The Definitive List Of The Best 'Friends' Episodes Ever
On September 22, 1994, the world was blessed with a TV show that forever changed popular culture: Friends. Then, just over 20 years later, on January 1, 2015, the world was #blessed when the iconic '90s TV show-full of ridiculously relatable pals living in ridiculously unrelatable New York apartments-made its way to everyone's favorite streaming service: Netflix.
And despite some drama circa 2018 (when Friends almost left the streaming service-shudder), now, die-hard devotees everywhere (**raises hand**) can watch any of the 236 episodes whenever they need a break from reality, a healthy dose of nostalgia, or quite simply, a feeling of comfort that's best achieved through Joey's simple sandwich humor.
Next time you're craving a little Chandler sarcasm, or feeling the need for some Pheebs zaniness, but don't know which episode to watch (so. many. options.), start with this list of the best Friends episodes of all time:
1. "The One With The Blackout"-Season 1, Episode 7
Starting off this roundup with a bing, I mean, bang is that eternally hilarious episode where Chandler has a conversation with "that Victoria Secret model"... almost exclusively in his own head. Don't get me wrong, I'm very much a lifetime member of Team Monica and Chandler, but when you watch Chandler get stuck in that ATM vestibule-"or is it an atrium?"-with Jill Goodacre, you can't help but root for the dude.
Meanwhile, the rest of the gang is making the most of the blackout at home, which is where Phoebe, the poetic genius that she is, composes her pre-"Smelly Cat" hit that goes a little something like this: "New York City has no power, and the milk is getting sour"-all together now!-"but for me that isn't scary 'cause I stay away from dairy." (Same, Pheebs, same.)
2. "The One Where Ross Finds Out"-Season 2, Episode 7
Before there were drunk texts, there were drunk phone calls-an artform which Rachel Green absolutely mastered. Case in point? When she gets thoroughly smashed while on a date only to call Ross and leave the following message on his answering machine (#tbt): "I am over you. I. am. over. you. And that my friend is what they call closure."
Ross' initial response: "You're over me? When were you...under me." Oh, man. But, as Friends fanatics all know, Geller steps up his game-big time-when he steams up the (closed) coffee shop with that iconic doorway kiss with Rachel.
3. "The One With The Prom Video"-Season 2, Episode 14
All of the taffeta. All of Rachel's (original) nose. All of Monica's curves. All of those wins plus another magical make-out sesh between Ross and Rachel, after it's revealed on good ole VHS that Ross suited up to save the day when it seemed like Rach's date, Chip, wasn't going to show.
Even better than college-aged Ross' thick mustache and high school Monica eating a sandwich in a red ball gown? The last line of the episode brought to you by Phoebe: "See! He's her lobster." (All of the awwwws.)
Test your 'Friends' expertise with these facts that only true fans will know:
4. "The One Where Eddie Won't Go"-Season 2, Episode 19
Quick refresher: Joey moves into his own apartment thanks to the success of Days of Our Lives, and Chandler finds a new roomie named Eddie. Of course, Eddie turns out to be a mannequin-stealing, goldfish-obsessed, watches-you-sleep, fruit-dehydrating freak who will. not. leave. Take it from Bing himself: "Hannibal Lecter? Better roommate than you."
5. "The One Where No One's Ready"-Season 3, Episode 2
Even if you're a Friends newbie (welcome, btw!), you know that Monica is very much the type-A character of the group. But of the Geller sibs? Well, sometimes Ross can really rev up that intensity, especially when he only has 30 minutes to get the entire gang dressed and out the door for a museum benefit. Spoiler alert: That doesn't happen.
What does happen, however, is that Joey drinks a cup of fat and then proceeds to fight with Chandler over ownership of a chair (weird flex, but okay). As you can imagine, that doesn't go well, but more on that later. Meanwhile, Phoebe gets hummus on her dress, Rachel can't pick out an outfit, and Monica freaks out over a voicemail from her ex, Richard (you know, the man with the masterful mustache who's better known as his real name, Tom Selleck?).
Oh, and as for that battle between Chandler and Joey over, yup, a chair? It comes to a crashing close when Joey marches back into the apartment wearing the contents of Chandler's closet. "Look at me! I'm Chandler. Could I beeee wearing any more clothes?" P.S. he's commando underneath all that.
6. "The One With All The Football"-Season 3, Episode 9
This isn’t any casual game of two-hand touch between buddies. No, this is, or at least it turns into, a highly competitive showdown involving two teams, six friends, and one Geller Cup-a trophy so esteemed that it once led Monica to break Ross’ nose as children in an attempt to win. And you thought your family was crazy...
7. "The One With Chandler In A Box"-Season 4, Episode 8
Once you’re able to get over the fact that Monica invited her ex boyfriend’s very good-looking son to Thanksgiving, you can really relish in the hilarity of this episode. Since Chandler's living in a box after mackin' on Joey's girlfriend (ya know, as one does).
