SummaryThe Emmy Award-winning comedy series ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT revolves around MICHAEL BLUTH (Jason Bateman), the “normal” one in a family of crazies, who is forced to stay in Orange County and run the family real estate business after his father, GEORGE BLUTH SR. (Jeffrey Tambor), is sent to prison for shifty accounting practices. While George Sr. s... Read More
Created By:Mitchell Hurwitz
Arrested Development
5 Seasons
Season 1 Premiere:
Nov 2, 2003
Metascore
Generally Favorable
78
User score
Universal Acclaim
8.8
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
78
82% Positive
84 Reviews
84 Reviews
17% Mixed
17 Reviews
17 Reviews
1% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Jul 1, 2013
100
In looks and structure, Arrested Development is like a 30-min. drama, just a hilarious one. In most network sitcoms nowadays, the wisecracking characters are aware that they're being funny. The oblivious Bluths are funny despite themselves.
May 26, 2013
100
Nobody tries to be funny here, so they're more hysterical than the folks falling all over themselves elsewhere. They're simply hopeless specimens of spoiled humanity who haven't a clue how to operate in the real world. [2 Nov 2003, p.04]
User score
Universal Acclaim
8.8
90% Positive
1369 Ratings
1369 Ratings
6% Mixed
84 Ratings
84 Ratings
5% Negative
69 Ratings
69 Ratings
Mar 12, 2025
10
A masterpiece of a show that likely wouldn't be able to make today. It could have ended after season 3 and arguably it would have been better for it, but the reedited version of season 4 that Netflix put out isn't anywhere near as bad as the first version they put out. This show is worth watching even in 2025.
Dec 5, 2022
10
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May 26, 2013
90
This is compelling in both the broad strokes and the little details. The funny thing is, even at its most absurd, it feels almost realistic, because Hurwitz so precisely sketches his characters and their setting. [1 Nov 2003, p.27]
May 28, 2013
80
The show improves as it gathers context, and before long you stop thinking about what makes this Arrested Development different from all other Arrested Developments.
May 26, 2013
75
What a dazzling bunch of jerks. Yet, somehow, they are family and you can't help but laugh at them. Arrested Development is so dopey - but slick dopey. [2 Nov 2003, p.39]
May 29, 2013
60
[There are] moments of pure brilliance--and moments that had me doubled over in mirth.... Unfortunately, there are stretches in this new batch of episodes that feel more flabby than snappy, and there are some lulls that leave you downright fatigued.
Mar 15, 2019
25
This release marks a low point for the once-great series, recycling gags, reheating limp characters, swirling complicated narrative strands without the old snappy grace.
Oct 16, 2022
10
I liked it a lot, sad that it got cancelled when was still being funny and interesting
Mar 3, 2022
10
The original three seasons of Arrested Development rank second only to Seinfeld as the greatest sitcom of all time. Laugh-out-loud funny from episode to episode, it never lets down. While its return to Netflix with seasons 4 and 5 were a major disappointment, nothing will take away from the show's initial achievement.
Jan 30, 2026
9
In my opinion, the original Arrested Development season is one of the funniest comedy series ever made
Jan 21, 2026
9
Dr. Freezegood: The comedy is really good and funny. It helped make some comedic actors well-known, such as Jason Bateman and David Cross. The last seasons are worse than the originals.
Production Company:
- Imagine Entertainment
- 20th Century Fox Television
- The Hurwitz Company
- Imagine Television
Initial Release Date:Nov 2, 2003
Number of seasons:5 Seasons
Rating:TV-14
Awards
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Win & 4 Nominations
Online Film & Television Association
• 21 Wins & 52 Nominations
Gold Derby Awards
• 13 Wins & 43 Nominations
