TV series
A long-running dramedy centering on the Winslow family, a middle-class African American family living in Chicago, and their pesky next-door neighbor, ultra-nerd Steve Urkel. A spin-off of Perfect Strangers.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Checked Sep 1, 2026
Family Matters is available to stream on DirecTV On Demand, Disney+, Hulu, and YouTube TV in United States. You can also rent or buy it from Google Play, Amazon, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
A long-running dramedy centering on the Winslow family, a middle-class African American family living in Chicago, and their pesky next-door neighbor, ultra-nerd Steve Urkel. A spin-off of Perfect Strangers.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
Urkel gets a makeover for Laura's bachelor auction. Meanwhile, Carl's thinking could use a makeover when Harriette's salary spurs his competitive instincts.
Directed by Joel ZwickWritten by David W. DuclonGuest stars Jo Marie Payton, Cherie Johnson, Lizette Carrión, Tammy Townsend, Alli Spotts, Richard Fox, Peter Van Norden, Javier Ronceros
Episode 2
Carl accepts a hunting date with his boss and reneges on a promise to spend time with Urkel.
Guest stars Jo Marie Payton, Cherie Johnson, Dick O'Neill, Michelle Thomas
Episode 3
Nothing will stop Myrtle from attending the Biloxi Debutante Ball--even getting hit by a car trying to save the life of Eddie.
Guest stars Jo Marie Payton, Bill Kirchenbauer, Cherie Johnson, Mindy Hester, Van Stewman Jr., Damon Chandler, Sean Le Sure
Episode 4
Goody-two-shoes Laura has her first beer--and her second and third--at a fraternity party, where she's later rescued by a gallant Urkel. Meanwhile, Carl and Harriette keep their anniversary plans a secret from each other, but not from Eddie, who finds himself in the middle of their fight.
Guest stars Jo Marie Payton, Cherie Johnson, Terrell Ferguson, Corwin Moore
Episode 5
Eddie and Laura's payback games hurt others; Carl's suggestion averts a major gang riot, but credit goes to the commissioner's son.
Guest stars Jo Marie Payton, Joel Higgins, Cherie Johnson, Dick O'Neill, Tammy Townsend, Mari Morrow, Marlon Young, Rugg Williams
Episode 6
Urkel's new Total Recall Machine malfunctions, leaving him with an uncanny ability to read minds; and Carl gets roped into serving as leader of the boys' Junior Woodsmen troop.
Directed by Joel ZwickWritten by Timothy StackGuest stars Jo Marie Payton, Bryton James, Wesley Mann, Orlando Brown, Michelle Thomas, Michael Wesley, Justin Chapman, Tanya Garrett
Episode 7
Stevil, the mischievous ventriloquist dummy, is back to haunt Urkel, but now he's brought along a nightmarish sidekick, Carlsbad. Together Stevil and Carlsbad attempt to take over the souls of Urkel and Carl - wreaking havoc on the whole Winslow household.
Guest stars Jo Marie Payton, Bryton James, Orlando Brown, Rich Correll, Sally Colon-Petree, Josh Ryan Evans, Ed Gale
Episode 8
Stefan, disguised as Urkel, pays Laura a visit to determine if Urkel's the new man in her life. Meanwhile, Eddie accompanies Carl on his beat, equipped with a video camera.
Guest stars Jo Marie Payton, Cherie Johnson, Dick O'Neill, Michelle Thomas, Marlon Young, Luigi Amodeo, Stephen Kearney, Gloria LeRoy
Episode 9
Harriette's new boss blindsides his employees with verbal abuse. Meanwhile, Urkel tries to win a million dollars with a basketball half-court shot in L.A.
Directed by Joel ZwickGuest stars Jo Marie Payton, Ron Fassler, Mark Linn-Baker, Patrick Thomas O'Brien, Suanne Spoke, Charles C. Stevenson Jr., Michael Dyer
Episode 10
Urkel's hip-hop cousin, O.G.D., makes a bad first impression on the Winslows.
Guest stars Jo Marie Payton, Missy Elliott, Cherie Johnson, Orlando Brown, Mongo Brownlee, David Michael
Episode 11
Christmastime finds Richie awaiting a visit from his mom, and Urkel working as a sluggish gift wrapper at the mall.
