One of the world’s most beloved sitcoms, Modern Family, sadly came to an end in 2020. However, with 85 Emmy nominations and 22 wins under its belt, there’s no doubt that Modern Family will still be talked about in the years to come due to the huge impact of its unique characters and the relatable, down-to-earth storylines have had on the audience. But what are the best Modern Family episodes?
With 250 episodes, there are plenty of episodes to watch for any mood. Whether it is watching Cam’s shenanigans as Fizbo the Clown or seeing some of Phil’s wildest inventions fail, viewers are entertained as their moments produce a lot of laughs. However, since sophomoric humor isn’t for everyone, there are plenty of other hilarious episodes fans can rewatch.
Updated on December 6th, 2021, by Kayleigh Banks: After Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Mitchell Pritchett) and Audrey Anderson-Emmons (Lily Tucker-Pritchett) posted their “father-daughter” reunion on Instagram, someone only had to take a glimpse at the comment section to see that the Modern Family fanbase is active and well. Now that the series is over, fans can rewatch the series to see some of the funniest Modern Family episodes such as ‘Little Bo Bleep’ or ‘Party Crasher’ since they’ll get to see this dynamic duo in action as well as some of the other humorous pairings too. The funniest Modern Family episodes will live on forever.
Updated on March 10th, 2022, by Lynn Gibbs: With over 200 episodes to its name, Modern Family is one of the most successful sitcoms today. The episodes touched base on a wide range of topics while always keeping humor intact. There was always a bump in the road in each episode, forcing the families to conquer their issues without others finding out. But no matter how hard some conversations or situations were, the three families supported each other and talked through their misgivings. How they handled their roadblocks typically created some of the best Modern Family episodes.
Phil’s Sexy House (Season 7, Episode 7)
In season 7, Phil was selling a high-tech home that he referred to as the “Sexy House.” The entire family heard about how cool the home was and planned on sneaking in to experience it themselves. However, none of them expected for the others to be there, which is a classic theme in Modern Family.
Phil went to the house to play a virtual video game, Claire showed how perfect her relationship was by surprising Phil in a roleplay costume, Haley and Andy ended up having some time alone, and Alex and Reuben were secretly hooking up. Everyone ended up running into each other, making this one of the funniest Modern Family episodes in the end.
Aunt Mommy (Season 3, Episode 15)
‘Aunt Mommy’ was one of the funniest Modern Family episodes because of a unique decision the Duphys and Tucker-Pritchetts decided on. After one too many glasses of wine, Claire decided to donate her eggs to Cam and Mitch so they could have a baby that was part of both of them.
The next morning, both couples realized the idea wasn’t for them, but they didn’t know how to tell the other. Claire felt like it was one of the worst things she’s done to Mitch, but she didn’t know that Mitch also found it to be a bad idea. Meanwhile, Jay and Gloria fought over Manny’s participation in football. Everyone’s truth eventually came out the next day at brunch, creating one of the best Modern Family episodes.
Run For Your Wife (Season 1, Episode 6)
‘Run For Your Wife’ focused on parenthood, different cultures, and lies to spouses. In the Dunphy household, Phil bothers Claire by telling her that he’s a faster runner than she is. Considering Claire ran miles every day, she knew he could never outrun her, which led to a hilarious race.
All the while, Jay was worried that Manny would be bullied in school for wearing his traditional Colombian garb to school, and Mitch and Cam were worried about Lily after she hit her head in their home. As newer parents, they thought nothing could be worse after bumping her head but it did get worse when they locked her in the cars with the key and needed to get her out. It was one of Mitch and Cam’s funnier stories in the series, creating a dynamic episode.
Do You Believe In Magic (Season 8, Episode 12)
Each storyline among the family members in ‘Do You Believe In Magic’ was interesting and amusing to watch. It was Valentine’s Day and each character was focusing on love — including little Joe.
