Top classic sitcoms streaming on Paramount+
- I Love Lucy
- Cheers
- Frasier
- The Andy Griffith Show
- Everybody Loves Raymond
- The King of Queens
- Taxi
- Family Ties (Seasons 1-3)
- The Brady Bunch (select episodes across Seasons 1-5)
You can find many classic sitcoms in the deep Paramount+ comedy library. With shows from various decades that are often considered some of the best ever made, Paramount+ is the home of comfort viewing.
Classic TV comedies offer a level of predictability and warmth that can be very soothing in trying times or simply after a hard day at work. Familiar faces in familiar scenarios can help you leave your worries at the theme song and settle in for an episode of, say, I Love Lucy.
We’ve already listed the top TV comedy shows of any era that you can watch on Paramount+, along with the great sketch comedy shows on the service. And now we’ve rounded up the top TV classic comedy shows, too. Read on for our list of great classic sitcoms (and some honorable mentions) that are all available to stream on Paramount+ right now. As for our rankings? We’ve got some ‘splainin’ to do.
Where to stream these classic sitcoms
All of the above comedy series are available to stream on Paramount+, one of the best streaming options for classic television lovers. With a deep collection of landmark sitcoms to choose from, there are seasons of laughs waiting for you.
The sitcoms that defined television comedy
Situational comedies once dominated the airwaves, warming homes with their tales of mishaps and togetherness. But as modern comedies turn into dramedies, many are reaching for the nostalgia of a predictable dynamic between lovable characters.
1. I Love Lucy
Lucille Ball schemed so other sitcoms could soar in the forever iconic I Love Lucy. With slapstick queen Ball at the helm, physical comedy tickled audiences from the bottom of wine grape barrel to the end of a factory line.
Her zany hijinks and straightman husband, Desi Arnaz, set the template for sitcoms — one that is still being followed to this day. As the first true half-hour comedy and the pioneer of multi-camera television, I Love Lucy dared to beam an interracial marriage into millions of homes in the 1950s, and it still delivers side-splitting laughs.
WATCH NOW: I Love Lucy
2. Cheers
Long before any superhero extended universes, a ragtag group of Bostonians in an unassuming bar won over America’s heart. The stacked ensemble 1980s sitcom created such beloved characters that it spun off several other successful shows, including Frasier and (more loosely) Wings.
If you want to go where everybody knows your name, you’ll always be glad you streamed Cheers.
WATCH NOW: Cheers
3. Frasier (1993)
The sardonic Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) simply could not be contained by the wood-wrapped Cheers bar. Fans followed him across the country to rainy Seattle to follow his exploits, which often tied into his psychotherapy radio show.
With dozens of Emmy® Awards (really, dozens), this spinoff made a name for itself with its sophisticated humor and unforgettable characters. Even decades later, newcomers find joy in his pain, whether they discover original episodes or dive into the reboot.
WATCH NOW: Frasier
4. The Andy Griffith Show
On your first viewing of The Andy Griffith Show, you might get solely sucked into the idyllic small-town life with a nostalgic tug for simpler times. On a second look, you’ll find a single father/sheriff approaching crime and misunderstandings with level-headed compassion and a smile.
It’s that heartwarming undercurrent that gives the show its lasting power, across time and generations. Well, that and its earworm of a theme song, of course.
WATCH NOW: The Andy Griffith Show
5. Everybody Loves Raymond
After more than a decade as a stand-up comedian, Ray Romano got his own family sitcom while America got stuck in the middle with him. Watching him navigate the overbearing antics of the family he grew up with alongside those of the family he was building remains deeply relatable.
This intergenerational family unit, played by an ensemble cast of character actors, knows just what buttons to push and how to turn them into comedy gold. Their dysfunctional chemistry continues to draw in viewers, whether streaming or dropping into a random rerun.
WATCH NOW: Everybody Loves Raymond
6. The King of Queens
Despite not being an official spinoff of Everybody Loves Raymond, this Kevin James vehicle shares its version of New York — complete with crossover episodes. James’ chemistry with Leah Remini brings a working-class lilt to classic relationship humor.
In an era where sitcoms often showed off the haves, The King of Queens showed a family straddling the line between them and the have-nots. Their relatable struggles create a cozy atmosphere that makes a binge-watch go by faster than James can deliver a package.
WATCH NOW: The King of Queens
7. Taxi
This 1970s comedy had its fair share of grit, but managed to tackle intense topics while keeping the energy light. The workplace comedy served as a launchpad for many actors, including Tony Danza, Christopher Lloyd and Carol Kane.
United in their disdain for their boss, Louie De Palma (Danny DeVito), each cab driver finds either solace or restriction in front of the meter. From Lloyd’s Ignatowski relishing in the simple life to Danza’s Banta fighting his own ghosts in and outside of the ring, the show’s character-driven storytelling hooks you in for another shift.
WATCH NOW: Taxi
8. Family Ties
Family Ties took a real, albeit humorous, look at a phenomenon many baby boomers were facing in the 1980s. Their liberal sensibilities grated against their children, who were growing up in a time of greed and materialism. Despite the siren call of Wall Street, the show was less Jordan Belfort and more feel-good family mishaps that might happen around your kitchen table.
This distinctly 1980s show served as Michael J. Fox’s breakout role, where he often fell into some ridiculous get-rich-quick scheme. Ultimately, those, well, family ties proved strong enough to surmount any shenanigans.
WATCH NOW: Family Ties (Seasons 1-3)
9. The Brady Bunch
You probably had a hunch that this list wouldn’t quite be a family without The Brady Bunch. As one of the most recognizable family sitcoms, this show highlighted a large, blended family and the pain points and joys it can create.
A time capsule of 1970s design and style, The Brady Brunch continues to inspire nostalgia and rediscovery, even if only to commiserate about a bad perm. (And, as we’ve already discussed, Mike Brady’s a pretty great TV dad, too.)
WATCH NOW: The Brady Bunch (select episodes across Seasons 1-5)
What makes a sitcom timeless?
The best sitcoms get to the heart of the human experience. Regardless of the decade or demographic, a great sitcom can connect and relate to the average person while also reminding the audience of the power of community.
Whether it’s a workplace or a family-based sitcom, the relationships between the characters keep audiences coming back for more. People who can see themselves or their neighbor in, people you can root for feel infinitely rewatchable because it feels like you’re a part of the story.
More classic comedies to explore
If you can’t get enough timeless humor in your life, there are even more comedies to enjoy on Paramount+. While some comedies can strike true no matter what, it’s still a subjective medium, and Paramount+ has something for everyone.
With more BET titles now available on Paramount+, you can rewatch hits like Martin or Everybody Hates Chris. If you want to go back further in time, the campy adventures on The Love Boat might better float your boat.
FAQ
What is considered a classic sitcom?
A classic sitcom offers relatable characters and stories that resonate across cultural divides. The storylines are often simple but cut deep into the heart of common problems. In many ways, these ensemble casts were early parasocial relationships whose character work helped build acclaim and a long-lasting legacy.
Where can I stream old sitcoms?
Paramount+ has a large stable of classic television comedies spanning multiple decades, whether you crave a black-and-white romp or you just need to rewatch the sitcoms of your youth.
To watch, get started with your subscription and/or log into your account, navigate to Shows, then Comedy, then look for the Classic Comedy category.
Which classic sitcom should I start with?
If you want comfort viewing, it’s hard to miss with I Love Lucy, or The Brady Bunch (if you prefer watching family comedies in color). For a workplace comedy with an edge, take Taxi for a spin. And, of course, you can’t go wrong with grabbing a stool at the quintessential sitcom with an ensemble cast: Cheers.
