Though the show ended years ago, Friends is still relevant today, even inspiring modern sitcom hits like How I Met Your Father and How I Met Your Mother.
There were many relationships throughout this series, both platonic and romantic. A few are great and others not so much, but some fans think certain ones stand out among the crowd. From iconic romances like Rachel and Ross to the most lovable friendships like Joey and Chandler, there are some of the relationships that Reddit fans feel grabbed the audience the most.
Ross And Rachel
While the Ross and Rachel relationship is the most controversial in the show, it is highly regarded as the most beloved relationship within the series.
Reddit user charlieriver said, "This is the defining relationship of the show." Ross and Rachel have their ups and downs throughout the years, dating a couple of time, having a couple of passionate moments that inevitably leads to the birth of their daughter, and reconciliation by the end. Though not all viewers love the dynamic of these two characters, it is undeniable a huge part of the plot.
Rachel And Phoebe
Not all of the best relationships in the show are romantic. In fact, there are several great friendships that fans loved as they grew and became lifelong commitments.
Phoebe and Rachel are two of the friends that didn't know each other from previous years or childhood. They didn't become acquaintances until the beginning of the series. However, they became quick friends. It was nice for fans to see these two grow to care for each other. Reddit user charlieriver said, "The relationship started from scratch and is an amazing portrayal of two female friends slowly becoming best friends."
Ross And Mona
Though many fans saw Ross ending up with Rachel in the end, he had some great relationships while the two of them were apart. Out of the relationships he was in, many fans liked Mona.
Reddit user _IThinkTherefore_ said, "Mona was probably the best relationship for him. She complimented him very well - embracing all of his nerdy jokes." Mona and Ross were a great pair and got serious pretty quickly. She even accepted the reveal that Rachel was pregnant with Ross's baby, which was shocking to see her be so understanding. However, it was Rachel moving in with Ross that ended things between them.
Rachel And Joey
Though their romantic relationship was brief, fans thought Joey and Rachel were the best ship of season eight. However, their dynamic wasn't just good as a couple.
Many fans didn't think they complimented each other romantically (and the characters seem to agree) but their friendship was unique and wholesome. Reddit user motivation_vacation said, "I didn't like them as a couple, but I loved them as friends." In a show named "Friends," it was refreshing to see that the relationships that bloomed within the group weren't all meant to be, but their friendship was meant to last, nonetheless.
Phoebe And Joey
As far as friends go, Joey and Phoebe had one of the most wholesome and heartwarming friendships throughout the show.
While they consistently flirted with each other throughout the series, many fans never saw them becoming a couple. However, that doesn't stop fans from loving the way they interact with each other. Reddit user u/charlieriver said, "They have the closest male/female friendship, and the chemistry is effortless in the show. The goofiness of the two plays off beautifully together." Out of all the friendships within this series, Joey and Phoebe never hit any major bumps in the road.
Chandler And Kathy
Fans love the Candler and Monica duo, but Chandler also had a couple of interesting relationships before his marriage. One of his most favorable relationships was with Kathy, who was actually dating Joey first.
Reddit user petitfaon said, "They were fabulous together and I was kinda mad at the writers for just shipping her out so quickly. She was the only one Chandler seemed really in love with." It was tough for the audience to see Chandler struggle with being so fond of Joey's girlfriend, but their build-up and relationship, though short-lived, was intriguing when considering how difficult relationships were for Chandler.
Phoebe And David
While Phoebe and Mike are the most underrated couple on Friends, a lot of fans really enjoyed her relationship with David and thought they were a better fit.
One Reddit user shared their opinion of Phoebe's relationship with David, saying, "I genuinely believe that if he didn't go....things would have gone differently." People love Paul Rudd's portrayal of Mike, but many feel his character felt forced and Phoebe had more chemistry with her first serious love interest. If David hadn't gone to Minsk, fans believe he was the one for her.
Joey And Chandler
In a ranked list, Chandler and Joey are the top two friends from the show. There are a lot of wholesome relationships in the show, but the dynamic between these two friends is unmatched.
Though these two have had their fights on and off throughout the years, they never lasted long and the two always recovered fairly quickly. One of the most iconic scenes of their friendship is when Chandler is getting on a plane to his new job in Tulsa and he is seen on the phone comforting someone...who turns out to be Joey and not his wife. Reddit user crankkidd said, "Everyone needs a best friend like this."
Chandler And Monica
Chandler and Monica are one of the favorite romantic relationships in the sitcom and most fans believe Chandler's proposal is one of the most memorable on TV.
From the moment these two became a couple, even before their other friends knew they were in a relationship, it was clear they had real potential and chemistry. Reddit user motivation_vacation said, "what's not to love? My two favorite characters, and they're such a good match." Fans may have never expected them to end up together when the show first began, but once they were together it was clearly an end game.
Rachel And Monica
Rachel and Monica have the longest relationship in the series. They knew each other as children and throughout high school, reconnecting after some time apart in their adulthood.
Not many friendships last into adulthood, but these two quickly reconnect and are often seen reminiscing on old times. These two have many disagreements throughout the series, often leading to heartfelt moments or comical quarrels. One Reddit user said, "They have each other's best interest in mind, but they also know how to pull at each other's strings the most."