The Ultimate Ranking of the Top 25 Unforgettable Episodes from Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Summary

"Brooklyn Nine-Nine" consistently provided uproarious and captivating episodes throughout its entirety, earning acclaim for its exceptional seasons. The series excelled at seamlessly fusing humor with thought-provoking themes, resulting in an unparalleled and astute comedic journey.

Notable moments in Brooklyn Nine-Nine include the pilot episode, which established the show's humor, the annual "Halloween Heist" tradition, and emotionally impactful episodes such as "Show Me Going." Throughout its run, Brooklyn Nine-Nine remained consistently excellent, with its finest episodes rivaling those of any other comedy on television. Initially premiering on Fox in 2013, the show garnered a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim for its unique brand of humor. However, after five seasons, Fox decided to cancel it. Fortunately, NBC stepped in and saved the series, allowing it to continue for three more seasons without losing any of its charm. Ultimately, Brooklyn Nine-Nine concluded its run with eight seasons and 153 episodes, and even earned a Golden Globe award along the way.

20 Season 1, Episode 1: "Pilot"

The remarkable actors who brought to life the police officers of the fictional 99th Precinct in Brooklyn were the shining stars of the best Brooklyn 99 episodes. Regardless of the pairing of this immensely talented cast in each episode, the result was consistently side-splitting and captivating television. Each season of the series received critical acclaim, with four seasons achieving a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Finding the top Brooklyn 99 episodes becomes a daunting task because the show excelled at blending comedy with serious subjects in a way that few other shows could replicate.

The initial installment of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, known as "Pilot," laid the foundation for the acclaimed series and is essential to understanding its evolution. Although it took some time to find its stride, the pilot episode showcased the humorous essence that would come to define the show. This premiere introduced the core characters, with Jake and Amy taking the lead. However, it diverged slightly by placing the theme music towards the end. While "Pilot" may have been surpassed numerous times, its significance cannot be undermined in the overall trajectory of the series.

19 Season 5, Episode 9: "99"

In season 5, the episode titled "99" of Brooklyn Nine-Nine was a standout. It cleverly maintained the show's trademark irony by coinciding with its 99th episode. Surprisingly, this episode had the vibe of a series finale, even though there were still three more seasons ahead. What made it especially amusing was that the main characters remained together throughout the entire episode, deviating from the usual format of splitting up to handle various cases. Additionally, the episode took a refreshing detour from the police department, showcasing the characters in a more natural setting. It was in these unconventional situations that the true comedic brilliance of the show shone, such as their absurd attempts at sleeping amidst a "cow orgy."

18 Season 5, Episode 17: "DFW"

"DFW" was the fifth episode of season 5 and remains one of the standout episodes of Brooklyn 99 throughout its run. The episode kicked off with an unforgettable and hilarious moment as Jake helped a woman identify her brother's killer in a lineup. The only clue she had was that the murderer had sung a Backstreet Boys song at a bar earlier that day. So, Jake, being the goofball he is, starts belting out "I Want It That Way," and to everyone's surprise, the entire lineup joins in. This became one of Brooklyn Nine-Nine's most iconic cold opens, setting the stage for what was to come next - the introduction of Jake's enigmatic sister Kate, portrayed brilliantly by Nasim Pedrad.

17 Season 1, Episode 15: "Operation: Broken Feather"

16 Season 1, Episode 6: Halloween

The episode "Operation: Broken Feather" from season 1 of the show featured one of its largest and most notable guest star appearances. It aired after the Super Bowl in 2014, attracting a significant number of new fans to Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The inclusion of Adam Sandler in the guest cast added to the intrigue, and the talented writers delivered one of the finest episodes of the series. This exceptional episode showcased the show's witty humor, well-developed characters, and solidified its position as the most intelligent comedy on television.

The inaugural Halloween episode in the history of Brooklyn Nine-Nine paved the way for one of the treasured customs on the show. Regarded as one of the finest installments in the Brooklyn 99 series, it introduced the highly anticipated yearly "Halloween Heist." While subsequent seasons presented even more impressive heists, this particular episode stood out for its remarkable ingenuity when it first aired. Over time, the heists continued to evolve into truly inventive experiences, but witnessing the initial season's heists remained a source of amusement and ingenuity. Moreover, this episode marked the debut of the iconic "title of your sex tape" joke.

15 Season 2, Episode 3: “The Jimmy Jab Games”

14 Season 7, Episode 3: “Pimemento”

In the early part of season 2, the Nine-Nine engaged in the "Jimmy Jab Games" as a means of fostering team unity. These games, a mix of competition and comedy, tested the skills of each squad member. The episode provided plenty of hilariously disastrous moments, and it was during this time that Jake acknowledged his lingering affection for Amy to Rosa. Additionally, this episode showcased Madeline Wuntch's prowess as a formidable cast member, as her brutal and funny insults foreshadowed her future antagonistic role.

