29 best Netflix comedies to stream right now
The best Netflix comedies are getting stronger. And to bring a perfectly up-do-date list to you, we do two things: watch comedy movies, shows and specials — and keep our eyes on the newest additions to Netflix.
For that last part, every month we comb through the list of what's new on Netflix to see what's coming and going. With this research, we've kept an up-to-date list of the shows, movies and specials that will put a smile on your face and possibly have you laughing so hard you get tears in your eyes, all from the comfort of your own couch.
Our list of best comedy shows and movies on Netflix contains plenty of different styles, so whether you prefer dark comedy, satire or downright silliness, you're sure to find something you'll really love. Maybe you can even revisit some of your old favorites, as there's a wide enough selection to ensure that Netflix is one of the best streaming services.
Some of the best Netflix comedies included sitcoms that found a larger audience thanks to Netflix, such as "Seinfeld" (also on our best Netflix shows list) as well as stand-up specials from the likes of "Bo Burnham" and "Hannah Gadsby", just to name a few. We bet you'll discover something new and hilarious to keep you cracking up for years to come. And when you want something a bit more real, check out our best Netflix documentaries list.
The best Netflix comedies — Shows
I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson (Editor's choice)
There's a time in every awkward moment when someone should just get out of the room, but they refuse to leave, and make it all the more awkward. And that's the not-so-hidden meaning behind the title of this series from Tim Robinson (Detroiters). As long as you find its cringe-level humor funny (have you paid yet?), ITYSL will become one of your favorite shows, and you'll be quoting it with friends for a long time. Just don't order "a sloppy steak" or go on any "adult" ghost tours. — Henry T. Casey
Editor's note: Season 3 of I Think You Should Leave is coming on May 30th, 2023.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
Cast: Tim Robinson, Andy Samberg, Ashleigh Nicole Johnson
Director: Alice Mathias
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Insecure
On loan from HBO, Issa Rae's Insecure arrived with a ton of meta questions about Max sharing custody. Push those aside for a moment and realize that we should also be happy that Rae's show is getting a larger platform. Insecure explains the modern Black experience through the lens of Rae's own sense of humor, following long-time friends Issa (Issa Rae) and Molly (Yvonne Orji) in their late 20's.
Universally-praised by critics as one of the best comedies of the last decade, Insecure spent five seasons looking at the ups and downs of relationship drama, among other things. – Henry T. Casey
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
Stars: Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, Lisa Joyce
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BEEF
Dark comedy BEEF, which comes from A24 and creator Lee Sung Jin, finds laughter inside of rage. And it all starts when a contractor named Danny (Steven Yeun) is on the wrong side of a parking lot where houseplant business owner Amy (Ali Wong) is trying to get out. Both are having very bad days, and they're both the kind of petty that creates a situation they should have been able to avoid.
Tackling everything from rich people fads to crypto trading, BEEF is beloved for how it manages to it can make you laugh while it explores mental health, class in America and the modern Asian American experience. Oh, and Amy's got a weird thing about guns. – Henry T. Casey
Rotten Tomatoes score: 99%
Stars: Ali Wong, Steven Yeun, Joseph Lee, David Choe, Young Mazino, Ashley Park, David Choe, Patty Yasutake, Maria Bello
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Key & Peele
The first three seasons of the amazing Comedy Central sketch-comedy show Key & Peele are now on Netflix, and you don't need to stand in line for a hug with the president to get them. This series gave us our introduction to its titular comedy geniuses well before we knew that one of them was a modern horror god. So, watch all of Key and Peele's first three seasons chronologically before you start taking notes on your favorite episodes, and treasure each of their weird characters. From Key's Mr. Garvey and his inability to pronounce white names to Peele's lonely Wendell Sanders, Key and Peele is amazingly rewatchable.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%
Stars: Jordan Peele, Keegan-Michael Key
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Derry Girls
