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The 50 Most Popular Episodes of ‘Friends,’ Ranked

Ross stans only.

By Mehera Bonner

Mar 1, 2021

Getty ImagesGetty Images

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that every episode of Friends is a work of genius (except the ones where Rachel is dating Joey—just...no), but some are of course more iconic than others. The one where Ross screams, “MY SANDWICH”? Like...I felt that. And the one where everyone eats cheesecake off a dirty floor? Also felt that. Anyway, we ranked the 50 most popular episodes of Friends to narrow down the best of the best, and please be advised that this is a safe space for people who are deeply obsessed with Ross, aka me.

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“The Last One” (Season 10, Episode 18)

Friends’ last hurrah only made this list because it was technically a really good episode. That said, I refuse to acknowledge its existence because I’m too emotionally immature to accept that this show ended.

Clothing, Dress, Bridal party dress, Yellow, Shoulder, Fashion, Formal wear, Gown, Bride, Cocktail dress,

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“The One After ‘I Do’” (Season 8, Episode 1)

Hands up if 10-year-old you filed Rachel and Phoebe’s bridesmaid gowns to your “wedding mood board.” Cool, normal, same.

Event, Conversation, Room, Interior design, Scene, Performance, Tourism,

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“The One With the Embryos” (Season 4, Episode 12)

Aka the episode where we learn Monica’s biggest pet peeve is animals dressed as humans and that Chandler’s mail is addressed to “Chanandler Bong.”

Clothing, Street fashion, Fashion, Pink, Outerwear, Sweater, Shopping, Cardigan, Jeans, Coat,

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“The One That Could Have Been” (Season 6, Episode 15)

Name one TV show that did an “alternate universe” episode better than Friends. Oh wait, you simply cannot! And that’s mostly thanks to Phoebe killing it as a workaholic chain-smoker.

Conversation, Interaction, Fun, Photography, Technology, Room, Electronic device, Gesture, Scene,

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“The One Where Ross Got High” (Season 6, Episode 9)

Otherwise known as the episode where Rachel makes a disgusting dessert with jam, custard, lady fingers, raspberry, and—ah yes—beef. And then Joey fully eats it.

Facial expression, People, Fun, Social group, Shoulder, Conversation, Youth, Cheek, Chin, Snapshot,

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“The One Where Ross Is Fine” (Season 10, Episode 2)

Controversial but correct opinion: Ross is the best character on Friends and his breakdown over Rachel and Joey dating is the only proof you need. He’s FINE.

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“The One Where Underdog Gets Away” (Season 1, Episode 9)

This is one of Friends’ better Thanksgiving episodes thanks to the gang spotting Ugly Naked Guy’s girlfriend, Ugly Naked Girl. And also thanks to Monica’s insane blowout.

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“The One With All the Rugby” (Season 4, Episode 15)

Look, the Emily episodes were rough for all of us due to her, well, sucking. But watching Ross attempt to play Rugby? Worth it.

Musician, Music, Guitar, Performance, Stage, Musical instrument, Music artist, Singing, Event, Plucked string instruments,

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“The One After the Super Bowl” (Season 2, Episodes 12 and 13)

This was one of the most-watched episodes of Friends and had a million guest stars including Julia Roberts, Brooke Shields, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and mostly important, the living legend known as Marcel the Monkey.

Eyewear, Design, Room, Interior design, Small appliance,

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“The One With the Ball" (Season 5, Episode 21)

Speaking of Friends' cast of animal extras, this episode introduced us to my personal lord and savior, Mrs. Wiskerson, aka Rachel's deranged hairless cat who truly did NOT get the respect she deserved.

Conversation, Interaction, Fun, Sitting, Room, Event, Scene, Family,

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“The One Where Dr. Ramoray Dies” (Season 2, Episode 18)

Everyone Else: Likes this episode because the group reveals how many people they've had sex with.

Me: Likes this episode because of Chandler's criminally insane roommate Eddie and his imaginary goldfish.

Motor vehicle, Car, Vehicle, Bed, Automotive design, Room, Furniture, Classic car, Myers motors nmg, Race car,

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“The One With the Race Car Bed” (Season3, Episode 7)

The best episodes of Friends are the ones where literally nothing happens, and no episode exemplifies that vibe more than Monica buying this car bed, which SOME OF US (me) would fully sleep in.

Social group, Conversation, Fun, Snapshot, Interaction, Scene, Blond, Sitting, Mouth, Room,

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“The One With the Videotape” (Season 8, Episode 4)

Things that happen in this episode: (1) Ross and Rachel make a sex tape, (2) everyone watches said sex tape, and (3) Phoebe comes up with the ionic fake name “Regina Phalange.”

