25 Shows To Watch If You Love Modern Family (2024)

Though the award-winning sitcom was an unimitable hit, there are plenty of shows that fans of Modern Family will like. Following three households of a larger extended family, Modern Family showed a lovably dysfunctional familial dynamic. When Modern Family ended in 2020, fans had to say goodbye to the lovable characters and their outrageous misadventures. The ability to turn to television and see the best of family and relationships can be a true comfort and motivator, and while Modern Family did this perfectly, it's far from the only series to capture that magic.

Luckily for fans of the Dunphy clan, there are some other great shows like Modern Family that capture that same heart and humor. From family dramas to animated comedies about growing up, these series are a Modern Family fan's next binge-watch. Life is sad, funny, mundane, and even absurd, and seeing an encapsulation of someone's journey through it all can make viewers feel seen and understood, as well as properly entertained.

25 Family Matters (1989-1998)

The Winslow Family Lives In Chicago And Next Door To Misfit Steve Urkel

Family Matters

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Cast

Reginald VelJohnson , Jaleel White , Jo Marie Payton , Darius McCrary , Kellie Shanygne Williams , Rosetta LeNoire , Shawn Harrison , Valerie Jones , Joseph Wright , Julius Wright , Bryton McClure

Release Date

September 22, 1989

Seasons

9

Creator(s)

William Bickley , Michael Warren

One of the few sitcoms to center on a Black American family in the 1990s, Family Matters managed to find the sweet spot between humor and heart, just like Modern Family. The show centers on police officer Carl Winslow (Reginald VelJohnson) and his family, but also his in-laws, and the quirky next-door neighbor Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) who has a penchant for scientific inventions and a crush on his daughter.

It’s got the same level of hijinks that Modern Family fans love with that mix of heartwarming moments between family members and friends. However, the iconic character of Urkel provides an aspect to the show that fans will not find in Modern Family. As Urkel's popularity grew, Family Matters began to embrace his wacky experiments which would include things like body swapping and time-travel, changing the once grounded show into something more cartoonish.

24 Jane The Virgin (2014-2019)

Two Families Deal With A Woman Being Artificially Inseminated By Mistake

Jane the Virgin

Cast

Gina Rodriguez , Andrea Navedo , Justin Baldoni , Ivonne Coll , Brett Dier , Jaime Camil

Release Date

October 13, 2014

Seasons

5

Showrunner

Jennie Snyder Urman

While there are some shows that have a more central protagonist, they can still capture the ensemble family feel of Modern Family. Inspired by a telenovela, Jane (Gina Rodriguez) finds herself mistakenly artificially inseminated after a routine medical appointment. She decides to stay pregnant and gets to know the people who were planning on having the baby, creating new relationships for herself and her mother and grandmother in the process as their family expands.

There’s certainly more drama than Modern Family, but both series examine how multiple generations of a family can shape the youngest members. The main plot of a family coming together to help out with a pregnancy in the family might also remind fans of the storyline involving Haley's twins in Modern Family. It makes for a complex look at the challenges of family life while remaining hilarious and exciting at the same time.

23 Boy Meets World (1993-2000)

Cory Matthews And Shawn Hunter Come Of Age In Philadelphia

Boy Meets World

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Cast

Ben Savage , William Daniels , Will Friedle , Rider Strong , Lee Norris , Lindsay Ridgeway , Danielle Fishel , Alex Désert , Maitland Ward

Release Date

September 24, 1993

Seasons

7

Showrunner

Michael Jacobs

When Boy Meets World premiered, most family sitcoms centered on the parents with the children being secondary characters. Boy Meets World flipped that idea, following Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) and Shawn Hunter (Rider Strong) as they grew up in Philadelphia and then went to college. Throughout the show, they also form and strengthen other relationships, such as with Cory's dim-witted older brother Eric (Will Friedle), his love interest Topanga Lawrence (Danielle Fishel), and his tough but caring mentor Mr. Feeny (Will Daniels).

Boy Meets World is for the Modern Family audience who might have wanted the show to focus more on Haley, Alex, and Luke instead of their parents and uncles. However, there is still a lot of family aspects to the show which become even more apparent when Shawn becomes a pseudo-adopted brother to Cory. There are even more Modern Family vibes in the sequel series Girl Meets World, focusing on Cory and Topanga's daughter.

