15 most longest running sitcoms in history

Sitcoms have a way of sticking with people. They are simple shows, but somehow they end up lasting longer than almost anything else on TV. Some shows grab attention for a few years and then disappear, but others stay for decades. It is not just about telling jokes. The best sitcoms figure out how to keep up with the times and still make people laugh. They change as the world changes but never lose what made them popular in the first place.

The longest-running sitcoms all have something in common. They never try too hard to be perfect. Instead, they let their characters grow or sometimes refuse to let them grow at all. Either way, people keep coming back. These shows outlive trends. They survive cast changes. They even move between networks or platforms and keep going strong.

Whether it is a cartoon family that never ages or a group of friends who refuse to grow up, these sitcoms manage to hang on. They become part of pop culture. They turn simple setups into something much bigger over time. Here are the fifteen sitcoms that lasted longer than anyone expected and how they pulled it off.

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Longest running sitcoms in history

1) The Simpsons (1989 – Present) - 36+ Seasons, 780+ Episodes

The Simpsons has been running since 1989 and still holds the title of the longest-running American sitcom. It started as a basic family comedy but quickly became a sharp take on American life. The show has shaped pop culture by turning real-world issues into clever jokes and memorable characters.

It introduced phrases like "D’oh" that became part of everyday speech. It also influenced shows like Family Guy and South Park. Its ability to keep pace with changing times while building an entire town of characters made it iconic. Few shows have remained this relevant across four decades.

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2) South Park (1997 – Present) - 26+ Seasons, 328+ Episodes

South Park first aired in 1997 and stood out immediately because it tackled current events faster than anyone else. Its creators built each episode in a week, which allowed them to cover political scandals or celebrity mishaps almost as they happened.

The simple animation style hid the show’s biting commentary. Over time it became a tool for social reflection without taking sides. It influenced other adult animations by showing that no topic was off-limits. Trey Parker and Matt Stone kept full creative control, which gave the show a clear, consistent voice. It redefined satire on television.

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3) Family Guy (1999 – Present) 23+ Seasons, 426+ Episodes

Family Guy has been on air since 1999 and became famous for its fast jokes and cutaway scenes. It started slow, but reruns on Adult Swim gave it a second life and a bigger audience. Seth MacFarlane created something different by mixing random pop culture references with absurd stories.

The show didn’t worry about following one big plot, which made it stand out. It influenced later sitcoms by proving that short gags could drive an entire episode. Its humor pushed boundaries on topics like politics and religion. Over two decades later, it still remains a pop culture staple.

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4) American Dad! (2005 – Present) - 21+ Seasons, 376+ Episodes

American Dad! began in 2005 as a political satire but quickly shifted to character-driven stories. Instead of relying on cutaways, it focused on the strange life of Stan Smith and his family. Roger’s disguises became a defining part of the show’s humor. Over the years it showed how animated sitcoms could balance surreal comedy with well-built characters.

It stood out by growing past its original political jokes and evolving into something broader. Its long run proved that sitcoms could shift focus and stay fresh. Many credit it for influencing shows that followed a more structured story approach.

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5) It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005 – Present) -16+ Seasons, 170+ Episodes

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia started in 2005 and broke every rule about sitcom likability. The show never tried to make its characters better people. It built its success by making each scheme more selfish and reckless than the last.

Adding Danny DeVito in the second season pushed it into the spotlight, but it kept its rough style intact. It influenced live-action comedies by showing how far you could take bad behavior without apology. Even after sixteen seasons, it refuses to soften its edge. That commitment made it the longest-running live-action American sitcom ever.

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6. Bob’s Burgers (2011 – Present) - 15+ Seasons, 286+ Episodes

Bob’s Burgers started in 2011 and built its following by keeping things simple. It focused on the Belcher family running their small burger joint while dealing with daily chaos. Unlike other animated sitcoms that relied on shock humor, the show stood out by leaning into character-driven jokes. Over time it became one of Fox’s strongest animated shows.

Its success led to a full-length movie in 2022 and earned critical praise for its consistency. The show proved that animated comedies could stay fresh by highlighting family quirks and avoiding mean-spirited humor. It remains a staple in adult animation today.

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7. The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952 – 1966) -14 Seasons, 435 Episodes

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet ran from 1952 to 1966 and holds the record for most episodes in a live-action sitcom. The show followed the real-life Nelson family playing fictionalized versions of themselves. It became a model for family-centered sitcoms by promoting the idea of the perfect nuclear family.

Ricky Nelson’s appearances helped launch his music career during the show’s run. Its long success influenced how television portrayed suburban American life throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Even though its style feels dated now, its impact shaped how family sitcoms would evolve over the following decades.

