It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiamay have recently returned for season 17, but here are 10 shows for viewers looking for more shocks and chaos beyond the walls of Paddy’s Pub. Created by Rob McElhenney, and developed by him and Glenn Howerton, the series began airing on FX in 2005.It’s Always Sunnyfocuses on the dysfunctional Gangthat attempts to run Philadelphia’s Paddy’s Pub.
For 20 years, audiences have witnessed Charlie (Charlie Day), Mac (McElhenney), Dennis (Howerton), Dee (Kaitlin Olson), and Frank (Danny DeVito) stoop to anything to achieve their goals. Be it for business or personal reasons,theGang’s sociopathic anticshave allowed the series to amass a large cult following. With season 17 airing, fans may be looking for similar misadventures.
10Abbott Elementary
Streaming on: Hulu
InIt’s Always Sunny In Philadelphiaseason 17,the Gang paid a visit toAbbott Elementary, crossing over with the ABC comedy in the second chapter of a two-part event.Abbott Elementaryseason 4 explored the gang’s visit from the perspective of the cast of Quinta Brunson’s comedy. As such, it providesAlways Sunnyfans with a good entry point for the sitcom.
Beyond its direct connections, however,Always Sunnyfans willappreciateAbbott Elementaryfor its ensemble cast’s dynamic. The series thrives on throwing its cast into radically escalating and creative scenarios, while sharingAlways Sunny’s willingness to dive into certain subjects with its explorations of the education system and class. While its tone may differ,Abbott Elementaryremains a must-watch.
9Mythic Quest
Streaming on Apple TV+
AsIt’s Always Sunny In Philadelphiahas continued production,Day, McElhenney, and Megan Ganz launchedMythic Questfor Apple TV+. The series focuses on the embattled developers of the titular MMORPG, as they continue to provide support for the game.Mythic Questrecently concludedin April 2025 after four seasons, a spin-off, and two special episodes.
While the series' cast may be drastically different, and far more successful when compared to the misfits of the Gang,Mythic Questretains the same level of quality that Day and McElhenney’s writing has provided forAlways Sunny. The series also featuresAlways Sunnyregular, writer, and producer David Hornsby as David Brittlesbee, showing his range beyondhis portrayal of Rickety Cricket.
8Seinfeld
Streaming on: Netflix
Airing on NBC from 1989 to 1998,Seinfeldwas created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, and ran for nine seasons. The show focuses on a fictionalized version of Seinfeld, as he and his friends go about their daily lives. Even 27 years after its conclusion,Seinfeldstill stands as highly celebrated and regarded for its influence on the genre.
Much likeAlways Sunny, Seinfelddraws its appeal from its characters' chemistry. While they may not reach the depths of depravity the Gang are willing to descend to, they still leave a mark on audiences thanks to how they react to the scenarios they are thrown into. As such,Seinfeldis worth watching just to see how its styling shaped the genre.
7Curb Your Enthusiasm
Streaming on: HBO Max
FollowingSeinfeld, David would go on to developCurb Your Enthusiasm, which began airing in 2000 and concluded in April 2024. Like Seinfeld,Curb Your Enthusiasmfollowed a fictionalized version of David as he went about his career in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. Shot with a cinema-verité inspiration, the series' format feels closer toAlways Sunny’s shooting style.
Furthermore, even though the character is based on a real person,David’s fictionalized portrayal is a social pariah who has little awareness of social conventions and norms. As such, much of the entertainment comes from how he clashes with others. For this, people who enjoy the outcast misadventures of the Gang may enjoyCurb Your Enthusiasm’s handling of the archetype.
6Succession
Across four seasons that aired from 2018 to 2023, HBO viewers were gripped by theRoy family inSuccession. The black comedy was created by Jesse Armstrong and focused on the Roy siblings, who each battle for control of their families' media empire when patriarch Logan Roy (Brian Cox) faces health troubles. Across its run,Succession’scast and writing were highly celebrated.
