Let’s face it: at times, you do not crave a prestige drama, a twisty thriller, or a complicated sci-fi story; you just want something that acts like a soft blanket for your brain. Comfort TV shows are the quiet champions of our viewing lists, the perfect background noise while you do your laundry, or the emotional support buddy if life goes out of control. But what is it that draws us back to those old favorite stories, running jokes, and lovable characters? Get a snack and make yourself comfortable. We’re listing the 10 best comfort shows to binge (or half-watch) when you need a serotonin fix, and figuring out why watching them again is so comforting.
10. The Great British Baking Show
The Great British Baking Show is a competition among nice people, with no melodrama, no bad guys, only friendly rivalry, creative cakes, and cheerful participants who support each other. It is clean, sweet escapism. The show is comforting, slow, and full of “sorry” when someone makes a mistake. The calm music, nice hosts, and pastel tents turn this show into the TV equivalent of a warm cup of tea and a plate of biscuits. If your spirit is crying for a calm, then it is this one.
9. Parks and Recreation
Parks and Rec radiates more warmth than almost any other show. It is a comedy about local politics, but really it is about optimism, kindness, and community. Leslie Knope’s inexhaustible energy, Ron Swanson’s dry wit, and Andy’s puppy-like antics will definitely lift your spirits in each episode. The series is like spending time with friends who will always reassure you that there are still good people in the world.
8. Frasier
Frasier is all the time funny, extremely long-winded, and quite delightfully neurotic; it has been and still is the viewer’s preferred comfort watch. The witty repartee and the mix of farce and sentiment never get old, and even the most ridiculous misunderstandings are handled with grace. It’s one of those horribly overlooked sitcoms that is both mentally stimulating and stress-relieving, drinking wine and listening to classical music, but if you prefer, this one is much funnier.
7. Bob’s Burgers
The Belchers are probably the TV family that is the most loving of the other. Bob’s Burgers is the ideal animated comfort TV, full of laugh-out-loud tunes, heartwarming moments, and quirky family relationships that always end with love. Its mild satire and complete lack of cynicism are like a big hug (side of burgers included). It is an infinite series of watches, and the more you watch, the funnier and sweeter it becomes.
6. New Girl
Delightfully ridiculous roommates, messy friends, and a perfectly awkward love story. New Girl is a comfort staple for a reason. It’s light, lovable, and endlessly quotable (“Youthz!”). Rereading each time is like catching up with a group chat you share with friends, full of quirky and weird jokes that only you understand. If you are doing some chores around the house or simply in need of some background happiness, then Jess, Nick, Schmidt, Winston, and Cece are your people, and they never fail to bring it.
5. The Office
Some works are simply meant to be watched again, and The Office is their main winner. It’s very funny, very moving, and, surprisingly, very calm even in those moments when Michael Scott is being… well, you know. There is something very satisfying in knowing exactly which moments are going to make you flinch and which you are going to be able to anticipate your laughs; it’s mental comfort food. Psychologists say that watching your favorites like this is an excellent stress reliever and mood lifter.
4. Friends
Hardly can one television be more identified with comfort than Friends. The laughs are recognizable, the characters are lovable, and whether you have seen it a hundred times or not, you still cannot resist laughing at Joey’s “How you doin’?” The nostalgia and familiarity are what make the show so comfortable; it is like going back to the old coffee shop where everyone knows not only your name but also your drink.
3. Gilmore Girls
Fast-talking, coffee-loving, and boundlessly heartwarming, Gilmore Girls is the epitome of cozy watching. The quick-witted dialogue between the characters, the cultural references, and the serene little town of Stars Hollow give the feel that you are entering a world that is forever stuck in autumn. It’s warm, sentimental, and great for a rainy day or, in fact, any day that calls for a little bit of comfort.
2. The Good Place
The afterlife is a series theme that might not easily be identified as comfort television, but The Good Place manages to make ethics, redemption, and personal growth seem like a fun thing. The show is both side-splitting and, to a large extent, quite bright, thanks to its thoughtful characters, witty script, and the overall feeling of the show. It tells us that people have the power to change, that kindness and laughter are still important after death, and that we basically got it right all along.
1. Why Comfort Shows Work
Why are comfort TV shows so hard to resist? It is not only nostalgia but also science. The same shows repeated watching relieves stress because it gives the brain predictability and a feeling of safety. As you already know, what is going to happen to your brain can be a spectator and still get the reward. Dopamine release in the brain is also suggested by studies when one’s favorite series is played. If you are suffering from decision fatigue, need some peace after a tough day, or are just making your bed while a comforting show is on in the background.