10 shows to watch if you miss Friends

Friends continues to remain relevant and popular with fans, old and new. While there are plenty of episodes to rewatch, you may want to find shows like it to enjoy as well. The good news is there are plenty to watch if you adore the NBC series.

There have been many comedies across broadcast networks and streaming platforms over the years. Whether you want something else with 10+ seasons or you just need a short-lived comedy that was fun and socially relevant, we have you covered.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

We have to start with the cop comedy that starred Andy Samberg and the late great Andre Braugher. This series brought us plenty of laughs and heart-felt moments throughout its eight season run.

Originally on Fox and then on NBC, Brooklyn Nine-Nine brought us a look at the lives of those working in the 99th Precinct. When they get a new captain, which is set to change all their lives forever, and for the better. We see relationships develop, mentors formed, and some wonderful current topics explored.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine is available to stream on Netflix and Peacock.

The Big Bang Theory

If you need something with a lot of episodes, The Big Bang Theory is the show to turn to next. This CBS comedy followed a group of friends who were slowly figuring out the world outside of their science and geek bubbles.

When Penny moves in across the hall from Leonard and Sheldon, their lives change in ways that they never imagined. Penny learns that there is a lot more to life than parties and acting, while Leonard, Sheldon, Raj, and Howard figure out how to communicate better for better friendships and the chance at relationships.

Throughout the 12 seasons, we watched all their lives develop. And while Sheldon initially seems to have changed very little, that closing scene will remind you of the journey that he has had.

The Big Bang Theory is available to stream on Max.

How I Met Your Mother

Next up is another comedy that is about a group of friends. How I Met Your Mother starts off with the introduction of Robyn into the friend group as Ted tells his children in the future about how he met their mother. Over the course of nine seasons we watch how their lives evolve.

Friends marry, start new lives, have children, and change jobs. We get to see a lot of antics, but at the heart, is their love for each other. And we eventually learn who the mother is, although it’s a little anticlimactic.

How I Met Your Mother is available to stream on Hulu.

Will & Grace

Back in the ‘90s, we got a great show that was ahead of its time. It also focused on a group of friends, although you’ll wonder why they’re friends at times as you watch the episodes. Will & Grace follows two best friends and roommates who have to figure out life in New York City.

Will is a gay man, while Grace is a perpetually single, straight woman. Their friends Jack and Karen regularly show up, upturning their lives and sometimes offering some good advice. There was a fun revival series with the full cast, although it didn’t last as long as the original series.

Will & Grace is available to stream on Prime Video and Hulu.

Good Girls

What would happen if you put Rachel, Monica, and Phoebe together in a grocery store robbery? You’d get something like Good Girls. This four-season series had a great run (although it should have had one more season) and brought a lot of laughs.

The show follows three friends who are strapped for cash. They need to find a way to survive, and they decide to rob the grocery store one of them works at. When there’s a lot more money in the safe than they thought, they think they’ve made it big. Then they learn that the money belonged to a gang, and now they’re in much deeper water than expected.

Good Girls is available to stream on Netflix.

The Office

NBC has had some popular comedies over the years. The next one to watch after Friends is The Office. This take on the UK series of the same name lasted for nine seasons.

The storytelling is a little different to other shows on this list. It follows a documentary style of filming, with the employees in the workplace sharing their thoughts, feelings, and experiences as we watch everything play out. Things are put on for the sake of the cameras, and they regularly break the fourth wall due to “knowing” they’re being filmed.

While you would question why some of these people would end up being friends, there are friendships and relationships formed. There is even a fair bit of growth for characters over the course of the nine seasons.

The Office is available to stream on Peacock.

One Tree Hill

Are you looking for teen drama rather than adult comedy? Teen dramas can involve some adult topics, and One Tree Hill certainly does that. This is a show that wasn’t afraid to touch on heartfelt storylines, including a school shooting to raise awareness while creating drama.

The series follows a group of friends in high school. These friends don’t start as friends, though. In fact, the Scott brothers don’t even like each other and it takes a few seasons for them to really become brothers. There is a time jump after high school that takes the show after college, so there is adult drama that follows.

One Tree Hill is on Max and Hulu.

The Golden Girls

You didn’t think we’d forget one of the best comedies about a group of friends, did you? Of course The Golden Girls makes the list of shows to watch if you miss Friends. This is a series that is often referenced in other TV shows, even Supernatural!

The series follows four women in their 50s living together in Miami. They go through life occasionally clashing when it comes to opinions and needs, but at the heart, they are all best friends and will always look out for each other. These are the ride-or-die friends that you need in your life.

The Golden Girls is on Hulu.

New Girl

What happens when you put a woman in an apartment full of men? New Girl gives us a look. Jess is looking for an apartment, and she ends up sharing it with Nick, Winston, and Schmidt.

The series gives us a look at how friendships can grow and blossom. The men don’t like Jess at first, but they realize that her quirkiness is something endearing at times. Plus, she has their back when they need her, and they soon return that favor.

Watch New Girl on Peacock and Hulu.

2 Broke Girls

Finally, we have another series set in New York about two friends who are living paycheck to paycheck. They’re not even friends to begin with, but they form a friendship that cannot be broken, despite everything putting them to the test.

Caroline has to get a job as a waitress when her father is arrested for tax evasion and all the family money is gone. Meanwhile, Max has always lived paycheck to paycheck as a waitress, but makes delicious cakes on the side. With Caroline’s business skills and Max’s baking skills, the two end up going into business together and show what a real female friendship should be like.

2 Broke Girls is available to purchase on Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, iTunes, and more.