10 Binge-Worthy Comedy Shows That Get Better Every Season

10 Binge-Worthy Comedy TV Shows That Get Better Every Season Michael and Janet from The Good Place standing together

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In the world of television, it's not uncommon for shows to overstay their welcome and grow stale after a while. This is especially true for sitcoms, as they often receive numerous seasons due to their ease of production and comparatively low budget. There are probably several examples you know about already, as being on the air for too long and running out of material is a classic flaw in the world of comedy television.

But this isn't always the case. In fact, there are numerous comedy series, both animated and otherwise, that have lasted for a long time, but have only improved as they progressed. They result in some fantastic endings, or have morphed into something better than they once were. If you're looking for a series that will never leave you disappointed, this list is for you, because these are the most binge-worthy comedy shows that get better with each season.

10 'American Dad!' (2005–)

The character Stan Smith smiling while driving a car on American Dad.Image via TBS

When American Dad! first started out, it was generally written off as a low-effort Family Guy rip-off. Sheesh, it even came from the same animation studio, meaning they looked almost exactly the same. The fact that Seth MacFarlane created both shows certainly didn't help this reputation, either. For a while, American Dad! wasn't really doing much to separate itself from its sister program, but in time, it learned to outgrow it. The story is simplistic, featuring a CIA agent who lives with his eccentric family, their pet talking goldfish, and an alien, following the classic MacFarlane format.

However, it later featured musical numbers (on behalf of the family's son), better comedy, and more fleshed-out characters that grow more lovable as the series progresses. Meanwhile, Family Guy has gotten worse, with weak punchlines that are made worse by the fact that the characters literally explain them to the audience. After 20 years on the air, it's safe to say that American Dad! has actually grown to become much better than Family Guy. Sorry, not sorry.

9 'MAS*H' (1972–1983)

Alan Alda as Hawkeye looking at an object with others behind him in M*A*S*H Season 1.Image via CBS

M*A*S*H is a sitcom set during the Korean War, a conflict that occurred in the 1950s and that is commonly referred to as "the Forgotten War" due to it being an overlooked piece of American history. Though this was a grim time in the world, this show decides that there is some humor to be had in it. It delivers this humor through the lens of US military trauma surgeons working back at base, making it a sort of war/medical/comedy hybrid.

M*A*S*H lasted for an astounding 11 seasons, and is widely regarded as one of the most groundbreaking TV shows ever made. Despite it lasting this long, the showrunners knew how to keep things interesting, adding interesting characters and throwing some serious curveballs at the audience. There's no shortage of emotional moments in this show, which sharply contrast with the jokes. These moments make every episode worthwhile, which is why the show only gets better and better with time.

8 'Schitt's Creek' (2015–2020)

Alexis and David from Schitt's Creek looking at something in shock and disgust.Image via CBC Television

Schitt's Creek is a Canadian sitcom created by father-son duo Eugene and Dan Levy, who also star in the show. The series also stars Catherine O'Hara as Moira Rose, the matriarch of the family. In this series, they play members of the Rose clan, an affluent family living in a swanky mansion that abruptly has almost all of their assets seized in a surprise sting operation. Left nearly penniless, they seek refuge in the eponymous town of Schitt's Creek, a town that the father bought on a whim as a joke for his son.

In the beginning, the formerly rich family is truly insufferable, as they loathe their new lives in a backwater town and come off as entitled and arrogant to everyone they meet. By the end of the show, however, they grow to become actually likable, with their punchlines only improving along with their personalities. Containing Levy's and O'Hara's iconic brand of Canadian humor, Schitt's Creek only gets better with every episode, and comes with a very rewarding payoff.

7 'South Park' (1997–)

Image via Comedy Partners

Since its debut in the late 1990s, South Park has never been irrelevant. The story of a bunch of foul-mouthed kids living in a northern American town, this bit of satirical comedy has always stayed fresh with the current political and social climates. One of the main reasons people love South Park is that it isn't just crude and funny, but it also has a lot of social commentary in it. It addresses some long-standing social issues along with current events, and there's some surprising moral wisdom to be had in it.

With it being a cartoon, the characters obviously don't really age, or anything like that, yet the show has inexplicably never run out of punchlines or jokes to tell. Each season proves to be just as good, if not slightly better than the last. Of course, it's easier to appreciate them if you're watching them as they're being released and are tuned in to current events. South Park is a show that is still going strong after nearly three decades, a groundbreaking sitcom that continues to revolutionize the genre and push the boundaries of television.

6 'Adventure Time' (2010–2018)

Finn the Human gazes upon the land of ooo from a cloud in Adventure Time

Image via Cartoon Network

There's a reason why Adventure Time resonated with both kids and adults. First airing on Cartoon Network, the show was geared towards kids and initially started as a fun, whimsical adventure through the Land of Ooo featuring family-friendly characters and a lot of surprisingly relatable humor. Over time, though, as its audience grew, the show elaborated more on its vast and expansive universe, adding a lot more adventure into the mix to supplement its comedy.

What results is a series rich with lore and laughs, adding some unexpected character depth on top of it. Villains and heroes alike, who previously seemed one-dimensional, have moments when their backstories are revealed, adding an enormous amount of depth to them. Over its eight-year run, Adventure Time stays fresh, and only gets more immersive as it draws the audience in more and more.

