Though Modern Family concluded its celebrated run, its legacy of heartwarming and humorous family dynamics lives on. This award-winning sitcom, with its unique mockumentary style and relatable characters, carved a special place in television history. For those who miss the Pritchett-Delgado-Tucker clan and their daily escapades, the good news is that there are numerous Tv Series Like Modern Family that capture a similar blend of heart and humor.
Modern Family masterfully portrayed the chaotic yet loving relationships within an extended family, showcasing the humor found in everyday life. From generational differences to relationship quirks, the show resonated with audiences worldwide. The series ended in 2020, leaving a void for viewers seeking that comforting and relatable portrayal of family life on screen. Luckily, the television landscape is rich with shows that offer similar comedic and emotional depth.
For fans searching for their next favorite binge-watch, this list compiles shows like Modern Family that deliver the same heartwarming humor and family-centric narratives. These series explore the funny, sad, mundane, and sometimes absurd aspects of life, offering viewers a sense of connection and entertainment. Whether you appreciate family dramas, animated comedies, or sitcoms with quirky characters, there’s a show on this list that will feel like the perfect successor to Modern Family.
30 Home Improvement (1991-1999)
Accident-Prone Tim Taylor & His Wife Jill Raise Their Family Of Three Boys
Goofy sitcom dads are a staple of the genre, and Modern Family boasts several, each with their own brand of lovable ineptitude. Jay, Cam, and Phil, while distinct personalities, share the common trait of being imperfect fathers who, despite their flaws, are deeply caring and often hilariously misguided in their approaches to parenting. This tendency to believe they know best, even when clearly out of their depth, leads to countless comedic situations that viewers find endlessly entertaining.
Tim Taylor from Home Improvement stands out as one of television’s most memorable examples of a dad who consistently makes a fool of himself. Tim Allen, a comedian by trade, found mainstream success with this sitcom. He portrays Tim Taylor, the host of a home renovation show who struggles to balance his on-screen persona with the realities of raising three sons alongside his wife. Tim’s character is defined by his childish enthusiasm, proneness to accidents, and a humorous misinterpretation of ignorance as manliness. This combination makes him a source of constant amusement for the audience, while still portraying him as a fundamentally good and loving father. Like Phil Dunphy, Tim Taylor’s heart is always in the right place, even when his actions are hilariously misguided.
29 All In The Family (1971-1979)
Bigoted Family Man Archie Bunker Contends With Modern Society
Generational differences are a significant source of humor and conflict within Modern Family, most notably through the character of Jay Pritchett. While Jay is undoubtedly a loving family man, he often finds himself out of sync with the modern world, yearning for simpler times and traditional viewpoints. This archetype of the slightly out-of-touch patriarch is a recurring theme in television, perhaps most famously embodied by Archie Bunker in All in the Family.
Jay Pritchett’s struggles to understand modern sensibilities echo Archie Bunker’s similar, albeit more exaggerated, resistance to societal change. Archie Bunker, a character almost unimaginable in contemporary television due to his overt bigotry, constantly complained about the evolving world around him, oblivious to his own prejudices and shortcomings. The humor of All in the Family stemmed from presenting Archie as a man deeply afraid of social progress, convinced he was the last bastion of common sense in a world gone mad. Just as Modern Family uses generational clashes for comedic effect, All in the Family paved the way for sitcoms that explore societal issues through the lens of family dynamics, and its numerous spinoffs further solidified its influence on the genre.
28 My Wife And Kids (2000-2005)
Michael Kyle Tries To Be The Man Of The House
While Modern Family distinguishes itself with its innovative approach to the family sitcom format, its core strength lies in the ensemble cast and the audience’s connection with the central family. For any sitcom of this nature, the crucial element is the relatability and charm of its characters. Although Modern Family and My Wife and Kids depict vastly different family dynamics, they both prioritize the importance of a strong and engaging ensemble cast.
