The Honeymooners debuted as a half-hour series on October 1, 1955. Although initially a ratings success—it was the #2 show in the United States—it faced stiff competition from the popular Perry Como Show. The show eventually dropped to #19, and production ended after 39 episodes (now referred to as the "Classic 39"). The final episode of The Honeymooners aired on September 22, 1956. Gleason revived "The Honeymooners" as a sketch in his variety shows, most notably as part of a 1966–70 version of The Jackie Gleason Show.

Despite its relatively brief run, The Honeymooners is considered one of the premier examples of American television comedy. It has been referenced in numerous homages and parodies, and has inspired successful television comedies such as The Flintstones and The King of Queens. A critically-panned film remake starring Cedric the Entertainer was released in 2005.