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| Best Movies Like Let’s Have Kids! About Friendship, Family and Parenthood. |
Let's Have Kids! explores what happens when two lifelong best friends decide to become mothers together, only to discover that life has absolutely no interest in sticking to their shared schedule. The 2026 comedy-drama, directed by Adam Sztykiel, follows Emma and Phoebe as their plans for motherhood take different turns, putting years of friendship under unexpected pressure. For viewers who enjoy stories about family planning, complicated relationships, female friendships and the less glamorous realities of adulthood, several other series offer similarly entertaining themes.
From comedies about exhausted parents to dramas about relationships that change with time, these 20 shows explore what happens when life refuses to follow the plan. Some deliver heartfelt moments, others lean into awkward humour, and a few demonstrate that adulthood is essentially a series of decisions made while hoping nobody notices you are improvising.
Movies Like Let's Have Kids
1. Workin' Moms (2017)
Workin' Moms follows a group of women trying to balance motherhood, careers, relationships and their own expectations of what a successful adult life should look like. The Canadian comedy explores the realities of raising children while attempting to maintain a social life and professional identity, often with hilariously disastrous results.
Like Let's Have Kids!, the series examines how motherhood can change friendships and expose differences between people who once seemed perfectly aligned. Pregnancy, childcare and career pressures create new challenges, while the characters discover that becoming a parent does not automatically make anyone more organised or emotionally prepared.
Its humour comes from situations that feel uncomfortably familiar, particularly when people attempt to appear confident while quietly falling apart. If Emma and Phoebe's complicated journey appeals to you, this is an excellent next watch.
2. Catastrophe (2015)
Starring Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney, Catastrophe follows two people whose lives become unexpectedly intertwined after a pregnancy changes their plans. They attempt to build a relationship while dealing with family expectations, personal differences and the realities of raising a child.
The series shares Let's Have Kids!'s interest in how pregnancy can transform relationships in ways nobody anticipated. Both stories challenge the idea that having a plan means having control, and both find humour in the gap between what people expect from adulthood and what actually happens.
Its sharp British comedy avoids presenting parenthood as a magical solution to every problem. Instead, it shows people making mistakes, struggling to communicate and trying to work things out despite their shortcomings. For viewers who appreciate relationship comedy with emotional depth, Catastrophe is a natural choice.
3. Friends with Kids (2011)
Although Friends with Kids is a feature film rather than a television series, its premise makes it one of the closest comparisons to Let's Have Kids!.
The story follows two close friends who decide to have a child together while attempting to avoid the complications they associate with traditional romantic relationships. Their carefully considered arrangement soon becomes more complicated as emotions and expectations enter the picture.
Like Emma and Phoebe, the central characters believe that planning a major life decision together will make the experience easier. Unfortunately, feelings are notoriously bad at respecting carefully drafted agreements.
The film explores the boundaries between friendship, romance and parenthood, questioning whether people can preserve an existing relationship while navigating such a significant change. It is particularly suitable for viewers who enjoy stories about friendship being tested by family planning.
4. Motherland (2016)
The British comedy Motherland follows Julia, a working mother navigating school runs, professional responsibilities and the competitive social world surrounding modern parenting. Set in suburban London, the series finds comedy in the everyday pressures that can make raising children feel like an unpaid administrative position.
Its connection to Let's Have Kids! lies in its examination of motherhood and the friendships that develop around shared family experiences. The characters often discover that parenting can create unexpected rivalries, misunderstandings and social expectations.
Rather than romanticising family life, Motherland highlights its exhausting routines and the absurd situations that arise when everyone is trying to appear as though they have everything under control. Its dry British humour makes it particularly appealing to viewers who prefer realistic comedy over sentimental parenting stories.
5. SMILF (2017)
SMILF follows Bridgette, a young single mother in Boston who struggles to balance raising her son with her ambitions, romantic relationships and financial responsibilities.