Admittedly, you might need the subtitles for this one. Set in Derry, Northern Ireland during the tumultuous time known as The Troubles in the early 1990s, Derry Girls is heavy on the thick accents but also on the comedy. As a group of friends navigates their way through the equivalent of high school and gets into loads of trouble along the way, the irreverence and observational humor have made the series a cult favorite for fans, all of whom are awaiting the forthcoming fourth season with bated breath. Derry Girls season 3 just hit Netflix, concluding the series. — Jennifer Still
Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%
Cast: Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Louisa Harland, Ian McElhinney, Kathy Kiera Clarke, Nicola Coughlan
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Dead To Me
How can you not automatically love a show that stars Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini? The story is intriguing enough on its own — a grieving widow being befriended by the very woman who caused the accident who killed her husband — but what happens from there is even more unbelievable (and great to watch). Dead to Me can get pretty dark at times but is always saved from being too bleak by the brilliant acting performances and moments of levity between the female leads. About to hit its finale, Dead to Me is also one of the biggest canceled shows of 2022. — Jennifer Still
Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%
Stars: Christina Applegate, Linda Cardellini, James Marsden, Max Jenkins, Ed Asner, Sam McCarthy
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Good Girls
While NBC may have chosen to end the series after season 4, the 50 episodes we did get throughout its run are pure gold. Sure, the premise is a little ridiculous — the idea of a housewife and mom turning into a criminal mastermind seems a bit far-fetched, but it’s hard not to cheer for the three women at the heart of the series even when they do some really, really dumb things (which happens often). One of the best Netflix comedies that was taken from us too soon. — Jennifer Still
Rotten Tomatoes score: 85%
Stars: Christina Hendricks, Retta, Mae Whitman, Matthew Lillard
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The Good Place
While The Good Place follows many of the standard tropes present in sitcoms, it manages to stand out. What sets it apart is its ability to ask deep questions and do some real soul-searching, without ever coming off as preachy or detracting from its heart as a really funny show. The premise — what is the afterlife like and how you might fare depending on how you lived on this earth? — gives this series enough philosophical quandaries to explore, which it tackles in a hilarious but really genuine way. There are also some great guest appearances along the way including Michael McKean and Maya Rudolph. And the epic series finale makes The Good Place more than just one of the best Netflix comedies — it's one of the best shows of recent history. — Jennifer Still
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
Cast: Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, William Jackson Harper, D'Arcy Carden, Jameela Jamil
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After Life
Admittedly, After Life has fewer LOL-worthy moments than you might expect from a one of the best Netflix comedies. That said, Ricky Gervais’ journey as Tony, a journalist who decides to just give up and be a terrible person after the death of his wife Lisa, is worth all the heartache that comes along with it. Of course, since Gervais did create and write the show as well as star in it, you’re guaranteed plenty of his sometimes-caustic humor mixed in to alleviate the tears you’ll no doubt shed along the way. Ending with its third season, After Life is another of the biggest canceled series of 2022. — Jennifer Still
Rotten Tomatoes score: 75%
Cast: Ricky Gervais, Kerry Godliman, Tom Basden, Tony Way, David Bradley, Ashley Jensen
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Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
If you’re a fan of musical comedies, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is certainly one of the best of the genre. Each episode features hilarious original songs that only serve to elevate the generally more mundane moments in life. Star Rachel Bloom is insanely relatable as Rebecca, a lawyer who literally upends her entire life in New York to move to a town she doesn't know for a guy who doesn't even want to be with her. If that’s not a great premise for a sitcom, I don’t know what is. She certainly grows from there, but it’s an awkward and frequently hilarious journey. — Jennifer Still
Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%
Cast: Rachel Bloom, Vincent Rodriguez III, Donna Lynne Champlin, Pete Gardner
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iZombie
Generally speaking, anytime you see a zombie on TV or in movies, they’re the scary kind. Not so on iZombie, where a plague has turned a whole host of people in Seattle into zombies that can pass as normal people by wearing wigs and makeup and buying brains from the black market to keep their appetites under control. Even if you never expected to be laughing at the walking dead, you certainly will be here. Rose McIver as medical examiner turned zombie Liv is ridiculously charming, and she’s just silly enough to keep the laughs coming throughout the show’s four seasons. — Jennifer Still
