Top Shows Like How I Met Your Mother Available on Netflix to

Searching for your next comfort show after rewatching How I Met Your Mother for the fifth time? You're not alone. The quest for Top Shows Like How I Met Your Mother Available on Netflix is a common pilgrimage for those who cherish witty banter, found families, and the rollercoaster of 20s and 30s adulthood. HIMYM wasn't just a sitcom; it was a masterclass in non-linear storytelling, an ode to New York City, and a deep dive into the friendships that shape us into who we become.
It skillfully blended laugh-out-loud humor with moments of profound nostalgia and heartfelt drama, all wrapped up in the overarching mystery of Ted Mosby's journey to meet the mother of his children. If you've exhausted every "Legen—wait for it—dary!" callback and are craving that same unique blend of camaraderie, romance, and life's messy lessons, Netflix has a surprisingly rich selection waiting for you.

At a Glance: Your Next Comfort Binge

• Direct Spin-off: How I Met Your Father offers a fresh take on the HIMYM formula.
• Found Family Focus: Friends, Modern Family, and New Girl nail the enduring power of chosen kin.
• Witty Dialogue & Quirky Characters: The Office (US), Brooklyn 99, and Parks and Recreation deliver sharp humor and lovable ensembles.
• Navigating Love & Adulting: Sex and the City and Jane the Virgin explore the complexities of modern relationships.
• Coming-of-Age & Nostalgia: That '70s Show and Dawson’s Creek capture the awkward beauty of growing up.
• The Netflix Advantage: All recommendations are available for streaming on Netflix US.

Why We Still Love HIMYM (And Why You're Looking for More)

For nine seasons, How I Met Your Mother captivated audiences with its innovative narrative style, clever running gags, and deeply relatable characters. We rooted for Ted's seemingly endless search for "the one," laughed at Barney's outrageous schemes, and teared up during Marshall and Lily's rock-solid relationship moments. Robin's independent spirit and career aspirations resonated, making the gang of five an aspirational and comforting group.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City, the show wasn't just about finding love; it was about navigating careers, dealing with heartbreaks, celebrating small victories, and, above all, the enduring power of friendship. The themes of loyalty, personal growth, and the sometimes-messy path to adulthood made it a cultural touchstone for young adults. It’s no wonder so many of us are on the hunt for something that captures that same lightning in a bottle. If you're looking for an official home for your HIMYM rewatches, you can Explore How I Met on Netflix.

Finding Your Next Binge: What Makes a Show "Like HIMYM"?

When you're searching for a show that truly fills the How I Met Your Mother-shaped hole in your heart, it helps to break down what made the original so special. It's rarely just one element, but a unique cocktail of ingredients:

The Power of the Found Family

HIMYM excelled at portraying a tight-knit group of friends who were more like family than their actual relatives. They shared everything – an apartment, life's biggest milestones, and countless inside jokes at their beloved booth at MacLaren's Pub. If your ideal show is built around an unbreakable bond between friends, this is a key similarity to look for.

Navigating Love, Dating, and Relationship Chaos

Ted's entire journey was a quest for true love, punctuated by hilarious dating mishaps, dramatic breakups, and the slow burn of finding "the one." The show explored the full spectrum of romantic relationships, from casual hookups to committed partnerships, always with humor and heart.

Sharp Wit & Endless Running Gags

From "Have you met Ted?" to "The Playbook," HIMYM was a master of comedic timing, clever callbacks, and running jokes that evolved over seasons. The dialogue was snappy, the situations often absurd, and the characters distinctively voiced. If you appreciate smart writing and laugh-out-loud moments, you'll want shows with similar comedic chops.

That Sweet Spot: The Twenties-to-Thirties Vibe

The series perfectly captured the anxieties and excitements of navigating life in your 20s and 30s – figuring out careers, moving to new cities, and grappling with the big questions of adulthood. It resonated with anyone who's ever felt a little lost but ultimately supported by their chosen family.

Unique Storytelling & A Sense of Place

HIMYM's non-linear narrative, flashbacks, flash-forwards, and unreliable narrator made it stand out. While few shows replicate this exactly, those that experiment with format or create a strong, memorable sense of place (like New York City) often share a similar imaginative spirit.

The Ultimate Lineup: Top Shows Like HIMYM on Netflix

Now, let's dive into the shows that capture the essence of How I Met Your Mother, available for your next binge on Netflix. We've grouped them by the primary aspect of HIMYM they echo most strongly.

