For eleven seasons, the sitcomModern Familydelighted audiences across the world with its wacky characters, consistently funny gags, and heartwarming narratives.Modern Familyfollowed three different beloved family setups, (nuclear, age gap/blended, and same-sex) with the characters all related in some capacity. The show explored themes and topics such as relationships, adoption, immigration, LGBTQ+ identity, and coming of age in a lighthearted and accessible, yet caring manner.
After ending its multi-Emmy and Golden Globe-winning run in 2020,Modern Familyleft a huge hole in many audiences' viewing experiences, with fans on the market forother shows that emulateModern Family’shilarity and the message that no matter how different your families, experiences, or identities, you can still love and understand one another.
10’American Housewife' (2016-2021)
Created by Sarah Dunn
Although it ran for five seasons and over 100 episodes, theKaty MixonstarringAmerican Housewifedefinitely flew under the radar for a lot of audiences and is an incredibly underrated comedy series.American Housewifefollows Katie Otto, her husband, and their three children, who move to the wealthy Westport, Connecticut, where their more modest income is incredibly noticeable amongst the rich and eccentric locals.
Whilst the main theme of the show definitely follows wealth and class differences, the series also deals with a lot that is typical of growing families.As withModern Family,the parents must contend with the everyday lives of their teenagers, who experience typical high school drama at a heightened rate, given the gap in their wealth compared to others.American Housewifeis brilliant at showcasing different perspectives on daily life, as told through Katie’s main friend group, as Katie, Angela, and Doris are able to offer each other advice based on their unique experiences of family life in Westport.
Watch on Hulu
9’Young Sheldon' (2017-2024)
Created by Chuck Lorre and Steven Molaro
Based on the hugely successful comedyThe Big Bang Theory,Young Sheldonserves as a prequel and follows the scientist during his childhood and early teenage years, as he grows up in East Texas alongside his larger-than-life family.
As with its parent show,Young Sheldonfocuses largely on Sheldon’s advanced intellectual capabilities and lack of social ability, which affects the way that those around him behave and the dynamic of his family.In a similar way to how Alex fits in with siblings Luke and Haley inModern Family,Sheldon’s siblings Georgie and Missy begin the series resenting the attention that academic smarts bring Sheldon. However, they grow to move past this and love one another in spite of their differences.
Young Sheldon
8’Fresh Off the Boat' (2015-2020)
Created by Nahnatchka Khan
LikeModern Family, the2015 sitcomFresh Off the Boatwas trailblazing for many reasons during its six-season run. Based on the autobiography ofEddie Huang,Fresh Off the Boatfollows a Taiwanese-American family who relocated to Florida from Chinatown in DC, and opened a steakhouse.
While depicting the same trials and tribulations thatmany families in televisionexperience, the series is unique in its representation of Asian American identity, becoming the first series in over 20 years to focus on an Asian American family, and the first TV show based on an Asian American family to ever run for over 100 episodes. Receiving critical acclaim,Fresh Off the Boatis remembered for its heartfelt storylines and funny writing that support its truly groundbreaking representation.
Fresh off the Boat
7’The Goldbergs' (2013-2023)
Created by Adam F. Goldberg
Based on his own childhood in the 1980s, and the home videos he created at the time,Adam F. Goldberg’sThe Goldbergsfollows a seemingly typical nuclear family in a narrative told through the eyes of the young protagonist.
WhileModern Familyfeatures mockumentary-style scenes, with characters addressing the camera to recount and comment on their experiences,The Goldbergsis narrated by a future version of Adam’s character, who tells his experiences in ways memories typically exist, with certain details such as time and place unspecified.Anyone who appreciates the family dynamics ofModern Family,and the childish innocence the younger charactersbring to certain themes, would appreciateThe Goldbergsfor the same reasons.
The Goldbergs
6’Black-ish' (2014-2022)
Created by Kenya Barris
Winning Emmy and Golden Globe Awards, likeModern Family,ABC’s hit sitcomBlack-ishreceived acclaim from audiences and critics alike during its eight-year run.Black-ishdepicts a wealthy family who resides in a predominantly rich, white neighborhood while trying to stay connected to their identity as Black Americans. The show tackles the idea of privilege, from wealth, while also depicting cultural issues and showing that money doesn’t make the Johnson family immune from racism and prejudice.
