The 20 Longest-Running TV Sitcoms, Ranked By Duration

Summary Sitcoms from different decades showcase lasting power and impact on television history.

Some sitcoms mix in drama, animation, or darker humor to connect with audiences in unique ways.

Shows like Friends and M*A*S*H prove updating humor keeps sitcoms relevant for long periods.

The longest-running sitcoms in television history come from several different decades and have different styles of humor but have all left a lasting legacy in television history. Sitcoms have always been a staple of television, as even classic golden age TV was known for shows like Father Knows Best and Leave it to Beaver gave way to even more groundbreaking sitcoms like All in the Family and The Jeffersons. However, when it came to sitcoms, lasting for 15 or 20 seasons was never easy as humor is subjective and changes over time. Yet some standouts in the genre have shown incredible lasting power over the years.

Though audiences tune into sitcoms for laughs, the longest-running sitcoms show the different ways the genre can connect with audiences. There are the classic easy-going sitcoms like The Love Boat, some that mixed in drama like M*A*S*H, animated classics like The Simpsons, and darker sitcoms like It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Each of the shows has to keep updating its humor and keeping its jokes current, so it doesn't fall out of style, and when this is done right, the shows can have an amazingly long life span, often eclipsing the best award-winning television shows.

Related The Best TV Shows Of All Time, Ranked The best TV shows of all time will be debated forever, but there are clear contenders. These are the very best TV shows of all time, ranked.

20 Friends (1994-2004)

10 Years (236 Episodes)

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Friends Release Date September 22, 1994 Cast Jennifer Aniston , Courteney Cox , Lisa Kudrow , Matt LeBlanc , Matthew Perry , David Schwimmer Seasons 10

The idea of a sitcom about a group of friends in their 20s and 30s hanging out in the big city and dealing with relatable struggles like love lives and work is standard in the genre now. However, while Friends might not have been the pioneer of the idea, it perfected it with a pitch-perfect ensemble of Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe. Even years after its end, the show still remains popular among fans, resulting in an emotional Friends reunion special on Max in 2021.

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Over the show's 10 seasons, it became a pop culture sensation, picking up 62 Emmy nominations. The sitcom began in 1994 with a group of friends in their 20s trying to make it in New York City. Among failed relationships, complex love stories, comedy, and relatable moments, Friends easily became a sitcom for the masses. The show came to a close in 2004 ending with 10 seasons and 236 episodes.

Friends is available to stream on Max.

19 Married... With Children (1987 - 1997)

10 Years (259 Episodes)

Married... With Children Release Date April 5, 1987 Cast Ed O'Neill , Katey Sagal , Amanda Bearse , Christina Applegate , David Faustino , Ted McGinley Seasons 11

While he is also beloved as the patriarch Jay Pritchett on Modern Family, Married... With Children marked Ed O'Neil's first legendary TV show role, which he played for a decade. The family sitcom centers on the Bundy family, which includes Al, his wife Peggy, and their two slacker children, Kelly and Bud. The show offered something new compared to sitcoms about wholesome families with the Bundys being dim-witted, vulgar, and destructive while the show itself was prone to more raunchy humor than was normally seen on network television.

The sitcom did not have much success in the way of awards, but it was always a huge hit, with high ratings up until the final season in 1996-1997.

When Married... with Children ended, it was Fox's longest-running sitcom of all time, at the time. It lasted 10 years, airing 11 seasons and 259 episodes. The sitcom did not have much success in the way of awards, but it was always a huge hit, with high ratings up until the final season in 1996-1997.

Married... with Children is available to stream on Hulu.

18 The Jeffersons (1975 - 1985)

10 Years (253 Episodes)

The Jeffersons (1975) Cast Isabel Sanford , Sherman Hemsley , Roxie Roker , Franklin Cover , Marla Gibbs Release Date January 18, 1975 Seasons 11 Showrunner Norman Lear

The Jeffersons came as the third of seven All In The Family spin-offs (after Maude and Good Times), but it was the most successful. The sitcom centered on George and Louise Jefferson, who move into a fancy high-rise on the East Side. It was also a ground-breaking sitcom with its depiction of the domestic life of a Black family in America. The show is the second-longest-running series with a predominately Black cast.

The sitcom began airing on CBS in 1975 and spent 10 years on the network. At its end, it aired 11 seasons and 253 episodes. Over that time it earned 14 Emmy Award nominations and won a handful of them. The show's lasting legacy was proven as it was included in the 2019 live television special Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s All in the Family and The Jeffersons.

