25 Shows Similar to The Good Place

Created by Michael Schur, The Good Place is a comedy series that is set in the afterlife. The series follows a group of people as they adapt to their new otherworldly home and try to better themselves, even in death. The Good Place ran for four seasons between 2016 and 2020.

With critically acclaimed writing and performances from Kristen Bell and Ted Danson, The Good Place is a wholly original take on life after death. The series is able to skillfully balance the comedic elements with the philosophical questions the premise raises. The Good Place explores themes like moral ethics and how people can better themselves.

Unfortunately, even shows about the afterlife can’t go on forever. If you’re looking for a show similar to The Good Place to binge-watch next, then keep reading as we break down 25 shows every fan of this quirky afterlife comedy should watch.

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1. After Life

After Life, which began airing in 2019, is a black comedy series that was created by Ricky Gervais, who also writes and directs the episodes. Gervais plays Tony Johnson, a man whose life drastically changes following the unexpected death of his wife. Currently, there are two seasons available on Netflix.

Gervais’ portrayal of a man coping with the loss of his wife has been widely praised by critics. Furthermore, After Life has been praised for its ability to walk the tight rope between comedy and drama. A third season of the series is currently in production.

If you loved the emotional, albeit hilarious, journeys the characters of The Good Place went on in the afterlife, you’ll love After Life for its touching yet comedic look at those we leave behind on earth.

2. Black Mirror

Black Mirror is an anthology series that explores several unique narratives that are closely related to our use of technology. Created by Charlie Brooker, this genre-bending series began airing in 2011. Five seasons have been released to date, which are available on Netflix, as well as a choose-your-own-adventure film, Bandersnatch (2018).

Many critics have praised Brooker’s unique series for reviving the anthology show format, which focuses on episodic narratives. Black Mirror has been nominated for numerous awards, including fourteen Emmy nominations, winning eight.

If you’re a fan of The Good Place, you need to start by watching the season three Black Mirror episode, San Junipero. The episode, which won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding TV Movie, is a love story that takes place within a digital afterlife.

3. BoJack Horseman

BoJack Horseman follows a washed-up celebrity – who is half horse, half man – who used to be the hit star of a sitcom back in the 90s. Created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg, this animated series can best be described as a tragicomedy, blending comedic elements with darker undertones.

The show, which ran for six seasons on Netflix, was a critical and commercial success, being praised by critics and audiences alike. In particular, many have praised BoJack Horseman for its unflinching portrayal of themes like trauma, depression, addiction, and more.

If you enjoyed watching the characters in The Good Place better themselves against the quirky backdrop of their afterlife, then you’ll love the animated – yet all too real – adventures of BoJack Horseman.

4. Champions

Created by Mindy Kaling and Charlie Grandy, Champions is a comedy series that ran for one season on NBC in 2018. The show follows the lives of two brothers who run a gym together. However, their lives are turned upside down when Vince (Anders Holm) learns he has a teenage son.

Despite being canceled after only one season, Champions has received positive reviews from critics and audience members alike. Like The Good Place, critics have praised Champions for its handling of sensitive issues in a comedic, good-natured manner. Fans of our favorite afterlife comedy are sure to enjoy this short series!

5. Cheers

Created by James Burrows and creative duo Glen and Les Charles, Cheers is a sitcom that aired on NBC between 1982 and 1993. Starring Ted Danson as Sam Malone, the bartender of the titular bar Cheers, this comedy series explores the lives of the bar’s regulars.

Considered one of the greatest series of all time, Cheers ran for a total of 11 seasons and 275 episodes, was nominated for the Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy Award for each season. Of the show’s 117 nominations throughout its run, Cheers won 28 of them.

If you’re looking for a binge-worthy ensemble comedy like The Good Place, then Cheers is the perfect show for you! What type of The Good Place fan would say no to more laughs from the iconic Ted Danson?

6. Community

Created by Dan Harmon, Community is a comedy series that ran for six seasons between 2009 and 2015. The ensemble series stars Joel McHale, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Donald Glover, Chevy Chase, Gillian Jacobs, and Danny Pudi as a group of students at a community college and follows their various antics.

Community has been praised for the acting, writing, and directing. In particular, the show’s meta-humor has been highly praised, with many scholars citing the series in relation to semiotics in film and television. The show has developed a cult following in recent years.

If you loved The Good Place for its diverse and contrasting characters that are all brought together in a wholly unique setting, you’d love watching the shenanigans that go down in Community.

