The family unit is one of the most common settings for narrative exploration within TV shows, and it’s not too hard to see why. Families have a unique capacity for both conflict and togetherness, all rolled into one neat package. Moreover, the dynamics between individual members can be incredibly different, varied, and relatable for the audiences watching them.
However, not all families are related by blood. Some come together by happenstance or choice, and often are all the stronger for it. Whether they are united by their workplace, identity, or even just their location, these kinds of families choose love, loyalty, and to defend one another to the last.
10 Parks And Recreation
Showing that bureaucracy and family can go hand in hand is that of Parks and Recreation, a mockumentary style sitcom set in the local government Parks Department of Pawnee, Indiana. Though Leslie is undeniably the show’s star, it also features a large ensemble cast of characters.
More than just colleagues, the Parks Department proves throughout the show’s seven seasons that they are an odd yet lovable family unit. From Ron taking April under his cynical wing, to Leslie’s younger-sister-esque obsession with Ann, the show has no shortage of found family themes and plotlines.
9 Ghosts
Whether it’s the original BBC version or the American remake, Ghosts follows the story of a young couple who inherit a run-down estate and plan to restore it to its former glory. What the couple didn’t count on was the ensemble of spirits that they also inherited along with the building.
Featuring an extensive cast of ghostly characters originating from the Stone Age up until the 90s, this British sitcom explores the theme of how people with vastly different lives can learn to co-exist and cohabitate. Ghosts is essentially share-house scenario dialed up to eleven, with many of the characters forming profound connections with one another.
8 Superstore
Another workplace sitcom that typifies the found family trope is Superstore. Set in the fictional retail empire of Cloud 9, this show follows the daily routines and relationships of the store’s hardworking employees and stressed-out management.
Though they come from all walks of life, the cast of Superstore are united in their quest to maintain as much of their sanity as they can in the frequently insane world of retail. Despite the many challenges and pitfalls that they face, the ensemble cast of characters do truly care about one another whether they’re on or off the clock.
7 Firefly
Despite its mere one season, Firefly is the epitome of the sci-fi found family. Running Serenity is the rag-tag crew headed by former rebellion fighter Captain Malcolm Reynolds. Each character that audiences meet has their unique set of skills as part of the crew, as well as a distinct role within the family unit.
Though Zoe and Wash’s marriage is refreshingly honest and ideal, it is Zoe and Mal who take up the parental roles on board their ship. Jayne has a sibling-esque rivalry with just about everyone else, and Kaylee and Inara regularly refer to each other as sisters.
6 The Mandalorian
As the first live-action television series in the Star Wars universe, The Mandalorian paved the way for many more similar shows. The found family concept can be found across much of the content within this media empire, however, it is in this series that it shines the most brightly.
Tasked with delivering Grogu, aka The Child, to the Empire’s clutches, bounty hunter Din Djarin has a change of heart. Instead, he rescues Grogu from danger and journeys to return him to safety. This father-son dynamic is particularly moving thanks to the acting talents of Pedro Pescal, who somehow manages to convey immense emotion through the Mandalorian armor.
5 Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Police-centered programs might seem like an unlikely place to find family, but Brooklyn Nine-Nine does a great job of proving that wrong. The show follows the squad of Brooklyn’s 99th precinct as they work to solve grisly crimes, succeed in their field, and cause entertaining shenanigans wherever they can.
Despite the strict rules and regulations of their profession, the squad is fiercely loyal to one another and never fail to keep each other entertained. With many of their own family backgrounds being troubled, it’s clear that the 99th precinct is a pretty good familial substitute with just as much laughter and love.
4 The Last Of Us
Another entry to this list starring Pedro Pascal is The Last of Us, HBO’s hit adaptation of the game by the same name. Continuing his fatherly trend from The Mandalorian, Pascal plays the character of Joel, a smuggler who lost his daughter early on in the zombie apocalypse that has taken over the world.
Joel is tasked with smuggling Ellie, a teenage girl of some importance, to a resistance group called The Fireflies. During their journey, Ellie’s charisma and humor slowly chip away at Joel’s defenses. The two become a closely bonded father-daughter duo, and find a little light within their dark world together.
3 It’s A Sin
While many found families often have characters of different ages and lifestyles, some choose to highlight the familial love that can be found among peers. It’s a Sin follows a young group of primarily queer men who move to London in the early 80s and form unbreakable bonds in the decade that follows.
Set during the turbulent AIDS crisis, It’s a Sin brings its five main characters together to deal with the love, loss, and horror of this major historical event. It champions the diversity of the queer community and explores the themes of family and identity in beautiful ways.
2 Avatar: The Last Airbender
This early 00s Nickelodeon animated series has achieved cult classic status in the many years since its release. With even more spinoffs and adaptations coming, the franchise remains as popular as ever. One of the core reasons for its popularity is the bond between the characters in the original series.
Centered around a group of kids fighting against the oppressive Fire Nation regime, the show explores the central theme of belonging. Its 12-year-old protagonist wakes up in a drastically altered world after slumbering in ice for 100 years. Though everyone he has ever known and loved is long since gone, Aang finds a new family in the friends that help him restore peace.
1 Stranger Things
Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things kicked off a wave of 80s nostalgia when it was released in 2016. Set squarely in the sci-fi horror genre, the show is lead by its superpowered young protagonist and her friends as they fight against the forces of a hostile alternate dimension known as the Upside Down.
Though reluctant companions in the beginning of the series, the ensemble cast pulls together to form a series of strong, interconnected partnerships. Whether it be Steve and Dustin’s brotherly bond, or El and Hopper’s father-daughter dynamic, Stranger Things showcases how even the unlikeliest of connections can develop into a caring, familial love.