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8. The Big Bang Theory (2007 – 2019) -12 Seasons, 279 Episodes

The Big Bang Theory aired from 2007 to 2019 and focused on a group of scientists whose love for comic books and science fiction clashed with their social struggles. The show took geek culture and brought it into the mainstream. It turned references to Star Trek physics and comic conventions into part of everyday pop culture.

Its consistent ratings made it one of the biggest sitcoms of its time. The success led to the creation of its prequel, Young Sheldon. Over twelve seasons it reshaped how television handled niche interests by proving they could appeal to massive audiences.

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9. Two and a Half Men (2003 – 2015) - 12 Seasons, 262 Episodes

Two and a Half Men ran from 2003 to 2015 and centered around Charlie Harper, a carefree jingle writer living with his uptight brother and young nephew. Its humor often pushed boundaries, making it stand out among family sitcoms. After Charlie Sheen’s exit due to off-screen controversies, Ashton Kutcher stepped in, shifting the show’s tone.

Despite the change, it maintained strong viewership. It helped establish Chuck Lorre as a major figure in television comedy. The show’s ability to adapt even after losing its lead actor showed how sitcoms could survive dramatic cast shakeups and still stay popular.

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10. Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000 – 2024) -12 Seasons, 120 Episodes

Larry David’s Curb Your Enthusiasm began in 2000 and stood out immediately. It followed David as a fictional version of himself navigating awkward situations in everyday life. The show used improvised dialogue instead of scripted jokes, giving each scene a natural feel. It focused on how small social mistakes spiraled into full-blown disasters.

Over twelve seasons it influenced comedy by proving sitcoms didn’t need laugh tracks or studio sets. Celebrity guests often appeared as themselves, blurring the line between real life and fiction. The show’s approach redefined how far situational comedy could push discomfort without losing its appeal.

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11. Cheers (1982 – 1993) -11 Seasons, 275 Episodes

Cheers first aired in 1982 and kept audiences hooked until 1993. The show took place inside a Boston bar where regulars treated the bar like family. It worked because the characters felt real and their relationships kept evolving. The humor came from their flaws rather than polished punchlines.

It shaped future sitcoms by proving one location could carry layered stories for years. It also launched careers for actors like Ted Danson and Kelsey Grammer. Sitcoms that followed borrowed heavily from its ensemble structure. Few shows captured the same mix of warmth and sharp writing the way Cheers did.

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12. Frasier (1993 – 2004) - 11 Seasons, 264 Episodes

Frasier began in 1993 right after Cheers ended and ran until 2004. It followed Frasier Crane as he moved back to Seattle and started working as a radio psychiatrist. What made it stand out was how it balanced intellectual humor with messy family dynamics.

It focused on Frasier’s strained relationship with his father and brother while poking fun at social pretensions. Over time it proved a spinoff could be just as successful as the original show. It influenced sitcoms by blending smart dialogue with relatable conflicts. For eleven years it remained a standard for clever, character-driven comedies.

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13. Murphy Brown (1988 – 1998; 2018) - 11 Seasons, 260 Episodes

Murphy Brown aired first in 1988 and became a defining show through the 1990s. It followed Murphy Brown, a sharp journalist navigating the media world. The show stood out because it portrayed a strong career woman who didn’t fit into typical sitcom molds. It tackled topics like single motherhood and workplace politics without softening its approach.

It sparked public discussions when political figures criticized its storylines. Over its run it influenced how sitcoms handled real-world issues while keeping characters flawed and complex. Its 2018 revival showed how much cultural ground it covered and why it still mattered.

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14. Married… with Children (1987 – 1997) - 11 Seasons, 259 Episodes

Married… with Children ran from 1987 to 1997 and flipped the family sitcom formula upside down. It followed Al Bundy, a bitter shoe salesman, and his dysfunctional family, who constantly insulted each other. It stood out because it refused to idealize family life. Instead, it leaned into crude humor and selfish characters.

The show’s rough edges changed what audiences expected from sitcoms. It influenced later comedies by proving that not every family show needed heartwarming moments. For over a decade it pushed boundaries and helped shift sitcoms away from the clean-cut setups that dominated earlier decades.

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15. Modern Family (2009 – 2020) - 11 Seasons, 250 Episodes

Modern Family debuted in 2009 and ran until 2020, becoming one of the most talked-about sitcoms of its time. It focused on three interconnected families all dealing with different challenges. The show worked because it reflected how family structures were changing.

It included same-s*x parents, blended families, and generational clashes without making them the punchline. Its mockumentary style added freshness to a genre filled with laugh tracks. It influenced network sitcoms by blending sharp humor with real social issues. Across eleven seasons it stayed relevant because it showed how modern families looked without relying on old sitcom formulas.

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