Guest stars Jo Marie Payton, Rosetta LeNoire, Bryton James, Telma Hopkins, Lindze Letherman, Cherie Johnson, Dee Jay Daniels, Orlando Brown
Episode 12
Urkel apprentices as a teppanyaki chef at a Japanese restaurant and makes his cooking debut in front of Laura. Meanwhile, Carl bird-sits for the commissioner.
Guest stars Cherie Johnson, Dick O'Neill, Pat Morita, Orlando Brown, Michelle Thomas, Cindy Lu, Patricia Place, Neil Ross
Episode 13
Eddie wants to drop out of school to become a cop; and Urkel wants to drop Myra.
Guest stars Jeff Doucette, Cherie Johnson, Michelle Thomas, Michael Caldwell, Johnnie Cochran
Episode 14
Myra spies on Urkel's every move with her elaborate "Stevie-Glasses-cam". She is shocked to learn of his upcoming Saturday night date with Laura. When she tells Stefan about her rival's pending date with "her Stevie," Stefan agrees to help rain on their parade. Meanwhile, Carl tries to control Eddie's trigger-happy finger during police training.
Directed by Rich CorrellGuest stars Ray Laska, Michelle Thomas, Judyann Elder, Ira Heiden
Episode 15
Urkel discovers that Myra has been spying on him, but he thinks she's really snapped her cap when she starts dressing like Laura. Meanwhile, Harriette learns her wedding ring was originally intended for another.
Guest stars Michelle Thomas, Michael Caldwell, Murray Korda, Phynjuar, Judyann Elder
Episode 16
Cousin Myrtle dukes it out in the boxing ring with Greta to win Eddie for her own. Meanwhile, 3J longs to find his birth mother.
Directed by Rich CorrellGuest stars Cherie Johnson, Orlando Brown, Tammy Townsend, John Del Regno, Tanika Ray, Raf Mauro, Judyann Elder
Episode 17
Laura reluctantly accompanies Urkel to a polka bash and actually has fun in his wacky world. Meanwhile, Eddie moves into an apartment and regrets giving Carl a standing invitation.
Guest stars Cherie Johnson, Hana Hatae, Orlando Brown, Tammy Townsend, Cody Dorkin, Heidi Fecht, Mary Pat Gleason, Milton James
Episode 18
Laura gets bad vibes from Maxine's slick new boyfriend; Carl gets into a funk reflecting on a road not taken.
Directed by Joel ZwickGuest stars Kristoff St. John, Cherie Johnson, Martin Grey, Derek McGrath, Marlon Young, Judyann Elder
Episode 19
Myrtle gets a makeover, drops her inhibitions, raises her hemlines and goes after Eddie with a vengeance.
Directed by Joel ZwickGuest stars Cherie Johnson, Tasha Taylor, Judyann Elder
Episode 20
Urkel asks Carl for Laura's hand in marriage, but Stefan has already given Laura a ring.
Directed by Joel ZwickWritten by David W. DuclonGuest stars Marlon Young, Judyann Elder, Annie Gagen, Robert Lewis Stephenson
Episode 21
The first of a two-part series finale sends Urkel into space, which means he'll have to postpone his marriage to Laura.
Directed by Joel ZwickWritten by Timothy StackGuest stars Dick O'Neill, Jim Meskimen, Orlando Brown, Perry Stephens, Holmes Osborne, Michelle Thomas, Judyann Elder, Matt McKenzie
Episode 22
In the conclusion of the series finale, astro-nerd Urkel's life hangs in the balance when he takes a dangerous walk in space to patch the damaged spacecraft.
Directed by Joel ZwickWritten by Timothy StackGuest stars Jim Meskimen, Orlando Brown, Perry Stephens, Michelle Thomas, Judyann Elder, Matt McKenzie, Kevin Richardson, Susan Ilene Johnson
Episode information updated Sep 16, 2026
Reginald VelJohnsonCarl Winslow
Jo Marie PaytonHarriette Winslow
Rosetta LeNoireEstelle Winslow
Darius McCraryEddie Winslow
Kellie Shanygne WilliamsLaura Winslow
Bryton JamesRichie Crawford
Jaleel WhiteSteve Urkel
Jaimee FoxworthJudy Winslow
ABCUnited States
CBSUnited States
Lorimar TelevisionUnited States
Miller/Boyett ProductionsUnited States
Warner Bros. TelevisionUnited States
