Futurama's Ultimate Episode Collection: Unveiling the Must-See Top 25!

Summary

Futurama has a unique blend of heart, humor, and mind-bending science fiction, showcased in episodes like "Jurassic Bark" and "Godfellas."

Despite not reaching The Simpsons' level of viewership, Futurama has received critical acclaim and has developed a devoted fanbase. The show delves into profound subjects, addressing gender inequality in the episode "Amazon Women in the Mood," while also providing satirical commentary on Hollywood and organized religion in episodes like "That's Lobstertainment!" and "Godfellas."

Futurama boasts numerous exceptional episodes that perfectly showcase its unique combination of emotion, comedy, and mind-bending science fiction. When the immense success of The Simpsons presented Matt Groening with the opportunity to create a new animated series, he decided to venture into completely uncharted territory compared to his renowned family sitcom. Collaborating with David X. Cohen, Groening developed a sci-fi satire centered around a pizza delivery man who inadvertently becomes frozen in cryostasis during the 21st century and awakens in the far-flung 31st century. While Futurama may have struggled to attain the same level of viewership as The Simpsons, it has received similar critical acclaim.

In all its different iterations, Futurama has consistently been regarded as one of the most intelligent animated shows on television. Following its original broadcast on Fox, the series was revived for further seasons by Comedy Central, and even a decade after its Comedy Central run concluded, it experienced a resurrection on Hulu. No matter how many times it faces cancellation, this beloved fan-favorite quintessential gem refuses to fade away. From the poignant sorrow of "Jurassic Bark" to the brilliantly sharp religious satire of "Godfellas," there exists a multitude of timeless Futurama episodes that never lose their allure.

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25 Space Pilot 3000 (Season 1, Episode 1)

The pilot episode of Futurama is widely regarded as one of the greatest episodes ever created. It begins in the year 1999 when Fry, a delivery boy, finds himself accidentally frozen for a millennium after delivering a pizza to a laboratory. Upon awakening in the future, he encounters Leela, Bender, and other beloved characters, and secures a job at Planet Express. This debut episode of Futurama not only introduces and develops the characters and their relationships, but also presents a unique and satirical portrayal of New York City in the 31st century. By successfully blending elements of comedy and science fiction, the pilot establishes Futurama as an exceptional sitcom with a remarkable futuristic setting.

24 Amazon Women In The Mood (Season 3, Episode 1)

When the Planet Express crew encounters the matriarchal society of Amazonia in "Amazon Women in the Mood," Fry, Kif, and Zapp find themselves facing the dreaded sentence of "snu-snu" death. Meanwhile, Leela and Amy revel in the benefits of a men-free world. This hilarious episode of Futurama, "Amazon Women in the Mood," skillfully tackles the weighty subject of gender inequality, all while delivering a healthy dose of crude humor.

23 Where No Fan Has Gone Before (Season 4, Episode 11)

After their visit to the forbidden planet Omega 3 in the episode "Where No Fan Has Gone Before," the Planet Express crew finds themselves court-martialed alongside the original cast of Star Trek. This particular episode of Futurama sheds light on the fact that, in the Futurama universe, Star Trek has been outlawed after it gained the status of a global religion during the 2200s, resulting in the annihilation of its entire fan base during the Star Trek Wars. With an abundance of references and quotes from the iconic TV series, "Where No Fan Has Gone Before" serves as a heartfelt tribute to Star Trek enthusiasts.

22 The Cyber House Rules (Season 3, Episode 9)

21 My Three Suns (Season 1, Episode 7)

: The episode titled "The Cyber House Rules" offers an engaging A-plot and B-plot. In the A-plot, Leela finds herself pursued by a self-centered plastic surgeon from her orphanarium who grants her a second eye. Meanwhile, the B-plot follows Fry and Bender as they take on the responsibility of raising 12 orphans in hopes of making money. Through this episode, the importance of looking beyond physical flaws is conveyed when Leela realizes that her new boyfriend is only interested in her because of her visual transformation. Leela's romantic storylines always bring enjoyment, particularly when they strengthen her confidence like this one does. Additionally, Bender's unexpected role as an adoptive father reveals a tender side of his character that is seldom seen.