7. Dead Like Me

Created by Bryan Fuller, Dead Like Me is a dramedy series that ran for two seasons between 2003 and 2004. The dark comedy stars Ellen Muth as Georgia Lass, a college dropout who dies after being hit in the head by a rogue toilet seat and – instead of dining peace in the great beyond – must become a grim reaper.

Not only does the series explore the afterlife of Georgia Lass as she collects the souls of the recently departed and guides them to their own afterlives, but the show examines the dynamics of the family she left behind in the wake of her death.

If you enjoyed The Good Place for its sprawling mythology about the afterlife, you’d love Dead Like Me. Ultimately, these are both shows that deal with death but also, more importantly, the soul’s journey in the afterlife.

8. FlashForward

Based on Robert J. Sawyer’s science-fiction novel of the same name, FlashForward is an American mystery drama series that ran for one season in 2010. The series explores the fallout of a bizarre event whereby the earth’s population simultaneously loses consciousness and awakens, each with a short vision of their future.

The series features an ensemble cast that is led by Joseph Fiennes as Mark Benford, an FBI agent. Despite being canceled after the first season, FlashForward was positively received by critics and audience members alike.

If you loved the way The Good Place was able to explore different philosophical questions through its narrative, then FlashForward could be the show for you! If you’re ready to question what it means to live in the moment, then start binging this surprisingly philosophical series!

9. Good Omens

Based on the novel of the same name by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, Good Omens is a fantastical comedy series that began airing in 2019. Created and written by Gaiman himself, the ensemble series is led by Michael Sheen as an angel, Aziraphale, and David Tennant as a demon, Crowley.

The series – which has been positively received and is currently in production for a second season – follows these representatives of heaven and hell as they try to prevent the looming Armageddon. The first season of Good Omens received three primetime Emmy nominations.

If you loved seeing Michael interfere with the lives of the other characters in The Good Place through his schemes, then you’ll love watching Crowley and Aziraphale in action on earth in Good Omens.

10. Grace and Frankie

Created by Marta Kauffman and Howard J. Morris, Grace and Frankie is a Netflix comedy series that began airing in 2015. The series stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as Grace and Frankie, respectively, whose lives are turned upside down when their husbands reveal they’re more than just business partners, but homosexual lovers.

Grace and Frankie, which has aired six seasons to date, has been widely praised by critics and fans alike. Both Fonda and Tomlin have received numerous nominations and awards for their titular roles, including Emmy nominations. A seventh and final season is currently in production.

Despite how different they all were, the characters in The Good Place were able to ultimately find common ground, given they were all stuck in the afterlife. If you enjoyed watching these characters beingpushed to their limits, forced to adapt to their new reality, then you’ll love watching Grace and Frankie as the ladies adapt to their newfound shared reality.

11. Last Man on Earth

Created by Will Forte, The Last Man on Earth is a post-apocalyptic comedy series that began aired four seasons between 2015 and 2018. The series stars creator Forte as Philip Miller, a survivor of a virus that has killed most humans. Philip soon realizes, however, that he’s not, in fact, the last man on earth.

The series was positively received by critics, who praised the balancing of comedic elements with a unique concept. The series was nominated for five Emmy awards, with two nominations for Forte’s acting.

Like The Good Place, Forte’s Last Man on Earth is a comedy about death, but more than that, it’s a show about living a better life. If you enjoyed The Good Place’s tendency tomake us think about how we spend our time on earth, this is the show for you!

12. Lost

Lost is a science fiction mystery series that aired on ABC between 2004 and 2010 for six seasons. The series follows the survivors of a plane crash, who are stranded on a mysterious deserted island. The ensemble cast is led by Matthew Fox, Naveen Andrews, Jorge Garcia, and Josh Holloway.

Upon release, the series was praised by critics and fans. Throughout its run, Lost was nominated for 53 Emmy Awards, winning 11 of them. In the years since the series concluded, Lost has become a cult classic and is widely considered one of the best television series of all time.

If you’re looking for a show with a plot twist that can rival that of The Good Place, then Lost is a rabbit hole you should definitely dive into!

13. Love

Co-created by Judd Apatow, Love is a Netflix romantic comedy series that ran for three seasons between 2016 and 2018. The series stars Paul Rust and Gillian Jacobs as Gus Cruikshank and Mickey Dobbs, an unlikely duo who must learn what it takes to build an honest relationship.

