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| Best Shows Like How to Ruin Diwali. |
If How to Ruin Diwali left you wanting more family feuds, awkward romantic moments and celebrations that go spectacularly off schedule, these 21 shows deserve a place on your watchlist. The 2026 Netflix South African comedy-drama brings together Mmabatho Nkomo, her fiancé Varshen and two very different families for a Diwali gathering that quickly becomes a masterclass in how not to organise a family reunion. Between unexpected revelations, clashing traditions, complicated relationships and relatives who apparently have never heard of minding their own business, the series turns a festive weekend into a wonderfully chaotic affair.
Its blend of cultural identity, relationship troubles and domestic comedy makes it particularly appealing to viewers who enjoy stories where family members create more problems than they solve. Fortunately, television has plenty of other shows featuring disastrous celebrations, complicated in-laws and romantic relationships caught in the crossfire.
Shows Like How to Ruin Diwali
1. The Kandasamys (2017)
The Kandasamys is a South African romantic comedy film franchise centred on two neighbouring Indian South African families whose long-running rivalry creates endless trouble for their children. As romantic relationships develop, parental interference becomes practically a family tradition of its own. The films share plenty of ground with How to Ruin Diwali, particularly their South African setting, cultural traditions, relationship complications and clashes between generations. Both stories understand that falling in love is relatively straightforward compared with convincing two families to get along. The Kandasamys is an especially strong choice for viewers who enjoyed the cultural humour and family dynamics in Mmabatho and Varshen's story. It also brings a familiar kind of comedy in which adults insist they know best, only to make everything considerably worse.
2. Kandasamys: The Wedding (2019)
Picking up the family comedy with a wedding at its centre, Kandasamys: The Wedding follows the chaos surrounding a major romantic milestone. Naturally, bringing families together does not automatically mean everyone will behave themselves. Wedding preparations, expectations and competing personalities provide plenty of opportunities for misunderstandings and arguments. This makes it a particularly fitting companion to How to Ruin Diwali, where an engagement announcement is supposed to be a carefully managed occasion before family secrets threaten the entire gathering. Both productions explore how cultural traditions and parental expectations can complicate modern relationships. If you enjoy watching a supposedly joyful event descend into a series of increasingly ridiculous problems, this South African comedy should be near the top of your list.
3. Kandasamys: The Baby (2023)
The third main Kandasamys film shifts the family's attention towards another significant life event, bringing familiar personalities and their relationship troubles back into the picture. The comedy once again draws on family expectations, generational differences and the challenge of allowing younger relatives to make their own decisions. Like How to Ruin Diwali, it understands that major milestones rarely happen without someone offering unwanted advice or turning a minor disagreement into a household emergency. Its South African Indian family setting also makes it a natural recommendation for viewers who appreciate the cultural background of Mmabatho and Varshen's story. The humour comes from recognisable family behaviour, particularly the belief that every personal decision somehow requires approval from the entire extended family.
4. Never Have I Ever (2020)
Never Have I Ever follows Devi Vishwakumar, an Indian American teenager trying to balance school, friendships, romance and the expectations of her family. Created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, the Netflix comedy-drama mixes awkward teenage decisions with emotional family stories and cultural identity. Devi's attempts to control her life frequently backfire, making her a fitting match for Mmabatho's determination to organise every detail of her romantic future. Both characters discover that people rarely follow the plans made for them, especially when feelings, family traditions and unresolved problems become involved. The series is younger in tone than How to Ruin Diwali, but it offers a similarly entertaining look at the tension between personal freedom and family expectations.
5. Family Business (2019)
The French comedy series Family Business follows the Hazan family, whose ordinary butcher shop becomes the centre of an increasingly unconventional business venture. The family members have different ambitions, questionable ideas and a remarkable ability to turn simple decisions into complicated situations. Although its central premise differs from the festive relationship drama of How to Ruin Diwali, the show's humour comes from the same essential ingredient: relatives who cannot stop interfering in one another's lives. Its combination of family loyalty, arguments and escalating misunderstandings should appeal to anyone who enjoys watching a household attempt to remain functional while circumstances become increasingly absurd. Sometimes, all a comedy needs is a group of people who should probably stop making decisions together.
