10 Funniest It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia Episodes To Watch Over And Over
Despite being such a long-running show, some fans feel that It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia has had a drop in quality. But while some argue that the series is past its prime in its 15th season, many believe that Always Sunny remains consistently funny and entertaining.
With 162 episodes thus far, and at least another 30 on the way for the confirmed 16th to 18th seasons, Always Sunny rarely misses the mark. There are so many great episodes and the funniest feature the most laugh-out-loud moments, making them ultimately the most memorable.
In Always Sunny's most recent season, the Gang continues their tradition of ridiculous schemes and antics, including making yet another Lethal Weapon sequel, replacing Dee with a monkey, and being an integral part of the 2020 election. The second half of the season sees the Gang travel to Ireland in several hilarious episodes.
The episode "The Gang's Still in Ireland" sees each character having their own laugh-out-loud moment, however, it is Dennis and Dee's subplot that is the funniest. When Dennis and Dee try to rent a castle, Dennis stifles his cough and Dee relishes in his misery, then Dennis converses with the castle and threatens to chop off Dee's head. The episode features every member of the Gang on top form, and none of the main cast misses a beat, despite nearly two decades of playing their characters.
While the series remains thematically consistent throughout, Always Sunny began experimenting with wholesome, emotional moments in its later seasons. Regardless, some episodes of the most recent seasons feel like classic Always Sunny, particularly season 13's "The Gang Gets New Wheels."
The episode sees Dennis getting a new car after the Gang blew up his last one, Frank retaking the test for his long-expired driver's license, Dee making new high-society friends, and Mac and Charlie revisiting their childhood by getting new bikes. With hilarious personality changes, potential murder, and an instantly iconic final scene of the Gang in the Range Rover with Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" playing in the background, "The Gang Gets New Wheels" is a truly funny episode.
Season 11's "Mac and Dennis Move to the Suburbs" is one of the few Always Sunny episodes with one single plot, as the episode focuses on Mac and Dennis' deteriorating mental states and relationship as they are enclosed together in a confined space. The two attempt to win a bet against the rest of the Gang that they can survive living in the suburbs, with disastrous results.
One of the most beloved aspects of the series is Dennis' untethered rage, portrayed expertly by Glenn Howerton, and this episode features him at his best. From his anger at his nosy neighbor, Wally, to him screaming at Mac about random noises they can hear or his "famous mac and cheese," this episode showcases Dennis at his most rage-filled, spawning several memorable memes.
In "CharDee MacDennis: The Game of Games," Mac, Charlie, Dennis, and Dee decide to play a game they created to quash their boredom. Frank acts as the audience surrogate as they explain to him the rules of the highly complicated board game.
The game sees the Gang being competitive with one another, as they are split into teams that see the reigning champions, Dennis and Dee, facing off against Mac, Charlie, and Frank. The episode features classic Always Sunny antics and insults, mostly targeted at Dee and Charlie.
Always Sunny is no stranger to meta-commentary, and the most apparent example of this is "The Gang Tries Desperately To Win An Award." The episode sees the Gang try their best to win the 'Best Bar Award' as they replicate a nearby bar that has bright lights, cues for when to drink, and approachable bartenders.
The plot of the episode is undeniably a reference to the Always Sunny creators' lack of Emmy awards, as despite receiving three nominations for Stunt Coordination, it has never been recognized for writing, acting, or direction. Ultimately, the end of the episode reveals the Gang and the creator's contentment with their lack of awards but passionate customers/fanbase. The hilarious meta-references make this a highly rewatchable episode of Always Sunny.
The season 10 episode, "Charlie Work," is the highest-rated episode of Always Sunny on IMDb -- and for good reason. The plot follows Charlie's desperate attempt to deceive the health inspector during her impromptu visit, while the rest of the Gang ensue in their own scam, which Charlie also helps with.
The episode is made to look as if it is one-take, as Charlie traverses different rooms within the bar, telling each member of the Gang exactly what to do to succeed in both of their schemes. The episode is a truly enjoyable watch, with Dennis and Mac's toxic relationship, Dee questioning everything, Frank painting a shirt, and Charlie succeeding in his plan. Arguably, Charlie is the most likable character in Always Sunny, and this episode proves why.
While many argue that the series' first season saw the creators working out the trajectory of the show, it is evident early in season 2 that the show became what it remains today. In "Dennis and Dee Go On Welfare," Charlie and Mac begin spending all of Frank's money, while Dennis and Dee attempt to pursue their dreams and wind up addicted to drugs.
While the plot of the episode sounds dark, it is actually one of the funniest episodes of the entire series. Not only did it spawn iconic moments in Dennis and Dee singing Biz Markie's "Just a Friend" and Mac and Charlie feigning sympathy for their friends' addiction, but it is also a perfect example of the show's ability to make dire situations so hilarious.
The highest-rated season finale of Always Sunny, season 4's "The Nightman Cometh" is perhaps the show's most famous episode. When Charlie decides to write and direct a musical (seemingly for the sake of it), he enlists the help of the Gang to perform in it, leading to disastrous results.
The funniest aspects of the episode come from the Gang's selfishness and decision to go against almost every note that Charlie gives them. From Dee's ridiculous improvised solo song to Frank's inability to pronounce the word "soul," the entire cast is on top form. The success of the hilarious episode in fact led to the cast performing a live version of the musical.
A classic, rare Always Sunny episode that features a single plot is "The Gang Hits The Road." After Charlie reveals that he has never left Philadelphia, the Gang decides to go on a road trip to the Grand Canyon. They attempt to leave without telling Dee but wind up taking her car after an incident.
The episode is full of funny moments, including Dee drunkenly throwing a jar of urine out the window, which lands on Mac in the back seat, and Charlie eating a pear (in its entirety, including the stem and stickers) for the first time. The biggest laugh of the episode comes from Dennis and Charlie's decision to burn wicker chairs in the trailer to cook hot dogs, leading them to pass out instantly.
Deciding upon the funniest episode of such a long-running sitcom is no easy feat, but "The Gang Gets Analysed" is a perfect episode in the series. When Dee attends a therapy session, she reveals that the Gang had an argument at a dinner party about who should do the dishes and she wants the therapist to decide.
In a series about a group of dysfunctional, selfish, and belligerent people, the plot of this episode is perhaps the best possible showcase of each character's psyche. Whether it be Dennis' sociopathic tendencies, Mac's warped view of himself, Frank's arrogance, Charlie's stupidity, or Dee's desperation, this episode is hilarious, and a perfect summation of Always Sunny.