10 Shows & Movies Like Community (2009)

Description: Like 'Community', blends surreal fantasy sequences with grounded emotional storytelling. Both feature a lovable man-child protagonist (Jeff/JD) learning to grow up, supported by an eccentric found family. The shows share a similar balance of silly humor with unexpectedly poignant moments.

Fact: The janitor was originally only supposed to appear in one episode but became a series regular. Most medical cases were based on real stories from show creator Bill Lawrence's doctor friends. The famous 'Guy Love' musical number was almost cut for being too bizarre.

Description: Like 'Community', 'Arrested Development' is known for its clever writing, meta-humor, and eccentric characters. Both shows employ a fast-paced, joke-heavy style with layered references and callbacks that reward attentive viewers. The dysfunctional family dynamic in 'Arrested Development' mirrors the found family aspect of 'Community's' study group.

Fact: The show was almost canceled after its first season due to low ratings but was saved by critical acclaim and awards. Ron Howard's narration was originally intended to be temporary but became a signature element. The banana stand ('There's always money in the banana stand!') has become one of TV's most iconic running gags.

Description: While darker in tone, shares 'Community's' love of absurd premises and characters who enable each other's worst tendencies. Both shows deconstruct sitcom tropes - where 'Community' is warm about its misfits, 'Sunny' revels in their awfulness. The experimental episodes (e.g., 'The Gang Tries Desperately to Win an Award') parallel 'Community's' genre experiments.

Fact: The show was originally rejected by FX for being 'too dark' until Danny DeVito joined the cast. Charlie Day writes many of his character's illiterate moments based on real notes from his contractor father. The infamous 'D.E.N.N.I.S. System' episode was inspired by a real pickup artist methodology.

Description: Both are hyper-referential, joke-dense sitcoms about dysfunctional workplaces with eccentric characters. Like Dan Harmon, Tina Fey creates a very specific comedic voice that blends absurdity with emotional sincerity. The meta-humor about show business parallels 'Community's' meta-commentary about sitcom tropes.

Fact: Tracy Morgan ad-libbed many of his character's craziest lines. The show features over 100 celebrity cameos, including one where Jon Hamm plays a ridiculously handsome version of Liz Lemon's boyfriend. Kenneth the page is theoretically immortal according to series lore.

Description: Shares 'Community's' optimistic tone about flawed people trying to do good, with a similar mockumentary style (though 'Community' breaks the fourth wall more subtly). Both feature an ensemble cast with distinct, lovable quirks and celebrate the joy of friendship in unconventional workplaces (city government/community college).

Fact: The character of Leslie Knope was originally conceived as a female version of Michael Scott from 'The Office'. Chris Pratt was only supposed to appear in a few episodes as Andy Dwyer but became a series regular due to fan love. The show's fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana has an elaborate fake history including wars with neighboring Eagleton.

Description: Shares 'Community's' rapid-fire pop culture references and eccentric friend group dynamics, with similarly dense joke-writing. Both shows play with sitcom conventions while maintaining emotional stakes in the friendships. The ensemble chemistry and willingness to let characters be weirdly specific are comparable.

Fact: The show was originally conceived as a more traditional rom-com about the engaged couple. Damon Wayans Jr. had to leave the cast after the pilot because of 'Happy Endings' getting picked up. 'Ah-mah-zing' and other catchphrases entered actual Chicago slang due to the show's popularity there.

Description: Like 'Community', centers on an eccentric group of misfits forming a surrogate family, with a similar mix of quirky humor and emotional sincerity. Both shows feature protagonists who grow through their friendships (Jess/Jeff) and have memorable supporting ensembles where every character gets standout moments.

Fact: Zooey Deschanel was pregnant twice during filming, hidden by props like giant purses. The 'True American' drinking game was completely improvised in its first appearance. Prince appeared as himself after being a fan of the show.

Description: Shares 'Community's' balance of heartfelt character moments with absurd humor, plus a diverse ensemble where every character gets memorable quirks and arcs. Both shows use their settings (police precinct/community college) as springboards for genre parodies and unconventional storytelling.

Fact: Andre Braugher's deadpan delivery as Captain Holt was inspired by Mr. Spock from Star Trek. The Halloween heist episodes became an annual tradition due to fan popularity. The show was famously canceled by Fox after 5 seasons then revived by NBC due to fan outcry.

Description: Shares 'Community's' setting of oddballs thrown together in a mundane environment (big-box store/community college), with similar workplace-as-family dynamics. Both use their locations to comment on societal issues while maintaining a joke-per-minute sitcom pace with heart.

Fact: Many background customer incidents were based on real retail worker stories. America Ferrera directed several episodes in later seasons. The show's COVID finale was one of the first sitcoms to address the pandemic directly.

Description: Like 'Community', features high-concept storytelling with philosophical depth disguised as a sitcom. Both shows reinvent their formats dramatically (the study group dynamics/the afterlife twists) and reward viewers for paying attention to subtle details. The found family dynamics and moral growth arcs are similar.

Fact: The show's philosophy consultants included actual Harvard ethics professors. Ted Danson had never done physical comedy before his role as Michael. The frozen yogurt joke is a subtle dig at L.A.'s obsession with 'healthy' desserts.