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Fans of Rick & Morty may feel that there aren’t many other shows like it. However, in terms of shows with great writing and memorable characters, there are definitely several recommendations that fans of this animated sci-fi comedy series can check out.
Updated January 12, 2023 by Ritwik Mitra: Rick & Morty is one of the funniest and most popular animated shows around right now, with the two titular protagonists being wildly engaging in their own right. The duo’s sci-fi adventures coupled with the hijinks of the other members of the dysfunctional Smith family make for a riveting watch that fans simply can’t get enough of.
The comedic formula of Rick & Morty is a unique one, to the point where fans would want to check out any show that shares some of the same DNA. Thankfully, the following shows are pretty hilarious in their own right and are perfect for fans who love the quick-witted nature of Rick & Morty.
12 F Is For Family
F is for Family is a great animated show co-created by Bill Burr, one of the most beloved stand-up comics around. His crass wit and vulgar humor are on full display in a series that takes a look at 1970s America in a pretty satirical context.
It’s easily one of the funniest shows on Netflix that is also pretty thought-provoking in its own right. F is for Family might not seem like a deep show, but it’s after viewers watch a few episodes that they realize just what the show is all about.
11 Paradise PD
There’s no denying that Paradise PD might not have the sharpest writing on this list, but it’s still pretty funny when the jokes land. The show deals with a police department in a backwater town full of quirky and wild personalities.
It can take a while to get rolling, but viewers who power through the series and start getting attached to the characters will forgive some of the poor jokes in an otherwise decent package. Fans of Rick & Morty should definitely not expect the same quality of writing, but the over-the-top hijinks will be right up their alley.
10 Disenchantment
Given Matt Groening’s impressive resume of working with The Simpsons and Futurama, it’s easy to see that expectations were quite high for Disenchantment. Suffice it to say, the show didn’t disappoint at all.
The show takes a unique fantasy medieval setting and uses this backdrop to great effect. Bean, Elfo, and Luci are very likable characters, and witnessing the evolution of Dreamland over the course of the four seasons makes for a great time indeed.
9 Arrested Development
Arrested Development is considered by many to be one of the funniest and smartest sitcoms of all time. Just like most popular comedy shows, the series focuses on the dysfunctional Bluth family and the various trials they face after suffering a major fall from grace.
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The show was highly influential and shaped the future of American sitcoms, with its hilarious writing being key to its success. It’s a shame that the new seasons didn’t quite live up to the quality of the series’ past, but that’s a small blip in what is otherwise an incredibly funny show.
8 Family Guy
While it’s true that the current seasons of Family Guy are far from their best, there’s no denying that the show still has its special moments. In its heyday, Family Guy was one of the funniest and most popular shows out there.
The cutaway gags and ridiculous storylines of the episodes made Family Guy a pretty unique watch. Even now, the earlier seasons are full to the brim with amazing jokes and moments in every episode.
7 The Simpsons
The Simpsons is one of the most legendary animated sitcoms of all time. The fact that the Simpsons’ predictions still run riot to this day shows just how much impact this show had on pop culture.
Just like the case with most long-running series, The Simpsons has definitely waned in quality over time. However, the show’s golden years are quite enjoyable to watch and prove how smart the writers at the time really were.
6 South Park
Out of the big three animated shows out there, South Park easily attracted the most controversies of the lot. In a way, pushing the envelope and getting the media outraged with their imagery was part of what made South Park such a fun show to watch.
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The stories of Kyle, Eric, Cartman, and Kenny as they went through a ton of ludicrous adventures and faced the most ridiculous situations time and time again were a blast. For what it’s worth, the quality drop-off in current seasons holds true for South Park as well… but it’s nowhere near as bad as the other two shows discussed till now.
5 Community
Community is the brainchild of Dan Harmon that was vastly underrated for the majority of its run. However, over time, the show quickly became a cult classic that viewers loved to see for its sharp and succinct writing.
The idea that a community college setting can prove to be so hilarious seemed like a long shot, but only a writer like Dan Harmon could pull this idea off so well. The story of Joel and his friends as they go through the ups and downs of Greendale’s insanity made for a great time!
4 Futurama
Futurama is a show that needs no introduction. The show’s popularity has steadily climbed since its premier, even if there have been many gaps in the middle of its run.
Regardless, there’s no denying that Futurama is a massive success full to the brim with great writing and hilarious dialogue. It’s a meme-spouting machine with endless quotable lines that fans of the series have found themselves completely attached to.
3 Bojack Horseman
There aren’t many animated comedy shows that try and ground their humor with actual issues and meaningful character development. This is precisely what makes Bojack Horseman such a fascinating watch, with the titular character being one of the most complex and well-written characters in history.
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The first few episodes might not seem all that special, but they’re still crucial to establish the world and its characters. It also serves as a great way to ease people in when it came to the deeper motifs in Bojack Horseman, lending more weight to these events once viewers are attached to the characters of the show and recognize all their flaws.
2 Archer
Archer is one of the funniest shows that set the stage alight with its first few seasons. Even with the controversy surrounding the name of its agency that ended quite poorly, the shift to a Vice setting was still handled pretty well by the showrunners.
While the latest seasons of Archer have been pretty mediocre, it’s still a highly recommended show for fans of witty animated sitcoms to check out. The first few seasons are a joy to watch, and each episode was peppered with numerous jokes that made playing this game such a blast.
1 Solar Opposites
A show that features Justin Roiland front and center as a part of a dysfunctional family? Sounds awfully familiar to Rick & Morty, with Solar Opposites being perhaps the most fitting watch for fans of this popular sci-fi show.
The humor is very much in line with the other co-creation of Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, making Solar Opposites a great watch indeed. It almost feels like a spin-off with the art style being pretty similar to Rick & Morty as well!
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