
Although Modern Family was a one-of-a-kind hit, there are many other shows that fans would enjoy. The sitcom followed three branches of one big, quirky family, giving viewers a funny and heartfelt look at their lives. When it ended in 2020, fans had to say goodbye to the characters and their hilarious adventures.
Though the show’s future is uncertain, fans can still enjoy shows like Modern Family that mix heart and humor. Whether it’s family dramas or animated comedies, these series are great for your next binge-watch.
1. Family Matters (1989-1998)
- Cast: Reginald VelJohnson , Jo Marie Payton , Jaleel White ,Kellie Shanygne Williams, Darius McCrary.
- Release Date: September 22, 1989
- Seasons: 9
- Creators: William Bickley , Michael Warren
- Where to watch: Max
Family Matters, a 1990s sitcom about a Black American family, balances humor and heart like Modern Family. It features police officer Carl Winslow, his family, and their quirky neighbor, Steve Urkel. As Urkel’s popularity grew, the show included his wild inventions, like body-swapping and time travel, making it more cartoonish. While it shares the fun and warmth of Modern Family, Urkel’s unique antics set it apart.
2. Jane The Virgin (2014-2019)
- Cast: Gina Rodriguez , Justin Baldoni, Andrea Navedo
- Release Date: October 13, 2014
- Seasons: 5
- Showrunner: Jennie Snyder Urman
- Where to watch: Netflix
Some shows focus on one main character but still have a family vibe like Modern Family. In Jane the Virgin, Jane (Gina Rodriguez) accidentally gets pregnant and builds new relationships with the baby’s intended parents, her mom, and her grandma.
Though Jane the Virgin is more dramatic, both shows explore how family generations influence each other. The storyline of a family supporting a pregnancy is similar to Haley’s twins in Modern Family, offering a mix of family challenges, laughs, and excitement.
3. Mom (2013-2021)
- Cast: Anna Faris , Allison Janney , Mimi Kennedy
- Release Date: September 23, 2013
- Seasons: 8
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime
Mom stars Allison Janney, Anna Faris, and Sadie Calvano as three generations of the Plunkett women trying to connect and manage their lives. Faris, who plays the lead, deals with her past and her relationship with her mother. Both women struggle with addiction and are working to stay sober.
Like Modern Family, Mom mixes funny moments with serious topics. While Modern Family shows loving but imperfect parents, Mom dives into the challenges of flawed parents, making it both funny and real. It offers a refreshing change from the mostly light-hearted tone of Modern Family.
4. The Simpsons (1989-Present)
- Release Date: December 17, 1989
- Cast: Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Dan Castellaneta
- Seasons: 35
- Where to watch: Disney Plus
Modern Family is full of funny situations and wild characters. But when it comes to shows about quirky families, The Simpsons has made a big impact. The animated show humorously depicts the Simpson family, showing that no family is perfect.
The Simpsons is known for its endless jokes and classic episodes. It’s more open about family flaws than Modern Family, and with so many characters in Springfield, family moments aren’t always the focus. Still, like Modern Family, it’s fun to watch the Simpsons on vacations, holidays, and in their everyday adventures.
5. The Middle (2009-2017)
- Cast: Patricia Heaton , Neil Flynn , Charlie McDermott
- Release Date: September 30, 2009
- Seasons: 9
- Creators: Eileen Heisler , DeAnn Heline
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime
The Middle is about the Heck family in Indiana, who deal with life’s ups and downs in a funny and heartwarming way. Narrated by mom Frankie, the show features her three kids: Axl, who struggles with school and popularity; Sue, who has trouble fitting in; and Brick, a shy bookworm.
The show combines humor with relatable family moments and deals with financial challenges, making it more relatable for viewers who don’t have the same privileges as the families in Modern Family.
6. Single Parents (2018-2019)
- Cast: Taran Killam , Leighton Meester, Jake Choi
- Release Date: September 26, 2018
- Seasons: 2
- Where to watch: Disney Plus
Single Parents debuted in 2018 and is about Will, a divorced dad who feels lost after focusing on his daughter. His fellow single parents help him start dating again. The show, with Leighton Meester and Brad Garrett, mixes up the usual single dad and family sitcom ideas with funny and unique situations.
Both Single Parents and Modern Family offer a fresh look at family life, with Single Parents showing different types of parents and family dynamics, just like Modern Family does.
7. One Day At A Time (2017-2020)
- Release Date: January 6, 2017
- Cast: Justina Machado , Todd Grinnell
- Seasons: 4
- Where to watch: Netflix
One Day at a Time is a Netflix reboot of the old show, but it tells a new story. It follows Penelope, a Cuban American army vet who is now a single mom with two kids. The show shows their daily life, including Penelope’s job, their funny landlord, and the kids’ adventures.
If you like heartwarming family comedies, One Day at a Time is a great pick. It gives a fresh and funny look at family life, similar to how Gloria’s Colombian background adds something new in Modern Family. While Modern Family uses a mockumentary style, One Day at a Time uses a classic multi-camera setup, making it feel like a fun throwback.