6. Indian Matchmaking (2020)
Indian Matchmaking offers a reality television perspective on relationships, family expectations and cultural traditions. The series follows matchmaker Sima Taparia as she works with singles and their families to navigate the complicated process of finding a suitable partner. Rather than relying on scripted misunderstandings, it presents real conversations about compatibility, marriage, family approval and differing expectations. These subjects overlap with How to Ruin Diwali, where the relationship between Mmabatho and Varshen must survive the pressure created by their families. Viewers interested in the cultural and generational questions behind the fictional comedy may find this series particularly engaging. It also demonstrates that discussions about marriage can become complicated even when nobody has accidentally revealed a family secret over dinner.
7. The Big Family Cooking Showdown (2017)
The Big Family Cooking Showdown is a British competitive cooking programme in which families work together to prepare dishes and impress the judges. Although it is less dramatic than How to Ruin Diwali, it offers a similar focus on family relationships, cultural food traditions and the pressure of performing well when everyone is watching. Cooking together can reveal plenty about how relatives communicate, cooperate and react when things go wrong. The programme provides a lighter alternative for viewers who enjoyed the food and festive atmosphere surrounding the Netflix series but would prefer fewer relationship complications. There is still tension, competition and the occasional kitchen mishap, although the stakes are rather lower than a family gathering threatened by an explosive secret.
8. Kim's Convenience (2016)
Kim's Convenience centres on a Korean Canadian family running a convenience store in Toronto. Parents Appa and Umma have strong opinions about how their children should live, while Janet and Jung try to establish independence and make their own choices. The sitcom explores cultural identity, generational differences and the affectionate frustrations of family life. Like How to Ruin Diwali, it finds comedy in the gap between what parents expect and what their adult children actually want. Both series also recognise that family disagreements can be funny without making the relationships themselves meaningless. If you enjoy watching relatives argue, misunderstand one another and eventually find ways to reconnect, this Canadian sitcom delivers plenty of familiar situations.
9. One Day at a Time (2017)
One Day at a Time follows a Cuban American family living together in Los Angeles, with single mother Penelope raising her two children while receiving plenty of support and unsolicited opinions from her mother, Lydia. The sitcom combines humour with stories about family bonds, cultural heritage, relationships and the difficulties of growing up. Its characters frequently disagree about traditions and personal decisions, yet their loyalty remains central to the story. That balance between comedy and emotional reconciliation makes it a good option after How to Ruin Diwali. Both programmes show how family members can frustrate one another beyond belief while still being the people they turn to when life becomes complicated. At least one family member will probably insist that their way is the only sensible option.
10. The Neighborhood (2018)
The Neighborhood is an American sitcom about the Johnson family, who move into a Los Angeles neighbourhood where their friendly but outspoken neighbour Calvin Butler initially struggles to accept them. As the families get to know each other, differences in personality, background and expectations become a recurring source of comedy. The series is less focused on romantic celebrations than How to Ruin Diwali, but it shares an interest in cultural differences and the awkward process of building relationships between people who do not always understand one another. Its humour often comes from confident characters discovering that their assumptions are not necessarily correct. For viewers who enjoyed the cultural clashes and lively personalities of the Netflix series, this sitcom provides a relaxed alternative.
11. Modern Family (2009)
Modern Family follows three interconnected branches of the extended Pritchett family as they navigate marriage, parenting, stepfamilies and everyday misunderstandings. Its mockumentary format allows the characters to reveal their frustrations directly to the camera, often after creating the very problems they are complaining about. Like How to Ruin Diwali, the show thrives on mismatched personalities, complicated family relationships and the inevitable consequences of trying to keep everyone happy. Its stories also explore how families evolve as new partners and different generations become part of the household. Anyone who has watched relatives turn a simple gathering into a complicated negotiation will recognise the comedy immediately. The biggest difference is that Modern Family has considerably more time to let its characters make the same mistakes in new and inventive ways.
