Best Episodes
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 22, 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!
Luke and Manny go head-to-head in a race to be class president, but the campaign might be more of a battle between their parents. Phil introduces Haley to a marketing genius to help with her promotion business. Cam goes to extremes to keep his best football player from leaving the school.
The episode was rated 7.50 from 4338 votes.
Frank Dunphy’s wedding has a Roaring ’20s theme, so Phil gets his clan to show up in costume, but Claire and the kids realize it’s time for an intervention with Phil when they’re the only ones who dressed up. Jay comes to regret mastering the art of saying “no”. Cam finally gets the courage to stand up to his sister Pam.
The episode was rated 7.51 from 3894 votes.
Despite their lofty hopes, Phil and Jay’s property investment might turn out to be a bust, forcing Phil to rethink his original dream. Meanwhile, Cam lands in the hospital due to a head injury and refuses to have an MRI thanks to a traumatic incident with a well when he was a child. Determined to finally impress Claire and keep her from re-gifting her birthday present, Gloria surprises her with a day of luxury at the office. However, after Claire had to implement some rather harsh budget cuts at work, a massage at her desk may not be sending the right message.
The episode was rated 7.53 from 4214 votes.
A new family moves in across the street from the Pritchetts and Jay wants to make a good impression. Manny hopes his deeds will catch the attention of a pretty teenage radical. The Dunphys try to look on the bright side of Alex’s bout with mono. Mitch and Cam are shocked to overhear Lily disrespect a new friend.
The episode was rated 7.58 from 4579 votes.
Mitch and Jay end up at the same resort when they separately seek out a retreat from the family; Phil and Claire struggle to enjoy empty-nester life; not knowing what to do with himself while Mitch is away, Cam drops in on Gloria.
The episode was rated 7.58 from 3657 votes.
Luke hosts a Halloween party that quickly turns into a nightmare, so the Dunphys come up with a plan to make it a success and rescue his reputation. Cam confronts his holiday nemesis, but Mitch and Lily try to keep him from going overboard. Jay plots revenge on an old adversary when he finds out where Manny is going to a party.
The episode was rated 7.58 from 4308 votes.
Mitch and Cam have five minutes to catch a new flight while fighting the effects of sleeping pills they took prematurely. Then at Rainer’s birthday dinner, Haley and Rainer are forced to reevaluate their entire relationship in the five minutes before the birthday cake arrives. Phil and Claire pay a surprise visit to Alex and are given a five-minute surprise introduction to her new boyfriend. With only five minutes to catch a movie, Manny has to find the perfect parking space and endure Jay and Gloria’s backseat argument.
The episode was rated 7.58 from 4122 votes.
After recent trips take the Dunphys to New York, Mitch, Cam, and Lily to the Midwest, and Jay, Gloria, Manny, and Joe to Juarez, Mexico, the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan reunites.
The episode was rated 7.61 from 4876 votes.
Mitchell knocks over an urn filled with the ashes of Cameron’s beloved pet pig Lilly while exercising in the garage, but Cameron suspects his cover-up is a load of hogwash.
The episode was rated 7.61 from 4058 votes.
Phil can’t cover up his excitement when he’s invited to appear in a real-estate news segment for the local news. The day gets even better after meeting his “weatherman” hero, Rainer Shine. Phil made one little mistake; he introduced him to Hayley. Over at the Pritchett house, Jay decides to infuse a little grit into Manny’s video interview for his college application. In the Tucker-Pritchett home, Lily is over their new houseguest and decides to take matters into her own hands.
The episode was rated 7.62 from 4376 votes.
Phil eyes a property he’s always had a desire to develop and wants Jay to be a coinvestor. Claire’s fondness for a TV chef leads to a new love of cooking Sunday dinners. Mitch and Cam try to teach Lily the value of hard work. Jay feels left out when Gloria hires a coach for Joe who doubles as a handyman.
The episode was rated 7.62 from 4164 votes.
Trying to recover from his Thanksgiving debacle, Cam decides to treat the family to a New Year’s Day feast. After realizing that Cam’s recent attempt is also a complete fail and in order to salvage their meal, Mitch uses a “concierge gift card” that he received as a Christmas gift. Cam soon discovers that the concierge who is on his way to save the day is none other than his ex-boyfriend, Keift, a former circus ringmaster who left him without saying goodbye. Meanwhile, Phil’s dad, Frank arrives with his new girlfriend, who happens to be Phil’s childhood babysitter, which sets him on a confusing tailspin. Finally, Gloria and Jay have to decide who should take care of little Joe if something should ever happen to them.
The episode was rated 7.66 from 4220 votes.
When Manny’s father arrives for his graduation and takes him out on a wild night to celebrate, Jay steps in to restore matters; the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker crew gets emotional as they prepare for Luke and Manny’s big day.
The episode was rated 7.66 from 3551 votes.
Fearful that the romance between him and Claire is fizzling, Phil calls upon his alter ego, Clive Bixby, get Valentines day back on track. Jay shows a bit of child favoritism when he and Gloria must deal with Joe’s inappropriate Valentine gift-giving and Manny’s dating indecisiveness. When Cam and Mitch try to empower Lily, Haley and Sal to stand up to the men in their lives, things don’t turn out as planned and go overboard. Alex discovers she has a secret admirer who may be a little too involved with family.
The episode was rated 7.76 from 4255 votes.
Hayley’s plan for a fun-filled girl’s day with Rainer Shine’s teen daughter may be a little more angst-filled than expected. Luke finds himself in a compromising position with a widow at the club and unwittingly helps Jay with his petition. Gloria, Phil and Cam have formed a secret alliance to ensure their respective “mistakes” are concealed from their spouses.
The episode was rated 7.80 from 4519 votes.
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