25 best and funniest Friends episodes on Netflix, ranked

Friends remains a beloved sitcom for many, known for its ten seasons of memorable characters, quick humor, and endlessly repeated lines.

The show remains incredibly popular and doesn’t seem to be losing its audience anytime soon. It’s found a new generation of fans through streaming, proving its enduring appeal even though it originally ended decades ago.

Like many older comedies, Friends has received some criticism for jokes that don’t hold up well today. However, these instances are rare, and the show remains capable of brightening your day when you’re feeling down.

Good news for UK viewers! All episodes of the popular series are now available again, but you’ll find them on HBO Max instead of Netflix.

What’s the best way to welcome Friends back? By revisiting its 25 funniest and most heartwarming episodes, of course! Get ready for lots of laughs and plenty of Ross’s wonderfully quirky moments.

25. The One with the Football (season 3, episode 9)

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A fun Thanksgiving tradition turns chaotic when Monica and Ross Geller’s intense rivalry resurfaces, reminding everyone why their parents used to stop them from playing football together.

Honestly, a lot is riding on this – the prize is a quirky, handmade troll doll that was actually found in a river!

Meanwhile, Joey and Chandler both try to impress a mysterious woman from the Netherlands, and Joey mistakenly believes the Netherlands is the magical island from Peter Pan.

Best moment: Rachel “goes long”.

24. The One with Ross’s Wedding: Part 2 (season 4, episode 24)

Ross is now with Emily, but their wedding in London is complicated when Rachel unexpectedly appears. He’s left conflicted and accidentally calls out the wrong name during the ceremony – a pretty awkward moment!

The situation was a complete disaster, and Ross’s efforts to fix it only made things worse – it’s fascinating, though cringeworthy, to watch. This marks the beginning of a chaotic period for Ross, filled with other memorable, often embarrassing, incidents.

Also, stop hating on Emily from Friends. Helen Baxendale was great, I won’t hear otherwise.

Best moment: “Take thee, Rachel.” – Perhaps Ross’s greatest mistake?

23. The One with the Prom Video (season 2, episode 14)

Ross and Rachel’s first kiss was a long time coming! After a lot of uncertainty and playful tension – remember Rachel asking, “You’re over me? When were you under me?” – they finally became a couple.

Rachel watched their high school prom video and realised Ross really was her lobster.

Recent criticisms of the show’s flashback episodes focus on insensitive jokes about Monica’s body, but the sweet and touching moments between the main couple still make them enjoyable and worth watching.

Best moment: That kiss.

22. The One with Ross’s Tan (season 10, episode 3)

Ross tries to get a spray tan, but it doesn’t go as planned. He ends up with a bright orange front and a shockingly pale back – it’s a classic Ross blunder! We’ll be sharing more of his mishaps soon.

This episode also features a guest appearance by Jennifer Coolidge, who later achieved widespread recognition and critical acclaim for her performance in The White Lotus, nearly twenty years after this appearance.

In this role, she portrays Amanda, a friend who’s grown distant from Monica and Phoebe. She’s unforgettable – with a British accent, impressive dance moves, and a remarkably self-centered personality.

Amanda had a great moment when she playfully told her friends to smell her neck, explaining that her natural scent was better than perfume – a sweet way to reconnect with them.

21. The One with All the Thanksgivings (season 5, episode 8)

This episode features a flashback, showing the ups and downs of Monica and Chandler’s relationship – many fans consider them the show’s strongest couple.

Chandler becomes distressed during a Thanksgiving story time when it’s revealed that Monica accidentally cut off the tip of his toe while he was trying to get revenge on someone. He complains, saying, “It’s the best part… it has the nail!”

The episode ends on a cheerful note, as Monica playfully puts a turkey on her head. This surprisingly leads someone to confess something.

One of the funniest moments is Monica’s awkward attempt to flirt, where she bizarrely tells Chandler she loves macaroni and cheese and enjoys the feel of the box on her face.

20. The One with Ross’s Teeth (season 6, episode 8)

The show consistently delivers laughs when it puts Ross in bizarre scenarios. This time, he tries to whiten his teeth before a date, but accidentally leaves the whitening gel on for too long, resulting in teeth that glow in the dark.

While Chandler’s worries about being a man feel a little old-fashioned, the episode really shines when Phoebe accidentally falls for Ralph Lauren, thinking he’s someone else – and Ralph Lauren himself even makes a quick appearance!

Okay, so one of my absolute favorite moments? It’s when Rachel’s boss, Kim, totally misinterprets something! Someone says, “You could cut the tension with a knife,” and Kim immediately jumps to the wrong conclusion – thinking it’s that kind of tension! It’s hilarious and just perfectly awkward.

19. The One with Phoebe’s Uterus (season 4, episode 11)

Monica playfully educates Chandler about the most sensitive areas on a woman’s body, resulting in a memorable scene that many believe deserved an Emmy award for Courteney Cox.

