TV series
I'll be there for you.
Six young people from New York City, on their own and struggling to survive in the real world, find the companionship, comfort and support they get from each other to be the perfect antidote to the pressures of life.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Checked Jul 22, 2026
Friends is available to stream on DirecTV On Demand, HBO (Via Hulu), HBO Max, Max (Via Amazon Prime), 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.
Six young people from New York City, on their own and struggling to survive in the real world, find the companionship, comfort and support they get from each other to be the perfect antidote to the pressures of life.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
Rachel waits patiently at the airport for Ross, returning from China. Meanwhile, after giving Joey and Chandler new haircuts, Phoebe is persuaded to cut Monica's hair. And Joey learns that his tailor is a very naughty man.
Directed by Michael LembeckWritten by Jeff Astrof, Mike SikowitzGuest stars Cosimo Fusco, Lauren Tom, Buck Kartalian
Episode 2
The guys are uncomfortable with the thought of Carol's breast milk while Rachel is upset by Monica's growing friendship with Julie. Meanwhile, Joey competes with a fellow cologne spritzer for the affections of a beautiful colleague.
Directed by Michael LembeckWritten by Adam Chase, Ira UngerleiderGuest stars Emily Procter, Lauren Tom, Joel Beeson, Jessica Hecht, Jane Sibbett, James Michael Tyler, Richard Lyons, Stan Sellers
Episode 3
After Mr. Heckles dies and leaves all his belongings to Monica and Rachel, Chandler discovers eerie similarities between the late eccentric man and his own life. Ross and Phoebe have a dispute over the progression of evolution.
Directed by Kevin S. BrightWritten by Michael Curtis, Greg MalinsGuest stars Larry Hankin, Danny Dayton, Mike Hagerty, Maggie Wheeler
Episode 4
The gang is amazed to learn that Phoebe married a gay Canadian ice dancer to help him get his green card. And Ross seeks relationship advice from Rachel.
Directed by Gail MancusoWritten by Alexa JungeGuest stars Steve Zahn, Lauren Tom, Janice Davies, James Michael Tyler
Episode 5
When a sexy woman calls the wrong number, Chandler seeks to make the most of the situation. Income issues divide the friends; Monica, Ross and Chandler have money, while Phoebe, Rachel and Joey don't.
Directed by Ellen GittelsohnWritten by Chris BrownGuest stars Brittney Powell, Chris Young, James Michael Tyler, Spencer Cherashore
Episode 6
Chandler and Joey lose Ross's son, Ben, while checking out women on a bus. Phoebe loses her Central Perk singing gig to a professional singer. And Ross has an allergic reaction to Monica's kiwi-lime pie.
Directed by Gail MancusoWritten by Betsy BornsGuest stars Lea Thompson, Max Wright, Chrissie Hynde, Catherine Bell, Victor Raider-Wexler, Hugh Dane, Jennifer Sommerfeld, Giovanni Ribisi
Episode 7
A drunken Rachel is persuaded to call Ross and reveal her feelings for him on his answering machine. Now, Ross must make a decision between her and Julie. Meanwhile, Monica finds work as Chandler's personal trainer and Phoebe has a hard time trying to get her boyfriend to have sex with her.
Directed by Peter BonerzWritten by Michael BorkowGuest stars Arye Gross, Barry Diamond, Lauren Tom, James Michael Tyler, Marcus D. Jacques
Episode 8
Ross enlists Joey and Chandler to help with his decision to choose Julie or Rachel by making a list of the pros and cons of each. Big mistake. Meanwhile, Monica gets a job making food with a synthetic chocolate substitute called Mockolate.
Directed by Mary Kay PlaceWritten by Marta Kauffman, David CraneGuest stars Michael McKean, Lauren Tom, James Michael Tyler
Episode 9
It's Christmas time and Monica tries tipping with cookies, rather than cash, with mixed results. Phoebe tries to track down her real father. And Chandler and Joey wait too late to shop for presents.
Directed by Kevin S. BrightWritten by Jeff Astrof, Mike SikowitzGuest stars Audra Lindley, Mike Hagerty, James Michael Tyler
Episode 10
Monica gets back together with Fun Bobby. Joey lands a role of a neurosurgeon on Days of Our Lives. And Rachel, dating a guy named Russ, can't see his uncanny resemblance to Ross.
Directed by Thomas SchlammeWritten by Ira UngerleiderGuest stars Vincent Ventresca, June Gable, Lauren Tom, Scott Stewart
Episode 11
Monica caters the wedding of Ross's ex-wife and her lesbian lover. Phoebe is possessed by the spirit of an 82-year-old massage client who dies in the middle of a session. And Rachel's mom comes to visit and drops a bombshell.
Directed by Thomas SchlammeWritten by Doty AbramsGuest stars Candace Gingrich-Jones, Marlo Thomas, Phil Leeds, Symba, Lea DeLaria, Jessica Hecht, Jane Sibbett
Episode 12
Ross goes to visit Marcel, his monkey, while on a trip to California. Joey gets his first fan letter and ends up dating the woman. Phoebe is asked to sing for the children at the library, but their parents are horrified by her lyrics.
Directed by Michael LembeckWritten by Michael Borkow, Jeff Astrof, Mike SikowitzGuest stars Brooke Shields, Chris Isaak, Steven M. Porter, Dan Castellaneta, Fred Willard, Tahj Mowry, Sean Masterson, D. Elliot Woods
Episode 13
Rachel and Monica compete for the affections of Jean-Claude Van Damme after meeting him on a movie set. Chandler meets a former schoolmate while an excited Joey gets a role as an extra in the movie. Ross and Marcel go on a whirlwind tour of the city.
