7 Family Guy Episodes You Should Watch Before New Stewie Spinoff

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A new Family Guy spinoff focusing on Stewie Griffin is in development! While fans wait, there’s plenty of classic Stewie episodes to enjoy. The show, created by Seth MacFarlane and airing on Fox, will follow Stewie as he navigates a new preschool after getting expelled from his old one. Expect to see even more of his signature gadgets and personality in this expanded universe.

A new spin-off series focusing on Stewie is in development, promising fresh characters and exciting adventures. It appears Family Guy only hinted at the full extent of Stewie’s potential, and with the show expected to arrive between 2027 and 2028, now is a great time to revisit some of his best episodes to prepare for what’s coming.

7). Send In Stewie, Please

The Season 16 episode “Send In Stewie, Please” is a good example of how later seasons of the show started exploring the characters’ inner lives more deeply. These episodes often differed from the usual format by centering on a single character and featuring fewer random jokes. In this particular episode, Stewie goes to therapy (with a voice provided by Ian McKellan), and we get a surprisingly honest look at his feelings.

This episode is also known for a surprising moment: Stewie briefly loses his British accent and starts sounding just like his dad, Peter. It’s a clip that continues to circulate online and delight fans, but the episode as a whole is consistently funny and well-made.

6). The Stewaway

Season 21’s episode, “The Stewaway,” features a first-time pairing of Stewie and Quagmire. While they’ve interacted before, often with Brian present, this episode really explores their dynamic. The story mainly focuses on Quagmire unexpectedly having to look after Stewie, and it’s one of the few episodes that highlights how young and helpless Stewie often is.

Stewie’s adventure begins because Brian introduced him to hide-and-seek, which unexpectedly leads Stewie to Paris with Quagmire. The story ends with a heartwarming and innocent moment for Stewie, giving him a satisfying victory. It’s a genuinely sweet conclusion.

5). Sibling Rivalry

As a huge Family Guy fan, I always thought Season 4’s “Sibling Rivalry” was a really special episode! It was the first time we saw Stewie genuinely challenged by someone on his level – Bertram! While Bertram’s initial appearance in “Emission Impossible” was totally chaotic, “Sibling Rivalry” really let their rivalry breathe. They were so evenly matched, and it was hilarious seeing Stewie actually having to think and react! Honestly, the way the episode wrapped up felt a little rushed, but it ended on a great joke. It was just a really fun Stewie story, and the start of what became a fantastic running gag with his new rival!

4). A Lot Going on Upstairs

In Season 14’s “A Lot Going on Upstairs,” Brian and Stewie explore a close bond during a playful sci-fi story. For the first time, Stewie experiences a nightmare, and Brian bravely enters his dream to understand what’s troubling him. The episode offers a revealing look into Stewie’s hidden fears, showing that even as a baby, he’s witnessed more than most.

This episode really highlighted how much Stewie cares about Brian. He’s become so attached that he secretly fears letting Brian down, to the point where Brian has become a source of anxiety for him. Stewie would never say it directly, but Brian is incredibly important to him.

3). Mr. and Mrs. Stewie

The Season 10 episode “Mr. and Mrs. Stewie” isn’t as deeply emotional as some of Stewie’s other storylines, but it’s a good illustration of how much his character has developed since the show began. The episode introduces a new rival for Stewie – Penelope (voiced by Cate Blanchett) – who is actually more villainous than he is. She quickly encourages his darker side, and together they wreak havoc.

After things go wrong, Stewie has to rescue Brian from Penelope, and ends up taking her along with them. The storyline leaves it open-ended, hinting that Penelope could reappear if the show ever chose to, but that seems unlikely. Episodes focusing on storylines like this are rare for Stewie now.

2). Dog Bites Bear

The Season 16 episode “Dog Bites Bear” is often considered one of the best featuring Brian and Stewie. Although they’ve had bigger adventures, this episode is particularly touching. It centers around Brian accidentally eating Stewie’s beloved teddy bear, Rupert, out of jealousy. During a road trip to scatter Rupert’s ashes, Stewie discovers Brian was envious of the bear, and Brian realizes Stewie fears he’ll be abandoned someday.

The episode concludes with a surprisingly moving scene – it’s funny, cleverly referencing an earlier joke, but ultimately quite sad. It’s a bittersweet moment and stands out as one of the best Stewie scenes in the entire series.

1). Stewie Kills Lois & Lois Kills Stewie

Season 6 of Family Guy marked a turning point for the character of Stewie, explaining why he stopped focusing on world domination and trying to kill his mother. While it’s a bit of a stretch to include it as one event, the two-part episode “Stewie Kills Lois” and “Lois Kills Stewie” showed the consequences if Stewie actually followed through with his threats and attempted his elaborate plan for global control.

The episode heavily implies Stewie ultimately achieves his goal, but doesn’t manage to kill Lois. She returns to stop him and save the world. It’s later revealed everything was a simulation Stewie created for fans to enjoy, making it a must-watch episode, especially before the new spinoff begins.

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2026-03-16 00:12