Top 10 Must-Watch Comedy Series in 2025
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The comedy television landscape in 2025 has delivered an exceptional array of laugh-out-loud shows that combine sharp writing, outstanding performances, and fresh perspectives. From workplace sitcoms to Hollywood satires, this year's comedy offerings prove that the genre continues to evolve and thrive. Whether you're looking for heartwarming humor, clever satire, or absurdist comedy, 2025 has something for every taste. Here are the ten comedy series you absolutely need to add to your watchlist.
1. The Studio
Where to Watch: Apple TV+
Seth Rogen's Hollywood satire has emerged as 2025's breakout comedy hit, earning Emmy wins and universal critical acclaim. The series casts Rogen as Matt Remick, a neurotic studio head navigating the absurdities of modern filmmaking while trying to produce billion-dollar blockbusters without upsetting "the talent".
What makes The Studio exceptional is its commitment to showcasing the inherent chaos of the entertainment industry. Each episode is shot in long takes that follow the action like a documentary crew, creating an immersive experience that feels both intimate and chaotic. The show delivers laugh-out-loud moments that don't require insider knowledge of Hollywood to appreciate.
Critics have hailed it as "2025's best new show to date", with one reviewer noting, "It was absolutely hilarious. Each episode will literally make you laugh out loud". The series features an impressive roster of celebrity cameos while maintaining focus on the human comedy at its core. Already renewed for a second season, The Studio is must-watch television for anyone who enjoys smart, sophisticated humor.
2. Abbott Elementary
Where to Watch: ABC, Hulu
Now in its fifth season, this mockumentary-style sitcom continues to prove why it's one of broadcast television's biggest success stories. Created by and starring Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary follows a group of dedicated teachers working at an underfunded Philadelphia public school, delivering both heartfelt moments and sharp social commentary.
The show maintains its winning formula of balancing workplace comedy with genuine emotional depth. Season 5 introduces new challenges as Janine navigates her evolving role at the school, Melissa adjusts to teaching sixth graders, and the entire staff deals with building maintenance issues that threaten the school's future.
With Emmy nominations continuing to roll in and viewership remaining strong at 2.83 million for the season premiere, Abbott Elementary demonstrates that network sitcoms can still compete in the streaming era. The ensemble cast, led by Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Janelle James, delivers performances that are both hilarious and genuinely touching.
3. Hacks
Where to Watch: Max (HBO Max)
Jean Smart's Emmy-winning comedy series returns for its fourth season, maintaining its status as one of television's smartest and funniest shows. The series explores the unlikely partnership between legendary Las Vegas comedian Deborah Vance (Smart) and young writer Ava Daniels, examining generational divides in the comedy world while delivering consistently brilliant humor.tvline+1
Critics praise Hacks as a "masterclass in meta-exploration," thoughtfully examining questions about success, legacy, and what comes after reaching the top. The fourth season continues the show's tradition of being both a "riot" and emotionally resonant, cementing its status as one of the "funniest shows" on television.
Smart's performance remains the emotional and comedic anchor, but the entire cast shines in this sharp, insightful series that understands both the comedy industry and human nature with equal precision.
4. The Bear
Where to Watch: Hulu (FX on Hulu)
While technically categorized as a comedy-drama, The Bear continues to compete in comedy categories and delivers moments of genuine humor amidst its intense kitchen drama. Season 4 premiered in June 2025, following chef Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto and his team as they face a two-month deadline to turn their struggling restaurant around or face closure.
The series has earned 21 Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series. Jeremy Allen White's performance as Carmy remains captivating, supported by an exceptional ensemble cast including Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Liza Colón-Zayas.
Season 4 tackles themes of healing and growth, moving away from the destructive cycles that defined earlier seasons. The show's commitment to authenticity in depicting restaurant life, combined with its exploration of family dynamics and personal ambition, makes it compulsively watchable television.
5. Shrinking
Where to Watch: Apple TV+
From the creative team behind Ted Lasso, this Emmy-nominated comedy stars Jason Segel as Jimmy Laird, a grieving therapist who begins breaking professional rules by telling his clients exactly what he thinks. Co-starring Harrison Ford in a scene-stealing performance, Shrinking balances humor with genuine emotional depth.
Season 3 is set to premiere on January 28, 2026, with exciting new guest stars including Jeff Daniels and Michael J. Fox. The series has been praised for its ability to tackle serious subjects like grief, mental health, and family dysfunction while maintaining a consistently warm and funny tone.
Created by Bill Lawrence, Brett Goldstein, and Segel, Shrinking represents the best of Apple TV+'s comedy offerings—intelligent, heartfelt, and featuring performances that resonate long after the credits roll.
6. Only Murders in the Building
Where to Watch: Hulu
This Hulu whodunit wisely refocused on its core trio in Season 5, delivering some of its biggest laughs yet. Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez return as amateur podcasters investigating murders in their Upper West Side apartment building, the Arconia.
