Dark comedy television shows are the deliciously warped treats of television, mixing humor and unease and challenging us to laugh at the darkest corners of existence. Whether they’re making fun of existential terror, satirizing social norms, or merely wallowing in the absurdity of human nature, these shows have a talent for causing us to giggle when we might not otherwise want to. If you’re prepared to enter the realm of biting sarcasm and dark humor, here are 10 of the greatest dark comedy TV series that you need to watch.
10. Derry Girls (2018–2022)
Lisa McGee’s Derry Girls is a coming-of-age comedy set against the backdrop of 1990s Northern Ireland. Saoirse-Monica Jackson stars in a cast of lovable misfits who are making their way through adolescence in times of turmoil. The show’s smart wit and touching moments have established it as a contemporary classic.
9. Bad Sisters (2022)
Bad Sisters, written by Brett Baer, Dave Finkel, and Sharon Horgan, is a dark-humored family drama about the Garvey sisters, held together by tragedy and a promise to look out for one another. The show’s mix of sharp humor and sincere drama, as well as its willingness to confront difficult issues such as domestic violence, is what makes it stand out in the genre.
8. Beef (2023)
A24’s Beef, directed by Lee Sung Jin, is a frenetic, chaotic ride propelled by a road rage confrontation that devolves into shared annihilation. Steven Yeun and Ali Wong are tour-de-force stars in a show that’s at once laugh-out-loud funny, devastatingly sad, and profoundly wise about revenge, family, and mental illness.
7. Our Flag Means Death (2022–2023)
Pirates have never been so funny—and so sentimental. David Jenkins’ Our Flag Means Death is a pirate parody tracking the misadventures of pampered aristocrat-turned-pirate Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby) and guest-starring Taika Waititi as the notorious Blackbeard. The series is notable for its diverse cast, LGBTQ+ theme, and its balancing act between slapstick and actual sentiment.
6. The Great (2020–2023)
History receives a wacky reimagining in The Great, Tony McNamara’s cheeky reworking of the life of Catherine the Great. Elle Fanning is the upwardly mobile royal star of the show, which happily satirizes monarchy, power, and gender norms for laughs. It’s a period drama that’s never stuffy.
5. Baby Reindeer (2024)
Drawing on real-life experiences of creator and lead actor Richard Gadd, Baby Reindeer is a sickening but strangely poignant exploration of obsession and trauma. Jessica Gunning’s performance as an unstoppable stalker is both chilling and strangely sympathetic, and this Netflix series is a must-see for anyone who enjoys true-story dark comedies that don’t flinch.
4. Dead to Me (2019–2022)
Liz Feldman’s Dead to Me is a darkly funny exploration of grief, guilt, and the unlikely friendship between Christina Applegate’s tightly wound widow and Linda Cardellini’s free-spirited Judy. The series isn’t afraid to tackle heavy themes, but it does so with a wicked sense of humor and plenty of jaw-dropping twists.
3. Search Party (2016–2022)
Search Party is a millennial noir that begins with a missing persons mystery and rapidly descends into a surreally crazy ride of narcissism, absurdity, and existential panic. Written by Sarah-Violet Bliss, Charles Rogers, and Michael Showalter, and featuring Alia Shawkat, the show is a masterclass in combining satire with real suspense, all the while maintaining the giggles.
2. Santa Clarita Diet (2017–2019)
Victor Fresco’s Santa Clarita Diet spins the suburban sitcom into a bloody, hilarious parody. Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant star as married real estate agents whose existence becomes unhinged when Sheila (Barrymore) is killed and resurrected as a zombie. The series mingles horror, romance, and scathing social commentary, and serves up some of the genre’s most delightful performances.
1. Corporate (2018–2020)
Corporate is the greatest office satire of all time, taking the soul-sucking drudgery of the contemporary office and making it a dark, deadpan farce. Pat Bishop, Matt Ingebretson, and Jake Weisman are the creators of the show, with Ingebretson and Weisman playing two eternally despondent workers trying to survive the weirdness of corporate culture. Its nihilistic humor and biting commentary on contemporary work make it a cult classic for anyone who’s ever been stuck in a cubicle.