The series offers an honest, frequently awkward portrayal of motherhood, focusing on the personal sacrifices and emotional challenges that accompany raising a child. Like Let's Have Kids!, it explores the isolation that can develop when people's lives change in ways their friends may not fully understand.
Bridgette's circumstances differ from Emma and Phoebe's shared pregnancy plan, but the underlying themes of identity, family expectations and emotional uncertainty remain relevant. The show also questions how much space women are allowed to retain for themselves after becoming mothers.
For viewers who appreciate comedy that acknowledges the less polished side of parenting, SMILF offers a different but worthwhile perspective.
6. Better Things (2016)
Created by Pamela Adlon and Louis C.K., Better Things centres on Sam Fox, an actor raising three daughters while managing her career, relationships and responsibilities towards her ageing mother.
The series focuses on the everyday complications of family life, showing how parenting can influence a person's identity and relationships over time. Its humour is often understated, with emotional moments emerging from ordinary conversations and familiar domestic frustrations.
Like Let's Have Kids!, Better Things recognises that major family changes can affect relationships in unexpected ways. People may love one another deeply while struggling to understand each other's needs, priorities and frustrations.
The series is particularly effective at showing that motherhood does not erase personal ambitions or emotional difficulties. It simply adds several more things to an already crowded schedule.
7. Trying (2020)
The British comedy-drama Trying follows Nikki and Jason, a couple who decide to pursue adoption after struggling to conceive. Their journey towards becoming parents introduces emotional uncertainty, unexpected obstacles and plenty of awkward moments.
The series shares a central theme with Let's Have Kids!: the difference between wanting a family and navigating the complicated reality of starting one. Both stories explore the emotional pressure that can accompany family planning and the difficulties that arise when life refuses to cooperate.
Nikki and Jason must confront their assumptions about parenthood while learning how to support each other through uncertainty. The show balances heartfelt storytelling with light comedy, preventing its more serious themes from becoming overwhelming.
For viewers interested in the emotional side of fertility, adoption and relationships, Trying is among the strongest recommendations on this list.
8. The Letdown (2017)
Australian comedy The Letdown follows Audrey, a new mother struggling with sleepless nights, social isolation and the realities of raising a baby. Her involvement in a new-parents group introduces her to other adults who are attempting to understand their changing lives.
Like Let's Have Kids!, the series explores the emotional complications surrounding motherhood, particularly when people experience major milestones differently. Friendships can provide essential support, but they can also become strained when one person feels misunderstood or left behind.
The series avoids presenting new parenthood as a permanently joyful experience. Instead, it captures the exhaustion, uncertainty and occasional absurdity that can accompany caring for a child.
Its grounded humour makes it an especially good choice for viewers who want stories about parenting that feel recognisable rather than impossibly perfect.
9. Fleabag (2016)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Fleabag follows a woman in London navigating complicated relationships, family tensions and personal difficulties while attempting to make sense of her life.
Although motherhood is not the central focus, the series offers a compelling examination of how friendship and family relationships can become strained by insecurity, resentment and poor communication.
That makes it relevant to Let's Have Kids!, where two lifelong friends must confront feelings that threaten their relationship. Both stories recognise that knowing someone for years does not necessarily mean understanding what they are going through.
Fleabag combines sharp humour with emotional vulnerability, allowing its central character to be entertaining, frustrating and sympathetic at the same time. For viewers interested in the messier side of adult relationships, it is an excellent option.
10. Divorce (2016)
Starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Thomas Haden Church, Divorce follows a married couple whose relationship begins to unravel, forcing them to reconsider their future and the lives they have built together.
The series examines how major personal changes affect relationships, families and social circles. Although its central conflict differs from the pregnancy pact in Let's Have Kids!, both stories explore what happens when reality no longer matches people's expectations.
