18 Shows Like Friends That You Can Watch Right Now

It has been 16 years since the season finale of famous sitcom friends premiered on tv. Shows like friends is a term which is often associated with a new sitcom that comes out every now and then. Friends is still one of the most popular comedy-sitcom series. Millions of people still watch it online. Millennials have also become a fan of the show.

WB and HBO Max who is also working on a Friends special that will bring the cast together after all this time. Friends will move from Netflix to HBO with this reunion special. In this article, we are listing some of the best shows like friends that you can watch right now. They highlight friendship, relationships, and the everyday struggle of common young people. You must be familiar with some of the shows that are listed here. So let’s take a closer look at shows like friends. We will be sorting them on the basis of availability (e.g. – Netflix or Prime) [pin]

TV Shows like Friends You Should Watch

That ’70s Show

Year – 1998

IMDB – 8.1

Think of friend but in their school days, this is what That 70s Show was. It is quite popular among audiences for their amazing writing, plot and hilarious jokes, and physical comedy. The story is set in the 1970s and how the lives were really different back then. People used to go to concerts, school lives were different and overall culture. If you wanna know what the 1970s were like in the USA, you should watch this show.

Why You should watch it?

1. The physical comedy in this is really amazing.
2. Characters are very relatable and you will find type of people in a group
3. Situations were also very close to reality.
4. There are tons of pop culture references.
5. Starts like Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Laura Prepon, and Topher Grace stared their career with this show.

You can stream That ’70s Show on Netflix

 

 

New Girl

Year – 2011

IMDB – 7.7

New Girl is one of the most underrated sitcoms with a very loyal fan base. It’s a story a girl named Jess who is a teacher. She moves to a new apartment after a bad breakup. She is sharing the new apartment with three men who she later becomes good friends with.

Why Should you watch it?

1. Characters are very relatable and close to reality.
2. The relationship between character is also very close to reality.
3. This show is extremely funny with some of the best jokes (there are no laughing tracks)
4. There are some valuable lessons to learn
5. Best show for friends lovers.

New Girl is available on Disney+ Hotstar

 

Broad City

Year – 2014

IMDB – 8.4

Just like friends this show is set in New York City. it is the story of two best friends who are struggling to get by with their low paying jobs. Unlike many shows in this list, Broad city is a female-centric show which is another plus.

Why should You Watch it?

1. If you like adult jokes and hilarious plot
2. Looking for something women-centric
3. Characters and situations are very relatable.

You can watch Broad City on Voot

 

How I Met Your Mother

Year – 2005

IMDB – 8.5

How I Met Your Mother is often referred to as a Friends ripoff and they have taken some inspiration fro the show as well. From the same city, instead of a coffee place that was right downstairs, it is the bar where the group hangout, many things feel similar but HIMYM is more refined, has much more diverse cast, and has an amazing storytelling style. Most of you have probably seen HIMYM but for some reason, if you were living under a rock, HIMYM is the story of 5 best friends and their adventure. Two of them are couples and later married and two of them have an on/off a relationship. You can consider How I met your mother a more refined version of friends with more dirty jokes.

Another thing you will love about HIMYM, the chemistry between characters. Unlike Ross and Rachel, Ted and Robin had different life goals but their relationship wasn’t toxic.

Why should you watch it?

1. Although things the characters do might not be realistic the emotions behind them are really amazing.
2. Friends had some emotional moments which made you cry but HIMYM can take you to the next level, it can really funny but extremely sad at the same time.
3. It will teach you some important life lessons and how you have to make sacrifice for family and the ones you love.

Watch it on Disney+ Hotstar

 

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Year – 2005

IMDB – 8.8

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is yet another amazing show that you can watch. Instead of hanging out in a coffee shop all day, a group of close friends hangs out in an Irish bar that they own. Starring comic gems like Danny DeVito, Charlie Day and Kaitlin Olson, it is among the best sitcoms that are available to watch. You can watch all the episodes on Disney+ Hotstar.

Why should you watch it?

1. There are some seriously funny moments
2. You will become a better person as this show teaches you some valuable lesson
3. This show is still going

Watch on Disney + Hotstar

 

Will & Grace

Year – 1998

IMDB – 7.2

Will & Grace was one of the most forward sitcoms back in the day. Story of a gay lawyer and his best friend Grace who is living with him temporarily. They both become permanent roommates. Will & Grace one earliest LGBT show that educated people about this issue. This show is about a platonic friendship about a gay man and a straight woman.

Why should you watch it?

1. It is friends but it is queer
2. If you want to see two people of the opposite sex in a platonic relationship and how beautiful it can be.
3. If sarcasm is your thing you will love this show. Some lines will remind you of Chandler Bing

 

Watch it Online

 

Recommended – LGBTQ based Netflix shows you need to binge on right now!

 

Freaks and Geeks

Year – 1999

IMDB – 8.8

With amazing cast members like Linda Cardellini, James Franco, Martin Starr, Jason Segel, Seth Rogan, and more, Freaks and Geeks are high school sitcom. This show is split into two-character groups of guys and girls. This show is set in the 1980s and will bring a dose of nostalgia. This show has a cult-like following and as a hidden gem, not many people know about this show. Freaks and Geeks was canceled just after one season, so if you are looking for something to binge over the weekend, this is it.

