Top 20 TV Siblings of All Time
#20: Axl, Sue & Brick Heck “The Middle” (2009-18)
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Airing for nine seasons on ABC, “The Middle” concerned the lower middle class Heck family of Indiana. The children consist of eldest son Axl, middle daughter Sue Sue, and youngest son Brick. Axl belongs to the Bart Simpson school of eldest children, being very sarcastic, lazy, and somewhat mean to his siblings while still retaining a soft side. Like many middle siblings, Sue Sue is often overlooked and ignored by her own family, which flies in direct contrast to her bright and bubbly personality. And finally, youngest son Brick is a fiercely intelligent boy with a knack for reading and repeating words. Their contrasting personalities are hilarious, offering a unique glimpse into contemporary lower middle class life.
#19: Kara & Alex Danvers “Supergirl” (2015-)
This show offers a unique glimpse into siblingship, given that one of them is a superhero. Kara and Alex Danvers are adoptive sisters, with Alex’s human family having adopted Kryptonian Kara. The two make for a fantastic team, with both working at the Department of Extranormal Operations, a government agency that protects Earth from superhumans. Alex helps her otherworldly sister by encouraging her to fight crime and trains her in hand-to-hand combat. In turn, Kara supports Alex in her personal relationship with Maggie - a beautiful storyline that has earned “Supergirl” praise and accolades for its LGBT+ representation. These sisters help bring out the best in each other.
#18: Regina Mills & Zelena “Once Upon a Time” (2011-18)
Updating fairy tales for the 21st century, “Once Upon a Time” contains a very unique sibling relationship between half sisters Regina and Zelena. Regina is the Evil Queen and Zelena The Wicked Witch of the West, ensuring an original sisterly relationship in which both are villains to a degree. It flies in direct contrast to the Danvers sisters of “Supergirl” and is all the more interesting for it. The two share a very icy relationship, with Zelena being jealous of Regina’s upbringing and Regina attempting redemption for the sake of her adoptive son, Henry. Both also share great character arcs, turning from villains to anti-heroes while repairing their personal relationship. Heroes are great, but villains are often fascinating.
#17: Justin, Alex & Max Russo “Wizards of Waverly Place” (2007-12)
The show that made Selena Gomez a household name, “Wizards of Waverly Place” concerns the magical Russo siblings, who are descended from an ancient wizarding family. They are trained by their formerly magical father Jerry, who had given up his powers after marrying a mortal. Like all siblings, the trio doesn’t always get along, and they can often be seen making fun of and bothering each other, but there is an undeniable undercurrent of love and protection. The most loving sibling relationship belongs to Alex and Justin, with Justin being fiercely protective of his younger sister and Alex bringing out the best in Justin’s magical abilities.
#16: Erica, Barry & Adam Goldberg “The Goldbergs” (2013-)
Based on the childhood of creator Adam F. Goldberg, “The Goldbergs” is a period comedy concerning an everyday American family in the 1980s. Goldberg’s fictionalized version is played by Sean Giambrone, and he is depicted as a nerdy young boy who enjoys filming his family with a camcorder. Barry is his egotistical older brother who generally lacks the intelligence and talent to back up his hilarious boasts. And then there’s Erica, the eldest and most popular child who is going through the typical teenage rebellion. These are universal personality traits, just as prevalent and entertaining today as they were in the ‘80s.
#15: Stefan & Damon Salvatore “The Vampire Diaries” (2009-17)
One of the most complicated sibling relationships on TV, that of Stefan and Damon Salvatore is rife with tension, outright hatred, and deep brotherly love. The tension mainly stems from their respective relationships with women, their bond shattered by Katherine but revived by Elena. It also doesn’t help that the two share vastly different personality traits. Stefan is kind, affectionate, and selfless, whereas Damon is more selfish and malicious. Both go through wild character arcs, veering from heroic to antagonistic to everything in between. But no matter where they are in their respective lives, the brotherly bond between Stefan and Damon is always fascinating.
#14: Zoey, Andre "Junior", Jack & Diane Johnson “Black-ish” (2014-)
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One of the most successful network sitcoms in some time, “Black-ish” follows the upper middle class Johnson family and the modern sociopolitical issues they face. The Johnson family consists of four children, all of whom are hilarious in their own way. Zoey was spoiled by Dre, turning her both entitled and stylish. Junior is the eccentric child, often the target of playful ridicule from his family. Jack is inherently sweet and not-too-bright, which often results in him being manipulated by his siblings. And his twin Diane is the smart but scary child who seemingly lacks heart and takes pleasure in causing chaos inside the household - which also involves relentlessly insulting her siblings. This is one unique family, and their interplay is undeniably entertaining.
