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Whoa, the world is a hot mess these days, isn’t it? So it makes sense that we all seem to be seeking refuge in the comfort of what we perceive as familiar, stable, and reassuring. Whether it’s a favorite book, a trusty food recipe, or a fun hobby, we all crave the warm and cozy. And as pop culture aficionados here at Bored Panda, there’s nothing quite like rewatching the wholesome TV shows that bring us back to our happy place!

You know the feeling — when you have a favorite show, it’s like spending time with an old friend. You already know the characters like the back of your hand, you can predict their every move, and you feel so at home with them. These comfort TV shows might be a nod to a bygone era, but they’re still just as loved and adored today. But which feel-good TV series truly embodies the epitome of wholesomeness? Why do we always turn to them in our time of need?

To answer these questions, we went on a quest to find the ultimate comfort show, and let’s say Reddit never fails to deliver! We scoured the web and stumbled upon these threads (here and here) where people spilled the tea on their favorite feel-good shows to snuggle up with, and some went even beyond by explaining why their favorites are la crème de la crème of comfort shows. Trust us when we say these threads are packed with all the good and warm entertainment from the past few decades.

We could all use some good old-fashioned escapism right now, and there’s no better way to get away from it than with some good shows to watch and enjoy to the fullest. If you’re not up for a serious dose of nostalgia with a side of laughter and tears, then this list probably isn’t for you. But if you’re ready to indulge in the best comfort TV shows, keep scrolling down!

#1

M*A*S*H

M*A*S*H characters

"We've watched it over and over with my mom once my dad left us, it will forever be the comfort series for me. Hawkeye and Radar got me through hell."

amazon.com , KnittingforHouselves Report

#2

Futurama

Futurama characters sitting on the couch

xitehtnis replied: Right there with you. I started falling asleep to it around 2002 on adult swim. These days I play episodes on my phone when I go to sleep. Usually, Hulu will play around 8 episodes per night for me, and the next night I repeat a few episodes. Go through the whole show about once a month. I also turn it on if I'm going to take a nap."

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#3

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Star Trek: The Next Generation characters

ProtocolPhilosopher replied: "Each episode is so self-contained it makes it easy to pick up and watch."

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#4

Dr. Who

Dr. Who talking with Bill

"Specifically the older ones. Even as a kid, it gave me a glimmer of hope that I could step into a police box and time travel away from all my problems."

amazon.com , reddit.com Report

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Dillon McNichols
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup, I go back to these pretty regularly. I watch the Christmas episodes each year

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#5

Parks And Recreation

Ronan Swanson talking

no-coriander replied: "Last time I re-watched 'Parks and Rec' in its entirety I was pregnant and ended up naming my child based on the show."

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Jessica Rabbit
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I work for a city and I need to re-watch this show because I can relate so much more...

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#7

Frasier

Dr. Frasier Crane looks confused

DonJonSon replied: "I love 'Frasier' but watching all 264 episodes twice in one month comes down to an average of over 3 hours of watching every day, 7 days per week."

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#8

SpongeBob Squarepants

SpongeBob Squarepants blowing soap bubbles

"When my dad passed the last gift I had from him was a huge SpongeBob plushie. I religiously watched the series while trying to cope with my loss. And, as stupid as it sounds, SpongeBobs happiness and dorkiness often took me away from my dark times. He will always be my favorite."

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LH25
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm glad it helped you! I love the show as well, the silliness and the bright colors cheer me up.

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#9

IT Crowd

IT Crowd characters in the office

The_Volpone replied: "In the episode where they all go to the musical, the three minutes where Jen talks to disabled Roy and then turns to the bar and asks for a drink from bartender Moss might just be the hardest I have ever laughed at any show ever."

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#10

Brooklyn 99

Jake Peralta and Rosa Diaz laughing

"They basically don't stop talking the entire time. This show distracts me from whatever is going on in the real world and makes me laugh."

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#11

Supernatural

Supernatural characters talking

averagejoe1997123 replied: "'Supernatural' holds a very special place in my heart as I was going through a very very dark time in my life. 'Supernatural' was the thing that kept me going."

amazon.com , goldxphoenix Report

#12

Modern Family

Mitchell Pritchett and Cameron Tucker

Rock_And_Stoneeee replied: "It's so funny and witty. It has jokes that are multi-layered and sophisticated, as well as slapstick goofy comedy. It has something for everyone." 

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#14

Great British Bake Off

Great British Bake Off characters holding cakes

cptmorgue1 replied: "This is the only competition show I actually enjoy watching because it's just so wholesome."

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#15

Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Buffy The Vampire Slayer characters

kurtney_ replied: "I rewatched that around 13 times (and that's just this year).

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T'Mar of Vulcan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love it too. Angel as well. But thinking of how Joss Whedon did Charisma dirty makes me so angry now.

