
Honourable Mentions
Here are a few shows that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless:
- The Good Place
- Rick and Morty
- Seinfeld
- Friends
- Community