5 'BoJack Horseman' (2014–2020)

A scruffy and weathered looking BoJack Horseman stands on a bridge at night, the full moon serving as his backdrop as he talks on the phone in 'BoJack Horseman' (2014-2020).Netflix

BoJack Horseman is an animated sitcom that many fell in love with right away. The reason for this is that it tackles some pretty heavy content, including alcohol abuse, depression, and the monotony of adult life, which is presented through an absurdist lens. The main character is an anthropomorphic horse dealing with all of these things, establishing himself as a deeply relatable character for many viewers. Even if one doesn't have the same problems, almost everyone can understand the sameness of day-to-day life as an adult.

Many of the characters are actually anthropomorphic animals, yet they act so distinctly human that it's easy to forget how strange they are at times. By the time the show ends, the series is actively encouraging the viewer to make time to take care of themselves and to examine their potential flaws and shortcomings, allowing room for growth and self-improvement. And of course, the comedy gets much better as it goes on, too. For a sitcom with such a weird aesthetic, this animated comedy really does improve with each season, if not with each episode.

4 'The Good Place' (2016–2020)

Kristen Bell has her mouth open in shock as she stands next to Ted Danson in 'The Good Place.'Image via NBC

The Good Place is about a group of individuals who have died and have transcended their mortal lives to reach the Good Place, a spiritual realm used to reward those who have lived their lives virtuously. But there's still a surprising amount of conflict to be had, as it becomes more and more apparent that the main cast may not have earned their spot in the Good Place, especially considering how hedonistic many of them are.

The Good Place became famous for unleashing a plot twist so jarring that one could practically hear the sound of jaws hitting the floor from coast to coast the moment it first aired. Audiences were absolutely floored by this iconic TV twist, which marked a significant change in the series. From then on, the show dives deep into the nature of mortality and existentialism, becoming shockingly philosophical for a sitcom. This isn't just a series that will make you laugh all the way through, but that will make you think, too.

3 'Parks and Recreation' (2009–2015)

Andy looks at the camera with an open mouth in Parks and Recreation.Image via NBC

Parks and Recreation had a hard time escaping its early reputation as a cheap knock-off of The Office. But in time, it would come to prove that it was anything but. Sure, it's filmed in the same style, that being a mockumentary, and sure, it follows the life of office workers, only this time it's not for a paper company, but for the municipal department of parks and recreation. This means politics plays a heavy part in the story, not just corporate life.

Parks and Recreation doesn't necessarily dive into anything philosophical or socially important (or at least, not very often), but one will find that it has no problem becoming a unique brand with its own set of dedicated fans. The jokes just get better as the series continues, and the already-lovable characters only become more lovable and much more iconic. Parks and Recreation is simple, but effective in nearly every aspect, which is why it's so appealing.

2 'Everybody Hates Chris' (2005–2009)

The cast of 'Everybody Hates Chris' hugs and smiles for the camera

Top row: Julius Rock. Middle row (left to right), Greg, Drew Rock & Chris Rock. Bottom row (left to right): Tanya & Rochelle. Julius has his arms around the rest of the cast. Image via The CW

Everybody Hates Chris is a semi-biographical sitcom created by comedian Chris Rock, who also narrates the show. The younger version of himself is played by Tyler James Williams, with the series revolving around his adolescence in Brooklyn in the 1980s. While this version of Rock's life is mostly fictional, from the time period to his siblings, that doesn't make it any less memorable. One of the reasons the show was so adored is because many felt it accurately captured what it's like to grow up as a Black youth.

Furthermore, the comedy is Chris Rock's signature brand, which leads to some absurd or exaggerated moments, but they're still hilarious. As the show goes on and the cast gets more comfortable in their roles, the series has more time to blossom and flourish and become a distinct entity. It's a sitcom with heart, relatability for many, and with humor that never stops coming. Even though it only lasted four seasons, each one was a noticeable step up from the previous one, even if it started off pretty good.

1 'Malcolm in the Middle' (2000–2006)

Left to right: Reese, Francis (top), Dewey (bottom), and Malcolm from Malcolm in the Middle pose outside.Image via 20th Century Fox

One of the things that made Malcolm in the Middle so great was that it wasn't just funny, but it had heart, too. Aside from making a ton of unconventional choices in the technical department, the series explored the overarching theme of love in the dysfunctional family dynamic. In the first season or two, the family isn't always at odds with each other, and there are more heart-to-heart moments, but these get rarer as the series progresses.

Believe it or not, though, this works, as those heartfelt moments become much more precious and meaningful as the series evolves. Aside from the jokes being just as funny in the final season as they were in the last season, the later seasons deal a lot with the plight of adolescence rather than being a preteen, and allow the characters to find their own passions in life. Some even begin to mature much more, becoming respectable adults, a sharp contrast to the chaos demons they once were. Malcolm in the Middle is a staple of the 2000s and an underrated masterpiece, which is why excitement is high for the coming revival.

Like Follow Followed Malcolm in the Middle TV-PG Comedy Release Date 2000 - 2006-00-00 Network FOX Showrunner Linwood Boomer Directors David D'Ovidio, Peter Lauer, Levie Isaacks, Steve Welch, Steve Love, Bryan Cranston, Linwood Boomer, David Grossman, Arlene Sanford, Jamie Babbit, Chris Koch, Christopher Masterson

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Frankie Muniz Malcolm
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The Good Place
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