35 Best Dark Comedy TV Shows of All Time, Ranked

Dark comedies are a genre of film and television that may not appeal to everyone due to the sensitive nature of the topics they explore; the content can be considered offensive and inappropriate for some viewers, making it difficult to appreciate the genre. However, despite its controversial nature, narratives that incorporate a lot of dark humor continue to be some of the most entertaining and popular in both movies and TV.

The best dark comedy shows are gut-busting and witty works that push the boundaries of the genre in clever and entertaining ways. To celebrate this specific type of humor, which frequently features elements of tragedy, we gather some of the best dark comedy series worth taking a look at, ranging from lesser-known gems like You're the Worst to animated series such as BoJack Horseman.

35 'Santa Clarita Diet' (2017–2019)

With a fresh take on the zombie genre, Victor Fresco's Santa Clarita Diet features Timothy Olyphant as a wholesome husband and Drew Barrymore as his wife, Sheila. The show illustrates the lives of the married real estate agents, which takes a wild turn when Sheila dies.

Elevated by the stellar, undeniably charming performances at its center, this genre-blending show combines elements of horror with romance with amazing results, maintaining strong character arcs and resorting to its fun concept to explore themes of suburban life and societal norms in the meantime. While it has also been canceled after three seasons, Santa Clarita Diet is still worthwhile—and its dedicated fanbase can certainly attest to it.

34 'Search Party' (2016–2022)

Possibly one of the lesser-known entries on this list, Sarah-Violet Bliss, Charles Rogers, and Michael Showalter's dark comedy centers around four self-absorbed young people (Alia Shawkat, John Reynolds, John Early, and Meredith Hagner), illustrating their struggles as they become entangled in a mystery when a former college acquaintance suddenly disappears.

Search Party is an intriguing, undoubtedly entertaining watch that blends dark humor with satire; it explores self-obsession and narcissism—with a focus on the millennial generation—in a quirky but also relentless way. Those keen on storylines that involve absurdist elements should be sure to give Search Party a watch, as it often sees situations spiraling into bizarre extremes and refreshingly explores existential dread—not only does Search Party feature clever and engaging writing, but also provides food for thought.

33 'Corporate' (2018–2020)

With a unique tone and style, this Pat Bishop, Matt Ingebretson, and Jake Weisman series delivers a bleak and nihilistic outlook on corporate life that sets it apart from traditional workplace comedy. Starring Matt Ingebretson and Jake Weisman in the lead roles, it illustrates the miserable lives of downtrodden employees.

Featuring amazing performances from its stellar cast, Corporate delivers a razor-sharp critique of modern corporate culture, exploring themes of existential dread and alienation as it follows the two deadpan characters. While it can be an appealing watch to nearly everybody who enjoys the genre, it is the kind of show that will entertain those familiar with office culture the most. Despite its cancellation, it remains a cult favorite, praised for its satire and engaging absurdism.

32 'Baby Reindeer' (2024)

Netflix's sensation Baby Reindeer introduces audiences to the terrifying, genuinely touching real-life experience of its lead actor, Richard Gadd, and illustrates his relationship with a female stalker (very convincingly played by Jessica Gunning). Through the course of the series, Gadd reflects on the devastating impact their progressively stranger connection has on him while he’s facing his deep-buried trauma.

Anyone who’s looking to watch a dark comedy about a true story is probably going to enjoy binge-watching Baby Reindeer, which benefits from the small runtime of its half-hour-long episodes. Although a deeply disturbing show that may not be suitable for everyone due to its portrayal of triggering themes like sexual assault, Baby Reindeer's best episodes can keep viewers engaged and on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating what will happen next.

31 'The Great' (2020–2023)

Fans of both historical dramas and dark comedies are likely going to enjoy The Great, as it blends the best of both worlds, resulting in a highly entertaining historical epic. In the series, a royal woman (Elle Fanning) living in rural Russia during the 18th century who marries an Emperor is forced to choose between her happiness and the future of Russia.

