For over two decades, Family Guy has been delivering some of the most outrageous, laugh-out-loud moments in animated television history. The show, created by Seth MacFarlane, has built a massive fanbase with its signature mix of satire, crude humor, pop culture references, and absurd cutaway gags. Whether it’s Peter’s ridiculous antics, Stewie’s maniacal genius, or Brian’s sarcastic wit, Family Guy has a treasure trove of hilarious episodes. Here’s a look at some of the funniest episodes ever aired.
1. Road to the Multiverse (Season 8, Episode 1)
The “Road to” episodes featuring Brian and Stewie are always a treat, and Road to the Multiverse is one of the best. This episode sees the duo traveling through multiple parallel universes, including a world where everyone has superpowers, a Disney-style animated paradise, and even a society where dogs rule over humans. The sheer creativity and rapid-fire gags make this an unforgettable episode.
2. PTV (Season 4, Episode 14)
One of the most iconic episodes, PTV is a brilliant satire of TV censorship. After the FCC starts censoring Quahog’s television, Peter starts his network, airing uncensored and absurd content. From Stewie and Brian’s “The Foul-Mouthed Mayor” skit to the hilariously over-the-top FCC censorship spree, this episode is peak Family Guy humor.
3. Blue Harvest (Season 6, Episode 1)
A must-watch for Star Wars fans, Blue Harvest is a brilliant parody of A New Hope. The episode follows the Star Wars storyline but injects it with Family Guy’s signature humor, featuring Peter as Han Solo, Chris as Luke Skywalker, and Stewie as Darth Vader. The humor is top-notch, particularly the jokes about Star Wars plot holes and the perfectly timed cutaways.
4. Back to the Pilot (Season 10, Episode 5)
This episode takes a hilarious meta approach when Brian and Stewie travel back in time to the very first episode of Family Guy. Their interactions with the low-quality animation and outdated humor of the early episodes provide a comedic goldmine. Things spiral out of control when Brian attempts to change the future, leading to a dystopian war between Stewies. The self-awareness in this episode makes it one of the most clever in the series.
5. Brian and Stewie (Season 8, Episode 17)
While Family Guy is best known for its wild humor, Brian and Stewie take a more emotional turn—while still being funny. The episode is a bottle episode, meaning it takes place in a single location: a bank vault where Brian and Stewie get locked in. The comedy comes from their bizarre interactions and their increasing desperation, but it also delivers one of the most heartfelt moments in Family Guy history.
6. Da Boom (Season 2, Episode 3)
An early classic, Da Boom is the episode that gave us the legendary Peter vs. Giant Chicken fight. It also features an absurd storyline where a Y2K bug leads to nuclear disaster, turning Quahog into a post-apocalyptic wasteland. From the hilariously inaccurate predictions about the year 2000 to Stewie becoming an octopus mutant, this episode is a chaotic ride that never stops being funny.
7. Stewie Kills Lois / Lois Kills Stewie (Season 6, Episodes 4 & 5)
This two-parter takes the long-running joke of Stewie wanting to kill Lois and turns it into a full-fledged action thriller. The first episode sees Stewie succeeding in his plan, while the second reveals the shocking aftermath. Packed with twists, high-energy action sequences, and dark humor, this two-part story stands out as one of the most ambitious Family Guy plots.
8. To Love and Die in Dixie (Season 3, Episode 12)
This hilarious episode follows the Griffin family as they enter witness protection in the Deep South. Peter’s misadventures with a Southern lifestyle and Stewie’s brief foray into bluegrass music make for some classic moments. However, the real highlight is Chris’s awkward romance with Sam, a tomboy he later realizes is a girl. The humor in this episode is a perfect mix of absurdity and sharp satire.
9. McStroke (Season 6, Episode 8)
In one of Peter’s most ridiculous storylines, he suffers a stroke after eating too many hamburgers and later grows a mustache, which leads him to uncover a fast-food conspiracy. This episode has some of the most bizarre humor in the entire series, from Peter’s post-stroke slurred speech to his over-the-top detective work. The randomness of it all makes for non-stop laughs.
10. I Dream of Jesus (Season 7, Episode 2)
This episode is famous for introducing the infamous “Surfin’ Bird” gag, where Peter becomes obsessed with the song “Surfin’ Bird” by The Trashmen. His relentless singing of “Bird is the Word” drives his family insane, and it’s impossible not to laugh at the sheer absurdity. It’s one of the best examples of how Family Guy can take a simple joke and turn it into comedy gold.
11. Road to Rhode Island (Season 2, Episode 13)
One of the earliest “Road to” episodes, Road to Rhode Island follows Brian and Stewie as they embark on a cross-country adventure. The mismatched duo’s interactions are hilarious, from Stewie’s frustration with Brian’s drinking to their disastrous attempts to make it home. This episode helped solidify Brian and Stewie as one of the greatest comedic duos in animation.
12. Petarded (Season 4, Episode 6)
After winning a game of Trivial Pursuit, Peter becomes convinced that he’s a genius. However, after taking an official IQ test, he learns he is actually mentally challenged. This revelation leads to Peter exploiting his condition in the most ridiculous ways, from using it as an excuse to avoid responsibilities to running wild in Quahog. It’s an episode packed with classic Family Guy humor that pushes boundaries while delivering nonstop laughs.
13. And Then There Were Fewer (Season 9, Episode 1)
This Clue-inspired episode takes a different approach, combining humor with a murder mystery. The Griffins and other Quahog residents are invited to a mansion, where people start getting killed one by one. The mix of suspense, dark humor, and over-the-top character interactions makes it one of the most unique episodes in the series.
14. Three Kings (Season 7, Episode 15)
A hilarious Stephen King parody episode, Three Kings reimagines three of the author’s most famous works—Stand by Me, Misery, and The Shawshank Redemption—with Family Guy characters. Each segment is packed with hilarious moments, from Peter’s ridiculous performance as Andy Dufresne to Brian’s role as a deranged Annie Wilkes. If you’re a fan of both Family Guy and Stephen King, this one is a must-watch.
15. The Griffin Family History (Season 3, Episode 27)
A classic episode that takes us through different historical moments featuring the Griffin family, The Griffin Family History is packed with absurd and exaggerated storytelling. Whether it’s the family as cavemen, pirates, or mobsters, every segment brings a fresh dose of humor.
Conclusion
While Family Guy has produced hundreds of episodes, these stand out as some of the funniest. Whether you enjoy the clever satire, crude humor, or the bizarre cutaways, these episodes showcase Family Guy at its absolute best.