17 Cheers (1982 - 1993)

11 Years (275 Episodes)

Cheers Release Date September 30, 1982 Cast Ted Danson , Shelley Long , Nicholas Colasanto , Rhea Perlman , George Wendt , John Ratzenberger , Kelsey Grammer , Woody Harrelson , Kirstie Alley , Bebe Neuwirth Seasons 11

Cheers first premiered in 1982 and centered around the bartender and proprietor, Sam (Ted Danson), of a bar called Cheers as well as the various employees and patrons. For 11 years, fans got to see the quirky characters that came into his establishment, forming friendships, romances, and getting into a lot of misadventures. The iconic ensemble also made stars out of the likes of Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer, and Woody Harrelson.

Though it was initially not a rating hit, Cheers gradually found viewers and grew to become the most-watched show on television during its time.

Though it was initially not a rating hit, Cheers gradually found viewers and grew to become the most-watched show on television during its time. The sitcom came to an end in 1993 and ended after 11 seasons. Across the 11 seasons, there were a total of 275 half-hour episodes filmed. It also won 27 Emmys in 103 nominations and was often praised for its clever writing and ability to handle so many characters in an effective way.

Cheers is available to stream on Paramount+ and Hulu.

Related The 50 Best Sitcoms Of All Time Sitcoms are one of the most popular formats of TV shows, and the best sitcoms of all time showcase exactly why they continue to dominate.

16 Frasier (1993 - 2004)

11 Years (264 Episodes)

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Frasier Release Date September 16, 1993 Cast Kelsey Grammer , Jane Leeves , David Hyde Pierce , Peri Gilpin , John Mahoney , Jack Cutmore-Scott , Anders Keith , Jess Salgueiro , Toks Olagundoye , Nicholas Lyndhurst Seasons 11

Fans of Frasier have Cheers to thank for this hit sitcom. Frasier was a spin-off show based on a regular character from the 1983 sitcom. One of the many patrons who visited the bar was Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer), a psychiatrist. In the original show, Frasier goes through a lot of love problems and ultimately gets divorced. The spin-off show picks up after the divorce as Frasier returns to his hometown in Seattle, Washington. He starts over as a bachelor, taking care of his father while hosting The Dr. Frasier Crane Show, a call-in psychiatry radio show.

Frasier stands as one of the few sitcom spinoffs that managed to succeed on its own and become a hit outside of its original series. The show ran for 264 episodes across 11 years, winning 27 Emmy Awards over that time, including winning the Outstanding Comedy Series for five consecutive years.

Frasier is available to stream on Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Paramount+

15 M*A*S*H (1972 - 1983)

11 Years (256 Episodes)

M*A*S*H Release Date September 17, 1972 Cast Alan Alda , Wayne Rogers , Loretta Swit , Mike Farrell , Harry Morgan , Jamie Farr , David Ogden Stiers Seasons 11

M*A*S*H was a sitcom that gained popularity as it combined the morbid reality of war and comedy. The comedy drama's name stood for "Mobile Army Surgical Hospital" and centered around the medical staff stationed in South Korea. The show was praised for pushing the sitcom genre into more serious territory while still being able to deliver laughs.

The show remained a staple of television, even after it finished airing thanks to late-night reruns.

It's no surprise that the show was so popular that it stayed on the air for a total of 11 seasons and 256 episodes. The show remained a staple of television, even after it finished airing thanks to late-night reruns. It is famous for having lasted longer than the actual Korean War and there were so many cast changes over the years that only two actors appear in both the first and last episode of M*A*S*H. Its finale was the most-watched episode in TV history until a football game in 2010 beat the record.

M*A*S*H is available to stream on Hulu.

14 Will & Grace (1998 - 2006, 2017 - 2020)

11 Years (246 Episodes)

Will and Grace Release Date September 21, 1998 Cast Eric McCormack , Debra Messing Seasons 11

Will & Grace was a popular sitcom in the late 90s to 2000s that first met its end in 2006, only having been on the air for eight seasons. The show remains iconic when it became the most prominent and most successful show to star a gay principal character. It follows the friendship between Will, a single gay man, and Grace, a single straight woman, who live together in New York City.

The show is seen as a ground-breaking sitcom for the representation of LGBTQ+ characters in mainstream television. Despite many believing the show ended for good in 2006, it was revived in 2017 by NBC. Will & Grace continued for another three seasons until it met its end in 2020, making a total of 11 years that the show was on television with 18 Emmy wins and 88 nominations over those years.

Will & Grace is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Hulu.

