Funny Show To Watch When You Need A Real Laugh
Funny Show to Watch When You Need a Real Laugh
When you need a real laugh right now, the best funny show to watch is Schitt's Creek, a Canadian sitcom that swept all seven major comedy categories at the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards in 2020-a feat never achieved before. It consists of 80 episodes over six seasons and follows the Rose family going from wealthy to penniless overnight. For something newer, Hacks just concluded its Emmy-winning fifth season on May 28, 2026, with a 99% Tomatometer score.
Top 5 Funny Shows to Watch in May 2026
Based on current streaming data and critical ratings, here are the highest-rated comedy shows available right now:
| Show Title | Tomatometer | Popcornmeter | Streaming Platform | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hacks | 99% | 84% | HBO Max | 5 (completed) |
| The WONDERfools | 100% | 84% | Streaming | 1 |
| Beef | 94% | 74% | Netflix | 1 |
| Brooklyn Nine-Nine | 94% | 78% | Netflix/Peacock | 8 |
| Rick and Morty | 91% | 83% | Hulu/Max | 7+ |
Comfort Comedy Shows for Stress Relief
If you're looking for feel-good entertainment that won't drain your energy, these shows are perfect for when you need light-hearted fare during tough times.
- Schitt's Creek (2015-2020): A wealthy family loses everything and relocates to a small motel town-transformed into a manifesto on radical empathy by its finale
- The Good Place (2016-2020): A fantasy-comedy about a woman sent to heaven by mistake who must learn to be better, created by Michael Schur for NBC
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2021): Andy Samberg leads a talented NYPD squad in Fox's beloved police procedural sitcom; seasons 7 and 8 dropped on Netflix February 26, 2026
- Good Omens: Supernatural comedy with 78% Tomatometer, latest episode aired May 13, 2026
New Comedy Revivals Coming in 2026
Three comedies absent for over ten years are returning this year, including The Comeback, Malcolm in the Middle, and Scrubs.
- The Comeback Season 3: Lisa Kudrow's satire premiered March 22, 2026 at 10:30 PM ET on HBO, concluding May 10 with eight episodes confronting Hollywood's AI collapse
- Malcolm in the Middle: Hulu sequel featuring Frankie Muniz in a four-episode revival after nearly a decade
- Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat: New spinoff premiered March 20, 2026 on Prime Video with staged corporate retreat comedy
Why These Shows Deliver Real Laughs
These comedies succeed because they combine authentic character development with consistent humor that respects the audience's intelligence. Schitt's Creek transformed culture shock into universal lessons about empathy. Hacks balances sharp joke writing with genuine emotional depth between Deborah and Ava. The Good Place uses philosophical ethics as comedy fuel while proving it's never too late to change.
For school leaders and educators seeking media that models positive values, these shows demonstrate how humor can address serious topics-family dynamics, moral growth, workplace ethics, and community-without sacrificing entertainment. This aligns with holistic education approaches that recognize emotional well-being and laughter as essential to student development.
Quick Reference: Where to Stream Each Show
| Show | Primary Platform | Alternative Platforms | Episode Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hacks | HBO Max | None | 42 episodes |
| Schitt's Creek | Peacock/Netflix | Prime Video | 80 episodes |
| Brooklyn Nine-Nine | Netflix/Peacock | Google Play, Prime Video | 153 episodes |
| The Good Place | Netflix | Peacock | 50 episodes |
| The Comeback | HBO Max | None | 26 episodes (3 seasons) |
Everything you need to know about Funny Show To Watch When You Need A Real Laugh
What is the funniest show to watch right now?
Hacks is the funniest show to watch right now with a 99% Tomatometer score and 84% Popcornmeter, completing its Emmy-winning fifth season on May 28, 2026. Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder's chemistry delivers impeccable scene-level writing with a high joke hit rate.
Which comedy show has the best ratings in 2026?
The WONDERfools holds a perfect 100% Tomatometer with 84% Popcornmeter, while Hacks follows at 99% Tomatometer. For established classics, Brooklyn Nine-Nine maintains 94% Tomatometer across 153 episodes.
Where can I watch Brooklyn Nine-Nine in 2026?
You can stream all 153 episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine on Netflix (seasons 7-8 added February 26, 2026) and exclusively on Peacock for the complete series. It's also available on Google Play, Netflix with Ads, and TVision in the US.
Is Schitt's Creek worth watching in 2026?
Yes-Schitt's Creek still feels like a warm hug in 2026, evolving from a low-budget CBC sitcom into a global juggernaut that demonstrated radical empathy. Created by and starring Eugene Levy and Dan Levy, it won all seven major comedy Emmy categories in 2020, a historic first.
What new comedy should I watch if I want something fresh?
The Comeback Season 3 offers fresh dark Hollywood satire confronting AI's impact on entertainment, described as "the scariest television you will watch this year" despite being a comedy. The mockumentary-style show features Lisa Kudrow as faded actress Valerie Cherish fighting for her career.
