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15 Best Shows Like Modern Family For Fans Of Comedy Family Sitcoms 

shows like modern family

One of the most lovable and longest-running sitcoms, Modern Family, has centred around the Dunphy and Pritchett families for 11 seasons. The 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 shows like Modern Family that you can watch instead!

The comedy series Modern Family follows Claire Dunphy (Julie Bowen), her husband and best father Phil Dunphy (Ty Burrell), their children Haley (Sarah Hyland), Alex (Ariel Winter), and Luke, 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), Cameron (Eric Stonestreet), and their adoptive daughter Lily, in addition to Jay (Aubrey Anderson-Emmons). The show made us happy, laugh out loud, and cry, and it is without a doubt one of the best comedy shows.

List of TV Shows Like Modern Family

1. Schitt’s Creek (2015)

The narrative revolves around the Roses, who go from riches to rags and are forced to live in a rundown and unkempt town, Schitt’s Creek. In a family of 4, every character develops beautifully. Simplicity is what drives the entire series, peppered with some top-notch performances. Eugene Levy is convincing as the worrying and doting husband and father. Catherine O’Hara excels as the loud, egoistic, and self-centred yesteryear actress Moira.

Don’t be fooled by their sarcasm; they do actually care about each other and have something of a moral compass in each of them. Even though they are deeply flawed people, you can’t help but grow fond of all of them. Even the side characters will hold a special place in your heart and hence will be one of your favourite shows like Modern Family. 

2. The Office (2005)

Similar to shows like Modern Family, The Office has a unique cinematographical style mockumentary that allows characters to speak their mind without bringing in continuous dialogues or an internal dialogue- narration in the mind, giving a more realistic flow to the show. The Office US Version is based on Ricky Gervasis’ British 1 season long ‘The Office’.

The show follows the employees of the Scranton branch – of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company when they are picked by a documentary film crew to record their daily lives in the office. The employees turn out to be a wide assortment of characters. The writers marvellously twist the flow of the show by adding suspense, a little bit of drama and romance, and a whole lot of insanely funny pranks and jokes, and it really bonds 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.

While Married… with Children has had its own long-running success with 10 seasons, Modern Family fans have pointed out that the family dynamic of Al Bundy unhappily married with two children – a boy and a girl 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 is an awesome choice for shows like Modern Family.

4. This Is Us (2016)

Created by Dan Fogelman, This Is Us is an American romantic-family tragedy series that premiered on NBC. Starring an ensemble cast, the series follows the lives of Kevin, Kate, and Randall, three 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.

This series highlights the everyday rhythms of family life, the simple happiness of loving and being impatient with your parents or longing to be with your siblings. Additionally, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, and Milo Ventimiglia perform brilliantly. Definitely not as light-hearted in comparison to shows like Modern Family, but This Is Us 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, is an idiotic man who usually comes off as selfish but does care for his family, while Marge is a hardworking, devoted wife and mother of 3 children, Bart, Lisa and Maggie.

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 and will surely be a great option for you if want to see awesome shows like Modern Family.

6. Full House (1987)

This beloved ABC hit comedy had plenty of viewers during the ‘80s and ‘90s. The episodes were always funny and interesting. Wholesome family entertainment. Full House is a great 90s family-friendly sitcom with actually funny lines and life values.

Danny 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, and his best friend, comedian Joey Gladstone. This is the best show ever! It is a very funny comedy show with some crazy drama and emotional parts. You will feel as if you are a part of this family. As a fan of family comedy TV shows like Modern Family, I highly recommend Full House to you.

7. Fresh Off the Boat (2015)

Fresh Off the Boat is a show about a Taiwanese-American family who has moved from Washington, DC, to Orlando, Florida. The show centers mostly on 11-year-old Eddie Huang and his struggles to fit in at his new school as the only Asian kid.

Quite similar to series like Modern Family, Fresh Off The Boat is funny, smart, and charming, and you will enjoy every minute of every episode. The creative team behind this series are absolutely brilliant. A special shout out to the cast, including Constance Wu, Randall Park, and Forrest Wheeler, who make the show as good as it is!

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 (for the first time?) of that annoying laugh-track. In fact, the series doesn’t need to remind you when to laugh since it is so secure in its comedic ability.

Reese is as stupid as a sack of diapers and is only good at performing practical jokes, being the bully at school, and getting away from Lois’ punishments. Like Alex from Modern Family, Malcolm is a literal genius with a 165 IQ, but his academic accomplishments are only rivaled by his ability to get into trouble. Malcolm in the Middle is definitely worth watching for shows like Modern Family, it’s inventive and has lots of laughs.

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.” This series may not have had a great beginning, but it has definitely won me over. Contrary to its title, it doesn’t center on race at all (in fact, it barely mentions it at all), but instead deftly and hilariously explores how values and self-identification evolve through time.

 Strong writing, wonderfully cast main performers, and an irreverent look at the problems facing an upper-class black family are what set Blackish apart from other television shows. Obviously, if you are not familiar with the subtleties of black culture, you might not “understand” some of the humour. At the end of the day, the show is funny and entertaining. I would highly recommend you watch this great family sitcom as a fan of sitcoms shows like Modern Family.

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!

Young Sheldon is narrated from the perspective of grown-up Sheldon Cooper, who, as a 10-year-old from Texas, lived with his loving and religious mother, football coach father, his siblings, and his favorite – Meemaw (Grandmother). Sheldon is prompted to higher grades in school, but his lack of social understanding and arrogance makes for an interesting delusional, and funny point of view. Young Sheldon is great series similar to Modern Family.

11. Arrested Development (2003)

Arrested Development is a story of a dysfunctional extended family which lost everything and how one man tries to keep them together. This is usually a set of multiple running story arcs. The success of Arrested Development laid the groundwork for shows like Modern Family to do well. If you’ve already seen this, check out our list of shows like Arrested Development.

The Bluth family, developers who are in bankruptcy with the father in prison for fraud. One son, Michael, tries to be responsible and keep things going, while the rest of the group is entirely self-centred and can’t seem to focus on the fact they are broke and in disgrace. While both shows are awesome, Arrested Development episodes are much more intelligent and interwind compared to a series like Modern Family.

12. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015)

This is Ellie Kemper’s unhinged comedy at best. The series starts slow, but only in a few episodes, you’ll be hooked. With a cast that gets better with age, writing that goes from zany and out of this world to surprisingly profound and sweet, and a stellar sense of humour, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is a series like Modern family that 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. 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 told in a sort of flashback way by Ted, the main character explaining to his kids how he met their mother. Ted is an architect; the other main characters are Marshall, a lawyer who’s married to Lily, a kindergarten teacher. Barney is a lady’s man, and Robin 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 humour 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 should make a good binge-watch after comedy TV shows like Modern Family.

14. The Middle (2009)

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. The middle really makes typical middle-class American issues very comical and entertaining. The writing is very funny and entertaining, and it showcases the writer’s raw talent. This is a very funny kinda, family-friendly American sitcom like Modern Family.

15. Parks and Recreation (2009)

The final recommendation of this list has to be Parks and Recreation. Set in a horrid little fictional town in Indiana named ‘Pawnee’. It is a series–much like The Office and Modern Family. However, instead of trying to copy the main points of success by The Office, Parks and Recreation have come up with its very own recipe.

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. For s series similar to Modern Family, this is an absolute must-watch!

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few shows like Modern Family that didn’t make it to the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. The Good Place
  2. Rick and Morty
  3. Seinfield
  4. Friends 
  5. Community

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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