Direct Spin-off & Spiritual Successors: Keeping the Legacy Alive

If you want something as close to HIMYM as possible, these are your go-to options.

1. How I Met Your Father

• Why it's like HIMYM: This is the most obvious pick! It mirrors HIMYM's core premise with an older Sophie (Kim Cattrall) narrating to her son how she met his father, setting the story in modern-day New York. Starring Hilary Duff as young Sophie, it explores the chaos of dating in the app era with a fresh, diverse cast. You'll find plenty of nods and easter eggs for fans of the original. It captures the same struggle to find love and purpose in your 20s, leaning heavily into the "found family" dynamic.
• HIMYM Flavor Profile: Non-linear storytelling, dating adventures, New York City setting, core friend group, heartwarming and humorous.

2. Friends

• Why it's like HIMYM: Many consider Friends the spiritual predecessor to HIMYM. Running for 10 seasons, this iconic sitcom follows six twenty-somethings (Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Ross, Joey, Chandler) in New York City. They navigate careers, relationships, and daily life, all while emphasizing the profound bond that friends form as family. It's recognized for its massive impact on pop culture and its timeless humor. The Central Perk couch is their MacLaren's booth, and their apartments are their shared living space.
• HIMYM Flavor Profile: Core friend group, New York City, dating & relationships, witty dialogue, long-running narrative of friendship.

For the Found Family & Friend Group Dynamics: Where Everybody Knows Your Name

These shows excel at portraying that strong, almost familial bond between friends or an unconventional family unit.
3. Modern Family

• Why it's like HIMYM: While not a "friends" group, Modern Family (a mockumentary sitcom) offers a unique and clever perspective on multi-generational family dynamics, often blurring the lines between family and friendship. It follows three interconnected families in Los Angeles: the Pritchett-Dunphys, Pritchett-Delgados, and Tucker-Pritchetts. Its humor is heartfelt and character-driven, and it beautifully explores love, acceptance, and the absurdities of everyday life. The ensemble cast, sharp writing, and mockumentary style give it a fresh feel that distinguishes it.
• HIMYM Flavor Profile: Heartfelt humor, strong character bonds, ensemble cast, life lessons. (Won the "Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy" in 2011).

4. New Girl

• Why it's like HIMYM: After a bad breakup, quirky teacher Jess Day (Zoe Deschanel) moves into an LA apartment with three single men. What ensues is a delightful exploration of friendship, romantic misadventures, and the challenges of navigating one's 20s and 30s through awkward encounters and genuinely heartfelt moments. The core group dynamic, the on-again-off-again romances, and the quirky humor make it feel very much in the HIMYM vein.
• HIMYM Flavor Profile: Core friend group, romantic entanglements, quirky humor, navigating early adulthood.

5. Happy Endings

• Why it's like HIMYM: This fast-paced and witty series is built entirely around a tight-knit group of friends whose dynamic is complicated when two of them, Alex and Dave, break up at the altar. Like HIMYM, it features clever banter, strong ensemble dynamics, and friendships that truly feel like family. It's a hidden gem for those who love quick-fire jokes and characters who genuinely adore each other, even when they're driving each other crazy.
• HIMYM Flavor Profile: Fast-paced witty humor, tight-knit friend group, romantic drama, ensemble dynamics.

6. Parks and Recreation

• Why it's like HIMYM: Another mockumentary, Parks and Recreation centers on Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler), a mid-level bureaucrat in Pawnee, Indiana's Parks and Recreation department, dedicated to improving her community. The show is renowned for its lovable characters, humorous plots, and a profound focus on friendships and relationships. While set in a workplace, the bonds formed among the quirky staff evolve into a chosen family, making it incredibly heartwarming and genuinely funny. (Won the "Television Critics Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy").
• HIMYM Flavor Profile: Lovable ensemble cast, strong friendships, character-driven humor, optimistic tone, exploring careers and adult life.

If You Love the Quirky Humor & Workplace Banter: Laughing Through Life's Absurdities

These shows deliver on the witty dialogue and eccentric characters that made HIMYM so rewatchable.
7. The Office (US)

• Why it's like HIMYM: While set in a workplace, this mockumentary-style series depicts the daily lives of office workers at Dunder Mifflin, a paper company, led by their eccentric boss, Michael Scott (Steve Carell). Like HIMYM, it's known for its well-scripted jokes, humorous plotlines, and a surprising depth that explores camaraderie and even romance in an unexpected setting. The core ensemble, the running gags, and the blend of cringe comedy with genuine heart are unmistakable.
• HIMYM Flavor Profile: Witty writing, quirky ensemble cast, running gags, humor with heart, relationship development within a core group.