Like Modern Family, My Wife and Kids shines due to the chemistry and comedic timing of its cast, making the Kyle family just as memorable as the Pritchett-Delgado-Tucker clan. Damon Wayans and Tisha Campbell-Martin headline as Michael and Janet Kyle, the parents of an upper-middle-class family with three children. Michael, portrayed by Wayans, fancies himself the head of the household, but it’s Janet, played by Campbell-Martin, who truly holds the reins. Their dynamic is further enriched by their children: Michael Jr., the aspiring rapper with a goofy persona; Claire, the popular but occasionally self-absorbed teenager; and Kady, the precocious and wise youngest child. Together, they form a hilarious, affectionate, and relatable television family, much like the ensemble that drives the humor of Modern Family.
27 The War At Home (2005-2007)
Working Class Parents Struggle To Raise Their Kids
The War at Home may not have achieved the widespread popularity of some shows similar to Modern Family, but it shares significant thematic ground. One of the most prominent parallels between the two series is the exploration of conflict between fathers and sons, stemming from generational gaps and differing worldviews. In Modern Family, the relationship between Jay and Mitch, though built on love, is often characterized by their differing perspectives and Jay’s subtle discomfort with Mitch’s homosexuality.
Just as Modern Family navigates the complexities of father-son relationships, The War at Home delves into similar territory with Dave and Larry Gold. The War at Home features Michael Rapaport as Dave Gold, a cynical and somewhat insensitive father who struggles to understand his more sensitive and flamboyant son, Larry. The dynamic between Dave and Larry mirrors the dynamic between Jay and Mitch, and even Jay and Manny to some extent. In both shows, the fathers and sons may not always see eye-to-eye, and generational differences create comedic friction, but the underlying love and familial bond remain strong, providing a relatable and humorous portrayal of family life.
26 King Of The Hill (1997-2010)
Mild-Mannered Propane Salesman Hank Hill Maintains His Wilder Family
King of the Hill is celebrated for its nuanced portrayal of family members who deeply care for each other despite their significant differences. Modern Family frequently examines the generational divide, particularly how parents, like Jay, can be perplexed or even uneasy about their children’s interests, yet still make genuine efforts to connect. This dynamic is strikingly similar to the portrayal of Hank Hill in the animated sitcom King of the Hill.
The generational humor and character contrasts in King of the Hill resonate with the same comedic sensibilities found in Modern Family. Hank Hill, a remarkably straitlaced and somewhat dull propane salesman, prioritizes the simple, down-to-earth pleasures of life such as barbecuing, sports, and beer. In contrast, his son Bobby is a theatrical and romantically inclined young man, much like Manny in Modern Family. Furthermore, King of the Hill features characters who would seamlessly fit into the Modern Family universe, such as Hank’s strong-willed wife Peggy and their sweet but dim-witted cousin Luanne. The show’s strength lies in its ability to find humor in the everyday lives of relatable, albeit quirky, characters, much like Modern Family.
25 Family Matters (1989-1998)
The Winslow Family Lives In Chicago And Next Door To Misfit Steve Urkel
As one of the few sitcoms in the 1990s centered around a Black American family, Family Matters achieved a similar blend of humor and heart that defines Modern Family. The series revolves around Carl Winslow (Reginald VelJohnson), a police officer, and his family, alongside their eccentric next-door neighbor, Steve Urkel (Jaleel White). Urkel, with his penchant for wacky inventions and his unrequited crush on Carl’s daughter, Laura (Kellie Shanygne Williams), quickly became the show’s breakout character.
Family Matters TV Poster
Like Modern Family, Family Matters successfully balances comedic scenarios with genuine emotional moments, making it a comforting and entertaining watch. Family Matters skillfully navigates real-world issues while maintaining a lighthearted tone, mirroring Modern Family‘s ability to address relatable family challenges with humor and warmth. While Family Matters eventually leaned into the cartoonish antics of Urkel, its initial seasons captured the essence of a grounded family sitcom, much like the earlier seasons of Modern Family. The show’s enduring appeal stems from its focus on family bonds and humorous situations, elements that Modern Family fans will undoubtedly appreciate.