22 Mom (2013-2021)

A Mom Struggles To Stay Sober And Get Her Life Together

mom

Cast

Anna Faris , Allison Janney , Sadie Calvano , Nate Corddry , Matt Jones , French Stewart , Spencer Daniels , Mimi Kennedy , Jaime Pressly , William Fichtner , Kristen Johnston

Release Date

September 23, 2013

Seasons

8

Allison Janney, Anna Farris, and Sadie Calvano star as three generations of the Plunkett women who are struggling to connect and keep their lives on track. Farris is originally the titular Mom, and she is dealing with the trauma of her past and her connection to her own mother. Both moms have struggled with substance abuse and are attempting to stay sober, a tough subject in a comedy.

Like Modern Family, however, Mom strikes a great balance between the sitcom shenanigans and the serious drama. As loving as the parents on Modern Family are, they are not perfect by any means. Mom does a great job exploring that idea of imperfect parents which provides a lot of hilarity but also makes for a more grounded series. The real-life struggles of these women are not always represented on modern sitcoms and it feels somewhat refreshing compared to the constant fun and light-heartedness of Modern Family.

21 Parenthood (2010-2015)

Three Generations Of Bravermans Face Challenges And Grow Together

parenthood

Cast

Lauren Graham , Peter Krause

Release Date

March 2, 2010

Seasons

6

Showrunner

Jason Katims

In many ways, Parenthood feels like the dramatic version of Modern Family, as it provides a lot more tears than laughs. It does, however, focus on the connections between multiple generations of a single family. The Bravermans have four children, who all also have children. Their individual stories are balanced with larger family narratives. Taking place over five seasons, the audience gets to watch most of the Braverman children grow up and mature.

The Parenthood cast is a similarly expansive ensemble that elevates the show and makes the audience really care about them all. There are laughs to be found and a lot of lighter scenes. However, those who enjoy some tear-jerking moments in the exploration of family dynamics will find plenty of them here. It is a nice companion piece to watch alongside Modern Family, offering some heartbreak balanced with humor.

20 The Simpsons (1989-Present)

The Animated Classic Shows An Imperfect TV Family

The Simpsons

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Release Date

December 17, 1989

Cast

Tress MacNeille , Julie Kavner , Harry Shearer , Pamela Hayden , Nancy Cartwright , Hank Azaria , Dan Castellaneta , Yeardley Smith

Seasons

35

Modern Family has a lot of fun with the wacky situations and outrageous characters in the family. However, when it comes to shows about dysfunctional families, many owe a lot to The Simpsons. The animated series was hilariously absurd and over-the-top in its depiction of the life and relationship of the titular family, but there was something oddly relatable about seeing a television family that was far from perfect.

The show has cemented itself as one of the most important series in television history with endless jokes and classic episodes worth looking back on. The Simpsons is more willing to embrace the faults of its central family than Modern Family, and with the massive cast of characters that make up the people of Springfield, there are a lot of times the family dynamics aren't even central to the show. However, just like with the extended family of Modern Family, it is a joy going on vacations, celebrating holidays, and dealing with everyday chaos with The Simpsons.

19 Full House (1987-1995)

Families Merge Into One Loving Unit

Full House (US)

Comedy

Family

Cast

Bob Saget , John Stamos , Dave Coulier , Candace Cameron Bure , Jodie Sweetin , Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen , Lori Loughlin , Andrea Barber , Scott Weinger

Release Date

September 22, 1987

Seasons

8

The era of 90s family sitcoms brought a lot of classics, but Full House stood out in popularity and impact. Like Modern Family, the show dealt with thestruggles of parents as well as the youthful adventures of the children, while also depicting an unorthodox family. The sitcom follows a widower who raises his three daughters with the help of his cool brother-in-law and wacky best friend.

The chaos and love of the family could veer into cheesy territory at times, but the Full House ensemble cast kept the series funny, sweet, and entertaining. Having three male characters as the central parental figures on the show was a unique concept and provided a fun dynamic, especially with the children all being girls. While the show was more wholesome and sweet with its humor compared to Modern Family, the charming vibes of the mismatched households are similar.

