Top 10 Shows to Watch If You Miss Young Sheldon

As in “Young Sheldon,” the core of “Fresh Off the Boat” is the family unit. Sheldon feels like an outsider at home and in the wider world. Meanwhile, the Huang family is figuring out life in sunny Florida. Then there’s Eddie, the brilliant youngest Huang, who often feels out of sync with his family and peers. Set in the 90s, “Fresh Off the Boat” brings in the unique perspective of growing up Taiwanese-American during that time. Both shows mix humor with touching moments, focusing on the growth and development of their entire ensemble. If you miss the Coopers’ zany dynamic, this is the show for you.

While many theorized that Sheldon might be on the autism spectrum, the “Big Bang” writers have insisted this was never their intention. Still, it’s hard not to see parallels with “Atypical’s” Sam Gardner. Both struggle to fit in, grapple with social cues, and have mothers’ who perhaps coddle them too much. However, while Sheldon would love nothing more than everyone falling in line with his worldview, Sam just wants to have the same experiences as everyone else. Initially, it was criticized for its portrayal of ASD and lack of representation. However, the writers listened to the feedback and added more thought (and still plenty of humor) going forward.

If one of your favorite parts of “Young Sheldon” was the ensemble scenes, you have to check out “Modern Family.” Just like “YS,” this series thrives on the quirks and eccentricities of family members, and there are plenty more characters to enjoy, each with their own unique personalities. A huge part of “Modern Family’s” charm is its knack for mixing laugh-out-loud humor with heartfelt storytelling. You’ll likely find yourself nodding along, thinking, “Yep, that’s totally my family!” at least once per episode. Also, who wouldn’t want to see how Sheldon would fare if he ever faced off with Lily? Is it too late to make that happen?

If you enjoyed the wholesome charm of “Young Sheldon,” you might find a similar appeal in “Full House.” The popular series also revolves around family dynamics but with a larger cast and even more comedic situations. Danny Tanner recruits his brother-in-law Jesse and best friend Joey to help raise his three daughters after the loss of his wife. Both shows capture the warmth and love within a family while also offering heartwarming life lessons along the way. Plus, if you enjoyed the coming-of-age themes in “Young Sheldon,” get ready for more of the same here. If “Full House” leaves you wanting more, why not jump straight into its sequel, “Fuller House”?

Comedian Chris Rock loosely drew from his own coming-of-age journey to create “Everybody Hates Chris.” Set in the 80s, the series chronicles the funny and sometimes awkward escapades of Chris, a teenager growing up in a challenging environment. It offers a comedic yet poignant snapshot of family life in a working-class setting. What makes it special is how it captures the real essence of family interactions—the good times, the tough times, and all the moments in between. Chris Rock, like Jim Parsons in the prequel, narrates throughout, offering commentary that enriches the storyline. Come for the relatable themes and stay for the witty humor.

Travel back to the late 60s and early 70s with this series, following the life of Kevin Arnold, a suburban teenager in an average American family. Chuck Lorre, an executive producer on “Young Sheldon,” was inspired by its clever use of adult Kevin as the narrator—a technique he also used with Jim Parsons in “Young Sheldon.” However, while “Young Sheldon” focuses mostly on the protagonist’s inner world, this series boldly confronts events in the broader world. It tackles real-life issues while serving up a hefty dose of nostalgia for anyone who grew up in those groovier decades. So, if you’re into wholesome family comedies, this one’s a must-watch.

Sheldon might never admit it, but when it comes to TV kid geniuses, he’s in good company. We had “Smart Guy’s” T.J. Henderson in the 90s. Then there was Malcolm in the 00s. A super-intelligent kid growing up in the chaos of family life? Sound familiar? This show perfectly captured the wild ride of belonging to a rambunctious, budget-conscious middle-class family, from financial woes to sibling shenanigans. Even if you’re not one of four, later five brothers, it’s not hard to see your own family reflected back at you occasionally. Plus, the show’s humor is sharp and smart, offering clever jokes and witty observations that appeal to both adults and children.

As you can tell, there’s a bit of a trend here: eccentric families, quirky dynamics, and a whole lot of laughter. What we love about “The Middle” is how the Heck kids have three starkly different personalities. There’s Axl, the stereotypical teenager who’s more into sports than school. Sue is a socially awkward ray of sunshine, and Brick is your family genius who is happier in the company of books than people. Then there are the parents, Frankie and Mike, a relatively down-to-earth couple constantly juggling finances and raising three very different children. The show finds humor in the ordinary, making it easy to connect with the characters and stories.

If you thought Mary Cooper was overbearing, clearly, you haven’t met Beverly Goldberg. “The Goldbergs” enjoys plenty of artistic license as it tells the story of creator Adam Goldberg’s upbringing in a Jewish family in 1980-something. The show is narrated by an adult, Adam, voiced by Patton Oswalt. Young Adam lives with his over-the-top (S)mother, a world-weary grump of a dad, rebellious sister Erica, and loveable goofball brother Barry. Their Pops also makes regular visits. You may not want to admit it, but this family is hilariously relatable. The humor in “The Goldbergs” is warm and heartening. Each episode feels like a big, cozy, and delightfully dysfunctional family hug.

Of course, we couldn’t leave out the series that started it all! With “Young Sheldon” giving us a deep dive into the formative years of Sheldon Lee Cooper, it’s the perfect time to revisit “The Big Bang Theory.” The prequel has been like a seven-season easter egg hunt, revealing the roots of Sheldon’s quirks and behaviors. Now, when you watch the original series, you’ll appreciate the origins of “Bazinga!”, Sheldon’s passion for comic books, and his aversion to driving. While you can’t watch “The Big Bang Theory” for the first time again, experiencing it with all this newfound backstory makes it feel like you’re watching it in a whole new light.

Which TV show do you wish “Young Sheldon” had a crossover with? Let us know in the comments.