It has been an insanely fast 25 years since the very first episode of “Friends” aired on September 22, 1994. This iconic television series has helped shape the lives of viewers and fans from the 1990’s, early 2000’s, and even today. In honor of the popular sitcom’s anniversary, I made a list of the 25 best episodes from “Friends”. While they are listed in no particular order, they are a combination of feel-good, tear jerking, and simply laugh-until-you-cry episodes, that made “Friends” such a beloved program. 

1- “The One Where Monica Gets A Roommate” (Season 1, Episode 1):

The pilot, the start of it all. I picked this episode, of course, because it is arguably one of the most important episodes from the series. Everything starts with a frantic wedding dress-wearing-Rachel, who enters the iconic cafe: “Central Perk”, and the rest is history. 

Best line: Monica says,“Welcome to the real world. It sucks. You’re going to love it!”

2- “The One With All The Candy” (Season 7, Episode 9): I chose this episode because I thought that the chocolate making catastrophe and Phoebe learning to ride a bike was hilarious. 

Best lines: Chandler says, “Is that why you became a chef? So that people would like you?”

As Monica replies, “You really want to talk about getting people like you huh, funny man?”

3- “The One Where Joey Speaks French” (Season 10, Episode 13): I decided to pick this episode because coming from a former- french student, it’s so funny watching Joey attempt to speak a new language. 

Best line: Phoebe says, “Repeat after me. Je m’appelle Claude.” Joey then follows with, “Je de coup clow.” 

4- “The One With The Ball” (Season 5, Episode 21): I picked this episode because the friendly game of catch turns super competitive thanks to one of the headstrong characters which is always fun to watch. 

Best line:  Joey remarks, “That is not a cat.”  Rachel snaps back, “Yes it is!” Ross then joins in with, “Why is it inside out?”

5- “The One With All The Cheesecakes” (Season 7, Episode 11): I chose this episode because when Phoebe is faced with a tough decision, it has your eyes glued to the tv. The “dessert stealers” will be sure to make you laugh as well!

Best line: Chandler asks, “Where do you want to go to lunch?” Rachel replies, “Mama’s Little Bakery, Chicago, Illinois.”

6- “The One With The Nap Partners” (Season 6, Episode 7): I enjoy watching this episode because of the whole hilarious napping situation and a not-so-fair competition between two characters which leads to a slight change of who Monica’s maid of honor will be. 

Best line: Rachel points out,“I met Monica when we were just a couple of six-year-olds and I became friends with Chandler when he was twenty five, although he seemed like a six-year-old.”

7- “The One Hundredth” (Season 5, Episode 3): I like this episode because the anticipation is finally over and babies are born! Another character’s health may be in some danger…

Best line: Phoebe’s Doctor assures her, “In the meantime, just relax because everything here looks great and also, I love Fonzie.”

8- “The One With Unagi” (Season 6, Episode 17): This is one of my favorite episodes because of the whole unagi debacle that causes some of the characters to gang up on each other to see who has the best initial “state of awareness.”

Best line: Rachel pokes fun at Ross saying, “Ah, salmon skin roll!”

9- “The One Where Eddie Moves In” (Season 2, Episode 17): I picked this episode because one of my personal favorite characters finally gets her “somewhat” big break, which ends up going awry. A special bromance is put to the test when a new roommate enters the picture. 

Best line: Phoebe sings, “Smelly cat, smelly cat, what are they feeding you? Smelly cat, smelly cat, it’s not your fault.”

10- “The One With Phoebe’s Wedding” (Season 10, Episode 12): I chose this episode because it is the cutest! A character’s special day is could turn ugly after unfortunate news. The improvising is so good in this episode.

Best line: Phoebe says,“You’ve always been sort of like a dad to me. You’ve always looked out for me and shared your wisdom.” Joey responds with, “I am pretty wisdomous.” 

11- “The One With The Lottery” (Season 9, Episode 18): I picked this episode because I think it is pretty underrated yet so funny. The main characters are ready for the lottery…hopefully nothing unlucky happens!

Best line: Rachel yells, “Gleba is a word!” Ross angrily responds, “Then use it in a sentence.” Rachel shoots back, “Uh, okay, Emma just said Gleba.”

12- “The One With The Baby Shower” (Season 8, Episode 20): I chose this episode because Rachel’s entire baby shower is so chaotic that you can’t help but laugh!

Best line: Ms.Greene says, “Oh, and all of those dinosaur knicknacks you have. Ross, I think they might be more at home in the garage.” Ross points out, “Well, we don’t have a garage.” Ms.Greene again, responds, “Did I say garage? I meant garbage.”