8. Brooklyn 99

• Why it's like HIMYM: This sitcom blends humor with heart as it follows Jake Peralta, a talented but immature detective, and his eclectic squad in a New York City police precinct. Brooklyn 99 features witty writing, an incredibly lovable ensemble cast, and a focus on both professional and personal development. The found family dynamic within the precinct, the will-they-won't-they romantic tension, and the constant stream of clever jokes will instantly appeal to HIMYM fans.
• HIMYM Flavor Profile: Witty dialogue, ensemble cast, humor and heart, character development, relationships, a strong sense of place.

9. Seinfeld

• Why it's like HIMYM: Often described as "a show about nothing," this 9-season sitcom follows comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his eccentric circle of friends in New York City. Seinfeld transforms ordinary, everyday absurdities into comedy gold. If you appreciate sharp observational humor, clever writing, and a group of friends who endlessly dissect the minutiae of life, you'll find a lot to love here. It's a masterclass in character-driven comedy and paved the way for many modern sitcoms.
• HIMYM Flavor Profile: New York City setting, quirky friends, witty dialogue, observational humor, unique character dynamics.

Navigating Love, Sex & Big City Life: For the Romantic (and the Realist)

These series delve deep into the complexities of modern relationships, often set against a bustling urban backdrop.
10. Sex and the City

• Why it's like HIMYM: This iconic series focuses on advice columnist Carrie Bradshaw and her three best friends (Samantha, Miranda, Charlotte) in New York City. It chronicles modern womanhood, navigating friendship, relationships, sexual experiences, and personal growth in their 30s. Like HIMYM, it's set in NYC, features a tight-knit core group, and explicitly explores the search for love and self-discovery, albeit from a distinctly female perspective. The fashion, the city, and the frank discussions about dating are legendary.
• HIMYM Flavor Profile: New York City, strong female friendships, exploring dating and relationships, personal growth in 30s.

11. Jane the Virgin

• Why it's like HIMYM: This satirical romantic comedy-drama centers on Jane, a devout young woman who becomes pregnant through accidental artificial insemination. While its premise is wildly unique, Jane the Virgin shares HIMYM's heart, humor, and a strong focus on family (both blood and chosen), romance, and destiny. It brilliantly blends telenovela tropes with smart comedy and genuinely emotional storytelling, making for a compelling and often hilarious watch. Gina Rodriguez received critical acclaim for her performance.
• HIMYM Flavor Profile: Rom-com elements, focus on destiny and love, unique storytelling, family dynamics, humor.

Coming-of-Age & Nostalgia with a Twist: The Journey to Adulthood

If the journey of growing up and the nostalgic feel of HIMYM appeal to you, these shows offer similar vibes.
12. That ‘70s Show (1998-2006)

• Why it's like HIMYM: Set in Wisconsin during the 1970s, this comedy follows a group of teenagers as they experience high school life, including heartbreaks, peer pressure, and conflicts with parents. The show strongly highlights the importance of friendship and the awkwardness of coming of age, much like HIMYM captured the next stage of life. It’s funny, nostalgic, and deeply character-driven, making you feel like part of the gang.
• HIMYM Flavor Profile: Strong friendship themes, coming-of-age, humor, romantic relationships, ensemble cast.

13. The Inbetweeners (2009-11)

• Why it's like HIMYM: A British coming-of-age sitcom detailing the misadventures of four suburban teenagers at "Rudge Park Comprehensive." Themes include school life, friendship, lad culture, and comically unsuccessful sexual encounters. If you appreciate the awkward, cringe-worthy humor blended with genuine friendship that sometimes surfaced in HIMYM's flashback episodes, The Inbetweeners delivers it in spades with a distinctly British edge.
• HIMYM Flavor Profile: Strong male friendships, coming-of-age humor, romantic misadventures, relatable awkwardness.

14. One Tree Hill (2003-2013)

• Why it's like HIMYM: This teen drama focuses on half-brothers Lucas and Nathan Scott, who initially are adversaries but form a bond as they share struggles, including a love triangle and playing on the same basketball team. While more dramatic than HIMYM, it shares the long-running narrative of characters growing up, navigating complex relationships, and emphasizing family solidarity amidst teen angst. The show is rich with character development and emotional storylines.
• HIMYM Flavor Profile: Long-running character development, complex relationships, family themes, coming-of-age drama.

