10 TV Shows Like Modern Family That You Should Watch in the Future.
Family sitcoms, once classics, have become less common over the past decade, but when they truly gain popularity, as Modern Family did for eleven seasons, it’s a true success. Gone but not forgotten, these shows continue to remind us that families come in all shapes and sizes, and that’s not just good—it’s actually great. In that spirit, here are a few more series that invite us into the lives of extended families living the American and/or Canadian dream.
Life in Pieces (2015–2019)
Like Modern Family , Pieces follows a large extended family (set in California, by the way) through trials both relatable and humorous. Joan (Dianne Wiest) and John (James Brolin) lead a household that includes Colin Hanks, Betsy Brandt, and Thomas Sadoski. The clever idea is that each episode consists of four separate stories, each focusing on a different family member; the stories often (but not always) intertwine, but the format allows us to follow a huge cast of characters without constantly having people in each other’s homes. Clever. Watch Pieces on Hulu .
Black-ish (2014–2022)
One of our latest excellent family sitcoms, featuring a slightly smaller cast than Modern Family , still tackles the challenges of a large, multigenerational family. It also follows a similar format, with Dre’s father (Anthony Anderson) narrating the episodes in a mockumentary-like style. Anderson is joined by Tracee Ellis Ross, playing a pair of successful Black parents at the head of a family that faces everyday challenges while trying to maintain their cultural identity in an affluent white suburb. Children Yara Shahidi and Marcus Scribner later share the spinoff Mixed-ish , and Dre’s outspoken mother, Ruby (a brilliant Jennifer Lewis), steals every scene. Watch Black-ish on Hulu andNetflix .
Day by Day (2017–2020)
Inspired by Norman Lear’s beloved 1975 sitcom of the same name, this comedy quickly became one of the streaming service’s most critically acclaimed series. It tells the story of a Latina family led by Justina Machado as Lupe Alvarez, an Army Nurse Corps veteran struggling to transition to civilian life and become a single mother (she’s accompanied by the brilliant Rita Moreno as her charmingly outspoken mother). In addition to its compelling Latina representation, this funny and heartwarming series also featured Justina’s lesbian daughter, Elena, and her non-binary boyfriend, Sid, creating a wonderfully relatable modern family.Watch One Day at a Time on Netflix .
Abbott Elementary School (2021–)
Quinta Brunson ‘s Abbott Elementary quickly established itself as one of the best workplace mockumentaries, becoming a ratings successor to ABC’s Modern Family . It features (mostly) well-meaning characters navigating an American education system that doesn’t always reward good intentions. Set in the workplace rather than at home, the themes are different, but the tone is similar: the staff at Abbott Elementary are a funny, close-knit family, sharing their dreams, frustrations, and witty comments to the camera. Sheryl Lee Ralph’s 2022 Emmy win went viral, if only because it was well-deserved for the actress, who leads an incredibly talented and brilliantly funny cast. Watch Abbott Elementary on Hulu and HBO Max .
Malcolm in the Middle (2000–2006)
A spiritual successor of sorts to Roseanne, one of our great working-class sitcoms, Malcolm in the Middle reflected an economic reality firmly rooted in the real world: a desk job, once considered a great step up, is no longer a symbol of prosperity. It’s also a show about how a profoundly eccentric and dysfunctional family can love with the same excess they apply to everything else. The recent miniseries sequel, Life’s Still Fair , is a rare revival that hits the mark. Watch Malcolm in the Middle on Hulu .
Kim’s Store (2016–2021)
The Kim family is a Korean-Canadian family who own a store of the same name in Toronto. Paul Sun-Hyun Lee and Jin Yoon play the traditional parents, along with Simu Liu (pre-Marvel) as son Jeong and Andrea Bang as daughter Janet. The series skillfully walks the line, poignantly addressing the challenges facing immigrant families but rarely, if ever, sacrificing comedy—eliciting plenty of laughs from the generational conflict between mom and dad and their children. Watch “Kim’s Convenience” on Peacock .
Middle (2009–2018)
While “The Middle” was never particularly popular, it lasted an impressive (and surprisingly consistent) nine seasons without resorting to any particular plot gimmicks or original concepts: simply the story of the Heck family, living in the fictional town of Orson, Indiana. Frankie (Patricia Heaton) begins the series as a saleswoman at a used car dealership before becoming a dental assistant, while her husband, Mike (Neil Flynn), manages a quarry. The series combines elements of “Malcolm in the Middle” —depicting a sometimes chaotic family (barely) juggling work and children—with the more sentimental themes of “Modern Family . ” Watch “The Middle” on Peacock and Prime Video .
Parenthood (2010–2015)
Lauren Graham ( Gilmore Girls ) plays single mother Sara, leading a large cast of members of the extended Braverman family in Berkeley, California. It’s not a comedy, but it’s not (as usual) a heavy drama either, but a series that explores typical family issues over six seasons. Craig T. Nelson plays the family patriarch, and Graham, Peter Krause, Dax Shepard, and Erika Christensen play the four children, each with their own families, providing the show with plenty of storytelling opportunities, which it skillfully exploits. Watch Parenthood on Paramount+ .
This Is Us (2016–2022)
While Parenthood is more of a comedy-drama, it’s certainly a drama, and, by all accounts, one of the most touching series of the last decade—please don’t expect too many laughs. Dan Fogelman’s primetime drama was one of the most talked-about series of the late 2000s, following the lives of the Pearson family over several decades. The series begins by introducing us to siblings Randall, Kate, and Kevin (Sterling K. Brown, Chrissy Metz, and Justin Hartley), and then episodes take us through their early years and the lives of their parents, Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and Rebecca (Mandy Moore). While the show doesn’t quite match tonally, thematically it’s remarkably similar to Modern Family in that, at its core, it’s a warm-hearted family show, with plenty of hugs and tears, about a large, multi-generational family through good times and bad. Watch This Is Us on Hulu and Tubi .
Schitt’s Creek (2015–2020)
With such an impressive cast—the late, great Catherine O’Hara; Eugene and Daniel Levy; Annie Murphy; Emily Hampshire; and so on—the plot could have been entirely incidental, but this collection of Canadian comedic talent is certainly given plenty to work with. After being swindled by a business manager, the once-wealthy Rose family is forced to move to the town that gives the series its name and tries to rebuild their lives while living and working in a run-down hotel. While the Rose family no longer has cause for snobbery, old habits die hard, and their attempts to fit in can be a true comedic masterpiece. Watch Schitt’s Creek on Hulu and HBO Max .