The characters in Divorce frequently struggle to communicate their needs, and their attempts to regain control can create even more problems. Its comedy emerges from the awkwardness of adults trying to make difficult decisions while convincing themselves that everything remains perfectly reasonable.
For viewers who enjoy relationship-driven comedy with realistic emotional complications, Divorce is a strong choice.
11. Girlfriends (2000)
Girlfriends follows a group of women in Los Angeles as they navigate careers, romantic relationships, family expectations and the changing demands of adulthood.
The sitcom places female friendship at the centre of its storytelling, exploring the loyalty, disagreements and personal compromises that come with maintaining long-term relationships.
Like Let's Have Kids!, the series recognises that friendships can become more complicated when people enter different stages of life. Shared history does not guarantee that friends will always want the same things or understand each other's decisions.
Its characters frequently offer advice, disagree over personal choices and occasionally make matters worse before finding a way forward. That combination of humour and emotional familiarity makes Girlfriends a worthwhile recommendation for anyone interested in stories about friendships that evolve over time.
12. Grace and Frankie (2015)
Grace and Frankie follows two women whose lives take an unexpected turn when their husbands reveal that they are in love with each other. Forced to reconsider their futures, the women gradually develop an unlikely friendship.
The series shares Let's Have Kids!'s interest in how major life changes can reshape relationships and personal identity. Grace and Frankie have very different personalities, but their circumstances force them to reconsider their assumptions about friendship and independence.
Their journey is filled with disagreements, questionable decisions and unexpected moments of understanding. Rather than suggesting that starting over is easy, the series shows how difficult change can be even when it ultimately offers new opportunities.
Its warm comedy makes it a good choice for viewers who enjoy stories about friendship surviving circumstances nobody originally planned for.
13. The Bold Type (2017)
The Bold Type follows three close friends working at a New York women's magazine as they navigate professional ambitions, relationships and personal challenges.
While the series focuses more on careers than parenthood, its central friendship offers a strong parallel with Let's Have Kids! The characters frequently find themselves at different stages of life, forcing them to reconsider how they support one another while pursuing individual goals.
Their experiences highlight the difficulties of maintaining close friendships when priorities change. What once seemed like a shared future can gradually become three very different paths.
The show combines humour, relationship drama and personal growth, making it a good choice for viewers who enjoy contemporary stories about women balancing friendship with the pressures of adulthood.
14. Insecure (2016)
Created by Issa Rae and Larry Wilmore, Insecure follows Issa Dee and her best friend Molly as they navigate relationships, careers and personal insecurities in Los Angeles.
Their friendship is a major part of the series, but it is repeatedly tested by jealousy, misunderstandings and changing expectations. Although both women care about each other, they do not always know how to handle the differences emerging between them.
This makes Insecure particularly relevant to Let's Have Kids! Both stories explore how long-term friendships can become strained when people's lives stop moving in the same direction.
The series balances awkward comedy with emotional depth, presenting characters who can be both sympathetic and frustrating. For viewers most interested in the friendship at the heart of Let's Have Kids!, this is one of the best choices.
15. Younger (2015)
Younger follows Liza Miller, a divorced mother who pretends to be younger than she is to restart her career in publishing. Her deception creates complications across her professional and personal life.
The series explores the expectations surrounding age, identity and adulthood, examining how people sometimes feel pressured to present a version of themselves that does not reflect their actual circumstances.
That theme connects with Let's Have Kids!, which examines the pressure to reach important life milestones at the supposedly correct time. Both stories question the idea that everyone must follow the same timetable to be considered successful.
With its mix of romance, friendship and workplace comedy, Younger offers an entertaining look at the compromises people make while trying to build the lives they want.
16. Parenthood (2010)
Parenthood follows the Braverman family as several generations navigate relationships, careers, parenting and the complications of staying connected.
The drama explores the different challenges people face as their families grow and their responsibilities change. Some characters struggle with raising children, while others must reconsider their relationships and expectations about the future.