13 Modern Family (2009 - 2020)

11 Years (250 Episodes)

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Modern Family Release Date September 23, 2009 Cast Ed O'Neill , Sofia Vergara , Julie Bowen , Ty Burrell , Jesse Tyler Ferguson , Eric Stonestreet , Sarah Hyland , Ariel Winter , Nolan Gould , Rico Rodriguez Seasons 11

Modern Family premiered in 2009 and centered around a modern-day family that had its share of issues and drama. Audiences got to see the comical yet resonating issues of three diverse families. The husband and wife trying to raise three kids, the same-sex couple adopting and becoming parents, and the grandfather marrying a younger woman.

The show won the Emmy for Outstanding Series in its first five seasons.

After 11 years, the show came to an end in 2020 and closed the book on the family's life chapter. The show won the Emmy for Outstanding Series in its first five seasons. As a testament to its long-running legacy, the series showed so many milestones in the lives of the young characters on the show with Haley starting Modern Family as a high school student and ending as a married mother of two.

Modern Family is available to stream on Hulu and Peacock Premium.

Related 10 Great Sitcoms That Totally Subvert Genre Expectations Changing the formula of a sitcom is no easy task, and though some TV shows are better off sticking to what they know, these defy all conventions.

12 Murphy Brown (1988 - 1998; 2018)

11 Years (260 Episodes)

When Murphy Brown began airing in 1988 it was one of the most groundbreaking shows on the air in terms of female empowerment. The sitcom centers on Murphy Brown (Candance Bergen), an investigative journalist and news anchor, and her eclectic work family. The show continued to push the way female lead characters could be portrayed on television, with it courting controversy for the much-publicized storyline about Murphy becoming a single mother.

The comedy series originally ran from 1988 to 1998 before ending after 10 seasons and 247 episodes. When the revival/reboot boom began in the late 2010s, CBS revived the series for an 11th season. However, the revival was not well-received and struggled in the ratings despite the original series' lasting legacy. It added 13 more episodes to the run before being canceled. The show won 18 Emmy Awards, including twice for Outstanding Comedy Series.

11 Bob's Burgers (2011 - Present)

13+ Years (271+ Episodes)

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Bob's Burgers Release Date January 9, 2011 Cast H. Jon Benjamin , Dan Mintz , Eugene Mirman , Larry Murphy , John Roberts , Kristen Schaal Seasons 13

Despite initially falling far behind fellow adult animated comedies like The Simpsons and Family Guys in the ratings, Bob's Burgers has become one of Fox's most successful and iconic animated sitcoms of the 2010s. The sitcom centers on the Belcher family who own a local burger joint they live above. The episodes follow the couple and their three kids as they navigate an ordinary life.

Having been renewed through its 15th season, it is likely Bob's Burgers will continue to rise on the list of longest-running sitcoms.

Since debuting in 2011, Bob's Burgers has aired for 14 seasons and counting, and even had a feature-length Bob's Burgers movie released in 2022. The show has several awards nominations, including Primetime Emmys, earning more acclaim than its longer-lived aforementioned animated competitors. With no sign of it ending any time soon, having been renewed through its 15th season, it is likely Bob's Burgers will continue to rise on the list of longest-running sitcoms.

Bob's Burgers is available to stream on Hulu.

10 Two And A Half Men (2003 - 2015)

12 Years (262 Episodes)

Two and a Half Men Release Date September 22, 2003 Cast Charlie Sheen , Jon Cryer , Angus T. Jones , Marin Hinkle , Melanie Lynskey , Holland Taylor , Conchata Ferrell , Ashton Kutcher , Amber Tamblyn Seasons 12

Two and a Half Men is a sitcom that is playing constantly in syndication featuring Charlie (Charlie Sheen), a bachelor who writes jingles, after his brother Alan (Jon Cryer), a divorced chiropractor, and his son (Angus T. Jones) move in with him at his beachfront home. The show originally aired in 2003 and Charlie Sheen played the main character until 2011, before he was replaced by Ashton Kutcher.

The show's story changed to adapt to the new lead, and in 2015, it came to an end after 12 seasons. Until Sheen left the show, it constantly ranked among the most-watched episodic shows on television. While Two and a Half Men is now remembered most for its drama behind the scenes, there is no denying the popularity that was achieved while it was on the air.

Two and a Half Men is available to stream on Peacock Premium.

