Family Guy Most Popular Episodes: 10 Fan Favorites Worth Rewatching

ByAnam Ilyas

More than 25 years after Family Guy first introduced viewers to Peter Griffin and the rest of Quahog, certain episodes continue to stand out from the show’s enormous library. The animated comedy has now produced more than 400 episodes, giving longtime viewers plenty of choices when they want to revisit its most recognizable stories. Entertainment Weekly recently revisited 27 standout episodes, while Hulu published its own 15-episode fan-focused selection in July 2026. IMDb’s current episode ratings also provide another useful measure of which installments viewers continue to rate highly. (EW.com)

Because there is no single official definition of “most popular,” the episodes below are selected from the overlap between those editorial lists.

1. “Road to the Multiverse” — Season 8, Episode 1

Few Family Guy episodes better showcase the creative partnership between Brian and Stewie than “Road to the Multiverse.” First aired on September 27, 2009, the story sends the pair through a series of alternate universes, each built around a different version of reality. IMDb currently lists the episode at 9.1/10 from about 5.6K ratings, making it the highest-rated episode on IMDb’s current Family Guy episode search. (IMDb)

Entertainment Weekly also placed the episode among its 27 best installments, highlighting its alternate realities and pop-culture references, while Hulu included it near the top of its 2026 selection. (EW.com)

Brian and Stewie standing together in an alternate universe in Family Guy's “Road to the Multiverse.”
Image: Brian and Stewie explore an alternate reality in the highly rated Family Guy episode “Road to the Multiverse.” (Image Source: IMDb episode media, Road to the Multiverse)

2. “Back to the Pilot” — Season 10, Episode 5

“Back to the Pilot” turns the show’s own history into the premise. Brian and Stewie travel back to the events of the original 1999 pilot, “Death Has a Shadow,” and Brian’s attempt to interfere with the past creates consequences in the present.

The episode aired on November 13, 2011, and currently carries an 8.8/10 IMDb rating from about 3.8K ratings. Hulu ranked it No. 1 in its July 2026 list of funniest Family Guy episodes, while EW also included it among its selections. (IMDb)

3. “And Then There Were Fewer” — Season 9, Episode 1

A murder mystery might sound unusual for Family Guy, but “And Then There Were Fewer” made the format work. The episode brings a large group of Quahog residents together at James Woods’ mansion before a murder turns the gathering into a whodunit.

First broadcast on September 26, 2010, the 49-minute episode currently has an 8.7/10 IMDb rating from about 4.5K ratings. IMDb also notes that it was the first episode of the series produced in high definition and in a 16:9 aspect ratio. Hulu placed it third in its 2026 list. (IMDb)

4. “PTV” — Season 4, Episode 14

“PTV” is one of the clearest examples of the series turning a television-industry subject into its own comic playground. After the FCC begins cracking down on television content, Peter Griffin launches his own uncensored network from home.

The episode aired on November 6, 2005, and holds an 8.5/10 IMDb rating from about 3.5K ratings. Hulu placed it fifth in its 2026 list, while EW also highlighted it as a classic example of the show’s approach to censorship and television satire. (IMDb)

Family Guy characters gathered around a stage during the PTV episode.
Image: “PTV” turns television censorship into one of Family Guy’s most recognizable satire-driven storylines. (image Source: IMDb episode media, PTV)

5. “Meet the Quagmires” — Season 5, Episode 18

Peter’s poor decisions become the engine for “Meet the Quagmires.” After getting the chance to revisit his younger years, Peter changes one decision involving Lois and returns to a very different present.

The episode, which aired May 20, 2007, currently has an 8.4/10 IMDb rating from about 2.9K ratings. Hulu included it in its 2026 selection, describing the alternate-timeline storyline as one of the show’s memorable what-if stories. (IMDb)

6. “Blue Harvest” — Season 6, Episode 1

For viewers who enjoy the show’s pop-culture parodies, “Blue Harvest” remains one of the defining Family Guy episodes. The extended special-length installment reimagines Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope, with Peter as Han Solo, Lois as Princess Leia and Chris as Luke Skywalker.