Adrian Pimento, the comedic gem of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, takes center stage in this episode. Approaching Jake and Charles in a state of panic, he believes that his life is in danger. The catch? He is plagued by a frustrating case of short-term memory loss, reminiscent of Leonard from the iconic film Memento. Jake valiantly attempts to draw connections to the movie, only to discover that neither Adrian nor Charles have seen it. Instead, they compare the situation to the heartwarming tale of Finding Dory. The inclusion of these movie references, combined with the remarkable chemistry between the cast, elevates this episode to a truly memorable experience.

13 Season 5, Episode 4: “HalloVeen”

The Halloween Heist episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine are perennial favorites among fans, and part of their appeal lies in continuously raising the stakes each year. Viewers are constantly on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the unveiling of the "Ultimate Detective/Genius." However, this particular heist episode took a different turn. While no one emerged as the winner by technicality, Jake seized the opportunity to propose to Amy in a manner that epitomized their unique and heartfelt dynamic. Beyond the touching proposal, the events leading up to it during the heist were truly captivating.

12 Season 4, Episode 18: “Cop-Con”

In this episode of season 4, the squad travels to Rochester for Cop-Con, but instead of focusing on the event, the Nine-Nine decides to throw their own party. Despite encountering obstacles with their original plans, they proceed to celebrate in their respective rooms while trying to avoid Holt's disapproval and reprimand. Eventually, they become so intoxicated that they cannot recall the events of the previous night and must solve the mystery before Holt's important presentation is jeopardized. This episode showcased the incredible chemistry and camaraderie among the characters, making it one of the standout episodes of Brooklyn 99.

11 Season 4, Episode 16: “Moo Moo”

Brooklyn Nine-Nine exhibits a remarkable ability to address significant concerns in a sensitive manner, without causing controversy or belittlement. An exemplary manifestation of this is showcased in the episode "Moo Moo," where Terry, a black man, is stopped by another police officer in his own neighborhood. It was only when the officer realized Terry's profession as a fellow cop that the issue was resolved. Nonetheless, Terry found it imperative to report the incident as it remained a significant problem for him. The writers' approach to this pervasive real-life issue was both respectful and deeply moving.

10 Season 2, Episode 23: "Johnny And Dora"

After experiencing various obstacles, including a covert operation and ill-timed romantic entanglements, Jake Peralta and Amy Santiago found themselves single at last. However, just as Jake was ready to make a move, Santiago made it clear that she was done dating fellow police officers. In order to maintain their cover, the pair awkwardly posed as an engaged couple named "Johnny and Dora," engaging in a few staged make-out sessions. Eventually, their true feelings emerged, culminating in their first official kiss. This particular episode also featured a poignant moment involving Detective Raymond Holt, who was compelled to leave the Nine-Nine due to his ongoing rivalry with Madeline Wuntch, in an effort to protect his squad from being disbanded.

9 Season 3, Episode 10: "Yippie Kayak"

One of Peralta's most endearing qualities is his absolute obsession with Die Hard which has greatly influenced both his personal and professional life. This devotion has led to numerous uproarious moments and even a surprise appearance by Reginald VelJohnson. In Season 3, Peralta, along with Charles Boyle and Gina Linetti, found themselves caught up in a hostage situation at a department store during Christmas, seemingly about to recreate scenes from Jake's beloved movie. Unfortunately, things didn't quite unfold as Jake had imagined. The supposed German terrorists turned out to be French Canadian robbers, leaving Peralta to watch from the sidelines while Boyle hilariously mangled John McClane's iconic line. Eventually, it was Boyle who swooped in for a dramatic rescue, just like in the movie, saving the day by emerging from the air vents.

8 Season 1, Episode 12: "The Pontiac Bandit"

Selecting the pinnacle moments from guest star Craig Robinson's annual Doug Judy appearances is no easy feat. Witnessing the evolution of his friendship with Jake Peralta has been just as gratifying as Amy and Jake's relationship. Robinson first graced our screens as the notorious Pontiac Bandit, a car thief who Peralta had tirelessly pursued for years. However, their initial encounter was shrouded in deception, as Judy portrayed himself as a victim of identity theft, diverting attention to Peralta's arch-enemy, the Pontiac Bandit. Thus, a series of cleverly played bait-and-switch games ensued with each subsequent season, drawing the two characters closer and nudging Judy towards the path of righteousness.

