The 10 Most Underrated Comedy TV Shows In The Past 5 Years (And Where To Watch Them)
Since Apple TV+ gained momentum as a streamer, much of what it has put out has been consistently excellent. When recommending that people should subscribe to it, it's easy to give them a long list of shows that are both high quality and surprisingly unique. While it has a number of astounding dramas, some of its comedies aren’t being praised nearly as much, and they definitely deserve a ton of hype, too.
In the past five years, there have been a number of exceptional comedies, and while some have become award-winning sensations like the utterly delightful Ted Lasso (2020) or, more recently, The Studio (2025), these underrated ones are also A+.
Shrinking is slowly gaining momentum as people discover it through award nominations, but it still doesn't have the level of popularity as Ted Lasso (but it absolutely deserves to!) Harrison Ford continuously delivers his best performance, and the wholesome comedy from the brilliant minds of Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, and Brett Goldstein is an absolute treat with its incredible ensemble cast and unique narrative.
Equal parts funny and rewarding with emotionally moving beats, it's an absolute must-watch for anyone who loves Lawrence's specific brand of humor. More importantly, the show is exactly what people need in this day and age, when everything feels a little too dark. The amount of heart in every episode is unmatched, and the tears always feel cathartic.
Trying is an absolute dream for rom-com fans, and the fact that so many people don't know about it pains me. It's one of the shows I always tell people about when they ask what else they can watch on Apple TV once they've crossed off some major dramas. Trying is easy to recommend because it provides thorough entertainment and a ton of wholesome joy that's almost impossible to find these days.
If you've ever wanted to watch a show where the main couple is together throughout the entire story, as we see them go through life and ordinary struggles, look no further. In addition, the quintessential British humor is top-tier, and every episode feels like a warm hug from beginning to end. With a tender story about adoption and found families, it's guaranteed to make your heart grow a few sizes.
A large part of what makes Apple TV comedies so intriguing is that most of them tackle career paths that are rarely seen on TV. With Shrinking its therapy, The Studio explores the behind-the-scenes of Hollywood, and Mythic Quest shines a light on the grueling world of gaming. And the best part is, you don't have to know about or have an interest in that career for the series to grip you immediately.
Starring Rob MacElhenny, Charlotte Nicdao, David Hornsby, and more, Mythic Quest is a compelling office comedy that supplies plenty of entertainment and riveting character dynamics throughout. There's even a short spin-off, titled, Side Quest (2025), for those who can't get enough of this unique gaming world. It’s perfect for anyone who loves fantasy, and even for those who are solely curious about it, the series thoroughly delivers a fun ride.
Don't we all want to live in a world where billionaires right their wrongs and give away all their money while attempting to be better people? Bonus points when the comedy legend Maya Rudolph plays Molly Novak, our lead. Loot is an absolute must-watch as yet another unique and wildly underrated comedy with an incredible cast and intriguing premise.
With every passing season, the series grounds itself in an even more gripping manner, becoming funnier and more compelling as the show explores the paths Molly goes on. It delivers complex characters, riveting relationships—both platonic and romantic—all while exploring narrative beats that are equal parts profound and genuinely funny.
Starring Eugenio Derbez, Acapulco is not only an absolute blast as a series, but it's indescribably stunning with its production design, delivering the type of show that should've blown up with popularity. Viewers are often asking for more representation, yet when it's present, they tend to sleep on it. Still, everything about Acapulco demands attention.
The entertainment it provides is for those wanting something that's ultimately going to feel good. It helps that the series looks lovely as well because it adds an extra layer of intrigue in a show that's already packed with a compelling storyline and excellent performances from the whole cast. It's especially perfect for those who are currently over winter and need a sunny escape.
Stick might take a beat to, well…stick, but it'll be worth it as yet another underrated comedy that dabbles in a unique sport we don't see much of (or a unique premise in general like Loot.) Soccer is more common, sure, but golf is a rare one, so the series provides something thoroughly entertaining in its approach. And like many of the shows on the list, it's the authenticity with which Stick addresses the real matters that makes it work.
Apple TV shows are especially great at delivering heartfelt narratives through distinct beats of humor that continue to draw new people in. When someone discovers one of these shows and then wants more, many of the comedies on the streamer understand the importance of heart and its distinct marriage with humor.
Murderbot might deter some viewers with its sci-fi component, but make no mistake: the series dabbles in comedy and drama, making the entire thing thoroughly surprising from start to finish. To top things off, Alexander Skarsgård delivers one of his most sensational performances and will guarantee that if nothing else, people will return just for him.
Murderbot is yet another remarkable showcase of a rare plot point and can be great for viewers who want something that's simultaneously an escape from reality, making it perfect for those who want a lighter version of Severance (2022). While there's room for the series to find its footing still, everything we get in the debut season is promising in a way that, at this point, is synonymous with the streamer's success.
Even though Ghosts streams on Paramount+ rather than Apple TV+ (however you can buy it on Apple TV), I wouldn't be me if I didn't scream about its brilliance on a list of underrated comedies. As a spin-off of the BBC series, the series provides wildly bonkers laughs, wholesome antics, and a surprising amount of tears that a show like Ted Lasso is capable of.
For anyone who wants something lighthearted yet fully compelling in its narrative, Ghosts is a beautiful series about second chances and grief, all while featuring some of the best-written characters on TV. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and if you're a scaredy-cat, you'll wish every ghost was like the ones at Woodstones. But don't let the absurd premise deter you because this show is wholly special in an indescribable way.
More of a dark comedy brilliantly meshed with a thriller, Bad Sisters is a must-watch for anyone who wants their humor paired with high stakes. So many beats within the series shouldn't be funny, yet the subtle humor that accompanies the twists can be exhilarating for audience members who like to stay on the edge of their seats.
Full of complex characters, astounding performances from the whole cast, and the type of twists that are nearly impossible to predict, Bad Sisters isn't just one of the most underrated comedies, but one of the most underrated shows of the last five years. There's a good chance it'll grip you right from the start, and you won't be able to stop watching until you get to the end.
Perfect for anyone who misses old school sitcoms and shows like Reba (2001), Happy's Place fills all the blanks perfectly. Starring Reba McEntire and Melissa Peterman, the show isn't just funny, but outright hilarious at times and achingly nostalgic throughout. Now in its second season, there's no sophomore slump here—only a vast improvement.
If you love found families and need your comedies to have a cozy location as well, Happy's Place is one of the best things we've had in the last five years. It feels like a show that's been around for decades, and right from the start, that familiarity is exactly what makes it so charming.
