12 TV series about a family, addictive from the first episode

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

"Peaky Blinders", "Shameless", "Alf" and other shows, very beloved by the audience.

12. Two and a half people

• USA, 2003-2015.
• Melodrama, comedy.
• Duration: 12 seasons.
• IMDb: 7, 0.

Brothers Charlie and Alan Harper are opposites. Charlie is a wealthy jingle writer and heartthrob, while Alan is a humble and economical family man. However, he soon divorces his wife and, taking his son Jake with him, asks for shelter from his brother. He agrees. So different, they are now forced not only to get along under one roof, but also to educate the child competently.

Each character of the sitcom - both central and secondary - is worked out to the smallest detail, which captivates the viewer from the first episode. The humor of the show also evokes sympathy: there are many jokes on adult themes, but there is no exaggeration and vulgarity.

The real star of the series is Charlie Sheen, who plays the role of his namesake. However, during the production of the show, the actor did not show his best side. Once, in unflattering terms, he spoke about the creators of the sitcom and then lingered for a very short time in the cast of the series. After the termination of the contract with Shin, Ashton Kutcher began to play one of the main characters.

11. Alf

• USA, 1986-1990.
• Science fiction, comedy, family.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 7, 4.

One day, an alien ship crashes into the Tanner family's garage. On board is a fluffy, wayward and funny alien. The Tanners allow the guest to live in their house, give him the name Alf and hide it from the alien research unit. Alf quickly becomes part of the family and is imbued with sincere warm feelings for the earthlings who sheltered him.

Despite the short duration of the show (four seasons were filmed), the series became truly cult. It was broadcast in 80 countries around the world and fell in love not only with children, but also with adults. After the closure of "Alpha" was filmed a full-length film-continuation and an animated series, which tells about the life of a furry alien before arriving on Earth. And in 2018, Warner Bros. TV announced its decision to create a remake of the series, but the studio later froze production indefinitely.

10. It can get worse

• USA, 2009–2018.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 9 seasons.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

The series tells about an ordinary American family living in Indiana. Frankie's emotional and ambitious mom works in auto sales, and it doesn't matter at all for her. Dad Mike, a cold and reserved man, manages the workers in the sandy quarry. This couple cannot boast of financial well-being: they live in a dilapidated house and receive a penny. However, they have real wealth: three noisy children, not at all alike.

The series has a very soulful atmosphere, and therefore it perfectly cheers up. This is also facilitated by truly funny episodes that are built on absurdities and play up the difficulties of adulthood. And the characters of this show are drawn in detail: for nine seasons, the writers cannot be blamed for the illogical development of at least one character.

9. Umbrella Academy

• USA, Canada, 2019 - present.
• Science fiction, fantasy, action, drama, comedy, adventure.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

On October 1, 1989, 43 babies are suddenly born to women who have not had a single sign of pregnancy the day before. Billionaire Reginald Hargreaves adopts seven of these children and prepares them to save the world. When guys become teenagers, the family falls apart.

Years later, the surviving foster parties gather for Reginald's funeral. Together they try to uncover the mystery surrounding the death of their stepfather and save the world from the apocalypse. Six unique ones have a hard time together, because each of them has his own character, and most importantly, a unique superpower.

The show is based on the comic book series of the same name. Initially, it was conceived to turn it into a film, but later it was decided to create a series. Well, Netflix once again made the right decision and presented the viewer with a wonderful superhero show, which attracts with an unusual idea, as well as excellent acting and skillful special effects.

8. American family

• USA, 2009–2020.
• Drama, melodrama, comedy.
• Duration: 11 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 4.

The series tells stories from the life of a very large American family. Jay recently married a much younger Colombian beauty named Gloria. The man tries to match his hot wife and become a real friend to her teenage son. Jay's daughter, Claire, together with her husband, is trying to mentally raise three children, very different in temperament. The head of the family also has a son, Mitchell. He is happily in a same-sex marriage and recently adopted a girl from Vietnam.

The series deserves attention due to the unusual presentation of the material. Each episode is filmed by a documentary filmmaker invisible to the viewer, and the characters give interviews and share their thoughts about the events of the series. The show also captivates the viewer with cool situational humor, cute characters and a large number of famous people who appeared in the form of cameos.

7. Shameless

• USA, 2011 - present.
• Drama, comedy.
• Duration: 11 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 6.

The poor Irish-American Gallagher family is full of extraordinary personalities. Single father Frank is an alcoholic who cannot provide for children. Because of this, the eldest daughter Fiona drops out of school and takes on the role of head of the family. But this task is not an easy one: she has five brothers and sisters, each with their own problems. As a result, every time one of the six Gallaghers gets into trouble, from which you have to get out.

The series is a remake of the British show of the same name, but only in the first season the American counterpart copies its predecessor. Since the second season, Shameless has become the original story of Americans on the brink. It is noteworthy that this series not only beat its prototype in popularity, but also became very famous in the homeland of its predecessor.

