When HBO Max announced it would be adding Friends to its new streaming service in May, it begged the question, “Are you asking me to have a Frenaissance?” (Yes, that is a Phoebe quote.) I mean, with laugh tracks, ’90s outfits, and unrealistically lavish apartments, Friends perfected the recipe for the escapist entertainment we so badly need right now. But even though all the episodes will be able to stream again next month, there exists the internal struggle that often emerges when we’re given a lot of a good thing. Where does one possibly start?
There are definitely some episodes that stand out from the pack. During Friends’ 10-year run, there were classic quotes that still get referenced in Tinder bios and celebrity guest stars who are still impressive in today’s zeitgeist. Here, we present to you 22 of the very funniest episodes the series offers.
1. “The One Where Ross Is Fine” (Season 10, Episode 2)
In case you’re wondering, he’s FINE.
2. “The One in Vegas” (Season 5, Episode 23)
There is no better mix for great television than Vegas debauchery (with wedding chapel, obviously).
3. “The One With the Football” (Season 3, Episode 9)
Sometimes, this show shows Ross and Monica’s sibling relationship so accurately, it’s like watching a nature documentary. This episode is one of those times.
4. “The One With Rachel’s Sister” (Season 6, Episode 13)
Long before Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon went head-to-head on The Morning Show, they were incredibly believable sisters. Maybe it’s the great hair.
5. “The One With the Lottery” (Season 9, Episode 18)
Fine! Don’t be my friends! I’ll buy new friends!
6. “The One With All the Resolutions” (Season 5, Episode 11)
What is your New Year’s resolution? Is it to not gossip? To not make fun of your friends? Or is it to try something new every day, like wearing a pair of leather paste pants?
7. “The One Where Everybody Finds Out” (Season 5, Episode 14)
There’s really nothing more to say besides, “They don’t know we know they know we know!”
8. “The One With the Apothecary Table” (Season 6, Episode 11)
Fact: For the rest of your life, you will only be able to think of $51 as “one and fifty dollars.”
9. “The One With the Embryos” (Season 4, Episode 12)
This episode is named after Phoebe getting pregnant with her brother’s babies, but the trivia bet is its main highlight. You have probably won half the Friends trivia nights you’ve attended thanks to this episode. And you probably called your team Miss Chanandler Bong.
10. “The One Where Ross Got High” (Season 6, Episode 9)
And you probably won the other half of the trivia nights with this episode. (And this time you called your team Beef, Good.)
11. “The One With All the Cheesecakes” (Season 7, Episode 11)
I would do this for my nana’s cheesecake. Sorry not sorry.
12. “The One With the Cop” (Season 5, Episode 16)
I may or may not have whispered “Pivot!” at the movers every time I’ve moved. You may or may not have done the same.
13. “The One With the Holiday Armadillo” (Season 7, Episode 10)
I don’t know about you, but my favorite part was when Superman flew all the Jews out of Egypt.
14. “The One Where They’re Up All Night” (Season 7, Episode 12)
There is a Friends episode for literally everything that ever happens to you in your 20s and 30s. This is the one for when your fire alarm won’t shut up, even when you throw it down the garbage chute in a blanket that says, “Property of Phoebe Buffay not Monica.”
15. “The One With Chandler in a Box” (Season 4, Episode 8)
Episodes where the friends yell out embarrassing stuff about each other are the best episodes.
16. “The One Where Joey Loses His Insurance” (Season 6, Episode 4)
Once again, the funniest part of this episode has nothing to do with its title.
17. “The One on the Last Night” (Season 6, Episode 6)
Long before Pitch Perfect came along, Cups was a card game that made no sense. This is also the episode you played every single last night of college as you packed.
18. “The One With Ross’s Tan” (Season 10, Episode 3)
“I went to that tanning place your wife suggested.”
“Was that place the sun?!”
19. “The One With the Blackout” (Season 1, Episode 7)
I’mtrappedinanATMvestibulewithJillGOODACRE.
20. “The One With the Prom Video” (Season 2, Episode 14)
Young Monica! Rachel’s old nose! Ross’s ridiculous hair and outfits! This episode has so much to laugh about, but the highlight is obviously: “He’s her lobster.”
21. “The One With Unagi” (Season 6, Episode 17)
22. “The One With the Proposal” (Season 6 Finale)
I dare you to watch this episode and not cry (while laughing…but mostly crying), even if you’ve already seen it 35 times.
*No, the series finale is not on here, because it is just too sad.
