Highlights

• The Community movie is in development and will feature most of the show's main cast returning, fulfilling fans' long-awaited hopes.
• The show contains some underrated episodes, such as "Advanced Safety Features" from the sixth season, which includes the return of Rick (Subway) and an iconic scene with Frankie Dart.
• Not all episodes are available on streaming services anymore, like "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons," but there are still plenty of iconic moments to seek out, such as Annie's role-playing and Britta's interactions with a gnome.

Community premiered on NBC in 2009, featuring a cast of future comedy all-stars as a group of misfits in a community college study group. Despite low ratings, the show became a cult classic while on the air and has kept up a dedicated fanbase since it ended in 2015. Since it ended, fans have clamored for the show to fulfill its promise of a Community movie.

Thankfully, the Community movie is not far away. Peacock recently announced that the movie is in development, featuring most of the show's main cast returning. Before it finally premieres in 2023, many fans may be eager to check out some of the best Community episodes, including these fan favorites that many fans still quote to this day.

Updated October 8, 2023 by Blaise Santi: To the detriment of Community fans, the long-awaited movie won't be coming as soon as fans were initially hoping. Due to the Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild strikes that shut down the entertainment industry over the summer, Community creator Dan Harmon recently stated that there's still work to be done on the film's script before the cast reconvenes whenever is convenient for their schedules. In anticipation of the film finally reaching its audience on Peacock, these are five more of the best episodes in Community's history.

20 Advanced Safety Features

Many Community fans see the sixth season as one of the most underrated, considering how much the show had changed by then. However, the season does contain some great episodes, such as "Advanced Safety Features," which includes the return of Rick, a.k.a. Subway, the corpo-humanoid whom Britta falls in love with during the third season.

In "Advanced Safety Features," Rick has returned to Greendale to peddle Honda vehicles, unintentionally manipulating Dean Pelton into buying a whole armada of Honda products. This also results in a now-iconic scene where Frankie Dart, the freshest member of the cast, lashes out at the Dean for being stupid, resulting in Dean Pelton bursting into tears.

19 The Politics Of Human Sexuality

The relationships and dynamics of characters at Greendale were still fresh by the time "The Politics of Human Sexuality" aired in the first season. The episode centers around a school-wide STD fair, in which the sexually inexperienced Annie has volunteered. Upon learning of Annie's immaturity, Britta and Shirley help her prepare for a condom demonstration.

Meanwhile, Jeff and Pierce get caught up in a competitive date night, in which Jeff's dim-witted date pales in comparison to Pierce's intellectual escort, Doreen. It's an episode in which the study group members are still slowly getting to know each other, learning to grow together, even if that means breaking into the Dean's office to pull a "reverse Porky's."

18 Advanced Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons is quite synonymous with creator Dan Harmon's brand, though prior to his web series Harmonquest, the role-playing game made a significant appearance in the second season of Community. In an attempt to cheer up a suicidal classmate, the study group participates in a game of Dungeons & Dragons that gets out of hand thanks to Pierce.

Notably, the episode is not available to watch on streaming services anymore due to a scene where Senor Chang wears makeup resembling blackface. However, there are plenty of iconic moments that fans should seek out from the series, such as Annie's role-playing as Hector the Well-Endowed, as well as Britta's interactions with a gnome.

17 Basic Lupine Urology

Out of all the pop culture takedowns Community wove into their episodes, none were more immersive than their season three Law & Order-inspired episode. After the study group's biology project is destroyed, they turn Greendale into a school-wide crime show, with Abed and Troy playing overdramatic detectives, while Jeff and Annie are feuding legal partners.

The episode culminates in a "courtroom" sequence set in the biology lab, where Annie gives a cross-examination and successfully coaxes a confession out of season three recurring character Todd. Plus, the episode features a stellar performance from Michael K. Williams as Professor Kane, who in this episode fulfills the role of a no-nonsense judge.

