It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (IASIP) first premiered on FX in 2005, and with its 16th season, it has become the longest-running live-action sitcom ever – and with another two already ordered, it’s unlikely to end anytime soon. It stars Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, Kaitlin Olson, and Danny DeVito as egotistical friends often described as “the worst people in the world” who own the unsuccessful Paddy’s Pub in Philly.
Known as “The Gang,” the group gets up to a lot, from numerous scams to their own musicals. No matter what they’re doing, it’s practically guaranteed to be both ridiculous and hilarious, and some of its most memorable moments have gone on to become commonly used memes. The show has also pushed boundaries with the way it has at times tackled topical issues with its signature dark humor. With over 100 episodes, plenty of which rank on IMDb with a 9 or higher, there’s no shortage of entertaining schemes from the best It’s Always Sunny episodes. As fans enjoy each episode of the most recent Season 17 of Always Sunny, it’s the perfect time to dive back into some favorites from previous years. The highest-rated and best episodes of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia are always an excellent starting point for binge-watching the hilarious sitcom.
30
“The Gang Buys a Boat” (Season 6, Episode 3)
IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 6, Episode 3, “The Gang Buys a Boat” is exactly like the title says. The gang goes ahead and buys a boat, which, as per usual, leads to some ridiculous hijinks as they’re bound to the sea. This is one of those It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia episodes that decides to take a step away from the familiar bar setting and go elsewhere.
What makes matters even funnier is the fact that no one in the gang has any legitimate experience when it comes to matters of a boat or the sea in general. This added a lot to the comedy of this episode, given the fact that it pretty much writes itself, but, in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia fashion, it still manages to surprise the viewer. —Eddie Possehl
29
“Paddy’s Pub: Home of the Original Kitten Mittens” (Season 5, Episode 8)
IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
When a convention makes its way to Philadelphia, the gang comes together to try and do some merchandising for Paddy’s Pub in a way only the gang could possibly come up with. The hilarious cold open of the sitcom’s “Paddy’s Pub: Home of the Original Kitten Mittens” is genuinely one of the best in the entire series.
This is a very imaginative episode, and that leads to a product that had people laughing all over the world. The character dynamics are great as always, but that cold open is what helps this eighth episode of the fifth season stand out among the rest of the Season 5 episodes. —Eddie Possehl
28
“Sweet Dee Has a Heart Attack” (Season 4, Episode 10)
IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has spawned a ton of internet memes and jokes over the show’s lifetime. One of the most popular memes comes from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 4, Episode 10, “Sweet Dee Has a Heart Attack,” when Charlie is obsessing over a board filled with theories and conspiracies as he and Mac try to weasel themselves some health insurance.
On the other hand, by the title’s name, Dee suffers a heart attack, and she brings Dennis in to attempt a healthier lifestyle moving forward. It’s not as easy as one would expect because, of course, the gang finds a way to complicate things. The comedy is clever, sharp, and quick-witted, which makes it not just the birthplace of a meme but an incredibly funny episode. —Eddie Possehl
27
“The Gang Dances Their A**** Off” (Season 3, Episode 15)
IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
When Charlie makes a little mistake of putting Paddy’s Pub up for a local dance competition, Frank attempts to get the gang to get involved and participate. However, in classic fashion, they attempt to cheat the other contestants in a desperate race for first place. However, they end up cheating each other, too.
As the Season 3 finale, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 3, Episode 15, “The Gang Dances Their A**** Off” does everything a finale needs to and emphasizes all of the great things about Season 3, and the show as a whole. It gives a little bit of a shout-out to all of the major characters of the season, which is a great way to wrap things up. —Eddie Possehl
26
“The Gang Gets Held Hostage” (Season 3, Episode 4)
IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
As the conflict between the gang and the McPoyle brothers and sister Margaret continues to develop, the two parties trap the gang at Paddy’s Pub and hold them hostage. This raises things to a whole new level in comparison to how bad things have gotten in the past, and it forces the gang to adapt in a way they haven’t had to in the past.Usually, the gang is the puppet behind the plot of each episode, which is why this one is so special—it takes them out of their typical comfort zone and throws them into something all new. This conflict has grown a lot over the course of the three seasons, and this is such a fun development for the writers to play with.—Eddie Possehl
25
“The Gang Saves the Day” (Season 9, Episode 6)
IMDb Rating: 9.0/10
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The Paddy’s Pub gang is trapped in a convenience store when an armed robber puts the cashier at gunpoint. As everyone hides in the aisles, each of the gang thinks carefully about how they can make a break for it. In reality, none of them are actually devising a concrete escape plan. They mindlessly daydream about how they’d like the situation to play out.