Like Let's Have Kids!, the series recognises that family life rarely unfolds at the same pace for everyone. Different experiences can create tension, even among people who genuinely want to support one another.
Its combination of emotional storytelling and lighter family moments makes it an excellent choice for viewers interested in the wider consequences of parenthood. The series also shows how individual decisions can affect an entire family rather than just the people making them.
17. This Is Us (2016)
This Is Us follows the Pearson family across different periods, exploring marriage, parenthood, sibling relationships and the experiences that shape people's lives.
The series shares Let's Have Kids!'s interest in the emotional complexities of building a family. Parenthood can strengthen relationships, but it can also expose anxieties, disagreements and expectations that people have struggled to express.
Its interconnected storytelling shows how personal experiences influence family relationships over time. Characters must confront their own histories while trying to make better decisions for the people they love.
Although considerably more dramatic than Let's Have Kids!, the series is a strong recommendation for viewers who want family-centred storytelling with emotional depth and relatable relationship struggles.
18. The Baby-Sitters Club (2020)
Based on Ann M. Martin's popular book series, The Baby-Sitters Club follows a group of friends who establish a babysitting business while balancing school, family responsibilities and the challenges of growing up.
The series takes a lighter approach to friendship and responsibility, but its central themes remain relevant to Let's Have Kids! The characters must learn to communicate, manage disagreements and accept that their friends will not always share the same priorities.
Their experiences demonstrate that maintaining a close friendship requires flexibility and understanding, especially when circumstances begin to change.
Although aimed primarily at younger viewers, the series offers an enjoyable reminder that friendships evolve as people grow. Its family-friendly tone also makes it a suitable choice for viewers looking for something gentler after a more emotionally demanding comedy-drama.
19. Couples Therapy (2019)
Couples Therapy is a documentary series following real couples as they attend sessions with psychoanalyst Dr Orna Guralnik.
The series explores communication problems, emotional expectations and the long-standing disagreements that can complicate relationships. Rather than relying on scripted arguments or convenient resolutions, it allows viewers to observe how people attempt to understand one another.
Its connection to Let's Have Kids! lies in the difficulties that arise when expectations collide with reality. Emma and Phoebe's friendship becomes strained because their experiences no longer match the future they imagined together. Couples Therapy explores similar questions about how people respond when their relationships fail to meet their assumptions.
For viewers interested in the psychology of relationships, this series offers a more reflective alternative to conventional comedy-drama.
20. Big Little Lies (2017)
Big Little Lies follows a group of mothers in Monterey, California, whose seemingly comfortable lives conceal complicated relationships and growing tensions within their social circle.
Starring Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman and Shailene Woodley, the series explores motherhood, friendship, family expectations and the pressure to maintain a convincing public image.
Like Let's Have Kids!, it examines how differences in personal circumstances can affect relationships between women. Shared experiences may initially bring people together, but competition, insecurity and misunderstandings can gradually create distance.
The tone is considerably darker and more suspenseful, yet the underlying themes of friendship and the pressures surrounding parenthood make it a relevant recommendation. Beneath the polished suburban appearances, the characters are dealing with problems that cannot be solved simply by pretending everything is fine.
My opinion is that Workin' Moms, Trying and The Letdown are the strongest starting points for anyone looking for shows similar to Let's Have Kids! They explore the realities of parenthood while allowing their characters to be imperfect, funny and occasionally difficult to understand. For viewers more interested in the friendship between Emma and Phoebe, Insecure and Girlfriends offer equally compelling stories about relationships that must adapt as life changes.
What makes these shows interesting is their recognition that people can care deeply about one another and still struggle to understand each other's experiences. That feels far more believable than a story in which every disagreement disappears after one heartfelt conversation. Which of these 20 shows would you watch first? And do you think the best part of Let's Have Kids! is its take on motherhood or its portrayal of a friendship under pressure? Share your thoughts and your own recommendations so other viewers can discover their next favourite series.