18 3rd Rock From The Sun (1996-2001)

Aliens Posing As Humans Make For A Relatable Family

3rd Rock From the sun

Cast

John Lithgow , Jane Curtin , Kristen Johnston , French Stewart , Joseph Gordon-Levitt , Simbi Khali , Elmarie Wendel , Wayne Knight

Release Date

January 9, 1996

Seasons

6

Creator(s)

Bonnie Turner , Terry Turner

As 3rd Rock from the Sun is a sitcom about aliens visiting Earth in disguise, it might not seem to be a show like Modern Family, which is a much more grounded series. However, 3rd Rock from the Sun saw these unusual extraterrestrials attempting to pass as humans by forming what seemed like a typical American family, albeit one in which the dynamics are never really defined.

Seeing the characters get used to Earth customs and make plenty of mistakes along the way made them relatable and more human than they realized. The series was a funny and charming ride with a great cast led by John Lithgow's brilliant comedic performance. Having a goofy yet incredibly lovable main character with childish energy is similar to Modern Family's strengths of having Phil and Cam as part of the ensemble.

17 Frasier (1993-2004)

Adult Siblings Deal With Their Father And His Old-School Ways

Frasier

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Release Date

September 16, 1993

Cast

Kelsey Grammer , Jane Leeves , David Hyde Pierce , Peri Gilpin , John Mahoney , Jack Cutmore-Scott , Anders Keith , Jess Salgueiro , Toks Olagundoye , Nicholas Lyndhurst

Seasons

11

Streaming Service(s)

Paramount+

Most shows like Modern Family fit nicely into the family sitcom mold, focusing on parents with young children. However, Frasier manages to capture a similar feel whiledealing with adults and their relationship with siblings and older parents. A spinoff of the iconic sitcom Cheers, Frasier managed to make its own legacy. It's is a witty and delightful series about Frasier Crane moving back to his home in Seattle and living with his older father while reconnecting with his even more pretentious younger brother.

Having the older family members interacting without any children as part of the main cast feels different from Modern Family, but both shows explore the difficulties in parents and children who have completely different personalities. Frasier and his dad Marty's relationship often feels similar to that of Jay and Manny on Modern Family. The sharp writing and fun characters resulted in the show winning 37 Primetime Emmy Awards during its run. Now, the Frasier reboot attempts to carry on that legacy.

16 Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2005)

A Family Where Distance Is Never An Issue

Everybody Loves Raymond

TV-PG

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Release Date

September 13, 1996

Cast

Patricia Heaton , Brad Garrett , Ray Romano , Doris Roberts , Peter Boyle , Madylin Sweeten , Monica Horan

Seasons

9

The best humor in Modern Family comes from the familiarity of those combative moments in a marriage as well as the challenging relationships that can exist within a loving family. Few sitcoms pulled it off as well as Everybody Loves Raymond, which follows a married family man who lives across the street from his intrusive parents.

Similar to the way the Modern Family crew is constantly in each other's lives, Everybody Loves Raymond hilariouslyexamines the very relatable ways in which that kind of closeness can be trying at times. It also makes for a large and fun ensemble that adds to the laughs, although the children don't play as big a role in Everybody Loves Raymond as they do in Modern Family. Furthermore, the recognizable conflicts between Raymond and Debra feel similar to the entertaining battles Phil and Claire experience.

15 The Middle (2009-2017)

Different Personalities In The Same Family Can Clash

The Middle

Comedy

Cast

Patricia Heaton , Neil Flynn , Charlie McDermott , Eden Sher , Atticus Shaffer , Beau Wirick , Brock Ciarlelli , Chris Kattan

Release Date

September 30, 2009

Seasons

9

Creator(s)

Eileen Heisler , DeAnn Heline

The Middle focuses on the Hecks, a lower-middle-class family in Indiana doing their best to make their way through life as a complicated (but hilarious) household of personalities. The show is narrated by Frankie, the mom of three children: Axl, Sue, and Brick. Axl deals with popularity and academic apathy, Sue struggles to succeed in social situations, and Brick is a bookworm introvert.

Showing a normal family with all its flaws and charmis what makes shows like Modern Family and The Middle so popular. The scenarios the Hecks get into are just as funny as their relationships are heartwarming and relatable. The fact that the show also deals with the financial struggles of a modern family might make it a little more relatable to a lot of households out there that don't connect with the privileged lives of the Dunphys and Pritchetts.