12. Black-ish (2014)
Black-ish follows the Johnson family as parents Andre and Rainbow raise their children while navigating cultural identity, social expectations and changing attitudes across generations. The sitcom combines family comedy with observations about modern life, often using household disagreements to explore larger questions about identity and belonging. This makes it a worthwhile recommendation for viewers drawn to the cultural themes of How to Ruin Diwali. Both series explore the ways family traditions influence relationships and how parents and children can interpret the same situation very differently. While Black-ish has a broader focus than a single festive weekend, its mix of sharp humour and sincere family moments offers a similarly entertaining balance. It is also a reminder that the phrase 'because that is how our family does things' rarely settles an argument as effectively as its speaker expects.
13. Fresh Off the Boat (2015)
Fresh Off the Boat follows the Huang family as they move from Washington, DC, to Florida during the 1990s. Through the experiences of young Eddie Huang and his parents, the series explores cultural identity, family expectations and the challenge of adapting to a new environment. Much of its humour comes from the differences between generations and the parents' determination to give their children a successful future, even when their methods create friction. Those themes connect naturally with How to Ruin Diwali, which also places family expectations and cultural identity at the heart of its comedy. Although the settings and circumstances differ, both shows understand how seemingly small disagreements can reveal much bigger differences in values, priorities and ideas about what makes a happy family.
14. Jane the Virgin (2014)
Jane the Virgin follows Jane Villanueva, a young woman whose carefully planned future takes an unexpected turn after a medical error leads to an unplanned pregnancy. The series mixes romance, family drama, comedy and exaggerated plot developments, creating a story in which personal decisions rarely remain private for long. Jane's close relationship with her family is central to the programme, particularly when her relatives' expectations collide with her own ambitions. This makes the series a strong option for fans of How to Ruin Diwali, where romantic plans become increasingly difficult to manage as family complications emerge. Both productions balance humour with emotional storytelling and feature characters who learn that life does not become easier simply because someone has prepared a detailed plan.
15. The Perfect Couple (2024)
The Perfect Couple is a mystery drama centred on a wealthy family preparing for a wedding, where an unexpected death turns the celebration into an investigation. Starring Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber, the series explores privilege, strained relationships and the secrets that can remain hidden behind an apparently polished family image. Its tone is more mysterious than the comedy of How to Ruin Diwali, but the comparison is clear: a major family celebration becomes the setting for revelations that threaten carefully maintained appearances. Both shows place complicated relationships under pressure when people from different backgrounds and generations come together. Viewers who enjoy the tension surrounding wealthy families, private grievances and public embarrassment may find this a compelling next watch, although the mystery element makes it a darker choice.
16. With Love (2021)
With Love follows the Diaz family across a series of holidays and important occasions, exploring romance, sibling relationships and the changing dynamics of an extended family. The series uses celebrations as a backdrop for stories about love, identity and the challenges of maintaining close relationships as people grow older.
This structure makes it especially relevant to How to Ruin Diwali, which also builds its story around a holiday gathering where family relationships become impossible to ignore. Both shows recognise that celebrations are rarely just about food, decorations and exchanging greetings. They can also become moments when relatives confront old disagreements or discover that their loved ones have changed. With Love offers a warmer, more romantic alternative for viewers who want emotional family stories without quite so much domestic chaos.
17. Holiday (2021)
The Dutch series Holiday, also known as Ares in some unrelated contexts depending on the title being referenced, is not the best match for a straightforward festive family comedy. A more fitting recommendation is the British romantic comedy series Christmas on Mistletoe Farm (2022), which centres on a widowed father and his children as they adjust to life on a countryside farm during the Christmas season.
The family faces an unfamiliar environment and the practical complications of trying to make a new home work. Like How to Ruin Diwali, it uses a holiday setting to explore family relationships, expectations and the difference between an ideal celebration and the reality. Its tone is more gentle and family-friendly, making it suitable for viewers who want seasonal warmth rather than a succession of arguments and awkward revelations.