24 Jane The Virgin (2014-2019)
Two Families Deal With A Woman Being Artificially Inseminated By Mistake
While some shows may feature a more central protagonist, they can still effectively capture the ensemble family dynamic that is a hallmark of Modern Family. Jane the Virgin, inspired by a telenovela, centers on Jane (Gina Rodriguez), who becomes mistakenly artificially inseminated during a routine medical appointment. Deciding to continue with the pregnancy, Jane finds herself drawn into the lives of the people who were initially meant to have the baby, leading to new relationships and an expansion of her own family.
Jane the Virgin poster
Though Jane the Virgin incorporates more dramatic elements than Modern Family, both series explore multi-generational family relationships and their impact on younger members. Jane the Virgin shares Modern Family‘s exploration of how multiple generations within a family shape the experiences of the youngest members. The central storyline of a family uniting to support a pregnancy may remind viewers of Haley’s twin pregnancy arc in Modern Family. Both series adeptly blend humor with complex family dynamics, navigating the challenges of family life while remaining entertaining and engaging.
23 Boy Meets World (1993-2000)
Cory Matthews And Shawn Hunter Come Of Age In Philadelphia
When Boy Meets World premiered, the majority of family sitcoms typically focused on the parents, with children playing secondary roles. Boy Meets World reversed this convention, centering the narrative on Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) and Shawn Hunter (Rider Strong) as they navigate adolescence, high school, and eventually college in Philadelphia. Throughout the series, they develop and strengthen relationships with other key figures, including Cory’s less-than-bright older brother Eric (Will Friedle), his romantic interest Topanga Lawrence (Danielle Fishel), and his wise and supportive mentor, Mr. Feeny (William Daniels).
Boy Meets World poster
Boy Meets World offers a perspective that Modern Family fans might appreciate, particularly those who wished for more focus on Haley, Alex, and Luke’s storylines. Boy Meets World caters to the Modern Family audience who might have wished for more screen time dedicated to the Dunphy children’s perspectives. While Boy Meets World primarily focuses on Cory and Shawn’s coming-of-age journey, family aspects remain significant, especially as Shawn essentially becomes an adopted member of the Matthews family. The sequel series, Girl Meets World, which centers on Cory and Topanga’s daughter, further emphasizes the family themes present in the original show, making it a worthy follow-up for fans of family-centric sitcoms.
22 Mom (2013-2021)
A Mom Struggles To Stay Sober And Get Her Life Together
Mom features Allison Janney, Anna Faris, and Sadie Calvano portraying three generations of the Plunkett women as they grapple with their relationships and strive to stabilize their lives. Anna Faris plays Christy, the titular “Mom,” who confronts her past traumas and her complex relationship with her own mother, Bonnie (Allison Janney). Both Bonnie and Christy are recovering addicts attempting to maintain sobriety, a serious subject explored within the comedic framework of the show.
Similar to Modern Family, Mom skillfully balances sitcom humor with more serious dramatic elements, creating a show that is both funny and emotionally resonant. Like Modern Family, Mom excels at striking a balance between sitcom antics and genuine drama. While the parents in Modern Family are portrayed as loving, they are far from perfect, and Mom delves deeper into this imperfection, exploring the challenges and humor of flawed parenting. The real-life struggles faced by the women in Mom offer a refreshing contrast to the often lighthearted tone of Modern Family, providing a more grounded and realistic portrayal of family life while still delivering plenty of laughs.
21 Parenthood (2010-2015)
Three Generations Of Bravermans Face Challenges And Grow Together
In many respects, Parenthood can be seen as a more dramatic counterpart to Modern Family, eliciting more tears than laughter. However, it shares a central focus on the intricate connections between multiple generations of a family. The Bravermans, consisting of four siblings and their families, form the heart of the series. Parenthood balances individual storylines with overarching family narratives, unfolding over six seasons that allow viewers to witness the growth and maturation of the Braverman children.
