Top 10 Family Guy Episodes That Aged REALLY WELL
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the episodes of the long-running animated sitcom that have held up the best across the years. Which “Family Guy” episode do you think has aged like a fine wine? Let us know in the comments below!
#10: “Blue Harvest”
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As Peter would say, it’s the greatest story on Earth. While this could have been a simple homage to “Star Wars IV: A New Hope”, “Blue Harvest” ends up being a love letter to it instead. While keeping the major story beats of the original, “Family Guy” put its own twist onto it, making it entirely its own. Their usual runtime was doubled, which gave the show the opportunity to take time with their jokes and showcase the full universe. Each character being involved in some way gives the viewer something to look forward to with each rewatch. It’s one of the most ambitious episodes of the series, and proved that when it wanted to be, “Family Guy” could be both smart and hilarious.
#9: “Girl, Internetted”
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Making references to modern trends can be risky on TV, as there’s a chance they will quickly become outdated. To avoid this, the program chose to focus on the wider effects of the Internet, rather than specific references or memes. After quickly coming into Internet fame as Refrigerator Meg, Meg quickly gains a following which causes her to ramp up her content to an extreme level. Even when she becomes sick, she doesn’t stop – leading to thoughtful commentary on how maintaining popularity can cause or lead influencers to harm. The episode also makes great points about how easily people can be manipulated by popular online users. With influencers – and their questionable choices – even more prevalent today, it’s already done a fantastic job of holding up.
#8: “Episode 420”
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It’s not always the case that this show is ahead of the curve, but when they are, they get it spot on. With marijuana being legalized or decriminalized in more places, it’s hard to believe how utterly illegal it once was. “Family Guy” was ahead of its time in advocating for legalization, with Brian at the helm. Between revealing the history behind criminalization, poking fun at ridiculous reactions, and calling out corporations for caring more about profits than people, it’s clear that the topic meant a lot to them. “Episode 420” is a certified classic at this point, with an iconic song that is still referenced today. It’s a highly progressive installment of the series that proved that it could tackle broader issues.
#7: “Brian Writes a Bestseller”
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Brian being an aspiring writer has been a long-standing bit, with countless jokes about how bad his book is. However, in “Brian Writes a Bestseller”, the pooch gets to experience his dreams after writing a terrible self-help book that appeals to the masses. While he initially wrote it as a joke, the success quickly goes to his head. It’s great commentary on how quickly fame can change someone, and cause them to buy into their own lies. The episode also makes great points about how writing for a check can lead to an inauthentic result. The show wasn't afraid to drag the genre, even utilizing a live-action Bill Maher scene to properly shame the books – and Brian – for being simplistic and for setting unrealistic expectations.
#6: “You May Now Kiss the... Uh... Guy Who Receives”
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“Family Guy” may not be known for sensitivity towards activism, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily hateful, either. In the 2000s, marriage equality was still just a concept that people were fighting hard for, and was much less talked about. The show shone a spotlight on the issue in this irreverent and witty episode. From making a statement on how some leaders will use human rights as a way to distract from scandals to calling out the hypocrisy presented by homophobes, it’s a surprisingly progressive piece. Lois in particular had a fantastic character arc, where she struggled between her beliefs and doing what's right. While it has a serious message, it’s jam-packed with jokes that help it remain lighthearted, making it perfect for countless rewatches.
#5: “Hot Shots”
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Sometimes, this show gets things so eerily spot on, you can’t help but wonder if the writers can see the future. This is most evident in the Season 15 installment “Hot Shots”, wherein Peter and Lois become anti-vaccination advocates and inadvertently cause a measles outbreak. This causes Quahog to be put under quarantine– which proved to age well just a few years later when COVID-19 began to spread. It managed to predict several aspects of the pandemic, from the quarantine to the response to the vaccines. Besides predicting the future, it also makes excellent points about how harmful anti-vax propaganda can be. It’s an episode in their catalog that has literally aged well, in the most unfortunate way possible.
#4: “I Dream of Jesus”
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When people think of classic “Family Guy”, this is one of the first episodes that immediately comes to mind. From Peter’s obsession with the song “Surfin’ Bird” to the commentary on modern day fame, it’s one that you can show to a new viewer to give them an idea of the show’s comedy and writing. Although it has its thought-provoking elements, it also has stellar comedic moments that still hold up today. While the jabs about religion could have come across as offensive, they were done in a way that didn’t feel truly malicious, which helped it appeal to a wider audience. It was a balancing act, and they nailed it, enabling the episode to become one of the most well-known in the series.
#3: “Da Boom”
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Although this premiered over twenty years ago, it’s still one of the most well loved episodes by fans today. Focusing on the fears people had surrounding Y2K, it shows the Griffin family surviving an apocalypse and having to start a new life. Sight gags like Stewie’s mutant offspring and Clevemire paint a hilarious picture of what people were scared might happen. It was also the first appearance of the Giant Chicken, who became a staple of the show. The ending being the dream of one of the characters from “Dallas” was a clever way of helping reset the universe for the following episode. It perfectly encapsulates the charm of the first few seasons, while still holding up for a contemporary audience.
#2: “Road to the Multiverse”
Although the concept of alternate universes has been done to death by huge franchises like the Marvel and DC cinematic universes, “Family Guy” was one of the first shows to truly explore it. Tying in Stewie’s penchant for inventions and a classic adventure, “Road to the Multiverse” has become one of the highlights of the entire series. It’s an ambitious piece, with Brian and Stewie going to several different universes. Each one showcased different art styles, creating an expansive experience. It was a marvel in animation and writing, using quick-paced humor to throw constant jokes at the audience. Not a single second feels wasted, and it seems there’s always something new to notice in subsequent rewatches. There’s no question why this has become so beloved.
#1: “PTV”
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The meta episodes of this series have always been great, but none have been able to capture the essence of the show and greater society than this one. “PTV” is all about Peter starting his own public access show in a response to mass censorship following an incident at the Emmys. While people love his honest and raunchy programming, eventually Lois calls the FCC, who start to censor their actual lives. From the cold opening to the commentary, it is a masterclass in comedy. It’s bitingly hilarious, and perfectly conveys the writers’ frustration over having to constantly self-censor. It’s safe to say that this episode is iconic amongst fans and casual viewers, and it's one that can be watched endlessly without ever getting old.