14 Friday Night Dinner (2011-2020)

Family Gatherings Never Go As Smoothly As Planned

Friday Night Dinner

Cast

Tamsin Greig , Paul Ritter , Simon Bird , Tom Rosenthal , Mark Heap

Release Date

February 25, 2011

Seasons

1

Creator(s)

Robert Popper

Modern Family shows the kind of hijinks that can ensue with a simple get-together, as with the frequent family dinners on the show. That concept is used to great effect in the British comedy, Friday Night Dinner, which focuses on the weekly Shabbat dinner between the Goodman parents and their two sons, Adam and Jonny. Often, dinner is interrupted by unexpected guests, family pranks, or other wacky scenarios that viewers can expect from dry British comedy.

The Goodman family is reminiscent of writer Robert Popper's own secular Jewish upbringing, lending it an organic authenticity that's hard to fabricate. This is another show that is more focused on the adult members of a family and how they can still be incredibly immature. However, while the show is hilarious, it has a different sense of humor compared to Modern Family, going for a more absurdist vibe.

13 Single Parents (2018-2019)

Different Parenting Dynamics In The Same Extended Family

Single Parents

Cast

Taran Killam , Leighton Meester , Jake Choi

Release Date

September 26, 2018

Seasons

2

Single Parents debuted in 2018 on ABC and follows a divorced parent in his 30s named Will. Will feels lost in his identity, having focused so much of his energy on raising his daughter. This spurs the school's other single parents to help bring him out of his "father cocoon" and onto the dating scene. The show provides great writing and scenarios for the cast (which includes Leighton Meester and Brad Garrett).

Both shows are a refreshing take on the formula by subverting both the traditional family sitcom and the single bachelor hang-out routine. It is another clever premise that allows Single Parents to comment on different types of parents and approaches to family households, each with its own quirks and oddities. Taking a more contemporary look at family dynamics rather than classic sitcoms allowed Modern Family to stand out just like Single Parents.

12 The Mick (2017)

Flawed Adults Make For Interesting Guardians

The Mick

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Cast

Kaitlin Olson , Sofia Black-D'Elia , Thomas Barbusca , Carla Jimenez

Release Date

January 1, 2017

Seasons

2

Kaitlin Olson is best known as Dee Reynolds in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, but she also headlined her own series with The Mick. Olson plays Mickey, a woman who relocates to Greenwich and ends up becoming the parental guardian for her estranged niece and nephew when their parents are arrested by the FBI for fraud and tax evasion. Mickey is left to raise their three spoiled children who have known only wealth and privilege their whole lives.

Modern Family refreshingly shows that even those who have been parents for years don't have all the answers and make plenty of mistakes, and The Mick embraces the idea of a less-than-suitable guardianlearning how to raise kids with all the ups and downs. It is an edgier show than the charming feel-good vibes of Modern Family with Olson really embracing being a dysfunctional parental figure. However, in both cases, there is a sweetness to the families despite how much they struggle.

11 One Day At A Time (2017-2020)

Cultural Celebration Makes A Family Richer

One Day at a Time

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

Release Date

January 6, 2017

Cast

Justina Machado , Todd Grinnell

Seasons

4

One Day at a Time is Netflix's reboot of the 1970s show of the same name, but it follows a different family than the original run. The new version focuses on Penelope, a Cuban American army veteran and a newly single mom of two children. The show focuses on the everyday challenges and moments the family goes through, such as Penelope's work life, their ever-present landlord, and the trials and tribulations of her children.

For heartwarming and unique sitcoms to enjoy alongside family, One Day at a Time fits the bill perfectly. Much like Gloria's Colombian heritageprovides the family with a different perspective, this family story gives a unique and hilarious take on the American household. While Modern Family embraces the trend of the mockumentary sitcom, One Day at a Time is a charming embrace of the traditional multi-cam sitcom, which makes it feel like a fun throwback.

10 Malcolm In The Middle (2000-2005)

A Family Where The Kid Seems More Mature Than The Parents

Malcolm in the Middle

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

Release Date

January 9, 2000

Cast

Bryan Cranston , Frankie Muniz

Seasons

7

Looking at the Dunphys on Modern Family feels similar to Malcolm's family on Malcolm in the Middle. It follows a family going through the struggles and triumphs of children growing up. This series is told from the perspective of Malcolm, the middle child with very different brothers, a strict mother, and a ridiculous father who resembles Phil Dunphy more than a little.