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#16

House M.D

Dr. House raising his eyebrows

"When I was in grad school it was 'House M.D.' No matter where I was - dorm room, library, memorial union - if I was writing I also 'House' up on Netflix. During my year and a half, I bet I watched that series 5 or 6 times. Such a great show."

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Two_rolling_black_eyes
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love who done its and this one the villain was always some weird disease (or Lupus). Mysteries where people don't die are good.

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#17

Sabrina The Teenage Witch

Sabrina eating and reading a book in the school canteen

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StrangeOne
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

LOVE this show. I'm glad it's on Paramount+. I had one of the novels based off the series called Showdown at the Mall. I wished that story was an episode but it's not. I have to say Salem made it great.

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#18

The Office

The Office characters in the office

dont_shoot_jr replied: "It’s a good reminder that people never tell you when you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them."

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#19

The Good Place

The Good Place characters sitting and eating cakes

stressedstudenthours replied: "Same, except I always end my rewatch at the episode BEFORE the finale. It's a great series closer, but man does it make me cry."

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#20

Malcolm In The Middle

Malcolm having a breakfast

BlueChamp10 replied: "Phenomenal from the first episode to the last."

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#21

Phineas And Ferb

Phineas And Ferb lying on the grass

man-of-pipis replied: "The detail in the lyrics is great. One song has the lyrics 'If I was going any faster I'd be going back in time' and when I listened to it I just had to pause and go 'Did they actually just make a joke about special relativity/time dilation/whatever you want to call it in a show with a target audience of like 7?
 
Also, always remember that Buford is fluent in French and says 'learning it was easy actually,  a lot of the root words are the same in Latin.' Meaning that Buford the middle (?) schooler can probably also speak Latin.
 
Definitely worth revisiting 'Phineas and Ferb' if you haven't seen it as an adult. If you like it as a kid you'll love it now."

amazon.com , Axiled Report

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Not Perry The Platypus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of the characters in the show is not my username. Great show, I'm on season two.

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#22

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Zuko and Toph Beifong

"Avatar is one of the best shows I’ve ever seen and it always shocks me how relatable it still is rewatching it now. The way it portrays grief and trauma went over my head as a kid but really comfort me as an adult!"

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#23

Top Gear When It Was Clarkson, May And Hammond

Jeremy Clarkson hosting 'Top Gear' TV Show

"That show is perfect for when you're in the s*it. The humor, the lines 'Well, could be worse.' Comfort TV show at its best."

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Two_rolling_black_eyes
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love their excursion episodes where they go someplace they have no business even flying to (Bolivia, Botswana, Vietnam, etc). In a show with Bugattis and McClarens, the Beetle from the Botswana show is my sentimental favorite.

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#25

Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey characters

"I call it 'my cooking show'. I know every episode so well that I don’t have to see the screen to know what’s going on. I can leave it running while I cook, do housework, or do paperwork. I must have gone through the whole series at least two dozen times by now."

amazon.com , MowBooVee Report

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#26

Bob's Burgers

Bob's Burgers family talking and eating popcorn

the-red-duke replied: "Yes, same here. Nothing takes my mind off a stressful day like watching Bob's."

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#27

Scrubs

J.D looks surprised

shieldsuplove replied: "So many 'Scrubs' quotes in our house of the daily."

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#28

Stargate SG-1

Stargate SG-1 characters

libra00 replied: I have watched so much SG-1 I couldn't even begin to count how many times I've seen it all the way through."

amazon.com , Banqouuu Report

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Cate
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought it was an underrated comedy. The one where they were stuck in a time warp was hilarious.

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#29

The Nanny, Dripping With Amazing Fashion, Sarcasm, And During A Simpler Time

Fran Fine (The Nanny) smiling to Maxwell Sheffield

another-sad-guy replied: "I was obsessed with that show as a kid and re-watching it as an adult makes me love it even more! There's so much adult humor that went right over my head as a kid."

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#31

Community

Community characters

frostyaznguy replied: "I've told Pierce a thousand times, I never wanted to meet Levar in person! You can't disappoint with a picture! I hate you, Pierce! I hate you so much!"

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#32

King Of The Hill

Bobby Hill talking with Hank Hill

"Kinda slept on this one when it originally aired but rewatched it via streaming and it’s become my family and my favorite. My 2-year-old follows along with it and loves it (especially Bobby). It’s just a really relatable and wholesome show lol."

amazon.com , Ownfir Report

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Blatidae
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I adore KotH. I'm hoping I can see the reboot when it comes out. May be tricky as in the UK though.

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#33

Psych

Shawn Spencer and Gus arguing

maybethingsnotsobad replied: "I love that show so much. It's so good, it makes me warm and fuzzy. It's like a warm blanket and a good friend at the same time."

