Summary
Netflix offers a wide variety of underrated comedy shows to discover, from dark and edgy series to absurdist comedies that suit any sense of humor.
Content includes "Lunatics," which showcases Chris Lilley portraying multiple eccentric characters, and "Man vs Bee," highlighting Rowan Atkinson's physical comedy skills.
Meanwhile, series like "Teenage Bounty Hunters" exhibit fantastic chemistry among the main characters, while "The Way of the Househusband" cleverly combines the story of a former Yakuza member with a slice-of-life narrative.
Netflix offers a vast selection of binge-worthy content, but it can be challenging to discover hidden gems amidst the popular titles, particularly lesser-known comedy shows. With so much TV content available, sifting through options without relying on recommendations or focusing on one genre can be overwhelming. Even when narrowing down to comedy, there is still an overwhelming number of potential shows to choose from.
However, fans of risqué comedy series will be pleasantly surprised by Netflix's stand-up specials and sitcoms, provided they are willing to explore deeper. From thought-provoking, dark shows to absurd musical comedies to reimagined sketch shows, Netflix's collection of underrated comedy series is sure to have something that appeals to anyone's sense of humor.
Lunatics (2019)
Chris Lilley, the intriguing and controversial Australian comedian, is renowned for creating mockumentary-style series that revolve around multiple characters with intersecting storylines. His latest creation, Lunatics, features Lilley portraying six individuals from diverse age groups and backgrounds, each with eccentric beliefs or behaviors.
Lunatics offers sincere insight into the lives of Lilley's unique cast of characters, showcasing their authentic stories. However, there are instances where the show's portrayal of these characters faces valid criticism due to problematic characterizations.
Fubar (2023-)
Netflix's successful original action-comedy movies have paved the way for their venture into television shows of the same genre. Fubar, their latest attempt, has proven to be highly successful, earning a second season renewal. The show revolves around a father and daughter who, unbeknownst to each other, have been leading double lives as government agents. Portraying the captivating father-daughter duo are Arnold Schwarzenegger and Monica Barbaro.
Man vs Bee (2022)
Rowan Atkinson, best recognized as Mr. Bean, showcases his exceptional talent in physical comedy once again in Man vs Bee. The show follows the hilarious journey of a house sitter engaged in an epic battle against a bee.
The only factor limiting the ranking of Man vs Bee is the inevitable comparison to Atkinson's iconic role as Mr. Bean. This underappreciated comedy on Netflix can be viewed as a natural extension of his renowned achievements.
The Way Of The Househusband (2021-)
Based on the manga of the identical title, The Way Of The Househusband is an anime that goes beyond your typical slice-of-life series by featuring a former Yakuza member as its main character.
The series derives its humor from the contrast between the main character's past in a dark and violent world and his current experience of adapting to a completely different lifestyle. While not widely recognized for its anime selection, Netflix showcases its potential and willingness to embrace unique and lesser-known content through this underrated series.
Teenage Bounty Hunters (2020)
Teenage Bounty Hunters, an action comedy series on Netflix, unfortunately didn't gain a large following upon its premiere and was not renewed for a second season. However, this underrated Netflix comedy is driven by the incredible chemistry between its two leading actors.
Maddie Phillips and Anjelica Bette Fellini portray twin sisters who find themselves in a bit of trouble after damaging their father's truck. In order to pay for the repairs, they embark on a job as bounty hunters, all while keeping their new profession a secret. Despite their lack of experience, they must navigate the challenges of balancing their teenage lives with a very mature occupation, resulting in absurd and comedic situations. The actors excel in these outrageous scenarios, delivering witty dialogue and effortlessly playing off each other.
Murderville (2022-)
Murderville is a distinctive Netflix series that combines elements of scripted mystery and improvisational comedy. Although each episode follows a planned storyline, there is a special guest star who receives no script and must solve the murder mystery by the end of the episode.
Leading the cast is Will Arnett, portraying a police detective who tackles a new crime every week. Accompanied by a different partner, Arnett's character strives to crack the case. With only a handful of episodes, Murderville also features a holiday special and boasts an array of guest appearances, including Sharon Stone, Marshawn Lynch, and Kumail Nanjiani. The humorous improv situations frequently cause the Murderville actors to break character.
Crashing (2016)
Prior to Fleabag, Crashing, which was written by and starred Phoebe Waller-Bridge, was available for streaming on Netflix. With only a handful of episodes, it's a short series that is definitely worth a watch for its comedic value.
This Netflix comedy series revolves around a group of young adults who are living together in an abandoned hospital because they cannot afford to rent a place of their own. The show captures their journey of adjusting to post-university life, which brings newfound responsibilities.
Kim's Convenience (2016-2021)
Kim's Convenience is gaining popularity as its 5th season is released, and while it may not be as widely recognized as other comedy series on Netflix, it is definitely worth watching. The show revolves around the Kim family, who run a convenience store, and their humorous and heartfelt misadventures. Fans of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will appreciate seeing Simu Liu in a different role, showcasing his versatility outside of the Marvel universe.
Tuca & Bertie (2019-Present)
Tuca & Bertie, a Netflix original series, might have similarities to BoJack Horseman for some fans, but it lacks the same level of popularity. This show revolves around the friendship of Tuca (Tiffany Haddish) and Bertie (Ali Wong), who manage to maintain a strong bond despite their contrasting personalities.
With its imaginative storytelling and animation, Tuca & Bertie stands out as an enjoyable and innovative series. It fearlessly tackles serious topics like sexual harassment, while also maintaining its position as one of Netflix's most comedic shows. Although Netflix canceled the series after one season, it found a new home on Adult Swim, where it continues to thrive.
