# 10 Shows Like 'Adults' You Should Watch Next
If your family has fallen into the rhythm of watching "Adults," you've discovered something rare in streaming: a show that captures the messy, genuine texture of adult friendships without cynicism or laugh tracks. The Australian comedy, which premiered on ABC and streams on various platforms, has struck a chord with viewers who crave character-driven humor over punchlines.
The appeal of "Adults" lies in its commitment to what critics call "hangout comedy." This subgenre prioritizes the time spent between characters rather than plot mechanics. The show focuses on a group navigating their 30s with all the awkwardness, vulnerability, and unexpected joy that comes with that decade. Unlike sitcoms built around workplace dynamics or family structures, "Adults" simply lets you sit with people you'd want to know.
What makes hangout comedies work for modern families is their honesty. Parents watching after kids go to bed find genuine reflection of their own lives. The humor emerges from real conversations about relationships, career uncertainty, and the gap between who you thought you'd be and who you've become. No contrived setups. No forced conflicts resolved in 22 minutes.
The streaming landscape now offers numerous alternatives that scratch this same itch. Shows like "Feel Good," the British-Canadian series starring Mae Martin, explore friendship and identity with the same conversational ease. "PEN15," despite its provocative title, functions as a genuine coming-of-age comedy about lifelong best friends navigating adulthood. "Insecure," which recently concluded on HBO Max, spent five seasons examining Black female friendships with remarkable depth and humor.
Other options include "Broad City," which combines hangout comedy with surreal humor, and "Schitt's Creek," a show that transformed from fish-out-of-water premise into something genuinely moving about found family. "Russian Doll" adds existential weight to the formula, while "Trying" brings warmth to adoption narratives without sentimentality.
International offerings expand the palette further. The Danish series "Heartbeat" captures the tedium and tenderness of adult life with Scandinavian restraint. "Fleabag," though more plot-driven than pure hangout comedy, pioneered the use of direct address that makes viewers feel like confidants rather than passive observers.
The common thread across these shows is their refusal to treat adulthood as a destination. Instead, they present it as an ongoing, often confusing journey where friendships anchor everything else. The characters drink coffee, have uncomfortable conversations, fail at basic tasks, and somehow make it feel like the most relatable thing on television.
Streaming platforms have recognized this appetite for authenticity. The algorithm favors shows that keep viewers returning not for cliffhangers but for character connection. This shift reflects broader viewing habits, where families increasingly choose shows that feel like spending time with friends rather than consuming plot.
Your next watch depends on what aspect of "Adults" resonated most. Want more Australian perspective? Try "Please Like Me." Prefer multicultural friendship dynamics? "Never Have I Ever" offers coming-of-age with ensemble warmth. Looking for pure conversation-based comedy? "Shrinking" brings therapist characters into hangout-comedy territory with genuine stakes.
The beauty of this genre is its low pressure. These shows invite you back not because you need answers but because you enjoy the company.