Espionage might be a serious business, but there is no reason it cannot be seen as funny, for a change of stance. Using humor to narrate high-stakes spy missions of skilled spies makes the story more exciting and engaging. And that is why, when Get Smart premiered on television in 1965, it garnered huge popularity, setting a whole new trend that would solidify into a genre of its own.
Since then, several similar shows and series have graced the small screen, entertaining the audience with secret agents engaging in hilarious hijinks to save the day. Read on to discover some of the best spy comedy shows that have been topping the charts on streaming and television. From award-winning adult animation and heartfelt family anime to dramedies and action thrillers, each show depicts spy craft with a lot of laughs, making the ridiculousness of impossible jobs and unimaginable gadgets more believable and enjoyable.
10
‘FUBAR’ (2023–)
Created By Nick Santora
Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in his first ever leading television role, alongside Top Gun: Maverick star Monica Barbaro, FUBAR follows Luke Brenner (Schwarzenegger) and his daughter, Emma (Barbaro), both of whom work for the CIA but are unaware of each other’s real jobs. When they find out the truth about each other and are put on the same missions together, it puts their father-daughter relationship to the test, forcing them to learn about each other and how to work as a team.
A heady mix of whirlwind action and slapstick comedy, the Netflix original spy series packs a punch, as Barbaro and Terminator star slay enemies with the same gusto. FUBAR earned mixed reviews for its predictable plot lines and paralleling 2000s TV procedurals, but is nevertheless a fun and high-energy spy comedy that works as a perfect throwback to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s popular action flicks.
FUBAR
- Release Date
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May 25, 2023
- Network
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Netflix
9
‘Agent Elvis’ (2023)
Created by Priscilla Presley and John Eddie
An adult animated series, Agent Elvis, reimagines Elvis Presley in a fictional characterization where he moonlights as a secret agent for the United States government. Set in the 1970s, the series follows the music legend as he trades his jumpsuit for a jetpack and sets out to save America and the world with his spy skills and a lot of rock ‘n’ roll. Matthew McConaughey stars as Elvis, in a star-studded voice ensemble featuring Don Cheadle, Niecy Nash, Tom Kenny, Priscilla Presley, and Kieran Culkin in major roles.
With its stunning artwork, high-octane visuals, and colorful characters, Agent Elvis gives a unique and interesting look at the King of Rock and Roll and the world of espionage, accentuated by McConaughey’s remarkable voice performance. With enough drama, action, comedy, and great music to accompany Elvis‘ wild spy antics, Agent Elvis makes for a fun and thrilling spy comedy that will keep you engaged and entertained all through.
Agent Elvis
- Release Date
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2023 – 2022
- Writers
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Priscilla Presley, John Eddie
8
‘Harriet the Spy’ (2021–)
Developed by Will McRobb
Based on the eponymous book by Louise Fitzhugh, Harriet the Spy is an animated spy comedy that follows the adventures of the titular 11-year-old girl. Harriet, voiced by Beanie Feldstein, aspires to be a writer and strives to learn everything about everything so she can succeed in her profession. She believes that the only way she can do that is by spying, and so, Harriet sets out to spy on the world with all her curiosity, cleverness, and a little bit of help from her loved ones.
A classic kid’s spy adventure like Spy Kids, Harriet the Spy is admirable and adorable for its heartwarming narrative on self-discovery, translated into the young protagonist’s vivid thoughts and interpretations of the world around her. Loaded with childish antics and espionage misadventures, Harriet the Spy makes for a very fun and entertaining spy comedy for all ages, made better by Feldstein’s charming voice acting.
7
‘Whiskey Cavalier’ (2019)
Created by David Hemingson
Whiskey Cavalier follows FBI agent Will Chase with the titular codename, who is teamed up with CIA operative, Francesca “Frankie” Trowbridge, codenamed Fiery Tribune, to lead an inter-agency team of spies and secret agents. As the oddball team set out on various dangerous and discreet missions to save the world, and each other, they must navigate friendship, romance, and work politics. Scandal star Scott Foley leads this spy action comedy as the titular agent, alongside The Walking Dead star Lauren Cohan as Frankie, with Ana Ortiz, Tyler James Williams, and Vir Das in the main roles.
While Whiskey Cavalier might not be a unicorn of its genre, it is definitely a fun and energetic, albeit cheesy, spy show that does not take itself too seriously, making it a breezy watch. Fueled by the chemistry of the quirky lead characters, Whiskey Cavalier delivers an appealing take on spy comedy conventions.
6
‘Chuck’ (2007–2012)
Created by Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak
Starring Zachary Levi as the titular protagonist, Chuck tells the story of a computer wiz who is stuck in a dead-end job until he receives an encoded email from an old college friend, Bryce (Matt Bomer) working for the CIA. When the highly classified contents of the email get subliminally embedded in Chuck’s brain via encoded images, the CIA and the NSA recruit him for top-secret missions, setting his life on a rollercoaster ride.
