Modern Family

10 Best Episodes of Modern Family

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 mar 28, 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!

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Modern Family - S4E19

#15 - The Future Dunphys (Season 4 - Episode 19)

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 - S4E2

#14 - Schooled (Season 4 - Episode 2)

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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.

Modern Family - S4E24

#13 - Goodnight, Gracie (Season 4 - Episode 24)

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.

Modern Family - S3E22

#12 - Disneyland (Season 3 - Episode 22)

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In the episode of Modern Family titled "Disneyland," the entire family takes a trip to the iconic amusement park. Phil is put to the test when he tries to keep up with his son, Luke, as they explore the park. Meanwhile, Claire is shocked to run into her ex-boyfriend Dylan while there. Jay and Gloria have a disagreement over what constitutes suitable footwear for the day, and Mitch and Cam have to contain Lily's newfound love for running around. It's sure to be an exciting and eventful day for the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker family as they experience all that Disneyland has to offer.

The episode was rated 8.06 from 1690 votes.

Modern Family - S3E13

#11 - Little Bo Bleep (Season 3 - Episode 13)

In the episode "Little Bo Bleep", Claire is gearing up for her debate with Duane Bailey, leaving no stone unturned in her preparation. Meanwhile, Mitch and Cam are attempting to clean up Lily's language before her role as a flower girl. Jay, on the other hand, is blaming Stella's strange behavior on Gloria, believing her to be the culprit. It's sure to be an eventful episode with debates, flower girls, and strange behaviors all in the mix.

Things get interesting when Lily reveals that she has learned some, let's say, interesting words and phrases. Mitch and Cam are absolutely horrified and try to come up with ways to clean up her language before her flower girl debut. Claire, on the other hand, is trying to stay focused on her debate while Jay is off trying to figure out why Stella is acting so oddly. It's sure to be an interesting episode as the family deals with the various issues at hand.

The episode was rated 8.06 from 1631 votes.

Modern Family - S3E7

#10 - Treehouse (Season 3 - Episode 7)

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In the episode "Treehouse," Jay and Gloria go out salsa dancing after Gloria persuades Jay to spend some quality time together. Meanwhile, Cameron makes a bet with his friends that he can get a woman's phone number at the bar. Meanwhile, Phil is busy building a treehouse for Luke. Kevin Hart makes an appearance in this episode and viewers have said they liked him a lot, even for the short time he was onscreen. This episode is sure to bring laughs and provide some fun for the entire family.

The episode was rated 8.06 from 1718 votes.

Modern Family - S1E23

#9 - Hawaii (Season 1 - Episode 23)

The Pritchett family takes a trip to Hawaii in this episode of Modern Family. Jay's plans to do nothing but relax on vacation are quickly thrown out the window, as he is forced to face the reality of his family's antics. Meanwhile, Phil tries to inject some romance into the trip for Claire, while Mitchell and Cameron debate whether they should go sight-seeing or just lay on the beach. The kids, of course, get themselves into a bit of trouble, prompting Jay to take charge. The ladies' antics also provide plenty of laughs, as they often think differently than the men do. Overall, this episode of Modern Family is full of humor and heart, with its light-hearted take on family dynamics.

The episode was rated 8.07 from 1566 votes.

Modern Family - S1E15

#8 - My Funky Valentine (Season 1 - Episode 15)

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Phil and Claire Dunphy, the married couple from Modern Family, are in for an unexpected treat this Valentine's Day. Instead of the usual dinner date, Phil and Claire plan a little "role play" excursion that is sure to bring some excitement to their relationship. Jay and Gloria, the other married couple on the show, however, have different ideas of romance. Jay takes Gloria to a comedy show, which may not be the most romantic of dates, but which will surely bring them some laughs and maybe even a few tender moments. Meanwhile, Mitchell and Cameron play cupid for Manny, the heart-throb of the show, as they attempt to give him the perfect Valentine's Day.

Overall, this episode of Modern Family promises to be an interesting and humorous look at how different couples celebrate the romance of Valentine's Day. It will be a joy to see how the Dunphy and Pritchett families show their love in unique and funny ways, and the audience is sure to be delighted. Who knows, maybe Mitchell and Cameron will even find the perfect match for Manny!

The episode was rated 8.09 from 1623 votes.

Modern Family - S4E13

#7 - Fulgencio (Season 4 - Episode 13)

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.

Modern Family - S1E24

#6 - Family Portrait (Season 1 - Episode 24)

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In the episode Family Portrait, Claire attempts to get the family together for a new portrait, but her plans are quickly foiled as everyone is too busy. Gloria and Manny join Phil and Alex for a Lakers game, where an awkward moment on the jumbotron ensues. Cameron finds a job as a wedding singer, while Mitchell looks after Lilly and a stray pigeon. Meanwhile, Luke interviews Jay for a school project.