15. The O.C. (2003-2007)

• Why it's like HIMYM: Also known as "Orange County," this series follows Ryan Atwood, a troubled teenager adopted by an affluent family in Newport Beach, California. It explores themes of class difference, his experience as an outsider, and his relationships with his surrogate brother Seth and neighbors. Like HIMYM, it focuses on a core group navigating the complexities of relationships and self-discovery during their formative years, albeit with a more dramatic, sun-drenched Californian backdrop.
• HIMYM Flavor Profile: Coming-of-age, complex relationships, strong sense of place, character-driven drama.

16. Dawson’s Creek (1998-2003)

• Why it's like HIMYM: This coming-of-age drama, popular in the late 1990s, revolves around Dawson (James Van Der Beek) and his friends, tracing their lives from high school through college. It is recognized for its relatable characters and for popularizing the teen drama genre. If you appreciated the deeper emotional arcs and relationship explorations within HIMYM, Dawson's Creek offers a similar journey of self-discovery and evolving friendships, focusing heavily on dialogue and character introspection.
• HIMYM Flavor Profile: Coming-of-age, relatable characters, deep emotional arcs, navigating friendships and relationships.

17. Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001-2015)

• Why it's like HIMYM: As the longest-running series (14 seasons) of the "Degrassi" franchise, this Canadian teen drama is a pop culture phenomenon. It covers the comprehensive spectrum of students' teen years at Degrassi Community School, addressing relationships, sexuality, and taboo issues such as teen pregnancy, bullying, drug abuse, and mental disorders. While more serious and direct in its approach to "life lessons," it shares HIMYM's long-term character development, focus on friendships, and the navigation of formative years.
• HIMYM Flavor Profile: Long-term character arcs, comprehensive exploration of relationships, coming-of-age, strong friendships, dealing with real-life issues.

Beyond the Binge: How to Pick Your Next Series

With so many excellent options, how do you choose? Think about what you cherished most about How I Met Your Mother:

• Is it the laughs? Lean towards Brooklyn 99, The Office, or Happy Endings.
• Is it the enduring friendships? Friends, New Girl, or Modern Family might be your ideal.
• Are you captivated by the dating drama and big city vibe? Sex and the City or How I Met Your Father are perfect.
• Do you love seeing characters grow and change over time? Consider That '70s Show, One Tree Hill, or even the long-running Degrassi.
• Did you enjoy the narrative twists? How I Met Your Father and Jane the Virgin play with storytelling.
  Don't be afraid to sample a few episodes from different shows. Sometimes, it just takes one character or one perfectly delivered line to hook you.

Common Questions About HIMYM-esque Shows

Q: Are all these shows exactly like How I Met Your Mother?

A: No show is an exact replica, but they share core elements like strong ensemble casts, a focus on friendships and relationships, humor, and themes of navigating adulthood. How I Met Your Father is the closest in structure and premise.

Q: Do any of these shows have a mystery like "who is the mother?"

A: How I Met Your Father directly continues this narrative device with Sophie's story. While others don't have an overarching mystery, many build anticipation around character relationships and life paths, offering their own forms of narrative suspense.

Q: Which show has the best witty banter?

A: Happy Endings is renowned for its rapid-fire dialogue. Brooklyn 99, The Office, and Seinfeld also offer consistently sharp, clever writing that HIMYM fans will appreciate.

Q: Are these shows suitable for all ages?

A: Most of these shows are geared towards young adults and adults due to themes of dating, relationships, and mature humor. Parental guidance is suggested for younger viewers, especially for shows like Sex and the City or The Inbetweeners which are more explicit.

Your Next Comfort Show Awaits

The beauty of How I Met Your Mother lies in its ability to make us feel like we're part of Ted, Marshall, Lily, Robin, and Barney's lives, sharing in their triumphs and heartbreaks. While nothing can truly replace that iconic series, Netflix offers a treasure trove of shows that capture different facets of its charm.
Whether you're looking for more laughs, deeper dives into relationships, or another found family to fall in love with, your next comfort binge is ready and waiting. Grab your favorite snack, settle in, and prepare to embark on a new adventure with characters who just might become as legendary in your heart as the gang from MacLaren's Pub.