Modern Family is one of the most beloved sitcoms of the last decade, having aired on ABC since 2009. This show follows the lives of the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan, a blended family which is a source of both comedy and drama. After 12 seasons, viewers have been able to rank the best episodes and discuss their favorite moments. Here we look at the episodes that have been highly ranked by viewers, and why they have become so popular.
Written by Sophie and last updated on nov 04, 2024.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
Phil gets a vasectomy; Gloria and Jay can’t agree on whether or not they should find out the sex of the baby; Mitchell tries to steer Cameron toward getting a part-time job.
The episode was rated 7.88 from 1905 votes.
Phil gets desperate when Cam and Claire’s flipped house is more difficult to sell than expected; Javier brings his new girlfriend along to visit Manny.
The episode was rated 7.91 from 2069 votes.
Jay and the family plan to celebrate New Year’s together at a hotel in Palm Springs, but the hotel doesn’t meet their expectations; Alex and Haley are faced with challenges as they try to watch the kids back at home.
The episode was rated 7.92 from 1797 votes.
Mitch and Cam’s friend Sal announces she’s getting married the next day and they are in the wedding; Gloria doesn’t trust her new nanny; Claire bonds with Haley; Phil helps Luke with a girl.
The episode was rated 7.95 from 1777 votes.
When Claire, Manny and Luke go to Alex’s academic decathlon for the weekend, Phil throws a guys’ night at home; Manny and Luke crash bar mitzvahs looking for a girl; Cam and Mitchell get Jay and Gloria a surprise baby gift.
The episode was rated 7.96 from 1850 votes.
Phil takes Jay on an unconventional fishing trip; Gloria wonders how to break the news about her pregnancy; Dylan temporarily moves in with the Dunphys; Cam and Mitch think about adopting a cat.
The episode was rated 7.96 from 2042 votes.
Cameron watches Alex and Luke while Phil, Claire and Mitchell deal with Haley’s arrest. Jay tries to cut short a surprise visit from ex-wife Dede (Shelley Long), so she doesn’t learn about Gloria’s pregnancy.
The episode was rated 7.96 from 1845 votes.
Phil gets a new RV for a fun family road trip. Jay and Gloria search for Manny’s backpack. Lily’s gymnastics meet brings out Cam and Mitch’s competitive spirit.
The episode was rated 7.98 from 2055 votes.
Mitch’s ex-boyfriend, a personable and successful doctor, invites the whole family to a fundraising event at a roller rink; Phil teaches Gloria how to skate; Haley helps Alex talk to boys.
The episode was rated 7.98 from 2034 votes.
Claire and Cam bring in a third party (Wendi McLendon-Covey) when they reach an impasse on a landscaping decision; Phil teaches basic fix-it skills to the kids; Mitch helps Lily with a bully.
The episode was rated 8.00 from 2071 votes.
Gloria and Jay are determined to make Manny's 14th birthday the best one yet. To surprise him, they plan an unforgettable party, complete with a live band and all his closest friends. Meanwhile, Haley meets a much older guy and starts to hang out with him, much to the chagrin of her family.
The party is a great success, and Manny is overjoyed by the surprise. Unfortunately, Haley brings her new friend along, and he quickly becomes the life of the party. At first, Gloria and Jay are taken aback by his age and antics. However, they soon realize that he has a good heart and is a great friend for Haley. In the end, everyone has a great time and Manny is left with a birthday he will never forget.
The episode was rated 8.01 from 1843 votes.
In the episode of Modern Family titled "The Future Dunphys", the Dunphy family is at the hospital for some tests, when they come across their older selves. This is a surreal moment for the family, and they take a moment to reflect on their lives. Claire and Phil decide to use this opportunity to have a conversation about their future, while Mitchell and Cameron plan a special day for Lily and Gloria. Meanwhile, Manny and Jay visit a prestigious private school to explore the options available to their children.
The episode emphasizes the importance of family and looking forward to the future. The Dunphys learn to appreciate their time together, while Mitchell and Cameron make plans for the future. Manny and Jay explore the possibilities of a higher education for their children. This episode of Modern Family is a reminder that while it’s important to think about the future, it’s also important to enjoy the present.
The episode was rated 8.03 from 2040 votes.
Modern Family's episode "Schooled" is a popular one among the show's fans. In it, Claire and Phil embarrass Haley when they drop her off at college. This is a widely accepted stereotype that creates a narrative that lesbians and gay men have nothing in common and cannot be friends.
The episode also features Manny making Gloria and Jay take a class and Lily getting into a tussle on her first day of kindergarten. This episode has been largely criticized for its portrayal of parents embarrassing their children and acting like it is normal. People find this not only cringe-worthy but also anger-inducing. It is especially worse when the parents fail to learn from their mistakes and continue to do the same things. Claire and Phil, in particular, are often pointed out for this.
The episode was rated 8.05 from 1895 votes.
The season finale of Modern Family, "Goodnight, Gracie" was an emotional episode as the family travels to Florida to be with Phil after his mother's passing. Claire helps Phil with his mother's last wish for his father Frank, and the kids reflect on the gifts their grandmother has left for them. Gloria has to deal with an outstanding arrest warrant in Florida, Cam finds himself fitting right into an elderly women's group at Frank's retirement community, and Jay runs into a pivotal person from his past.
Unfortunately, this episode was met with mixed reviews. While it was an emotional episode that highlighted the importance of family, the lack of comedic elements resulted in the episode feeling flat and uneventful. Even the death of a beloved character was not handled with the necessary gravitas.
The episode was rated 8.06 from 2027 votes.
In the episode "Fulgencio", the modern family is thrown into chaos when Gloria's mother and sister visit. With their arrival comes a slew of traditions, baby name ideas, and family baggage. Phil attempts to help the kids with their problems, while Mitchell and Cameron try to address Lily's increasingly bad habits. The episode is punctuated with a classic Jay Pritchett quote: "We're in the house of God, damnit!" This episode is noteworthy for its references to "The Godfather", which include a cheap and obvious reference as well as a more clever one towards the end. It is a classic episode that expertly spoofs "The Godfather" in a humorous and light-hearted way.
The episode was rated 8.10 from 1919 votes.
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