Best Comedy Tv Shows To Watch This Weekend Now

Last Updated: Written by Dr. Carolina Mello Dias
best comedy tv shows to watch this weekend now
best comedy tv shows to watch this weekend now
Table of Contents

The best comedy TV shows to watch right now are Abbott Elementary, The Office, Only Murders in the Building, Hacks, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Simpsons, and What We Do in the Shadows, with Abbott Elementary returning for season 5 on January 7, 2026, and Only Murders in the Building season 5 available on Hulu since September 9, 2025.

These top-rated comedy series combine critical acclaim, audience popularity, and cultural impact to deliver consistent laughs across multiple humor styles-from workplace mockumentaries to satirical news to fantasy horror comedy. Whether you prefer classic sitcoms or new releases, this curated list helps you make the most of your weekend viewing time.

Top 7 Best Comedy TV Shows to Watch This Weekend

The following shows represent the best comedy television available across streaming platforms in 2026, ranked by critical scores, audience ratings, and cultural significance.

best comedy tv shows to watch this weekend now
best comedy tv shows to watch this weekend now
  • Abbott Elementary (ABC/Hulu) - Mockumentary about underfunded Philadelphia teachers; season 5 returns January 7, 2026
  • The Office (Peacock) - Steve Carell's iconic mockumentary workplace comedy; 2005-2013
  • Only Murders in the Building (Hulu) - Mystery comedy with Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez; season 5 premiered September 9, 2025
  • Hacks (Max/HBO) - Stand-up comedy mentorship drama-comedy; season 4 premiered April 10, 2025
  • Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Netflix) - Police precinct sitcom with perfect comedic ensemble; 2013-2021
  • The Simpsons (Disney+) - Longest-running animated sitcom; 30+ seasons predicting future events
  • What We Do in the Shadows (Hulu) - Vampire mockumentary; concluded with season 6 in 2024

Detailed Show Comparison Table

Show Title Rotten Tomatoes Score Years Aired Streaming Platform Genre Style
Abbott Elementary 99% Tomatometer 2021-present Hulu/ABC Workplace mockumentary
The Office 81% Tomatometer 2005-2013 Peacock Workplace mockumentary
Only Murders in the Building 90% Tomatometer 2021-present Hulu Mystery comedy
Hacks 96% Tomatometer 2021-present Max/HBO Dramedy/stand-up
Brooklyn Nine-Nine 95% Tomatometer 2013-2021 Netflix Police sitcom
The Simpsons 83% Tomatometer 1989-present Disney+ Animated satire
What We Do in the Shadows 96% Tomatometer 2019-2024 Hulu Horror mockumentary

Classic Comedy TV Shows of All Time

For viewers seeking timeless comedy classics, these foundational shows shaped television humor over 70+ years and remain culturally significant today.

  1. I Love Lucy (1951-1957) - The original classic sitcom; Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's married couple comedy on Paramount+
  2. The Golden Girls (1985-1992) - Four older women in Miami; Betty White's late-stage career masterpiece on Hulu
  3. 30 Rock (2006-2013) - Tina Fey's joke-per-episode powerhouse; Alec Baldwin's career revival on Hulu
  4. Seinfeld (1989-1998) - Rotten Tomatoes readers' favorite comedy of all time; "show about nothing"
  5. Sanford and Son (1972-1978) - Early major network sitcom with Black leads; Redd Foxx's cultural icon status on Tubi
  6. Futurama (1999-2003, 2023-present) - Adult animated sci-fi satire by Matt Groening on Hulu
  7. Veep (2012-2019) - Julia Louis-Dreyfus's cynical political comedy; 6 Emmy wins for lead actress on Max

New Comedy Releases for 2025-2026

The 2025-2026 television season delivers fresh comedy content across streaming platforms with highly anticipated returns and new series debuts.

Where to Watch Comedy TV Shows by Streaming Service

Knowing which streaming platform hosts your favorite comedies helps you optimize your subscription choices for weekend binge-watching.

  • Hulu - Abbott Elementary, What We Do in the Shadows, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Futurama, 30 Rock, The Golden Girls, Key and Peele
  • Max/HBO - Veep, The Studio (Seth Rogen), Hacks, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
  • Netflix - Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Good Place, I Think You Should Leave
  • Peacock - The Office (exclusive), The Daily Show
  • Disney+ - The Simpsons, What We Do in the Shadows (international)
  • Paramount+ - I Love Lucy, The Daily Show, Palm Royale
  • Tubi - Sanford and Son (free with ads)

Emmy-Winning Comedy Series (2024-2025)

The 76th Emmy Awards recognized outstanding comedy series with Abbott Elementary and The Bear competing for top honors, announced July 17, 2024, at Los Angeles' El Capitan Theatre.

