Despite all the incredible Christmas TV on offer this year (and every year for that matter), including the last ever episode of Gavin & Stacey and a one-off Outnumbered reunion, sometimes you just want to chill out on the sofa and watch an old classic like Friends.
For millions, the iconic TV series Friends, which aired between 1994 and 2004, has become almost a friend in itself, comforting us through the highs and lows and never failing to cheer us up as the days get shorter, darker and colder. Following the tragic death of Matthew Perry in October 2023, who played Chandler Bing on the show, this is truer than ever.
If you're a Friends fan who takes Christmas seriously and have restricted yourself to festive viewings for the month of December, we've got you covered.
Across the eight series of Friends, we were treated to eight Christmas specials. Not only have we given you the episode name and number of each Christmas special so that you can rush to Netflix to watch them all, but we've also ranked them from worst to best. You're welcome.
So take a look, make yourself a hot chocolate and press play. Here are all eight Christmas episodes of Friends ranked from worst to best.
8. The One with Christmas in Tulsa (Season 9, Episode 10)
The One with Christmas in Tulsa is a passable, but pretty dull episode only redeemed by a sultry Selma Blair trying to flirt with Chandler. It also features various flashbacks to Friends' Christmases of days gone by and we see the present day cast receive a hilariously disappointing 'gift' from Chandler: a donation in their names to the New York ballet.
Everyone is sad for most of the episode because resident funny man Chandler is missing, so it's not quite as festive as we'd like from a Christmas special. It even ends with him quitting his job.
7. The One with Ross' Step Forward (Season 9, Episode 11)
This barely feels like a Christmas episode – being an American show, it feels like Thanksgiving gets all of the attention. In The One with Ross' Step Forward, we see a commitment-phobic Ross panic when his girlfriend Mona suggests they send out a joint Christmas card. He then offers her the (only) key to his apartment as a counter offer, then changes the locks, then tells her he loves her even though he doesn't mean it. Luckily, Mona responds with the iconic 'and I love spending time with you'.
It’s a perfectly fun episode but it lacks real impact – or any festive cheer. Plus, we really hate the Ross/Mona relationship, which saw him constantly gaslight her.
6. The One with the Inappropriate Sister (Season 5, Episode 10)
Lisa Kudrow, as she so often does, lifts this otherwise forgettable episode into comedy gold. After she signs up to spread joy by collecting money as a Street Santa, she is buffeted by never-ending obstacles. Her delivery of the simple line ‘it’s nine o’clock in the morning’ is proof, if you needed it, that Lisa is a powerful comedic actress.
Elsewhere, Rachel's new man Danny has his sister come to stay and they are a little too close for comfort. Another funny storyline, but hardly a Christmas special.
5. The One Where Rachel Quits (Season 3, Episode 10)
Another ‘Thank God for Lisa Kudrow’ submission. Phoebe’s face when she discovers that unwanted Christmas trees get destroyed is perfection. As is Joey's side hustle selling them. It's also an important lesson in the wasteful and environmentally damaging practices of the festive season. What more could we want?
Not only that, but everyone's reaction to Phoebe's devastation is actually quite moving.
4. The One with the Holiday Armadillo (Season 7, Episode 10)
It’s established here and there – through references to a Bat Mitzvah, for example – that Ross and Monica are Jewish, but this episode is the first time that Ross really shows an interest in teaching his young son Ben about this heritage.
The whole Armadillo bit is pretty fun. Ross may be insufferable, but David Schwimmer is the best physical comedian in the cast, and the arrival of Chandler in Santa Claus garb provides a genuine laugh-out-loud moment. He also does a surprisingly convincing 'ho ho ho'.
3. The One with Phoebe’s Dad (Season 2, Episode 9)
Phoebe’s search for a sense of belonging – later seen through the discovery of her birth mother and her half-brother Frank Junior – kicks off in earnest in this episode, the first Friends Christmas episode.
It’s a solid, festive piece that reenforces the meaning of the holiday, and Chandler and Joey’s distribution of presents – ‘they’re ribbed for your pleasure’ – is still pretty funny. Everyone can relate to the chaos of last minute shopping and too many people to buy for.
2. The One with the Routine (Season 6, Episode 10)
Again, not the most Christmassy of episodes, but it's more than enough to get us in the mood. Thanks to Phoebe, Rachel and Chandler's sneaky hunt for their presents from Monica, it earns its rightful place as a Christmas special.
The real reason it's so high, however, is because it is the home of Monic and Ross's iconic dance routine at Dick Clark's New Years Rockin' Eve party. Filmed weeks before the live NYE event, their desperate attempt to feature on camera brought us one of the show's best scenes of all time. Remember what we said about David Schwimmer and physical comedy?
1. The One with the Girl from Poughkeepsie (Season 4, Episode 10)
Again, it’s one iconic moment that really pulls this episode to the top spot. While Rachel goes on a bad date with Chandler's colleague, Monica is being bullied at work and hires Joey to help her earn people's respect in the kitchen. When he makes things worse, he lets her fire him in front of everyone ('it's going to be a lean Christmas in the Dragon household this year, lean, lean, lean) and it works.
The absolute highlight, however, is Phoebe’s now-famous Christmas composition. Are you with me? ‘Monica, Monica, have a happy Hannukah…’
Daisy Hall is a News and Entertainment writer on Grazia, specialising in TV and film meaning that you can count on Daisy for the latest (and best) recommendations.