10 best episodes of Community

Spring Break has arrived and it’s time to visit our favorite human beings at Greendale Community College from the hit comedy series Community. 

We ranked the 10 best episodes of Community to watch on Netflix.

If you’re ready for a re-watch or want to introduce your friends to a group of loveable misfits at TV‘s most dysfunctional community college, then this list is for you. Grab some buttered noodles and let’s dive in!

Best episodes of Community

1. “Basic Intergluteal Numismatics” (Season 5, Ep. 3)

Beginning with an acoustic version of Radiohead’s “Creep”, this story follows Annie and Jeff as they investigate the school’s notorious “Ass Crack Bandit”. It’s a perfect mix of noir and whodunit murder mysteries. While silly and over the top (but in the best way) at times, it boils down to a somber moment with the group that perfectly seals the ending.

2. “Intermediate Documentary Filmmaking” (Season 2, Episode 16)

Pierce is admitted into the hospital where the group rushes to be with him. At his request, Abed films a documentary of their “final” moments with Pierce after telling them all that he’s dying. In classic Pierce fashion, he gives each member of the group a “gift” that acts as psychological torture. This episode has some great acting from the cast (Troy’s breakdown after meeting LeVar Burton for example) and allows for some quiet, serious moments too.

3. “Paradigms of Human Memory” (Season 2, Episode 20)

One of the best parts about Community is how it’s a continuous love letter to TV tropes. This episode plays up the classic clip show, but all of the clips are from episodes that never happened. Fans see the group in random and bizarre settings. It’s a clever way of showing what the Greendale Seven gets up to when we’re not watching.

4. “Wedding Videography” (Season 6, Ep. 12)

While season 6 doesn’t get as much love as some of the earlier seasons, this episode is always an entertaining re-watch. We get to see the gang crash a wedding while being filmed like an episode of The Office. We also get some brilliant Frankie and Leroy moments along with a classic Winger speech (and a Chang version). It’s a lighthearted and ridiculous episode that celebrates everyone being together right before the finale.

5. “Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas” (Season 2, Ep.11)

The cast spends the entire episode as claymation figures as a nod to the nostalgic Rankin Bass holiday specials. The episode is part Christmas musical adventure and part drama as Abed realizes his mother won’t be coming home to celebrate with him this year.

6. “Critical Film Studies” (Season 2, Ep. 18)

This episode is one long dinner scene with Abed and Jeff at an upscale restaurant. Abed is acting unusual and more mature as he tells Jeff about his time on Cougar Town and how it changed his perspective on life. Meanwhile, the group is waiting for Abed to arrive at his Pulp Fiction-themed surprise party. From the fantastic costumes to the My Dinner with Andre vibes and Abed’s hilarious and heartbreaking monologues, this episode is not one to forget!

7. “Pillows and Blankets” (Season 3, Ep. 14)

When Community goes big, it goes BIG, and “Pillows and Blankets” is no exception. Filmed as a war documentary, this episode feels grand from the intricate pillow and blanket forts, costumes and straight down to the battles between the two “cities”.  Fans also get some heartbreaking but fantastic Troy and Abed moments along with some good laughs to break the tension.

8. “Remedial Chaos Theory” (Season 3, Ep. 4)

Troy and Abed invite their friends to a housewarming party at their new apartment. The night is already off to a bad start, but things get more interesting when Jeff rolls a dice to see who will answer the door for their pizza delivery. Abed informs Jeff that he’s creating six different timelines, which the episode explores and some definitely go off the rails (but in the most entertaining way possible)!

9. “Epidemiology” (Season 2, Ep. 6)

The group is at a costume party inside the library and things turn for the worse when a few students eat some mysterious taco meat. They turn into “zombies” and can transmit their disease through biting. The disease quickly spreads throughout the entire party while the group fights to survive all set to an ABBA soundtrack.

10. “Modern Warfare” (Season1, Ep. 23)

This is such an iconic episode that it’d be a shame not to place it on the list. Season 1 is known to start out a bit more “normal” and this is when the show finally embraces itself and becomes the Community we all know and love. The campus breaks out into an all-out paintball war where the players compete for early registration. This one is full of amazing action sequences and character moments and sets the bar for the rest of the series.

Community is currently streaming on both Hulu and Netflix.