When New Girl first aired in 2011, many viewers immediately fell in love with Zooey Deschanel’s quirky and colorful character, Jessica Day. The young elementary teacher is authentically herself in every setting, she speaks (or sings) her mind at all hours of the day, and she is always trying to turn people’s frowns upside down. What’s not to love?
The concept of the modern sitcom clearly draws inspiration from Friends, the beloved ’90s series, as it follows an ensemble cast of friends in their 20s and 30s, who are all trying to manage their careers and love lives while also figuring out their passions. Fans find New Girl very comforting because it reminds them that there is not a single timeline that works for everyone. Falling in love, finding the perfect job, and settling down to have children are things that can happen at any point in life, but all that matters is that you have fun on the journey.
These life lessons are happily being adopted by several shows as writers are embracing offbeat characters who can manage funny situations as well as serious ones. Whether you are looking for a new series that has kooky characters who will make you laugh or a relatable show that reminds you it is okay to not have it all together, the following 20 TV shows are very similar to New Girl.
New Girl
- Release Date
- September 20, 2011
- Seasons
- 7
20 Schitt’s Creek (2015-2020)
Eugene and Dan Levy’s Schitt’s Creek is chaotic and hilarious all at the same time, and you will find that it is really hard to choose a favorite character. As the Rose family goes from living a glamorous lifestyle to residing in a motel without a penny to their name, they each must learn to make sacrifices and accept their new lives. However, nothing is as easy as their former housekeepers, cooks, and assistants made things look, so the transition to everyday living takes quite some time.
How It’s Like New Girl
Both New Girl and Schitt’s Creek are made up of eccentric and overly dramatic characters — indeed, Schmidt might as well consider himself David and Alexis’ long-lost brother because of how well he could fit in with the family. While New Girl focuses on 30-something-year-olds growing up and figuring out how to be successful, Schitt’s Creek takes the “growing up” aspect just one step further by showing how Johnny and Moira also have to humble themselves and embrace a new lifestyle. Stream on Hulu
19 Friends (1994-2004)
Friends
- Release Date
- September 22, 1994
When Friends first aired in 1994, a new bar was set for sitcoms. Rather than focus on the traditional family setting or follow two romantically invested people in their roller-coaster-like relationship, the series presented the idea that a group of attractive young adults could get along even at varying stages in their careers and love lives. From horrible scandals that are still debated today to heartfelt one-liners, Friends will certainly go down in history as one of the greatest sitcoms of all time.
How It’s Like New Girl
In the words of Gen Z: Friends walked, so New Girl could run. Friends will forever be a nostalgic classic that broke the barrier of sitcoms and allowed audiences to see people in their 20s and 30s struggle with their careers, love lives, and even friendships. New Girl happily followed suit with many of the themes found in Friends, but it was appropriately made for its time with even more colorful characters. Stream on Max
18 2 Broke Girls (2011-2017)
Writer and director of Sex and the City Michael King knows there is natural chemistry when opposites collide in a friendship, so when he and Whitney Cummings created the street smart and scary Max, who would befriend the formerly rich and spoiled Caroline, fans went nuts. The girls’ personalities perfectly complement one another while they join forces and try to start a cupcake business together in 2 Broke Girls. For six seasons, audiences follow the ups and downs of their start-up, and eventually, the girls learn that there is nothing more important than their friendship.
How It’s Like New Girl
While 2 Broke Girls is more about the crude jokes and sexualizes its characters, there are actually quite a few similarities to New Girl. Both sitcoms feature women who are working towards something, but they are occasionally thrown back to square one. Max and Caroline sometimes have to start over with their savings for their business, and Jess puts her career on hold at times to pursue other interests or questions her own desires. Stream on The Roku Channel
17 Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)
Back in 2000, Amy Sherman-Palladino was thinking that TV needed a unique mother-daughter duo who were more like sisters in some instances, talked as fast as lightning, and managed to help one another through tough times. Thus, Lorelai and Rory were created for Gilmore Girls. For seven seasons, the pair goes through the ups and downs of relationships and pursuing their dreams, and even when they get into a spat or two (that cannot be defused by a spatula), both women always come together in the end.