It’s surprising and frustrating that she was the only main cast member who didn’t win an award while the show was originally airing!

Best moment: “SEVEN! SEVEN! SEVEN!” – Monica has a moment.

18. The One Where Joey Speaks French (season 10, episode 13)

Joey claims to be able to speak French on his resume, but he actually doesn’t understand any of the language. Phoebe attempts to teach him, and it quickly becomes obvious he’s struggling and won’t learn it easily.

Many fans feel the show peaked before Season 10, but some episodes from later seasons are still outstanding. It’s also refreshing to see Joey in a less problematic role.

Best moment: “Oh, de fuff!” – Joey

17. The One with the Holiday Armadillo (season 7, episode 10)

Ross tries to share his Jewish traditions with his son, Ben, but Ben is more interested in Santa Claus. To capture Ben’s attention, Ross dresses up as a Holiday Armadillo and attempts to teach him about Hanukkah.

That costume is instantly recognizable and will likely stay with us for a long time, showcasing Schwimmer’s talent for hilarious physical comedy.

The funniest moment? Definitely Chandler, dressed as Santa, saying, “If Santa and the Holiday Armadillo are ever in the same room for too long, the universe will implode. Merry Christmas!”

16. The One with The Embryos (season 4, episode 12)

Monica and Rachel challenge Chandler and Joey to a trivia game to find out who understands each other better. Things get serious when Monica, determined to win, bets their apartment on the outcome.

Throughout the episode, Phoebe tries to help her brother by carrying his embryos as a surrogate. However, the group gets sidetracked answering a long list of questions from Ross, which quickly turns into a chaotic and funny game.

One of the funniest moments is when Rachel tries to figure out what Chandler does for work and guesses “a transponst– a transponster!” Monica quickly points out that isn’t even a real word.

15. The One Where No One’s Ready (season 3, episode 2)

It’s classic Friends chaos! I’m picturing it now: Joey, completely oblivious, has plopped himself down in Chandler’s spot, Phoebe’s somehow managed to get hummus all over her dress – honestly, only Phoebe! – and Monica is absolutely losing it over a voicemail from her ex, Richard. Tom Selleck as Richard always adds a little extra excitement, doesn’t it? It’s just a wonderfully funny, relatable mess.

It’s understandable why Ross was frustrated – these weren’t great excuses for missing such a formal event.

This episode stands out because it takes place almost entirely in Monica’s apartment. This helped the show save money on production costs, but it didn’t compromise the quality – it’s still a fantastic 22-minute episode.

The funniest part of the episode is when Chandler and Joey get into a big argument. Chandler pulls a prank by hiding Joey’s underwear, forcing Joey to wear all of Chandler’s clothes—without any underwear! It’s pretty gross, but hilarious.

14. The One with Ross’s Sandwich (season 5, episode 9)

A mental breakdown after a divorce could be really tough to watch on most TV shows. But on Friends, and especially with the usually funny Ross, it just doesn’t feel as heavy.

In this memorable episode, a character with a history of divorce earns a harsh nickname from coworkers and is sent on a leave of absence after angrily confronting his manager over a Thanksgiving leftover sandwich.

Best moment: “Someone ate the only good thing going on in my life!” – Ross

13. The One with All the Resolutions (season 5, episode 11)

New Year, same Friends.

The group made some New Year’s resolutions: Chandler promised to stop making fun of others, Rachel decided to quit gossiping, and Joey planned to learn guitar.

The funniest part of the show definitely involves Ross, who constantly tries new things, but it usually backfires. This time, his attempts lead to a disastrous date, all thanks to a pair of ill-fated leather pants.

Ross jokingly lamented the start of the year, saying, “I thought this year would be amazing, but it’s only the second day and I already feel like a failure!”

12. The One with Joey’s New Brain (season 7, episode 15)

On Days of Our Lives, Joey’s character, Dr. Drake Ramoray, wakes up from his coma, but there’s an unexpected surprise.

After a brain transplant using tissue from Cecilia Monroe, a seasoned soap opera actress (played by Susan Sarandon), he finds himself needing her guidance to portray the villainous role of an evil stepmother.

A fun side story involves Ross attempting to learn the bagpipes to perform at Monica and Chandler’s wedding as a surprise.

Best moment: Phoebe sings along to Ross’s cursed cover of Kool & The Gang’s Celebration.

11. The One Where Ross Got High (season 6, episode 9)

Ross is horrified when his parents find out he used to smoke marijuana in their house during college, especially because the revelation happens at Thanksgiving. This sparks a chain reaction, and other long-held secrets among the group are revealed.

Best moment: Judy Geller puts unruly kids Ross and Monica in their place.

10. The One with the Cop (season 5, episode 16)

Ross buys a new sofa, but doesn’t want to pay for delivery. While he, Rachel, and Chandler try to get it up a tight staircase, he famously yells a particular instruction.

Best moment: “PIVOT! PIVOT! PIVOT!” Need we say more?

