10 Wholesome Sitcoms To Binge Right Now If You Miss Modern Family's Heart And Hilarity

As of December 2025, the void left by *Modern Family*'s 11-season run continues to be a challenge for fans seeking that perfect blend of witty dialogue, mockumentary charm, and genuine emotional depth. The Emmy-winning ABC sitcom redefined the modern family dynamic, showcasing a multi-generational, blended, and diverse clan with a unique fly-on-the-wall perspective. If you're searching for a new series that captures the same lightning-in-a-bottle feel—whether through a similar filming style, a focus on the complexities of a large family, or a heartwarming core—we’ve compiled the definitive list of the freshest and most relevant binge-worthy alternatives to watch right now. Finding a show that successfully balances laugh-out-loud comedy with poignant, relatable family moments is the key to replacing the Dunphys, Pritchetts, and Tuckers. The best successors fall into two main categories: those that adopt the structural elements like the single-camera or mockumentary format, and those that master the art of the "wholesome comedy" with a focus on family love prevailing over chaos. We've dug deep into the latest streaming and network hits to bring you the best alternatives that are currently filling that *Modern Family*-sized hole in television.

The Direct Structural Successors: Mockumentary and Multi-Generational Sitcoms

The unique DNA of *Modern Family* is its mockumentary format, which allowed characters to break the fourth wall and offer personal, often hilarious, commentary on the action. This list highlights the shows that most directly replicate this style and the multi-branch family structure.

1. Life in Pieces (2015–2019)

The closest structural clone to *Modern Family* is arguably *Life in Pieces*, and it’s a must-watch for anyone who misses the three-family-unit setup. The series follows the lives of the Short family across four generations, with each episode typically broken down into four short stories, one for each branch of the family. Like the Pritchett-Dunphy clan, the Short family features a patriarch and matriarch (played by veterans James Brolin and Dianne Wiest, echoing Ed O’Neill and Julie Bowen), their three adult children, and their respective families. While it ran for only four seasons, its use of the multi-story format and its focus on the chaos and love of a large, interconnected family makes it feel like the hyperactive cousin of *Modern Family*.

2. Abbott Elementary (2021–Present)

For fans who loved the mockumentary style and the "wholesome comedy" aspect, *Abbott Elementary* is the current reigning champion. Created by and starring Quinta Brunson, this ABC sitcom follows a group of dedicated teachers at a struggling public school in Philadelphia. The show has been lauded as the spiritual successor to the great network comedies of the 2010s, earning comparisons to *The Office*, *Parks and Recreation*, and *Modern Family*. It uses the mockumentary format for quick-witted asides and character reactions, providing the same laugh-track-free, single-camera charm. While it’s about a workplace, the staff functions as a deeply loving, dysfunctional, and incredibly funny surrogate family, capturing the same heart that made the Dunphy family so beloved.

3. Arrested Development (2003–2019)

If you prefer the sharp, fast-paced, and utterly dysfunctional side of the Pritchett family, *Arrested Development* is your go-to. This series is a masterclass in the single-camera, no-laugh-track style, following the hilariously self-absorbed Bluth family. The show utilizes a narrator and features a dense, running-gag-heavy style of comedy that rewards repeat viewing. It's the perfect choice for those who appreciate the more satirical, wealthy-family humor of Jay Pritchett and his children.

The Best Shows for Heart and Humor: Emotional Depth and Character Growth

One of *Modern Family*'s greatest strengths was its ability to pivot from a silly joke to a genuinely touching moment in seconds. These shows prioritize that emotional core while delivering consistent, high-quality humor.

4. Schitt’s Creek (2015–2020)

*Schitt's Creek* is a global phenomenon often cited as the *Modern Family* replacement for its incredible balance of humor and heart. The series centers on the wealthy Rose family—Johnny, Moira, David, and Alexis—who lose their fortune and are forced to move to a small town they once bought as a joke. While the premise is different, the core theme is the same: a family learning to love and rely on each other. The show is renowned for its character growth, particularly the beautiful journeys of David and Alexis. Fans of *Modern Family*'s heartwarming finales and holiday episodes will find a perfected version of family comedy in *Schitt's Creek*, which is often praised for its progressive, loving, and ultimately very funny portrayal of family bonds.

5. Parenthood (2010–2015)

For viewers who loved the emotional realism and deep family ties of *Modern Family*, *Parenthood* is often called the "drama version" of the beloved sitcom. Following the sprawling Braverman family—a multi-generational clan of parents, children, and grandchildren living in Berkeley, California—the show tackles serious, relatable parenting issues with a naturalistic, single-camera style. While less joke-heavy than *Modern Family*, *Parenthood* excels at capturing the messy, complicated, and unconditional love that binds a large family together. It’s the ideal binge for those who appreciated the emotional arcs of Mitch and Cam or the parenting struggles of Claire and Phil Dunphy.

6. Young Sheldon (2017–2024)

As a prequel to *The Big Bang Theory*, *Young Sheldon* is a surprising entry, but it shares a key commonality with *Modern Family*: it’s a wholesome, multi-generational family sitcom filmed in a single-camera style. The series focuses on the childhood of Sheldon Cooper in East Texas, highlighting his relationships with his parents, siblings, and Meemaw. The series, which is concluding its run in 2024, is less about a blended family and more about the love and friction within a traditional family unit dealing with an extraordinary child. It offers a nostalgic, gentle comedy that appeals to fans of *Modern Family*'s more sentimental episodes.

Classic Family Sitcoms and Comedies to Keep the Laughter Going

If you’re simply looking for more high-quality, long-running sitcoms with a focus on family or workplace dynamics, these classics are essential viewing.

7. Black-ish (2014–2022)

*Black-ish* is another acclaimed ABC sitcom that follows the multi-generational journey of the Johnson family. Like *Modern Family*, the show uses a large cast to explore contemporary social and cultural issues through a comedic lens, including the challenges of raising children in a modern world. It shares *Modern Family*'s ability to be both hilarious and surprisingly insightful, making it a powerful and relevant family comedy.

8. The Goldbergs (2013–2023)

For a dose of pure, nostalgic family chaos, *The Goldbergs* is an excellent choice. This series is a loving, exaggerated look at the life of an 80s family, narrated by the youngest son, Adam. It focuses on the loud, overbearing, but ultimately loving relationships between the parents, their three children, and the iconic grandfather, "Pops," providing a fantastic multi-generational dynamic that fans of Jay Pritchett and Manny will appreciate.

9. Fresh Off the Boat (2015–2020)

Based on the life of chef Eddie Huang, *Fresh Off the Boat* is a groundbreaking family sitcom that follows the Taiwanese-American Huang family as they move from Washington D.C. to Orlando, Florida, in the 1990s. The show expertly blends cultural commentary with classic family comedy, offering the same kind of fish-out-of-water scenarios and heartfelt family moments that were a staple of *Modern Family*'s best episodes.

10. The Middle (2009–2018)

While *Modern Family* focused on the upper-middle-class life in Los Angeles, *The Middle* offered a hilarious, grounded look at the working-class Heck family in Indiana. The show follows Frankie and Mike Heck as they try to raise their three eccentric children. It's a single-camera comedy that, despite the different economic background, captures the universal struggles and triumphs of parenting and family life with a genuine, wholesome humor that is deeply reminiscent of the Dunphys' chaos.