Love has been widely praised for its down-to-earth exploration of modern love, with particular praise going to the cast for their performances. Throughout its run, the series explored many issues through the lens of modern love, including addiction, intimacy, and commitment.

Ultimately, Love is a show about people growing both individually and together. If you enjoyed the way The Good Place considered ideas of whether or not soulmates exist, then you’ll love this refreshingly modern take on what it’s like to date today.

14. Lucifer

Developed for television by Tom Kapinos, Lucifer is a fantasy superhero series that began airing in 2016. Based on the titular DC Comics character, Lucifer follows abandons Hell and relocates to Earth, where he starts his own nightclub and acts as a consultant to the local police department.

To date, five seasons of Lucifer have been released, with a sixth and final season set to premiere in 2021. Throughout its run, the series has received mixed to positive reviews, with many praising the show’s unique premise.

If you loved seeing Michael get to finally visit earth on the final season of The Good Place, then you’ll enjoy seeing Lucifer abandon his post in hell in favor of the mortal coil!

15. Parks and Recreation

Created by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur, Parks and Recreation is a comedy series that ran on NBC between 2009 and 2015 for seven seasons. Stylized as a political mockumentary, the series follows the antics of the titular public office as they try to improve their community. The ensemble cast includes Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman, Chris Pratt, and Aubrey Plaza.

Parks and Recreation has been widely praised by critics and fans alike and is considered one of the best series to be created in the 21^st century. Throughout its run, the series received numerous accolades and was nominated for eight Primetime Emmy Awards.

If you didn’t spot it already, we will tell you! Parks and Recreation was, of course, co-created by the creator of The Good Place. If you loved either of these series, you’re guaranteed to love the other!

16. Pushing Daisies

Created by Bryan Fuller, Pushing Daisies is a comedy series that aired on ABC for two seasons between 2007 and 2009. The series stars Lee Pace as Ned, a pastry chef who has the ability to bring people back from the dead. Pushing Daisies follows Ned and his friends – including his resurrected childhood crush – as they solve various murder mysteries.

The series was critically acclaimed, with many critics referring to the series as the next Lost – which also featured on this list. During Pushing Daisies’ two-season run, the series received seventeen Emmy nominations, winning seven of them.

If you loved The Good Place’s ability to balance philosophical themes with a comedy about the afterlife, you’d love Bryan Fuller’s eccentric and often whimsical approach to similar subject matter in Pushing Daisies.

17. Russian Doll

Created by Natasha Lyonne, Amy Poehler, and Leslye Headland, Russian Doll is a dark comedy series that premiered in 2019. The series stars co-creator Natasha Lyonne as Nadia Vulvokov, a woman who finds herself trapped in a time-loop after dying on her 36^th birthday.

The first season of Russian Doll was widely praised by critics and viewers. Despite the use of the time-loop trope, the series has been praised for its unpredictability. For her portrayal of Nadia, Lyonne was nominated for both the Golden Globe and Emmy for best leading actress in a comedy series.

If you enjoyed seeing Michael constantly resetting the residents of his neighborhood in the second season of The Good Place, then you’ll love getting caught up in Russian Doll’s time loop!

18. Santa Clarita Diet

Created by Victor Fresco, Santa Clarita Diet is a horror-comedy series that aired for three seasons between 2017 and 2019. The series follows the lives of real-estate power couple Joel and Sheila Hammond (Timothy Olyphant and Drew Barrymore), whose lives are turned upside down when Sheila develops a taste for human flesh.

Throughout its run, Santa Clarita Diet was praised by critics and fans, with particular praise directed to the chemistry between the leads. This show has it all, from gory comedy to lovable characters.

For those who loved The Good Place’s ability to contrast often serious situations with comedic elements – such as Elanor’s death at the very start of the series – Santa Clarita Diet is a must-watch!

19. Schitt’s Creek

Created by comedy veteran Eugene Levy and his son Dan Levy, Schitt’s Creek is a comedy series that aired for six seasons on CBC between 2015 and 2020. The series follows an affluent family, led by Eugene Levy as Johnny Rose, who loses their wealth and is forced to give up their pampered lives as they relocate to the titular town

Johnny, along with his wife Moira (Catherine O’Hara), son David (Dan Levy), and daughter Alexis (Annie Murphy), are pushed to the brink in this critically acclaimed series. The show was nominated for a whopping 178 awards, winning 65 of them – including 9 Emmy wins.