9 King Of The Hill (1997 - 2010)

13 Years (259 Episodes)

King of the Hill Release Date January 12, 1997 Cast Mike Judge Seasons 13

King of the Hill is one of Fox's most underrated animated sitcoms despite winning two Emmy Awards during its time on air. The series centers on Hank Hill and his family and friends as they go through the highs and lows of being blue-collar Americans in Texas. The show also contained a lot of colorful characters, such as Hank's energetic wife Peggy, his show-business-loving son Bobby, and his conspiracy theorist neighbor Dale.

A revival of King of the Hill is coming to Hulu, which could extend its lifespan as one of the longest-running sitcoms on TV.

The series made its debut on Fox during the 1997 mid-season and quickly became a massive success that helped it get a major syndication deal. At its conclusion, King of the Hill aired 259 episodes across 13 seasons. A revival of King of the Hill is coming to Hulu, which could extend its lifespan as one of the longest-running sitcoms on TV.

King of the Hill is available to stream on Hulu.

Related 12 Best Modern Sitcoms That Redefined The Genre Some of the best sitcoms of recent years are helping to tear up the rulebook, and their revolutionary approaches are good news for comedy fans.

8 The Big Bang Theory (2007 - 2019)

13 Years (279 Episodes)

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The Big Bang Theory Cast Johnny Galecki , Jim Parsons , Simon Helberg , Kunal Nayyar , Mayim Bialik , Melissa Rauch , Kevin Sussman , Kaley Cuoco

The Big Bang Theory made history as one of the longest-running sitcoms of all time with 279 episodes, over 13 years. The sitcom gained popularity among audiences for its witty storylines and characters. It focused on four best friends, all Mensa certified and working at the California Institute of Technology. The show also had the added character of Penny, the beautiful waitress across the hall.

The series won seven Emmys in 46 nominations but was far more of a hit with audiences than with critics. In an age where streaming platforms and premium cable channels were ruling television, The Big Bang Theory was one of the rare examples of how network television still had an audience. Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) became an iconic TV character with him receiving his own successful prequel sitcom, Young Sheldon, after The Big Bang Theory ended.

The Big Bang Theory is available to stream on Max.

7 The Love Boat (1977 - 1990)

13 Years (250 Episodes)

The Love Boat is not about the famous carnival ride of love. It's a romantic comedy/drama sitcom that took audiences on a different journey of comedy and romance in each episode. The sitcom originally aired from 1977 up until 1986, and recognizable stars from movies and TV shows guest starred in each episode. The series followed the captain and crew of a cruise ship welcoming new passengers aboard each week.

The fact that the show could keep coming back years after ending shows the lasting popularity of the series.

During that time, the show produced and aired nine seasons. After 1986, the show wasn't canceled. Instead, the show had additional three-hour-long specials in 1986, 1987, and 1990. The fact that the show could keep coming back years after ending shows the lasting popularity of the series. It picked up four Golden Globes nominations but never won. Despite that, it is remembered as one of the quintessential sitcoms of the 1970s.

The Love Boat is available to stream on Paramount+.

6 American Dad! (2005 - Present)

19+ Years (366+ Episodes)

American Dad Release Date February 6, 2005 Cast Seth MacFarlane , Wendy Schaal , Scott Grimes , Rachael MacFarlane , Dee Bradley Baker , Patrick Stewart , Jeff Fischer Seasons 20

Seth MacFarlane followed up Family Guy with another animated sitcom in American Dad! The sitcom aired in 2005 revolving around an upper-class American family whose patriarch works for the CIA. The family included a homemaker mother, a hippie teen daughter, a dorky high schooler, a talking fish, and an alien. Like Family Guy, the show is filled with absurdist and boundary-pushing humor while also presenting a protagonist who is completely different from Peter Griffin in the form of Stan Smith,

Since its first episode in 2005, the sitcom has gone on to air over 350 episodes and 20 seasons and Fox renewed it for a 21st season, which will extend its life as one of the longest-running sitcoms on TV. While the show has still not reached an iconic status like Family Guy, it remains a popular companion piece for the animated show.

American Dad is available to stream on Hulu.

5 It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia (2005 - Present)

19+ Years (170 Episodes)

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It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Release Date August 4, 2005 Cast Charlie Day , Rob McElhenney , Kaitlin Olson , Glenn Howerton , Danny DeVito Seasons 16

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia doesn't have as high an episode count as the other longest-running sitcoms, but it wins in terms of the show's duration. The sitcom aired in 2005 and is still going strong. The show takes audiences into the dysfunctional yet comical lives of five misfit friends. The twins are played by Glenn Howerton and Kaitlin Olson, Charlie Kelly (Charlie Day), and Mac (Rob McElhenney). Danny Devito was later cast in season 2 as Frank Reynolds, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia took off.