Joe gifted his teacher Gloria’s lingerie, which led to a funny conversation over appropriate gifts. Meanwhile, Phil was stunned when Claire showed him that she learned a few magic tricks as her Valentine’s gift for him (after lying about caring for Valentine’s Day). One of the best storylines was Mitch and Cam’s Valentine’s Day spent with Haley and their friend Sal. All Mitch and Cam wanted was some time alone but they were instead bombarded by heartbroken ladies. Seeing how each character spent the day made this story so fulfilling that it’s easily one of the best Modern Family episodes.
Hawaii (Season 1, Episode 23)
In ‘Hawaii,’ Gloria surprises Jay for his birthday by going on a family vacation to Hawaii. The hilarity of it all was that Jay was paying for all of it, even though the surprise was for him.
On the trip, each family had their own dreams for their vacation. Mitch wanted to go on excursions to pineapple fields but Cam had plans of lounging by the pool and getting massages instead. Claire treated her vacation as a business trip because trying to keep an eye on her kids was more stressful than it was worth. Meanwhile, Jay wanted a relaxing vacation but kept thinking about how old he was getting and that he needed to take better care of himself. Seeing the families in a new environment is part of what made this story so special and one of the funniest Modern Family episodes.
Three Turkeys (Season 6, Episode 8)
Misunderstandings are a common trope that many comedies use and Modern Family’s ‘Three Turkeys’ was no exception. During this episode, viewers see chaos descend on Thanksgiving when Phil decides to take control of the cooking duties and Gloria and Jay lie about where they will be eating for the holiday.
Much hilarity enthuses when Phil believes that he has accidentally shrunk his turkey (when it’s just been swapped) and Gloria and Jay try to come up with all sorts of excuses as to why they were at home. The parallels among characters did not go unnoticed. It may be a little chaotic in terms of drama, but fans can agree it’s the drama that made this one of the funniest Modern Family episodes.
Little Bo Bleep (Season 3, Episode 13)
While the Dunphy family were usually the stars of the episodes, the writers soon changed this up by season 3 when they began to give Cam, Lily, and Mitchell some hilarious storylines. This was particularly the case in ‘Little Bo Bleep’ when Cam and Mitchell find themselves lost for words as Lily won’t stop saying curse words at the most random of moments. Lily had her annoying moments as a child, but she also had her sweet moments.
Although the sophomoric humor isn’t for everyone, especially since some people would be horrified to hear their child swearing, the writers perfectly balance it out with Jay and Gloria’s side plot. Fans certainly go back to rewatch this because it’s so fun and light-hearted.
Family Portrait (Season 1, Episode 24)
From a mud fight to Phil and Gloria’s kiss cam, there were plenty of highlights in Modern Family’s season 1 finale. Not only was it full of fast-paced action but all the characters got their moments to shine. New pairings (such as Alex and Manny, and Jay and Luke) allowed fans to see more depth to their family dynamic.
However, the best scene in the entire episode has to be when Mitchell destroyed his and Cam’s apartment as he tried to chase a pigeon out. With Cam’s rendition of “Ave Maria” heard in the background, many fans were crying with laughter as it seemed like Mitchell was partaking in the battle of a lifetime. While Cam and Mitch’s relationship didn’t always make sense, Cam’s support of Mitch’s pigeon battle was needed. Outside of Mitch and Cam’s house, the unity of family and the family portrait made this one of the best Modern Family episodes.
Pilot (Season 1, Episode 1)
While there have been many memorable episodes of Modern Family, fans will never forget the pilot episode as this was the first time the fans were getting an impression of what kind of characters and storylines they will be watching for the next couple of years. Immediately, they fell in love with the Dunphy-Pritchett-Tucker family as they were full of dynamic and engaging characters.
From Cam and Mitchell’s dry sense of humor, the Dunphys’ chaotic dynamic, to Jay and Gloria’s perfect and balanced compatibility, the Modern Family characters proved to be likable and their chemistry produced a lot of laughs.
Las Vegas (Season 5, Episode 18)
Episodes that feature the entire family traveling together always pave the way for a hilarious story featuring plenty of action. In season 5’s ‘Las Vegas,’ the whole clan got together for a weekend in the city of sin. Perhaps the funniest part of the whole 20-minutes was Jay trying to flex his connections – and failing miserably.
