Jokes about death, sex and parodies of superheroes: 15 best TV series with dark humor.

From The Addams Family to Fargo.

15. The Addams Family

The Addams Family

• USA, 1964-1966.
• Comedy, horror.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 7.9.

The unusual Addams family lives in a creepy castle. Mother Morticia loves to grow poisonous plants, gloomy daughter Wednesday conducts dangerous experiments. There is also Uncle Fester, who generates electricity, and the butler Lurch, who is very similar to Frankenstein's monster . Of course, amazing and even frightening events are constantly happening in the house.

Artist Charles Addams created the famous characters back in 1938 in comic book form for The New Yorker magazine. The grotesque characters parodied the typical American family: they seemed to come from a horror movie, but at the same time they love and appreciate each other.

The ABC series was the first comic book adaptation. And after that, “The Addams Family” was transferred to the screens many times: there were both full-length films and animated versions.

14. Dead like me

Dead Like Me

• Canada, USA, 2003–2004.
• Comedy, drama, fantasy.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.1.

An eighteen-year-old girl named George considered her life boring and monotonous. Until she was killed by a toilet seat that fell from the Mir space station. But after the heroine’s death, the most interesting thing begins: she becomes a reaper and collects the souls of dead people with her colleagues.

This project was created by Bryan Fuller, the future author of Hannibal and American Gods . And already in “Dead Like Me” the author demonstrated his love for beautiful photography. But it’s much more interesting that the series is filled with a mixture of black humor about death with discussions about the meaning of life, the afterlife and other controversial topics.

13. Garbage

Misfits

• UK, 2009–2013.
• Science fiction, comedy, drama.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.2.

Five hooligans are sent to correctional labor for minor offenses. Suddenly they are caught in a strong storm and after being struck by lightning they gain super powers. At the same time, the heroes have difficulty controlling them, and one of them cannot even understand what ability he got. But the main thing is that they all remain dysfunctional teenagers and do not plan to use their powers for good.

The British project clearly parodies typical stories where people with superpowers immediately come to the defense of humanity. The characters here are stupid and love to break the law. This leads to many funny and often obscene situations.

12. Barry

Barry

• USA, 2018 - present.
• Comedy, crime.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.3.

Former Marine Barry became a hitman after his service . To complete his next task, he needs to pretend to be an amateur actor and join a small theater troupe. Barry soon realizes that acting on stage is his calling.

The series was created by comedian Bill Hader, who himself played the main role. His Barry is a bright character, combining the cynicism of an assassin and a complete inability to communicate with people. Moreover, in his behavior and even in his clothes, he clearly refers to the main character of the series “Dexter”.

11. Damn service at the MES hospital

M*A*S*H

• USA, 1972–1983.
• Drama, comedy, military.
• Duration: 11 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.4.

The series is set during the Korean War. A group of field doctors are faced with the most terrible events every day. However, they manage to maintain their wit and optimism even in such dark times.

The series was created against the backdrop of the success of the film “Military Field Hospital MES”, although in the television version all the leading actors were replaced. The project combines a realistic drama about the horrors of war and an eccentric comedy with colorful characters.

10. Louis

Louie

• USA, 2010–2015.
• Drama, comedy.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.5.

Comedian Louis divorced his wife and is raising two daughters alone. In parallel with performances in various clubs, he is trying to somehow improve his personal life: he meets girls and goes on dates. Most often unsuccessful.

Louis CK came up with this project as a reflection of his own life. The biography of his on-screen character partially coincides with the real facts from the author’s life, but some details differ greatly. Moreover, this is not the comedian’s first attempt to create such a project: back in 2006, he launched the series “Lucky Louis,” but it lasted only one season on the screens. But the new version became very successful and brought C.K. more than a dozen nominations and several Emmy awards.

9. Shameless

Shameless

• USA, 2011–2021.
• Drama, comedy.
• Duration: 11 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.5.

Single father Frank, who heads the poor Gallagher family, is a thief, an alcoholic and just a mean person. Therefore, the eldest daughter Fiona has to look after her family, looking for any opportunity to earn money. Except she has five brothers and sisters, and each has their own problems.

The first season of Shameless is based on the British project of the same name. But then the two popular series diverged further and further in their plots, delving into the typical life of each country. As a result, both lasted 11 seasons. But the Russian analogue, released in 2017, did not go further than the first.

8. What we do in the shadows

What We Do in the Shadows

• USA, 2019 - present.
• Comedy, horror.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.5.