13- “The One With The Football” (Season 3, Episode 9): I decided to pick this episode because it’s so fun to watch! From the Geller Cup to bad sportsmanship, and Peter Pan? The silliness in this episode is definitely at a maximum. 

Best line: Monica starts, “Okay, Joey’s going to catch it and you and I are going to block.” Phoebe then asks, “What’s block?” Monica responds, “Phoebe, I thought you said you knew what you were doing.” Phoebe says, “I thought you meant in life.”

14- “The One With All The Thanksgivings” (Season 5, Episode 8): I picked this episode because all of the flashbacks of the Thanksgivings through the years are really fun filled and enjoyable to watch. 

Best line: The Doctor says, “This is a small, very cold piece of carrot.” Rachel looks at Monica “You brought a carrot?” Judy Geller is shocked, “Oh my God, there’s a toe in my kitchen!”

15- “The One With The Cop” (Season 5, Episode 16): I chose this episode because from one character impersonating a cop to the iconic “PIVOT”, there’s truly no way to hate this episode. 

Best line: Ross yells, “Pivot, pivot, PIVOT!” Chandler responds with,“Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!”

16- “The One With The Embryos” (Season 4, Episode 12): I picked this episode because the entirety of it is so funny! With an apartment and and animals at stake, who knows what’s going to happen?

Best line: Chandler says, “Actually it’s Miss Chanandler Bong”.

17- “The One With The East German Laundry Detergent” (Season 1, Episode 5): I think this episode is super funny and overrated. Watching a spoiled girl learn how to do laundry for the first time is funnier than it sounds!

Best line: Rachel questions Ross, “Am I supposed to use one machine for shirts and another machine for pants?”

18- “The One With The Cat” (Season 4, Episode 2): I chose this episode because its just so…. unexplainable? From a burglary and a “possessed” cat, you might have some raised eyebrows but definitely a smile!

Best line: Phoebe says, “How about the fact that she (the cat) went into my guitar case? Which is lined which orange felt. My mom’s favorite fish was orange roughy.”

19- “The One With Joey’s New Brain (Season 7, Episode 15): I picked this episode because of how so much is taking place but it’s also a laugh-a-minute. A brain transplant, digital love story, and bagpipes? You will most likely never forget this episode once you watch it. 

Best line: Rachel fantasizes, “What if he calls his own cell phone to find out who found it and I answer and we started talking and we fell in love? I mean, wouldn’t that be a great story? Kind of like a fairytale for the digital age.”

20- “The One With George Stephanopoulos” (Season 1, Episode 4): I picked this episode because when a fun night that leads to broken nose and a sleepover, what’s not to love?

Best line: Rachel asks, “What’s FICA?” “Why’s he getting all my money?”

21- “The One Where Joey Loses His Insurance” (Season 6, Episode 4): I chose this episode because the fake british accents and when main character losing his insurance in the wake of a medical emergency could lead to disaster. There may be suffering in this episode, but not for you! Eat some popcorn and watch. 

Best line: Rachel teases in an Irish Accent, “Hello, Ross? This is Dr. McNeely from the Fake Accent University. We’d like you to come on-board with us full time!”

22- “The One With The Hypnosis Tape” (Season 3, Episode 18): I picked this episode because it isn’t every day when you catch something like this, that’s for sure! A hypnosis tape changes a characters smoking habits, and leads to some other changes as well!

Best line: Joey pretends to be the hypnosis tape and whispers to Chandler as he sleeps: “Joey is your best friend. You want to make him a cheese sandwich every day. You also want to buy hundreds of dollars worth of pants.”

23- “The One With All The Rugby” (Season 4, Episode 15): I like this episode because everything including Red Ross, a trip to yemen and a light switch tie the episode together for a hilarious time!

Best line: Janice cries, “I’ll write you everyday. 15 Yemen Road, Yemen.”

24- “The One With The Apothecary Table” (Season 6, Episode 11): This is one of my favorites because the whole Pottery Barn fiasco is so hilarious, I could watch it over and over again!

Best line: Phoebe warns, “You buy your sheets at a flea market? Ross, come on, you gotta loosen the purse strings a little.”

25- “The One With The Last One” (Season 10, Episode 17 and 18): Of course I had to pick this episode! The good, the bad, the ugly, all make for a perfect series finale in a way only the Friends cast could accomplish.

Best line: Ross asks, “Did she get off the plane?” “Did she get off the plane?” Rachel responds,“I got off the plane.”