The Office, which aired on NBC from 2005-2013, is one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time. With a total of 10 seasons, The Office has plenty of great episodes to choose from. But which ones are the best? In this article, we'll rank the best episodes of The Office, according to fans and experts.
The Office follows the everyday lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. The show was created by Greg Daniels and stars Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, and Rainn Wilson. Throughout its 10 seasons, The Office has won several awards, including Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
From classic episodes like "The Dundies" to fan favorites like "The Dinner Party," there's no shortage of great episodes in The Office's 10-season run. So, let's jump right in and rank the best episodes of The Office.
Written by Sophie and last updated on dec 18, 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!
The Office's season finale, "Company Picnic," is a heartwarming episode that brings Michael and Holly back together after their split. The employees attend a company picnic and take part in team-building activities, such as a volleyball tournament. It's a great way to end the season, and fans love it!
The episode reflects just how much character development has occurred throughout the season, and it's clear why this is the best season of the show. The characters have all grown and changed, and this episode provides a nice closure to all the storylines. The ending is especially sweet, as we get to see Michael and Holly reunite and all the characters join together for the picnic.
The episode was rated 8.14 from 1527 votes.
In the episode "Livin' the Dream" of The Office, Dwight Schrute finally achieves his lifelong goal of becoming the regional manager of Dunder Mifflin. This is made possible when Andy quits his job and Dwight is given the opportunity to take over. Jim Halpert, seeing his marriage slowly falling apart, works harder than ever in his job to make things right with his wife. Angela Martin has to deal with the changes that come with her break up with The Senator.
This episode was truly a treat for the fans of The Office. Dwight's long-awaited promotion was met with resounding cheers and joyous tears. Jim's efforts to save his marriage and Angela's struggles to move on from her ex-boyfriend were both very emotional. The ending montage with the song was a perfect way to cap off the episode. Fans of the show were left feeling inspired and hopeful for all the characters.
The episode was rated 8.15 from 1524 votes.
In the episode of The Office titled "Goodbye Toby", Toby Flenderson is leaving Dunder Mifflin and Michael plans a huge goodbye party for him out of joy. Angela refuses to help with the party, so Michael turns to Phyllis. Dwight and Meredith harass Holly, their new HR representative.
The episode is a classic and had viewers laughing out loud, especially at Kevin's scenes. The ending of the season was a great and weird one, with Michael happily exclaiming "Holly!" after watching the series for the 100th time.
The episode was rated 8.17 from 2258 votes.
The Office episode "Dinner Party" is a classic episode of cringe comedy. Michael has an elaborate plan to get Pam and Jim to his and Jan's place for a dinner party. Jim reluctantly agrees and Dwight overhears and wants an invitation as well. But, with Andy and Angela already invited, there's not enough room for Dwight. This episode reveals so many nuances and details about the relationship between Michael and Jan, making it an absolute masterpiece of cringe comedy.
The reviews for this episode have been glowing. One review called it an "absolute masterpiece of cringe comedy" and praised the amazing performances from everyone in the cast. Another said it was the "best episode of the series" and that there are so many details learned about Michael and Jan's relationship. A third comment simply said it was an "awkward episode" and highlighted all the details that are revealed.
The episode was rated 8.20 from 1754 votes.
The Office episode Niagara follows the Dunder Mifflin staff as they attend Jim and Pam's wedding in Niagara Falls. Although the pregnancy of Pam is a forbidden topic, Jim's slip of the tongue causes Michael to do damage control.
This episode has been watched multiple times and still elicits a strong emotional response from viewers. Many feel that the actors gave a realistic and heartfelt performance, and viewers are taken on an emotional journey with them. One YouTube video reference in the episode has particularly resonated with viewers and made it an especially memorable part of the episode.
Although the wedding scene between Jim and Pam is a high point, Michael's decision to sleep with Pam's mother has been a controversial plot point. Although it has been met with mixed reactions, it adds an interesting element to the show and is a plot point that viewers can't help but remember.
The episode was rated 8.23 from 2826 votes.
The Office, season 5 episode 12, "Broke", showcases Michael Scott, Dunder Mifflin's regional manager, as he begins to start his own business, which is met with early morning delivery challenges. Meanwhile, Angela has implemented the company's policy on expense reports, making it more difficult for the office to get their reports in on time.
The episode highlights the differences between Michael's abilities as a manager and his talents as a salesman. At times, Michael may seem a bit out of touch with the office, but he is able to rally the troops and use his skill set to turn potential losses into wins. The episode highlights the importance of team work, despite the difficulties they may face, while also emphasizing Michael's strengths. It is one of the best episodes this season and a highlight of the entire show.
The episode was rated 8.27 from 1587 votes.
In the episode "The Job" of The Office, Jim and Pam have a conversation after her passionate speech at Beach Day and realize how much they missed their friendship. Pam is pleased that it only took her three years to find the courage to say what she was feeling. Michael remarks that Pam's advice was good, but Jan's was bigger.
Many viewers were happy with the episode's ending, as Jim and Pam's relationship is restored, but Karen is still in the picture. Despite Karen being a cute addition to the show, Jim just couldn't let her go, a situation many viewers could relate to. It was an amazingly well-written episode with a plot twist that left viewers surprised and satisfied.
The episode was rated 8.30 from 1756 votes.
The Office episode Niagara (2) follows Andy as he experiences an unfortunate accident. Meanwhile, Pam and Jim are having pre-wedding jitters as the big day approaches.