Viewers are treated to what actually goes on in the gang’s subconscious, getting a look into their most superficial desires while their lives are at stake. Mac’s kicking Yakuza butt, Dee is married to Josh Groban, Dennis receives physical rehabilitation from a big-chested blondie, Frank’s eating hotdogs, and Charlie’s married with rat kids in a Ratatouille/Up-like fantasy. — Dyah Ayu Larasati
24
“Reynolds vs Reynolds: The Cereal Defense” (Season 8, Episode 10)
IMDb Rating: 9.0/10
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Order in the court – or at least, the Paddy’s Pub. Dennis and Frank get into an argument when Frank crashes Dennis’ car at the traffic stop, causing the latter to spill his food on the driver’s seat. At first, the gang sides with Dennis due to Frank’s literally blind negligence. But once Dee, Mac, and Charlie learned that Dennis was eating cereal in the car, an act that’s just as blasphemous as it sounds, the gang decides to take it to court – or at least a makeshift one at the pub.
The “court” proceeding is basically the very unserious gang role-playing in very serious positions (Dee as a lawyer, Mac as the judge/bailiff.) Following some audacious claims (calling Frank “donkey-brained”) which are rebutted by legitimate documents (a certificate from a mental institution), the hearing obviously goes sideways. It all culminates into a logic vs. faith-induced rage debate by none other than Mac where he berates Aristoteles, Galileo, and Isaac Newton as logical fallacies. — Dyah Ayu Larasati
23
“The Gang Gets Analyzed” (Season 8, Episode 5)
IMDb Rating: 9.0/10
Nothing makes great entertainment than a dysfunctional group going to therapy. Paddy’s Pub makes its way to the psychologist, and things only get loony as expected. Mac cries over his reverse body dysmorphia, Charlie is surprisingly self-regulated, Frank wails about his dead lover, and Dennis attempts to play therapist on the actual therapist herself. Dee’s also convinced that she’s the first pick for The Notebook (which obviously is one big fat lie.)
Over eight seasons, audiences are already so used to the gang’s antics. It’s always refreshing to see a complete stranger, let alone a certified professional, witness the unhinged antics of the Paddy’s. As the psychologist handles each person one by one, viewers witness the slow descent of her well-being through her eyes as she attempts to unpeel their layers and fails. The best part – the episode ends with a good old-fashioned fistfight. — Dyah Ayu Larasati
22
“Mac & Charlie Die: Part 1” (Season 4, Episode 5)
IMDb Rating: 9.0/10
Mac and Charlie are officially dead – well not really. After failing to frame Mac’s father Luther at a parole hearing, the two attempt to hide their whereabouts by faking their own death. Meanwhile, Dennis and Frank are busy debating about the mechanics of their newfound glory hole in their pub bathroom. There’s also an “orgy” in this episode, which in reality, is just a group of half-naked old people wearing masks and eating questionably unfresh shrimp from the buffet table.
As the show’s de facto dumb and dumber, the not-so-bright Mac thinks that a fake suicide pact would totally steer Luther off their paths. Staging a fake death is a lot harder and more technical though. Soon enough, Mac’s wearing a wedding dress, sniffing poppers, and shooting Dee’s car only to miss its gas tank. Meanwhile, Charlie’s just breaking down at every minor convenience. — Dyah Ayu Larasati
21
“Mac is a Serial Killer” (Season 3, Episode 10)
IMDb Rating: 9.0/10
After an announcement that there is a serial killer on the loose in Philadelphia, the gang suspects Mac could be the killer. When Mac arrives at work, he has scratches on his neck and the gang says he hasn’t been showing up for his shifts. Mac denies the claims, but the gang goes on an episode-long stakeout to uncover the truth.
The truth is, Mac has been seeing Carmen, a trans woman who Mac is embarrassed about, because he’s still in the closet about his own sexuality. This episode also gives more context to Dennis being a psychopath as he tries to get into the mind of the serial killer, but he becomes a little too excited about the thought of killing The Waitress.
