Skip to main content
Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Suit up for a Legen — wait for it — dary, reboot. If you missed watching Ted Mosby’s (Josh Radnor) humorous attempts to find his wife on How I Met Your Mother, you’ve probably been keeping up with Sophie (Hilary Duff) on How I Met Your Father.
Just like the original, HIMYF tells the story of a tight-knit friend group in their early twenties, working through their new relationships and careers. It is a feel-good show with a hint of mystery – with each episode getting closer to disclosing who the titular father may be. Sophie did confirm that she met her husband on the night of her friend’s engagement party, which limits the options to main characters Sid, Jesse, Ian, Charlie, or Drew. Though most theories point towards Jesse, the franchise has led viewers astray once before on the predecessor series, which makes the choice all the more difficult.
While you try to figure out who the father is, here are seven other shows that mimic the humor and comfort of How I Met Your Father.
'How I Met Your Mother'
How I Met Your Mother was released in 2005, so if you started the reboot without seeing the original, here is your sign to go back in time. This hit sitcom encompasses everything needed for a successful show: humor, romance, inside-jokes and a stellar cast. Each episode of How I Met Your Mother goes through the motions of seeking out who Ted Mosby’s potential wife could be. The characters in this show are complex and hilarious, with our personal favorite being Barney Stinson.
'Friends'
Everyone wants what Friends had in its prime. The cast was lovable, and each character was relatable in their own way which really resonated with a large audience. This friend group goes through life battling normal people problems (breakups, jobs, family-drama) in a hilarious way, constantly leaning on each other for support. If you like How I Met Your Father, and have not watched Friends, stop reading this article, and start streaming – this is destined to be your next favorite comedy.
'Younger'
Unlike the other recs, Younger is a newer show. As it premiered in 2015 and ran through 2021, the series showcases more modern takes on the New York dating scene. This show revolves around Liza Miller, a 41-year-old who lies about her age so that she is able to revive her career. Though stretching the truth started with good intentions, she finds herself in a troubling situation when other people get involved and need to maintain the lie as well. A subplot of the show centers around Liza’s love-life where she must choose between someone who is good for her true self, or for the persona she has become. Plus, Hilary Duff plays Kelsey Peters, Liza’s cooler sidekick.
'New Girl'
Unlike Younger, New Girl is less drama, more comedy. This hit show tells the story of Jessica Day, a quirky teacher, who ends up living with three, single, male roommates – Nick, Schmidt and Winston. After Jess’s break-up, she’s looking for a fresh start, and quickly turns her new housemates into close friends – even crossing the line to “more than friends” with one of the eligible bachelors. The dynamic between the characters is hilarious and makes for the perfect comfort watch. You will find yourself dreaming of the chance to live with strangers in a chaotic loft apartment after bingeing these seven seasons.
'Young & Hungry'
Young and Hungry did not garner the same cult following as some of these other shows, but that’s just because it was under-hyped – making it a hidden gem you may not have heard about. Gabi, a personal chef, is the star of this story – which starts when she lands a job working for Josh, a rich tech-entrepreneur. Josh’s snarky publicist Elliot and sarcastic housekeeper Yolanda complete the staff, and must learn to warm up to newbie, Gabi, – especially after she forms a more-than-professional relationship with their shared boss. Gabi’s character is so similar to Sophie on How I Met Your Father – and, both blonde leads are joined by a sassy brunette-best-friend to help them get through life’s problems.
'Single Parents'
If you find yourself wanting more of Leighton Meester after seeing her small role in How I Met Your Father, you should start with Single Parents, where the Gossip Girl alum plays the lead. Instead of a group of 20-year-old friends looking for love, this show centers around divorcees, where the lovable characters must deal with co-parenting while looking for new spouses. These singles bond over shared experiences and make light of what could be a hard journey to navigate. (Fun fact: Taran Killam, who also stars in Single Parents, is married to Cobie Smulders – also known as Robin, from How I Met Your Mother).
'Grand Crew'
From ‘McLaren’s Pub in How I Met Your Mother to Central Perk in Friends, many shows revolve around a friend group’s favorite place to meet up. For the pals of Grand Crew, hot-spot-bar, Cru, is the center of where everything typically unfolds. This is where the ensemble cast meets to sip wine and talk about their lives. These characters find humor in life’s obstacles and constantly lean on each other for support.
