Laughing Into the New Millennium
Comedy didn’t peak in the ‘90s—don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. The 21st century brought a new wave of sitcoms that pushed boundaries, broke the fourth wall, and made us laugh in ways we didn’t know we needed. From the mockumentary boom to dark comedies with razor-sharp writing, sitcoms found clever ways to stay relevant while still delivering gut-busting laughs.
Whether you're into awkward office antics, chaotic family life, or biting social commentary, there's been no shortage of shows to binge and quote relentlessly. So grab your remote—and maybe a snack—as we list the funniest sitcoms of the 21st century.
This is obviously not an easy list to narrow down. Did we get it right? Did we miss any hysterical sitcoms? Let us know in the comments.
"Arrested Development" (2003–2019)
Arrested Development wasn’t just ahead of its time—it was so far ahead that casual viewers needed a map (and a Reddit thread) to catch every joke. Whether you were in it for Lucille's one-liners or Gob’s magic tricks, this show proved that comedy is best served with a side of banana stand.
Top 10 Most Hilarious Lucille Bluth Moments, MsMojo
"The Office" (2005–2013)
The Office took cringe comedy to new heights, transforming awkward silence into an art form. Steve Carell’s Michael Scott is one of the greatest sitcom characters of all time—equal parts inappropriate and endearing. And let’s not forget the pranks, the romances, and the fact that we all kind of wish we worked with Jim and Pam. If you’ve never done a rewatch, are you even working remotely?
And there is no way this one can be on the list without also honoring...
Scott's Tots (The Michael Scott Foundation) - The Office (Digital Exclusive), The Office
"The Office" (UK) (2001–2003)
The Office (UK) changed television comedy with its dry delivery, excruciating awkwardness, and documentary-style realism. Led by Ricky Gervais' delightfully cringe-inducing David Brent (we're using the word "cringe" a lot here aren't we?), the show captured the soul-sucking monotony of office life with brutal honesty and deadpan wit. The beauty of The Office lies in its ability to make you squirm, then laugh.
And let us stay in the UK for our next one also...
The Office (UK) ULTIMATE BEST MOMENTS! | The Office, The Office
"Peep Show" (2003–2015)
Peep Show is like being trapped in someone else’s cringe (there is that word again)—and loving every second of it. Told entirely from the first-person perspectives (complete with inner monologue voiceovers) of two dysfunctional flatmates, Mark and Jez, the show turns the awkwardness dial right up to 11. From romantic disasters, to career failures and existential spirals—Peep Show manages to make human misery hilariously relatable. Its dry British wit and uncomfortable realism helped it become a cult favorite. We'll give you bonus points if you’ve ever muttered, “That’s a laugh of recognition, not judgment.”
The BEST MOMENTS Of Season 1 | Part 2 | Peep Show, Peep Show
"Parks and Recreation" (2009–2015)
Parks and Rec took the mockumentary format of The Office and made it warmer, weirder, and (somehow) more wholesome. Leslie Knope’s unrelenting optimism is balanced beautifully by Ron Swanson’s libertarian grunts, with plenty of deadpan gems from April, Tom, and Donna. It’s a love letter to public service—just with way more waffles.
Parks and Recreation | Every Cold Open (Season 2 Part 1) by Peacock
"30 Rock" (2006–2013)
30 Rock packed more jokes per minute than most shows manage in an entire episode. Tina Fey’s Liz Lemon gave us all permission to embrace our inner nerds, and Alec Baldwin’s Jack Donaghy was somehow both a corporate shark and a mentor we wanted. With surreal plots and quickfire wit, this show proved that TV about making TV can actually be good TV.
Best Of Liz Lemon (Season 2) | 30 Rock, 30 Rock Official
"Brooklyn Nine-Nine" (2013–2021)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine brought improv-style goofs and Die Hard references every five minutes. Andy Samberg’s Jake Peralta was the class clown of the precinct, and Andre Braugher’s stone-faced Holt became a low-key comedic genius. The show mixed heartfelt moments with running gags like the Halloween heists and Terry’s yogurt obsession.