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
Cast: Rose McIver, Malcolm Goodwin, Rahul Kohli, Robert Buckley, Aly Michalka
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Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
If you were a fan of 30 Rock during its seven-season run, you’ll love Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, particularly because it has its two creators in common: Tina Fey and Robert Carlock. After Kimmy Schmidt (Ellie Kemper) is rescued from 15 years spent in a cult, she moves to New York and is suddenly introduced to a cast of strange and wonderful characters who teach her how to live in the real world. Her naivete and lack of experience result in no shortage of outlandish experiences, but it’s her relationships with Titus (Titus Burgess) and Jacqueline (Jane Krakowski) that really make this show so funny. — Jennifer Still
Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%
Cast: Ellie Kemper, Tituss Burgess, Jane Krakowski, Carol Kane
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Russian Doll
There’s something about Natasha Lyonne that lends itself so well to comedy, and Russian Doll, which she co-created with Amy Poehler and Leslye Headland, is the perfect vehicle for her frantic yet natural charisma to shine through. Lyonne plays Nadia, a woman who simply wants to go to a party but somehow keeps ending up living the same day over and over again in a constant loop. While not an inherently funny premise, it's what they do with that open-ended potential that will crack you up. Its strong second season went even loopier for its premise, and hit the feels even harder. — Jennifer Still
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
Cast: Natasha Lyonne, Greta Lee, Elisabeth Ashley, Yul Vasquez, Charlie Barnett
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Freeridge (2023)
Freeridge focuses on sisters Gloria (Mejia) and Ines (Salaz) who bring their own extra drama to their South Central Los Angeles. And if Mejia isn't a familiar name to you yet, she should be. Recently caught stealing scenes on Abbott Elementary and Curb Your Enthusiasm, Keyla Monterroso Mejia is a rising comedic force to be reckoned with. Gloria's the Type A-sister while Ines is used to leaning on her.
And in Freeridge, a series that spins out of Netflix Original On My Block, we track Gloria and Ines through a mystery involving a box that their they and their friends Demi (Wilson) and Cam (Trainor) believe is cursed.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%
Stars: Keyla Monterroso Mejia, Bryana Salaz, Ciara Riley Wilson, Tenzing Norgay Trainor
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Grace and Frankie
One of the best comedy shows on Netflix, Grace and Frankie is an odd-couple series that's run for far longer than Netflix usually lets shows run. It also pulls another rare move by actually giving leading roles in a series to women in their 70's (and now 80's), and Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin have proven that there's no reason not to. The series, which focuses on frenemies who start an alliance of sorts after their husbands leave them for each other, got rave reviews after some first season growing paints. Seasons 3 through 5 have a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and seasons 2 (91%) and 6 (83%) were also deemed winners. — Henry T. Casey
Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%
Cast: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen
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Murderville
Terry Seattle (Will Arnett) is a foolish detective who is really full of himself. So, it makes sense that he's about to get a series of even more clueless partners. And they're all celebrities, from Conan O'Brien to Kumail Nanjiani. Heck Marshawn Lynch and Sharon Stone show up. And while Arnett's clued in on the "story" of the cases of the week (so to speak), his celebrity partners (who must solve the crime) don't have a clue. So they'll have to work together to find said clues.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 82%
Stars: Will Arnett, Haneefah Wood, Lilan Bowden, Phillip Smithey
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Seinfeld
If Netflix has been losing all of your favorite shows? Well, the good news is that it houses arguably the greatest sitcom of all time. So hit play on Seinfeld (turn on the subtitles if you want to see what they're yadda-yadda-yadda'ing about) and enjoy the antics of four of the most selfish New Yorkers this side of Newman. Trying to figure out where to start? Check out our guide to the 11 best Seinfeld episodes to watch on Netflix, which has excellent episodes to watch during your own personal "summer of George."
Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%
Stars: Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, Michael Richards
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Tuca & Bertie
The hall of shows Netflix canceled way too soon has a permanent placard for Tuca & Bertie. This animated series looked to capture the Bojack crowd by having a brash toucan Tuca (voiced by Tiffany Haddish) and the anxious songbird Bertie (voiced by Ali Wong) who process the ins and outs of adult friendships. They live in the same apartment building and the show was so strong that fans desire to see more of the series led to it finding a home for season 2 on adult swim. We're wondering when that season will show up on HBO Max, where it would quickly become one of the best HBO Max shows and movies. — Henry T. Casey
Want more animation? We've got a whole list of the best Netflix anime movies and shows.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%
Stars: Tiffany Haddish, Ali Wong, Steven Yeun
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Dear White People
Dear White People, which is based on the film of the same name, does a brilliant job using humor to highlight the important issue of racism and how it affects young black people. In this instance, a group of students of color attending a predominantly white Ivy League college come up against no end of obstacles. Creator Justin Simien's approach to the series allows his messages to effectively get across without ever wiping the smile off viewers' faces. — Jennifer Still
Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%
Cast: Logan Browning, Antoinette Robertson, Brandon P Bell, DeRon Horton, Ashley Blaine Featherson, Lena Waithe
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Wednesday
I didn't expect to love Wednesday, a series where a teenage Wednesday Addams is dealing with burgeoning powers and trouble at school. First, she's expelled from Nancy Reagan High for simply defending her brother (with a completely malicious act of vengeance). Then, she's enrolled at Nevermore Academy, where her parents met. Here, she has to deal with a complicated social structure and a principal who is seemingly always out to thwart her.
Most of the humor in Wednesday comes from star Jenna Ortega's performance as the titular goth girl. Somehow able to make the character her own, Ortega drops droll, deadpan reactions to everything from the habits of her roommate Enid to the "normies" who live near Nevermore. Also, Luis Guzmán may not get a lot of time as her father Gomez, but he makes every moment count.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 71%
Stars: Jenna Ortega, Riki Lindhome, Jamie McShane, Hunter Doohan
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The best Netflix comedies — Movies
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)
Rian Johnson's Knives Out was a twisty-turny noir that felt perfect. The news that Netflix hired Johnson for Knives Out 2 and 3? Well, that was met with a mix of excitement and potential disappointment. And while Glass Onion doesn't catch Knives Out's lightning in a bottle, it thankfully doesn't attempt to. Instead, detective Benoit Blanc (Craig) has a new pair of mysteries to solve, and it all begins with an invitation to hang out with a wealthy tech mogul (Norton) and his friends on a private island in Greece. The festivities are meant to center around a fake murder mystery, but that doesn't last long. While Glass Onion has a fantastic cast, it's Kate Hudson who gets the best lines.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%
Stars: Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Dave Bautista, Janelle Monae, Kate Hudson, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr.
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Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
You don’t necessarily have to be European to appreciate this movie. Will Ferrell, who wrote Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga certainly isn’t (though his wife is Swedish, hence his familiarity with the annual extravaganza of cheesy pop music). The movie takes you through the run-up to the Eurovision Song Contest through the eyes of Lars Erickssong (Ferrell) and Sigrit Ericksdóttir (Rachael McAdams), Icelandic musicians who want to represent the country at the competition. To say that the entire movie is absurd and ridiculous is an understatement, but that’s probably why it’s so funny. — Jennifer Still
Rotten Tomatoes score: 63% (editor's note: criminally underrated!)
Cast: Will Ferrell, Rachael McAdams, Dan Stevens, Pierce Brosnan, Demi Lovato
Director: David Dobkin
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Jackass 4.5
The grossest gang in Hollywood is back, and they've even got new friends. Yes, Jackass has returned (again) with the B-sides version of Jackass Forever (which is on Paramount Plus). This movie has a lot more interviews with cast than you might expect, so get ready to hear what life on the Jackass Forever set and how they were one of the first sets to resume filming during Covid (which explains how Johnny Knoxville's hair went from black to silver).