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“The One Where Rachel Has a Baby Part 1” (Season 8, Episodes 23)

Rachel and Ross’ baby saga took up three full episodes, all of which are on this list because, duh. Gems from Part 1 include Ross getting into this position (legendary) and Monica and Chandler trying to have sex in the hospital.

Patient, Hospital, Birth, Hospital bed, Nursing, Nurse, Clinic, Nursing home, Health care provider, Childbirth,

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“The One Where Rachel Has a Baby Part 2” (Season 8, Episodes 24)

Meanwhile, gems from Part 2 include Joey accidentally proposing to Rachel plus Monica and Chandler hooking up in a janitors’ closet.

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“The One With Chandler in a Box” (Season 4, Episode 8)

I’d love to know which Friends writer was just all, “Let’s have Chandler sit in a box during the entire episode,” because I, honestly, have so many questions. But mostly just slow claps.

Bride, Wedding dress, Ceremony, Veil, Marriage, Wedding, Facial expression, Flower Arranging, Bridal clothing, Floristry,

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“The One With Phoebe’s Wedding” (Season 10, Episode 12)

Honestly, I’m too distracted by how Paul Rudd still looks exactly the same to even talk about this cute episode, so moving on.

Conversation, Interaction, Human, Fun, Scene, Event, Gesture,

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“The One Where the Monkey Gets Away” (Season 1, Episode 19)

Nothing that crazy happens in this episode (other than Marcel escaping), but it’s still a total classic in Ross and Rachel’s relationship timeline thanks to him gearing up to reveal his true feelings.

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“The One With All the Cheesecakes” (Season 7 Episode 11)

I barely remember what happens in this episode, but it features the scene where Joey, Rachel, and Chandler eat cheesecake off the floor and therefore is very important to my personal brand.

Social group, Conversation, Fun, Snapshot, Interaction, Movie, Youth, Human, Screenshot, Scene,

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“The One Where Ross Can‘t Flirt” (Season 5, Episode 19)

I have never related to someone more than Ross trying to flirt by saying, “Hey, you know that smell gas has? They put that in.”

Human, Screenshot, Fun, Scene, Event, Adaptation, Movie, Conversation, Photography, Fictional character,

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“The One Where Everybody Finds Out” (Season 5, Episode 14)

Could truly watch Phoebe trying to flirt with Chandler on a loop forever.

Standing, Fashion, Conversation, Gesture, Style, Jeans,

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“The One With Ross‘ Tan” (Season 10, Episode 3)

I maintain the Joey and Rachel dating episodes were not Friends’ best. But once again Ross saved the day with spray tan mishap hilariousness.

Abdomen, Navel, Trunk, Human body, Dance, Event, Belly dance, Costume, Fawn,

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”The One With The Princess Leia Fantasy” (Season 3, Episode 1)

Jennifer Aniston fully donned a Princess Leia outfit for this episode, and apparently, Star Wars creator George Lucas was so into it, he sent the production team a letter congratulating them.

Fun, Snapshot, Drink, Eating, Finger, Mouth, Room, Alcohol, Thumb, Drinkware,

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“The One With The Ring” (Season 3, Episode 23)

Like, in what world would the episode where Chandler decides to buy Monica a ring not make this list? Could it be anymore romantic? (Sorry, had to, ugh).

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“The One in Vegas” (Season 5, Episode 24)

Yes, this is the episode where Rachel and Ross get drunk and married in Vegas, but more importantly, it's the episode where Joey wanders around dressed like a gladiator.

Interaction, Fun, Screenshot, Conversation, Room,

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“The One With All the Kissing” (Season 5, Episode 2)

People who kiss in this episode: Chandler + Monica, Chandler + Phoebe, Chandler + Rachel.

So...basically Chandler + everybody.

Restaurant, Table, Room, Conversation, Café, Event, Meal, Sitting, Brunch, Recreation,

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“The One With All the Poker” (Season 1, Episode 18)

Love this one mostly because of Chandler’s vest and also because the guys somewhat misogynistically assume their friends will suck at poker and get completely owned.

Bride, Photograph, Wedding dress, Veil, Dress, Gown, Bridal clothing, Bridal accessory, Ceremony, Event,

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“The One With All the Wedding Dresses” (Season 4, Episode 20)

Real ones know watching TV in your house while wearing a wedding dress is the only way to truly live.

Fashion, Scene, Event, Conversation, Performance, Fictional character,

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“The One With Joey’s Fridge” (Season 1, Episode 19)

On the one hand, it’s kinda creepy in retrospect that Ross was dating one of his students. On the other hand, we got to see Ross go on spring break, soooooo.