10 Family Shows as Heartwarming as Young Sheldon but Funnier

1. About a Boy (2014-2015)

A man-child and an actual child becoming best buds. Will Freeman (David Walton) is a 30-something songwriter living a carefree life off his royalties. Enter Marcus (Benjamin Stockham), a quirky 11-year-old who moves in next door with his vegan, overprotective mom. Will initially befriends Marcus to impress a lady but ends up genuinely caring for the kid. They share awkward playdates, help Marcus stand up to bullies, and even collaborate on a cringy but adorable school talent show.

2. Malcolm in the Middle (2000-2006)

Who wouldn't want a peek inside the life of a dysfunctional family? Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) is a gifted kid stuck in a family of oddballs. There's his control-freak mom, Lois; his immature dad, Hal; and his brothers, Reese, Dewey, and Francis, who bring their own flavors of chaos. The family struggles through issues like money problems, school dilemmas, and absurd adventures like Hal taking up bodybuilding.

3. The Detour (2016-2019)

Nate Parker (Jason Jones) plans a road trip for his wife Robin (Natalie Zea) and their kids. Except nothing goes as planned. Basically, a family road trip goes horribly, horribly wrong. They get sidetracked by bizarre characters, end up in a strip club by mistake, and accidentally crash a political rally. Throughout it all, they deal with secrets and confront uncomfortable truths, making it a journey they won't forget.

4. The Goldbergs (2013-2023)

The 80s were a weird time, and the Goldbergs showcase that beautifully. This family, led by smother-mother Beverly and her more relaxed husband, Murray, get through daily life one pop-culture reference at a time. There's also the youngest son, Adam, who films his family's life, serving us some hilarious archival footage. Episodes focus on relatable milestones like learning to drive and tackling school dances, but with that unmistakable 80s flair.

5. Black-ish (2014-2022)

Living in a mostly white, upper-middle-class neighborhood, Dre Johnson (Anthony Anderson) worries that his kids are losing touch with their African-American heritage. Cue "life lessons" on everything from police discrimination to the importance of Juneteenth. His wife, Rainbow, often serves as the voice of reason, balancing Dre's sometimes over-the-top teaching methods.

6. The Middle (2009-2018)

Living in the fictional Orson, Indiana, the Hecks, a middle-class family, is the epitome of dysfunction but in the most charming way. There's Frankie, the mom who tries but mostly fails to be the domestic goddess; Mike, the stoic dad; Axl, the lazy eldest son; Sue, the eternally optimistic daughter; and Brick, the quirky youngest who whispers to himself. These characters deal with relatable woes like forgotten birthdays, disastrous vacations, and yep, even a disastrous attempt at camping.

7. Raising Hope (2010-2014)

Jimmy Chance is a 23-year-old pool cleaner who unexpectedly becomes a dad after a one-night stand with a wanted felon. Jimmy decides to raise his daughter, Hope, with the help of his wacky family, including his clueless dad, Burt, and eccentric yet loving mom, Virginia. It's touching to watch Jimmy learn the ropes of parenthood, from diaper disasters to baby-proofing the house, all while under the somewhat questionable guidance of his own parents.

8. Speechless (2016-2019)

What happens when you put a family that refuses to be ordinary into extraordinary situations? You get Speechless. The series centers on the DiMeo family, particularly J.J., a teenager with cerebral palsy, and his relationship with his unconventional mom, Maya. Maya moves the family to a rundown house just so J.J. can attend a school that accommodates his special needs.

9. The Mick (2017-2018)

Ever thought of ditching your mess of a life to take over someone else's? That's exactly what Mickey does when she finds out her wealthy sister and brother-in-law have fled the country to escape fraud charges. Suddenly, Mickey is left to care for her spoiled niece and nephews in their posh mansion. She's no Mary Poppins, let me tell you. There are disasters with cleaning, cooking, and let's not even talk about school events.

10. Last Man Standing (2011-2021)

Think of Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor, but in a more politically charged atmosphere. Mike Baxter (Tim Allen) is a conservative dad living in a house full of women, including his wife and three daughters. The show delves into Mike's efforts to maintain his manliness while dealing with female-centric issues like dating drama and emotions. His video blogs, which he creates for his job at a sporting goods store, offer a hilarious take on his daily family life and views.