Love it or hate it, Family Guy has cemented its place as a cultural phenomenon in animated sitcoms. Since 1999, Seth MacFarlane’s creation has delivered its signature brand of raunchy humor and pop-culture satire through the Griffin family – Peter, Lois, Meg, Chris, Stewie, and Brian. With hundreds of episodes aired, some truly stand out. If you’re looking to dive into the best of Quahog’s chaos, here’s a guide to the best Family Guy episodes, ranked for your viewing pleasure.
25. “McStroke” (season 6, episode 8)
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“McStroke” delivers on its name with Peter Griffin suffering a stroke after excessive burger consumption, leading to a lawsuit against the fast-food chain. While Peter’s legal battles and mustache obsession offer plenty of laughs, the episode’s true comedic gold lies in Stewie’s undercover mission. He attempts to infiltrate high school to prove to Brian that even a baby can achieve popularity within a week. Despite Seth MacFarlane’s absence in the writing room due to the 2007-2008 WGA strike, “McStroke” is considered a top Family Guy episode for its hilarious storylines.
24. “Stewie Loves Lois” (season 5, episode 1)
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Don’t let the title fool you; while “Stewie Loves Lois” does explore Stewie’s sudden, overwhelming affection for his mother, the episode shares the spotlight with Peter’s equally absurd storyline. Peter, convinced his prostate exam was an act of sexual assault, rallies the town against his doctor. Both narratives are comedic triumphs, highlighting the relatable parental struggles of Lois dealing with Stewie’s clinginess and Peter’s hilarious medical paranoia. The comedic synergy between these seemingly unrelated plots makes “Stewie Loves Lois” one of the best episodes of Family Guy, delivering humor in both heartwarming and cringe-worthy scenarios.
23. “FOX-y Lady” (season 7, episode 10)
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“FOX-y Lady” dives into the long-standing tension between Seth MacFarlane’s liberal viewpoints and the conservative nature of the Fox network. Lois Griffin becomes a Fox News reporter and quickly learns about the network’s censorship, particularly when it comes to reporting on right-wing figures like Rush Limbaugh. This episode shines with self-deprecating humor, featuring guest appearances from Seth Rogen, Fred Savage, and even Fox executive Peter Chernin, all willing to make fun of themselves and the network. Adding to the hilarity is the subplot of Peter’s cartoon pitch, Handi-Quacks, making “FOX-y Lady” a top pick for Family Guy’s best episodes.
22. “To Love and Die in Dixie” (season 3, episode 12)
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“To Love and Die in Dixie” is a guaranteed laugh riot, especially for those familiar with the stereotypes and realities of the American South. When Chris witnesses a crime, the Griffin family enters witness protection, relocating them to the Deep South. The episode delivers a barrage of jokes targeting Southern culture, from Civil War references to same-sex relationship discussions in a conservative environment. Beyond the cultural jabs, “To Love and Die in Dixie” contributes to character development and the overall narrative depth of Family Guy, solidifying its place among the best Family Guy episodes.
21. “Petarded” (season 4, episode 6)
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Marking the triumphant return of Family Guy after cancellation, “Petarded” fearlessly pushes boundaries. Peter is diagnosed as intellectually disabled, a premise that could be controversial. However, the episode’s humor isn’t directed at people with developmental issues. Instead, it satirizes Peter’s character, portraying him as someone who misinterprets and exploits his diagnosis to assert a misguided sense of superiority. “Petarded” is a testament to Family Guy‘s edgy comedy and earns its spot as one of the best episodes.
20. “Emmy-Winning Episode” (season 16, episode 1)
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“Emmy-Winning Episode” is a meta-commentary on Family Guy‘s Emmy history. Despite numerous nominations, mostly for voice acting and animation, the show has never won Best Comedy. Seth MacFarlane, through Peter, expresses his frustration, and the entire episode becomes a satirical attempt at creating “Emmy bait.” The Griffins desperately try to emulate qualities of award-winning shows. While seemingly born from MacFarlane’s grievances, the episode is genuinely funny and prompts viewers to question the criteria for comedic recognition, making it a uniquely clever Family Guy episode.
19. “Leggo My Meg-O” (season 10, episode 20)
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“Leggo My Meg-O” places Family Guy squarely in parody territory, this time taking on the Taken film franchise. Peter Griffin channels his inner Liam Neeson when Meg is kidnapped in Paris. Beyond being a humorous homage to Taken, the episode cleverly comments on the revenge genre. While the “Meg is the worst” joke is a series staple, this episode gives Meg center stage, allowing Mila Kunis to showcase her voice acting and comedic talent. “Leggo My Meg-O” is a standout episode, blending parody and character focus effectively.