#13: Meredith & Lexie Grey “Grey’s Anatomy” (2005-)
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Lexie Grey was Meredith’s half sister, who made her debut in the medical drama’s third season. Meredith wasn’t too friendly with Lexie and hated her general enthusiasm at first, but she began to take to her half sister following a tragic day at the hospital. The two proceeded to share a very close bond, often aiding each other in extreme times of need. For example, Meredith helped Lexie when she began suffering from PTSD, and Lexie helped Meredith through her miscarriage, following some jealousy of April. Unfortunately, Lexie eventually passed away in a plane crash, ending the beautiful relationship that once began in antagonism.
#12: Tia Landry & Tamera Campbell “Sister, Sister” (1994-99)
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Starring real life twins Tia and Tamera Mowry, “Sister, Sister” is about identical siblings who find each other after fourteen years of separation. Tia Landry is a hard-working, rule-following teenager who earns straight As. And despite being her physical twin, Tamera couldn’t be any different from her sister. She is spontaneous and not interested in school, resulting in a great dichotomy between the two characters. Of course, the two also share an unbreakable sisterly bond, and this is evident in the series’ most touching moments. Their opposing personalities drive much of the series’ humor and charm, but like most sisters, Tia and Tamera are there for each other at the end of the day. Or episode.
#11: Malcolm, Reese, Dewey & Francis (& Jamie) “Malcolm in the Middle” (2000-06)
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This beloved sitcom stars Frankie Muniz as Malcolm, a gifted student who feels out of place in his wacky family. His brothers are Francis, an older boy attending military school, Reese, the resident trouble-maker, and Dewey, who is...well, Dewey. Unlike many sitcoms, there is seemingly very little love between these brothers. It can actually be refreshing. Rather, their relationship mostly boils down to malicious pranks, schemes that often get them in trouble, and sometimes questionable behavior towards each other. It’s not that they hate each other. They are just young brothers with very different personalities, and later on, little Jamie would be added to the mix.
#10: The Starks “Game of Thrones” (2011-19)
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The Starks were our entryway into the labyrinthian plot of “Game of Thrones”, and consequently, were typically depicted as the primary protagonists. It also helps that they were arguably the most noble house of them all. Of course, this noble nature was also arguably the downfall of first family patriarch Ned Stark and then his son Robb. Like many young siblings, the Starks initially don’t get along very well, with sisters Arya and Sansa being particularly antagonistic. But the Starks suffer significant tragedy throughout the story, including the death of youngest child Rickon, and it’s through this tragedy that they find each other’s humanity. By the end of the series, there’s a beautiful reunion between Arya, Sansa, Bran, and Jon (who turns out to be their cousin, not half-brother) and they team up to reclaim the North and dispose of the conniving Littlefinger. Despite their differences, the Stark children look to continue the family’s virtuous name.
#9: Frasier & Niles Crane “Frasier” (1993-2004)
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Frasier and Niles Crane are laugh-a-minute riots when paired together, as are many brothers. Both Frasier and Niles are snobbish upper class psychiatrists with a love for the hoity toity. Both are incredibly intelligent yet pretentious people, and much of the humor is derived from the brothers’ competitive nature. And even though it’s fun watching them out-fancy each other, they are also very compassionate, and both have good hearts underneath the near-robotic exteriors. They remain very close throughout the entire series and often bring out the best in each other, proving one of the most loving brotherly relationships on television.
#8: D.J., Stephanie & Michelle Tanner “Full House” (1987-95)
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This classic ABC sitcom concerns widowed sports anchor Danny Tanner raising his three young daughters with his best friend and brother-in-law. Said daughters are D.J., the practical big sister who can often be seen helping her younger siblings, Stephanie, the athletic and funny middle child full of famous catchphrases, and Michelle, the youngest daughter famously portrayed by the adorable Olsen twins. The girls bicker and fight like all girls do, with Stephanie often snooping on D.J. Both the show and the girls’ relationships were incredibly sappy, but that’s exactly what made “Full House” such a hit with audiences. Sometimes a little sibling sappiness is exactly what we need on television.
#7: Hilary, Carlton & Ashley Banks “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” (1990-96)
Street smart Will Smith is sent to live with his upper class aunt and uncle in Bel Air, resulting in the funniest culture clash on TV. While there, Smith meets and bonds with his rich cousins, despite their wildly different upbringings. Hilary is the eldest, a self-centered and spoiled individual who often looks down on Will. Carlton is the smart and preppy conservative with a gift for dancing, but a penchant for arrogance. And Ashley is both the youngest and most impressionable, her close relationship with the carefree Will often clashing with her straight-laced father. All have different personalities and beliefs, yet all are brought together by the unbreakable bond of family.
