Ranker TVList RulesTV series that include step-parents, step-children, foster kids, and other alternative families
List of the best television shows that feature blended families. The theme of many of the top television shows through the generations is that family is not just the group you’re born into. Today, many TV shows feature characters who consider their friends and coworkers to be their family,while others show a tight bond with their makeshift families. No matter what the genre or content of the show, most shows heavily feature the idea of family. However it’s much rarer for a show to feature a blended family, which is essentially two or more familial groups that come together to form one big family. The infrequent television trope began with The Brady Bunch, a family of six step brothers and sisters who viewed the world in their own, naïve way.
Throughout the years on television the idea of the blended family has popped up in new and interesting ways. Often these shows feature step parents getting to know their new children, such as Step by Step, while others feature adopted children, like Diff’rent Strokes and Webster. Families like the one in Full House began with friendships who became actual family,while others like Modern Family include step-families and adopted families.
What shows best showcase blended families? The shows on this list are known to have people who may not have started off life as family, but became close through blended circumstances. When you're done, be sure to check out our list of the best movies about adoption.
1
16974Full House
Andrea Barber, Jodie SweetinFull House (ABC, 1987) is an American sitcom created by Jeff Franklin. The show chronicles a... more
2
14863Modern Family
Sarah Hyland, Eric StonestreetModern Family (ABC, 2009) is an American comedy television sitcom created by Francisco... more- 311950
The Brady Bunch
Florence Henderson, Christopher KnightThe Brady Bunch is an American sitcom created by Sherwood Schwartz that originally aired from... more - 411957
Drake & Josh
Nancy Sullivan, Miranda CosgroveDrake & Josh (Nickelodeon, 2004) is an American sitcom created by Dan Schneider. Despite... more - 57233
Step by Step
Jason Marsden, Brandon CallStep by Step is an American television sitcom that aired for seven seasons, originally running... more - 67236
Sister, Sister
Jackée Harry, Deon RichmondSister, Sister is an American television sitcom starring identical twins Tia and Tamera Mowry.... more - 78752
The Fosters
Danny Nucci, Jake T. AustinThe Fosters (Freeform, 2013) is an American drama television series created by Bradley... more - 85536
Diff'rent Strokes
Mary Jo Catlett, Danny CookseyDiff'rent Strokes is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC from November 3, 1978, to... more - 96044
Life with Derek
Michael Seater, Ashley LeggatLife with Derek is a Canadian television sitcom that aired on Family and VRAK.TV in Canada and... more - 103014
Shameless
Steve Howey, Cameron MonaghanShameless (Showtime, 2011) is an American comedy-drama television series developed by John... more - 115746
Dog With a Blog
Regan Burns, Dylan Thomas MaloneDog with a Blog is an American television sitcom that premiered on Disney Channel on October... more - 125341
Two and a Half Men
Angus T. Jones, Marin HinkleTwo and a Half Men is an American television sitcom that began broadcast on CBS on September... more - 132712
This Is Us
Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy MooreThis Is Us (NBC, 2016) is an American television series created by Dan Fogelman. Follows a... more - 143626
ALF
Anne Schedeen, Andrea ElsonI think Alf was adopted.ALF is an American sitcom that aired on NBC from September 22, 1986 to March 24, 1990. It was... more - 154539
Sabrina, The Teenage Witch (1971)
Don Messick, Larry StorchSabrina the Teenage Witch is an American low-budget animated sitcom television series produced... more - 164339
Gossip Girl
Blake Lively, Leighton MeesterGossip Girl (The CW, 2007) is an American teen drama television series created by Josh... more - 1722
Punky Brewster
Quinn Copeland, Emmy BucknerPunky Brewster (Peacock, 2021) is an American television sitcom and a follow-up series to the... more - 18144
Phineas and Ferb
Jeff "Swampy" MarshPhineas and Ferb is an American animated comedy-musical television series. Originally... more - 194349
Glee
Matthew Morrison, Jane LynchGlee (Fox, 2009) is an American musical comedy-drama television series created by Ryan Murphy,... more - 203134
My Two Dads
Paul Reiser, Greg EviganMy Two Dads is an American sitcom that starred Staci Keanan, Paul Reiser and Greg Evigan. It... more - 213033
Webster
Susan Clark, Alex KarrasWebster is an American situation comedy that aired on ABC from September 16, 1983 until May 8,... more - 221616
Punky Brewster
Ami Foster, Cherie JohnsonPunky Brewster is an American sitcom about a girl named Punky Brewster being raised by her... more - 231313
My Three Sons
Fred MacMurray, Stanley LivingstonMy Three Sons is an American situation comedy. The series ran from 1960 to 1965 on ABC, and... more - 242126
Instant Mom
Tylen Jacob Williams, Sydney ParkInstant Mom is an American sitcom developed by Howard Michael Gould and starring Tia... more - 2557
Cousins for Life
Scarlet Spencer, Dallas Dupree YoungCousins for Life (Nickelodeon, 2018) is an American comedy television series created by Kevin... more