The episode also included Cam doing one of the worst things to Mitchell (in a hilarious way), Claire trying to make back the money she lost years before, and Phil attempting to join a very exclusive magic club. It might not have ended up being the traditional trip they dreamed of but it was still chaotic, which made it one of the funniest Modern Family episodes to watch.
Caught In The Act (Season 2, Episode 13)
If there’s one thing Modern Family excels at, it’s being relatable. Many scenes hit home for Modern Family viewers. Few moments on the show were as relatable as when Alex, Haley, and Luke caught Phil and Claire having sex when they were about to give them their anniversary gift. The whole moment was cringeworthy and hilarious.
The added storylines of Gloria attempting to retrieve a bad email and Mitchell and Cam trying to cover up a bad mess just make this a wholesome episode fit for giggles.
Fulgencio (Season 4, Episode 13)
Gloria’s family isn’t prominently featured on the show, but when they are, it’s great. Before meeting her family, all fans had to go off of were Gloria’s hilarious stories from her past.
The season four episode ‘Fulgencio’ saw Gloria, her mother, and Jay fight over what name to give the newborn baby. Although this main plot is laugh-out-loud funny, the side plots are some of the best the show’s seen. These include Phil trying to help only to end up turning into a friendly version of The Godfather and Mitchell and Cam arguing over who’s the worst parent because Lily has been acting out.
American Skyper (Season 6, Episode 24)
The season finale of the sixth season of the show was jam-packed with emotion. Once again, a member of the family reaches another milestone, this time in the form of Alex graduating high school. Phil is present in robot form, to everyone’s entertainment and delight, and Cam is dealing with his new braces while Mitchell lost his job.
The high note of the episode arrives when Haley finds out Andy has feelings for her and rushes to the beach to try and stop him from getting engaged. So many feelings, and so much to deal with within 20 minutes. Between Haley and Andy’s relationship and Alex’s party, a lot was happening in this episode.
My Funky Valentine (Season 1, Episode 15)
It’s no secret that the show loves to have episodes dedicated to special holidays and events. ‘My Funky Valentine’ was the first Valentine’s episode ever, and it delivered.
What makes this one of the best Modern Family episodes, aside from the hilarious plot lines among the couples, of course, is the fact that we are introduced to Phil and Claire’s sexy alter-egos for the first time. As the series went on, Clive and Julianna’s moments were some of the best in the series.
Halloween (Season 2, Episode 6)
No one does the holidays quite like the Dunphys and the Pritchetts. Halloween, in particular, always tends to be a particularly eventful time of the year for the families, with each year better than the previous (especially for Claire, whose love for Halloween rivals Phil’s love for all things technology).
Considered one of Modern Family’s funniest Halloween episodes, this installment brings fans to a very haunted house, courtesy of the Dunphys, a hilarious Mitchell dressed as a Spider-Man, and Jay and Manny have a little too much of a laugh at the expense of the short-tempered Gloria. The whole episode makes for the perfect watch, along with all the Halloween candy a viewer might have been hiding in the kitchen.
Fizbo (Season 1, Episode 9)
There are many lovable traits to Cam’s character but one of the fans’ favorites is Fizbo (to who fans were first introduced in season 1). In ‘Fizbo,’ the clown ended up having a memorable moment for viewers as he allowed fans to see another part of Cam’s character. Not only was he fun and charming, but Cam also looked so confident and comfortable in his alter-ego too.
However, that wasn’t the only highlight of the episode either. Fans also enjoyed the side plots too, where Claire competed with Phil about who could be the cooler parent while Manny and Jay bonded some more. With Luke’s party going awry and the side plots surrounding the party’s stressors, the overall story was so hilariously relatable that it made it one of the funniest Modern Family episodes.
The Kiss (Season 2, Episode 2)
Everybody knows the Pritchett siblings have a few issues that come along with being raised by Jay. Many times, these issues are portrayed in a funny, innocent way and this time around, the show decided to tackle Mitchell’s aversion to public displays of affection (which annoys Cam and makes for pretty hilarious scenes). Jay and Mitchell didn’t always have the best father-son moments, but this episode was a turning point for them.
