Community TV Show Ratings Reveal A Controversial Drop
- 01. Community TV Show: IMDb Ratings, Seasons, and Comedy Overview
- 02. Exact IMDb Ratings by Season
- 03. Highest and Lowest Rated Episodes
- 04. Why Do Ratings Swing Wildly Between Seasons?
- 05. Complete Season Breakdown with Key Facts
- 06. Where to Stream Community
- 07. Genre Classification and Target Audience
- 08. Historical Context and Cultural Impact
- 09. Final Verdict on Community's IMDb Ratings
Community TV Show: IMDb Ratings, Seasons, and Comedy Overview
The NBC comedy Community holds an overall IMDb rating of 8.5/10 across 110 episodes from 6 seasons, with 307,000+ user ratings as of 2025. Season 3 is the highest-rated season at approximately 8.7/10, while Season 4 is the lowest at roughly 7.3/10 due to creator Dan Harmon's temporary removal as showrunner. The show premiered September 17, 2009, and concluded March 17, 2015, with its two highest-rated episodes (both 9.8/10) being "Modern Warfare" (S1E23) and "Remedial Chaos Theory" (S3E4).
Exact IMDb Ratings by Season
Community's ratings fluctuate dramatically between seasons, reflecting production changes and creative shifts throughout its run. The rating swing phenomenon became a notable talking point among fans and critics alike.
| Season | IMDb Rating | Episodes | Air Dates | Showrunner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 8.3/10 | 25 | Sep 17, 2009 - May 20, 2010 | Dan Harmon |
| Season 2 | 8.6/10 | 24 | Sep 23, 2010 - May 12, 2011 | Dan Harmon |
| Season 3 | 8.7/10 | 22 | Sep 22, 2011 - Apr 19, 2012 | Dan Harmon |
| Season 4 | 7.3/10 | 22 | Jan 10, 2013 - May 9, 2013 | Donick Cary |
| Season 5 | 8.2/10 | 13 | Jan 2, 2014 - Apr 17, 2014 | Dan Harmon |
| Season 6 | 7.8/10 | 13 | Mar 17, 2015 - Jun 2, 2015 | Dan Harmon |
The Season 4 dip represents the most dramatic rating decline in the series, dropping 1.4 points from Season 3's peak. This coincided with Chevy Chase's departure and the Russo brothers' exit as executive producers.
Highest and Lowest Rated Episodes
Community features some of the most critically acclaimed comedy episodes of the 2010s, with two episodes achieving the perfect 9.8/10 score on IMDb.
- "Remedial Chaos Theory" (Season 3, Episode 4) - 9.8/10: The iconic "timeline" episode featuring six alternate realities
- "Modern Warfare" (Season 1, Episode 23) - 9.8/10: The legendary paintball showdown episode
- "Cooperative Calligraphy" (Season 2, Episode 7) - 9.5/10: The pen search episode with escalating tension
- "Aerodynamics of Gender" (Season 2, Episode 14) - 9.4/10: Debate-focused episode with sharp dialogue
- "Curriculum Unavailable" (Season 3, Episode 22) - 9.3/10: Season 3 finale with emotional depth
The lowest-rated episode is Season 4's "Conventions of Space and Time" at 6.8/10, reinforcing Season 4's overall weakness.
- Average episode rating across all 110 episodes: 8.3/10
- Series-wide rating range: 6.8-9.8/10
- Total user ratings on IMDb: 307,000+
- IMDb genre classification: Comedy
- Content rating: TV-14
Why Do Ratings Swing Wildly Between Seasons?
The rating volatility directly correlates with behind-the-scenes creative changes. Dan Harmon's removal as showrunner for Season 4 caused immediate quality decline, confirmed by both fan ratings and critical reviews.
"Season 4 was the lowest rated of all the seasons. That was also the season that Dan Harmon, the show's creator, was replaced as showrunner of the series."
This quote from the episode ratings analysis confirms the Harmon effect on Community's quality. When Harmon returned for Seasons 5 and 6, ratings recovered significantly, though Season 6 never reached Season 3's peak.
Complete Season Breakdown with Key Facts
Each season has distinct characteristics that shaped the show's legacy in comedy television history.
Where to Stream Community
Community is available on multiple streaming platforms with all 6 seasons accessible.
- Peacock: Seasons 1-6 available
- Hulu: Seasons 1-6 available
- Disney+: Seasons 1-6 available (international)
- Fandango at Home: Seasons 1-6 available for purchase
The series finale marked the final appearances of two core cast members, providing closure to the Study group's journey.
Genre Classification and Target Audience
Community is classified as a sitcom/comedy with meta-humor, pop culture references, and experimental episode formats that influenced modern comedy. The show's TV-14 rating indicates content suitable for viewers 14 and older.
The disbarred attorney premise follows Jeff Winger (Joel McHale) forced to attend Greendale Community College, where he forms an unlikely study group. This core concept became the foundation for six seasons of innovative comedy storytelling.
Historical Context and Cultural Impact
Community's 2020 reunion special on May 18, 2020, raised money for coronavirus relief efforts, demonstrating the show's enduring fan loyalty. The event coincided with an IMDb episode ratings scrape performed on May 9, 2020, documenting all 110 episodes.
The show's experimental episodes including paintball battles, timeline alternatives, and genre parodies redefined what sitcoms could achieve creatively. This creative ambition explains why ratings spike so dramatically for standout episodes while weaker seasons suffer proportionally larger drops.
Executive producers include Dan Harmon, Joe Russo, Anthony Russo, Gary Foster, Chris McKenna, and Russ Krasnoff. The Russo brothers' departure after Season 3 further contributed to Season 4's quality decline.
Final Verdict on Community's IMDb Ratings
Community remains one of the highest-rated comedy series of its era with an 8.5/10 IMDb score, despite Season 4's noticeable dip. The 6-season run produced 110 episodes with remarkable consistency in Seasons 1-3, a clear quality drop in Season 4, and recovery in Seasons 5-6 after Harmon's return.
For new viewers, the recommended starting point is Season 1, with particular attention to episodes "Modern Warfare" (S1E23) and "Cooperative Calligraphy" (S2E7) as gateway episodes that showcase the show's unique comedic voice.
Helpful tips and tricks for Community Tv Show Ratings Reveal A Controversial Drop
How many seasons does Community have?
Community has 6 seasons totaling 110 episodes, airing from September 17, 2009, to June 2, 2015.
What is Community's overall IMDb rating?
The series holds an 8.5/10 overall IMDb rating from over 307,000 users as of October 2025.
Which season has the highest IMDb rating?
Season 3 is the highest-rated season at approximately 8.7/10, featuring the 9.8/10 episode "Remedial Chaos Theory".
Which season has the lowest IMDb rating?
Season 4 is the lowest-rated at 7.3/10, coinciding with Dan Harmon's absence as showrunner.
What episode has the highest rating?
Two episodes tie at 9.8/10: "Modern Warfare" (S1E23) and "Remedial Chaos Theory" (S3E4).
When did Community originally air?
Community premiered on September 17, 2009 on NBC and concluded on June 2, 2015, with a cancellation announcement on May 9, 2014.
How many episodes are in each season?
Seasons 1-3 have 22-25 episodes each, Season 4 has 22 episodes, while Seasons 5-6 were shortened to 13 episodes each due to cancellations.
Why was Season 4 rated lower?
Season 4 suffered from creative disruption when Dan Harmon was replaced as showrunner, plus departures of Chevy Chase, the Russo brothers, and key writers.