"Schitt's Creek" (2015–2020)
Schitt’s Creek went from under-the-radar to global sensation. The riches-to-rags setup let its fish-out-of-water characters bloom into fan favorites. Moira’s vocabulary alone should be studied in comedy writing courses. But behind every absurd wig is a heartwarming message. Ew, David—but also, yes, David.
Best of Moira | Schitt’s Creek | Prime Video, Prime Video
"Community" (2009–2015)
Community was less a sitcom and more a genre experiment wrapped in a school-themed tortilla. Its paintball episodes alone are enough to cement it in TV history. The pop culture references flew fast and furiously, and Abed might’ve been the first truly meta character on primetime. Six seasons and—well, you know the rest.
COMMUNITY | A Complete Retrospective, Prime's Theater
"New Girl" (2011–2018)
New Girl started as a Zooey Deschanel vehicle but became an ensemble comedy gem. Jess, Nick, Schmidt, Winston, and Cece made their loft feel like a chaotic sitcom dream home. Schmidt’s absurd declarations (“Youths!”) and Winston’s bizarre antics (Ferguson the cat!) delivered endless laughs. Somehow the roommates felt both ridiculous and real.
New Girl | Jess Meets Jake Peralta and the 99th Precinct Department by Peacock
"Scrubs" (2001–2010)
Balancing absurd cutaway gags with moments of emotional gut-punches, Scrubs followed daydreaming doctor J.D. and his friends at Sacred Heart Hospital. What made Scrubs unique wasn’t just its comedy—it was how it effortlessly flipped the switch from laugh-out-loud slapstick to poignant real-life issues like death, love, and growing up. And let’s be honest: The Janitor deserves his own spin-off.
Scrubs (2001-2010) - Season 1 Preview, Media Graveyard
"Curb Your Enthusiasm" (2000–present)
Curb thrives on awkward encounters, social faux pas, and the joy of watching someone say what we all think but would never dare say. Every minor gripe is escalated to catastrophic levels of pettiness. It’s unscripted brilliance at its crankiest.
Curb Your Enthusiasm: Come and Watch, Curb YourTube
"Ted Lasso" (2020–2023)
Ted Lasso was a surprise emotional gut punch disguised as a sports comedy. Jason Sudeikis brought empathy, awkward charm, and a killer mustache to a character who might be the kindest man in fiction. It made us laugh, cry, and somehow care deeply about soccer. A show that proved niceness can still be hilarious.
Ted Lasso — Official Trailer | Apple TV+, Apple TV
"Broad City" (2014–2019)
Few shows have captured the millennial experience in all its messy glory like Broad City. Created by (and starring) Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer, the series followed two best friends navigating life, work, and Bed Bath and Beyond in New York City. Broad City was unfiltered, hilarious, and often sneakily profound in how it portrayed modern womanhood. It didn’t just push boundaries—it happily steamrolled over them in a pizza costume.
Top 10 Hilarious Broad City Moments, MsMojo
"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" (2005–present)
Sunny is the antithesis of character development, and that’s the joke. From milksteak to kitten mittens, the show’s brand of chaotic evil has produced some of the most quotable comedy of the century. It’s wrong in all the right ways.
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia | Official Series Trailer | FX, FX Networks
"The Good Place" (2016–2020)
The Good Place made moral philosophy funny. It started as a fish-out-of-water setup and evolved into a high-concept comedy with stakes, twists, and Janet (who is not a girl). It’s rare that a show makes you laugh and question your own ethics. Forking brilliant.
THE GOOD PLACE - Official Trailer - NBC Fall Shows 2016, A2Z TV Trailers
"Veep" (2012–2019)
Veep delivered ruthless political satire, with Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s Selina Meyer reigning over a chaotic staff. The insults were art. The plot twists were relentless. It was like watching government burn… hilariously.
