Top 10 Funniest Episodes of Friends
The iconic sitcom Friends has provided countless laughs and memorable moments throughout its 10-season run. Starring Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer, the show revolves around six friends navigating life, love, and career in New York City. Here, we rank the top 10 funniest episodes of Friends that have kept audiences roaring with laughter.
1. “The One with Ross’s Sandwich” (Season 5, Episode 9)
Ross’s legendary meltdown over his missing sandwich is one of the most hilarious moments in the series. His escalating fury and the delivery of the line, “My sandwich? MY SANDWICH?” make this episode unforgettable. It also features Joey’s misguided attempt to explain his dual relationship with Kathy to Chandler. Learn more about this episode at Friends Season 5.
2. “The One Where Everybody Finds Out” (Season 5, Episode 14)
This episode is comedy gold. The laughs come as Phoebe and Rachel plot to expose Monica and Chandler’s secret relationship. Phoebe’s attempt to seduce Chandler is both cringe-worthy and hysterical, and Chandler’s eventual admission of love for Monica turns a funny situation into a heartwarming moment. Discover more about this classic episode at Friends Season 5.
3. “The One with All the Thanksgivings” (Season 5, Episode 8)
Friends’ Thanksgiving episodes are legendary, but this one stands out. The flashbacks to past Thanksgivings reveal Monica’s weight loss transformation and Chandler’s inadvertent insult that spurred it. Joey gets a turkey stuck on his head, and Monica’s ultimate revenge on Chandler by dancing with a turkey on her head is laugh-out-loud funny. Learn more about this episode at Friends Season 5.
4. “The One with Ross’s Tan” (Season 10, Episode 3)
Ross’s disastrous experience with a spray tan booth is one of the funniest physical comedy bits on the show. His confusion between “Mississippi” and “counting” leaves him with a hilarious uneven tan that continues to worsen throughout the episode. Rachel and Joey’s awkward date also adds to the comedy. Find out more about this episode at Friends Season 10.
5. “The One with the Blackout” (Season 1, Episode 7)
The friends deal with a citywide blackout in this early classic. Chandler gets trapped in an ATM vestibule with a supermodel, leading to some of his funniest internal monologues. Meanwhile, Ross tries to profess his feelings for Rachel, only to be interrupted by a wandering cat and its quirky owner, leading to a hilarious rooftop chase. Discover more about this episode at Friends Season 1.
6. “The One with All the Resolutions” (Season 5, Episode 11)
As the gang makes New Year’s resolutions, Ross’s commitment to trying new things results in his iconic “leather pants” incident. Watching Ross struggle in a date’s bathroom with baby powder and lotion to remove the too-tight pants is comedy gold. Rachel’s struggle to keep her resolution of minding her own business also provides plenty of laughs. Learn more about this episode at Friends Season 5.
7. “The One with the Embryos” (Season 4, Episode 12)
This fan-favorite episode features the ultimate trivia contest where Monica and Rachel bet their apartment against Joey and Chandler’s knowledge of them. The game reveals hilarious character quips and memorable lines, such as Chandler’s middle name being Muriel. The high stakes and funny dynamics between the friends make this episode a standout. Find out more about this episode at Friends Season 4.
8. “The One with the Holiday Armadillo” (Season 7, Episode 10)
Ross’s attempt to introduce his son Ben to Hanukkah takes a hysterical turn when he can’t find a Santa costume and instead rents an armadillo suit. As “The Holiday Armadillo,” Ross explains Hanukkah’s significance, only to be upstaged by Chandler as Santa and Joey as Superman. The absurdity and Ross’s commitment to the role make this a holiday classic. Learn more about this episode at Friends Season 7.
9. “The One with the Cop” (Season 5, Episode 16)
Best remembered for the “pivot” scene, Ross, Chandler, and Rachel try to move a new couch into Ross’s apartment, resulting in hilarious frustration and the repeated command, “Pivot!” Additionally, Joey discovers the joys of owning a law enforcement badge, leading to comedic misunderstandings and an eventual brush with the real cops. Find out more about this episode at Friends Season 5.
10. “The One with Unagi” (Season 6, Episode 17)
Ross’s obsession with self-defense and his belief in the concept of “unagi” (which he hilariously misinterprets as a state of total awareness) leads to some of the series’ funniest moments. Meanwhile, Chandler takes out a surprise for Monica too early, leading to a funny subplot with Joey and Phoebe pretending to be a couple. Discover more about this episode at Friends Season 6.
From Ross’s leather pants misadventures to Chandler’s ATM escapades, Friends has delivered countless laughs with its expertly crafted humor and endearing characters. These top 10 funniest episodes showcase the best of what this beloved sitcom has to offer, cementing its place as a timeless classic that continues to bring joy to audiences around the world.
