The Ultimate List of All-Time Longest-Running TV Sitcoms You Need to Know

Sitcoms, the longest-running shows in TV history, come in varying styles of humor from different decades. They have remained a television staple since the classic golden age era, with shows like "Father Knows Best" and "Leave it to Beaver," paving the way for groundbreaking sitcoms such as "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons." However, enduring for 15 or 20 seasons in the realm of sitcoms has never been easy. Comedy is subjective and changes over time, making it challenging for a comedy-based sitcom to match the longevity of a police procedural like "Law & Order" or a medical drama like "Grey's Anatomy."

Thus, when a sitcom manages to last for over 10, 20, or even 30 years, it is an indication of its success. This is achieved by telling relatable stories, like a tight-knit group of friends navigating through life together (e.g., "Friends"), overcoming obstacles (e.g., "Will & Grace"), or portraying the comedic adventures of four outspoken kids in a small Colorado town (e.g., "South Park"). These shows must continually update their humor and keep their jokes relevant to remain in style. When executed correctly, these sitcoms can have an astonishingly lengthy lifespan, often surpassing critically acclaimed award-winning television shows.

20 Friends (1994-2004) - 10 Years (236 Episodes)

Stream now on Max

Friends, along with other beloved sitcoms, holds the record as one of the longest-running sitcoms in television history. Despite ending years ago, the show remains incredibly popular among fans, which led to a highly anticipated Friends reunion special on Max in 2021. Over the span of its 10 seasons, Friends became a cultural phenomenon, receiving a staggering 62 Emmy nominations. The sitcom premiered in 1994, following a group of friends in their 20s as they navigated life in bustling New York City. With its blend of failed romances, intricate love stories, comedic moments, and relatable experiences, Friends quickly captured the hearts of viewers from all walks of life. The series concluded in 2004 after 10 seasons and 236 episodes.

19 Married... With Children (1987 - 1997) - 10 Years (259 Episodes)

Stream now on Hulu & Peacock

Married... With Children catapulted Ed O'Neil into his first iconic television role, which spanned a decade. This family sitcom revolves around the Bundy family, consisting of Al, his wife Peggy, and their two laid-back children, Kelly and Bud. Upon its conclusion, Married... with Children held the record for being Fox's longest-running sitcom, lasting 10 years and airing 11 seasons with 259 episodes. While the sitcom may not have garnered many awards, it consistently enjoyed immense popularity and high ratings, up until its final season in 1996-1997.

18 The Jeffersons (1975 - 1985) - 10 Years (253 Episodes)

Now streaming on Prime Video, The Jeffersons is not just the second spin-off of All In the Family, but also one of the most successful. This sitcom revolves around the lives of George and Louise Jefferson, who relocate to a luxurious high-rise on the East Side. With a predominantly Black cast, the show holds the distinction of being the second-longest-running series in its genre. Originally airing on CBS in 1975, it remained on the network for a decade, spanning a remarkable 11 seasons and 253 episodes. Throughout its run, The Jeffersons garnered 14 Emmy Award nominations and emerged victorious with several wins.

17 Cheers (1982 - 1993) - 11 Years (275 Episodes)

Watch now on Paramount Plus & Hulu.

Cheers, which first aired in 1982, revolves around Sam (Ted Danson), the bartender and owner of a bar named Cheers. Over the course of 11 years, viewers were introduced to a delightful mix of eccentric characters who frequented the establishment. One character proved so popular that he even received his own successful spin-off show, Frasier. The sitcom concluded in 1993 after 11 seasons, with a grand total of 275 half-hour episodes. Cheers holds the distinction of being one of the longest-running sitcoms in television history, and it achieved the top spot in ratings for the year during its ninth season. Additionally, the show garnered a remarkable 27 Emmy Awards from 103 nominations.

16 Frasier (1993 - 2004) - 11 Years (264 Episodes)

Watch now on Paramount Plus & Hulu

Frasier owes its success to Cheers, the beloved sitcom. Frasier, a character from the original show that aired in 1983, became the star of his own spin-off. As a frequent visitor to the bar, Frasier Crane, a psychiatrist portrayed by Kelsey Grammer, experienced a tumultuous love life and eventually went through a divorce. The spin-off series begins after his divorce, when Frasier returns to his hometown of Seattle, Washington. He starts afresh as a bachelor, caring for his father while hosting The Dr. Frasier Crane Show, a call-in radio show about psychiatry. The show had an impressive 11-year run, earning a staggering 27 Emmy Awards over its course. Excitingly, a new season of Frasier is on its way to Paramount Plus.