After becoming the longest-running live-action American with its 15th season, the show continues to grow that amazing legacy as it was renewed through season 18.

Though the show has not been an awards favorite (something it pokes fun at in one of the episodes), it amassed a cult following for its willingness to explore the dark side of sitcoms. After becoming the longest-running live-action American with its 15th season, the show continues to grow that amazing legacy as it was renewed through season 18.

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia is available to stream on Hulu.

Related The 10 Most Iconic Sitcom Locations, Ranked A sitcom's location is just as important as its characters, as the right setting can change the entire trajectory of the story for the better.

4 Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000- 2024)

24 Years (120 Episodes)

Curb Your Enthusiasm Release Date October 15, 2000 Cast Larry David , Jeff Garlin , Cheryl Hines , Susie Essman , J.B. Smoove Seasons 12

Larry David is well-known in Hollywood for creating the famous sitcom titled Seinfeld alongside Jerry Seinfeld. In 2000, a new sitcom was born from a one-hour special from 1999 titled Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm. David stars in the lead role as himself — meaning his storyline is as a semi-retired television writer and producer who deals with the minutiae of American daily social life.

Curb Your Enthusiasm took a unique sitcom timeline over the course of its 12 seasons and 120 episodes. David would step away from the show at various points and insist that he was done with it only to return for another season after a couple of years off. The longer breaks allowed the show to extend its run but still managed 12 seasons worth of hilarious cringe-inducing moments. Curb Your Enthusiasm finally ended for good in 2024.

Curb Your Enthusiasm is available to stream on Max.

3 Family Guy (1999 - Present)

25+ Years (425+ Episodes)

Family Guy Release Date January 31, 1999 Cast Seth MacFarlane , Alex Borstein , Seth Green , Lacey Chabert , Mila Kunis , Mike Henry , Patrick Warburton Seasons 21

Family Guy show premiered in 1999 and was only briefly sidelined by a temporary cancelation in 2002. It's one of television's most highly-watched and talked-about television shows thanks to its dark comedy and rapid-fire pop-culture jokes. The show centered around the Griffin family, which includes the clueless father, the stay-at-home mom, the bullied teenage daughter, the awkward son, and the conniving evil genius baby — there's also a talking dog thrown in for good measure.

Family Guy came back in a big way and has remained one of the most popular adult animated sitcoms on television for decades.

Despite its difficult beginning, Family Guy came back in a big way and has remained one of the most popular adult animated sitcoms on television for decades. It has also managed to maintain its fans thanks to its unwillingness to change its risky humor that is always pushing the envelope for network television. Seth MacFarlane recently said he has no plans of ending Family Guy anytime soon.

Family Guy is available to stream on Hulu.

2 South Park (1997-Present)

27+ Years (327+ Episodes)

South Park Release Date August 13, 1997 Cast Trey Parker , Matt Stone Seasons 26

When it comes to the longest-running sitcoms, animated versions tend to last much longer than those with a live-action cast. South Park has been on the air since 1997 and has already had 26 seasons. Much like other animated sitcoms, the show relies on dark and surreal humor, as well as creating jokes satirizing a wide range of themes. The show follows the lives and exploits of a group of school-aged friends in a small Colorado town.

South Park often makes special episodes relating to current world events or pop culture scenarios, often created the week before it aired, keeping it topical. It makes for an energetic and exciting series to stick with week after week. The show has been renewed through season 30, while it has also added a number of South Park movies to its legacy over the years.

South Park is available to stream on Max.

1 The Simpsons (1989 - Present)

34+ Years (760+ Episodes)

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The Simpsons Release Date December 17, 1989 Cast Tress MacNeille , Julie Kavner , Harry Shearer , Pamela Hayden , Nancy Cartwright , Hank Azaria , Dan Castellaneta , Yeardley Smith Seasons 35

The Simpsons is the longest-running sitcom of all time, and no one else is close. It's been on air since 1989, after all, originally starting out as shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987. The Simpsons isn't a run-of-the-mill sitcom, boasting more prominent distinctions than its animated style alone. It does have the common trait of focusing on one family and their encounters with other characters.

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While it is often talked about that the show peaked in its comedy decades ago, there are few shows that have had the kind of lasting pop culture impact that The Simpsons have had. Homer Simpson alone is considered one of the greatest TV characters of all time while the show boasts a massive ensemble of characters that have become fan favorites. On top of the fact there have been 35 seasons, with The Simpsons renewed through its 36th season, it has also won 35 Primetime Emmy Awards, the most ever for an animated series.