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#34

F.r.i.e.n.d.s

Ross Geller playing with bagpipe

KFelts910 replied: "I'm turning 30, so I relate in a different way than I did in my early 20s. I'm actually hoping to do a 'Friends' themed 30th birthday party."

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#35

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia characters

moreiceplsty replied: "I binged this entire show in a few days, and I hope that once I've waited long enough, then I can watch this show again like it was the first time. But there are some scenes I'll never forget: 'May I offer you an egg in these trying times?'"

amazon.com , Tin-mn Report

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HappyKitteh
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is our comfort show. We've probably watched every season over ten times. We just stick an episode on pretty much once every evening.

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#36

Adventure Time

Adventure Time on the ship

Blood_Thrash replied: "I love that show. It really covers all the bases from wholesome fun, tense drama and abject cosmic horror."

amazon.com , reddit.com Report

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#37

Schitts Creek

David Rose and Moira Rose talking

EnvironmentalChoise2 replied: "I almost named my black cat David because of this show lol. I ended up naming him Lucifer and now I'm not sure which would have manifested better behavior."

amazon.com , mimidaler Report

#38

The Sopranos

The Sopranos characters

"I’ve seen it through at least 10 times and I know the bulk of the dialogue. It’s always entertaining, but also easy to ignore if I have stuff to do and just need some background noise."

amazon.com , mofo-or-whatever Report

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#39

How I Met Your Mother

Barnabus Stinson lying in the bath with a suit and talking on the phone

cellcube0618 replied: "There is something comforting about watching them find themselves and find love."

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What??
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This show is so funny! They should have left the ending with Ted meeting the mother and it ending, since that was the entire plot.

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#40

Trailer Park Boys

Ricky with big glasses

undeadgorgeous replied: "Every Christmas I rewatched the scene where Ricky explains how God and Santa must be the same guy."

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#41

Arrested Development

Michael Bluth and Lindsay Bluth Fünke sitting on the bench

ChuckCarmichael replied: "Every time I rewatch it I discover another joke, and every time I ask myself if I'm an idiot, because how did I not notice that joke before?"

amazon.com , Portland-to-Vt Report

#42

Gilmore Girls

Dean Forester standing near the window

here-to-judge replied: "Yes! Especially when you watch it in the fall, it just hits differently."

amazon.com , Lola-Land88 Report

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StrangeOne
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Was a good series up until about the last couple seasons. I have so many questions.

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#43

Peep Show

Jeremy Usborne holding chopsticks

flugelbynder replied: "I just recently discovered 'Peep Show' when I was looking for something like 'The IT Crowd.' I'm already rewatching it."

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ArodTheHorrible
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've watched the whole series several times. The characters are amazing :D

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#44

Mindhunters

Jake Harris talking

"As I hope and pray for some news that they'll do another season and true detective."

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Cat Chat
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

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#45

Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks intro scene

Burgundybabe33 replied: "I watch 'Twin Peaks' almost every year when I'm having an entire breakdown. I feel like it might be a little weird because it's so dark in places, but I find it so cathartic. Last year I didn't watch it I ended up in a psych emergency so I think it works."

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Two_rolling_black_eyes
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This show changed my life. Bob climbing over the couch is still the scariest thing I've ever seen. "Who's Annie?" taught me what happens when you give into your deepest fears. The show has provided me so much courage throughout life.

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#46

Freaks And Geeks!

Kim Kelly and Daniel Desario eating

sajcksn replied: "Oh my God, I love this show! I can cry thinking about the scene where Bill comes home and makes himself a grilled cheese sandwich and watches TV waiting for his mom to come home."
 

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#47

Over The Garden Wall

Wirt looking down

Daimakku1 replied: "It's become a tradition to watch every October/fall season for me. Such a comfy miniseries."

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#48

Shameless

Ian Gallagher laughing with Mickey Milkovich

"It's just so f*cked up and funny I think it makes me feel better about whatever's going on in my life."

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#49

BoJack Horseman

BoJack Horseman looking in the mirror

capo-johnson replied: "My man. Bojack Horseman reminds me no matter how much of a train wreck my life, it could be so much worse."

amazon.com , faeofca Report

#50

30 Rock Never Fails To Make Me Laugh

30 Rock Never Fails To Make Me Laugh characters

PenguinsReallyDoFly replied: "Working on my night cheese."

amazon.com , FunC00ker Report

#51

New Girl

Jess Day with glasses

Awtxknits replied: "It's the best background show because they literally verbalize everything they are doing. The only time I have to look up is for the kiss scenes. Everything else has constant narration. If I'm cooking or cleaning or knitting, whatever I have it on. I must have watched it a hundred times by now." 

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#52

Clone Wars

Clone Wars characters fighting

webbieg replied: "Omg, it's almost like a tradition for me to rewatch the show when I'm down. Learn something new each time."

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