16 Intermediate Documentary Filmmaking

Some of the best episodes of Community are directed in the style of a documentary, such as season two's "Intermediate Documentary Filmmaking." After Pierce is hospitalized, he convinces Abed to document him pretending he's on his deathbed and bestowing his last wishes onto the study group, which is in actuality an attempt to emotionally manipulate them.

These last wishes end up being some of the show's highlights, including Jeff's fear of reuniting with his father, as well as Troy being starstruck when Pierce calls LeVar Burton to meet him. Of course, the heart of the episode remains focused on Pierce's feeling of being left out from the rest of the group, making it an emotional journey for everyone involved.

15 Emotional Consequences Of Broadcast Television

To fulfill the promise of #sixseasonsandamovie, Community would have to unfortunately come to a close first. The season six finale of the show, also the series finale, was quite the meta affair as the show's cast looked at ideas for what the non-existent future of the show could be. All the while, Jeff begins to accept the reality of everybody leaving him.

Predictably, "Emotional Consequences of Broadcast Television" is an emotional high for the series. Jeff not only confesses his love to Annie, but he also lets her move on to greater things. The biggest tear-jerker, however, comes when he bids Abed and Annie goodbye, and pulls Abed in for a second, longer hug as he lets go of his first friend from Greendale.

14 Basic Intergluteal Numismatics

There are many enjoyable episodes in season five of Community, which often break from traditional sitcom affair for explorations of genre as the show is accustomed to. One of those is the David Fincher-esque "Basic Intergluteal Numismatics," which finds Jeff and Annie teaming up to investigate the mystery of Greendale's nefarious Ass-Crack Bandit.

The episode serves as a prelude to "Cooperative Polygraphy," where the study group reels from the impact of Pierce's death. Here, it's a bit more of a fun affair, including Donald Glover as a traumatized victim of the Ass-Crack Bandit's crimes. Though the mystery of the Ass-Crack Bandit is never uncovered, it's nevertheless a fun romp for our favorite characters.

13 Geography Of Global Conflict

It can be easy for Community fans to land in the pitfalls of actually believing Britta to be "the worst." However, real fans of the show know she's the best, as proven by "Geography of Global Conflict." While most of the episodes revolve around Annie organizing a Model U.N. to beat her rival, Britta becomes at odds with Greendale's new security guard, Chang.

In one of the series' best recurring jokes, Britta's over-dramatic protesting against Chang is set to the needle drop of Lionel Ritchie's "Hello." This all comes to a climax in the middle of Annie's Model U.N. competition, which also features some significant development for her and Jeff's tense relationship. Glover also shines as the representative from Georgia.

12 Debate 109

When it comes to episodes centered on Jeff and Annie, most Community fans tend to believe they're among the best. That's definitely true of "Debate 109," which was one of the first episodes to explore their dynamic. Jeff is recruited by Annie and the Dean to join Greendale's debate team, a clever use of his legal skills that rightfully challenges the ex-lawyer.

However, winning in debate doesn't come as easily to Jeff and Annie as one would hope. Annie learns to embrace a more carefree attitude, which becomes the first sign that Jeff is attracted to her (which, duh, it's Alison Brie). Their climactic kiss also serves as a good button to the B-plot, centered around Abed unintentionally predicting events within the group.

11 Mixology Certification

When Community let Donald Glover shine, they really let him shine. This season two episode finds the study group discovering Glover's Troy turned 21 years old, deciding to celebrate by taking him out to a bar. The experience is tumultuous for all study group members, especially Shirley, who reveals her low point to the group when she's recognized as a regular.

One of the best episodes in the series comes when Troy drops Annie off at her apartment. Annie confronts Troy about not knowing who she was in high school, but Troy reminds her that doesn't matter because he does now. Although it's a positive, heartwarming note, it's counter-imposed by Jeff and Britta furiously making out next to Abed in Jeff's car.