18. “The Thin White Line” (season 3, episode 1)
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“The Thin White Line” surpasses its two-part sequel in quality. Brian, seeking purpose, becomes a drug-sniffing dog but develops an addiction himself, spiraling his life into chaos. The episode parodies police procedural tropes, but the real laughs come from Peter’s misadventures. Thinking rehab is a luxurious getaway, Peter tries to infiltrate a facility, leading to predictably disastrous and hilarious results. “The Thin White Line” showcases classic Family Guy humor and is a must-watch episode.
17. “The D in Apartment 23” (season 16, episode 6)
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“The D in Apartment 23” proves that Family Guy can still deliver relevant and sharp satire even in later seasons. Brian’s Twitter antics lead to his “cancellation” after a poorly judged, racially insensitive joke. The episode taps into modern “cancel culture,” with Brian facing a mob demanding accountability for his online transgression. This brief but pointed commentary on identity politics and online outrage makes “The D in Apartment 23” a surprisingly insightful and funny Family Guy episode.
16. “Death Is a Bitch” (season 2, episode 6)
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“Death Is a Bitch” is simple in concept but brilliantly executed. When Death, the Grim Reaper, injures himself due to Peter’s clumsiness, he recuperates at the Griffin house. This leaves Peter to temporarily take over Death’s soul-reaping duties. While the writing is excellent, the episode is elevated by Norm Macdonald’s iconic voice performance as Death. His delivery and comedic timing are perfect, making “Death Is a Bitch” a darkly hilarious and top-rated Family Guy episode.
15. “Blue Harvest” (season 6, episode 1)
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Despite Seth MacFarlane’s Star Trek fandom, “Blue Harvest” is a loving and hilarious parody of Star Wars: A New Hope. Shot-for-shot spoofs of iconic scenes are interwoven with Family Guy‘s signature humor. The episode answers the crucial question: How would Peter Griffin handle the Star Wars saga differently than Han Solo? Whether you’re a fan of Quahog or a galaxy far, far away, “Blue Harvest” is a must-see, ambitious, and best Family Guy episode.
14. “Road to the North Pole” (season 9, episode 7)
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“Road to the North Pole” is a holiday special blending elements of previous episodes like “A Very Special Family Guy Freakin’ Christmas” and “Stewie Kills Lois.” Another “Road To” episode starring Brian and Stewie, this time they journey to the North Pole with Stewie intending to kill Santa Claus. Their adventure becomes surprisingly heartwarming, exploring themes of generosity and the pitfalls of greed, all while maintaining Family Guy‘s irreverent humor. It’s a uniquely uplifting and raunchy holiday special, making it a memorable Family Guy episode.
13. “Three Kings” (season 7, episode 15)
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“Three Kings” stands out for its unique format, deviating from Family Guy‘s usual structure. With Stephen King’s blessing, the episode parodies three famous Stephen King adaptations: Stand by Me, Misery, and The Shawshank Redemption. High-profile cameos from Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider enhance the parodies’ authenticity. Stephen King himself reportedly praised the episode, a strong endorsement making “Three Kings” a creatively brilliant and best-rated Family Guy episode.
12. “Road to Rhode Island” (season 2, episode 13)
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“Road to Rhode Island” is a landmark episode, initiating the iconic “Road To” series featuring Brian and Stewie’s adventures. Their first journey involves Brian confronting his past by visiting the puppy mill where he was born. Despite the somber premise, the episode is filled with classic Family Guy gags, including a catchy musical number. Establishing the “Road To” format makes “Road to Rhode Island” historically significant and undeniably one of the best Family Guy episodes.
11. “Yug Ylimaf” (season 11, episode 4)
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The palindromic titled “Yug Ylimaf” is another fantastic Brian and Stewie adventure. Stewie discovers Brian using a time machine for frivolous purposes – picking up women. Brian’s temporal irresponsibility threatens the space-time continuum, forcing the duo to team up and save reality. “Yug Ylimaf” includes fun callbacks to previous episodes and is a clear homage to Star Trek, reflecting Seth MacFarlane’s sci-fi passion, and cementing its place as a top Family Guy episode.
10. “Airport 07” (season 5, episode 12)
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“Airport ’07” places Quagmire in an unusual career-focused storyline. After Peter gets Quagmire fired as a pilot, he tries to help his friend find a new job. Peter’s misguided attempts inadvertently lead to a catastrophic situation endangering countless lives. The episode is classic Family Guy, featuring a cameo from Hugh Hefner, cutaway gags, and pop culture references galore, making “Airport ’07” a consistently funny and best-of Family Guy episode.
