5 Shows Like New Girl: Cozy, Quirky Comedies You’ll Love Next

If cozy sitcoms are your guilty pleasure, we’re sure you’re a mega-fan of TV shows like New Girl. Actually, let’s be real, New Girl basically redefined what single-camera sitcoms are SUPPOSED to feel like. The all-too-relatable storylines, heartfelt feel-good moments, and fast-paced comedic chemistry are literally all we want in a comfort watch!

Plus, NOTHING hits like getting home after a stressful day, cozying up under your Breadwinning Housewife Winter Blanket, and settling down for a binge sesh of New Girl. And then listening to “Jake Johnson Does Hollywood His Own Way” from Not Skinny But Not Fat, obviously. But if you’re anything like us, you’ve watched this series enough times to recite the script yourself. 

So, it’s time to toss in a few new shows to the mix! Today, we’re sharing all of the best TV shows like New Girl. Think: vulnerable conversations, groups of friends you wish you were a part of, and rapid-fire jokes that make you realize that yes, you do snort when you laugh.

5 Shows Like New Girl: Cozy, Quirky Comedies You’ll Love Next

We all have those series we switch on when we want something easy to watch and even easier to enjoy. For some, that’s TV shows like Brooklyn 99 —hilarious but also deeply grounded in serious themes—like racism and sexism. For others, that’s shows like Love Island! Messy AF and full of “can’t-look-away” energy. 

Regardless of what you love, we’re sure New Girl falls somewhere in your “top 5.” But before we dive into similar series, let’s talk about the MOST important question: what is the show New Girl about? Even if apartment 4D feels more familiar than your living room, a quick refresh will help you set your expectations for the recommendations to come!

What Is the Show New Girl About?

New Girl follows Jessica Day (Zooey Deschanel), a quirky, bubbly teacher who moves into a Los Angeles loft with three single men after breaking up with her boyfriend of 6 years. We know, it sounds like “Mackenzie Undercover: PI’s Gone Wild” from The Dating Detectives. But this is a SITCOM, not a true crime doc! Don’t worry. 

Nick Miller (Jake Johnson), Schmidt (Max Greenfield), and Winston Bishop (Lamorne Morris) are three single guys looking for a fourth roommate. So, naturally, they list their room for rent on Craigslist. Jess shows up, and the boys are a little hesitant because she’s clearly still dealing with her recent heartbreak. Ultimately, they chit-chat about it and (skeptically) decide to let her move in. Honestly, EACH character was giving “Do It Scared” energy from Don’t Think. Wouldn’t you after finding a new random roommate? Or 3?

ANYWAYS! The group quickly transitions from awkward strangers to a tight-knit family unit. On the surface, the series is full of witty banter, physical comedy, and quirky, sometimes cringey humor. But peel back the layers, and you’ll find themes like self-acceptance and self-love, career changes, break-ups, mental stability, and romance. 

More importantly, it’s a deeper look into navigating the complexities of your 30s—which is SOOO real. It’s a reminder that even though it feels like the clock is ticking and everyone in their 30s feels like they’re running out of time, life is just getting started. It’s heartfelt, hilarious, and humbly relatable—just like the shows we’re about to recommend below.

5 Best Series Like New Girl with the Same Humor and Heart

Happy Endings

Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

Happy Endings follows the lives of 6 best friends in Chicago, Jane (Eliza Coupe), Alex (Elisha Cuthbert), Dave (Zachary Knighton), Max (Adam Pally), Brad (Damon Wayans Jr.), and Penny (Casey Wilson). They’re all just trying to keep their lives together—like most of us in our late 20s and early 30s. 

But there’s a curveball: Alex and Dave were engaged. Emphasis on were, because Alex left Dave at the altar. Naturally, the group of friends now has to figure out how to navigate the aftermath without choosing sides or destroying relationships. Because just like THIS episode of Gals on the Go talks about, friendship break-ups are no joke. 

It’s not all about modern friendship and navigating adulthood, though. The series features pop culture references, fast-paced banter, and chaotic humor. 

How I Met Your Mother

Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM) is a romantic dramedy that features a reverse love story and non-linear storytelling. The year is 2030, and Ted Mosby (portrayed by Josh Radnor, voiced by Bob Saget) is telling his kids the story of, well, how he met their mother!

The story begins in New York City, where Ted and his friends navigate their 20s and 30s. (See a theme yet?) More specifically, a lot of Ted’s life in this era was about one thing and one thing only: finding his soulmate. It’s hilarious, naturally. However, HIMYM also uses comedy to explore themes of friendship, career struggles, and finding “the one.”

Speaking of finding “the one,” “Love Is Better In Your 30s ft. Lindsi Lane” from We Met At Acme is a must-listen. It’s a simple reminder that what’s meant for you will ALWAYS be—and it’s never “too late.”

The Mindy Project

Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

The Mindy Project, a romantic comedy series, follows Dr. Mindy Lahiri, an OB/GYN in New York City. Mindy is a hopeless romantic who’s obsessed with finding her perfect guy and picture-perfect life. And her quirky colleagues? They totally encourage her delusions and impulsive decisions. 

Created by and starring Mindy Kaling (AKA Kelly Kapoor from The Office!), this show balances laugh-out-loud humor with real-life themes effortlessly. Think: modern feminism, cultural identity, and the harsh realities of break-ups. Honestly, it mirrors a lot of the conversations from “The Leighton Meester Episode” from The World’s First Podcast! It’s a must-watch for New Girl fans.

Craving more just like this? Good news! Of course we’ve covered it for you. Check out “Shows Like How I Met Your Mother.”

Superstore

Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

Superstore is a single-camera workplace comedy that follows a group of employees working at a big-box store, “Cloud 9.” And honestly, a LOT of the series humor comes from real-life reliability and the social commentary that comes with it. Seemingly mundane, you’d be surprised at how engaging themes like difficult customers, corporate policies, and unionization can be.

Featuring Amy (America Ferrera), Jonah (Ben Feldman), and Garrett (Colton Dunn), the diversity is as refreshing as the comedic aspects. While it explores complex themes like systemic inequality and labor exploitation, the show balances it all with satirical jokes and a ton of subtle improvisation. 

2 Broke Girls

Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

2 Broke Girls is a situational comedy series featuring Max (Kat Dennings) and Caroline (Beth Behrs), two waitresses at Williamsburg Diner who dream of bigger, better things. AKA, starting their own cupcake business in Brooklyn. They’re totally opposite, Max being cynical and street-smart, Caroline being optimistic and naive. 

However, the friendship just works for all the right reasons—kind of like “The Friendship Audit” from Coming In Hot discusses. Using unapologetically “raunchy” humor and sarcastic wit, 2 Broke Girls episodes feel like a masterclass in surviving adulthood, bad luck, and chaos. 

STILL on your 10th rewatch of New Girl? Spice up your binge-watching sessions with these similar series recommendations!

New Girl is naturally one of the best shows in TV history—no debate there. It’s got the humor, it’s got the heart, and it’s got the heavily relatable themes. But sometimes, you have to take a break from your typical comfort watch to find something even better. Or, something pretty damn similar. And, lucky for you, you now have a handful of series like New Girl to spend your time enjoying!

Don’t just stop at New Girl, though. On the Dear Media blog, we’re CONSTANTLY sharing recommendations similar to all of your favorite TV shows. And of course, sharing relationship advice and health and wellness tips you won’t find anywhere else. You know what else you won’t find anywhere else? Dear Media podcast hosts, who offer the perfect blend of advice, relatability, and hot topic coverage. Trust us, you won’t wanna miss out on what they have to say each week.