Funniest Shows to Stream on Netflix

Reward yourself with a Netflix comedy binge. The world can wait. Whether you want to tune-out, turn-on, explore, examine, and contemplate humanity’s grand issues, or laugh at fart jokes, Netflix knows what you need.

From a quick sprint of humor to a complete comedy marathon, settle down for some laughs on-demand and without apology with classic and Netflix’s original shows. 

Big Mouth (2017–present)

This animated series celebrates the horny, confused, nihilistic, and abrasively honest individual in touch with his or her Hormone Monster. Creator Nick Kroll and his crew dare to go where angels fear to muck about — adolescence.

It’s about coming of age, coming out, trying to get in, and all manner of general horniness, self-exploration, curiosity about the burgeoning body/mind dilemma, raging horniness, and identity issues. Big Mouth will not be silenced!  

BoJack Horseman (2014-2020)

No one is saying that you should find BoJack Horseman, the anti-hero of this animated show and the poster-child for despair, depression, ennui, self-absorption, and random acts of drug-taking, over-drinking, under-thinking, and hooking up amusing — but legions of devoted fans do.

Much of the drama derives from this horse/manchild living out acts of despair deriving from childhood emotional neglect. His attempts at finding grace and salvation in love, work, and forging a rudimentary code of honor keep us rooting for him. We get him. Neigh (whiny and bray), he is us!

Shameless | U.S. version (2011-)

Shameless rests upon graphic and egregious depictions of gratuitous wanton sex, illicit drug use, reckless drinking, cunning criminality, and other delicious reasons celebrating why it’s good to be alive. Of course, it’s not all bliss. There is real estate, education, healthcare, community, and family, too. The show’s called Shameless. What were you expecting? Unblushingly laid bare by creators Paul Abbott and John Wells. 

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015-2019)

Rachel Bloom and Aline Brosh McKenna’s thinking person’s rom-com stars Bloom as the central character, a brilliant if unbalanced lawyer working to overcome trauma, while at the same time focusing on creating healthy interpersonal relationships.

Combine and stir acerbic wit, catchy songs, captivating sociological takes on culture and gender and sex, scatological humor, and off-the-wall-sensuality. You crazy, girl!

Portlandia (2011-2018)

The charismatic duo of Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen bring their comedy chops, musical sensibility, and spot-on observations to this sketch comedy series.

Everything that we love, loathe, complain about, and compliment regarding contemporary culture including Uber, Airbnb, birds as decoration, gender roles, creatives, coffee shops, looking for love, trying to make a living, craft beer, bikes, and city politics is observed with obsessive and loving detail.

Watch Portlandia with a craft beer, a bong hit, and someone you love. 

Rick and Morty (2013-) 

Starring of the great scientific geniuses of our time, living in a world much like our own with divorced offspring, disappointing grandchildren, and a confederacy of dunces surrounding him at every turn, situated in a recognizable environment — except that it’s animated, has space portals, and there’s a cathartic lesson at the end. From the twisted genius of Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland. 

Peep Show (2003-2015)

For those who live with others, and vacillate between wanting to put them on a pedestal and setting the room on fire, creators Jesse Armstrong, Sam Bain, and Andrew O’Conner see you.

An episodic comedy show, with voiceovers that depict what the characters are really thinking, featuring hapless roommates with an attitude, a couch, the driving desire to get laid, get by, and make one’s way through the world.

This sitcom is like peering in at the petri dish of the human condition. You know you want to look. 

The Good Place (2016-2020)

Mike Schur brings us an afterlife complete with meditations on what comprises the well-lived life — even when it’s over.

Feisty and sexy Kristen Bell leads in an ensemble cast that, like the characters of No Exit, form a cohort has been carefully selected for complex reasons beyond their understanding, and from the great beyond.