Parenthood Show poster
Parenthood captures the essence of a large, interconnected family, much like Modern Family, but with a greater emphasis on dramatic storytelling and emotional depth. While Parenthood includes lighter moments and humor, its strength lies in its exploration of family dynamics through emotionally resonant storylines. Viewers who appreciate tear-jerking moments alongside family humor will find Parenthood deeply satisfying. The expansive ensemble cast of Parenthood is a key strength, mirroring Modern Family‘s ensemble, fostering a deep audience connection with each character and their interwoven stories. It serves as a compelling companion piece to Modern Family, offering a blend of heartbreak and humor that explores the complexities of family life.
20 The Simpsons (1989-Present)
The Animated Classic Shows An Imperfect TV Family
Modern Family thrives on the comedic potential of wacky situations and eccentric family members. However, when considering shows that depict dysfunctional families, The Simpsons stands as a foundational influence. This animated series, known for its hilarious absurdity and over-the-top portrayal of family life, ironically offered a relatable depiction of a far-from-perfect television family.
The Simpsons TV series poster
For fans of Modern Family‘s humor and family dynamics, The Simpsons offers a long-running animated alternative with a similar focus on relatable family chaos. The Simpsons has solidified its place as one of television history’s most significant series, boasting a vast catalog of jokes and classic episodes. While The Simpsons is more willing to embrace the flaws and foibles of its central family than Modern Family, and often broadens its scope beyond family dynamics to encompass the entire town of Springfield, it shares a similar joy in depicting family vacations, holiday celebrations, and the everyday chaos of family life. Just as viewers enjoy spending time with the extended family of Modern Family, the residents of Springfield and the Simpson family provide enduring comedic entertainment.
19 Full House (1987-1995)
Families Merge Into One Loving Unit
The 1990s era of family sitcoms produced numerous classics, but Full House distinguished itself through its widespread popularity and cultural impact. Like Modern Family, Full House addressed both the challenges of parenting and the youthful escapades of children, all while portraying a somewhat unconventional family structure. The sitcom centers on a widowed father raising his three daughters with the assistance of his brother-in-law and best friend.
Full House US TV Series Poster
Fans of Modern Family‘s blended family dynamics and heartwarming humor will find similar appeal in Full House, with its focus on family love and comedic situations. The blend of chaos and affection within the Full House family occasionally veered into sentimentality, but the ensemble cast maintained a consistently funny, sweet, and entertaining tone. The unique premise of featuring three male characters as the primary parental figures created a fun dynamic, particularly given that all the children were girls. While Full House leans more towards wholesome and gentle humor compared to Modern Family‘s often sharper wit, both shows share a similar charming vibe and celebrate the warmth of mismatched households coming together.
18 3rd Rock From The Sun (1996-2001)
Aliens Posing As Humans Make For A Relatable Family
At first glance, 3rd Rock from the Sun, a sitcom about aliens disguised as humans on Earth, might seem dissimilar to Modern Family, a series grounded in realistic family scenarios. However, 3rd Rock from the Sun features these extraterrestrial characters attempting to blend in as a typical American family, albeit with dynamics that are intentionally undefined and often hilariously misinterpreted.
Despite its sci-fi premise, 3rd Rock from the Sun shares Modern Family‘s strength in character-driven comedy and exploring the humor in everyday family life. The humor in 3rd Rock from the Sun arises from the characters’ attempts to navigate and understand human customs, leading to numerous comedic misunderstandings and relatable situations. The process of these aliens adapting to Earth and making mistakes along the way makes them surprisingly relatable and even more human than they realize. The series is a charming and funny ride, anchored by a stellar cast, particularly John Lithgow’s comedic brilliance as Dick Solomon. The presence of a goofy yet lovable main character with a childlike energy, like Dick Solomon, mirrors Modern Family‘s strengths in characters like Phil and Cam, contributing to the show’s overall appeal.
