The Office is unquestionably one of the most popular sitcoms of all time, with the show spawning some of the most iconic and beloved TV moments ever. It's full of unique and eccentric characters, bold and unpredictable storylines, and authentically compelling relationships that make all nine seasons entertaining to watch.
Although everybody has a different favorite episode of The Office, Ranker has put together a selective list of fans' favorite episodes throughout the series. The final product might not be quite what you'd expect, with all different types of episodes being represented in the Top 10.
Safety Training
The bizarre relationship between Michael and Dwight is always one of the highlights of the show, and the pair really shine together in this episode. The story follows them as they attempt to illuminate the office's many health and safety dangers, putting their employees in some truly awkward situations as they do so.
This episode also saw the return of Ed Helms' character Andy, who had been absent for half the season after an anger management incident. He's always been one of the most entertaining and exciting characters in the show, and the energy instantly rises again when he returns in this episode.
Halloween
'Halloween' is one of the first holiday specials in The Office, and it remains one of the best to date. Not only does it feature plenty of hilarious costumes from the main characters, but it also has a genuinely engaging story with high stakes as Michael is forced to fire one of his employees.
The episode also features one of the first milestones in Jim and Pam's relationship, as Pam encourages him to apply for a better-paying job away from Scranton. Their romantic tension in the first few seasons really pushes the story forward, and that's definitely clear here.
Goodbye, Toby (Part 1)
The first part of The Office's Season 4 finale features some of the most memorable moments in the entire series: namely, Andy's proposal to Angela and Michael's first interaction with Holly Flax. It blends this exciting character work into a hilarious story centering around Toby's move to Costa Rica.
Season 4 also saw Jim and Pam enter a romantic relationship for the first time, and this season finale strongly teases their upcoming engagement, despite not actually following through with it. It's just an all-around fun episode, with every member of the cast shining in their respective roles.
The Dundies
Michael Scott's 'Dundies' would be mentioned plenty more times throughout the course of the show, but actually getting to watch the ceremony in the first episode of Season 2 was absolutely hilarious and completely unforgettable. It's one of the show's best uses of 'cringe humor', with Michael's disastrous show keeping the audience constantly engaged.
The episode also features plenty of great character development, working on the key relationships between Jim, Pam, Dwight, and Michael throughout this inventive story. It has some of the funniest scenes in the whole of The Office, bolstered by a genuinely compelling storyline and hilarious jokes.
Goodbye, Toby (Part 2)
Although the first part of 'Goodbye, Toby' is still a hilarious episode on its own, it really picks up in its second half once Toby's goodbye celebrations fully get underway. Michael's hatred for Toby is just as present as it's always been, allowing for some genius jokes and hilarious interactions.
The second half of the episode also helps introduce Holly Flax's character a little more, establishing the sweet relationship that she begins to form with Michael. The finale perfectly sets up the main plot points of Season 5, including Jim and Pam's rushed engagement plans.
Stress Relief
The cold opening to 'Stress Relief' is often cited as one of the funniest sequences in the entire show; in order to test the office's fire safety protocol, Dwight sets a fire among the employees and tests their evacuation process. Absolute chaos ensues, with a scene that completely encompasses everything that makes The Office so great.
Outside of that initial sequence, the episode also houses 'The Roast of Michael Scott', an event organized by Michael to help boost morale in the office which inevitably goes sideways and causes even more tension. Michael's response to the roast is always hilarious to watch, with Carell delivering one of his funniest performances to date.
Fun Run (Part 1)
After hitting Meredith with his car in the very first scene of Season 4, Michael organizes a fun run in order to raise money. During the run, the episode explores the new relationships among the employees that have formed since Season 3 - particularly the one between Jim and Pam.
The episode also explores the first milestones in Dwight and Angela's relationship, as they continue their romance in secret. 'Fun Run' might not be as joke-dense as some of the show's more memorable episodes, but it's an underrated entry that does a lot to establish new relationships and develop existing ones.
The Merger
When the Stamford branch of Dunder Mifflin is finally merged with Michael's Scranton branch in 'The Merger', the two groups are forced to work together for the first time. Jim, Karen, and Andy struggle to fit into their new surroundings without disrupting the peace, particularly due to Jim and Karen's new relationship.
Although he was only initially intended to be a guest character, 'The Merger' saw Andy Bernard make his first permanent appearance on the show. From there, he would go on to be one of the show's strongest assets. In this episode, the growing conflict between Andy and Dwight offers plenty of laughs.
Casino Night
The Office's second season finale is widely regarded as one of the show's strongest episodes, particularly because of how quickly and compellingly the show's central narrative develops throughout the episode. Not only is Michael's relationship with Jan tested, but Jim and Pam's takes a shocking turn.
The episode ends with a huge cliffhanger, leaving audiences wondering how Jim and Pam's friendship will ever recover from their kiss in the final scene. Everything is left hanging in the balance, with the show proving that it knows exactly how to pull off an effective cliffhanger.
The Injury
Michael Scott's self-inflicted wound at the hands of a George Foreman grill is undoubtedly one of the funniest and most original ideas that the writers of The Office ever came up with, allowing for one of the funniest episodes of the show. Carell delivers a hilarious performance, playing Michael's self-obsession and jealousy perfectly.
The episode also sees Dwight suffer a head injury after being in a car accident, leaving him concussed and confused. The fact that his injury makes him act so affectionately towards Jim and Pam is a funny concept, but the chemistry between all three actors really brings it to life.