It premiered on September 23, 2007, and currently has an 8.2/10 IMDb rating from roughly 8.8K ratings. That vote count is notably larger than many of the other highly rated episodes, giving “Blue Harvest” an unusually strong measure of audience engagement on IMDb. (IMDb)

Peter Griffin appearing in Family Guy's Star Wars parody episode Blue Harvest.
Image: Peter Griffin appears in the show’s Star Wars parody “Blue Harvest.” (Image Source: IMDb episode media, Blue Harvest)

7. “Road to Rhode Island” — Season 2, Episode 13

Long before the series became known for countless Brian-and-Stewie adventures, “Road to Rhode Island” established the basic formula. Brian and Stewie have to make their way home, turning a travel story into a character-focused episode.

IMDb currently lists the episode at 8.2/10 from about 3.3K ratings, and both Hulu and EW have singled it out as a standout. EW specifically described it as a trailblazer for the show’s later “Road to…” stories. (IMDb)

8. “Death Is a Bitch” — Season 2, Episode 6

Peter’s attempt to avoid paying a medical bill brings him face-to-face with Death in one of the show’s most enduring recurring-character introductions.

First aired on March 21, 2000, the episode currently holds an 8.2/10 IMDb rating from about 3.5K ratings. Hulu also included it among its 15 funniest episodes in 2026. (IMDb)

9. “Road to the North Pole” — Season 9, Episode 7

Brian and Stewie’s Christmas adventure takes them to the North Pole, where the story becomes another showcase for the duo’s unusual chemistry. The episode stands out partly because it combines holiday comedy with a darker storyline than a typical Christmas special.

IMDb currently lists it at 8.2/10 from around 3K ratings, while EW included it among its 27 notable episodes and Hulu’s list also recognizes it. (IMDb)

10. “Da Boom” — Season 2, Episode 3

“Da Boom” takes Peter’s paranoia about the Y2K bug and turns it into an end-of-the-world adventure. The episode is also significant to the show’s recurring comedy because it introduced the giant chicken rivalry that later became one of Family Guy’s familiar running jokes.

The December 26, 1999 episode currently has an 8.1/10 IMDb rating from about 3.9K ratings, and Hulu placed it on its 2026 list of 15 funniest episodes. (IMDb)

Why These Family Guy Episodes Have Lasted

Looking across the different sources, a pattern emerges. The most frequently celebrated Family Guy characters are often placed in situations that change the show’s normal formula.

Peter drives stories with his impulsive schemes, while Brian and Stewie frequently carry more focused adventures. Episodes such as “Road to Rhode Island,” “Road to the Multiverse” and “Road to the North Pole” build around that duo. Others, including “PTV,” “Blue Harvest” and “And Then There Were Fewer,” stand out because they push the series into parody, genre storytelling or satire. EW’s retrospective similarly emphasizes the show’s ability to move between pop-culture parody, character stories and unusual formats. (EW.com)

The voice cast has remained central to that identity. Hulu currently identifies Seth MacFarlane, Alex Borstein, Seth Green, Mila Kunis and Patrick Warburton among the show’s starring voices, with MacFarlane voicing Peter, Stewie and Brian. (Foxflash)

Current Status of Family Guy

Family Guy is still an active series. FOX’s 2026-27 programming plans hold Season 25 for midseason, rather than scheduling it in the fall lineup. (TVLine)

The franchise is also expanding. In March 2026, Fox ordered a two-season Stewie spinoff, and Variety reported in July that the project had added several cast members. The spinoff is targeting the 2027-28 television season. (Variety Australia)

The Family Guy most popular episodes are not tied to one formula. Some are built around Peter’s chaos, others center on Brian and Stewie, while episodes such as “Blue Harvest” and “PTV” use parody and satire to stretch the show’s format. Current IMDb audience ratings, Hulu’s 2026 fan-focused selection and Entertainment Weekly’s retrospective all point back to many of the same episodes, suggesting that the show’s most durable favorites come from different eras and different styles of storytelling. (IMDb)

Sources:

I’m 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗺 𝗜𝗹𝘆𝗮𝘀, an MPhil graduate in Forensic Science from Government College University, Lahore, with a background in Medical Laboratory Technology. I’ve always been curious about science and enjoy turning complex ideas into simple, engaging, and easy-to-understand content.

At 𝘾𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙗𝙨𝘼𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖, I look forward to bringing that curiosity into my writing by creating well-researched stories that are informative, clear, and enjoyable to read. I believe good writing should not only share information but also make readers want to keep reading and learn something along the way.

Outside of writing, reading is one of my favorite ways to spend my time. I’ve also always enjoyed drawing and sketching, although that hobby has taken a little back seat lately. Hopefully, I’ll pick up my pencils again someday and reconnect with that creative side of me.

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