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
Ross reveals a fantasy to Rachel involving a certain "Star Wars" character. Monica suffers from insomnia after her breakup with Richard. And Chandler, back together with Janice, wants Joey to bond with her.
Directed by Gail MancusoWritten by Michael Curtis, Greg MalinsGuest stars Elliott Gould, Maggie Wheeler, Christina Pickles
Episode 2
In a race against the clock, a stressed Ross tries to get the gang dressed and ready for a black-tie benefit at the museum while Joey and Chandler clash over personal belongings and personal space.
Directed by Gail MancusoWritten by Ira UngerleiderGuest stars Peter Dennis
Episode 3
Phoebe dates a man who thinks he's stalking her twin sister. Ross and Rachel give Chandler "boyfriend" lessons. Monica decides the best way to get over Richard is to keep herself busy, so she uses her free time to make jam and considers insemination via a sperm bank.
Directed by Kevin S. BrightWritten by Wil CalhounGuest stars David Arquette, Maggie Wheeler, James Michael Tyler
Episode 4
Phoebe poses as Joey's agent and has some success in getting him auditions. Ross panics when he sees his son with a Barbie doll. Chandler is advancing in his relationship with Janice and, realizing that he has a fear of commitment, goes to the girls for advice.
Directed by Steve ZuckermanWritten by Alexa JungeGuest stars Edo Azran, Sierra Dawn Hill, Maggie Wheeler, Jessica Hecht, Jane Sibbett, Jack Allen, James Michael Tyler, Charlie Allen
Episode 5
Phoebe's half-brother visits, but they have trouble bonding. Joey attempts to build an entertainment center. Ross is challenged to name the five celebrities he'd like to sleep with most.
Directed by Steve ZuckermanWritten by Scott Silveri, Shana Goldberg-MeehanGuest stars Isabella Rossellini, Giovanni Ribisi, Cynthia Mann, James Michael Tyler
Episode 6
When Janice asks the gang if any of them have ever slept together, the friends flash back to a time three years before.
Directed by Peter BonerzWritten by Marta Kauffman, David CraneGuest stars John Lehr, Larry Hankin, Marissa Ribisi, Michele Maika, Christy L. Medrano, Maggie Wheeler, James Michael Tyler
Episode 7
Monica buys a new bed from Janice's soon-to-be-ex-husband, "The Mattress King", but the wrong one is delivered. Rachel's attempts to have her father and Ross bond fail, until she stops trying. Joey gets a job teaching a soap opera acting class.
Directed by Gail MancusoWritten by Seth KurlandGuest stars Khalil Kain, Ron Leibman, Mark Cohen, Andre Rosey Brown, Simon Harvey, Shashi Bhatia, Steven Harad, Maggie Wheeler
Episode 8
When Phoebe believes she's killed the ugly naked guy across the street from Rachel and Monica, Joey constructs a long poking device. Joey and Monica catch Janice kissing her ex-husband; Chandler confronts Janice.
Directed by Gail MancusoWritten by Adam ChaseGuest stars Maggie Wheeler, Jack Allen, James Michael Tyler, Charlie Allen
Episode 9
Emotions become the feast of the day when the gang plays a game of touch football on Thanksgiving. Joey and Chandler argue over who gets to date a model while Ross and Monica argue over winning in a case of sibling rivalry.
Directed by Kevin S. BrightWritten by Ira UngerleiderGuest stars Susanna Midnight
Episode 10
Rachel makes a rash decision after Gunther tells her she needs to be retrained. Phoebe tries to help Joey when he gets a job selling Christmas trees. And Ross accidentally breaks a girl's leg and tries to make it up to her.
Directed by Terry HughesWritten by Michael Curtis, Greg MalinsGuest stars Mae Whitman, Shelley Berman, Kyla Pratt, Romy Rosemont, Sandra Gould, James Michael Tyler, Gene Crane
Episode 11
Ross is suspicious about Rachel's possible job offer from a good-looking stranger. And a drunken Chandler fools around with one of Joey's sisters, but he can't remember which one.
Directed by Terry HughesWritten by Alexa JungeGuest stars Mimi Lieber, Shelley Berman, Alex Meneses, Penny Santon, Holly Gagnier, K.J. Steinberg, Lisa Melilli, Steven Eckholdt
Episode 12
Ross becomes increasingly jealous of Rachel's new colleague, Mark, and spies on her. Monica hooks up with a co-worker, who writes her a poem with a hidden meaning. One of Joey's numerous lies on his resume is exposed when he takes part in a Broadway musical.
Directed by Robby BensonWritten by Doty AbramsGuest stars Obba Babatundé, Wendy Schaal, Carlos Gómez, Hillary Matthews, Steven Eckholdt, James Michael Tyler
Episode 13
Monica's willpower is tested when she runs into Richard at the video store. Rachel agrees to read The Shining if Joey reads Little Women. Phoebe's athletic date has a problem with short shorts.
Directed by Robby BensonWritten by Michael BorkowGuest stars Tom Selleck, Markus Flanagan, Gina Hecht, James Michael Tyler, Steven Harad
Episode 14
Phoebe is reunited with her former singing partner who thinks "Smelly Cat" has hit potential; Chandler dates a woman with a prosthetic leg who also has some history with Joey. Meanwhile, Ross goes to a fashion seminar with Rachel, so she won't go with Mark, but falls asleep in the middle of it.