Season 4 raised the stakes significantly, featuring the murder of Sazz Pataki and revealing ongoing mysteries that will carry into the fifth season. The show's ability to balance mystery, comedy, and genuine suspense while featuring outstanding guest stars (including Paul Rudd's return as robot doorman LESTR) keeps audiences engaged.
With clever writing, impeccable comedic timing from its leads, and increasingly complex murder mysteries, Only Murders in the Building continues to demonstrate why it's one of streaming's most beloved comedies.
7. Ghosts
Where to Watch: CBS, Paramount+
CBS's adaptation of the British series continues to charm audiences in its fifth season, which premiered in October 2025. The sitcom follows Sam and Jay, a young couple who inherit a haunted mansion and transform it into a bed-and-breakfast, unaware that it's inhabited by an eclectic group of ghosts from different eras.
The show has been renewed through Season 6, a testament to its success with nearly 11 million multiplatform viewers. The ensemble cast of ghosts—from a Viking to a 1920s jazz singer to a scout leader—provides endless comedic possibilities, while the relationship between Sam (who can see the ghosts) and Jay (who cannot) anchors the series in genuine emotion.
Season 5 continues the show's tradition of silly shenanigans mixed with heartfelt moments, including the return of fan-favorite characters like demon Elias Woodstone and Puritan spirit Patience.
8. Nobody Wants This
Where to Watch: Netflix
This romantic comedy became one of 2025's surprise hits, starring Kristen Bell as Joanne, a sex and dating podcaster, and Adam Brody as Noah, a rabbi. The series explores whether their relationship can survive their wildly different lives and meddling families.
The show earned Emmy nominations and critical praise for its fresh take on the romantic comedy genre. With a second season already confirmed for later in 2025, Nobody Wants This proves that the rom-com format still has plenty of life when approached with smart writing and genuine chemistry between leads.
Viewers have praised the series for its excellent writing and ability to balance humor with authentic emotional moments. It's the perfect choice for anyone seeking a feel-good comedy with heart.
9. The Chair Company
Where to Watch: HBO
Tim Robinson's "beautifully bizarre" HBO comedy builds an entire series around a broken office chair—and somehow makes it work brilliantly. Robinson plays Ron, an Ohio corporate manager with an extremely short fuse who investigates a conspiracy after an embarrassing workplace incident.
Robinson's highly absurd comedy style, which he perfected on Netflix's I Think You Should Leave, reaches new heights in The Chair Company. The show features the kind of painfully awkward humor that has become Robinson's signature, but with enough heart and character development to sustain a full series.
Critics note that viewers need to have a taste for offbeat, unconventional comedy, but for those who appreciate Robinson's unique voice, The Chair Company is comedy gold.
10. A Man on the Inside
Where to Watch: Netflix
Mike Schur's latest creation stars Ted Danson as Charles, a retired professor who goes undercover at a retirement community to solve a mystery for a private investigator. Inspired by the documentary The Mole Agent, the series balances mystery, humor, and poignant examination of aging and loneliness.
Danson's performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination and widespread critical acclaim. The show has been renewed for Season 2, set to premiere later in 2025. What sets A Man on the Inside apart is its ability to tackle serious themes like dementia, loss, and aging while maintaining a warm, funny tone that never feels exploitative.
Critics call it "one of the best Netflix shows" of the year, with one reviewer noting, "I experienced moments of laughter and tears". The ensemble cast of retirement home residents brings depth and humor to every episode, making this series both entertaining and deeply moving.
Honorable Mentions
Several other comedy series deserve recognition for their contributions to 2025's comedy landscape:
Bad Monkey (Apple TV+): Vince Vaughn stars in this Bill Lawrence comedy-mystery set in Florida, bringing his signature comedic charm to a detective story filled with eccentric characters.
What We Do in the Shadows: The beloved vampire mockumentary concluded its six-season run in December 2024 with a meta finale that celebrated everything fans loved about the series.
Colin from Accounts: This Australian romantic comedy continues to charm audiences with its honest portrayal of a flawed couple brought together by an injured dog, now renewed for a third season.
Why 2025 Is a Great Year for Comedy
The comedy series of 2025 demonstrate remarkable diversity in tone, subject matter, and approach. From workplace comedies like Abbott Elementary to industry satires like The Studio, from heartfelt dramedies like Shrinking to absurdist humor in The Chair Company, there's truly something for every comedy fan.
What unites these shows is their commitment to quality writing, strong ensemble casts, and willingness to balance humor with genuine emotion. They prove that comedy doesn't have to choose between being funny and being meaningful—the best shows do both.
Whether you prefer your comedy sharp and satirical, warm and heartfelt, or delightfully absurd, 2025's lineup offers exceptional entertainment that will keep you laughing throughout the year. These ten series represent the very best of what television comedy has to offer, combining talented performers, skilled writers, and fresh perspectives to create truly memorable viewing experiences.
Start streaming these must-watch comedies today and discover why 2025 is shaping up to be one of the strongest years for television comedy in recent memory.