How It’s Like New Girl
Jessica Day might as well be an honorary Gilmore girl, with her quirky personality and quick wit, but she may need to up her caffeine dosage if she’s going to keep up with the fast-talking TV show duo, Lorelai and Rory. Both New Girl and Gilmore Girls present eccentric and fun characters as well as independent women who are not afraid to speak their minds. Stream on Netflix
16 How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014)
You would think that already knowing how something ends would ruin the rest of the story, but How I Met Your Mother carefully crafts its plot with a frame story that gives away nothing of the wild journey Ted Mosby goes on to find his future wife. The series features an older Ted in 2030 telling his two children all about the things he and his four best friends did and all the women he dated until finally meeting their mother. From many nights at the bar to trying to be the perfect guy around, Ted’s life is anything but boring.
How It’s Like New Girl
Just like how Elizabeth Meriwether was inspired to create New Girl by her own living situations (or lack thereof), Craig Thomas and Carter Bays heavily took from their own friendship in their 20s to create characters and storylines in How I Met Your Mother. Both series follow groups of friends as they live together in apartments and try to work things out within their careers as well as their love lives, but knowing that the shows’ creators actually lived like these characters to a certain degree elevates the relatability of the show to all audiences. Stream on Hulu
15 The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019)
The Big Bang Theory
- Release Date
- September 24, 2007
In The Big Bang Theory, four socially awkward scientists thought they had it good when they got together for dinners and had game nights, but they never truly realized what they were missing until a cute blonde across the hall introduced them to a more rambunctious social life. For 12 seasons, fans fell in love with the scientific jokes only Sheldon laughed at, the awkward interactions between the guys and practically every woman they met, and the unusual and underrated friendships that blossomed over time.
How It’s Like New Girl
While Jessica Day is the “new girl,” who made the questionable decision to room with three single and very awkward guys, Penny is the “new girl” the nerdy guys across the hall never knew they needed in their lives. Both women bring a lot of spunk to their newfound friendships, and after a while, it feels as if they are the glue that hold everyone together. Stream on Max
14 Sex and the City (1998-2004)
Carrie Bradshaw will go down in history as a fashion icon in Sex and the City, but more importantly, she and her three friends made it to where it is okay for mature women to confidently talk about their sex lives and relationship troubles. Through the original six seasons on HBO, fans root for each woman to find her happily ever after, even if it is not with whom she believes is her soulmate. When things inevitably go wrong, the women are always there to pick one another up, and they do so in style.
How It’s Like New Girl
While Carrie and her friends’ fashion choices are a bit more high-end than Jess’, audiences can (and should) appreciate that they all express themselves so much through clothing. Jess sports loud and colorful pieces, with fun skirts and sweaters, while Carrie and the crew are all about bold and chic pieces. It takes a lot of confidence to have the most unique aesthetic in the room, but all of these women allow their big personalities to shine regardless of what anyone else thinks. Stream on Max
13 Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2021)
With all the very serious crime and cop TV shows out there, it is actually really refreshing to see how goofy and fun the detectives in Brooklyn Nine-Nine can be, as they have serious jobs to do. Because the characters are together in a work setting rather than in a social one, it is humorous to see how everyone’s personal preferences come out and exactly how they are able to get over certain quirks to perform a task.
How It’s Like New Girl
With the crazy shenanigans and the love the colorful characters have for one another, New Girl and Brooklyn Nine-Nine might as well be the same sitcom, just with one in a workplace setting and the other in a more social setting. They heavily rely on having a diverse cast that breaks social norms such as characters being comfortable with their sexuality, men expressing a more feminine side at times, and women taking charge of their own lives despite opposing expectations. Stream on Peacock Premium
12 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015-2019)
After being held captive for 15 years with three other women by a deranged reverend, Kimmy Schmidt finds that she, as a 29-year-old woman, wants to start her life over. In Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, the titular heroine does not wish to stay in Indiana, nor does she want to be seen as a victim, so she naturally decides New York City will be a great fresh start for someone who wishes to stay out of the spotlight. For four seasons, Kimmy has to adjust to life in the big city with more people than she can even count. Getting a job, finishing school, and finding her passion prove to be easier said than done, but with a can-do attitude, she makes it work.
How It’s Like New Girl
Jessica Day and Kimmy Schmidt would give one another a run for their money as far as who can kill more with kindness or who has the spunkier attitude. Kimmy’s roommate, Titus, is pretty much a combination of all of Jess’ roommate,s as he is kind and caring at times, but his snark, sass, and selfishness can get in the way if he’s not careful. Stream on Netflix
11 Grace and Frankie (2015-2022)
In Grace and Frankie, both titular women get their worlds turned upside down when their husbands come to them to say that they have been in love with each other for many years. The women, understandably in shock, can only turn to one another as no one else understands what they are going through. Since they are polar opposites, becoming friends is not easy as one would imagine, but the life lessons and friendships that come after such a terrible situation make it all worth it.