The episode follows Andy as he suffers an accident that leaves him embarrassed, yet still determined to go through with his wedding. Meanwhile, it is clear that Pam and Jim are both anxious about the big day as they both have different ideas about what the wedding should look like. Jim wants a more traditional, small wedding, while Pam wants a bit more of a spectacle. Ultimately, the episode is a humorous and heartfelt look at the pre-wedding jitters of two people in love. The Office is known for its dry humor and cleverly written characters, and this episode is no different. It is a classic example of why the show is so beloved by fans. Somehow, it always leaves viewers wanting to rewatch The Sopranos after this episode.
The episode was rated 8.31 from 934 votes.
The Office season finale episode, "Casino Night," is one of the most beloved episodes of the entire show. With Dunder-Mifflin holding a casino night in the warehouse to benefit charity, Michael is faced with the task of juggling two dates and Jim is forced to reconsider his future at the Stamford branch and his relationship with Pam.
Fans of the show love the episode for its heartfelt moments that make them believe in true love. The script and plot of the episode are also praised for being realistic and reflective of real-life situations. One of the most memorable moments of the episode is when Jim confesses his feelings for Pam, and the sincerity and raw emotion of the moment make it heartbreaking yet relatable. Jim and Pam's relationship is one of the highlights of the series, and fans of the show love to see how the couple's story progresses over the course of the show.
The episode is so beloved that, even years after its airing, fans of the show still feel the same level of excitement and emotion when watching "Casino Night." From the heartfelt moments to the raw emotion, it is no wonder why this episode is still so beloved.
The episode was rated 8.32 from 1395 votes.
Toby leaves Dunder Mifflin, and Michael plans a huge goodbye party... out of joy. Angela refuses to help with it, so Michael turns to Phyllis. Dwight and Meredith harass Holly, their new HR representative.
The episode was rated 8.37 from 546 votes.
The Office episode "Garage Sale" is an all-around great episode that had viewers laughing and crying from beginning to end. The episode centers around the office holding a garage sale in the warehouse. Michael decides to propose to Holly, and is having trouble coming up with the perfect way to do it.
This episode had viewers laughing and crying, as Michael goes through a comedic journey to propose to Holly. The emotion and comedy of this episode was perfectly balanced, and viewers were sad when the episode ended. The climax of the episode was especially powerful, as viewers saw Michael's heartfelt proposal to Holly. It was a beautiful moment that had viewers in tears, and the ending left viewers wanting more.
The episode was rated 8.38 from 1533 votes.
The Office's episode "Stress Relief" is a hilarious episode filled with more than a few laugh out loud moments. The episode revolves around Dwight who must try to make amends with the office after his fire safety seminar goes awry. Michael, always the go-getter, tries to get his employees to relax, while Andy becomes convinced that Pam and Jim are film gurus.
This episode is a classic for fans of the show. From Dwight's hilarious antics to Michael's attempts to ease the office's stress, this episode is filled with a great deal of hilarity. The opening scene itself is a classic, as Dwight's fire safety seminar goes wrong in the most hilarious way. The Stanley's reaction to this scene is one of the best moments of the episode, as the office erupts in laughter. Add to that Michael's attempts to help the office relax and the hilarious interactions between Pam and Jim, and you have one of the best episodes of the show.
The episode was rated 8.38 from 1807 votes.
In the episode "A.A.R.M.", Jim convinces Dwight that he needs to choose someone to act as an Assistant to the Assistant Regional Manager. The two then hold tryouts for the position. Meanwhile, Angela is forced to bring her child to work after her daycare turns her away. Andy auditions for a singing competition.
This episode evoked a lot of emotions from viewers. One comment said "not proud of it but I haven't cried like that in a while". Another comment said that they were "all choked up and cried" and that they would "miss this show". The combination of the characters and the story of the episode really tugged on the heartstrings of viewers.
The episode was rated 8.49 from 1633 votes.
The Office fans were taken on an emotional rollercoaster ride with the episode Goodbye, Michael. Michael's last day at Dunder Mifflin is full of mixed emotions for everyone, as Michael prepares to move to Colorado. As Michael attempts to have a drama-free day, Deangelo Vickers and Andy Bernard scramble to keep Michael's biggest clients. The episode is full of intense moments, with the most memorable being the last hug between Pam and Michael. Fans weren't expecting the last few episodes to be so intense and emotional, but they were pleasantly surprised. Despite this, some fans were not pleased with the Gabe Erin storyline, wishing that there had been a Dwight story instead.
This episode was an emotional goodbye to one of the show's main characters, Michael Scott. Michael's last day at work was full of drama, as it was his chance to prove to everyone that he can handle the intense situation. Deangelo Vickers and Andy Bernard were tasked with retaining Michael's biggest clients, while Michael attempted to keep the day drama-free. The intensity was at an all-time high with the last hug between Pam and Michael. Though this episode was full of intense moments, some fans felt that the Gabe Erin storyline was unnecessary and that there should have been a Dwight story instead.
The episode was rated 8.57 from 1580 votes.
The Office Finale is an emotional roller coaster as the documentary crew and all the Dunder Mifflin employees reunite one year later to attend Dwight and Angela's wedding. The entire episode is filled with nostalgia as the show wraps up and we say goodbye to all the characters that have been in our lives for the past 9 years.
The finale is particularly emotional when Andy, who is now a successful singer, reflects on how he wishes he knew that he was in the good old days before he left them. This sentiment resonates with everyone watching the show as we too feel a sense of nostalgia for the show that has been in our hearts for so long. As we say goodbye to the show, it's difficult not to shed a tear for all the memories we’ve made with the cast and the show's characters.
The episode was rated 9.11 from 1955 votes.
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