Even though, as expected, the show does take some liberties for dramatic purposes, The Great does a great job of capturing the absurdity of royal life as well as the power held by those who ruled. Through the way that it exposes the flaws of the monarchy, the critically acclaimed series ultimately also serves as a critique of modern society, highlighting not only the limitations imposed upon women but also the preposterous nature of power.

30 'Our Flag Means Death' (2022–2023)

Regarded as one of the best sitcoms of the 2020s so far, David Jenkins' Our Flag Means Death is guaranteed to provide audiences with a good dose of comedy, heart, and even LGBTQ+ representation. Met with incredibly positive reviews, this refreshing take on pirate stories follows pampered aristocrat Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby), who abandons a life of privilege to become a pirate in the early 18th century.

Our Flag Means Death is a captivating black comedy for plenty of reasons, with its cast—featuring Marvel director Taika Waititi—anchoring (no pun intended) the series' unique historical reimagining. Those fascinated by both New Zealand-style humor, positive representation of several racial groups and sexual orientations, and exploration of poignant themes such as toxic masculinity, identity, and the quest to find your place in the world, are surely going to enjoy Jenkins' show.

29 'Dead to Me' (2019–2022)

Exploring grief and guilt, Liz Feldman's Dead to Me focuses on a powerful friendship that blossoms between a tightly wound widow, Jen Harding (Christina Applegate), and a witty, kind-hearted free spirit, Judy Hale (Linda Cardellini), with a shocking secret and a complicated past.

This Netflix comedy is a great pick because it blends raw portrayals of grief and trauma with the absurdity of its dark comedy elements and twists. Dead to Me incites audiences to laugh in the face of tragedy, featuring flawed central characters with complex backstories for audiences to resonate with. Part of what is so great about the series, too, is how it is not afraid to tackle uncomfortable truths and raise questions about loss and forgiveness.

28 'Beef' (2023)

Featuring excellent acting performances by its two lead actors, A24's comedy series Beef was one of last year's most well-received television series. The intriguing limited show created by Lee Sung Jin counts on several good reviews, and understandably so. The series stars the talented Steven Yeun and Ali Wong as Danny Cho and Amy Lau, two struggling adults involved in a road rage incident with catastrophic consequences.

As critics would agree, this wild tale of mutual destruction truly feels like a breath of fresh air when the subject is recent pieces of television. With an innovative premise, Beef is equal parts hilarious, exhilarating, heartwarming, and completely heart-wrenching. Furthermore, the 2023 show also tackles many relevant themes with a comedic overlay, which include revenge, family, the complicated religious experience, and mental health.

27 'Derry Girls' (2018–2022)

Created by Lisa McGee, this essential Irish comedy show premiered on Channel 4 and was the channel's most successful comedy series since Father Ted. It focuses on a 16-year-old girl named Erin, played by Saoirse-Monica Jackson, who navigates her coming-of-age life in the early 1990s in Northern Ireland and illustrates her relationships with friends and family.

This utterly engaging teen sitcom is a solid pick when it comes to dark comedy TV shows; it delivers a solid coming-of-age tale and sends out thoughtful messages about the pains of growing up, especially as a young girl, through its hilarious comedic bits. Furthermore, the period piece Derry Girls is also said to accurately depict the Troubles of the 1990s and the violence that followed.

26 'Catastrophe' (2015–2019)

Catastrophe is the kind of show that maintains a consistent balance between dramatic and comedic elements, with its honest depiction of adult relationships captivating many viewers. The story centers around American Rob (Rob Delaney) and Irish Sharon (Sharon Horgan), who meet during a business trip and develop a casual, no-strings-attached connection only to learn that she is pregnant.

Although Catastrophe rose in popularity on both sides of the Atlantic, with viewership in the UK and the US, it was still canceled, to many's dismay. However, despite its premature ending, this engaging series is worth checking out for plenty of reasons, including the humorous yet thoughtful way it tackles serious issues like sickness, grief, and addiction.