18. Dash & Lily (2020)
Dash & Lily is a romantic comedy series about two teenagers who exchange challenges and messages through a notebook hidden around New York City during the Christmas season. As they learn more about one another, the pair begin to question their assumptions about love, relationships and the people around them.
Its holiday setting and focus on romance make it a good choice for viewers who enjoyed the festive backdrop of How to Ruin Diwali. The two shows differ in scale: Dash & Lily is more intimate and youthful, while Mmabatho and Varshen must navigate a much larger family situation. Nevertheless, both use a special occasion to bring romantic feelings into focus and show how real relationships can be far less predictable than the plans made for them.
19. Holiday Home Makeover with Mr Christmas (2020)
Holiday Home Makeover with Mr Christmas is a reality series in which Benjamin Bradley and his team help families transform their homes for the festive season. Instead of family scandals, the programme focuses on decorations, personal stories and the effort involved in creating memorable celebrations. It may sound like a considerable change of pace after How to Ruin Diwali, but the connection lies in the importance of family traditions and the emotional meaning people attach to holidays.
Where Mmabatho attempts to orchestrate the perfect gathering, this series shows people preparing their homes to create a welcoming atmosphere. It is an appealing choice for viewers who enjoyed the colourful festive visuals of the Netflix production and would prefer their next holiday watch to involve more ornaments and fewer arguments.
20. Ginny & Georgia (2021)
Ginny & Georgia follows Georgia Miller and her teenage daughter, Ginny, as they settle into a new town and attempt to build a more stable life. Their relationship is complicated by differences in personality, personal secrets and competing ideas about what each needs. Although the series includes more dramatic material than How to Ruin Diwali, both programmes examine the pressure that family relationships place on romantic and personal decisions.
They also feature characters who try to manage difficult situations while keeping parts of their lives hidden from the people closest to them. Ginny & Georgia is a strong choice for viewers who want a more dramatic take on family dysfunction, with enough humour and relationship complications to keep the story from becoming a straightforward domestic drama.
21. The Upshaws (2021)
The Upshaws is a family sitcom centred on Bennie Upshaw, his wife Regina and their children as they navigate financial pressures, complicated relationships and the ordinary frustrations of living together. The family is far from perfect, and many of its problems stem from people making questionable decisions before attempting to explain them afterwards.
That is precisely the sort of behaviour that makes How to Ruin Diwali entertaining. Both series rely on strong personalities, family disagreements and the difficulty of keeping relationships intact when everyone has a different idea of what should happen next. The Upshaws offers a more traditional sitcom experience, with plenty of verbal sparring and affectionate chaos. If your favourite part of Mmabatho and Varshen's story was watching people make a mess of their own lives, this is a fitting final recommendation.
Opinion: Why Shows Like How to Ruin Diwali Are Worth Watching
What makes How to Ruin Diwali entertaining is not simply the family drama or the romantic storyline. It is the familiar feeling that everyone involved wants the same happy ending but cannot agree on how to reach it. Mmabatho's determination to organise the perfect celebration becomes particularly amusing because family life rarely follows a timetable, no matter how many lists someone prepares.
The best shows on this list capture that same tension between tradition, love and the relatives who seem determined to offer an opinion on absolutely everything. The Kandasamys films are probably the closest match for their South African setting and cultural humour, while Modern Family and One Day at a Time offer broader stories about family relationships. For something more romantic, try With Love. If you prefer secrets and a little extra tension, The Perfect Couple provides a different flavour. Either way, there is no shortage of television proving that family gatherings are rarely as peaceful as the invitations promise.
If you have finished How to Ruin Diwali and are already searching for your next binge-watch, start with The Kandasamys: The Wedding, Never Have I Ever or Modern Family, depending on whether you want cultural comedy, romantic complications or familiar household chaos. Each offers a different take on relationships and the expectations that come with them. Which of these 21 shows would you watch first, and have we missed another series that deserves a place on the list? Share your favourites and help other viewers find their next comedy-drama.