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.
  • Some hidden gems include "Lunatics" with multiple eccentric characters played by Chris Lilley and "Man vs Bee" featuring Rowan Atkinson's physical comedy.
  • Series like "Teenage Bounty Hunters" have great chemistry between the leads, while "The Way of the Househusband" blends a former Yakuza member with a slice-of-life story.

Netflix is a seemingly infinite source for binge-watching, but it can be difficult to find new gems hidden underneath all the popular titles, especially some of Netflix's underrated comedy shows. There is so much TV content on Netflix that there can be a lot to go through when not relying on recommendations or examining one specific genre. Narrowing the options even further to comedy still leaves a million potential shows to wade through.

Fans of edgier comedy series won't be disappointed by Netflix's stand-up offerings or sitcoms as long as they can dig deep enough to uncover them. From dark, heady shows to absurdist sing-a-longs to reimagined sketch comedies, there's bound to be something that suits anyone's sense of humor among Netflix's most underrated comedy shows.

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Lunatics (2019)

Chris Lilley in Lunatics surrounded by stuffed animals

Chris Lilley is a controversial, but intriguing, Australian comedian known for developing mockumentary-style series wherein he plays multiple characters whose narratives overlap. Lunatics is Lilley's latest venture; Lilley plays six people of all ages and backgrounds who possess eccentric beliefs or behaviors.

At its best, Lunatics provides sincere glimpses into the lives of Lilley's various personages. At its worst, it employs problematic characterizations that don't hold up to valid criticism.

Fubar (2023-)

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Monica Barbaro in FUBAR Season 1

Action-comedy is a genre that works well for Netflix’s original movies, so it makes sense that Netflix would want to capture that same success with its television shows. Fubar is the attempt to do just that, and it does work so well that it’s got a second season renewal

The series follows a father and daughter who discover that they’ve both been lying to one another for years as they’re both secretly government agents. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Monica Barbaro play the father-daughter pairing.

Man vs Bee (2022)

Rowan Atkinson looking at a bee in Man vs Bee

Rowan Atkinson is best known as Mr. Bean, and Man vs Bee definitely plays to the same strengths in physical comedy that Atkinson exhibits as Mr. Bean. The series sees him play a house sitter who ends up battling a bee.

The only reason Man vs Bee isn’t ranked higher is because Atkinson’s work is always going to be compared to Mr. Bean. This underrated Netflix comedy will likely be seen as an extension of his best-known work.

The Way Of The Househusband (2021-)

Promo image for Way of the Househusband Season 2

Inspired by the manga of the same name, The Way Of The Househusband is an anime that would simply be a slice-of-life series, but the titular househusband is actually a former Yakuza member.

The comedy in the series comes from the fish-out-of-water nature of someone used to working in a very dark and violent atmosphere having to adjust to a very different lifestyle. Netflix isn’t specifically known for its anime, but this underrated series demonstrates that the streamer is heading in the right direction and taking risks on lesser-known properties.

Teenage Bounty Hunters (2020)

The twins work in a yogurt shop in Teenage Bounty Hunters

Another action comedy for Netflix, Teenage Bounty Hunters didn’t find a huge audience when it premiered, and unfortunately, it wasn’t picked up for a second season. The underrated Netflix comedy series is fueled by the chemistry between the two leads in the series.

Maddie Phillips and Anjelica Bette Fellini play twin sisters who find themselves in a little trouble when they dent their dad’s truck. To pay for the damage, they decide to start working for a bounty hunter while hiding their new job. They’ve got no experience in this line of work, and they need to balance their teen lives with a very adult job, which makes for some absurd situations. The actors hold their own in those absurd situations with their quippy dialogue and their ability to play off of one another.

Murderville (2022-)

Terry Seattle tells Kumail Nanjiani to do an ugly walk in Murderville.

Part scripted mystery series, part improvisational comedy series, Murderville is a very unique series for Netflix. While the story itself is planned out for each episode, there is a special guest star who has no script and has to try to solve the murder mystery by the end of the episode.

