The 10 Best Episodes of Friends

Few shows have ever had as much impact as Friends. For a decade, Friends reigned as television’s ultimate comfort sitcom, portraying the chaotic yet relatable lives of six friends navigating adulthood in New York City. Beloved for the strong chemistry between the cast and its relatable themes, the show has produced countless memorable episodes. But even in a series packed with classics, some episodes stand out more than others. This list attempts to rank the 10 best episodes of Friends — not just by laughs, but by how perfectly they capture the magic of the show.

10. The One with Chandler in a Box

Season 4, Episode 8 (1997)

Chandler spends Thanksgiving trapped in a wooden box as punishment for kissing Joey’s girlfriend, Kathy. Meanwhile, Monica deals with an awkward attraction to her ex-boyfriend’s son. The image of Chandler crammed into a crate is still iconic, and the moment when Joey finally forgives him is genuinely heartwarming.

9. The One with Ross's Sandwich

Season 5, Episode 9 (1998)

Joey struggles to keep Monica and Chandler’s relationship a secret. Phoebe takes a literature class. Ross's life is falling apart, and the final straw comes when someone at work eats his Thanksgiving leftover sandwich. When he learns that his boss is the one who ate his sandwich, Ross breaks down, delivering the iconic “MY SANDWICH?!” line.

8. The One with the Rumor

Season 8, Episode 9 (2001)

In this Thanksgiving episode, Brad Pitt guest stars as Ross and Monica’s high school friend Will. Will makes no secret of his hatred for Rachel and reveals that he and Ross co-founded the "I Hate Rachel Green Club" in high school, where they had started a nasty rumor about her. Meanwhile, Chandler attempts to eat an entire turkey by himself.

7. The One Where No One's Ready

Season 3, Episode 2 (1996)

Ross is desperate to get everyone ready for a big event, but chaos ensues when Joey and Chandler get in an argument, Phoebe gets a stain on her dress, Monica obsesses over a voicemail, and Rachel takes forever to choose an outfit. With the entire episode set in the apartment, the fast-paced dialogue and physical comedy are what make the episode great.

6. The One with All the Resolutions

Season 5, Episode 11 (1999)

The gang all make New Year's resolutions, but despite their best intentions, they all go hilariously awry. Ross wants to be happy, Phoebe wants to pilot a jet, Chandler tries not to make fun of everyone, Monica wants to take more pictures, Rachel tries to gossip less, and Joey wants to learn guitar. The episode is filled with memorable moments, but Ross's leather pants fiasco is particularly unforgettable.

5. The One with the Videotape

Season 8, Episode 4 (2001)

The gang wants to hear about how Ross and Rachel hooked up, but when they tell the story they argue over their conflicting tales about who came onto who. Ross reveals that he unintentionally recorded the whole thing, and everyone wants to see the tape — even Rachel, who thinks it will prove her right.

4. The One Where Ross Got High

Season 6, Episode 9 (1999)

Monica and Chandler use Thanksgiving to try to win over Monica’s parents, but can't figure out why they don't like him — until Ross reveals that he had blamed Chandler for their dorm room smelling like weed in college. Meanwhile, Rachel attempts to make dessert with disastrous and hilarious results.

3. The One with the Prom Video

Season 2, Episode 14 (1996)

The group watches an old video of Monica and Rachel getting ready for prom. Rachel's date seems to stand her up and Ross gets ready to take her instead, but he ends up disappointed when her date shows up before he can act. The episode ends with one of the show's most touching moments as Rachel, moved by the video, forgives Ross for what's happened between them and passionately kisses him.

2. The One with the Embryos

Season 4, Episode 12 (1998)

Although the episode is named for Phoebe’s embryo implantation, the real highlight is the legendary trivia game where Monica and Rachel lose their apartment to Chandler and Joey. When Joey bets Monica that he and Chandler know more about the girls than they do about the guys, Ross hosts the contest and the stakes fly high.

1. The One Where Everybody Finds Out

Season 5, Episode 14 (1999)

Phoebe finds out about Monica and Chandler's relationship. Despite Joey's desire to confront the couple, Rachel and Phoebe decide to mess with them instead. Phoebe pretends to flirt with Chandler, leading to a risqué game of chicken when Monica realizes that Phoebe knows about their relationship ("They don't know that we know they know we know!"). Finally, the episode ends on a cliffhanger as Ross witnesses Monica and Chandler from his new apartment across the street.

Friends endures not just because of its jokes, but because it portrays life’s messy, relatable moments — bad dates, career flops, and the joy of finding your “lobster.” These 10 episodes capture the series at its peak, balancing slapstick with sincerity and reminding us why we fell in love with Monica’s obsessive cleaning, Chandler’s sarcasm, Joey’s “How you doin’?,” Phoebe’s whimsy, Ross’s dorky passion, and Rachel’s journey from runaway bride to independent icon. Whether you’re a first-time viewer or a lifelong fan, these episodes are sure to entertain. Friends may have ended in 2004, but it’s still there for you.

Still can't decide what episode to watch? Check out our Friends random episode generator. And if you enjoyed our list of the best Friends episodes, check out some of our other articles like the best Community episodes or the best Family Guy episodes.