How It’s Like New Girl
Friends showed us that it was okay for people in their 20s to not have all the answers, and then New Girl came along and extended that timeline to people in their 30s. Now, Grace and Frankie proves to us that it is never too late to figure out a new living situation, turn your life around, and reignite your passion for living. Both series make their title characters hit rock bottom — Grace and Frankie have to come out of retirement and Jess watches Dirty Dancing on repeat after her boyfriend cheated on her — but they manage to get up, get to work, and find their passions again. Stream on Netflix
10 Young & Hungry (2014-2018)
Emily Osment surely grew up and moved on from Disney’s Hannah Montana when she landed the lead role in Freeform’s Young & Hungry. The sitcom focuses on Gabi (Osment), a professional chef living in San Francisco who ends up having a one-night stand with her employer, Josh. The situation between them gets sticky as they try to keep their distance from one another, but happily, over the course of five seasons, the pair accept their feelings for one another.
How It’s Like New Girl
While fans root for Gabi and Josh to make things work (much like many of us were hoping Nick and Jess would finally get it together in their own relationship), we find that it is much more appealing to see the two help one another succeed on their own with their passions. Both series deal with similar underlying themes, but the peculiar and very involved supporting characters is what really ties the two together.Stream on Freeform
9 Superstore (2015-2021)
Superstore flew under way too many radars in the 2010s, but anyone who is a fan of the quirky characters and head-scratching moments in New Girl will absolutely fall in love with this sitcom. The series primarily follows Amy and Jonah, two employees of the superstore Cloud 9, who clearly do not get paid enough for all the zany antics that happen in the retail business. Between slightly racist bosses, overly dramatic coworkers, and unruly customers, the pair certainly have their work cut out for them if they’re going to eventually move on from the glamorous “blue-vest life.”
How It’s Like New Girl
Amy and Jonah’s relationship can easily be compared to Nick and Jess’, but what really makes these two sitcoms comparable is the over-the-top drama that nearly everyone brings to the set. In New Girl, Winston, Schmidt, and Coach are always in some sort of crisis and need guidance when, in reality, they just need to take a deep breath and make some rational choices. In Superstore, Dina, Garrett, and Glenn are one meltdown away from having a permanent eye twitch or burning everything to the ground; it really just depends on what slight inconvenience takes up their time while at work. Stream on Hulu
8 The Mindy Project (2012-2017)
Based on Mindy Kaling’s mother’s real-life experiences in her former OB/GYN practice, The Mindy Project follows Mindy Lahiri (Kaling) as she struggles with her romantic life way more than she struggles to deliver hard or awkward news to her patients. Surrounded by quirky and offbeat colleagues, Mindy certainly is never bored at work, but she desperately wants to find a lasting relationship that will make everything seem like its falling into place once and for all.
How It’s Like New Girl
Jess and Mindy could be the absolute best of friends as they both have hearts made of gold and just want to see their friends be happy. They both deal with the struggles that come from being friends with exes and love interests, but they never lose sight of always working on themselves in the best way possible. Stream on Netflix or Hulu
7 Good Trouble (2019-2023)
After The Fosters concluded, the writers believed Callie and Mariana’s time together was far from over, and fans were thrilled to find out that Good Trouble would follow the young women into the early years of their careers. The series shows what it is like for the two sisters to move away from home, begin their dream jobs, and make friends in a whole new city. There are the ups and downs of their relationships and workplace drama, but in the end, their authenticity draws people into their lives.
How It’s Like New Girl
Rather than moving into a typical apartment with a few new roommates like Jess did, Callie and Mariana move into a building that prides itself on community. There, they make friends who help them navigate life in Los Angeles and support them when they question everything they’ve ever known. Both New Girl and Good Trouble focus on friendships and the good and bad aspects of relationships, but happily, the characters always have a supportive place to run to when things get a bit too hectic. Stream on Hulu
College is not for everyone, but it can be a place where anyone can broaden their minds and make new friends, no matter their age, race, or background. Community features an ensemble cast that forms a study group only to discover the creator of the group, Jeff Winger, is a fraud. Rather than the group dismantling, they all come together and bond over feeling like they are missing out on something in life. It’s heartfelt and humorous to see how realistically these unlikely friends navigate college life over the next several years.