Will Arnett leads the cast as a police detective trying to solve a crime every week who is assigned a new partner to help him. The series only has a handful of episodes, but it also has a holiday special and has a range of guests that include Sharon Stone, Marshawn Lynch, and Kumail Nanjiani. The improv situations are hilarious, making it hard for Murderville actors not to break character.

Crashing (2016)

Phoebe Waller-Bridge playing a ukulele in Crashing

Before Fleabag there was Crashing written by and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge and available to stream on Netflix. There are only a few episodes of this series so it's a quick watch and definitely worth it for the laughs.

The Netflix comedy series follows a group of young adult strangers who live together because they can't afford to rent on their own. The show follows them adjusting to life after university that requires more responsibility all in the abandoned hospital they live in.

Kim's Convenience (2016-2021)

Appa in the store looking surprised in Kim's Convenience

Kim's Convenience might be more well-known today as people are discovering it with its 5th season coming out, which hopefully won't be its last, but it's still relatively unknown compared to other Netflix comedy series, and it's certainly worth the watch.

The series follows the Korean-Canadian Kim family, who own a convenience store, in their misadventures that include a lot of laughs alongside a lot of heartfelt moments. It will give Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings fans a different look at what Simo Liu can do since his role in the sitcom is very different from his Marvel hero.

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Tuca & Bertie (2019-Present)

Tuca and Bertie walking down the street in Tuca And Bertie (2019)

Tuca & Bertie was a Netflix original series that reminds some fans of BoJack Horseman but is nowhere near as well-known as BoJack is. The series follows two best friends Tuca (Tiffany Haddish) and Bertie (Ali Wong) who get along despite having completely different personalities.

It's a fun and inventive series with creative storylines and animation and isn't afraid to approach series subjects like sexual harassment while still staying one of Netflix's funniest shows. Netflix dropped the series after one season, but it has continued on Adult Swim.

Great News (2017-2018)

Portia and Katie looking surprised at the office on Great News

Great News is a relatively unknown series, yet it was executive produced by the well-known Tina Fey and has a similar comedic approach to 30 Rock. The comedy follows the employees of a cable news network that has a lot of strong personalities from characters like the co-anchors the retro newsman Chuck (John Michael Higgins) and the younger hip Portia (Nicole Richie).

But the series mostly centers on Katherine (Briga Heelan) who is hired onto the news team only to find that her mother (Andrea Martin) has successfully gotten an internship at the company, so she can hang out with her daughter all day every day.

Disenchantment (2018-2023)

Characters on a boat in Disenchantment season 5 teaser trailer

The Simpsons is one of the longest-running animated series of all time, so it makes sense that Netflix would want animated content from Matt Groening, the mind behind The Simpsons and Futurama. Disenchantment has a similar sense of humor to both of those shows, and a similar animation style, but the story focuses on the fairy tale genre.

This underrated Netflix comedy series is very much fairy tales for an adult audience. The princess regularly imbibes in alcohol, the companion animal is actually a demon, and the series pulls inspiration from the fantasy worlds of Game Of Thrones and Harry Potter. It’s a fascinating blend of concepts for an animated series that is as funny as it is fun.

Norsemen (2017 - 2020)

Vikings on the longboat in Norsemen.

A Norse comedy that translates well with English-speaking audiences, Norsemen follows a group of medieval Vikings who reside in the village of Norheim. The series finds humor in the mandate as it explores the day-to-day lives of its characters.

Tensions escalate as Norheim is threatened by neighboring villages and invaders. Described as "Monty Python meets Game of Thrones," Norsemen lasted three seasons before its unique blend of action and comedy came to an end.

She's Gotta Have It (2017 - 2019)

Nola Darling and Clorinda doing a pinky promise in She's Gotta Have It (1)

Spike Lee worked with Netflix to adapt his debut film into a series. She's Gotta Have It, which aired for two seasons, breathes new life into the world of rom-coms, as it follows a female protagonist who is dating three men.