9. “Meet The Quagmires” (season 5, episode 18)
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While “Back to the Pilot” is a more direct Back to the Future parody, “Meet the Quagmires” is a strong contender. Peter, regretting marrying young, wishes to relive his single days and travels back in time. His actions inadvertently cause Lois to marry Quagmire in the altered present. Peter must fix the timeline to reclaim his marriage. The episode delivers Family Guy‘s signature lowbrow humor but also surprisingly sweet moments of Peter appreciating Lois, making it a surprisingly nuanced and top-rated Family Guy episode.
8. “Lois Kills Stewie” (season 6, episode 5)
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“Lois Kills Stewie,” the follow-up to “Stewie Kills Lois,” sees Stewie as a fugitive after Lois exposes his murderous intent. Stewie escalates his evil plans, aiming for world domination and even taking over the nation. The episode features American Dad cameos and humorous character interactions, especially Brian and Stewie’s meta-discussion about audience expectations and fake-out endings. Ultimately, the episode’s strength lies in showcasing the darkly comical absurdity of Stewie’s world-domination aspirations, making it a standout Family Guy episode.
7. “Stewie Kills Lois” (season 6, episode 4)
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“Stewie Kills Lois,” despite its provocative title, delivers on its premise. Stewie, challenged for never acting on his threats against Lois, seemingly murders her. This act sets off a chain of events implicating Peter in Lois’s supposed death for insurance money. The episode is filled with strong character moments, particularly for Stewie, exploring the unexpected consequences of achieving his lifelong ambition and the identity crisis it triggers by the episode’s end, securing its place among the best Family Guy episodes.
6. “The Simpsons Guy” (season 13, episode 1)
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“The Simpsons Guy” is the crossover event fans had long anticipated, merging Family Guy with The Simpsons. The Griffins end up in Springfield after Peter’s offensive comic strip causes trouble in Quahog. The two iconic families interact, with humorous pairings like Stewie and Bart and Lisa and Meg. Inevitably, Peter and Homer clash, leading to a beer-fueled rivalry. Beyond the family interactions, the episode gifted the internet with the enduring “I’m in danger” Ralph Wiggum meme, making “The Simpsons Guy” a culturally significant and top-tier Family Guy episode.
5. “And Then There Were Fewer” (season 9, episode 1)
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“And Then There Were Fewer,” the season 9 premiere, goes big with a murder mystery format set at James Woods’ cliffside mansion, a departure from Quahog. The setting is perfect for the Agatha Christie-inspired plot. The episode boasts an impressive array of guest stars, including Drew Barrymore, Ashley Tisdale, Patrick Stewart, and James Woods himself. Woods’ self-deprecating humor elevates the episode beyond typical reference-based comedy, making it a uniquely engaging and best-of Family Guy episode.
4. “Road to the Multiverse” (season 8, episode 1)
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“Road to the Multiverse” explored the multiverse concept before it became mainstream. Stewie and Brian travel through alternate realities using Stewie’s device, eventually getting stranded. The episode becomes a creative showcase of alternate Family Guy universes, each with unique and hilarious twists on familiar characters and settings. The dog-ruled world reality is a highlight, and if you don’t laugh at the sheer absurdity, you might need a humor adjustment. “Road to the Multiverse” is an imaginative and top-ranked Family Guy episode.
3. “Da Boom” (season 2, episode 3)
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“Da Boom” is a classic early Family Guy episode that remains relevant. Peter, fearing Y2K, forces his family into hazmat suits in the basement. Unlike reality, Y2K in Quahog brings about a post-apocalyptic nuclear wasteland. The episode introduces long-running gags like Peter’s chicken-suit nemesis and marks Mila Kunis’s debut as the voice of Meg. “Da Boom” is memorable for its dark humor and Y2K satire, making it a best Family Guy episode.
2. “PTV” (season 4, episode 14)
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“PTV” is an early example of Family Guy‘s brilliant meta-humor. Peter, reacting to FCC censorship, launches his own uncensored TV network, PTV. Its success leads to Lois’s concerns about its impact on children, even as censorship regulations tighten further. The episode satirizes FCC responses to Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” and becomes a hilarious commentary on censorship and entertainment, delivered with Family Guy‘s unique satirical edge, making “PTV” a top-rated episode.
1. “Back to the Pilot” (season 10, episode 5)
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“Back to the Pilot” is a multifaceted Family Guy masterpiece: a Back to the Future parody, a Star Trek homage, and a sequel to “Road to the Multiverse.” Brian and Stewie travel back to 1999, Family Guy‘s premiere year. Brian’s attempt to prevent 9/11 creates a butterfly effect, transforming their present into a dystopian nightmare. The episode is packed with Easter eggs for long-time fans and is a wild, referential ride. “Back to the Pilot” is widely considered not only one of the best Family Guy episodes but arguably the best Family Guy episode for its ambition, humor, and meta-commentary.
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