25 Best ‘All in the Family’ Episodes Ranked
All in the Family revolutionized television by tackling social issues head-on, using humor to address serious topics like race, gender, politics, and family dynamics. The groundbreaking sitcom, which aired from 1971 to 1979, introduced viewers to the Bunker family—Archie, Edith, Michael, and Gloria—and their interactions with the world around them. The show’s unflinching portrayal of controversial topics, combined with its memorable characters and sharp humor, made it a cultural touchstone.
As we take a look back at All in the Family’s greatest episodes, we’ll rank the 25 that best exemplify the show’s boldness, humor, and social commentary. These episodes represent some of the most iconic moments from the series and continue to hold a special place in TV history.
1. “Sammy’s Visit” (Season 3, Episode 7)
When Sammy Davis Jr. appears at the Bunker household, hilarity ensues. Archie, who is staunchly prejudiced, tries to hide his discomfort while Sammy, a guest of Mike, turns the situation into one of TV’s most memorable moments. The episode not only showcases Sammy’s charm but also underscores the humor in confronting prejudice.
2. “The Draft Dodger” (Season 4, Episode 7)
This episode deals with the Vietnam War and introduces the character of Mike’s friend, who has fled to Canada to avoid the draft. The resulting tension between Mike and Archie, with both characters representing conflicting generational and political views, makes for a classic All in the Family confrontation.
3. “Archie Bunker’s Place” (Season 8, Episode 1)
After the original series ended, Archie Bunker’s Place continued Archie’s journey with a new bar and a new set of challenges. The episode focuses on Archie’s attempt to find peace in his own way while confronting his personal shortcomings and navigating the evolving world.
4. “Edith’s 50th Birthday” (Season 9, Episode 23)
Edith’s 50th birthday celebration serves as the backdrop for one of the most emotional episodes in the show’s history. The heart of the episode lies in the quiet, tender moments between Edith and Archie, showcasing the depth of their relationship despite their comedic bickering.
5. “The Hero” (Season 3, Episode 6)
When a neighbor becomes a local hero for saving a child from a fire, Archie’s inflated ego takes a hit as he realizes that he’s not the hero he thinks he is. The episode offers a blend of humor and self-awareness, highlighting Archie’s need for validation.
6. “Mike’s Graduation” (Season 4, Episode 21)
In this episode, Mike graduates from college, but the moment is overshadowed by the tension between him and Archie. This episode is key in showing the generational divide between the two men, with Archie unable to grasp Mike’s intellectual and political ideologies.
7. “All in the Family” (Season 1, Episode 1)
The pilot episode of All in the Family set the stage for the series, introducing audiences to the Bunker family and their dysfunctional dynamics. Archie’s prejudices, Edith’s sweetness, and Mike’s idealism are all on full display in this pivotal episode.
8. “The Insurance Agent” (Season 4, Episode 15)
In this episode, Archie’s prejudices are challenged by an insurance agent who is a woman and a person of color. The interaction is both humorous and thought-provoking, showcasing how Archie’s biases conflict with his reality.
9. “Archie and the Bowling Team” (Season 2, Episode 17)
When Archie joins a bowling team, his competitive nature and frustrations with his teammates come to the forefront. This episode is an excellent example of how All in the Family could take a seemingly lighthearted setting and inject it with sharp humor and social commentary.
10. “The All in the Family Hour” (Season 7, Episode 10)
In a meta twist, this episode sees the characters of All in the Family stepping into a live broadcast to show their contrasting views on society. It’s a clever commentary on TV’s role in influencing public opinion and showcases the show’s willingness to break the fourth wall.
11. “Gloria’s Pregnancy” (Season 3, Episode 24)
When Gloria announces she’s pregnant, Archie’s reaction is full of typical Bunker bitterness and shock. The episode explores themes of parenthood and generational divides while also showcasing the deep love between Gloria and her parents, despite their differences.
12. “The Funeral” (Season 2, Episode 20)
When a neighbor dies, the Bunkers attend his funeral, leading to a number of awkward moments. The humor in this episode stems from how each family member deals with grief, showcasing the show’s deft ability to handle both humor and sensitive issues.
13. “All in the Family: The Last Supper” (Season 9, Episode 24)
In the series finale, the Bunkers face a major life transition, and the emotional weight of the episode is palpable. The Bunkers’ conflicting personalities and values lead to both heartfelt and humorous moments, making this a fitting conclusion to the series.
14. “The Hero” (Season 5, Episode 6)
In this episode, Archie tries to assert his own heroism, only to be constantly outdone by the heroics of others. The episode highlights the ways in which Archie’s ego and pride create comedic situations and personal frustrations.
15. “Archie and Edith Alone” (Season 6, Episode 7)
In a rare moment of intimacy, Archie and Edith spend a night alone together at home, and the episode explores the quieter, more tender side of their relationship. This episode balances the show’s comedic elements with moments of deep emotional connection.
16. “The Bunkerization of Sandra” (Season 6, Episode 22)
This episode sees Archie attempt to “educate” a liberal-leaning young woman named Sandra, who is horrified by his conservative views. The episode is a hilarious exploration of the generational and ideological conflicts that were central to the show.
17. “Archie’s Civil Rights” (Season 3, Episode 23)
When Archie is forced to confront his views on race, the episode deftly combines humor with an important commentary on civil rights in America. This episode’s exploration of Archie’s flawed but evolving character made it one of the series’ standout moments.
18. “Christmas Day at the Bunkers” (Season 1, Episode 13)
A Christmas episode that sees the Bunkers struggle to celebrate the holiday, this episode is a perfect blend of humor and sentimentality. It’s a reminder that, despite all of Archie’s flaws, he genuinely loves his family.
19. “The Battle of the Sexes” (Season 7, Episode 7)
In this episode, Archie and Edith engage in a battle of wits when their relationship takes a turn for the worse. The episode tackles gender roles and the dynamics between men and women, with plenty of laughs along the way.
20. “The Elevator” (Season 5, Episode 19)
When Archie gets trapped in an elevator with a fellow passenger, the situation becomes a microcosm of his prejudices and frustrations. The episode highlights the limitations of Archie’s worldview, but it does so with the show’s signature humor and wit.
21. “Archie and the Old Folks” (Season 3, Episode 18)
In this episode, Archie faces his own mortality when he is put in charge of a retirement home. The show uses the situation to tackle issues of aging, while also offering plenty of laughs as Archie’s stubbornness causes chaos.
22. “The Baby” (Season 9, Episode 3)
The Bunkers welcome a new family member, and the episode focuses on their different reactions to the changes. It’s a heartwarming look at family dynamics, with a perfect balance of humor and tenderness.
23. “The First Day of School” (Season 4, Episode 2)
When Gloria and Mike return to college, they both struggle with fitting into the academic environment. This episode explores the challenges of higher education and showcases the tension between tradition and progress.
24. “The Family Tree” (Season 5, Episode 4)
Archie’s attempts to trace his family’s history lead to hilarious results, as he uncovers uncomfortable truths about his ancestors. The episode provides insight into Archie’s sense of identity while balancing humor with social commentary.
25. “The Return of the Prodigal” (Season 8, Episode 10)
When Mike returns to the Bunker household after a period of absence, the episode highlights the ever-present tension between him and Archie. Their reconciling moments are poignant, showing how deeply their differences run.