Three ancient bloodsuckers live in modern New York on Staten Island, and an unusual energy vampire lives with them . The heroes learn to survive in the society of the 21st century and still dream of taking over the world or at least the surrounding area.

The series is based on the film of the same name by Taika Waititi (it was translated into Russian as “Real Ghouls”). He also shows the life of vampires in a pseudo-documentary manner, parodying all kinds of horror films. Moreover, the television version does not copy the moves of the original, but develops the comedy world. Characters from the film even make brief appearances in the spin-off.

7. Fleabag

Fleabag

• UK, 2016–2019.
• Drama, comedy.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.7.

The heroine, nicknamed Fleabag (that is, Fleabag), constantly quarrels with her family, sleeps indiscriminately with men and even loses her beloved friend. But he stubbornly continues to fight loneliness and seeks himself in the modern world. This is what it tells the viewer about directly from the screen.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge came up with this series based on her one-woman show and herself played the main role in the film adaptation. The project combines crude comedy with jokes about sex and death and a dark drama about loneliness. After the first season on the BBC, Fleabag became a hit: the project was purchased by Amazon Prime, and the authors collected literally all the series awards.

6. Developmental delay

Arrested Development

• USA, 2003–2018.
• Comedy, drama.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.7.

Michael Bluth, from a very wealthy family, lived quietly for many years. But then it turned out that his father had not paid taxes for a long time, for which he went to prison. Now it is Michael who must keep the family business afloat and try to reconcile his family.

The Russo brothers, future directors of the final parts of Marvel's Avengers , worked on this series . Moreover, at first the project did not show very high ratings, and it was closed after the third season. But over time, Arrested Development became a cult favorite, and the show was brought back.

5. The client is always dead

Six Feet Under

• USA, 2001–2005.
• Drama, comedy.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.7.

After the death of his father, Nate Fisher becomes the owner of his business - a funeral agency. But the hero will have to manage an already difficult task together with strange relatives.

It's clear from the outset that much of the show's humor comes from jokes about death: almost all episodes begin with the death of a minor character. And then the characters allegedly talk with the deceased, discussing all sorts of controversial topics: from religion to relationships.

4. Curb your enthusiasm

Curb Your Enthusiasm

• USA, 2000 - present.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 10 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.7.

Already middle-aged Larry David comes up with scripts for TV series. However, he is hampered by laziness and constant neurosis. Therefore, Larry plays golf more often, trying to take time off from business. But the hero has a wife who will always force him to come to his senses.

As with Louie, the hero of this series is a grotesque portrait of its author. The real Larry David, the creator of the legendary Seinfeld , plays himself. At the same time, he talks about the dark sides of show business and problems associated with age.

3. Boys

The Boys

• USA, 2019 - present.
• Drama, action.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.7.

The superheroes, united in the “Seven,” fight crime, and at the same time star in films and commercials. It seems that they are protecting the world, but in fact, these stars with superpowers have long been mired in vices. One of the members of the Seven accidentally kills the girlfriend of the main character, Huey. Then he joins the team of Billy Butcher, a former special agent who wants to put superheroes in their place.

The most popular series from Amazon is based on the comics of the same name by Garth Ennis, but the authors have modernized the action, showing more current issues. “The Boys” combines a parody of superhero TV series with grotesque cruelty and dark humor, which captivated viewers.

2. It's always sunny in Philadelphia

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

• USA, 2005 - present.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 14 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.8.

Four friends open an Irish bar in a poor area of ​​Philadelphia. The heroes can hardly be called models of piety: they constantly lie and are rude to each other and use every opportunity to set their comrades up. This regularly leads to ridiculous situations.

The sitcom , filled with crude jokes, has been airing since 2005. It has already been renewed for a 15th season, making It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia the longest-running show in the genre. Previously, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, published from 1952 to 1966, held the palm.

1. Fargo

Fargo

• USA, 2014 - present.
• Comedy, crime, drama.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.9.

Each season of the anthology tells a new story related to crime and ridiculous criminals. A loser meets a killer and tries to hide the murder of his wife, a simple girl accidentally knocks over the son of a mafioso , a klutz wants to rob his twin brother, and clans of blacks and Italians go to war because of an accident.

Formally, the series is based on the film of the same name by the Coen brothers. But even the first season of Fargo doesn't follow the original in terms of plot. The authors only take the atmosphere of the works of famous directors: ridiculous criminals get into the stupidest troubles through their own fault.

What series with dark humor do you like? Do you like parody stories or jokes about death? If your favorite project is not on this list, tell us about it in the comments.