7 Shows to watch if you miss F.R.I.E.N.D.S

Indeed, we can never tire of relishing our old-time favorite, F.R.I.E.N.D.S, no matter how many times we've viewed the show. The saga of six people living in New York City has also been about how they grew up together through all the awkward, funny, and sometimes emotional stages of adulthood. It has become a space where we have gone to indulge in our laughter, tears, and empathy.

Luckily, the TV world has served up some incredible series that capture that same irresistible magic. Think quirky homes, whirlwind romances, and tight-knit friend groups that make you wish you were part of the gang. Whether they're modern-day spiritual cousins of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. or genre-bending takes on what true camaraderie looks like, these shows are masters at delivering that warm, cozy vibe we all crave. From fast-paced humor to pure, authentic emotion, these seven picks are going to fill the coffee-cup-gimble hole in your heart.

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1. How I Met Your Mother

Hailed as F.R.I.E.N.D.S.' spiritual counterpart, How I Met Your Mother gives us more than friends hanging out at a bar. Layered with storytelling and emotional turns, it lends depth to the traditional sitcom formula. Neil Patrick Harris's Barney is one such character who has become a pop culture phenomenon, and even in 2025, spin-off rumors continue to buzz online following the cancellation of How I Met Your Father. The series examines friendship from a slightly more melancholic perspective, musing over lost chances and enduring friendships. Though the finale polarized viewers, its rewatching potential and relatability to true-life experiences mean it is a must-see for F.R.I.E.N.D.S. fans.

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2. New Girl

If you yearn for Monica's control-freak vibe and Phoebe's unpredictability, Jess Day could be your ideal combination. New Girl artfully mixes side-splitting situations with unapologetic emotions. The show is full of offbeat magic, ridiculous lines, Nick's clueless brilliance, and Winston's frenzied energy always deliver. It also held up well, as its depiction of mental illness, changing friendships, and career pivots grew all the more poignant today. With speculation of a reunion episode still on the go in early 2025, New Girl solidifies its place in history.

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3. Brooklyn Nine-Nine

For viewers who enjoyed the sarcasm of Chandler and Joey's goofiness, Brooklyn Nine-Nine offers a similar comedic beat. This police-comedy focuses on friendships, change, and differences without ever treading off into off-color humor. The relationship between Jake and his team is like family, just as with the F.R.I.E.N.D.S gang. Since its last season in 2021, Brooklyn Nine-Nine has become a cult favorite on streaming services, and new fans still find its special brand of humor every day. Terry Crews recently hinted at a potential film spinoff, which rekindled interest. Clever writing, forward-thinking themes, and endearing characters make it one of the most rewarding sitcoms to watch after F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

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4. Happy Endings

Overlooked by many, Happy Endings is the underappreciated gem that best embodies the zany, joke-a-minute feel of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Based in Chicago, it tracks six buddies navigating relationships, careers, and the absurdities of life. The chemistry is charged, and the humor is crisp, particularly later on when the cast finds its footing. Ever since the cancellation, it has gained steady momentum for revivals by the fans, and in 2024, ABC confirmed plans for a limited reunion special. With its fusion of rapid-fire banter, recurring gags, and group humor, it somehow feels like Central Perk's spiritual heir but with added doses of pop culture references and unorthodox zaniness.

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5. The Big Bang Theory

What began as a niche sitcom on socially inept geniuses became a cultural phenomenon. The Big Bang Theory mimics F.R.I.E.N.D.S. in its portrayal of unlikely friendships, romantic mishaps, and group development. By the series' end, its characters, particularly Sheldon and Penny - were household names. The Young Sheldon spin-off concluded in 2024, so now is the ideal time to go back and watch the original. The off-screen friendship of the cast is reflected in their on-screen friendship, similar to the F.R.I.E.N.D.S cast. For viewers who have been missing quirky characters and a hangout-type show, this show provides heart, brains, and lots of nerdy one-liners that remain good even today.

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6. Cougar Town

Originally sold as a post-divorce comedy, Cougar Town soon repositioned itself as a fantastic ensemble series about friendship, wine nights, and growing up regardless of age. Developed by Scrubs genius Bill Lawrence and featuring F.R.I.E.N.D.S veteran Courteney Cox, it even features inside jokes referencing Monica's history. The wine-drinking "Cul-de-Sac Crew" is as close as any Central Perk crew. Although it went under the radar when it aired, the show experienced a streaming revival in 2025, as fans have rediscovered its humor and heart. It's a secret gem for anyone who wants that warm, funny comfort of old friends.

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7. Community

If you enjoyed the bizarre, capricious humor of later F.R.I.E.N.D.S. seasons, Community could be your new addiction. It is based on a community college and centers around a colorful array of misfits who create an unlikely friendship. Community has genre-hopping episodes, paintball battles, claymation festivals, and documentary parodies that keep things new and unchartable. Though it started with low ratings, its cult following became enormous, and in 2023, a Community movie finally went into production, to be released later in 2025. Meta, witty, and unexpectedly sentimental, it captures that same feeling of belonging and shared insanity that made F.R.I.E.N.D.S. so legendary.

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While nothing can truly replace the charm of F.R.I.E.N.D.S., these seven shows carry the torch forward in their own unique ways—offering laughter, nostalgia, and the kind of friendships that feel like home. Whether you're in the mood for heartfelt storytelling, quirky chaos, or just a new hangout crew to fall in love with, these series will give you that same comforting sense of connection. So grab your favorite snack, curl up on the couch, and let these shows fill that Central Perk-sized hole in your heart—because great friendships never go out of style.