Directed by Robby BensonWritten by Wil CalhounGuest stars Sherilyn Fenn, E. G. Daily, Steven Eckholdt, James Michael Tyler
Episode 15
Wanting more time to focus on her new job, Rachel suggests that she and Ross take a break from their relationship. Ross later seeks solace at a party. Phoebe dates a diplomat who needs an interpreter to communicate with her. Chandler and Joey ponder a ménage a trois with a woman who seems hot for both of them.
Directed by James BurrowsWritten by Michael BorkowGuest stars Angela Featherstone, Jim Pirri, Laura Dean, Maury Ginsberg, Stephen Kearney, Steven Eckholdt, James Michael Tyler
Episode 16
Ross tries to prevent Rachel from learning his disturbing secret. She finds out anyway and they go back to her apartment to have a fight. The other four friends are trapped in Monica's bedroom, forced to listen in.
Directed by James BurrowsWritten by Marta Kauffman, David CraneGuest stars Angela Featherstone, Maury Ginsberg, Cynthia Mann, James Michael Tyler
Episode 17
Ross and Rachel compete to spend time with their other friends. When a lonely Ross is excluded from Rachel's ski trip with her pals, he visits Carol. On the way to the cabin, they run out of gas. Meanwhile, Chandler starts smoking again.
Directed by Sam SimonWritten by Scott Silveri, Shana Goldberg-MeehanGuest stars Jane Sibbett
Episode 18
Monica receives a tip from an admirer worth a small fortune then goes out with the guy. A hypnosis tape intended to assist Chandler to stop smoking has a rather strange side effect. Phoebe is upset when her 18-year-old half-brother, Frank Jr., makes a surprise announcement that he is getting married - to a woman more than twice his age.
Directed by Robby BensonWritten by Seth KurlandGuest stars Jon Favreau, Giovanni Ribisi, Jeff Brooks, Marta Kauffman, Debra Jo Rupp, James Michael Tyler
Episode 19
Rachel goes on her first date after splitting from Ross... and it's with Mark, her former colleague. Joey is cast in a play and develops a crush on his costar. Monica continues to date Pete, even though she is still not attracted to him.
Directed by Terry HughesWritten by Adam ChaseGuest stars Dina Meyer, Jon Favreau, Reg Rogers, Ethel Ayler, Steven Eckholdt, James Michael Tyler
Episode 20
Monica inherits a beautiful dollhouse that is too elaborate to play with, so Phoebe makes her own. Joey thinks he's found his true love, and Rachel's boss dates Chandler, placing her in a dangerous situation.
Directed by Terry HughesWritten by Wil CalhounGuest stars Dina Meyer, Jennifer Milmore, Alison La Placa, Reg Rogers, Laura Dean, James Michael Tyler
Episode 21
Monica considers a dream job as head chef in Pete's new restaurant, but Phoebe fears there is more to the deal. Ross makes a sacrifice to help Rachel, who may have a broken rib. Meanwhile, Joey buys Chandler an unusual pet.
Directed by Michael LembeckWritten by Chris BrownGuest stars Jon Favreau, James Michael Tyler
Episode 22
When Rachel finds out that Ross is bringing a date to the premiere of Joey's big play, she finds one of her own. Ross alone concludes that her date is insane. Poor Phoebe is on hold for days with a company she needs to talk to before her phone warranty expires. Meanwhile, Joey's play gets terrible reviews, but his co-star provides some comfort.
Directed by Peter BonerzWritten by Scott Silveri, Shana Goldberg-MeehanGuest stars Dina Meyer, June Gable, Jennifer Milmore, Jon Favreau, Reg Rogers, Ben Stiller, Laura Cayouette, Jeff Brooks
Episode 23
Afflicted with a mysterious skin condition on his butt that doctors cannot identify the cause of, Ross seeks advice from Phoebe's herbalist. Phoebe finds herself in a dilemma when she cannot choose between two guys. Monica can't decide about Pete when she thinks he is going to propose.
Directed by Shelley JensenWritten by Andrew Reich, Ted CohenGuest stars Kevin McDonald, Robert Gant, Jon Favreau, Matt Battaglia, Richard Gant, Carole Goldman, James Michael Tyler, Douglas Looper
Episode 24
To Monica's horror, Pete wants to be the Ultimate Fighting Champion. Chandler has a problem when his new boss is slaphappy. Phoebe sets Ross up on a date with a woman who used to be bald. The group overhears a scandalous conversation at Central Perk.
Directed by Robby BensonWritten by Pang-Ni Landrum, Mark Kunerth, Shana Goldberg-Meehan, Scott SilveriGuest stars Christine Taylor, James Hong, Jon Favreau, Steve Park, Joe O'Connor, Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Bruce Buffer
Episode 25
Phoebe invites everyone to stay at her massage client's beach house for the weekend. In search of her father, Phoebe meets someone who knows details about her family. Rachel expresses her jealousy of Ross' uninhibited girlfriend and Joey nags the friends into agreeing to play strip poker with unintended results. Chandler wonders why Monica doesn't think he's serious after asking if she would ever date him.
Directed by Pamela FrymanWritten by Pang-Ni Landrum, Mark Kunerth, Adam ChaseGuest stars Christine Taylor, Teri Garr, James Michael Tyler
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
