Whether you need cheering up or want to keep the good vibes going, sometimes an upbeat show is the perfect thing to add some joy to your day.
Luckily, Netflix is a treasure trove of this kind of happy content. From sitcoms to reality TV, the platform has plenty of shows that are designed to bring a smile to your face.
Check out Watch With Us’ recommendations of the best shows to make you happy in June 2025, featuring actors like Jon Hamm, Joe Locke and Rita Moreno.
‘One Day at a Time’ (2017-2020)
A reboot of the 1970s sitcom of the same name, One Day at a Time is a total joy bomb of a show. It follows single mom Penelope (Justina Machado) as she raises her two kids with the help of her eccentric and glamorous mother Lydia (Rita Moreno). It employs the perfect balance of witty joke writing and physical comedy, along with excellent character development and unforgettable emotional moments.
One Day at a Time has been praised for its deft handling of social issues and its excellent sense of humor. At the end of a day, it’s a comedy about a supportive, loving family that is a total mood-booster.
‘Old Enough!’ (1991-Present)
This long-running Japanese reality show has two seasons available on Netflix, and they’re truly adorable. On Old Enough!, toddlers as young as 3 years old are sent to run solo errands for their parents. The kids are simply too cute for words as they try to remember what, exactly, their mom or dad asked them to do. They get distracted by everything from other kids to birds or clouds, but usually manage to complete some portion of their mission.
Old Enough! is low-stakes, sweet fun that also offers a peek into Japanese child-rearing culture.
‘Heartstopper’ (2022-Present)
This groundbreaking series, based on a popular graphic novel by Alice Oseman, follows two teen English boys, Charlie (Joe Locke) and Nick (Kit Connor), as they explore a friendship that slowly develops into love.
Their romance is sweet and wholesome, as are their relationships with their families (Nick’s mom is played by the ultra-talented Olivia Colman) and their diverse group of friends. Though it has darker moments, Heartstopper is an uplifting and optimistic show that will fill you with the rush of first love.
‘Queer Eye’ (2018-Present)
“More than a makeover” is the tagline for this hit reality TV series, in which a group of gay men (known as the “Fab Five”) help a “hero” nominated by their friends and family to remodel their lives. Jonathan Van Ness, Karamo Brown, Antoni Porowski, Tan France and Bobby Berk (seasons 1-8; he was replaced by Jeremiah Brent in season 9) help to improve their subject’s grooming, emotional and cultural life, culinary skills, fashion, and home decor, giving them a reset so they can live up to their full potential.
Queer Eye does an excellent job of taking the makeover concept and going much further than skin deep. It’s full of touching moments and a contagious sense of optimistic energy.
‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ (2015-2019)
The premise of this show doesn’t sound very joyful at first: Kimmy Schmidt (Ellie Kemper of The Office) was kidnapped as a teenager and kept locked in an underground bunker by an evil Reverend (Jon Hamm) who convinced her and her fellow captives that the world had ended in an apocalypse. But when Kimmy is finally rescued after 15 years, she becomes determined to live life to the fullest, embarking on a journey to New York City full of crazy adventures and new friends.
Jane Krakowski, Tituss Burgess and Carol Kane play a wealthy socialite, a self-centered aspiring actor and a not-all-there landlady, respectively, who become Kimmy’s friends and allies in the strange new world of the 2010s.
Tina Fey and Robert Carlock have done it again with their new show, “Kimmy Schmidt”. This quirky comedy follows the life of Kimmy, a young woman who is starting over after being rescued from a doomsday cult. Despite the dark premise, Kimmy’s irrepressible enthusiasm and zest for her new life make this show a joyful experience.
From the moment Kimmy steps foot in New York City, she is determined to make the most of her newfound freedom. Her infectious energy and positive attitude are contagious, and it’s impossible not to root for her as she navigates the challenges of modern life. Whether she’s starting a new job, making new friends, or dealing with her eccentric roommate Titus, Kimmy approaches every situation with a sense of wonder and excitement.
One of the highlights of “Kimmy Schmidt” is its sharp wit and clever humor. As fans of “30 Rock” would expect, the jokes are fast-paced and razor-sharp, with plenty of pop culture references and witty one-liners. But beyond the laughs, the show also offers insightful social commentary on topics ranging from feminism to technology to the American justice system.
Tina Fey and Robert Carlock have created a world that is both absurd and relatable, filled with quirky characters and outrageous situations. And at the heart of it all is Kimmy, a beacon of hope and resilience in a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming. Her journey is a reminder that no matter what life throws at us, we have the power to choose how we respond.
So if you’re looking for a show that will make you laugh, think, and feel inspired, look no further than “Kimmy Schmidt”. With its mix of humor, heart, and social commentary, it’s a must-watch for fans of smart, quirky comedy. And with Tina Fey and Robert Carlock at the helm, you know you’re in for a wild and hilarious ride.
