10 TV Shows like The Office you must watch

By Emma Vine
Published: March 12, 2023 (Last updated: last month)
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We discuss 10 TV Shows like The Office that you must watch. Add these recommendations to your watch list. 

After an incredible nine seasons, The Office (USA), based on the UK television series of the same name, concluded on May 16, 2013. Created by Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Greg Daniels, the mockumentary sitcom follows a group of employees who work at Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, Inc., a paper merchant based in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Each day, staff at the company share thoughts about their work environment while being interviewed by a camera crew.

What makes the television series so beloved is not only the cringe-worthy moments, social awkwardness, and sarcasm reflected through the characters but also how relatable the interactions that take place in the workplace are to each of us, even if on a much lesser scale.

We also can’t talk about the show without mentioning the budding relationship between Jim and Pam, arguably one of the most endearing and enticing romances in the history of television.

So if you are searching for similar TV Shows to indulge in, here are 10 shows you must watch if you like The Office.

10 TV Shows like The Office you must watch

Parks and Recreation (2009–2015)

I’m often asked, “which show do you prefer, The Office or Parks and Recreation?” so it’s no wonder the series is part of this list. Similar in nature to The Office due to its mockumentary approach, office setting, and socially awkward characters, most of which have no shame, the show follows employees of a local Parks and Recreation Department led by Leslie Knope. Her mission as Deputy Director is to make the citizens of Pawnee, Indiana, proud and for the city to be in the best condition, it can be.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013­­–2021)

Brooklyn Nine-Nine, created by Michael Schur and Dan Goor, tells the story of a group of police officers working the 99th precinct of the NYPD police department. Sharing the same broadcast network as The Office, The NBC Original has been a huge success. Its workplace comedy approach, character development, and office romance between two main characters reflect similar themes to those portrayed in The Office.

What We Do in The Shadows (2019–Present)

Though the subject matter of What We Do in The Shadows differs significantly from an office workplace setting, the mockumentary storytelling style earns the sitcom a spot on this list. Created by comedian, actor, writer, and producer Jemaine Clement — and sharing the same name as the film it’s based upon ­­— the FX Original comedy series follows vampires Nandor, Laszlo, Nadja, Guillermo, and Colin, who cohabit together in Staten Island. The series has been praised by many for its comedic value and clever writing, making it a worthy addition to your television series collection.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005­­–Present)

Created by Rob McElhenney and Glenn Howerton, both of who star as main characters in the series, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia depicts the lives of Charlie, Mac, and twins Dee and Dennis as the friends navigate their lives as dysfunctional yet entertaining members of society. In season two, Danny DeVito joined the cast as a series regular, which elevated the humor and dynamic shared among the cast and characters even more. Though It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia isn’t a workplace sitcom per se, there are still plenty of interactions among “The Gang” set in Paddy’s Irish Pub, initially bought by Charlie, Dennis, and Mac.

Schitt’s Creek (2015–2020)

Created by real-life father and son Eugene and Dan Levy, the series explores the Rose family, who lose all their riches after being the victim of fraud, and have no choice but to move to a small, undesirable town named Schitt’s Creek. The irony of the families newfound broke existence is humorous to watch, and the series takes a very dry approach to the comedy portrayed in the show. Coupled with the clashing of personalities between the characters, the series is similar to that of The Office.

Superstore (2015–2021)

Often deemed an underrated comedy sitcom, Superstore follows the day-to-day life of retail workers at a fictional store called Cloud 9 in St Louis, Missouri. The creator and producer of the series, Justin Spitzer, was also a producer of The Office, so there are parallels between the shows that fans can appreciate. Though the show was canceled after six seasons, it’s still worthy of a binge-watch.

The IT Crowd (2006–2013)

The highly successful British television series centers around Maurice, Roy, and Jen, three employees who act as IT support at Reynholm Industries. The thriving corporation that is based in London, is owned by the insufferable Douglas Reynholm, who inherited the company after his father’s passing. Though the show has fewer core characters than The Office, there are similarities between the two, such as the employees having a cringe-worthy boss and socially awkward interactions between various characters that will provide lots of laughs.

Abbott Elementary (2021–Present)

As soon as I started to watch Abbott Elementary, I thought it shared many similarities to The Office. It’s no wonder the series has been racking up awards, as the writing, acting, and comedy are pristine. The mockumentary sitcom, based in Philadelphia, showcases teachers with differing personalities and approaches to their work style at an underfunded school named Abbott Elementary. Created by Quinta Brunson, this show is a modern-day masterpiece and a solid recommendation that will likely be a hit among fans of The Office.

Arrested Development (2003–2019)

In a sense, Arrested Development feels like an OG of the mockumentary-type approach to a television series and one of the first to be a huge success. Created by Mitchell Hurwitz, the series tells the story of Michael Bluth, the son of George Bluth Sr., who is imprisoned, leaving Michael to pick up the pieces, all while dealing with his dysfunctional family. Though the series doesn’t take place in a workplace setting, the deadpan humor resembles that of The Office.

The Office UK (2001–2003)

We couldn’t possibly comprise a list of shows similar to The USA Office without including the original series the show is based on. Co-created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, The Office UK follows various employees at Wernham Hogg, a paper merchant company in Slough, UK. Much of the characters and storyline in the UK version are similar to the USA series, with a blooming office romance taking place. Shenanigans in the workplace are also a common occurrence, particularly between Tim and Gareth, two main characters of the series who are constantly trying to one-up each other. The UK version was a much shorter series, comprising only three seasons, compared to the US version of the show, which consisted of nine.

What are some of your favorite TV Shows like The Office? Comment below.

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