#6: Randall, Kate & Kevin Pearson “This Is Us” (2016-)
A devastating family drama, “This Is Us” follows the lives of the Randall clan. Kevin and Kate are twins and the two surviving children of triplets. Wanting three children, Kevin and Kate’s parents adopt a Black boy named Randall who was abandoned by his biological father at a fire station. “This Is Us” is rather unconventional in its storytelling, blending various timelines to tell a complete picture of the Pearson family story. And unlike many sibling relationships on TV, the bond between the Pearson siblings is messy and often tested. But they also help prove the tenacity of the sibling bond, as Randall, Kate, and Kevin often stand by each other despite their massive differences.
#5: David & Alexis Rose “Schitt’s Creek” (2015-20)
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The pampered David and Alexis Rose share a very special and often antagonistic bond throughout “Schitt’s Creek” - not to mention a small bedroom, as well. They relentlessly poke and prod each other in quick-witted bickerings, and it’s clear that sharing a room is straining their relationship to its absolute limits. Their personalities are also wildly different, with Alexis being a more openly loving person, whereas David appears far colder, sarcastic, and more emotionally closed off. But despite their massive differences, David and Alexis are supportive of each other’s personal journeys, and they often push each other in the right directions - even if said pushing is done rather rudely. It’s all part of the charm.
#4: Haley, Alex & Luke Dunphy “Modern Family” (2009-20)
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Befitting its title, “Modern Family” explores various ideas of what constitutes a modern 21st century family. Included are sibling relationships, both of the loving and uncaring variety. Claire and Mitchell share a close brother-sister bond, even if they have difficulties expressing their love. But the best sibling relationship on the show belongs to the Dunphy children. Haley and Alex are sisters constantly at each other's throats, with the snarky Alex finding humor in Haley’s seeming lack of intelligence. But both find solace in each other’s personalities, with Haley discovering maturity through Alex and Alex discovering the joys of letting loose through Haley. And there’s the playful but dimwitted Luke, who mostly stays out of his sisters’ drama and spends time with his equally dim-witted father.
#3: Prue, Piper & Phoebe Halliwell “Charmed” (1998-2006)
More commonly known as The Charmed Ones, witch sisters Prue, Piper, and Phoebe use their collective Power of Three to protect the world from supernatural creatures. Prue is the matronly sister, having raised her younger siblings following the death of their mother and grandmother. She is also the most powerful witch, and her mature personality often clashes with the more rambunctious Phoebe. Phoebe is the youngest and most rebellious sister, gifted with the talent of premonition. And Piper is the middle sister, a passive woman who eventually gains self-confidence through her sisters and dangerous adventures. She becomes the eldest following Prue’s death, after which she and Phoebe discover they also have a half-sister named Paige. The sisters’ collective power is strong and respectable, and they work best when putting aside their differences and joining together for the good of humanity.
#2: Monica & Ross Geller “Friends” (1994-2004)
Top 10 Monica & Ross Sibling Moments on Friends
Despite the title, “Friends” doesn’t just concern friendship. It also follows the personal lives of siblings Monica and Ross Geller and the ways in which their brother-sister bond proves loving and supportive. Of course, their relationship isn’t perfect. They are both fiercely competitive people, and they often devolve into petty arguments. But it’s all for the betterment of the other. Ross proves adorably over-protective of his younger sister, and Monica is always there to console an upset Ross. It’s a wonderfully realistic and hilarious portrayal of the unique brother-sister relationship, and it proves both endlessly entertaining and adorable. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. The Bluths, “Arrested Development” (2003-06; 2013-19) There Is Little Love Here. Just Hilarious, Unhinged Lunacy Jonathan & Will Byers, “Stranger Things” (2016-) Jonathan Looks Out for His Younger Brother & Encourages His Interests Mary, Sybil & Edith Crawley, “Downton Abbey” (2010-15) They’re Aristocratic Siblings Constantly at Each Other’s Throats Brenda & Brandon Walsh, “Beverly Hills, 90210” (1990-2000) These Twin Siblings Stick Together Following the Culture Shock of the West Coast Zack & Cody Martin, “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody” (2005-08) A Pair of Twins Whose Contrasting Personalities Provides Lots of Fun
#1: Sam & Dean Winchester “Supernatural” (2005-20)
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In November of 2020, “Supernatural” came to an end after fifteen seasons and 327 episodes. People grew up with Sam and Dean Winchester, and it’s going to be very difficult leaving them behind. “Supernatural” saw the Winchester brothers traveling the United States and dealing with various - what else? - supernatural entities. They are firmly protective and devoted to each other, and they prove helpful in each other’s personal and professional lives. They have made deals with demons, and they have ventured to Hell and back in desperate attempts to keep their bond intact. They are vulnerable, badass, and above all else, are a ton of fun to watch. Having helped keep the show afloat for fifteen years, the Winchesters have proven to be the most popular brotherly duo on the small screen in the early 21st century.