And when you hear Knoxville say "it just felt good," you know he's not talking about the stunts. Because some of these stunts (the plexi-glass one in particular) didn't feel good for those involved. Just expect some revolting moments, especially newcomer Zach Holmes' human sashimi incident.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%
Cast: Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Dave England, Jason "Wee Man" Acuña, Danger Ehren, Preston Lacy
Director: Jeff Tremaine
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Red Notice
The genre of star-studded Netflix action movie is popular these days, but they're rarely as funny as the Ryan Reynolds and Dwayne Johnson-led Red Notice. Yes, Gal Gadot's here too, but she's barely there if we're being honest. Not beloved by critics, Red Notice is not the next big action franchise (but neither is the bigger-budget The Gray Man), though sequels are happening. That said, RR and DJ have fun bantering and bickering with each other, as they try and track a fortune down. – HTC
Rotten Tomatoes score: 36%
Stars: Christina Applegate, Linda Cardellini, James Marsden, Max Jenkins, Ed Asner, Sam McCarthy
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Hit Man
“Hit Man” follows Gary Johnson (Glen Powell), an ordinary high school teacher who has a secret life as an undercover hitman for the New Orleans Police Department. He assumes different fake personas to help sell the ruse, and his main job is to help the cops arrest people who are looking to hire assassins. However, his job soon get complicated when he meets a woman named Madison (Adria Arjona) who is looking for help eliminating her abusive husband. Will he keep up the ruse or let his guard down when love starts to get in the way?
Powell does an excellent job at playing several comedic personas, and while the premise might sound serious, "Hit Man" is actually a fun action-comedy. — AB
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
Stars: Glen Powell, Adria Arjona, Austin Amelio, Retta, Molly Bernard
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Anyone but You
"Anyone But You" is a romantic comedy that stars Sydney Sweeney as Bea and Glen Powell as Ben, two individuals who seem perfect for each other after an incredible first date. However, something happens that cools their fiery attraction, leading them to strongly dislike each other. Despite this, they find themselves pretending to be a couple at a destination wedding in Australia. Their charade reignites old sparks, leading to a series of comedic and romantic events. — AB
Rotten Tomatoes score: 53%
Stars: Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, Charlee Fraser, Dermot Mulroney, Darren Barnet, Alexandra Shipp
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Best Netflix comedies — Standup
Bo Burnham: Inside
Released in May 2021, the latest special from comedian Bo Burnam — which he wrote, directed, filmed, and edited as well as starred in — was recorded entirely in his own home (or a space meant to look like it) on his own during the COVID-19 pandemic. There's no audience or crew, but there are plenty of sketches and variety songs that explore topics including sexting, mental health struggles and social media, among other topics. Being able to touch on serious subjects through the lens of comedy is refreshing and cathartic. — Jennifer Still
Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%
Cast: Bo Burnham
Director: Bo Burnham
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Tig Notaro: Happy To Be Here
Tig Notaro is known for her deadpan brand of humor, but it's put to such brilliant use in Happy to Be Here. The stand-up special sees her discussing everything from marriage and parenting to parties at Ellen Degeneres' house and she does it all in such a way that you can't help but feel the same joy she clearly does while telling the stories. It’s so good that even after you’ve memorized the jokes, you’ll still want to watch it again. — Jennifer Still
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Cast: Tig Notaro
Director: Tig Notaro
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Hannah Gadsby: Nanette
If you’re not familiar with Hannah Gadsby’s comedy, her 2018 special Nanette is a good place to start (but please be sure to move on to 2020’s Douglas too). Nanette isn’t your typical stand-up special, instead blending Gadsby’s penchant for immersive storytelling and stark honesty with comedy in a way that is sometimes jarring but always thought-provoking. It’s clear from some of the subjects in the special that Gadsby has faced her share of adversity, but her ability to find the brighter side and transform that pain into laughter is a gift worth enjoying. — Jennifer Still
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Cast: Hannah Gadsby
Director: Madeleine Parry
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