In "My Three Suns," Fry unknowingly consumes the leader of an aquatic species while delivering on a planet that resembles the scorching heat of Arrakis. Consequently, he unexpectedly becomes the new emperor of their empire. However, this newfound power quickly goes to his head, leading him to disregard Leela's warnings about the fate of previous rulers who were assassinated. This episode, "My Three Suns," highlights Fry's flaws, while also revealing Leela's genuine concern and care for him.

20 Anthology Of Interest I (Season 2, Episode 16)

Futurama set up its own version of The Simpsons’ “Treehouse of Horror” Halloween episodes with “Anthology of Interest I” (although they only ever did two “Anthology of Interest” installments). “Anthology of Interest I” offers three captivating what-if scenarios involving the characters. Unlike most “Treehouse of Horror” episodes that can be hit-or-miss, “Anthology of Interest I” excels with its three compelling stories: a hilarious spoof of monster movies featuring Bender and Zoidberg, a captivating mystery centered around Leela, and an intriguing alternate history where Fry was never frozen.

19 The Day The Earth Stood Stupid (Season 3, Episode 7)

In "The Day the Earth Stood Stupid," Fry becomes the Earth's last hope as it is invaded by flying brains. These Brainspawn weaken humanity by attacking their intelligence. However, due to Fry's limited intellect, he remains unaffected by their mind control. While many Futurama episodes portray Fry as comically inept, this particular episode showcases his potential for heroism and quick thinking.

18 The Problem With Popplers (Season 2, Episode 18)

17 That's Lobstertainment! (Season 3, Episode 8)

After stumbling upon a cosmic delicacy, the crew of Planet Express catapults Earth into a frenzy with the latest fast-food sensation, as depicted in "The Problem with Popplers." However, their seemingly infallible business endeavor takes a convoluted turn when it is revealed that the popplers are sentient beings – the offspring of the Omicron aliens – and their leader, Lrrr, thirsts for revenge. Delving into deep reflection, "The Problem with Popplers" unexpectedly prompts contemplation on the moral quandaries surrounding the consumption of animal products.

In the Futurama episode "That's Lobstertainment!," Zoidberg aids his fading movie star uncle, Harold Zoid, in launching his comeback film titled The Magnificent Three. This political thriller features Calculon from All My Circuits. The episode masterfully satirizes the unethical practices of the Hollywood film industry and the deceitful nature of the movie business. The conclusion delivers a heartwarming moment when Zoidberg surprises his uncle at the Academy Awards and presents him with an undeserved Oscar to uplift his spirits.

16 A Flight To Remember (Season 1, Episode 10)

A second version of the Titanic embarks on its inaugural journey into the depths of outer space in "A Flight to Remember." Similar to its predecessor, this extravagant space cruiser is destined for destruction. Instead of colliding with an iceberg, it becomes ensnared by the gravitational pull of a formidable black hole. Serving as a comical parody of James Cameron's Titanic, the episode showcases Bender assuming the role of Leonardo DiCaprio's character, while the affluent Countess de la Roca portrays the part originally played by Kate Winslet.

15 Leela's Homeworld (Season 4, Episode 2)

"Leela's Homeworld" offers a heartwarming backstory for Leela, unveiling her true origins. As she investigates her identity, Leela discovers that she is the daughter of a pair of mutants inhabiting an underground community. Her parents made the difficult choice to leave her at the orphanarium, hoping for a better life above ground. Despite never having known them, this episode unveils that Leela's mother and father have always been silently watching over her, offering their support from a distance. Undoubtedly, this installment of Futurama stands as one of the most touching and emotional episodes in its entire run.

14 Parasites Lost (Season 3, Episode 2)

13 The Sting (Season 4, Episode 12)

After indulging in a repugnant egg salad sandwich from a vending machine, situated in the restroom designated for men, at a truck stop, Fry endures the unfortunate consequence of being infested with malevolent parasites in the episode titled "Parasites Lost." Consequently, a wonderfully entertaining spoof of Fantastic Voyage unfolds, as the crew of Planet Express shrink themselves in order to venture within Fry's body and combat the parasites. While this parody undoubtedly elicits numerous laughs, the true brilliance of the episode lies in how it deepens the bond between Fry and Leela.