Great News (2017-2018)
Great News, an underappreciated series, boasts Tina Fey as its executive producer and shares a comedic style reminiscent of 30 Rock. The show revolves around the eccentric personalities at a cable news network, particularly the co-anchors Chuck (played by John Michael Higgins) and Portia (played by Nicole Richie), who bring their distinct vibes to the table.
However, the heart of the series lies in the character Katherine (played by Briga Heelan), who joins the news team only to discover that her mother (played by Andrea Martin) has secured an internship at the company, resulting in them spending every waking moment together.
Disenchantment (2018-2023)
The Simpsons, one of the longest-running animated series ever, has led Netflix to pursue animated content from its creator, Matt Groening. Disenchantment, with its reminiscent humor and animation style, diverges from The Simpsons and Futurama by centering its story on the realm of fairy tales.
This often overlooked Netflix comedy series caters to an adult audience with its whimsical take on fairy tales. The princess indulges in alcohol, the companion animal is a demon, and the show draws inspiration from the fantastical worlds of Game of Thrones and Harry Potter. It's an intriguing amalgamation of ideas that delivers both laughter and amusement in animated form.
Norsemen (2017 - 2020)
Norsemen is a comedic series set in medieval times, centering around a group of Vikings living in the village of Norheim. The show successfully resonates with English-speaking audiences and humorously showcases the daily lives of its characters. As neighboring villages and invaders start to pose a threat, tensions rise in Norheim. Often compared to the likes of "Monty Python" and "Game of Thrones," Norsemen ran for three seasons, captivating viewers with its distinctive combination of action and comedy before concluding.
She's Gotta Have It (2017 - 2019)
Spike Lee collaborated with Netflix to transform his first film into a series, reviving the romantic comedy genre. "She's Gotta Have It," which ran for two seasons, introduces a fresh perspective by featuring a female lead, Nola Darling, who navigates dating three different men.
DeWanda Wise portrays Nola Darling, a resident of Brooklyn who resists the idea of settling down with just one of her suitors due to her genuine affection for all of them. The series highlights Nola's sexual autonomy rather than pressuring her into committing to a single partner.
Documentary Now (2015-)
Over the past decade, mockumentaries have gained significant popularity. However, Documentary Now stands apart from shows like The Office or Modern Family as it follows a different approach. This comedic gem, which was initially released on IFC in 2015, finally returned for its fourth season on Netflix in 2022.
Documentary Now, a creation of Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Seth Meyers, and Rhys Thomas, features the distinguished Helen Mirren as its host. In each episode, the series ingeniously parodies a different documentary, resembling more of an anthology series rather than a traditional mockumentary. The production style of each episode mirrors the documentary it humorously mimics.
American Vandal (2017-2018)
American Vandal, a mockumentary series on Netflix, expertly parodies the true crime genre. Although the first season was highly acclaimed and brought a refreshing perspective to Netflix, the second season unfortunately went unnoticed by many subscribers. In each season, high school students take on the role of investigators, uncovering various crimes that occurred within their school. While the first season garnered numerous award nominations, the series failed to attract the wide audience it truly deserved, causing its initial popularity to dwindle.
Bonding (2019 - 2021)
Bonding is a must-see series for those who appreciate dark comedy and are not deterred by BDSM. The show follows two 20-somethings in NYC who work as dominatrices to make a living. Starring Zoe Levin and Brendan Scannell, Bonding skillfully combines humor with a compassionate exploration of its controversial themes. This underrated Netflix comedy concluded in 2021.
I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson (2019 - Present)
Tim Robinson, a native of Detroit, delves into the realm of discomfort and the ridiculous through his sketch series, I Think You Should Leave. Through the use of satire, situational comedy, and physical humor, Robinson's show delves into the peculiar circumstances that define life in modern America.
The series features appearances from notable figures such as Steven Yeun, Andy Samberg, Tim Heidecker, and Fred Willard, in addition to Robinson's regular collaborator and fellow Detroiter, Sam Richardson. Currently, viewers can find three seasons of this sketch show available for streaming.
God’s Favorite Idiot (2022-)
God's Favorite Idiot, despite receiving mixed reviews upon its 2022 premiere, was overlooked by many Netflix subscribers. However, with its unique concept and talented comedic cast, this show definitely deserves a chance. It is an underrated workplace comedy with an apocalyptic twist, centered around a man on a mission to save the world.
Featuring Ben Falcone and Melissa McCarthy, God's Favorite Idiot delves into intriguing religious themes while maintaining a lighthearted tone. Although the series was set to film an additional eight episodes, production has been indefinitely halted since completing the first batch in 2021.
Santa Clarita Diet (2017-2019)
Among the lesser-known comedy shows on Netflix, Santa Clarita Diet managed to attract a larger audience compared to others. This could be attributed to its three-season run on Netflix prior to its cancellation. The series stars Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, and revolves around a suburban family dealing with the transformation of one of their members into a zombie, resulting in a blend of horror and comedy.
The show effectively intertwines the horror elements with the challenges of suburban life, creating a humorous portrayal. Juggling the desire for human flesh with the complexities of a changing family dynamic is no easy task for a television series, but Santa Clarita Diet handles it masterfully.
Glamorous (2023-)
With the assistance of Miss Benny and Kim Cattrall, Glamorous delves into the modern beauty industry, influencer work, and queer culture within a workplace setting. Miss Benny, otherwise known as Marco, experiences a skyrocketing career as an influencer and later joins a makeup company led by Madolyn Addison (Cattrall).
Drawing inspiration from Ugly Betty, the series showcases the dynamic interactions between the key characters, but with a less fantastical or melodramatic approach. It presents a unique perspective on the beauty industry and its various aspects, which is sure to evoke genuine laughter from the audience.