It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a black comedy and satire created by Rob McElhenney. The series quickly gained fans worldwide and received critical acclaim, with many complimenting the cast's performances and dark humour.
The show follows a group of five friends with big egos and very few morals, the owners of a failing dive bar in South Philadelphia.
What is It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia About?
Entitled “The Gang”, the five alcoholic narcissists spend most of their free time drinking, scheming, arguing with each other and conspiring elaborate scams against others and even each other for personal gain, financial advantage, revenge, or simply out of boredom.
The gang initially consists of caretaker Charlie Kelly, security guard Mac and bartender Dennis Reynolds. All three own Paddy's Pub with Dennis' twin sister Dee Reynolds, a struggling actress who works there as a waitress.
Throughout the series, they are followed by Frank Reynolds, an eccentric millionaire who takes over most of the pub's ownership and soon becomes the gang's economic catalyst, often funding many of the overly complicated plots while succumbing to the group's shameless depravity.
They are constantly inventing some scheme for sex, money, fame or any other awful reason that any of them can devise.
The show's comedy surfaces from these extreme characters, resulting in conflicts that lead the gang into absurd, dark and painfully embarrassing situations, typically ending with them getting their way but never learning their lesson.
This allows the show to approach several socio-political and economic issues for satire and dark humour while keeping the characters in a state of relative stasis conducive to the long-running sitcom format.
Shows Like It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
If you like series that use humour to highlight real issues, you won't want to miss the list of nine other equally addictive series we've put together for you.
Meet a community college focused on a group of deviants, where the leader is a lawyer who had his degree revoked. They form a study group, where they learn more about themselves than the subject matter, in Community.
Follow a self-centred, insensitive and incompetent regional manager who believes he is the funniest guy in the office, a fountain of business wisdom and his employees' best friend, in The Office.
Or there's the story of a wealthy family that lost everything and where the son had no choice but to do everything to keep them together, in Arrested Development.
Check out our list of shows like It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, where you will enjoy several hours of pure entertainment.
OUR LIST OF SHOWS LIKE IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY
Arrested Development
The Bluth Family is back and better than ever. Follow Michael as he tries to steer his ungrateful, greedy and manipulative family through financial hardship in this sharp cult comedy. If you liked Community and Parks & Recreation, then you'll love th...[Read More]
BoJack Horseman
If you love your animated comedy filled with animal puns, alliterative gags, daft surrealist humour and Hollywood satire then the highly acclaimed BoJack Horseman is for you. Adult humour at it's finest in Season 5.
Life In Pieces
If you're looking for a new comedy to binge on then Life In Pieces is just what you need. Families, in-laws, siblings and relationships are all in the mix in this sharp and very funny comedy. Think Modern Family meets Arrested Development!
Schitts Creek
Looking for a new sitcom to get your binge on? Schitts Creek may be what you're after. Think Arrested Development, Parks And Recreation and you get a good idea if this well written, slow burning comedy is for you.
Rick And Morty
If you like animated shows like American Dad, South Park or Family Guy then you'll love Rick and Morty. The show is funny and intelligent at the same time.
Happy!
One of the craziest shows to come from SyFy, Happy! follows a disgraced former FBI agent, through his psychotic hitman life with his imaginary side-kick 'Happy'. It is as bonkers as it sounds. Dark, dark, dark comedy with gruesome undertones but is s...[Read More]
The Boys
Some super-heroes have to be watched. Some have to be controlled. And some need to be taken out! That’s when you call in THE BOYS. The new Amazon Prime series turns the world of super-heroes upside down. Fans of movies like Deadpool and Kick-Ass will...[Read More]
The Woman In The House Across The Street From The Girl In The Window
The Woman In The House Across The Street From The Girl In The Window is supposed to be a parody of all the usual tropes we find in run-of-the-mill thrillers. The problem is that it's not very funny!
Mythic Quest
Mythic Quest is a hugely successful online game and brainchild of Ian Grimm, but what exactly does it take to get a game to market? Find out in the hilarious workplace comedy on Apple TV+
We hope you enjoy our shows like It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia – if you'd like to watch more comedy – click here.
How Many Seasons Of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia?
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia premiered in August 2005 with one season of seven episodes. Since then, it has aired every year, a season ranging from 10 to 15 episodes each.
In May 2020, the series was renewed for a fifteenth season, which debuted in December 2021 with eight episodes.
This made It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia the longest running American live-action comedy series. In December 2020, the series was renewed for four additional seasons, increasing it to eighteen.
Season 19 currently does not have a premiere date.
Is It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Age Appropriate?
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a black comedy series with plenty of satire on different kinds of subjects. The central characters are immature and get into silly and illegal situations.
They often engage in activities that others would consider demeaning, disgusting, or shocking. Some of these include pretending to be disabled, getting addicted to crack to qualify for welfare, attempting cannibalism, kidnapping, blackmail, and pretending to have AIDS to get priority access to water park rides.
Many of the images are quite explicit, with sex scenes, alcoholism, and several illicit practices. There is no consideration for others, and even friendship is emphasised for personal gain. The language is strong, and some of the show's scenarios and insinuations are too much for younger viewers.
Although it is the parents' full responsibility what type of content they allow their children to see, we advise this series to more mature teenagers over 16 years old.
