Abbott Elementary
If the mockumentary format was your favorite part of 'Modern Family,' your next stop has to be 'Abbott Elementary'. This critically acclaimed sitcom trades the family home for an underfunded Philadelphia public school, but the DNA is strikingly similar.
The show follows a group of dedicated, quirky teachers as a documentary crew captures their daily struggles and triumphs. Creator and star Quinta Brunson plays Janine Teagues, an eternally optimistic second-grade teacher whose earnestness is the show's beating heart—much like Phil Dunphy's was. It has the same blend of laugh-out-loud moments and surprising warmth, proving that a workplace can feel just as much like a chaotic, loving family. The knowing glances to the camera feel like a welcome return to a beloved style.
Life in Pieces
Perhaps the most structurally similar show to 'Modern Family' on this list is 'Life in Pieces'. The series, which ran for four seasons, chronicles the lives of three generations of the Short family. While it's not a mockumentary, its unique format will feel instantly familiar. Each episode is divided into four short stories, with each segment focusing on a different branch of the family. This structure allows for the same kind of multi-perspective storytelling that made 'Modern Family' so dynamic, giving you glimpses into the lives of the patriarch and matriarch (played by legends James Brolin and Dianne Wiest), their three adult children, and their respective families. It’s a show about the small, relatable, and often absurd moments that make up a family’s life.
Schitt's Creek
On the surface, a story about a wealthy family losing their fortune and being forced to live in a rundown motel might not scream 'Modern Family'. But at its core, 'Schitt's Creek' is a show about a dysfunctional family learning to become a functional one. The Roses—Johnny, Moira, David, and Alexis—start as pampered, disconnected individuals but are forced by circumstance to rediscover their love and reliance on one another. The show brilliantly balances razor-sharp, character-driven humor with an incredible amount of heart. Over six seasons, you witness the family's hilarious and often touching transformation from strangers sharing a last name to a deeply bonded unit. If you loved watching the Pritchetts and Dunphys navigate their complicated relationships with love and laughter, the Roses' journey will be a deeply rewarding watch.
Home Economics
The financial and lifestyle gap between Jay's household, Claire's, and Mitchell's was a constant source of comedic tension in 'Modern Family'. 'Home Economics' takes that concept and makes it the central premise. The show revolves around three adult siblings: one who is a millionaire, one who is solidly middle-class, and one who is barely scraping by. Narrated by the middle sibling, a novelist played by Topher Grace, the series explores how money complicates and defines their relationships in hilarious and relatable ways. It tackles the awkwardness and love that exists between family members on different rungs of the economic ladder. With its sharp observational humor and focus on the messy reality of modern sibling dynamics, it feels like a spiritual successor for anyone who loved the 'modern' aspect of 'Modern Family'.
