At Astéria Magazine, we’re passionate about culture. While we often discuss serious topics, sometimes we just want to relax with a good sitcom. So, buckle up for our 10 favorite sitcoms of all time (in no particular order), guaranteed to make you laugh out loud:
- 1. The Nanny
Who doesn’t know Fran Fine? Her unique style, her humor—everything about Fran is iconic. 146 episodes, each 23 minutes long, aired from 1993 to 1999 on CBS and quickly became an internationally known sitcom. I doubt many of you haven’t seen at least one of its episodes, but for the younger ones or those who have never come across it, let me explain:
Fran Fine catches her boyfriend and boss cheating on her with another employee. After being dumped and kicked out, she decides to go door-to-door selling beauty products. Soon, she stumbles upon a mansion looking for a nanny. In need of work, Fran applies and quickly becomes an integral part of the family. As a mentor to the children, best friend to the butler, and eventually the father’s love interest, Fran settles in, much to the delight of the audience. The show, using the characters’ traits for comedic effect, became legendary and so hilarious that it could very well make you laugh yourself to death. One of the best sitcoms of all the times is now available in France on TF1+.
- 2. Two Broke Girls
Released in 2011, Two Broke Girls follows Max and Caroline, two waitresses with very different personalities and lives, who, forced by fate, end up working together, and even living together, becoming best friends. Quickly forming a strong bond, they set out to raise over $250,000 to open their own cupcake shop. The series, known for its sharp humor, often features celebrity guest appearances at the diner where Max and Caroline work. The sitcom, which tells the story of the two friends, remains absolutely delightful and is available on Prime Video.
- 3. Modern Family
It’s one of the standout sitcoms on Disney+ and, despite its popularity, it never gets old. Never. Modern Family follows a rather quirky family with very distinct personalities. There’s Mitchell, the gay son in a relationship with Cameron; Claire, the organization-obsessed control freak, married to Phil, who’s a bit childish; and their three kids: Alex, the genius; Hayley, the popular one; and Luke, the quirky one. There’s also Jay, the father and grandfather, married to Gloria, the glamorous woman with a strong accent, who is Manny’s mother, a little genius. One thing’s for sure – this family is never bored. Follow the adventures of this family, where love always finds a way to triumph.
- 4. The Big Bang Theory
When it comes to celebrating the revenge of the nerds, there’s no better platform than Asteria. And for good reason—The Big Bang Theory champions values and explores topics we hold dear: science, pop culture, everything nerdy and childlike, and of course, feminism and dark humor. With iconic characters and a unique setting for a sitcom, Sheldon Cooper and his friends Raj, Howard, Penny, Amy, and Leonard (among others) never miss a chance to make us laugh and remind us that intelligence and humor always go hand in hand. A sitcom full of emotions and progressive messages, it illuminated the lives of nerds around the world for 10 seasons, satisfying pop culture fans of all ages. Bazinga! Available on Max.
- 5. Friends
There can be no Top 10 sitcoms without this one, because everyone knows it: Friends! I don’t think I need to explain the plot, as it’s such a cornerstone of modern pop culture. This iconic sitcom is available on Max.
- 6. Brooklyn Nine-Nine
We’ve already written an article about B99, but for those who don’t know, it follows the adventures of a rather quirky police precinct. For me, this is the ultimate Netflix sitcom, and I couldn’t make a Top 10 list without including it. Available on Netflix, Brooklyn Nine-Nine awaits you for evenings full of humor and good vibes.
- 7. Malcolm in the Middle
Malcolm in the Middle has touched multiple generations and is still airing in various places. The show follows an entire family with epic behavioral issues, so much so that it’s become legendary. We’ve got some great news about Malcolm, and we wrote a little article on this sitcom, already available on Asteria Magazine. And if you want, you can watch Malcolm on Disney+.
- 8. Bienvenue chez Mamilia
Also available on Netflix, Bienvenue chez Mamilia follows the story of the McKellan family, who, deciding that life in the countryside would be more suitable for them, all move in with the family matriarch. The resulting generational and cultural clash creates comedic situations while strengthening family bonds and teaching valuable lessons to the younger members. It’s the perfect sitcom to watch with the whole family.
- 9. That ’70s Show
The dynamic duo of Eric and Donna revived the culture and stereotypical vibe of the 1970s in the USA. At the heart of the show is a group of carefree teenagers who love smoking joints while listening to Janis Joplin records in the pastel-colored basement of their parents’ house. That ’70s Show marked a generation of ’90s kids with its humor, hippie décor, and edgy jokes. There’s never been a show or sitcom quite like it to dethrone its iconic, psychedelic ambiance. We want more, and thankfully, a reunion was offered to us a few years ago. For all the nostalgic fans of yé-yé music and flower power: enjoy without moderation! Available on Prime Video in select countries !
- 10. Bewitched
First aired in 1965, initially in black and white and later in color, Bewitched tells the story of Samantha, a woman—or rather, a witch—who falls in love with a “mortal” named Darrin. Well-known to the public, Samantha made history with her famous nose wiggle that allowed her to cast spells. Darrin, not wanting any magic in his life, asks Samantha to stop using her powers, a promise she struggles to keep, especially since her mother keeps casting spells on Darrin, unable to accept that her daughter would give up her magical abilities. Available on Prime Video in select countries, Bewitched has stood the test of time and remains a sitcom that’s worth watching without moderation.
Before I leave you, I’ve got one last secret to share: one of my favorite sitcoms isn’t on this list… My Wife and Kids is and will always be the sitcom of my childhood, and I watch it religiously every year! Now that you have all our favorite sitcoms in your hands for a great time, we’ve got just one question for you: What are your favorite sitcoms?