The Simpsons is arguably Matt Groening's most celebrated piece of work, and there have been some great episodes of that show. However, there's a large selection of people who believe that Futurama is truly the writer's greatest creation.
The series' perfect blend of unique sci-fi plotlines and outrageous humor has won it plenty of supporters. Plus, unlike many long-running animated sitcoms, it manages to stay somewhat consistent throughout all of its ten seasons. Yet, not all of the episodes are created equal. There are several standouts that epitomize everything the show does well. And this is how IMDB rates them.
10 The Farnsworth Parabox (Season 5, Episode 10) - 8.9
Many of the Planet Express crew's most exciting adventures start with one of the Professor's inventions. In this one, it's a simple box that houses an entire parallel universe.
Along with the new universe comes a group of doppelganger versions of the main characters. Initially, the two parallel crews don't get along, yet they have to work together to stop themselves from being destroyed. It's the sort of strange sci-fi plot that few can pull off as well as Futurama.
9 Godfellas (Season 4, Episode 8) - 8.9
Video games like God of War and Hades include several gods, but few of them resemble Bender. Although, in "Godfellas," the drunk robot becomes the deity for a small civilization living on his body. The unique premise leads to plenty of funny moments where Bender struggles with his large responsibility.
There's a lot of heart to go with the humor too. Fry, for instance, desperately tries to find his metallic friend, who's doing his godly duties while floating through space. It all makes for a memorable episode, and the classic line "you were doing well until everyone died" has since become a popular meme.
8 Parasites Lost (Season 3, Episode 4) - 9
Besides the rare rom-com where the leads don't get together, love stories in movies and television usually follow a specific pattern. However, parasitic worms are not usually involved. This is another example of the originality of Futurama, as "Parasites Lost" is an important chapter in Fry and Leela's love story. And it's all because the former gets infested by the previously mentioned creatures.
He acquires them after eating an old egg salad sandwich from a restroom vending machine. They then start to improve the man by making him more intelligent. Leela, in turn, becomes attracted to the new Fry. Despite the ridiculous premise, the episode is actually quite deep, which is a credit to the writers.
7 Roswell That Ends Well (Season 4, Episode 1) - 9.1
This episode sees the Planet Express Crew accidentally get sent back to 1947. Their landing zone? Roswell, New Mexico. Yes, the episode uses the real-life conspiracy theory about the UFO crashing in Roswell. Aliens aren't what the episode is about, though. Instead, it revolves around the crew desperately trying to get back to their millennium.
Their struggles are complemented by a litany of hilarious jokes and smart references. Plus, the storytelling is strong, with the plot surrounding Fry and his grandparents being the highlight.
6 The Sting (Season 5, Episode 9) - 9.2
While Futurama originally caught attention due to its humor and unique premise, the show's well-written dramatic moments are what took the series to the next level. In fact, if they occurred more regularly, the show would rival some of the best dramas of the 21st century.
In this one, Fry is pierced by the stinger of a space bee and dies. Leela then has constant dreams as she tries to get over the loss. The multiple twists and turns in this episode make it a compelling and sometimes heartbreaking watch for first-time viewers.
5 The Devil's Hands Are Idle Playthings (Season 5, Episode 16) - 9.2
To finally win Leela's heart, Fry tries to learn to play the holophoner (a musical instrument that also projects images). The hopeless romantic struggles, so he makes a deal with the Robot Devil to swap hands. With his new robotic paws, Fry becomes proficient in the instrument. He even sets up an opera to showcase his talents. Although, the Devel isn't too happy with the deal.
The episode has enough humor to prove why many regarded the show as one of the funniest comedies in recent memory. But it's still best remembered for its beautiful ending, where Fry tries his hardest to play the holophoner for Leela.
4 Meanwhile (Season 10, Episode 13) - 9.4
After ten seasons, Futurama finally bows out with this entertaining episode. In it, the Professor creates a device that can send the whole universe back ten seconds. Naturally, things start going wrong, and everyone but Fry and Leela ends up frozen in time. The two then get to live out the rest of their lives together.
Many of the show's most popular episodes revolve around Fry and Leela's romance, so a series finale about the two is fitting. Plus, the whole storyline is very well-written, making it one of the few sitcom endings to deliver.
3 The Late Philip J. Fry (Season 7, Episode 7) - 9.4
There are plenty of time travel adventures in games, movies, and television. And in many of them, the lead characters mess up by inadvertently altering the future in a significant way. In this Futurama episode, however, the Professor attempts to avoid that pitfall by creating a time machine that only travels forward.
It's a genius plan that inevitably goes awry when the Professor, Fry, and Bender accidentally go too far into the future with no way of getting back. As they try to fix their mistake, they travel through time and see how things change over the years. These scenes show the incredible creativity of the series' writers and artists as each period in time looks unique. Meanwhile, the sub-plot of Leela running Planet Express until her old age is intriguing as well.
2 The Luck of the Fryrish (Season 3, Episode 10) - 9.5
In "The Luck of the Fryish," viewers get to learn about the antagonistic relationship Fry shared with his older brother. Meanwhile, Fry, Bender, and Leela hunt down the seven-leaf clover the delivery driver had in his youth.
The fascinating insight into Fry's former life and a flurry of hilarious jokes make this a good episode. Yet, what really enhances it, is the late twist that completely changes Fry's opinion on his brother. It's so well-executed that no Futurama fan will ever forget it.
1 Jurrasic Bark (Season 5, Episode 2) - 9.6
"Jurrasic Bark" is another episode that shows Fry's life before he was frozen. This time it focuses on his relationship with a dog named Seymour. The two of them share a strong bond and spend every day together. In the 3000s, Fry discovers a way to bring the dog back into his life using the Professor's cloning machine.
The episode concludes with one of the saddest moments an animated show has ever produced. It depicts poor Seymour hopefully waiting for his old friend to return after being frozen. The scene is absolutely incredible as most viewers can't get through it without at least welling up. And it's the main reason why this episode is held in such high regard.