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A sitcom, short for “situational comedy,” is a comedic TV show that generally revolves around the same characters from episode to episode and season to season. The show is usually set in a realistic setting, like an apartment, bar, or city. We get to know these characters as the seasons pass and watch them stumble their way through goofy and often relatable scenarios. There are plenty of tropes that we expect but come to love, like the disastrous vacation or the will they/won’t they relationships. If we’re lucky, we’ll even get a movie, spin-off series, or a reunion years down the road!

Now, brace yourselves as we unveil the top five highest-grossing sitcoms of all time. Will your all-time favorite make the cut? Let’s find out!

1: The Simpsons

The Simpsons is a long-running animated TV series created by Matt Groening. The show centers around the Simpson family—Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie—who live in the fictional town of Springfield. Known for its satirical humor, the series explores various aspects of American culture, society, and family life. Each character’s distinctive quirks contribute to the show’s enduring popularity. Homer, the bumbling but lovable father; Marge, the nurturing mother; Bart, the mischievous son; Lisa, the intelligent and activist daughter; and Maggie, the quiet yet observant baby, together create a rich, comedic, and often poignant narrative.

Are we surprised this made number one? With 35 seasons, this animated series has been running since 1989 with no end in sight. Each voice actor makes hundreds of thousands of dollars per episode, and The Simpsons Movie grossed around $536 million at the box office. Also, the show has made around $8 billion in merchandising sales! Now that is a successful TV show.

2: Friends

Friends is a beloved sitcom that aired from 1994 to 2004, focusing on the lives of six friends—Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe, and Joey—in New York City. The show explores their personal and professional experiences, laced with humor and light-hearted romance. Known for its witty dialogue and iconic catchphrases, Friends delves into themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery. Each character’s distinct personality, from Rachel’s fashion-forward charm to Chandler’s sarcastic humor, contributes to the show’s memorable and timeless appeal.

Despite the show ending twenty years ago, it remains popular through streaming services and YouTube mashups. For many, it’s a comfort show that brings up feelings of nostalgia and an escape from everyday life. In the last two years of the show’s run, each actor made $1 million per episode, and they continue to make millions from the reruns and their percentage of the syndication revenue (money made from selling the rights to show the series on different networks, streaming platforms, etc.). In 2021, Friends: The Reunion was released, bringing all the main characters back to reminisce about that beloved decade (and bringing in another $3-4 million for each of the six cast members).

3: Modern Family

Modern Family is an American sitcom that aired from 2009 to 2020. The show follows the lives of the diverse and interconnected Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker family. This includes the patriarch Jay Pritchett, his younger Colombian wife Gloria, and their son Manny; Jay’s daughter Claire, her husband Phil Dunphy, and their three children; and Jay’s son Mitchell, his husband Cameron Tucker, and their adopted daughter Lily. Known for its mockumentary style, witty humor, and heartfelt moments, Modern Family explores contemporary family dynamics and societal themes with a blend of comedy and warmth.

Some of the main actors, like Sofia Vergara and Ty Burrell, earned $500,000 per episode in the last season. Even some of the younger stars, like Sarah Hyland and Ariel Winter, were making six figures by the show’s end.

4: The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019) revolves around a group of friends who are brilliant but socially awkward scientists interacting with each other and the world around them. The main characters include physicists Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter, aerospace engineer Howard Wolowitz, and astrophysicist Rajesh Koothrappali. The show’s humor often stems from their geeky interests and relationships, particularly with Penny, their neighbor and an aspiring actress. Running for 12 seasons, the series delves into themes of friendship, love, and scientific discovery, all while offering a comedic glimpse into the lives of modern-day geniuses.

By the show’s end, the lead actors earned a combined total of around $4.5 million per episode. CBS also earned hundreds of millions of dollars per season through ad revenues, $1 billion through syndication revenues, and plenty more through merchandising revenue. The show’s success led to a spin-off, Young Sheldon (2017-2024), chronicling the childhood of Sheldon Cooper. The series highlights Sheldon’s extraordinary intellect and unique personality as he navigates the challenges of growing up in East Texas, supported by his family and friends.

5: Cheers

Cheers is a beloved American sitcom that aired from 1982 to 1993. Set in a Boston bar named Cheers, the show revolves around the bar’s owner, Sam Malone, a retired baseball player, and his group of patrons and staff. The ensemble cast includes memorable characters like Diane Chambers, Rebecca Howe, Carla Tortelli, and Norm Peterson. Known for its witty dialogue and warm, character-driven stories, Cheers explores themes of friendship, love, and the ups and downs of everyday life. Its success led to three spin-offs, Frasier, and it remains a classic in television history.

This series is one of the few sitcoms that has arguably aged well. It tackles important issues, such as feminism, and its characters are generally kind and corny. Its relatability carries across generations, exposing more people to its lack of problematic characters and plot developments. Since 1982, Cheers has earned NBC around $500 million in ad revenues, and Ted Danson (who played Sam Malone) earned around $500,000 per episode.

Did you see your favorite sitcom on the list? Which sitcom do you think deserves a spot? Do you think it’s The Office, with Michael Scott’s cringy antics? Or is it Seinfeld, the witty “show about nothing?” Thankfully, because of streaming services, we can continue watching our favorite comfort shows and hear that familiar laugh track.