Sign up

Arrested Development

2003 – 2019Show5 seasons84 episodesTV-MA

Comedy
80
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb8.6Metacritic788.8Rotten Tomatoes75%85%

An intricate, eccentric comedy series about family and class and money, with standout dialogue and performances.

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

Skip it if you want to half-watch while scrolling

Where to watch

Set your services
What's new on Netflix

Fingerprint

Not for scares or brutality.

Shows with

Episodes

5 seasons · 84 episodes · best: S3E13 "Development Arrested" 9.1

Episodes

8.3
8.6
8.5
7.6
7.0

Story

Someone had to get the family back together.

The story of a wealthy family that lost everything, and the one son who had no choice but to keep them all together.

Feels like

  • Dense Satirical Comedy
  • Complex Family Dysfunction
  • Witty Wordplay & Puns
  • Non-Linear Narrative Structure
  • Class & Capitalism Critique
  • High Rewatchability
  • Absurd Situational Humor
  • Iconic Voiceover Narration
  • Meta-Textual Storytelling
  • Endearing yet Toxic Dynamics

Cast

24 of 501 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
Troy Miller, Mitchell Hurwitz, Joe Russo
Written by
Mitchell Hurwitz, Jim Vallely, Richard A. Rosenstock
Produced by
Brad Copeland, Barbie Adler, Michael Cera
Music by
David Schwartz

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

November 2, 2003 · March 15, 2019 · Ended

First aired
November 2, 2003
Last aired
March 15, 2019
Status
Ended
Length
5 seasons · 84 episodes
Age rating
TV-MA
Content
Strong Language, Sexual Content
Genres
Comedy
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Available in
67 countries

Tropes

Insistent Terminology, Unusual Euphemism, Blah, Blah, Blah +9

  • Insistent Terminology
  • Unusual Euphemism
  • Blah, Blah, Blah
  • Colon Cancer
  • Foregone Conclusion
  • Side Effects Include...
  • No Celebrities Were Harmed
  • Beware the Nice Ones
  • Bury Your Gays
  • Standardized Sitcom Housing
  • Cringe Comedy
  • Open Relationship Failure

12 of 340 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream Arrested Development?"

Questions about Arrested Development

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Arrested Development?

Netflix

In the United States, Arrested Development streams on Netflix. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 66 other countries.

Is Arrested Development worth watching?

80
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 80 (IMDb 8.6, Rotten Tomatoes 75%, and Metacritic 78). Season 5 is the weak spot, with an IMDb average of 7.0 against 8.6 for the best season.

Which season of Arrested Development is best?

Season 2, with an IMDb average of 8.6. Season 5 is the weakest at 7.0. The highest-rated episode is Development Arrested (season 3, episode 13) at 9.1, and the lowest is Borderline Personalities (season 4, episode 2) at 6.8.

Is Arrested Development okay for kids?

TV-MAStrong languageSexual content

Yes: it's rated TV-MA in the United States for strong language and sexual content, and the viewing guide lists it for family nights.

Will Arrested Development make me laugh?

Very funny

Yes, a lot: the humor is mostly sharp wit (10 of 10) and situational comedy (9 of 10).

Can I half-watch Arrested Development?

Easy watchDemanding

No, it needs your attention: the title analysis rates it 10 of 10 for complexity and 9 for non-linear narrative.

What tropes does Arrested Development use?

Insistent TerminologyUnusual EuphemismBlah, Blah, BlahColon CancerForegone ConclusionSide Effects Include...No Celebrities Were HarmedBeware the Nice OnesBury Your GaysStandardized Sitcom HousingCringe ComedyOpen Relationship Failureand 328 more

TV Tropes lists 340 tropes for it, including Insistent Terminology, Unusual Euphemism, and Blah, Blah, Blah.