17 Frasier (1993-2004)
Adult Siblings Deal With Their Father And His Old-School Ways
Many shows similar to Modern Family fit neatly into the traditional family sitcom mold, primarily focusing on parents with young children. However, Frasier successfully captures a similar comedic feel while centering on adults and their relationships with siblings and aging parents. A spin-off of the iconic sitcom Cheers, Frasier carved out its own distinct and celebrated legacy. It is a witty and sophisticated series about Frasier Crane returning to his hometown of Seattle and moving in with his father, while also reconnecting with his equally pretentious younger brother.
Frasier 1993 TV Show Poster
While Frasier focuses on adult family relationships rather than the parent-child dynamics of Modern Family, both shows excel at witty writing and exploring family quirks. The dynamic of older family members interacting without children as central characters distinguishes Frasier from Modern Family, but both shows adeptly explore the challenges and humorous friction between parents and children with vastly different personalities. Frasier and his father Marty’s relationship often echoes the dynamic between Jay and Manny in Modern Family, characterized by generational clashes and differing sensibilities. Frasier‘s sharp writing and memorable characters led to an impressive 37 Primetime Emmy Awards during its run. The Frasier reboot now seeks to continue this legacy for a new generation of viewers.
16 Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2005)
A Family Where Distance Is Never An Issue
Much of the humor in Modern Family stems from the relatable, often combative, moments within marriages and the intricate, sometimes challenging, relationships within a loving family. Few sitcoms have captured this dynamic as effectively as Everybody Loves Raymond, which follows a married family man living across the street from his overbearing parents.
Everybody Loves Raymond TV Poster
For viewers who appreciate the marital humor and family closeness in Modern Family, Everybody Loves Raymond offers a similarly hilarious and relatable portrayal of family life. Just as the Modern Family characters are constantly intertwined in each other’s lives, Everybody Loves Raymond humorously explores the very relatable ways in which such close proximity can be both comforting and exasperating. This closeness contributes to a large and engaging ensemble cast that amplifies the comedic situations, although the children in Everybody Loves Raymond do not play as prominent a role as in Modern Family. The recognizable conflicts between Raymond and Debra resonate with the entertaining battles between Phil and Claire in Modern Family, making it a show that fans of family sitcoms will appreciate.
15 The Middle (2009-2017)
Different Personalities In The Same Family Can Clash
The Middle centers on the Hecks, a lower-middle-class family in Indiana navigating life as a complicated, yet hilariously relatable, household of diverse personalities. The show is narrated by Frankie, the mother of three children: Axl, Sue, and Brick. Axl grapples with popularity and academic indifference, Sue struggles to find her place socially, and Brick is an introverted bookworm.
Like Modern Family, The Middle finds humor in the everyday chaos of family life and the contrasting personalities within a family unit. Showing a normal family with all its imperfections and charms is what makes shows like Modern Family and The Middle so appealing. The scenarios the Hecks encounter are as funny as their relationships are heartwarming and relatable. The show’s focus on the financial struggles of a modern family may make it even more relatable to viewers who don’t identify with the more privileged lifestyles of the Dunphys and Pritchetts in Modern Family, offering a grounded and humorous perspective on family life in middle America.
14 Friday Night Dinner (2011-2020)
Family Gatherings Never Go As Smoothly As Planned
Modern Family often showcases the comedic chaos that can erupt during simple family gatherings, particularly the frequent family dinners. This concept is central to the British comedy Friday Night Dinner, which focuses on the weekly Shabbat dinners of the Goodman family, consisting of parents and their two adult sons, Adam and Jonny. These dinners are frequently disrupted by unexpected guests, family pranks, and other whimsical scenarios characteristic of dry British humor.
