8 Best Sitcoms From the 80s, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes

There are dozens of new exciting sitcoms produced every year, but sometimes all you need is a good old-fashioned classic.

Based on Rotten Tomatoes, we've compiled a list of the best sitcoms from the 80s that are sure to delight you with their timeless humor.

8. ALF (1986, 4 seasons)

The plot revolves around a fluffy and eccentric cat-eater from another planet who accidentally finds himself in the home of an ordinary American family. This is one of the funniest, lightest, and kindest series ever (if you disregard Alf's constant urge to eat the family cat) — and a true classic.

7. Only Fools and Horses (1981, 7 seasons)

The series follows the lives of two enterprising brothers from South London facing ups and downs in their business as they try to get rich. Though it didn't receive high ratings initially, the show gained cult status and became a major influence on British pop culture.

6. Family Ties (1982, 7 seasons)

Family Ties is about a liberal family with three children — except that one of them is a strong supporter of Reagan's Republican policies. The sitcom is praised for its realistic portrayal of US families and their political views, and Michael J. Fox gives a hilarious performance as a caricature conservative.

5. Cheers (1982, 11 seasons)

The series focuses on the daily lives of the employees and customers of a Boston bar. One of the most popular shows in television history, Cheers is still remembered and loved for its colorful characters and humor.

4. Mork & Mindy (1978, 4 seasons)

Like ALF, this series focuses on the relationship between Mork, an alien stranded in 70s Colorado, and Mindy, a young journalist who helps him understand Earth customs. The chemistry between the two leads, Robin Williams and Pam Dawber, is hilarious and will surely make you love the sitcom.

3. The Golden Girls (1985, 7 seasons)

The show follows the friendship and daily adventures of four elderly women who share a house in Miami. The Golden Girls boasts a great cast, an awesome script, and millions of views — and it can delight modern viewers too.

2. The Young Ones (1982, 2 seasons)

The show's main characters are four young housemates — a nice guy, a punk, an anarchist, and a hippie. Exploring the lives and political views of the youth of the time, The Young Ones had a major impact on British pop culture in the 1980s.

1. Married… With Children (1987, 11 seasons)

This is a classic American sitcom about the Bundy family, consisting of a misogynistic father who is nostalgic for his former sports career, a stay-at-home mother who doesn't care about home and family, and their two children. The series satirizes the typical suburban family and was a huge hit, running for 11 seasons between 1987 and 1997.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes.