Cheers

Where everybody knows your name.

1982–1993Ended11 seasons270 episodes~22 min/epTV-PG

The story about a blue-collar Boston bar run by former sports star Sam Malone and the quirky and wonderful people who worked and drank there.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Cheers?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Cheers streaming on Hulu, Paramount+ and Pluto TV (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Subscription

Free

Rent / Buy

Buy Buy

Highlights

What stands out about Cheers?

Cheers earns 11 badges, led by Award-winning performances and Sharp dialogue.

Award-winning performances, Cast badge.Ted Danson and 2 more won for this show
Sharp dialogue, Craft and mood badge.Reviews score it 90 of 100
Standout acting, Craft and mood badge.Reviews score it 88 of 100
Memorable characters, Craft and mood badge.Reviews score it 85 of 100
Crowd Pleaser, Reception badge.86% rated it 7 or higher
Preferred by Men, Reception badge.Men scored it 29 points higher than women
Before they were famous, Cast badge.Ted Danson and 2 more: newcomer then, star now
Preferred by Critics, Reception badge.Critics scored it 26 points higher than users

Show 3 more

Preferred by Over-30s, Reception badge.Over-30s scored it 21 points higher than under-30s
Feel-good, Craft and mood badge.Leaves you feeling good
Preferred by US Viewers, Reception badge.US viewers scored it 14 points higher than non-US viewers

Reception
Craft and mood
Cast

Reception

Is Cheers worth watching?

Cheers' Midcredits score is the 86^th percentile of all shows, from 70K ratings across 2 sources. 86% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

86^th percentile

Better received than 86% of shows

85^th Comedy79^th 1980s

Acclaim83^rd

Approval85^th

Acclaim

Crowd Pleaser

How much people like it

79 /100

83^rd percentile of all shows

84^th Comedy78^th 1980s

Rating distribution

12345678910

votes at each rating level (1–10)

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

Approval

How many liked it

86% liked it

85^th percentile of all shows

82^nd Comedy79^th 1980s

86% rated it 7–1014% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

97^th percentile

69K ratings across platforms

96^th Comedy97^th 1980s

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 12% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A sitcom built around a tight-knit ensemble in a single bar setting, with sharp dialogue and character-driven comedy that defined its era.

Fans praised

razor-sharp writing and witty dialogue
ensemble cast chemistry and memorable characters
emotional depth balanced with consistent laughs

Detractors panned

mean-spirited humor and unlikeable characters
repetitive formula and predictable jokes
dated sexism and misogynistic undertones

What stands out

DialogueDivisive90

witty one-liners, quotable banter; some find it forced or dated

ActingDivisive88

exceptional ensemble, Ted Danson and Shelley Long praised, some find performances one-dimensional

CharactersDivisive85

memorable, well-developed regulars; detractors cite one-note or unlikeable traits

AtmosphereDivisive85

warm, inviting bar setting; some find it claustrophobic

HumorDivisive80

consistently funny with sharp writing; detractors call it unfunny or mean

Emotional impactDivisive80

heartwarming moments and genuine pathos; some find it forced

PacingDivisive75

consistent rhythm, some later seasons feel uneven

Plot and storyDivisive65

simple, formulaic episodes; fans enjoy comfort, critics call repetitive

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 29 points higher than women.

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Over-30s

Over-30s scored it 21 points higher than under-30s.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 26 points higher than users.

US vs non-US

Preferred by US Viewers

US viewers scored it 14 points higher than non-US viewers.

Episodes

11 seasons

Season

Season 11 · 1992 · 25 episodes

S11E1
The Little Match Girl
Sep 24, 199222 min
S11E2
The Beer is Always Greener
Oct 1, 199222 min
S11E3
The King of Beers
Oct 8, 199222 min
A slot machine is accidentally sent to the bar. Everyone is hooked on playing it, which for them is not a bad thing as the machine is paying out to everyone, that is except to Rebecca. She sees her losing streak on the machine as a metaphor of her life. Feeling sorry for her, Sam has the machine rigged to pay out to Rebecca to make her feel better. That act doesn't quite come out as planned. Fortunes seem to be on the upswing for Norm. A stint on a beer tasting survey panel parlays itself into a paid position at the brewery as a quality taste tester. Norm is in seventh heaven and doesn't even feel the need to get paid for such work.
S11E4
The Magnificent Six
Oct 22, 199222 min
Sam catches Rebecca smoking in the office, a no-no considering that's how the bar burnt down. Sam thinks Rebecca needs professional help and finds the harshest stop smoking program for her. The stop smoking doctor, Dr. Kluger, and Rebecca, have a war of wills. Dr. Kluger may have met his match. Meanwhile, Sam hires Henrí on a temporary basis as a bartender while Woody is on his honeymoon. On his first shift, ladies-man Henrí bets Sam that he can get more women's telephone numbers than Sam by midnight. Although initially reluctant to partake in the bet despite pressure from the gang, Sam eventually does take the bet based on the patriotic battle between the US and France. Both Sam and Henrí pull out all the stops and resort to whatever tactic will work to get numbers. However, with the score tied with a couple of minutes left, Sam lets one go due to her vulnerable state, which may cost Sam the bet. However it may be more important ultimately to win the battle.
S11E5
Do Not Forsake Me O' My Postman
Oct 29, 199222 min
S11E6
Teaching with the Enemy (1)
Nov 5, 199222 min
Rebecca spots Lilith with another man, and doesn't know whether to tell Frasier. Later, Lilith confesses to Frasier that she cheated on him - once. Frasier is devastated, and after he and Lilith talk about it, Frasier asks Lilith to tell her lover the affair is over. Lilith goes to see him - and then comes back saying she wants to leave Frasier. Meanwhile Sam hires a bouncer named Tiny, but can't bring himself to fire Tiny when nobody wants to go near him.
S11E7
The Girl in the Plastic Bubble (2)
Nov 12, 199222 min
S11E8
Ill-Gotten Gaines
Nov 19, 199222 min
S11E9
Feelings... Whoa, Whoa, Whoa
Dec 3, 199222 min
Cliff is convinced that his new neighbour is Adolf Hitler. If not for Ma standing up for him, Cliff would be evicted from the building for harassment. But Cliff's still not convinced as to his neighbour's true identity. Meanwhile, Carla and John Allen Hill continue their love-hate relationship. However it has gone to a new level, to a love-hate-heart attack stage. Hill had a heart attack while they were making love. Seemingly indifferent to the heart attack since Hill is just a romp in the hay, Carla eventually breaks down in tears since "her boyfriend" had a heart attack. She suspects that the reason he did have a heart attack is she spurted out the words "I love you" to Hill.
S11E10
Daddy's Little Middle-Aged Girl
Dec 10, 199222 min
Woody and Kelly argue once again about the difference in their monetary status. Kelly wants to live in a house purchased by her father. Woody, not wanting any Gaines money, wants them to live in his old apartment as that's all he can afford. They compromise, which shows them that one side might be more correct in their outlook than the other. Meanwhile, Rebecca's father, Navy Captain Franklin E. Howe, comes to Boston for a visit. A tough as nails man and father, he demands that Rebecca, who has screwed up her life in Boston, move back to San Diego into her old room at their house. Apparently, he has controlled her her entire life, including providing her with an allowance. He expects that Rebecca will put up a fight and demand to live her life in Boston as she sees fit. Captain Howe has an ulterior motive for his visit to Boston of which Rebecca is unaware. If she knew her father's true motive, it would change the entire nature of their disagreement.
S11E11
Love Me, Love My Car
Dec 17, 199222 min
Woody's parents get a gift for Kelly and Woody: small pet pig named Snuffles. Pet is somewhat of a misnomer as the Boyds, from a farming background, see Snuffles as Christmas dinner. Rebecca has an immediate connection with Snuffles as an animal. She wants to buy Snuffles after she hears about its ultimate fate. When Woody won't sell, Rebecca sets Snuffles free in the country. When Rebecca hears who ends up finding Snuffles, she sees the story as a Christmas miracle, until... Meanwhile, Sam starts dating Susan Metheny, the widow of Kirby, the man who bought Sam's Corvette. Sam is only doing so as he wants his Corvette back at a reduced rate. Susan, a kindergarten teacher, is a nice, sweet, innocent, shy woman who is vulnerable at the best of times, let alone at this grieving point in her life.
S11E12
Sunday Dinner
Jan 7, 199322 min
Frasier decides to start dating other women now that Lilith has left him and Frederick, and makes a date with his secretary, Shauna. He arrives at Shauna's house only to discover that Shauna is just using him to annoy her parents as they are not letting her see her boyfriend - who then turns up unannounced. Meanwhile, Cheers is hosting a family reunion, and Cliff and Norm are videotaping it, but then discover the camera was never switched on and have to try and recreate the video without anyone realising.
S11E13
Norm's Big Audit
Jan 14, 199322 min
The gang decide to watch an old Red Sox game on a classic sports channel, a game in which Sam played. As this game took place during one of his drunk years, Sam is unsure if he played well or made a fool of himself in the game. Since he finds out he pitched three innings in the game, he assumes he played well. After Sam makes a big deal about watching the game, Carla reminds him that that game was indeed not one of his finest moments. Sam does whatever he can to prevent the gang from watching it. Meanwhile, Norm is being audited. The auditor is Dot Carroll, a gravelly-voiced, chain-smoking, no-nonsense, scary tough broad. Norm, the ex-accountant, knows he can fudge his way through the audit even without legitimate receipts, but when his tricks don't work, he resorts to a tactic suggested by Carla: flirt. It works, much to Norm's dismay, as Dot invites Norm back to her hotel room. But a faithful Norm now doesn't know what to do as Dot expects a sexual evening.
S11E14
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Bar
Jan 21, 199322 min
Robin returns to Cheers, destitute. He has renounced his previous greedy ways, gave away the $6 million he had hidden in Rebecca's desk drawer and has decided to live a life of simple poverty. But admittedly, he still has feelings for Rebecca. Rebecca still has feelings for Robin, or at least for the $6 million she thinks he has. She thinks he's just testing her and that he still is rich. In the intervening time, Robin implied to the gang in an indirect way that he has hid another money belt filled with $6 million somewhere in the bar. Sam, Carla, Frasier, Norm and Cliff tear the bar apart, probe Robin and turn on each other trying to find the money belt. They then think that it was burned in the fire. But when they discover that Fire Captain Dobbins on duty the day of the fire is now retired with a sizable sum of money, they assume he stole the money.
S11E15
Loathe and Marriage
Feb 4, 199322 min
Eighteen year old Serafina, Carla's daughter, announces that she is pregnant and wants to marry the father, a retired police officer living off disability who she loves. After discussing the issue, Carla gives Serafina her blessing and her financial support for the wedding. With her connection to Hill, Carla manages to arrange for the ceremony at Melville's - she's afraid of the bad wedding karma history at Cheers - and the reception at Cheers.
S11E16
Is There a Doctor in the Howe? (1)
Feb 11, 199322 min
Frasier is upset when he hears that Lilith now officially want s a divorce. The staff at Cheers decide to hold a "happy divorce" party to cheer him up, and at the party, whilst Woody drinks too much and becomes a mean drunk, Frasier gets drunk. Afterwards Rebecca drives him home, but they end up in bed together. However, first the gang pop around to check Frasier is OK - and to watch "The 3 Stooges" - but just when they leave, who should show up but Lilith, who has escaped from the eco-pod...
S11E17
The Bar Manager, The Shrink, His Wife and Her Lover (2)
Feb 18, 199322 min
After returning to Boston only to discover Frasier in bed with Rebecca, Lilith comes to Cheers to seek Sam's advice. Frasier comes after her, and Rebecca shows up as well to explain. Frasier says he can't take Lilith back after what she did - just as her lover, Dr Pascal, shows up and takes the gang as hostages unless Lilith returns to him. When Paul and John Allen Hill show up and also get taken as hostages, Lilith has to persuade Pascal to let them all go, and that she doesn't want to go back. Plus will she reconcille with Frasier?
S11E18
The Last Picture Show
Feb 25, 199322 min
Cliff and Norm mourn the closing of the Twi-Lite Drive-In Theatre and its associated memories of simpler times. In Ma Calvin's classic convertible, Cliff, Norm, Woody and newbie drive-inner Frasier - who ends up being trunk boy - head off to watch a Godzilla (1954) triple-header on the theatre's last night. The foursome have a mixed evening at the theatre, which includes enduring Cliff and Ma's rules of car etiquette and several run-ins with an angry car neighbour. But it's Ma's convertible that takes the brunt of the evening's battles. While the foursome are at the drive-in, Gus O'Malley, the previous owner of Cheers, stops by the bar. Sam offers Gus the opportunity to relive old times not only by tending bar, but managing the bar for the evening. Gus resorts to his old tactics of yelling and intimidation to get the staff to get working.
S11E19
Bar Wars VII: The Naked Prey
Mar 18, 199322 min
It's the annual St. Patrick's Day battle of sales between Cheers and Gary's Olde Towne Tavern. Not only does Cheers lose the battle of the hi-jinx with an unsuspecting Woody taking the brunt of the battle, Cheers also loses the sales bet. Sam has finally had as much as he can take not only with the loss once again to Gary's but performing the most humiliating task he and the guys have had to endure due to the loss. Sam threatens Gary and decides to pull out one of the biggest guns he knows: Harry the Hat. Sam asks Harry to devise and execute the ultimate plan to beat Gary. Harry refuses. Despite Carla's assertion to take matters into her own hands, Sam finally gives up permanently to Gary. When Sam goes over to Gary's to wave the final white flag, he witnesses in horror what he believes is Carla's master plan. But what he witnesses is part of a deal Gary made with Rutherford Cunningham, who Sam knows better by another name.
S11E20
Look Before You Sleep
Apr 1, 199322 min
S11E21
Woody Gets an Election
Apr 22, 199322 min
When City Councilman Kevin Fogarty comes to Cheers on his re-election campaign spouting a whole lot of political nothings that nonetheless woos the crowd, Frasier bets the gang that he can even get a trained monkey on the ballot and garner 10% of the vote. Without a trained monkey in sight, Frasier chooses Woody as a good surrogate. Frasier does indeed get enough signatures to get Woody on the ballot. Woody helps his own political cause when Holly Matheson, a local reporter covering the City Hall beat, mistakes Woody's farm talk as an analogy for the problems of City politics. In an early poll, Woody garners 8% popular support, enough for the gang to concede defeat to Frasier.
S11E22
It's Lonely on the Top
Apr 29, 199322 min
Because of Woody's civic election win, Sam needs another bartender, a job he gives to Carla. To celebrate, Carla whips up a batch of one of her powerhouse drinks for the guys. The day after, everyone has a hangover. What's worse, Carla, who imbibed and got drunk herself, has a sneaking suspicion that she took someone home and slept with him, that person she believes being one of the Cheers regulars. She confides in Sam alone, and after he tells her it wasn't him, she panics and they both ponder who it could have been, with her worse nightmare having it be Cliff. When her bed-mate ultimately reveals himself, Carla and Sam have to decide how best to handle the information. Two other revelations come to light in the aftermath of the drunken spree. And Sam makes an admission of his own to Carla to make her feel better about her own further revelation.
S11E23
Rebecca Gaines, Rebecca Loses
May 6, 199342 min
After Woody, Kelly and her father Lloyd arrive at Cheers talking about classical music (they'd been to a symphony), Rebecca joins in the conversation and impresses Lloyd. He invites her to a society function. Rebecca thinks it is a date and is thrilled to bits - but is in for a shock when she arrives. Meanwhile Esther Clavin has been put in a retirement home by Cliff, but whilst Cliff feels guilty, the others think he has murdered his mother.
S11E24
The Guy Can't Help It
May 13, 199322 min
Don Sentry walks into the bar and into Rebecca's life. He's the repairman called in to fix the bar tap. Although Don is not Rebecca's usual type, Frasier talks her into taking a chance when she states that someone like a Don is what she should be going after. Quickly, she falls head over heals, but Sam thinks she's settling for second best. He wants Rebecca to be his fall-back if in a couple of years he has not found "Mrs. Malone". Rebecca shoots back that he is an aging Lothario way past his prime. Frasier suggests to Sam, who is hurt by Rebecca's comments, that perhaps there is some truth to Rebecca's assertion about him and that he would benefit by group therapy for sexual compulsives. Sam does go to the meeting, and after a rough start, he does admit that perhaps he is no longer happy with his life.
S11E25
One for the Road
May 20, 199398 minFinale
Whilst watching the National Cable Ace Awards, the gang sees ex-waitress Diane Chambers winning the award for best writing in a mini-series. This leads to Sam calling Diane to congratulate her, and to find out that she is married and has children. Sam tells her Diane that he too has a wife and kids, and invites Diane and her husband to visit them. Sam strongly believes Diane is lying and becomes really shocked when she walks into Cheers the following day to meet Mrs Malone. Meanwhile Rebecca's boyfriend Don proposes to her and she accidently says no, ends up heartbroken and agrees to play Sam's wife to fool Diane. Sam and Rebecca have dinner with Diane and her husband, Reed Manchester. During the dinner Don arrives and proposes to her again, and this time she manages to say yes! They leave the dinner, and Sam thinks he must look like a fool. Then Diane's husband turns out to be a fake when *his* husband Kevin appears!

Watch experience

What is Cheers like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, light and gentle — a slow-burn watch that leaves you feeling good.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Slow burn

Demand · Pace

slowrelentless

Casual

Demand · Attention

casualfull focus

Easy watch

Demand · Emotional cost

easyheavy

Resolved

Demand · Resolution

resolvedambiguous

What it feels like

Earnest

Tone · Sincerity

ironicearnest

Light

Tone · Weight

lightdark

Grounded

Tone · Style

naturalisticheightened

Gentle

Feel · Intensity

gentleintense

Steady

Feel · Swings

steadyswings

Funny

Feel · Humor

noneconstant

Moods

WarmJoyfulContemplative

Heaviest: throughout

Witty humor

WarmPlayful

Told as

Three-actResets each episode · 10% of showsStatus quo each season

ToneCheers is a warm-hearted sitcom that plays its characters' foibles and relationships with affectionate humor, never mocking them cruelly.

The rideThe series maintains a consistently warm, lighthearted atmosphere with occasional poignant moments that never outweigh the comedy.

StructureEpisodes follow a standard sitcom structure with setup, conflict, and resolution, usually returning to the status quo.

Episode formatEach episode is a self-contained comedic story with minimal continuity, resetting to the status quo by the end.

Season formatWhile character relationships evolve slowly, seasons are largely interchangeable batches of episodes; any season serves as an entry point.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feel-goodCozy · 5% of shows

Why it leaves you this wayLeaves the viewer with a warm, comforting feeling of belonging and friendship.

How it ends · evidence

Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows

Every story archetype, clockwise from the top

Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
Comedy 12% (this title): Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2% (this title)
Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
No archetype 40%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Comedy of manners: Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).

12% of shows fit this archetype

Why this archetypeTypical episode follows the regulars in a Boston bar, with comedy arising from character interactions and social dynamics, particularly the contrast between highbrow and lowbrow sensibilities.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes

Every theme, clockwise from the top

Bonds 31% (this title): Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% (this title) · Loyalty 7%
Self 27%: Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
Society 10%: Community 25% (this title) · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Bonds

FriendshipCommunity

Celebrates its themeIntimate stakesEnsemble lead

How it treats its themeThe series explores the value of chosen family and the comfort of a place where everyone knows your name, centering on the bonds among bar regulars and staff.

StanceThe show celebrates friendship and community as life's greatest treasures, presenting the bar as a sanctuary where everyone belongs.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanInstitutionalRealistic

PopSupportive music · original score · Judy Hart-Angelo, Gary Portnoy

SettingCheers bar in Boston, where regulars gather after work

MusicThe iconic theme song 'Where Everybody Knows Your Name' perfectly captures the show's ethos.

Content guide

Is Cheers okay for kids?

TV-PG

Cheers is rated TV-PG. As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (19/100), sexual content at mild (29/100), language at mild (27/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (55/100) and frightening material at minimal (4/100). Overall it is heavier than 50% of TV-PG shows.

Ratings in 12 other countries