Friday Night Dinner TV series poster
Fans of Modern Family‘s family dinner scenes and ensemble humor may enjoy Friday Night Dinner, a British sitcom centered around chaotic family gatherings. The Goodman family in Friday Night Dinner draws inspiration from writer Robert Popper’s own secular Jewish upbringing, lending the show an authentic and organic feel. Similar to Modern Family, Friday Night Dinner focuses on adult family members and their often immature behaviors. However, Friday Night Dinner employs a more absurdist and dry comedic style compared to Modern Family‘s broader humor, offering a unique comedic flavor for viewers seeking something slightly different.
13 Single Parents (2018-2019)
Different Parenting Dynamics In The Same Extended Family
Single Parents premiered on ABC in 2018 and follows Will, a divorced parent in his 30s who feels lost in his identity after dedicating himself to raising his daughter. This situation prompts the other single parents at his daughter’s school to rally around him, encouraging him to step out of his “father cocoon” and re-enter the dating world. The show benefits from strong writing and a talented cast, including Leighton Meester and Brad Garrett.
Single Parents TV Show Poster
For viewers who appreciate Modern Family‘s focus on diverse family structures and parenting styles, Single Parents offers a contemporary take on single parenthood. Single Parents and Modern Family both offer refreshing perspectives on the sitcom formula by subverting traditional family sitcom tropes and the typical single bachelor narrative. Single Parents cleverly uses its premise to explore various parenting styles and family households, each with its own set of quirks and eccentricities. Just as Modern Family stood out by adopting a more contemporary approach to family dynamics compared to classic sitcoms, Single Parents offers a modern and humorous look at the challenges and joys of single parenting.
12 The Mick (2017)
Flawed Adults Make For Interesting Guardians
Kaitlin Olson, widely recognized for her role as Dee Reynolds in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, headlined her own series, The Mick. In The Mick, Olson portrays Mickey, a woman who moves to Greenwich and unexpectedly becomes the guardian of her estranged niece and nephews when their wealthy parents are arrested by the FBI for fraud and tax evasion. Mickey is then tasked with raising their three spoiled children, who are accustomed to a life of wealth and privilege.
The Mick TV series poster
If you enjoy Modern Family‘s portrayal of imperfect parents and family mishaps, The Mick takes the concept of dysfunctional family dynamics to a hilariously edgy extreme. Modern Family refreshingly illustrates that even experienced parents make mistakes and don’t have all the answers, and The Mick amplifies this idea by featuring a decidedly unqualified guardian learning how to raise children with all the comedic ups and downs that ensue. While The Mick is edgier and more irreverent than the feel-good charm of Modern Family, both shows share a core sweetness within their families, despite the struggles and comedic chaos they face. Kaitlin Olson’s performance as Mickey embraces the humor of a deeply dysfunctional parental figure, making The Mick a unique and entertaining watch.
11 One Day At A Time (2017-2020)
Cultural Celebration Makes A Family Richer
One Day at a Time is a reboot of the 1970s show of the same name, but it centers on a different family than the original series. This new version focuses on Penelope, a Cuban-American army veteran and newly single mother of two children. The show chronicles the family’s everyday challenges and triumphs, including Penelope’s work life, their ever-present landlord Schneider, and the experiences of her children as they navigate adolescence.
For fans seeking heartwarming sitcoms with a focus on family and cultural diversity like Modern Family, One Day at a Time is an excellent choice. Much like Gloria’s Colombian heritage enriches the Modern Family narrative, One Day at a Time offers a unique and humorous perspective on the American household through the lens of a Cuban-American family. While Modern Family embraced the mockumentary style, One Day at a Time charmingly revives the traditional multi-camera sitcom format, giving it a nostalgic and classic feel.
These shows, like Modern Family, offer a comforting and humorous look at the intricacies of family life. Whether you’re drawn to the mockumentary style, ensemble casts, or heartwarming storylines, there are plenty of tv series like Modern Family to explore and enjoy.