15 M*A*S*H (1972 - 1983) - 11 Years (256 Episodes)

Watch now on Hulu: M*A*S*H, a beloved sitcom that skillfully blended war's grim reality with comedy. The show, short for "Mobile Army Surgical Hospital," revolves around the medical staff stationed in South Korea. With 11 seasons and 256 episodes, it's no wonder that M*A*S*H enjoyed enduring popularity. Serving as a dark comedy spinoff of the film with the same name, the show became a television classic, even in its post-airing years through late-night reruns. Notably, its finale held the record as the most-watched episode in TV history until a 2010 football game surpassed it.

14 Will & Grace (1998 - 2006, 2017 - 2020) - 11 Years (246 Episodes)

Now streaming on Prime Video and Hulu, Will & Grace was a beloved sitcom from the late 90s to the 2000s. Originally ending in 2006 after eight seasons, the show made history by featuring a gay lead character and became a cultural icon. Surprisingly, in 2017, NBC revived Will & Grace for another three seasons, ultimately concluding in 2020. With a remarkable 11-year run, this acclaimed sitcom won an impressive 18 Emmy Awards out of 88 nominations, solidifying its place as the longest-running sitcom.

13 Modern Family (2009 - 2020) - 11 Years (250 Episodes)

Watch now on Peacock & Hulu

Viewers of the hit sitcom Modern Family witnessed the remarkable growth of its young cast members. Debuting in 2009, the show revolved around a contemporary family facing their own unique challenges and conflicts. Audiences were treated to a blend of humor and heartfelt moments as they followed the lives of three distinct families. From the married couple navigating parenthood with their three children, to the same-sex couple embracing the journey of adoption and parenting, and finally, the grandfather embarking on a new chapter by marrying a younger woman. After an incredible 11-year run, the show bid farewell in 2020, leaving a lasting impression on the audience. The series earned the prestigious Emmy Award for Outstanding Series consecutively in its initial five seasons.

12 Murphy Brown (1988 - 1998; 2018) - 11 Years (260 Episodes)

Currently unavailable for streaming, Murphy Brown first aired in 1988 and quickly became known for its trailblazing representation of female empowerment. The sitcom revolves around the life of Murphy Brown, an investigative journalist and news anchor, and her unique and diverse work family. Originally running for 10 seasons and 247 episodes from 1988 to 1998, this comedy series made a lasting impact. CBS decided to revive the show for an 11th season consisting of 13 episodes during the revival/reboot craze in the late 2010s, however, it was eventually canceled. Throughout its duration, Murphy Brown amassed an impressive 18 Emmy Awards, including two wins for Outstanding Comedy Series.

11 Bob's Burgers (2011 - Present) - 12+ Years (260+ Episodes)

Watch now on Hulu

Bob's Burgers has become one of Fox's most successful and iconic animated sitcoms of the 2010s. The show revolves around the Belcher family, who own a local burger joint and reside above it. Each episode follows the couple and their three children as they navigate everyday life. Since its premiere in 2011, Bob's Burgers has aired for 13 seasons and continues to captivate audiences. In 2022, the show even released a full-length feature film. Recognized with numerous award nominations, including Primetime Emmys, Bob's Burgers remains a fan-favorite. Fox has renewed the series for an impressive 15 seasons, solidifying its place as one of the longest-running sitcoms on television.

10 Two And A Half Men (2003 - 2015) - 12 Years (262 Episodes)

Stream now on Peacock:

Catch the never-ending laughs of Two And a Half Men, a timeless sitcom centered around Charlie (Charlie Sheen), a bachelor and jingle writer. Life takes a hilarious turn when his brother Alan (Jon Cryer), a divorced chiropractor, and his son move in with him at his amazing beachfront home. Originally airing in 2003, Charlie Sheen flawlessly portrayed the main character until 2011, when Ashton Kutcher stepped in. The series gracefully adapted to the change in lead, captivating fans for 12 seasons until its conclusion in 2015. Garnering immense popularity, Two And a Half Men consistently dominated the TV ratings until Sheen departed the show.

9 King Of The Hill (1997 - 2010) - 13 Years (259 Episodes)

Now streaming on Hulu, King of the Hill is an underrated animated sitcom that, despite winning two Emmy Awards, remains undervalued. Set in Texas, the series follows the adventures of Hank Hill and his family and friends as they navigate the ups and downs of being blue-collar Americans. Originally airing on Fox in the mid-1990s, the show quickly gained popularity and secured a major syndication deal. Over its 13 seasons, King of the Hill aired a total of 259 episodes. There are rumors of a revival on Hulu, potentially making it one of the longest-running sitcoms on television.