7 Season 5, Episode 22: "Jake And Amy"

6 Season 5, Episode 10: "Game Night"

Season 5 of Brooklyn built up to two monumental events for the Nine-Nine - Jake and Amy's wedding and Holt's pursuit of his lifelong dream to become the Commissioner of the NYPD. In the episode titled "Jake and Amy," Holt anxiously awaits the election results while the wedding suffers a setback when a criminal with a grudge against Amy sets off a bomb. Despite the unfortunate disruption to their meticulously planned wedding, Boyle ingeniously arranges a substitute ceremony at the precinct, with Holt serving as the officiator. The episode concludes with a gripping cliffhanger, as Holt's commissioner announcement is unexpectedly postponed due to the show's untimely cancellation by Fox soon after.

Stephanie Beatriz's public revelation of her bisexuality left an impact on the show "Game Night" where her character Rosa Diaz follows suit and shares her truth during a morning briefing with the squad. Filled with determination but apprehension about her parents' reaction, Diaz seeks support from Peralta throughout an uncomfortable dinner and an even more disastrous family game night, which ultimately causes a rift within the Diaz family. The episode features a heartfelt moment between Beatriz and Trejo as her father embraces his daughter's identity. Additionally, it highlights the strong bond between Jake and Diaz, showcasing Peralta's growth into a more responsible and mature individual. As recognition of its exceptional portrayal of LGBTQ+ content, Brooklyn Nine-Nine was awarded the 2018 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comedy Series.

5 Season 1, Episode 13: "The Bet"

One exemplary episode of Brooklyn 99 showcases the climax of an ongoing season-long bet between two detectives, Peralta and Santiago, to determine the superior investigator. The stakes? Jake's treasured 1965 Ford Mustang versus Amy enduring the most dreadful date imaginable inside that very Mustang. Just when Santiago seems destined to lose, she finds herself reluctantly embarking on the meticulously orchestrated "worst date," which unexpectedly evolves into a thrilling stakeout on a rooftop. Surprisingly, the two not only enjoy their time together but also find a hint of the budding romance between Jake and Amy. However, it would take several more seasons before these feelings truly materialize.

4 Season 4, Episode 15: "The Last Ride"

In the face of an impending shutdown of the Nine-Nine precinct, Peralta and Boyle opt for a thrilling showdown with menacing drug dealers, while Santiago and Holt condense a planned nine-year mentorship into a mere ten hours. Meanwhile, Jeffords and Diaz engage in a fierce competition with Hitchcock and Scully to see who can achieve the highest number of arrests. In a classic Nine-Nine fashion, the precinct is ultimately saved by Gina's entertaining live streams, which showcase hilarious pranks involving cement consumption, as well as an impassioned speech by Holt when Peralta and Boyle decide to pursue a bigger and riskier operation. This episode showcases memorable moments from the entire squad and showcases the true depth of the show's comedic brilliance.

3 Season 5, Episode 20: "Show Me Going"

2 Season 2, Episode 4: "Halloween II"

: A poignant reminder that the show extends beyond its comedic side, the fifth season's episode "Show Me Going" showcases the squad grappling with the shocking news that Diaz is caught up in an active shooter situation, resulting in casualties among the police force. As tension mounts within the precinct, Holt faces the challenge of comforting his team, turning to Peralta for support in their darkest hour. Going against his own instincts, Jake defies orders to stand by Diaz's side and steadfastly remains with the Nine-Nine, demonstrating unwavering loyalty. This emotionally charged episode exemplifies the profound bonds forged within the team, even with one of its seemingly less expressive members.

One of the things that sets Brooklyn Nine-Nine apart are its recurring themed episodes, like the annual Halloween heist episodes. While it's difficult to decide on the best Halloween episode, "Halloween II" stands out because of the ongoing challenge between the detectives and their captain. Although Peralta kickstarted the first and second Halloween heists, the episode reveals that Holt had meticulously planned and manipulated the events of the second heist a year in advance. Holt's flawless execution of his plans, similar to a classic Bond villain, solidifies this Halloween episode as the top choice.

1 Season 5, Episode 14: "The Box"

In "The Box," Holt and Peralta find themselves in a gripping interrogation with renowned guest star Sterling K. Brown, who delivers a standout performance. This episode takes police interrogations to another level with its mind games and psychological warfare. Dr. Philip Davidson, played by the cool and collected Brown, effortlessly outsmarts Holt and Peralta, leading Holt to question Peralta's competence. However, Peralta manages to strike a blow to Davidson's ego and ultimately extract a tension-filled confession. This standout episode of Brooklyn 99 underscores Peralta's exceptional skills and why he is the shining star of the squad.