The family dynamic is themain focal point ofBlack-ish,as the parents and theirchildren struggle to empathize with their different experiences, in a similar way toModern Family.The success and popularity ofBlack-ishhas spawned spin-offsGrown-ishandMixed-ish,which explores the lives of certain family members both before and after the original series.
5’Boy Meets World' (1993-2000)
Created by Michael Jacobs and April Kelly
For many who grew up with the show,Boy Meets Worldis one of thedefining television series of the 1990s, as audiences watched Cory, Topanga, and Shawn live their adolescence over seven seasons. The series follows Cory Matthews and his journey from childhood to adulthood, as he experiences life, love, loss, and a series of lessons from his neighbor and high school teacher, Mr Feeny.
LikeModern Family,Boy Meets Worldwas considered to be ahead of its time in terms of the contentand themes the show dealt with, especially when the show targeted a younger teen audience. Tackling the likes of teen pregnancy, child abuse, sexual harassment, and interracial relationships, which were rare in young adult programming at the time,Boy Meets Worldmade a name for itself as trailblazing and genuine.
Boy Meets World
4’This Is Us' (2016-2022)
Created by Dan Fogelman
This Is Usmay be a drama series, not a comedy, but it doesn’t mean that the show can’t emulate the same heartwarming feelings and brilliant family dynamic thatModern Familydoes so well.This Is Usfollows multiple timelinesduring the lives of the Pearson family, as they grow up and expand their own families. Throughout their lives, across many decades, parents Jack and Rebecca, their surviving triplets Kate and Kevin, and their adopted son Randall tackle themes of loss and grief, racism, health, body image, and difficult relationships, all while trying to hold their family units together.
LikeModern Family,This Is Uswas showered with accolades during its six-season run, winning Emmys and Golden Globes for stunning performances, brilliant writing, and outstanding Drama Series.Despite its difficult topics,This Is Usis remembered as a show that warmed the hearts of all the family.
This Is Us
3’Only Murders in the Building' (2021-)
Created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman
At first glance, the comedy-crime seriesOnly Murders in the Buildingmay not seem like the most obvious comparison toModern Family,and yet it offers audiences a lot of the same lighthearted relationships and gags.Only Murders in the Buildingfollows Charles, Oliver, and Mabel, three strangers who are thrust into companionship after a murder, as their collective fascination with true crime brings them into each other’s orbits.
LikeModern Family,many gags inOnly Murder of the Buildingare built around the different experiences and age gapbetween Oliver and Charles, who are men of an older generation, and Mabel, who is a woman in her 20s. Fans of Jay’s technological incompetence, and the interactions that it leads to with his young children and grandchildren, may find themselves at home withOnly Murders in the Building.
Only Murders in the Building
2’One Day at a Time' (2017-2020)
Developed by Gloria Calderón Kellett and Mike Royce
Netflix’sOne Day at a Time,a reimagining of the 1975 series of the same name, follows the Cuban-American Alvarez family who are living in Los Angeles. The series follows the individual journies of Penelope, her mother Lydia, and her two children Elena and Alex, but also their shared experiences as a Hispanic family.
The series explores identity in a similar way toModern Family,as the Alvarezes both deal with racismand mockery for their heritage, while also feeling pride in their family history and community, asGloria does inModern Family.Similarly, a large amount of Elena’s storyline sees her coming to terms with being a lesbian and dealing with the acceptance, or lack thereof, from those close to her, as Mitchell does inModern Family.
One Day at a Time (2017)
Watch on Netflix
1’Schitt’s Creek' (2015-2020)
Created by Eugene Levy and Daniel Levy
Created by and starring father/son duo Eugene and Dan Levy,Schitt’s Creekhas become a comfort show for many sitcom fans over the past decade. The show follows the previously wealthy Rose family, who lose the majority of their money and are forced to move to Schitt’s Creek, a run-down town that is the family’s only asset.
LikeModern Family,Schitt’s Creekwas a groundbreaking show in terms of LGBTQ+ representation on television, with multiple main characters identifying as LGBTQ+ and the iconic series finale, which is arguably the best episode, featuring the wedding of David and Patrick. Not only that, the heartwarming messages of inclusion and unity, despite our differences, are consistent throughout all six seasons.
