10 Classic Friends Episodes Every Fan Has Seen

One of the most popular sitcoms of all time, Friends is still relevant, seventeen years after it ended its ten-season run and almost thirty years after it first premiered. Thanks to streaming services, previously Netflix and currently HBO Max, the show has found a whole new generation of fans who love the six friends just as much as 90s audiences did.

Throughout its 236 episodes, the six main characters lived all sorts of adventures together, creating a truly memorable show that’s bound to stand the test of time. The show is far from perfect but some episodes have become iconic, cementing Friends‘ place in the annals of pop culture.

10 The One Where Monica Gets A Roommate

The pilot of any show will surely be an episode that every fan sees. Friends is no exception and the now legendary first episode is forever cemented in the mind of fans. The main characters are introduced, their personalities outlined, and Rachel makes her grand entrance as a runaway bride in search of her high school friend, Monica.

“The One Where Monica Gets a Roommate” is a perfect pilot episode. It’s fun, clever, charming, and light-hearted. It also makes excellent use of its perfect cast, although Chandler and Phoebe end up stealing a bit more of the spotlight. It also establishes the show’s scenery, like Monica’s apartment and Central Perk, places that will be mainstays for the next ten years.

9 The One With The Lottery

Even in its ninth season, Friends managed to retain the essence that made the show so successful in the first place. Putting all six friends in the same room and letting mayhem ensue, “The One With The Lottery” is further proof that the cast truly made magic together.

The plot centers on the gang’s efforts to win the big prize in the lottery by pitching 50 dollars each and purchasing a lot of tickets. Things spiral out of control thanks to a lot of jealousy and a very inconvenient pigeon. Hilarious and making sure each of the six core members gets a moment to shine, “The One With the Lottery” is Friends at its finest.

8 The One With The Cop

“The One With the Cop” is one of those TV episodes that everyone knows about, even if some haven’t necessarily seen it. It features several plots, including one focusing on Phoebe finding a police badge and going on a spree of arrests. However, the most memorable one deals with Ross’s efforts to take his recently-purchased couch to his apartment.

The word “Pivot!” took on a whole new meaning after the episode. And while the cast is in fine form as usual, including the always reliable Matthew Perry, “The One With the Cop” is truly a showcase for David Schwimmer’s physical comedy.

7 The One With Unagi

Another episode made famous by Ross’ eccentricities, “The One with Unagi” features hilarious plots, involving Monica and Chandler forgetting to make Valentine’s Day presents for each other, and Joey hiring a lookalike in an effort to be accepted into an identical twin test.

However, the episode’s true highlights come courtesy of Ross, Phoebe, and Rachel. After the two girls turned roommates begin a self-defense class, Ross becomes obsessed with teaching them the concept of “Unagi.” Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow deliver some of their best physical comedy, while Schwimmer successfully takes Ross’s creepy behavior to disturbing new levels.

6 The One With Monica And Chandler’s Wedding: Part 2

By far the show’s most stable and inspiring couple, Chandler and Monica make it to the altar in the season seven finale, aptly titled “The One with Monica and Chandler’s Weeding.” The episode has everything, including several misunderstandings, a runaway groom, and several celebrity guest stars.

After a lot of mess and confusion, the couple finally ties the knot in a wedding ceremony officiated by Joey, dressed as a World War I soldier. The episode ends with the revelation that Rachel is pregnant, promising exciting things to come for the eighth season.

5 The One With Ross’s Wedding: Part 2

And speaking of jaw-dropping season finales, perhaps no Friends cliffhanger was bigger than Ross saying Rachel’s name at the altar. A genuine moment of confusion and surprise, the twist sent a gasp around the world as millions of fans watched in disbelief.

“The One with Ross’s Wedding” also features another landmark for the show, as it signals the beginning of Monica and Chandler’s relationship. Still, most of the attention goes to the scandalous final seconds of the episode and deservedly so. Ross saying Rachel’s name has to be one of the most shocking season finales of all time.

4 The One Where Everybody Finds Out

The ending to the whole “Monica and Chandler are dating” mystery, “The One Where Everybody Finds Out” mostly serves as a showcase for Lisa Kudrow’s immense comedic talents. The episode features a now-iconic scene where Phoebe sees Chandler and Monica having sex through the window while at ‘Ugly Naked Guy’s apartment. In shock, she overreacts in typical Phoebe fashion, yelling “My eyes!” as she backs away from the window.

After the surprise has passed, she and Rachel enact an elaborate plan to force the couple to admit their relationship by having Phoebe seduce Chandler. The episode’s final sequence, in which Phoebe and Chandler pretend to be into each other is a brilliant moment for both Kudrow and Perry acting talents.

3 The One With The Embryos

Mostly remembered as the episode where Monica and Rachel lose their apartment to Chandler and Joey, “The One with the Embryos” features the two girls competing against the two boys in a trivia contest. Ross is in charge of the questions, putting the friend’s knowledge of each other to the test.

Phoebe undergoes the procedure to become Frank Jr. and Alice’s surrogate and the episode ends with the confirmation that it was a success. However, the true star of the hour is the contest itself, which gave fans one of the most unforgettable names in the entire show: Miss Chanandler Bong.

2 The One With The Prom Video

Flashback episodes are a common trope in television shows. It’s the chance to take out some eighties wigs and crank up some Madonna and Cyndi Lauper. Friends makes excellent use of these in the classic episode “The One with the Prom Video,” also known as the one where Ross and Rachel finally get together.

When the gang discovers an old videotape of Monica and Rachel’s prom, they watch as Ross steps up to take Rachel to the dance after her date seemingly bails. He dresses up but her date arrives, shattering Ross’s hopes. Rachel is touched by his kindness and kisses him, officially beginning one of the longest, most complicated (and toxic) relationships in all of prime-time television.

1 The Last One

The final episode of any show is bittersweet. Fans get ready to say goodbye to characters they have grown close to, all the while hoping the series ends satisfyingly and logically. Friends follows a classic romantic comedy plot by having Ross chase Rachel through a crowded airport to try to convince her not to go to Paris. He initially fails but as every fan knows, she eventually gets off the plane.

With Ross and Rachel back together, Chandler and Monica about to move to their new home with their twins, Phoebe happily married, and Joey still being Joey, Friends said its goodbyes after ten years of laughter and joy. But as long as fans the world over keep watching the episodes and having fun alongside their favorite tv friends, the show will never truly be over.

About The Author

David Caballero
(803 Articles Published)

David is a twenty-eight-year-old Mexican writer and reader. Having studied Marketing in school, he spent three years working a nine-to-five desk job before deciding to pursue a writing career. He now works as a Senior Writer in ScreenRant and does some more freelancing job, talking about the entertainment business he so loves. Currently, he’s also writing his second novel while actively working to get his first one published.

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