The FX and FXX series first premiered on August 4, 2005, with a simple concept centered around a dysfunctional group of friends running an Irish dive bar in South Philadelphia. What started as a low-budget comedy shot on handheld cameras has grown into one of the most recognizable comedy franchises in modern television.
The comedy continues to attract viewers in 2026, after Season 17 aired in 2025 and Season 18 entered development. Streaming has also helped the show maintain momentum years after its television debut.
Actors Rob McElhenney, Danny DeVito, Kaitlin Olson and Glenn Howerton are seen filming scenes of season 12 of 'It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia' sitcomPhoto by Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images
The review summary adds that the characters are “a group of degenerates who loves nothing more than to scheme, conspire, and mostly revel in each other's misery.”
The Guardian described the series’ difficult beginnings by writing: “The success of It’s Always Sunny was never guaranteed. It was born only a few months after YouTube, shot on a handheld camera, had a budget of practically nothing and featured a motley crew of out-of-work actors.”
The show’s premise focused on “the exploits of an idiotic, narcissistic group of friends running an Irish dive bar in South Philly who scheme, betray and trick each other – or unfortunate strangers at every turn.”
The arrival of Danny DeVito during Season 2 became one of the biggest turning points in the sitcom’s history. The show’s staying power has also been boosted by its cast members finding success outside the series.
TV Guide wrote: “The great Kaitlin Olson (her other show, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, is also on this list) stars in this ABC procedural as Morgan Gillory, a single mother with an IQ of 160.”
Streaming platforms have also introduced the comedy to younger audiences. In December 2025, Disney announced that the series had surpassed one billion streaming hours on Disney+ during 2025.
Related: 1975 Hit Comedy Film, Famously Ending After Funding Crash, Ranked No. 1 ‘Most Rewatchable Movie of All Time’
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