8. Malcolm In The Middle (2000-2005)
- Release Date: January 9, 2000
- Cast: Bryan Cranston , Frankie Muniz
- Seasons: 7
- Where to watch: Disney Plus
Watching the Dunphys on Modern Family is a bit like watching Malcolm’s family on Malcolm in the Middle. The show is about Malcolm, the middle child, his different brothers, a strict mom, and a funny dad who is a lot like Phil Dunphy.
Malcolm in the Middle is great for anyone who grew up in a quirky family. It’s funny and explores sibling rivalry and smart kids who feel out of place. Many fans are still hoping for a revival of the show because they love it so much.
9. Kim’s Convenience (2016-2021)
- Release Date: October 11, 2016
- Cast: Simu Liu , Paul Sun-Hyung Lee , Andrea Bang
- Seasons: 5
- Where to watch: Netflix
Kim’s Convenience is a funny Canadian show about a Korean Canadian family who runs a convenience store in Toronto. It stars Simu Liu and looks at the differences between the parents and kids, plus their family adventures.
The show is great for anyone who understands what it’s like to grow up with immigrant parents. Its clever humor makes it a fun watch, just like Modern Family.
10. Black-ish (2014-2022)
- Release Date: September 24, 2014
- Cast: Anthony Anderson , Marsai Martin
- Seasons: 8
- Where to watch: Hulu
Black-ish is a funny show about a Black family trying to fit in and handle family drama. It has two spin-offs, Grown-ish and Mixed-ish, and is often recommended by fans of Modern Family.
Like Modern Family, Black-ish looks at how different generations in a family deal with the world. It also talks about serious topics like race with humor and style, making it a special sitcom.
11. Life In Pieces (2015-2019)
- Cast: Colin Hanks, Betsy Brandt, Zoe Lister-Jones
- Release Date: September 21, 2015
- Seasons: 4
- Where to watch: Disney Plus
Life in Pieces is a funny show about an extended family, like Modern Family. It shares family stories from different viewpoints.
Even though it wasn’t as famous as Modern Family, it has the same mix of humor and heart. The show features quirky characters like a laid-back grandfather, a family troublemaker, and an awkward son, and it handles serious topics with a light and funny touch.
12. This Is Us (2016-2022)
- Release Date: September 20, 2016
- Cast: Susan Kelechi Watson , Lonnie Chavis , Justin Hartley
- Seasons: 6
- Where to watch: NBC
This Is Us isn’t a comedy, but it shows family life like Modern Family. It follows different parts of a big family, with a surprise twist at the end of the first episode that changes everything.
The show tells the story of three siblings and their parents in different timelines. It’s both touching and emotional, ending in 2022 with a powerful impact.
13. Big Mouth (2017)
- Release Date: September 29, 2017
- Cast: Fred Armisen , Jessi Klein , Nick Kroll
- Seasons: 6
- Where to watch: Netflix
As the kids on Modern Family grew up, the show got a bit more awkward and crude. Big Mouth also follows kids dealing with puberty, but with fantasy characters like Hormone Monsters to help them through it.
Big Mouth is really funny and sometimes a bit embarrassing. It talks about growing up in a way that’s relatable but also much more mature than Modern Family.
14. Fresh Off The Boat (2015-2019)
- Cast: Randall Park , Constance Wu , Hudson Yang
- Release Date: February 4, 2015
- Seasons: 6
- Where to watch: Disney Plus
Fresh Off the Boat is a funny show about a Taiwanese family moving to Orlando in the 1990s. They face culture shock and family problems, with the dad running a cowboy-themed restaurant.
The show mixes humor with ‘90s nostalgia, offering a different but entertaining family story, just like Modern Family.
15. Schitt’s Creek (2015-2020)
- Release Date: January 13, 2015
- Cast: Catherine O’Hara , Dan Levy , Noah Reid
- Seasons: 6
- Where to watch: Netflix
Schitt’s Creek is about a rich family who loses all their money and has to move to a small town. They start off not getting along but eventually grow closer and learn from their new life. David is dramatic like Cam, and Alexis parties like Haley.
The show, like Modern Family, is funny and shows how quirky parents can be.
16. The Goldbergs (2013-2023)
- Release Date: September 24, 2013
- Cast: Jeff Garlin , Wendi McLendon-Covey , AJ Michalka
- Seasons: 10
- Where to watch: Hulu
The Goldbergs is a funny show set in the ’80s, based on the creator’s real childhood. It features a quirky family dealing with everyday life before cell phones and social media. Like Modern Family, it mixes humor with heart, showing how family and love are important.
17. Arrested Development (2003-2018)
- Release Date: March 15, 2019
- Cast: Jeffrey Tambor , Ron Howard , Michael Cera
- Writers: Mitchell Hurwitz
- Where to watch: Netflix
Arrested Development is a funny show about the Bluth family, who are much more messed up than the characters in Modern Family. The story follows Michael Bluth, who tries to fix their problems after his dad, the CEO, gets arrested.
The show is known for its clever writing and funny quotes. While it has similar goofy moments, it focuses more on the Bluths’ flaws and craziness, making it hilarious but less warm than Modern Family.
Conclusion
If you love Modern Family and want more laughs, there are plenty of great shows like Modern Family to enjoy. From quirky families to funny adventures, these shows offer the perfect comedy escape for endless entertainment. Also, learn about the Best Modern Family Episodes Ranked.
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