If you’re a fan of The Good Places’ hilarious ensemble cast, you’ll love the Roses as they deal with their own personal hell. With all four core cast members winning Emmy awards for their acting on the series, this is must-see television for fans of The Good Place.

20. Six Feet Under

Created by Alan Ball, Six Feet Under is a drama series that ran for five seasons on HBO between 2001 and 2005. This dark comedy explores the lives of the dysfunctional Fisher family, who run a funeral home. The ensemble cast includes Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall, and Frances Conroy.

Six Feet Under was critically lauded, with many praising the acting and the character-driven nature of the story. Throughout its run, the series received 28 Primetime Emmy nominations, winning three, and 8 Golden Globe nominations, also winning three.

Thematically, Six Feet Under considers issues such as human mortality and the symbiotic relationship between life and death. If you enjoyed seeing these themes explored in The Good Place, a show filled with philosophical ideas, then Six Feet Under should be on your list.

21. Superstore

Created by Justin Spitzer, Superstore is a comedy series that ran for six seasons on NBC between 2015 and 2021. This series, which primarily takes place within the fictional Cloud 9 big-box store, looks at the daily antics of the store’s employees. The ensemble cast includes America Ferrera, Ben Feldman, and Lauren Ash.

While reception to Superstore was initially mixed when the show first debuted, it has come to be considered one of the best recent comedy series with one of the most lovable ensemble casts. Superstore’s approach to current issues has been particularly praised.

If one of your favorite aspects of The Good Place was seeing characters grow as they face adversity, then you’ll love hanging around with the Cloud 9 crew!

22. The Office

Based on the British series of the same name, The Office is a mockumentary comedy series that ran for nine seasons between 2005 and 2013. Adapted by Greg Daniels, the series explores the daily lives (and shenanigans) of a group of office workers. The ensemble cast includes Steve Carell as Michael Scott, the regional manager of the titular office.

The American version of The Office has received widespread critical acclaim and has achieved cult status in recent years. Throughout its run, the series received a total of 42 Primetime Emmy nominations, winning five.

Many fans are not aware that Michael Schur, the creator of The Good Place, was actually a writer on The Office. Of course, Schur and Daniels would eventually co-create Parks and Recreation. If you’re looking for a character-driven comedy series like The Good Place, you’re sure to love The Office.

23. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is a comedy series that ran for four seasons and a choose-your-own-adventure film between 2015 and 2020. The series stars Ellie Kemper as the titular Kimmy Schmidt, who must readjust to society after being rescued from a doomsday cult.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt has been praised for the performances from the cast, which also includes Tituss Burgess and Jane Krakowski, as well as the witty writing and feminist tone. The series was nominated for twenty Primetime Emmy Awards throughout its run.

Despite its comedic exterior, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is a show about a woman’s journey to overcome the trauma of her past. If you enjoyed seeing the characters in The Good Place grow through their colorful adventures in the afterlife, you’d love this show!

24. Upload

Created by Greg Daniels, Upload is a sci-fi comedy that began airing on Amazon Prime in 2020. Upload has been praised by critics for its witty writing and captivating cast. The series was well-received by viewers, being renewed for a second season a mere week after premiering.

The series follows Nathan (Robbie Amell), a man who has his consciousness uploaded to a virtual afterlife after his untimely death. As Nathan explores his new virtual world with help from his Angel (Andy Allo), a support agent, he begins doubting whether or not his death was an accident.

Immediately there are many parallels that can be drawn between these shows and the issues they address. After all, like The Good Place, this is also a comedy series about the afterlife, albeit a digital one.

25. Veronica Mars

Created by Rob Thomas, Veronica Mars is a noir drama series that ran for four seasons and a film between 2004 and 2019. The series stars Kristen Bell as the titular Veronica Mars, the daughter of a private investigator and teen sleuth who unravels the toughest mysteries, including the murder of her best friend.

Veronica Mars was well-received by critics who, in particular, praised Bell’s performance. The series has become a cult classic, being described as the 21^st Century’s Nancy Drew. If Kristen Bell was one of your favorite parts of The Good Place, then this is a must-watch!

Sources:

IMDB: The Good Place

IMDB: After Life

IMDB: Black Mirror

IMDB: Bojack Horseman

IMDB: Champions

IMDB: Community

IMDB: Dead Like Me

IMDB: Flash Forward

IMDB: Good Omens

IMDB: Grace and Frankie

IMDB: The Last Man on Earth