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DeWanda Wise plays Nola Darling, a Brooklynite who refuses to remain with just one of her suitors because she enjoys all of them. The series emphasizes Nola's sexual freedom instead of her sense of obligation to commit to one man.

Documentary Now (2015-)

Fred Armisen and Bill Hader in Documentary Now!

Mockumentaries have become very popular over the last decade, but Documentary Now is not a mockumentary in the style of The Office or Modern Family. This underrated Netflix comedy show initially began on IFC in 2015 and a fourth season didn’t make it to air until 2022.

Created by Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Seth Meyers, and Rhys Thomas, the series is hosted by Helen Mirren. Each episode parodies a different documentary, acting more like an anthology series than a traditional mockumentary, and each episode films in a similar style to the documentary that the episode parodies.

American Vandal (2017-2018)

Dylan Maxwell stands in front of a cork board with evidence from American Vandal

Another mockumentary for Netflix, American Vandal specifically parodies true crime documentaries. It was a very fresh series for Netflix when the first season premiered, but the second series slipped under the radar of most subscribers.

Each season of the show sees high school students investigating different crimes that have happened at their school. The first season earned several award nominations, but the interest in the series quickly faded away, not giving it as large of an audience as it deserved.

Bonding (2019 - 2021)

Two characters laying next to one another in a bed without touching in Bonding on Netflix

For those who aren't put off by BDSM and love dark comedy, Bonding is a must-watch series. It tells the story of two 20-somethings who make ends meet in NYC by working as dominatrices.

Zoe Levin and Brendan Scannell star in Bonding, which is genuinely funny while also shining a sympathetic light on its taboo subject matter. This underrated Netflix comedy series ended in 2021.

I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson (2019 - Present)

Tim Robinson in the live sitcom taping sketch from I Think You Should Leave season 3

Detroit native Tim Robinson revels in the awkward and absurd with his sketch series I Think You Should Leave. Employing satire, situational comedy, and body humor, Robinson's series explores circumstances unique to life in contemporary America.

The show includes cameos from the likes of Steven Yeun, Andy Samberg, Tim Heidecker, and Fred Willard - as well as Robinson's usual sidekick and fellow Detroiter Sam Richardson. Three seasons of the sketch show are currently available to stream.

God’s Favorite Idiot (2022-)

Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone in front of a conspiracy cork board in Gods Favorite Idiot

Because God’s Favorite Idiot received such mixed reviews when it premiered in 2022, a lot of Netflix subscribers gave it a pass. With a unique concept and a great batch of comedic actors, however, the show deserves a shot. This underrated Netflix comedy is a workplace comedy as well as an apocalyptic story about a man chosen to prevent the end of the world.

Starring Ben Falcone and Melissa McCarthy, God’s Favorite Idiot touches on some interesting religious themes, but it also doesn’t take itself too seriously, finding a good balance. The series is still supposed to film another batch of eight episodes, but production has been on hold indefinitely since filming wrapped on the first batch in 2021.

Santa Clarita Diet (2017-2019)

Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant covered in blood on Santa Clarita Diet

Of the underrated Netflix comedy shows, Santa Clarita Diet actually garnered a stronger audience than most. That’s because it had three seasons on Netflix before the show was canceled. Starring Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, the series is a horror comedy that follows a suburban family when one of them begins exhibiting symptoms of becoming a zombie.

Balancing the horror elements with suburban life is what creates the comedy for the series. Dealing with a craving for flesh while having to deal with a changing family dynamic is not an easy thing to balance in a television series and Santa Clarita Diet does it well.

Glamorous (2023-)

Marco and Madolyn in Glamorous season 1, episode 5.

Glamorous takes on the modern beauty industry, influencer work, and queer culture in the workplace with the help of Miss Benny and Kim Cattrall. Marco (Miss Benny) is an influencer just starting to take off when they land a job at a makeup company under the leadership of Madolyn Addison (Cattrall).

The series is reminiscent of Ugly Betty in its set-up and in the interactions between the major players of the story, though not as whimsical or even as soapy. It’s certainly a fresh take on the beauty industry and the different facets of it that will make the audience laugh out loud.