Chuck follows the path of contemporary shows like Alias and Alex Rider, where a skilled secret agent lives a double life, but takes a comedic angle. During its run, the series garnered widespread positive reception and praise for its attention to detail, plotting, and appealing characterizations. Critics have also acclaimed Levi’s performance of an underachiever who is unwittingly drawn into heroism. With quick-witted dialogue, ample suspense and spy thrills, Chuck makes for a clever and pleasant narrative on the civilian-turned-asset trope.
Chuck
- Release Date
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2007 – 2012-00-00
- Network
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NBC
5
‘A Man on the Inside’ (2024–)
Created by Michael Schur
Ted Danson leads the cast as the titular man in this comedy series based on Maite Alberdi‘s 2020 documentary The Mole Agent. A Man on the Inside follows Charles (Danson), a recently widowed retired professor, who gets hired by a private investigation firm to go undercover and solve a theft at a local retirement home. Seeking to rediscover his life’s purpose, Charles finds himself thriving at the into the Pacific View Retirement Community, connecting with his peers and making new friends, while uncovering the crime.
A Man on the Inside is witty and warm with lovable characters, topped with Danson’s superb comic pitch and effortless performance that pushed the show on top of Netflix’s comedy charts. The series thrives with its lively characters and wholesome narrative that balances heart and humor with breezy storytelling. A Man on the Inside takes a heartfelt yet quirky stance on real-life issues of senior adults, navigating life, death, retirement, and the emotional impact of aging.
4
‘Kleo’ (2022–)
Created by Hanno Hackfort, Richard Kropf, and Bob Konrad
A German spy comedy thriller, Kleo, set in the 1980s, tells the story of the titular protagonist, a former East German Stasi assassin who is falsely arrested and imprisoned for killing a double agent. When Kleo (Jella Haase) is released nine years later, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, she sets out on a vengeance quest on everyone who ruined her life, while dodging Sven Petzold (Dimitrij Schaad), a West Berlin detective determined to stop her.
Since its premiere, Kleo has quickly become one of the top spy shows on Netflix, distinguished by its vigorous protagonist, mirroring Killing Eve’s Villanelle, which is sure to draw fans. It is campy, quirky, and colorful, with stylized action pieces and a high humor quotient, which makes it a very entertaining and hilarious revenge thriller. Critics have praised the show’s concept, pace, execution, and storytelling style, but mostly Jella Hasse’s brilliant depiction of an eccentric but gritty spy.
3
‘Archer’ (2009–2023)
Created by Adam Reed
Set in an indeterminate era, Archer tells the story of Sterling Archer (H. Jon Benjamin), a suave, elite, and narcissistic spy who works at the International Secret Intelligence Service, run by his abusive mother, Mallory (Jessica Walters), a significant figure in the story, and Sterling’s life. Partnering with his ex, Lana (Aisha Tyler), Archer is tasked with dangerous and impossible missions, where he uses his relentless charm and espionage skills to save the day.
A spy show by the way of workplace comedy, Archer thrives in its parody and satire of global politics, pop culture, space race, espionage and spies, and human relationships through unexpected punchlines and visual gags. The four-time Primetime Emmy-winning TV show is widely acclaimed for its vivid mid-twentieth-century comic-style visuals, memorable dialogues, and distinct characters. A well-designed and brilliantly performed adult comedy series, Archer is as stylish and entertaining as animated spy thrillers can be.
2
‘Get Smart’ (1965–1970)
Created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry
The first ever spy comedy show to grace American television, Get Smart follows the titular, awkward secret agent, Maxwell Smart, aka Agent 86 (Don Adams), and his unnamed fellow female agent, Agent 99 (Barbara Feldon), who works for CONTROL, a secret counterintelligence agency of the United States government, fighting the international organization of evil called KAOS. Despite his incompetencies and clumsiness, Smart always gets lucky and succeeds in his missions with the help of his elite fellow agent, 99.
Get Smart was a one-of-a-kind show for its time, setting the trend for the comedic narrative of spy thrillers, which have influenced future shows and films like Austin Powers, and inspired fictional spies like Johnny English. The NBC series became widely popular for parodying the genre and films like James Bond in Mel Brooks’ comedy style, and popularizing catchphrases like “…and loving it” and “missed it by that much“, among others.
1
‘Spy x Family’ (2022–)
Created by Tatsuya Endo
Adapted from Tatsuya Endo‘s eponymous manga, Spy x Family is set in a fictional period akin to the Cold War, and follows elite spy Twilight, alias Loid Forger, who is on an undercover mission in the rival nation of Ostania. For his mission, Loid adopts a telepathic orphan named Anya and marries a local woman, Yor, who is secretly an assassin, and forms a pretend family, causing hilarious hijinks as they all come together in their odd ways to save each other and the world.
What can be called one of the most adorable family-friendly anime to watch, Spy x Family is a fantastic blend of wit, warmth, humor, action, and stunning artwork, that earned the show critical acclaim. Spy x Family is a wholesome and outstanding anime with a slice-of-life narrative that packs a punch while simultaneously delivering ample laughter and coziness that would appeal to anime novices and seasoned fans alike.
Spy x Family
- Release Date
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April 9, 2022
- Directors
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Kazuhiro Furuhashi, Takahiro Harada
