3 Shows About Dysfunctional Families You Have to Watch Right Now: ‘Succession’ and More

Dysfunctional family members vying for power is a pretty popular topic for television series.

Netflix even has a new show called House of Guinness, which brings the cutthroat dynamics of family members grappling with a vast inheritance to the world of beer-making.

This endlessly compelling premise has seen numerous variants throughout TV and film, spanning comedy to drama — you may already be quite familiar with one of its most popular iterations, Succession.

Watch With Us has chosen three of the best series about dysfunctional families. Read on to see our favorites.

‘Succession’ (2018-2023)

Aging patriarch of the international media conglomerate Waystar Royco, Logan Roy (Brian Cox) is not planning to step aside any time soon, but is nevertheless considering the company’s — and his — future. Upon his death, he will leave his multi-billion-dollar corporation to his four maladjusted children: checked-out, eldest son Connor (Alan Ruck), free-wheeling Roman (Kieran Culkin), determined but troubled Kendall (Jeremy Strong), and political fixer and only daughter, Siobhan (Sarah Snook).

The series follows the chaotic Roy family as the four siblings compete for their father’s good side and, thus, control of the company, as they rise in the ranks at Waystar Royco. Meanwhile, their fervent desperation for power consistently clashes with questions of loyalty and ethics. Succession is often considered one of the greatest television shows of all time, praised for its acting, writing and direction. Flecked with sharp black comedy, Succession is a wildly entertaining commentary on the blinding nature of power.

Watch Succession now on HBO Max.

‘Arrested Development’ (2003-2019)

Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman) wants desperately to get away from his wealthy family. His father, George Sr. (Jeffrey Tambor), CEO of the massively successful Bluth Company, is a corrupt criminal, and his mother, Lucille (Jessica Walter), is a frigid narcissist. His siblings are each varying degrees of neurotic and immature: his older brother, George Oscar “GOB” (Will Arnett) is a magician, his twin sister, Lindsey (Portia de Rossi), is a materialistic, neglectful mother, and his younger brother, Buster (Tony Hale), is overly devoted to their mother.

Michael has his big escape from the Bluth family all planned out — until George Sr. is sought for arrest for white-collar crime, and goes into hiding. With Michael being the only competent Bluth child, he is made head of the company against his wishes and forced to continue contending with his annoying siblings — all of whom desire a piece of the pie. Considered a defining show of the 2000s, Arrested Development may shock you with how dense and intricate it is for a comedy series. The layers of humor bear the need for repeat viewings, with more jokes per minute than you can keep track of.

Watch Arrested Development now on Netflix.

‘The Righteous Gemstones’ (2019-2025)

Considered by some to be the Succession of the megachurch televangelist world, The Righteous Gemstones centers on the excessively privileged Gemstone family, led by patriarch Eli (John Goodman). As Eli is looking to retire from heading the world-famous family of preachers and their many business ventures, he struggles to see his three children as suitable heirs. All immature and egotistical in their own right, Jesse (Danny McBride), Judy (Edi Patterson), and Kelvin (Adam Devine) vie to be seen as the most responsible Gemstone child, which usually backfires on them.

In the meantime, forces from both outside and inside the family are constantly threatening the stability of the Gemstones’ vast religious empire. From estranged siblings to masked blackmailers, competing pastors and motorcycle-riding assassins, The Righteous Gemstones follows the titular family’s many conflicts as Eli wonders who will take over in his stead. The series has a killer mix of action, comedy, and family drama, but it’s the jokes and unforgettable one-liners that will stay with you. Still, the writing has plenty of pathos, and the series’ many immature characters are still treated with surprising care and empathy.

Watch The Righteous Gemstones now on HBO Max.