Veep (2012) Season 1 - Deleted and Extra Scenes, Cheesy Buzz
"Archer" (2009–present)
If James Bond had a drinking problem, crippling mommy issues, and a complete lack of professionalism, you’d get Archer (and you'd love it).
This animated espionage sitcom stars Sterling Archer, the world’s most dangerous (and inappropriate) spy, surrounded by a cast of equally dysfunctional coworkers. The show’s rapid-fire banter and running gags make it endlessly quotable. Archer is smart, stylish, and wildly stupid in the best possible way.
Archer (2009) - Archer's Dog Rule (PG), Mr. Marshmello
"Modern Family" (2009–2020)
Modern Family redefined the family sitcom. Its documentary-style format and cast chemistry felt real from day one. Whether it was Cam and Mitchell’s parenting antics or Phil Dunphy’s well-meaning buffoonery, it hit emotional and comedic highs consistently.
Modern Family | The Most Dad-Tastic Moments, Peacock
"The Big Bang Theory" (2007–2019)
The Big Bang Theory helped bring geek culture into the mainstream. Sheldon Cooper became a pop culture staple, and the show embraced its nerdy roots. With punchy one-liners and roommate contracts, it stuck to a winning formula.
Unforgettable Sheldon Cooper Moments (Seasons 1-3) | The Big Bang Theory, Big Bang Theory
"How I Met Your Mother" (2005–2014)
HIMYM delivered laughs with a healthy dose of feels. Barney Stinson’s antics were legendary, and the gang’s bar banter gave us an updated Friends vibe. Slap bets, blue French horns, and “have you met Ted?”—timeless.
robin scherbatsky being iconic for six minutes straight, schrbctsky
"Superstore" (2015–2021)
Superstore found humor in fluorescent lights and customer returns. It tackled real issues like immigration and unionizing without losing its charm. Garrett’s announcements alone were worth tuning in for.
Superstore (NBC) Trailer HD, TV Promos
"The Middle" (2009–2018)
The Middle quietly delivered solid laughs centered on a lower-middle-class family in Indiana. Brick’s quirks, Sue’s optimism, and Frankie’s exasperation hit home in the best ways.
Funniest Moments from Season 1 | The Middle, ClipZone: Sitcoms
"Derry Girls" (2018–2022)
Derry Girls made political unrest hilarious. With teenage antics and Sister Michael’s legendary side-eyes, it became a cult hit. Short seasons, big laughs, and an unforgettable soundtrack.
Derry Girls | The BEST of Derry Girls, Popcorn
"Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" (2015–2019)
Kimmy Schmidt blended trauma and absurdity with lightning-fast jokes. Ellie Kemper brought unrelenting positivity, and Titus Andromedon stole the show. Females are strong as hell—and funny too.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Trailer, IGN
"What We Do in the Shadows" (2019–present)
Shadows shouldn’t work, but it absolutely does. Vampire roommates argue over chores and seduce locals in Staten Island. Nandor, Laszlo, and Nadja are comedic gold with fangs.
What We Do in the Shadows - Official Trailer, Madman Films
"Louie" (2010–2015)
Louie blurred the line between comedy and drama with surreal vignettes. It was bold, often uncomfortable, and uniquely funny. A groundbreaking show with a complicated legacy.
Louie | Best Moments, Larone - Movies & TV
"Black-ish" (2014–2022)
Black-ish tackled race, identity, and privilege with wit and heart. Dre, Rainbow, and their kids brought complexity and laughter to the modern family sitcom. It blended smart social commentary with relatable family chaos.
Bow and Dre Try to Navigate the New Normal - black-ish, ABC
"Workaholics" (2011–2017)
Workaholics turned bro humor into an art form. With wild storylines, backyard beer antics, and total disregard for HR policies, the show found comedy in chaos.
Workaholics: The Final Season | Comedy Central UK, Comedy Central UK
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