How It’s Like New Girl
With questionable and quirky characters becoming friends and bonding, it is safe to say that New Girl and Community are on level with one another in these respects. In New Girl, everyone is roughly the same age and can only provide insight into what they’ve done in similar situations, while the characters’ ages and lifestyles greatly differ in Community, making it truly unique to see how they manage to get along for several years. Stream on Netflix
5 Grand Crew (2021-2023)
Rather than show yet another stereotypical Black character that is found in too many TV shows and movies, Grand Crew offers a more vulnerable, wholesome, and realistic side of Black culture and friendship that is not featured enough. The characters support one another through tough times, they talk about the troubles they go through at work and in their relationships, and they are always down to sip some wine and catch up on the latest gossip. The premise of the show was phenomenal, but sadly, it was canceled after just two seasons.
How It’s Like New Girl
Support systems are important in your 20s and 30s because it feels as if everyone is on some sort of constructed timeline that says when people should be married, where they should live, and how far they should be into successful careers. Both New Girl and Grand Crew throw those expectations out the window and create a go-with-the-flow attitude that comforts audiences as the characters from each dig into real problems in humorous ways. Stream on Peacock
4 Will & Grace (1998-2006 and 2017-2020)
In the ’90s, Will & Grace was considered a groundbreaking sitcom as it featured openly gay characters in a time when people were much less accepting and understanding. Will, a gay and successful lawyer, is roommates with his best friend Grace, who brings a certain level of chaos into his rather clean-cut life. The two deal with relationship troubles together, and they are always willing to give one another advice, even when the other just wants some peace and quiet.
How It’s Like New Girl
While watching New Girl, fans of Will & Grace can actually find quite a few similarities in the characters of the two sitcoms. Will is very particular and sometimes obsessive about the way things are done or how clean his space is. (Does this remind anyone of Schmidt?) Then, there is Will’s other best friend, Jack, who floats from one job to the other and struggles with figuring out his passion. (Does this sound like a mixture of Nick and Winston?) The relationship Will and Grace have with one another is much like Jess and the guys (except for Nick) as they all act like old married couples at times and leave no topic to the imagination. Stream on Hulu or Prime Video
3 Happy Endings (2011-2013)
As you get older, you realize making friends is not as easy as it once was, and the characters in Happy Endings clearly demonstrate that they aren’t exactly sure how to bring anyone new into their group, even when things get awkward within the inner circle. From dealing with the responsibilities that come with being a mature adult to managing relationships and one-night stands, this tight-knit group is always there to support one another as well as laugh at each other’s misfortunes.
How It’s Like New Girl
Damon Wayans Jr. certainly did not have it easy when it came to New Girl and Happy Endings. Wayans played Coach in New Girl, but he was immediately written out after the first two episodes because Wayans’ contract for Happy Endings was renewed when the show got the green light for another season. After Happy Endings was canceled, he would find his way back to the New Girl set and become a series regular. Aside from this one particular actor getting to be a part of both series, the shows have a lot in common in respects to goofy characters who are a little too honest with one another and go through relationship and work troubles. Stream on Hulu
2 Undateable (2014-2016)
Based on Ellen Rakieten and Anna Coyle’s book Undateable: 311 Things Guys Do That Guarantee They Won’t Be Dating or Having Sex, Undateable depicts a group of guys who all feel that their time is ticking away as they have not been able to settle down into a committed relationship. The four friends are awkward, harmless, and really in need of some company from a woman. Lucky for them, Justin’s new roommate actually knows how to speak to women and woo them, but taking his advice and actually carrying it out are two very different things for this bunch.
How It’s Like New Girl
It is quite scary how similar the guys in Undateable are to the roommates in New Girl because they often “word vomit” the first thing in their minds and scare off or insult many women. The writing is absolutely brilliant, as Danny tries to help the group learn how to connect with women, but all efforts fall short when it comes time for the awkward group to even have a decent conversation, let alone seal any sort of deal. Buy on Google Play
1 Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 (2012-2014)
Finding a roommate when you’re in your 20s can be nerve-racking because people are already set in their way with their living situations, their friends, and what they do for work. However, in Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, when June Coldburn refuses to back down from her manipulative and diabolical new roomie, the two realize a fun and fast friendship is in store for them. Over the course of two seasons, audiences watch as Chloe and June get into trouble, out of trouble, and question their own sanity at times.
How It’s Like New Girl
Much like Jessica Day, June finds herself in a bit of a predicament at the beginning of the series when she is in need of a new place to live. However, June finds her new roommate a bit of a handful because the latter is a con artist who has managed to make every one of her previous roommates leave without a refund. Happily, that was not the case for Jess in New Girl. Buy on Prime Video
