12 Iconic Long-Running Sitcoms That Are 100% Worth a Full Binge

12 Iconic Long-Running Sitcoms That Are 100% Worth a Full Binge

Sometimes you need a show that feels like coming home—something familiar, funny, and guaranteed to lift your spirits. Long-running sitcoms offer exactly that: hundreds of episodes packed with beloved characters, running gags, and storylines that grow richer over time.

Whether you’re looking for workplace antics, family chaos, or friendship goals, these classic comedies have earned their place in TV history and are absolutely worth every hour you’ll spend laughing along.

1. The Goldbergs (2013–2023)

Creator Adam F. Goldberg mined his own childhood videotapes to craft this love letter to the wildest decade ever. Every episode drips with neon windbreakers, cassette tapes, and the kind of embarrassing parenting that somehow feels universal across generations.

Beverly Goldberg’s smothering love and Murray’s grumpy-dad routine create comedic gold, while the kids navigate typical teen disasters with decidedly ’80s flair. The show captures that specific brand of family chaos where everyone drives each other crazy but would do anything for one another.

Real home videos close each episode, adding authentic sweetness to the nostalgia. It’s comfort food television that celebrates both family bonds and pop-culture obsession.

2. Friends (1994–2004)

Could this BE any more iconic? Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe defined friendship goals for an entire generation. Their New York apartments became second homes to millions of viewers who tuned in weekly to watch romantic drama, career mishaps, and the kind of witty banter only best friends can pull off.

The chemistry between cast members feels impossibly genuine, making even outlandish plotlines emotionally resonant. From “We were on a break!” to Smelly Cat, the catchphrases and moments became embedded in pop culture forever.

Decades later, new audiences still discover why this show about six ordinary people became extraordinary television.

3. 30 Rock (2006–2013)

Tina Fey created a comedic whirlwind that never slows down long enough to catch your breath. Every scene packs in multiple jokes—visual gags, wordplay, absurdist humor, and biting satire all firing simultaneously.

Liz Lemon’s attempts to maintain sanity while managing narcissistic star Tracy Jordan and out-of-touch boss Jack Donaghy produce endless hilarity. The show fearlessly mocks corporate culture, celebrity ego, and television itself with surgical precision.

References fly faster than you can process them, rewarding repeat viewing with jokes you definitely missed the first time. Alec Baldwin and Tracy Morgan deliver career-best comedic performances that elevate every ridiculous scenario into something weirdly brilliant.

4. New Girl (2011–2018)

Adorkable teacher Jess Day brings her signature quirks into a loft shared with three confused but lovable guys, and comedy magic happens. Zooey Deschanel’s wide-eyed charm perfectly balances Schmidt’s vanity, Nick’s grumpiness, and Winston’s wonderfully weird cat obsession.

What starts as fish-out-of-water humor evolves into genuine friendship and surprisingly touching romance. The ensemble chemistry grows stronger with each season, making even the silliest plots feel emotionally real.

True American drinking games, douchebag jars, and Nick Miller’s turtle faces became instant fan favorites. This show proves that chosen family can be just as chaotic and comforting as the real thing.

5. Murphy Brown (1988–1998)

Candice Bergen brought fierce intelligence and razor-sharp wit to investigative journalist Murphy Brown, creating a character who refused to soften her edges for anyone. Working in a Washington D.C. newsroom, Murphy tackled serious issues while managing her chaotic personal life and revolving-door secretaries.

The show broke barriers by addressing single motherhood, addiction recovery, and workplace sexism with both humor and honesty. Murphy’s battles with fictional Vice President Dan Quayle became actual national news, proving the show’s cultural impact.

Smart, unapologetic, and genuinely funny, Murphy Brown showed that women could be complicated, ambitious, and hilarious without apology. It paved the way for countless female-led comedies that followed.

6. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996)

West Philadelphia born and raised, Will Smith charmed his way into homes worldwide with this fish-out-of-water comedy. Transplanted from Philly streets to his wealthy relatives’ Bel-Air mansion, Will’s street-smart humor clashes hilariously with the Banks family’s upper-crust lifestyle.

Behind the laughs lie surprisingly powerful moments about race, class, and family expectations. The episode where Will’s absent father disappoints him again remains one of television’s most emotionally devastating scenes.