6. Delay in development

• USA, 2013 - present.
• Comedy, drama.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 7.

Michael Bluth is forced to run the family business after his father went to jail for stealing money. In addition, he is trying to guide his super-strange family, who have lost their head, on the path of truth. But with such "instances" it is not easy to do it.

Michael's mother and sister are spoiled socialites who can't get used to their new financial situation. His younger brother is a mama's son with an unstable psyche, and the older one is a loser magician. And among other things, Michael has a teenage son who also needs his father's participation.

Delay in Development is characterized by references and easter eggs to other TV series, films or pop culture phenomena. The series is also interesting for the emergence of strong actors such as Jason Bateman and Michael Cera (then still a beginner).

A sign of the show's quality is that Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, The Grinch Stole Christmas, The Da Vinci Code) is executive producer and directed by the Russo brothers. They filmed a large number of episodes and received an Emmy award for this work.

5. Downton Abbey

• UK, 2010-2015.
• Drama, melodrama.
• Duration: 6 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 7.

The son of Robert Crowley, Earl of Grantham, is killed in the sinking of the Titanic. Now the family fortune, including the Downton estate, must pass to the eldest daughter. However, the new heir may be the lord's distant cousin - Matthew Crowley, a lawyer from Manchester. The complex relationship in the Crowley family is seen against the backdrop of the passions that simmer between the servants of the estate.

The series reflects global changes in the UK society of the twentieth century, namely the decline of the aristocracy and the rise of the working class. In various seasons of the show, significant events from history were reflected: for example, the Spanish flu pandemic, the beginning of the First World War, the Beer Hall Putsch and others.

The gripping storyline, special atmosphere, and beautiful costumes and sets have made Downton Abbey a stunning success. The series won three Golden Globes and received 15 Emmy awards. And in 2011, the show even made it into the Guinness Book of Records as a critically acclaimed series.

4. This is us

• USA, 2016 - present.
• Drama, melodrama, comedy.
• Duration: 6 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 7.

Rebecca Pearson gives birth to triplets on her husband Jack's 36th birthday. Unfortunately, one child dies during childbirth. Therefore, the young family adopts a dark-skinned baby born on the same day. The series tells about the difficult relationships of family members, showing us the childhood of triplets and their young parents, then the adult life of brothers and sisters.

The creators talk about the most important things in every person's life: family, love and support. The characters' relationships are complex, and each has its own story, full of sorrow and mistakes. However, despite this, any episode of the show evokes a feeling of light and warmth in the viewer.

3. Crown

• UK, 2016 - present.
• Drama, history, biography.
• Duration: 6 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 7.

The series tells the story of the life of Queen Elizabeth II from the 1940s to the present day. The show begins with the early reign of the Queen, who ascended the throne at the age of 25 after the death of her father, King George VI. Decades pass, personal intrigues are twisted, political rivalry intensifies - and all this against the backdrop of significant events from the history of Great Britain of the twentieth century.

The Crown was created by Peter Morgan, a British screenwriter who had previously worked on the film The Queen and the play The Audience. Both works, like this series, tell about different episodes from the life of Elizabeth II.

The show was filmed at the highest level: the scenery, costumes, staging of the shot - everything delights the esthete viewer. And the similarity of the characters of the series with their real prototypes is especially striking.

2. Peaky Blinders

• UK, 2013 - present.
• Drama, crime.
• Duration: 7 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

Thomas Shelby and his brothers return to Birmingham after serving in the British Army during World War I. Their family is known as a dangerous gang called the Peaky Blinders that keep the city under control. Thomas Shelby, the leader of this group, plans to build a business empire and destroy everyone who gets in his way.

The series has become a hit and favorite of viewers around the world for a reason. He is distinguished by excellent acting (especially Cillian Murphy), stunningly stylish costumes and an unusual selection of soundtracks. Behind the scenes depicting the realities of Birmingham in the twentieth century, music from contemporary artists such as The White Stripes, Arctic Monkeys, Radiohead and more sounds.

1. The Sopranos

• USA, 1999-2007.
• Drama, crime.
• Duration: 6 seasons.
• IMDb: 9, 2.

New Jersey mafia boss Tony Soprano faces challenges both at work and in his personal life. A teenage daughter drives his wife to seizures, an uncle conspires against Tony, and there is also danger from federal agents. All this forces Tony to seek help from a psychiatrist, who must help the mafiosi deal with the troubles.

The Sopranos quickly became iconic and incredibly popular. The show's creator David Chase's approach to portraying the mafia and discussing social problems in the states, including the Italo-American issue, caused a wide resonance in the film environment.

Despite the fact that David Chase established himself as a serial writer and producer, he originally plotted to create a film about a mobster who visits a psychotherapist. However, later he decided to adapt his idea for the series - and he made the right decision.