8 The Big Bang Theory (2007 - 2019) - 13 Years (279 Episodes)

Stream now on Max, The Big Bang Theory has made history by becoming one of the longest-running sitcoms ever with a remarkable 275 episodes, surpassing Cheers. Over the course of 13 years, the show premiered 12 full seasons, captivating audiences with its clever narratives and beloved characters. Centered around four brilliant friends, all members of Mensa and employed at the California Institute of Technology, the sitcom introduced the captivating character of Penny, a gorgeous waitress residing across the hall. In addition, one of the show's main characters, Sheldon, portrayed by the talented Jim Parsons, even received a spin-off series delving into his intriguing childhood. Recognized for its exceptional quality, The Big Bang Theory amassed an impressive collection of seven Emmy Awards out of its 46 nominations.

7 The Love Boat (1977 - 1990) - 13 Years (250 Episodes)

Stream now on Paramount Plus, The Love Boat is a beloved romantic comedy/drama sitcom from 1977. The show, which ran from 1977 to 1986, featured guest appearances from notable stars and aired for a total of nine seasons. Even after its official run, The Love Boat continued with three special three-hour-long episodes in 1986, 1987, and 1990. Each episode of the sitcom took viewers on a unique and entertaining journey of comedy and romance. While it received critical acclaim with four Golden Globes nominations, it unfortunately never took home the prize.

6 American Dad! (2005 - Present) - 18+ Years (353+ Episodes)

Watch now on Hulu

After the success of Family Guy, Seth MacFarlane created another animated sitcom called American Dad! This show, which premiered in 2005, revolves around an affluent American family with the father working for the CIA. The family consists of a stay-at-home mother, a rebellious teenage daughter, a nerdy high school boy, a talking fish, and an alien. American Dad! has aired over 350 episodes and 20 seasons since its debut, and with the 21st season recently renewed by Fox, it continues to be one of the longest-running sitcoms on television.

5 It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia (2005 - Present) - 18+ Years (166 Episodes)

Stream now on Hulu

While It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia may not have the highest episode count compared to other long-running sitcoms, it stands out in terms of its longevity. Since its debut in 2005, this sitcom has captivated audiences with its hilarious portrayal of the dysfunctional lives of five misfit friends. Starring Glenn Howerton and Kaitlin Olson as twins, Charlie Day as Charlie Kelly, and Rob McElhenney as Mac, the show gained even more momentum when Danny Devito joined the cast as Frank Reynolds in season 2. With its recent renewal for season 18, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia has solidified its cult favorite status and garnered recognition from awards such as the People's Choice Awards and Satellite Awards.

4 Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000- Present) - 23+ Years (110+ Episodes)

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Larry David, renowned in Hollywood for co-creating the iconic sitcom Seinfeld alongside Jerry Seinfeld, brought forth a new sitcom in 2000. This was born from a one-hour special titled Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm, which aired in 1999. Ever since its debut, Curb Your Enthusiasm has garnered widespread critical acclaim and has been granted numerous Emmy Awards. David takes on the lead role, portraying himself as a semi-retired television writer and producer. The series revolves around his navigation through the minutiae of everyday American social life. Maintaining its strength, the show has been on air since 2000, spanning 11 seasons. HBO has even renewed it for a 12th season.

3 Family Guy (1999 - Present) - 24+ Years (409+ Episodes)

Stream now on Hulu, it's no surprise that Family Guy is one of the longest-running sitcoms. Premiering in 1999 and briefly interrupted by a temporary cancelation in 2002, the show has captivated audiences with its dark comedy and quick-witted pop-culture references. Centered around the Griffin family, which consists of a clueless father, a stay-at-home mom, a bullied teenage daughter, an awkward son, and a conniving evil genius baby, this show also features a talking dog. With its renewal confirmed for season 23, Family Guy remains one of the most highly-watched and talked-about television shows.

2 South Park (1997-Present) - 26+ Years (325+ Episodes)

Stream now on Max: South Park, the longest-running sitcom, has been on the air since 1997 and has already produced 26 seasons. With its dark and surreal humor, the show satirizes various themes and creates jokes that relate to current world events or pop culture scenarios. The sitcom follows a group of school-aged friends in a small Colorado town and has been renewed for season 30.

1 The Simpsons (1989 - Present) - 33+ Years (750+ Episodes)

Stream The Simpsons now on Disney Plus. As the longest-running sitcom of all time, it has been on air since 1989, originally starting out as shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987. Not just your typical sitcom, The Simpsons stands out with its animated style and a plethora of achievements. With 34 seasons and counting (renewed through its 36th season), it holds the record for the most Primetime Emmy Awards won by an animated series, with a total of 35.