Carlton’s dorky dancing, Uncle Phil’s wisdom, and that unforgettable theme song created a cultural phenomenon. The show launched Will Smith’s superstardom while delivering genuine heart alongside the comedy.

7. Night Court (1984–1992)

Manhattan’s night shift courthouse attracts the city’s strangest cases and even stranger court staff. Judge Harry Stone’s childlike optimism and magic tricks somehow maintain order among the parade of oddballs who shuffle through his courtroom after dark.

Bailiff Bull Shannon’s gentle giant routine, prosecutor Dan Fielding’s sleazy charm, and public defender Christine Sullivan’s exasperated professionalism create comedy chemistry that never gets old. The show balanced absurdist humor with genuine warmth, finding humanity in even the most ridiculous situations.

Mel Tormé appearances and running gags about Harry’s obsessions gave fans Easter eggs to hunt. It’s comfort comedy with just enough edge to keep things interesting.

8. Cheers (1982–1993)

Where everybody knows your name, and comedy writing reaches perfection. Sam Malone’s Boston bar attracts regulars whose banter and backstories grew richer across eleven magnificent seasons. The will-they-won’t-they romance between Sam and intellectual snob Diane set the template for TV relationships that followed.

Norm’s entrance greetings, Cliff’s dubious postal facts, and Carla’s acid tongue became as comforting as your actual neighborhood bar. When Diane left, Rebecca brought fresh neurotic energy that kept the show vibrant through cast changes.

Smart writing respected audience intelligence while delivering laughs that never felt cheap. It’s masterclass sitcom storytelling that holds up brilliantly decades later.

9. The Golden Girls (1985–1992)

Dorothy’s sarcasm, Rose’s naiveté, Blanche’s Southern charm, and Sophia’s brutal honesty created television’s most beloved female friendship. Sharing a Miami home and countless slices of cheesecake, these four women proved that life doesn’t end at fifty—it just gets funnier and more honest.

The show tackled aging, sexuality, health issues, and loss with refreshing candor wrapped in sharp comedy. Their late-night kitchen conversations felt revolutionary, showing older women as fully realized people with desires, dreams, and hilarious flaws.

Decades later, new generations discover why these four women remain friendship goals. Their wit stays timeless, their bond feels genuine, and their cheesecake consumption remains impressive.

10. Seinfeld (1989–1998)

Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer turned everyday annoyances into comedic brilliance. Close-talkers, re-gifters, double-dippers, and low-talkers—Seinfeld’s genius lay in mining humor from life’s smallest frustrations that everyone experiences but nobody discussed.

The “show about nothing” revolutionized sitcom structure by embracing selfishness and pettiness in its characters. No hugging, no learning became the mantra, yet audiences loved these flawed New Yorkers anyway.

Soup Nazis, Festivus poles, and puffy shirts entered the cultural lexicon permanently. Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld created observational comedy so sharp that it defined an entire generation’s sense of humor and still influences comedians today.

11. Modern Family (2009–2020)

Three interconnected families proved that modern households come in wonderfully varied forms. Jay’s second marriage to younger Colombian Gloria, his daughter Claire’s suburban chaos with three kids, and his son Mitchell’s life with partner Cameron created a family tree that reflected contemporary America.

The mockumentary format allowed characters to break the fourth wall, sharing their thoughts directly with viewers. Phil Dunphy’s dad jokes, Cam’s theatrical drama, and Gloria’s malapropisms became signature comedy elements.

Despite different structures, all three families faced universal parenting struggles and relationship challenges. The show celebrated diversity while proving that love, frustration, and laughter unite families regardless of how they’re configured.

12. The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019)

Brilliant physicists Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, and Raj prove that genius-level IQ doesn’t help with basic social skills. Their obsession with comic books, video games, and sci-fi minutiae made nerd culture mainstream and lovable.

Sheldon’s robotic literalness and roommate agreements provide endless comedy, while Leonard’s hopeless crush on neighbor Penny grounds the show in relatable romance. As the series progressed, girlfriends Bernadette and Amy joined the gang, adding new dimensions to the friendship dynamics.

The show celebrated intellectualism while gently mocking social awkwardness, finding perfect balance between heart and humor. It proved that sitcoms about scientists could dominate ratings for over a decade.