Fans also see Gloria trying to reconnect with her Colombian roots as well as Claire’s overbearing reaction to finding out Alex likes a boy. In good old Modern Family fashion, the entire family eventually comes together to help deal with their respective issues.
Baby On Board (Season 3, Episode 24)
This show has a very rare ability to produce episodes that make us both laugh hysterically and cry uncontrollably. The last episode of the third season had its hilarious moments, thanks to the mockery of the typical telenovela that fits wonderfully with the plot.
Cam and Mitchell’s attempt to adopt a second child also comes to an end with this episode in quite a heart-wrenching way that soon turns into a quiet, emotional moment between the couple and the audience. It feels like an unbelievably long journey for a 25 minute-long episode, but it’s still one of the absolute best Modern Family episodes.
Treehouse (Season 3, Episode 7)
‘Treehouse’ is a blessing of an episode because it gave fans one of the best plot drivers in the entire show; a couple of disagreements. The cast of the show works in such harmony with each other, that watching the adult members of the family go about married life each with their problems, but in such a witty way, becomes one of the biggest strengths it has.
In this particular case, fans get to see Gloria try and get Jay to do more things with her as a couple and Cameron and Mitchell making a bet that drives the former to try and hit on a woman. Phil’s journey of building Luke a treehouse is a gem, and the episode as a whole is just another comedy masterpiece.
Party Crasher (Season 4, Episode 12)
Gloria’s pregnancy is about to come to an end, but she refuses to let the child be born on Manny’s birthday – especially when she tried so hard to put together a surprise party for him. As it always happens on the show, poor Manny ends up having more than he asked for, much to the dismay of poor Gloria. Before the baby arrived, it was one of Manny’s saddest scenes because he felt his night was outshined.
Undeniably though, the funniest moments of the episode are brought about from Cam’s jealousy of Mitchell and Lily’s relationship and Phil’s struggle while he witnesses Haley dating a man who just happens to be twice her age in the midst of a very complicated time for their father-daughter relationship. The viewers get their fair share of emotional moments, which makes the episode even better.
Schooled (Season 4, Episode 2)
This is arguably one of the most well-rounded episodes of the whole show. Each small plot is told in equal chunks and is very emotional and heart-wrenching. This is the episode where Phil and Claire send Haley off to college, Jay and Gloria attend a parenting class, and Cam and Mitchell find themselves at odds with a couple at Lily’s school.
The entire episode is building towards the final moments of each character’s arc, in a way only Modern Family knows how without ever losing the clever puns. There’s enough room for Haley’s homesickness and relatable fear, Phil and Claire’s emotional journey, and Manny’s admission of worry for his unborn sibling. With so many unknowns and future changes, it’s impossible not to be in love with this episode.
The Wedding, Part 2 (Season 5, Episode 24)
This was one of the most memorable episodes for Mitchell and Cameron, and fans couldn’t be happier for them. The previous episode was a rollercoaster, and it seemed like everything the couple planned for the wedding wouldn’t happen. Thankfully, things took a turn for the best, and they had the wedding they truly deserved.
Not a dry eye on the screen, and surely not a dry eye in the audience pretty much throughout the whole thing. Mitch and Cam had one of the best relationships on screen. The episode was light-hearted but meaningful at the same time. It was the perfect ending to the fifth season of the show that finally gave the fans a chance to celebrate the marriage that should have happened long ago.
Connection Lost (Season 6, Episode 16)
It is undeniable that Modern Family does a lot of things right, and one of them is storytelling. It takes a lot of talent to develop a narrative, make it funny, pace it correctly, and the show does all of these things wonderfully, with the art down to a tee. And there’s no better proof than the masterpiece that was the sixth episode of season 6.
The entire episode is done through Claire’s perspective while she’s at the airport, waiting for a flight to take her home, and she can’t find Haley. All through FaceTime calls, photo albums, text messages, and web searches, viewers get a compelling, hilarious, well-thought-out storyline, unlike anything that was seen before on TV. It’s certainly an episode that will show why Claire is everyone’s favorite TV mom.