Comedies are meant to drive people to laugh out loud, with clever beats and great character journeys that make the story feel layered and uplifting. It's often said that writing a drama is easier than writing comedies because determining what people will find funny isn't as easy as digging into the dark parts of the human psyche to make something relatable. Comedy is also subjective when we examine that there are people who have dry humor versus those who appreciate more on-the-nose jokes.
Netflix is especially chock-full of great comedies that are streaming right now. Whether they're now classics or newer gems that'll very likely still hold up years from now, here are 10 of the funniest comedies to choose from.
Derry Girls (2018-2022)
Lisa McGee's Derry Girls is an unmistakable treasure and one of the best coming-of-age comedies to have ever graced our TV screens. As a series loosely based on The Troubles, the waging arguments between Protestants and Catholics, as well as the teenage woes, never fail to provide ample entertainment.
Brimming with the kind of humor that grumpy people can probably relate to best, Derry Girls mixes various personality types in the most deliciously obscure cocktail that delivers the kind of jabs that are both culturally specific and universally easy to relate to.
One Day at a Time (2017-2020)
If any cancellation on Netflix still stings, it's One Day at a Time. The underrated and beautifully thoughtful comedy starring Justina Machado, Rita Moreno, Isabella Gomez, and more became a beacon of hope as a solid representation of Latine homes with unbeatable heart and exceptionally relatable humor in every single episode.
The sitcom feels like the kind of classic gem that's both genuinely hilarious and wholesome in a way that proves that the writers wanted to do right by every line in a way that would feel organic to everyday households. It's one that holds up today, and it's surely one that people will keep turning to years from now as they discover it for the first time. Perfect for fans of Modern Family (2009), One Day at a Time is a delightfully family-focused must-watch.
Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)
Pre-teen me, who used to watch Cheaper by the Dozen over and over again on a loop, is so jazzed about it being on Netflix now because few things top this wild ride. Any movie or TV show that features Steve Martin is bound to be a treasure, but add Bonnie Hunt and the entire cast to this movie, and we have something truly monumental on our hands. From the first scene to the last, it's the best kind of family comedy, and I still haven't managed to find its equal.
Perfect for anyone who loves cozy humor and also appreciates Yours, Mine, and Ours (2005). Every part of the movie is a wholesome delight. With twelve kids, they're each bound to be different in some way, and how the ending pans out still gets to me. Plus, it features a perfect needle drop of Simple Plan's "I'm Just a Kid," which I feel like summons all of us emo millennials in a distinctly unique way.
Black-ish (2014-2022)
Since airing exclusively on ABC first, Black-ish has finally hit Netflix, and it's the kind of comedy no one should be sleeping on. Not only is it profoundly insightful when it comes to honoring Black history, but it's laugh-out-loud funny as the Johnson family goes about their day-to-day lives, addressing growing pains, their neighborhood, and all the various family dynamics.
With excellent writing and incredible performances from the whole cast, it's one of the easiest shows to binge, then turn around and rewatch. Tracee Ellis Ross is a force to be reckoned with as Bo, and she's bound to become a favorite character for so many women. There's so much to appreciate about the show, but its powerful messages and well-written humor are at the top of the list.
A Man on the Inside (2024-Present)
Mike Schur has an indescribable ability to take an ordinary career or a not-so-exciting setting and make it wonderfully hilarious and undeniably wholesome. He does this with all his properties, and for the viewers who loved Ted Danson in The Good Place (2016), you'll adore the work he brings to Netflix's A Man on the Inside.
A Man on the Inside is everything a comedy should be and more. It spotlights a demographic we don't get to see often, but to top things off, it gives us another cozy mystery that's especially perfect for viewers who love The Thursday Murder Club (2025). Sharp, hilarious, and deeply wholesome, it's the type of series that you'll want on replay.
Hit Man (2024)
Richard Linklater's Hit Man isn't just a delicious showcase of Glen Powell's exceptional range, but it's a wildly uproarious ride that has no business being as funny and as sharp as it is. An undercover hit man thrust into an unexpected situation does indeed have all the markings to be awkwardly funny, but it's everything that comes along with the dark thriller that makes it so well-written.
The comedy is subtle, yet it's exactly why it pairs so well with the performances and the off-the-wall narrative. Hit Man will likely stay on Netflix for a long time, and it's especially perfect for viewers who want a gripping romance woven into their comedies.
Grace and Frankie (2017-2021)
If you're a fan of Reba (2021) and have wondered what it'd be like for the titular character and Barbara Jean to be the ones to move in together after divorce, then Grace and Frankie is an absolute must-watch for you. It's a must-watch regardless because of the impeccable performances Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin consistently bring to the role, but still.
Grace and Frankie is a hilarious spectacle from start to finish that's expertly written to honor the characters and, more importantly, the friendship they build. There's an indescribable heart woven into every interaction that's so sincere, it makes the series even more special. In other words, it's the type of show that's so rare, we may never get anything like it again.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2021)
There will never be another Brooklyn Nine-Nine because there will never be another actor whose unbeatable dry wit could hit as hard as the late Andre Braugher's. Sharp, thoughtfully inclusive, and remarkably self-aware, the writing on Brooklyn Nine-Nine consistently sticks the landing because all it tries to do is honor its characters and humanity as a whole. Because of this, the show becomes 10 times funnier, allowing the jokes to turn into memes that hold relevance years after the episodes premiered.
Plus, Andy Samberg's Jake Peralta breaking into an unplanned jam session, singing "I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys while trying to identify a murderer, is a brilliantly clever inclusion of pop culture jabs that feel acutely well-placed. If you loved Parks and Recreation or Superstore, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a must-watch in every way.
Arrested Development (2003-2018)
One thing about Arrested Development is that the humor leaps off every frame. Whether you've seen the show or not, you've most definitely seen the memes, and they hit, even without context. David Cross' Tobias crying in the shower is maybe one of the most popular, and it's still relevant to date. While it's a bit more crass at times than wholesome, it's the type of must-watch comedy that feels like essential viewing for anyone who loves the genre.
The nostalgia and jokes may feel even more hilarious in 2026, and the characters will likely irk and get to you in the best way. It's one of the shows that feels especially fitting for people who appreciate how well-written unlikable characters can be, and why they matter on a narrative scale. If you love Brooklyn Nine-Nine from this list, something tells me you would appreciate Arrested Development.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)
Rian Johnson's Knives Out (2019) is good, but Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is even better. A truly excellent whodunnit and an even better comedy, rich with a time-appropriate story that takes place during the COVID-19 pandemic, the film examines a billionaire's role in our world and explores what happens when people have had enough. Since he's more grounded in the role, Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc's dry humor shines with more nuance here, and stars like Kate Hudson and Kathryn Hahn portray characters viewers love to hate with hilarious remarks that effectively poke fun at the rich.
As isolated stories with alternating characters in each film, viewers can dive right into Glass Onion without watching Knives Out. Perfect for fans of lighthearted crime dramas, these films aren't to be missed.