From pre-teen drama to growing up, parents working, fighting, and finding things out, this hilarious show is perfect for anyone who grew up in a dysfunctional family of their own. The show has more of a quirky sense of humor compared to Modern Family, but it also has a lot of fun with similar ideas of battling siblings and intelligent children who feel out of place among their more outrageous siblings. It is a beloved series with many fans still waiting for the Malcolm in the Middle revival.

9 Kim's Convenience (2016-2021)

Joys And Struggles Of An Immigrant Family

Kim's Convenience

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

Release Date

October 11, 2016

Cast

Simu Liu , Paul Sun-Hyung Lee , Andrea Bang , Nicole Power , Andrew Phung , Jean Yoon

Seasons

5

The Canadian sitcom Kim's Convenience is largely known for starring Shang-Chi actor Simu Liu, but it's also another terrific look at a modern sitcom family. Kim's Convenience is centered on the adventures and misadventures of a Korean Canadian family running a convenience store in Toronto. The show deals with the generational divide among the parents and kids as well as a falling out among the family members.

Kim's Convenience will especially appeal to anyone who understands theexperience of growing up with immigrant parents and the difficulty in combining those two cultures. There are some insightful and funny approaches to this subject matter that stand out from a lot of other sitcoms like this. However, no matter the viewer's background, the fresh humor and quick wit of Kim's Convenience make it a must-watch among shows like Modern Family.

8 Black-ish (2014-2022)

A Family Confronting The Modern World Together

Black-ish

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Release Date

September 24, 2014

Cast

Anthony Anderson , Marsai Martin

Seasons

8

This critically acclaimed comedy about a 21st-century family upbringing spawned two spin-offs, Grown-ish and Mixed-ish, and it's easy to see why viewers who also appreciate Modern Family highly recommend it. Black-Iih follows an upper-middle-class Black family attempting to figure out their place in the neighborhood (and in the larger world) and struggling with all the usual family drama on top of it.

Like Modern Family, Black-ish has a lot of fun looking at how different generations of the same family can react to the current world they find themselves in. Modern Family was never really comfortable addressing real-world issues in a meaningful way. However, Black-ish embraced some of these more difficult and weightier topics (predominately race) consistently, and when it did, it did so with style and humor, giving a unique sitcom that was willing to comment on topical scenarios.

7 Life In Pieces (2015-2019)

One Extended Family With A Variety Of Experiences

Life in Pieces

Cast

Colin Hanks , Betsy Brandt , Thomas Sadoski , Zoe Lister-Jones

Release Date

September 21, 2015

Seasons

4

Though it never attracted the same level of success in the ratings and awards circuit as other family-centric sitcoms, Life in Pieces is an underrated gem. Like Modern Family, this sitcom follows an extended family and their ups and downs — with stories of different events and milestones told by various family members.

Expect the same age range and similar hilarity to Modern Family, but with an entirely new group of strange characters and oddball family members to laugh with. While none of the characters popped off the screen as much as some of Modern Family's standout stars, it was a winning ensemble with fun dynamics from the laidback grandfather to the family's black sheep to the awkward son. The show was also able to touch on more serious topics while always keeping a light and sweet sense of humor.

6 This Is Us (2016-2022)

Generations Of One Loving Family

This Is Us

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Release Date

September 20, 2016

Cast

Susan Kelechi Watson , Lonnie Chavis , Justin Hartley , Melanie Liburd , Hannah Zeile , Mandy Moore , Eris Baker , Sterling K. Brown , Milo Ventimiglia , Logan Shroyer , Faithe Herman , Niles Fitch , Parker Bates , Chris Sullivan , Chrissy Metz , Alexandra Breckenridge , Jon Huertas , Lyric Ross Asante Blackk Griffin Dunne Caitlin Thompson Chris Geere , Ron Cephas Jones , Mackenzie Hancsicsak

Seasons

6

This Is Us may not be a comedy, but it is a brilliant depiction of family life on the small screen that has a lot in common with Modern Family despite the difference in tone. It shares a similar format to Modern Family as it deals with the various households within a larger family but with a twist. Similar to Modern Family, that twist is revealed at the end of the first episode of This Is Us, which recontextualizes the entire show for the audience.

Told in various timelines, This Is Us is the story of three siblings as adults, as kids, and their parents' romance before they were born. Like Modern Family, sometimes it deals with the individual households and their own stories and sometimes it deals with the family as a whole. The series is absolutely heartbreaking, but somehow heartwarming at the same time. This is Us ended in 2022, marking a poignant and emotional journey for these characters.