7 shows like Malcolm in the Middle to fill your dysfunctional family sitcom void

Malcolm in the Middle is an American Sitcom created by Linwood Boomer for Fox Broadcasting Company.

The sitcom premiered on January 9, 2000, and the finale episode was released on May 14, 2006, after 7 seasons with 151 episodes. The show portrayed a realistic yet humorous picture of what it was like to grow up in a chaotic household where love always prevailed. Despite conflict, inadequate planning, and miscommunication, everything worked out.

This is a list of 7 shows that have the same spirit as the Fox sitcom. The shows in this list feature unusual characters, family problems, and events that will make you laugh and smile. These stories serve as a wake-up reminder that no family is too good, whether it is a child who wants to do the right thing with his/her own challenges or a parent who battles to keep it together at all costs.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the author's opinions. Reader discretion is advised.

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Here is the list of 7 shows like Malcolm in the Middle to fill your dysfunctional family sitcom void

7. The Real O'Neals (2016)

The Real O'Neals is the story of an Irish Catholic family residing in Chicago. The life of the family is transformed when the eldest son reveals that he has anorexia, the second son comes out as gay, and the youngest doubts her religion. The parents are, in the meantime, experiencing a difficult divorce. The audience gets to experience chaos, humor, and heart through the show as the family grapples with these challenges, but in a disjointed manner.

The family conducts a mock divorce court in one scene when they find out how miserable the parents were as a married couple. The plot is similar to Malcolm in the Middle in that it deals with difficult family situations. Both sitcoms showcase dysfunctional, secretive families who love each other despite the numerous miscommunications and difficulties they face.

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6. My Name is Earl (2005)

The primary character of My Name Is Earl is Earl Hickey, a lottery winner who is determined to change his life by making amends for all the suffering he has caused others. Earl makes a note of everything that went wrong and attempts to fix each issue one at a time. His struggle to become a better person is replete with comic situations and moronic plans.

Back in the small town, Earl must learn to live through the confusion of having a quirky ex-wife and a brother-in-law, Randy, who takes it easy. His family life is not at all ordinary, and it suffers many unexpected turns and twists that keep Earl on his toes.

In a particularly memorable and funny scene, Earl and Randy try to return the stolen bicycles to their rightful owners. The situation is similar to Malcolm in the Middle, when the brothers' attempts to intervene merely worsen matters.

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5. Raising Hope (2010)

Raising Hope is a sitcom that revolves around a young man, Jimmy Chances, who suddenly finds himself a single father with a baby, Hope, after having a one-night stand with a woman who gets imprisoned. Jimmy, his eccentric parents, and his grandmother together attempt to raise the child.

In one scene, when the family is about to celebrate Hope's first birthday, they unwisely occupy themselves by playing bizarre games and badly decorating the area. This leads to an emotionally charged yet humorous sequence of events.

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4. Arrested Development (2003)

Arrested Development features Michael Bluth and the rest of his privileged but dysfunctional family after the father was arrested for fraud. Michael attempts to keep the family in order as they find themselves in one problem after another. Nancy Banks-Smith from The Guardian wrote on Rotten Tomatoes,

"Arrested Development is not laugh-out-loud funny but it's definitely fun."

It evokes memories of Malcolm in the Middle, when Malcolm attempted to keep his family together, only to be foiled by his family members' selfishness. The same formula that made Malcolm in the Middle such a funny and endearing character has been used once more to create turmoil, banter, and problematic familial ties in Arrested Development.

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3. Fresh Off the Boat (2015)

Fresh Off the Boat is a sitcom about a Taiwanese-American family who ran steakhouses in Washington, D.C. before relocating to Orlando, Fla. in the 1990s.

Similar to Malcolm in the Middle, the series focuses on the difficulty of adjusting to a new urban environment and culture while keeping close family ties. The eldest son, Eddie, always clashes with his immigrant father, Louis, and mother, Jessica, over the question of education and American society. At one point, Eddie is falsely accused of stealing a CD in one of the stores. During the argument, the family unites to resolve the issue, showing their love for one another.

The scene captures the Malcolm in the Middle theme, showcasing a family life filled with misunderstandings and a chaotic yet loving relationship. The ups and downs of growing up in an imperfect but affectionate family are highlighted in both shows.

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2. Everybody Hates Chris (2005)

Everybody Hates Chris is a sitcom that focuses on the life of a youngster (Chris Rock) growing up in Brooklyn during the 1980s. It dwells on Chris, his strict and yet loving parents, his two brothers, and their encounter with problems of cruel school times and violent neighborhoods.

Chris attempts to be trouble-free at school but finds himself accused of starting a brawl that he was not present for. His parents are later told about it, and they tell him that they are both annoyed and amused.

In the style of Malcolm in the Middle, misunderstandings frequently lead to mischief but also bring families closer together. Through humor & heart, the audience is drawn into stories of what it feels like to grow up in a dysfunctional yet ultimately supportive family.

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1. The Middle (2009)

The Middle is about the Heck family, who reside in Indiana. Mike, their father, and Frankie, their mother, work full-time jobs and face personal hardships while raising their three children. Each of the children has different issues and humorous personalities, making the household lively but troublesome.

In one scene, Frankie is making the family breakfast, but it ends up becoming one whole mess with missing food and the children tying knots. The Hecks still have each other, even though everything has gone wrong. The show's tone and theme are quite similar to Malcolm in the Middle.

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These seven shows shared the same theme, which made Malcolm in the Middle loved. These TV series were remarkable in the way they combined humor with genuine emotion. All these sitcoms showed that no matter what, family always shows up.