9. The One Where the Stripper Cries (season 10, episode 11)

Danny DeVito, known as ‘Officer Goodbody,’ shows up at Monica and Chandler’s to perform a striptease for Phoebe’s bachelorette party. He’s already completely out of breath, red in the face, and sweating after just walking up the stairs, and things only get more chaotic from there.

Danny DeVito was already a successful actor, but he gained a new wave of fans later in his career with his role in the darkly comedic sitcom, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Okay, so one of the funniest bits in this episode – seriously, I was cracking up – involves Joey appearing on the game show Pyramid. He’s teamed up with a regular person, and let me tell you, this contestant has zero tolerance for Joey’s…well, Joey-ness. The clash is gold, and it really steals the show for a few minutes.

Joey’s funniest moment came when he was asked what white things he’d put in his coffee, and he guessed ‘Paper! Snow! A ghost!’

8. The One with the Jellyfish (season 4, episode 1)

While the friends are wrapping up their trip to Montauk, Monica gets stung by a jellyfish. Joey and Chandler then try to help her feel better – a classic moment for those who remember!

Meanwhile, Ross dozes off while reading a long, 18-page letter from Rachel as they try to rekindle their relationship. Because he falls asleep, he’s forced to randomly guess the answer to a crucial question.

Best moment: “Does it?” – Rachel asks a bemused Ross.

7. The One Where Eddie Won’t Go (season 2, episode 19)

Chandler repeatedly tries to get his quirky roommate Eddie (Adam Goldberg) to move out, but keeps failing. Eddie has some strange habits, like watching Chandler while he sleeps, shoplifting mannequins, and making dried fruit.

Best moment: “Is anyone else starting to really like him?” – Phoebe fails to read the room on Eddie.

6. The One with the Rumour (season 8, episode 9)

Many fans consider Brad Pitt’s appearance on the show – when he was married to Jennifer Aniston – to be one of the best guest performances ever. He plays Will, a former classmate of Ross and Monica who Rachel used to tease for being heavier.

During the episode, it’s revealed that he and Ross once formed a club dedicated to complaining about Rachel, and they even started a false and hurtful rumor about her being intersex. It just goes to show what silly things people do when they’re young.

The funniest moment was when Will shot a really angry look at Rachel, but she completely misinterpreted it as a flirtatious advance.

5. The One Where Joey Loses His Insurance (season 6, episode 4)

Joey recently lost his job and doesn’t have health insurance right now. He’s in terrible pain from a hernia, but he’s avoiding the doctor because he’s worried about the cost – a common fear in the US, where medical bills can easily lead to financial ruin.

After a string of terrible auditions, he finally got lucky when a role for a “dying man” opened up. However, a difficult co-star almost cost him even this opportunity.

Rachel and Monica are surprised to find that Ross has started speaking with a British accent while teaching at the university.

Best moment: “Well, ‘ello, Rachel!” – Ross

4. The One Where Everybody Finds Out (season 5, episode 14)

Now that everyone except Ross knows Chandler and Monica are dating in secret, they’re enjoying keeping it under wraps and playfully teasing the couple before letting the cat out of the bag.

Phoebe playfully flirts with Chandler, leading to a funny standoff where Monica, always competitive, tries to ‘win’ his attention, putting Chandler in an awkward position.

Best moment: “They don’t know that we know they know we know!”

3. The One Where Ross Is Fine (season 10, episode 2)

Ross is devastated. He just caught Joey and Rachel kissing, and he’s completely overwhelmed by it.

He insists he’s doing okay, but his voice is shaky, and he immediately asks the new couple to join him and Charlie (Aisha Tyler) on a double date.

What could go wrong? He’s making fajitas!

The funniest moment was when Ross burst out laughing after accidentally pulling a scorching hot pan from the oven without using gloves.

2. The One with All the Rugby (season 4, episode 15)

This episode isn’t about the rugby game at all! It focuses on Chandler’s hilarious attempt to avoid his ex, Janice. Instead of just being honest with her, he pretends he’s moving to the Middle East!

She refused to let him avoid the consequences, so he had to purchase a plane ticket to Yemen and take the flight.

Best moment: “15 Yemen Road, Yemen.” – Janice recites Chandler’s fake new address.

1. The One with Unagi (season 6, episode 17)

Ross is convinced he could still win in a fight against his friends Rachel and Phoebe, even though they’ve been taking self-defense classes.

He believes he’s achieved a heightened state of awareness, which he calls “Unagi,” based on his karate training. Interestingly, “Unagi” is actually the Japanese word for freshwater eel.

Best moment: Ross approaches a self-defence teacher with an unhinged request.

Friends is available to stream on HBO Max. Subscribe from £5.99 a month.

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Authors

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David Craig writes about television and streaming drama and comedy for TopMob. Before joining TopMob, he worked at Starburst Magazine, hosted the podcast ‘The Winter King’ for ITVX, and earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Sheffield.

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2026-04-23 09:43