Why should you watch it?

1. Characters are very realistic and you can relate to.
2. Humor is brilliant all thanks to amazing writing and plot.
3. Since there is only one season, you can easily binge it over the weekend. (No long term commitment)

Watch it on Prime Video

 

Frasier

Year – 1993

IMDB – 8

Fraiser is the story of a doctor who moves to Seattle hoping for a fresh start. This 1993 sitcom ran for 11 seasons and has a significant following. Unlike Friends, Fraiser is more like The Big Bang Theory but the premises are somewhat similar. Fraiser is also considered among the best sitcoms of all time. Great humor and witty jokes are on top of the list. It is among the best shows like Friends that you can watch.

Why should you watch it?

1. Fraiser has a deep and fascinating premise.
2. Just like Friends, the chemistry between characters is amazing.
3. If you like physical humor you are going to love the physical comedy in this show.

Watch on Prime Video

 

Seinfeld

Year – 2020

IMDB – 8.8

This legendary show was created by Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David back in 1989. Just like Friends, Seinfeld has a cult-like following and people are quick to find similarities between these two shows. Both shows were set in New York City following the lives of young people. Although the characters and storyline are very different the similarity in time is amazing.

If you are searching for shows like Friends, you must consider watching Seinfeld. There are only 9 seasons and it is a laughter riot throughout.

Why should you watch it?

1. Characters are love to hate.
2. Writing of this show is so relatable, like forgetting where you parked your car in shopping mall parking, or when you can’t stop laughing and stuff like that.
3. If you are looking for a hilarious show with awesome jokes and physical comedy.

Watch on Amazon Prime Video

 

Living Single

Year – 1993

IMDB – 7.4

Let’s admit it, Friends get too much hype but in reality, there are some true gems get overshadowed. Living Single is a brilliant show that not many people know about. It is the story of a six friends in their 20s living in Brooklyn. A trio of women share one apartment and they have a common friend. Two guys and their friends share an apartment in the same building. Not only this show had divorce cast but the writing was amazing with relatable jokes and humor. Some people also argue that Friends was inspired by Living Single

Why should you watch it?

1. This show had a diverse cast
2. Jokes were funny and very relatable
3. Looking for something refreshing

Watch on Prime Video

 

Happy Endings

Year – 2011

IMDB – 7.7

This 2011 sitcom is yet another great show like Friends that you can start binging. It is a relatively small season so you can easily binge it over the weekend. It is the story of six young individuals. Unlike many shows on the list, Happy Endings is set in Chicago city.

Why should you watch it?

1. One of the most underrated tv show.
2. If you like sarcastic comedy, you are going to like this one.

Watch it on Prime Video

 

Community

Year – 2009

IMBD – 8.5

Unlike all other shows in this list, Community has different kinds of settings. A lawyer’s degree is revoked and he is forced to attend the community college. With a diverse group of people, things get interesting during the study session. Sadly Community was canceled just after 6 seasons but their creators went on to make Rick and Morty. If you are looking for a quirky comedy to watch, this should be for you.

Why should you watch it?

1. One of the most underrated comedy tv show.
2. If you are a fan of quirky comedy.
3. The diverse cast and amazing writing.
4. There are lot of emotions throughout the seasons.

Watch online

 

Cheers

Year – 1982

IMDB – 7.8

Imagine friends but without coffee and in a bar. A group of people meets at a bar named cheers. This sitcom ran for 11 seasons and still holds to this day. You can relate to the characters and the plot of the series.

Why should you watch it?

1. If you are a fan of The Office or Friends you should not miss out on watching Cheers.
2. Characters are relatable.
3. There is some clever comedy in this series.

Watch Online

 

 

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Friends from College

Year – 2017

IMDB – 6.8

Friends from College is a Netflix original series that was launched in 2017. It is the story of 6 individuals who became friends during their time at Harvard. Now they are in their 40s and how their lives have changed. There is a good story, humor, physical comedy, and the chemistry between characters.

Why should you watch it?

1. Among the best shows like friends in modern times.
2. Relatable character and amazing comic timing.

Watch on Netflix

 

 

The Big Bang Theory

Year – 2007

IMDB – 8.1

Some people might argue that TBBT is nothing like Friends but there are some similarities which make it a good Friends alternative. Group of friends hanging out and dealing with life. Unlike Friends, TBBT is set in California, Penny and Leonard are like Ross and Rachel and the rest of friends are also dating. While Friends is innocent and has healthy comedy, The big bang theory is intelligent with brilliant jokes, sarcasm, pop culture reference, and valuable life lessons.

Why should you watch it?

1. If you like quirky, absurd and frustrating comedy.
2. There aren’t many comedy shows that are scientifically correct.
3. If you are a tech nerd you are going to enjoy it.

Watch on Netflix

 

So here you have it guys, Some of the best shows like Friends that you can start watching right now. Did we miss anything? let us know in the comments. If you have any more recommendations kindly drop them below.