Despite being part of the same family, the Roy siblings are willing to do anything to accumulate more power within the company. As such,the series' humor draws from their conflictsand how often these plots simply push them into further misery. However, much likeAlways Sunny,Successionsucceeds in allowing its more emotional moments to hit viewers hard.
5Peep Show
Streaming on: Prime Video
Also created by Armstrong alongside Andrew O’Connor and Sam Bain,Peep Showfocuses on the lives of Mark Corrigan and Jeremy Usbourne, played by David Mitchell and Robert Webb. The sitcom explores their lives, with its unique selling point being its use of first-person perspectives.Peep Showran for nine seasons from 2003 to 2015.
Much like the Gang ofAlways Sunny,Mark and Jeremy are far from being good people, and the series' use of voiceover emphasizes some of their worst attributes. As such, it can also feel cathartic to see them get their comeuppance. Alongside originating many memorable, well-referenced lines,Peep Showremains an essential watch for fans of unique Britcoms.
4The Inbetweeners
LikePeep Show, The Inbetweenerswas also developed for Channel 4, this time by Damon Beesley and Ian Morris. The series explored the lives of teenage friends Will (Simon Bird), Simon (Joe Thomas), Jay (James Buckley), and Neil (Blake Harrison). Across three seasons, the group faced various teenage ordeals, from awkward encounters with girls to trouble with teachers.
For many viewers, whathelpedThe Inbetweenersstand outacross its original run was how brutally true to life it was.Beesley and Morris drew inspiration from their own livesto craft the misadventures Will, Simon, Jay, and Neil endure. As such, people who enjoy the awkward, cringier moments thatAlways Sunnythrives on will be satisfied byThe Inbetweeners.
3What We Do In The Shadows
Spanning out of Taika Waititi’s beloved 2014 horror comedy,What We Do In The Shadowsfollows a documentary crew capturing the lives offour vampires living in Staten Islandwith their familiar. These creatures have little regard for most human lives and are just as dysfunctional with one another. As such, they’re perfect for those who love the Gang’s dynamic.
For those who enjoyAlways Sunny’s more experimental episodes,What We Do In TheShadows' creativity with its supernatural lore can be a massive appeal. Alongside parodying various vampire tropes, the series also added unique twists to ghosts, zombies, and witches. Despite its fantastical premise, its dysfunctional cast and darker humor make it a good companion toAlways Sunny.
2Veep
Created byThe Thick of It’s Armando Iannucci,Veepfollows the tumultuous career of fictional Vice President Selina Meyer, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. After losing the opportunity to run as the Presidential nominee, the series explores Selina and her team’s attempt to form her political legacy and accrue more power.Veepran for seven seasonsfrom 2012 to 2019.
Much like the Gang,Selina is incredibly sociopathic and willing to do whatever is necessary to ascend to a higher position of power. Even with her dependency on her team, she is willing to cut them off to build her own. Because of this, viewers ofAlways Sunnywill likely enjoyVeepbecause of how it handles its unconventional, often unlikable protagonist.
1The Righteous Gemstones
In 2019, audiences witnessed the arrival ofThe Righteous Gemstones, Danny McBride’s comedy focused on a family of televangelists. Despite their wholesome and religious media personas, the Gemstones are a chaotic, dysfunctional dynasty. Bickering siblings Jesse (McBride), Judy (Edi Patterson), and Kelvin (Adam DeVine) will do anything to keep their lifestyles.
While having a stronger focus on character growth and narrative when compared toIt’sAlways Sunny in Philadelphia,The Righteous Gemstone’s three leads never lose their abrasiveness or edge, even as they find themselves on the same page. As such, their chemistry is comparable to the Gang. Furthermore, the willingness to dive into over-the-top and absurd scenarios helps it stand out further.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Cast
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a television series that premiered in 2005, chronicling the chaotic lives of four self-involved friends running an Irish pub in Philadelphia. Their misguided decisions and skewed perspectives often result in amusing and uncomfortable situations, complicating their professional and personal relationships.
