The One Where We Rank All 10 Seasons of ‘Friends’ From Worst to Best

Ranking Friends seasons is no easy task. The show ran for 10 years, from 1994 to 2004, and while there were a couple of stinker storylines towards the end of the series (looking at you, Joey and Rachel), it was by and large a perfect sitcom, full of iconic lines (“PIVOT!”), classic moments (Ross and Rachel’s first kiss) and a who’s-who of guest stars.

Whether you're a fan of Ross and Rachel's rollercoaster romance, Chandler and Monica’s surprise love story, or Phoebe’s quirky reveals, every fan has a favorite era of the show. Ahead, TV Squad breaks down all 10 seasons of Friends, ranking them from "worst" to best.

10: Season 9 

If Season 9 had a name, it would be “The One Where the Writers Ran Out of Good Ideas.” The season had its funny moments, like when Rachel found out that Ross was still seeing his pediatrician or when Phoebe adopted a family of rats and Mike (Paul Rudd) killed them, but it’s tainted by two awful storylines: Rachel falling for Joey (after he fell for her first in Season 8) and Chandler moving to Tulsa for work. Both arcs felt tedious and wrong. 

9: Season 8 

Ah, yes, another season spoiled by Joey’s romantic feelings for Rachel (please, name one fan who liked that storyline). To give the season its due, though: The episode where Ross and Rachel argued over who initiated their baby-making sexual encounter (“The One With the Videotape”) was Friends at its finest. And even though it’s common knowledge now that Ross was the father of Rachel’s baby, the reveal when the season first aired was “BRAND NEW INFORMATION” (wink) — and man, was that a spectacular twist.

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8: Season 10 

Honestly, Season 8 is funnier than Season 10 — and the eighth season is the one that featured Brad Pitt(in the Thanksgiving episode called “The One With the Rumor”) — but the latter season is getting a better position on the list because it’s the final season of one of the greatest sitcoms of all time and, you know, Rachel got off the plane. Still, raise your hand if you think Chandler and Monica would have — and should have — stayed in the city.  

7: Season 7 

This is arguably the last season of Friends in its glory days. Ross dresses as the Holiday Armadillo, Denise Richards guests as the Geller cousin everyone has a crush on (even Ross), and Monica and Chandler get married with Joey as the officiant. It ends on a cliffhanger, with a reveal to the audience that Rachel is pregnant. Other memorable guest stars include Winona Ryder and Jason Alexander.

6: Season 1

The first season of Friends is perfect — no notes — but, well, it’s the first season of the show; as with all great series, the writing and the chemistry between the actors was bound to get better with time, and it did. Still, who can forget Rachel rushing into Central Perk wearing her wedding dress, having fled her wedding to Barry? Iconic. 

5: Season 6 

Is it weird that Ross stays married to Rachel without her knowledge? Sure! But it also made for a funny arc in Season 6, which also included the best Thanksgiving episode in Friends history, “The One Where Ross Got High,” i.e. the one where Rachel botched the trifle. Other highlights include Monica and Ross’ dance, Phoebe’s disdain of Pottery Barn and Ross dating a student (also weird!). Bruce Willis as said student’s father and Rachel’s crush was a top-tier guest performance. 

4: Season 2 

The show wasn’t fully baked yet in Season 2, but it’s the one where Ross and Rachel officially become lobsters (if you know, you know), and so it’s claiming a top spot, no questions asked. Standout episodes include “The One With the List,” where Ross makes a pros and cons list comparing Julie and Rachel, and “The One With the Prom Video,” aka the lobster episode. 

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3: Season 3

Ross’ jealousy over Rachel’s coworker led to the famous “we were on a break” breakup, one of the most classic moments in Friends — and television — history. The season ended with Ross finding out Rachel still had feelings for him (they don’t call it a will-they-won’t-they for nothing!) while the gang was on a trip to Montauk with Ross’ new love interest, Bonnie (Christine Taylor). But we don’t find out until Season 4 how things shake out. 

In other relationship news from Season 3: Monica and Richard called it quits after she found out he didn’t want kids, and she went on to date a billionaire (Jon Favreau). 

2: Season 4

Friends was perfectly baked by Season 4, with impeccable writing (including tons of callbacks for the true fans) and a cast firing on all cylinders. The main plot involved Ross getting engaged to Emily and then saying Rachel’s name at the altar. Not to be outdone, Monica and Chandler got together in his hotel room. London, baby! 

1: Season 5

Season 5 of Friends was pure comedy, with Ross dealing with the fallout of his wedding mishap and Monica and Chandler dating in secret. But those big arcs aside, the small, episodic storylines — Rachel accidentally kissing her prospective boss on a job interview, Phoebe’s cop boyfriend shooting a bird, Ross trying to get a couch up to his apartment and shouting “PIVOT” — were what made the season the best of Friends.

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Friends streams on HBO Max.