Directed by Michael LembeckWritten by Michael BorkowGuest stars Steven M. Porter, Julia Roberts, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lisa Roberts Gillan, Seth Isler
Episode 14
After getting his big break, with Days of Our Lives, Joey pays Chandler back. Monica is unemployed and hard up for money. Monica and Rachel's prom video reveals Monica's former girth, Rachel's former nose and the way Ross has always felt about Rachel.
Directed by James BurrowsWritten by Alexa JungeGuest stars Patrick Kerr, Tim Bohn, Michael Bower, Lou Thornton, Elliott Gould, Christina Pickles
Episode 15
Joey buys a big screen TV and two leather recliners with his newfound money. Monica has a catering job for one of her parents' friends and becomes infatuated. Ross and Rachel attempt to have their first real date, but Rachel laughs every time they kiss. When they try again the next evening, they are interrupted when Ross is called into the museum.
Directed by Michael LembeckWritten by Michael Curtis, Greg MalinsGuest stars Tom Selleck
Episode 16
After having a fight with Chandler, Joey decides to move out. Rachel and Phoebe decide to get tattoos. And, on his birthday, Mr. Geller receives the unsettling news that his best friend and his daughter are dating.
Directed by Michael LembeckWritten by Betsy BornsGuest stars Tom Selleck, Warren Berlinger, Audrie Neenan, Josie DiVincenzo, Stephen Samuels, Elliott Gould, Christina Pickles
Episode 17
Phoebe is discovered by a record producer who wants to make "Smelly Cat" a video. Ross's new relationship with Rachel makes Monica feel like she's living with her brother again... and she hates it. And Joey considers moving back in with Chandler, but Chandler has a new roommate.
Directed by Michael LembeckWritten by Adam ChaseGuest stars DeeDee Rescher, Linda Lutz, Adam Goldberg, James Michael Tyler, Barry Heins
Episode 18
Chandler learns more about his new roommate, Eddie. Ross is stressed out to learn that Rachel had 'animal sex' with Paolo. Richard and Monica are uncomfortable to learn what their numbers of ex-lovers are. Joey's remarks to a fan magazine could cause him to lose his job playing Dr Ramoray.
Directed by Michael LembeckWritten by Alexa Junge, Michael BorkowGuest stars Tom Selleck, Roark Critchlow, Mary Gallagher, Vanessa Sandin, Brian Posehn, James E. Reilly, Adam Goldberg, James Michael Tyler
Episode 19
Creeped out by his bizarre new roommate, Chandler demands he move out; Eddie agrees... but won't go. Joey has trouble coming to grips with the death of Dr. Drake Ramoray and is facing some exorbitant bills. And a new book on women's empowerment inspires the ladies to have a "goddess meeting."
Directed by Michael LembeckWritten by Michael Curtis, Greg MalinsGuest stars Jason Graae, June Gable, Adam Goldberg, James Michael Tyler, Tim Hutchinson
Episode 20
Monica's new boyfriend impresses Chandler and Joey. Phoebe's world view is shattered when she finds out what she missed as a child, and Rachel resents the fact that Ross has planned their whole life together.
Directed by Michael LembeckWritten by Adam Chase, Michael Curtis, Greg MalinsGuest stars Tom Selleck, Jessica Hecht, Jane Sibbett
Episode 21
Monica is broke and decides to gamble on the stock market, while Chandler and Ross run into a couple of bullies in Central Park. Rachel and Joey help Phoebe locate her father, but a vicious dog prevents Phoebe from finally meeting him.
Directed by Michael LembeckWritten by Brian Buckner, Sebastian JonesGuest stars Nicky Katt, Peter DeLuise, Laraine Newman, Giovanni Ribisi, James Michael Tyler
Episode 22
Monica decides to hold a surprise birthday for Rachel, but everything goes wrong when Rachel's estranged parents turn up unexpectedly. The party then splits into two factions, but complications inevitably ensue.
Directed by Michael LembeckWritten by Alexa JungeGuest stars Ron Leibman, Marlo Thomas, Nancy Rubin, Lewis Dix Jr., James Michael Tyler
Episode 23
Phoebe's submariner ex-boyfriend visits New York on leave for 2 weeks from the Navy. Unfortunately, Phoebe catches chicken pox at Ben's first birthday party. When Monica realizes that Richard has no real neuroses, she worries that she is too strange for him. Chandler organizes a job as a processor for Joey.
Directed by Michael LembeckWritten by Brown MandellGuest stars Charlie Sheen, Tom Selleck, Mary-Pat Green, Steve Park, Dorien Wilson
Episode 24
Rachel agrees to be maid of honor at her ex-fiancé's wedding; she relives the nightmare of her own failed wedding day. Meanwhile, Chandler becomes enamored with a woman he meets on the Internet, but is surprised when he finally meets her. Monica ponders her future with Richard.
Directed by Michael LembeckWritten by Brown Mandell, Ira UngerleiderGuest stars Jana Marie Hupp, Tom Selleck, Fritzi Burr, Mindy Sterling, Mitchell Whitfield, Jackie Bright, Peter Spears, Maggie Wheeler
Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026
Jennifer AnistonRachel Green
Courteney CoxMonica Geller
Lisa KudrowPhoebe Buffay
Matt LeBlancJoey Tribbiani
Matthew PerryChandler Bing
David SchwimmerRoss Geller
Paul RuddMike Hannigan
Elle MacphersonJanine
NBCUnited States
Warner Bros. TelevisionUnited States
Bright/Kauffman/Crane ProductionsUnited States