The episode is memorable for a few moments, including Mitchell's frantic and destructive attempts to eliminate the pigeon, Cameron's beautiful rendition of Ave Maria, and Gloria and Phil's kiss on the Kiss Cam. Fans often wonder why Mitchell is so terrified of the pigeon, which is just a harmless little creature. The episode is also notable for being the first of two with references to The Godfather.

The episode was rated 8.12 from 1485 votes.

Modern Family - S2E13

#5 - Caught in the Act (Season 2 - Episode 13)

The episode Caught in the Act from Modern Family is filled with laughter from start to finish. The kids prepare breakfast in bed for Phil and Claire on their anniversary, only to get a surprise of their own. Jay and Gloria's plans for a Vegas vacation are ruined by an email sent to Claire by mistake. Mitchell and Cam try to get a table at a new restaurant owned by a mom at Lily's preschool. The final scene is hilarious, as the parents close the door with a certain noise that the kids recognize as a sign that they are going to do something inappropriate.

This episode is arguably the funniest one yet. It had viewers laughing out loud and almost in tears. It was filled with more jokes than any other episode, making it stand out from the rest. From the email mix-up to the final scene, this episode is sure to leave you in stitches.

The episode was rated 8.12 from 1573 votes.

Modern Family - S3E24

#4 - Baby on Board (Season 3 - Episode 24)

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The episode "Baby on Board" of the hit comedy show Modern Family is sure to delight viewers. Gloria's bilingualism is put to the test as Mitchell and Cameron embark on an adoption journey. Meanwhile, Jay and Manny help Lily get ready for a dance recital, and Alex attends her first prom. As if that weren't enough, Haley shares her future plans, which come as a surprise to her family.

The comedic elements of this episode are sure to draw in viewers. Gloria's unique bilingualism is sure to be a source of hilarity. Jay and Manny helping Lily prepare for a dance recital is sure to be a funny and heartwarming moment. Alex's first prom will surely bring some entertaining moments, as will the shock of Haley's future plans. With the combination of the comedic elements and the heartwarming moments, this episode is sure to be an enjoyable one.

The episode was rated 8.18 from 1656 votes.

Modern Family - S5E24

#3 - The Wedding (2) (Season 5 - Episode 24)

The wedding day chaos continues in the second episode of Modern Family's finale. With the entire party shifting from one contingency plan to another, the guests start to get a bit testy. Mitchell and Cameron are feeling discouraged, and poor Claire is showing signs of physical exhaustion from the day's events. The ending wedding was so perfect, and it brought tears to the eyes of many viewers. It was a beautiful and touching finale that will live on to be remembered as the best season finale of the show yet. Fans everywhere were enthralled by the emotion and beauty of the episode, and it left them with a feeling of warmth and joy.

The episode was rated 8.19 from 2333 votes.

Modern Family - S5E18

#2 - Las Vegas (Season 5 - Episode 18)

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The episode Las Vegas from the hit show Modern Family is one of the most iconic episodes to date. In this episode, Jay is determined to get the adults’ hotel suite upgraded at any cost. Meanwhile, Claire tries to win back some money she lost in the process of trying to upgrade the suite. Phil, in the meantime, auditions to be a magician. This episode is filled with hilarious moments, which is why it is one of the most beloved episodes of the show.

From the comments, it is clear that this episode is one of the most well-loved episodes of the show, with some fans even calling it one of their top three all-time favorite episodes. The random mess of the episode is what makes it so special, as it is filled with moments that will have viewers laughing out loud. Overall, this episode is certainly one of the best episodes of Modern Family.

The episode was rated 8.25 from 2556 votes.

Modern Family - S6E16

#1 - Connection Lost (Season 6 - Episode 16)

The episode of Modern Family titled "Connection Lost" is an infomercial in the best way possible. It showcases the incredible capabilities of Apple products while also displaying the witty writing and fantastic acting of the show. When Claire gets stuck at the airport and is desperate to reach Haley after a big fight, she turns to her computer as the hub of all the family's activities. Through FaceTime and online snooping, Claire, Phil, and the rest of the family get involved in an online drama. This episode is sure to please anyone looking for both a good laugh and a great tech demonstration.

It's easy to see why some might be put off by the episode's heavy product placement, but it's hard to deny how great the technology and the cast are in this episode. It's definitely a must-see for any fan of Modern Family and for anyone who enjoys a good advertisement every now and then. The cast does a great job at drawing out the humor and the drama of the episode and the Apple products are sure to leave viewers impressed.

The episode was rated 8.26 from 2413 votes.

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