Okay, but why, um, is living in a box his chosen form of punishment? I'll let Mr. Bing explain: "The meaning of the box is threefold. One: it gives me the time to think about what I did. Two: it proves how much I care about my friendship with Joey. Three: it hurts." Make sense now? If you answered "nope," don't worry, you're not alone. Most people don't really understand how Chandler's brain, erm, works. But hey, at least it's fun to watch?
8. "The One With All The Embryos"-Season 4, Episode 12
This ep was aptly named to commemorate Phoebe getting pregnant with her brother's babies (ICYMI, Pheebs acted a surrogate for her bro and his wife). But it's also known for the greatest game of trivia ever. In a battle of who knows their bestie better, Monica and Rachel face off with Joey and Chandler and, let me tell ya, the stakes are high. How high? If the ladies win, the men have to get rid of their rooster (yes, a real live rooster), but if they lose, Chandler and Joey get the ladies' apartment.
9. "The One With All The Thanksgivings"-Season 5, Episode 8
Seriously, another Thanksgiving episode? D*mn. Straight. And in this one, the gang recounts each of their worst Thanksgiving experiences (because positivity around the holidays is overrated...?).
10. "The One With All The Resolutions"-Season 5, Episode 11
Four words: Ross Geller leather pants. That is all. Jk jk, there is more.
Like every other group of buds during the early hours of Jan. 1, the gang discusses their New Year Resolutions. After a year marked by yet another divorce (yup, he's up to two at this point) and getting nicknamed "Mental Geller" by his colleagues, Ross is determined to have a better year by trying something new every day, which seems pretty doable given how, well, bad his past 12 months has been.
But, since this is Ross I'm talking about, you can bet something's going to go awry-and soon. That's exactly what happens when he dons a suffocating pair of leather pants on a first date (**covers eyes**).
11. "The One Where Everybody Finds Out"-Season 5, Episode 14
...that Monica and Chandler have been together (read: doing the dirty, making out, all that fun stuff) since Ross' wedding in England. Fi-na-lly!
12. "The One With The Cop"-Season 5, Episode 16
"Pivooooooooot"-that's Ross's motto as his very detailed plan for moving his couch comes crashing down when-curve ball-it doesn't actually fit up the stairs.
13. "The One Where Ross Got High"-Season 6, Episode 9
Fact: No one (and I mean no one) does Thanksgiving like Friends. In this episode, Mr. and Mrs. Geller join the gang for the annual feast at what they think is still Monica and Rachel's apartment.
Turns out Monica didn't fill her parents in on her new roomie (Chandler)-or the fact that they're dating-because they're not big fans of the Bing thanks to Ross, who used to blame Chandler for his weed smoking. But before Ross can come clean, Monica goes right for it, causing an unraveling of truths-not just from the Geller siblings, but everyone. Oops?
14. "The One With The Proposal"-Season 6,
Guess who's back? Back again? Shady Richard. Yup, you read that right. Monica's ex (remember him-the mustache-rockin' eye doctor?) who wants her back after alllll their relationship drama back in the early seasons. Meanwhile, Chandler, who has a ring and is ready to get down on one knee, is busy trying to throw Mon off his scent by claiming he's not the type of guy to mate for life.
While it's always an A+ experience watching Friends, this episode is even better, as you follow the group support both Chandler and Monica in their separate plans to surprise each other with-drum roll please-an engagement. Triple dog dare you to not get chills and cry from the moment Chandler enters the candle-lit apartment to find Monica ready to propose herself.
15. "The One With Unagi"-Season 6, Episode 17
Ross defines "unagi" as "a state of total awareness," something he thinks he's perfected after years of practicing ka-ra-tay. After Rachel and Phoebe come back from a self-defense class, he tells them they need to learn unagi, too. But Ross's, uh, mastery is put to the test as he spends the rest of the episode attempting to scare Rachel and Phoebe in an attempt to check their "total awareness." (Btw: Unagi is definitely just a type of sushi.)
17. "The One Where Ross Is Fine"-Season 10, Episode 2
Spoiler alert: He is not fine, no matter how many times he says he is during the world's most awkward double date between Ross and Charlie (who used to date Joey) and Rachel and Joey. But try as he might to prove he's "fine" (which he repeats in a pitch so loud only dogs can hear it), Ross gets so drunk off maaaany margaritas that he ultimately uses his hands-sans-oven mitts-to serve his fajitas.
18. "The One Where Joey Speaks French"-Season 10, Episode 13
Or so he thinks. Phoebe desperately tries to teach Joey French for an audition, but, as you probably guessed it, Joey's language skills are no bueno-which, of course, makes it all the more hilarious.
(P.S. you might've noticed this list is missing "The Last One," and that's because it's just too sad to include. That is all.)
('You Might Also Like',)