In "The Sting," the Planet Express crew finds themselves entangled in a fierce confrontation with colossal bees while on a mission to collect space honey. Alongside the amusing visual jokes, such as Leela tearing a tissue in half to dab away a tear from her single eye, this episode also presents several gripping and emotional moments. When Fry appears to meet his demise, the writers skillfully defy the audience's expectations by exploring the possibility that Fry's death might be permanent.

12 A Big Piece Of Garbage (Season 1, Episode 8)

“A Big Piece of Trash” parodies Michael Bay’s Armageddon by featuring a colossal mass of garbage hurtling towards Earth instead of an asteroid. The episode unveils how society tackled its waste issue by launching a spherical landfill into outer space. As the mammoth rubbish sphere begins its trajectory back to Earth, Professor Farnsworth devises a brilliant plan to divert its course by employing an even larger sphere of trash. This episode provides a scathing satire on humanity’s extravagance and the blockbuster directed by Bay.

11 A Pharaoh To Remember (Season 3, Episode 17)

In the episode "A Pharaoh to Remember," Bender becomes anxious about being forgotten after his demise. However, a golden opportunity arises for him to establish a lasting legacy when he stumbles upon a planet in dire need of a new pharaoh. The writers delve into the darkness of the premise as Bender's reign of terror unfolds. Similar to "My Three Suns," this episode showcases a character attaining power and succumbing to its corrupting influence – only this time, with Bender, the power dynamics are even more disturbing.

10 The Why Of Fry (Season 4, Episode 10)

9 Godfellas (Season 3, Episode 20)

- A Jaw-Dropping Revelation: Fry's Journey from 1999 to the 31st Century Was No Accident!

In "Godfellas," Bender unintentionally attains the status of a deity after dozing off in a torpedo tube and finding himself adrift in the vastness of space. Seizing the opportunity presented when a civilization settles on his chest-plate after falling from an asteroid, Bender assumes the role of a heavenly being to pass the time. This storyline serves as a comprehensive satire on organized religion. "Godfellas" effectively showcases the daunting nature of God's responsibilities, surpassing the portrayal in "Bruce Almighty." Bender, as God, discovers the impossibility of pleasing everyone. Despite his immense power and size, his attempts to aid his followers inadvertently lead to them suffering from Biblical plagues. The moment he rescues a child from drowning, others begin praying fervently for their own miracles.

8 The Farnsworth Parabox (Season 4, Episode 15)

7 The Late Philip J. Fry (Season 6, Episode 7)

Before multiversal stories became popular, Futurama delved into a parallel universe in its iconic episode "The Farnsworth Parabox." In this episode, two versions of Professor Farnsworth inadvertently craft a box that contains a parallel universe, establishing a gateway between their respective worlds. Amusing conflicts ensue between the two sets of crews, with each believing the other to be evil. The episode delights in showcasing the contrasting characteristics of the characters with their otherworldly counterparts.

On his way to a crucial dinner with Leela, Fry gets sidetracked when Professor Farnsworth persuades him to try out his time machine in “The Late Philip J. Fry.” This time machine can only travel forward in time, and the professor intends to test it by going just one minute ahead. However, their calculations go awry and they find themselves catapulted centuries into the future, where they must wait for the universe to go through its entire lifecycle once again. This episode stands as a heartwarming milestone in the romantic journey of Fry and Leela, and its time-traveling storyline solidifies its position as one of Futurama's true sci-fi masterpieces.

6 War Is The H-Word (Season 2, Episode 17)

Fry and Bender join the Earth Army to receive a 5% discount on ham-flavored chewing gum. As a result, Earth initiates a conflict with Spheron I, leading Fry and Bender to be transported to engage in intergalactic combat under the leadership of Zapp Brannigan. "War is the H-Word" pays homage to Starship Troopers while also referencing Star Wars and M*A*S*H in a lighthearted manner. Similar to Robert A. Heinlein's iconic science fiction allegory and its film adaptation, the episode delves into satirical criticisms of war, addressing deceptive propaganda and the lack of purpose in warfare.