Outstanding Comedy Series nominees included Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, Hacks, Palm Royale, and the final season of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Quinta Brunson earned consecutive Best Actress wins for Abbott Elementary, cementing the show's status as a critical darling.

Why These Comedy Shows Deliver Consistent Laughs

These series excel because they maintain high-quality writing across multiple seasons with strong ensemble casts and unique comedic voices.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine features a perfect comedic ensemble where every character dynamic is fully fleshed out with no dud combinations for B-plots. The Office became the ultimate reference-driven show with iconic quotes like "Beets, Bears, Battlestar Galactica" that became internet memes. What We Do in the Shadows achieved remarkable consistency as one of television's most consistent comedies, concluding after six seasons on its own terms.

30 Rock would win any jokes-per-episode contest, packing Michael McDonald references, Frank's hat slogans, and awkward product placement into every 25-minute episode. The Simpsons has freakishly predicted the future while addressing topical issues like labor unions and spoiler culture across 30+ seasons.

Best Comedy Shows by Humor Style

Different viewers prefer different comedy styles, from workplace satire to animated parody to political news commentary.

Humor Style Top Recommendation Alternative Options
Workplace Mockumentary Abbott Elementary The Office, What We Do in the Shadows
Animated Satire The Simpsons Futurama
Political Satire Last Week Tonight with John Oliver The Daily Show, Veep
Mystery Comedy Only Murders in the Building Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Stand-up/Dramedy Hacks 30 Rock
Sketch Comedy I Think You Should Leave Key and Peele
Classic Sitcom I Love Lucy The Golden Girls, Sanford and Son

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Comedy TV Shows

How to Choose Your Next Comedy TV Show

Selecting the right comedy show depends on your preferred humor style, available streaming subscriptions, and time commitment.

For short-form binge-watching, choose 25-minute sitcoms like Abbott Elementary, 30 Rock, or Brooklyn Nine-Nine that allow multiple episodes per sitting. For long-term viewing commitments, The Simpsons (30+ seasons) and The Office (9 seasons) provide hundreds of hours of content. If you prefer completed故事lines, What We Do in the Shadows ended naturally after six seasons, and The Good Place told its complete afterlife story in just four seasons.

Consider your streaming subscriptions when choosing-Hulu offers the most comprehensive comedy library with Abbott Elementary, What We Do in the Shadows, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, while Peacock exclusively hosts The Office. For free viewing with ads, Tubi provides Sanford and Son, demonstrating that classic comedy remains accessible without subscription costs.

Everything you need to know about Best Comedy Tv Shows To Watch This Weekend Now

When does Abbott Elementary season 5 premiere?

Abbott Elementary season 5 returns on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC, with new episodes available the next day on Hulu.

When does Only Murders in the Building season 5 release?

Only Murders in the Building season 5 premiered on Hulu on September 9, 2025, with the first three episodes released simultaneously, followed by weekly Tuesday releases through November 4, 2025.

When does Hacks season 4 come out?

Hacks season 4 premiered on April 10, 2025, on HBO and Max, with 10 new episodes dropping weekly starting with a double episode at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

What is the number one comedy TV show of all time?

I Love Lucy ranks as the number one comedy TV show of all time according to Looper's ranking, described as "the classic sitcom" and a totem of Americana that transcended TV to become iconic global culture.

Which comedy TV show has the highest Rotten Tomatoes score?

Abbott Elementary holds a 99% Tomatometer score, making it one of the highest-rated comedy series currently airing, while What We Do in the Shadows and Brooklyn Nine-Nine both score 95-96%.

What comedy shows are new in 2025-2026?

Abbott Elementary season 5 returns January 7, 2026; Only Murders in the Building season 5 premiered September 9, 2025; Hacks season 4 aired April 10, 2025; and The Studio from Seth Rogen premiered March 26, 2025 on Apple TV+.

Where can I watch The Office in 2026?

The Office is exclusively available on Peacock in the United States, where Steve Carell's iconic performance as Michael Scott remains beloved by audiences.

What comedy shows ended recently?

What We Do in the Shadows concluded with its sixth and final season premiering October 21, 2024, on FX with all 11 episodes streaming on Hulu the next day.

Which comedy shows are best for family viewing?

The Golden Girls, The Simpsons, and Abbott Elementary offer family-friendly humor with positive messages about friendship, community, and education while maintaining laugh-out-loud comedy.

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Education Analyst

Dr. Carolina Mello Dias

Dr. Carolina Mello Dias holds a Ph.D. in Education Leadership from the University of São Paulo, with a concentration in Catholic and Marist pedagogy.

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