10 Modern Warfare

One of Community's most popular aspects is its paintball episodes, wherein the campus of Greendale Community College devolves into a battlefield. The first paintball episode, "Modern Warfare," was the climax of the first season. Not only is it an homage to action movies, but it also features some of the show's biggest character development.

Most of the episode's conflict revolves around the growing sexual tension between Jeff and Britta, to the chagrin of the rest of the group. As the two study partners end up being the only ones left alive in the paintball game, they finally succumb to their urges. Surprisingly, this action movie tribute pays off a story that began with the very first episode of Community.

9 Pillows And Blankets

This season three episode picks up where the previous one left off, with Greendale devolving into a Civil War-esque battle between builders of a school-wide pillow fort and blanket fort. The entire episode takes the form of a Ken Burns documentary, tracking the conflict between the factions' torn leaders: the eternal friends Troy and Abed.

The fun of this episode is seeing how each of the characters of Community play their parts in this mock war. Annie plays nurse for weary soldiers, while Britta uses her terrible photography skills to take candids of the action. The highlight of the episode, however, is Troy and Abed's conflict, as Jeff is tasked with reconnecting them as friends.

8 Cooperative Polygraphy

Chevy Chase's exit from Community after season four was marred by controversy, mostly due to behind-the-scenes conflicts. Nevertheless, his Pierce Hawthorne character was killed off-screen during the fifth season, leading to an emotional episode for the original study group members. The six of them are subjected to a polygraph test per Pierce's will.

In typical Pierce fashion, the polygraph questions are merely a way to force the study group into admitting some of their deepest, darkest secrets. However, it has a surprisingly emotional ending with Pierce's final words to the entire group, which are mostly heartfelt and sentimental. This episode also sets the stage for Donald Glover's early exit from the series.

7 Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas

In the season two Christmas episode, the show takes the format of classic stop-motion Christmas movies like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The episode finds the study group playing along with a fantasy of Abed's that they need to find the true meaning of Christmas. However, the journey ends up perilous for each of the study group members.

As the episode continues, it becomes clear that this delusion of Abed has a deeper meaning. Saddened by his mother's abandonment of their annual Christmas movie-watching traditions, Abed has retreated into a state of denial reminiscent of those movies. Nevertheless, the study group arrives in time to act as his new family.

6 Origins Of Vampire Mythology

A highlight of season three for many fans was the development of Britta and Troy's feelings toward each other. The best example of this dynamic is the episode "Origins of Vampire Mythology," which finds Troy, Annie, and Abed keeping Britta occupied rather than meeting up with her old boyfriend, Blade, whom she is deeply obsessed with.

The most emotional part of this episode comes when Annie replaces Blade's number in Britta's phone with hers. Troy, trying to dissuade Britta from obsessing over him, texts her something unknown, but implied to be Troy's true feelings. Though Britta's initial reaction is to call Blade a loser, she realizes Troy's deception later and is awestruck by what he said.

5 Virtual Systems Analysis

Unfortunately, Troy and Britta's flirtations in season three result in conflict for other members of the study group. In the following episode, Annie convinces the two of them to go on a lunch date together, while she and Abed spend time in the Dreamatorium, an imaginary simulation in Troy and Abed's apartment where they re-enact various scenarios.

Soon enough, however, Annie's first time in the Dreamatorium leads to an examination of Abed's lack of control over the group. It ends with a fan-favorite scene from the entire series, where Annie comforts Abed over his lack of comfort with change. It's an emotional episode and one of the best showcases of Alison Brie and Danny Pudi's chemistry.

4 Conspiracy Theories And Interior Design

At its best, Community took the premise of an absurd community college and ran with it. In this season two episode, Jeff is accused of faking a course in conspiracy theories, though after proving the course's legitimacy, Jeff confesses to Annie that it is real. What follows is an investigation into the mysterious underbelly of Greendale.

This leads Jeff and Annie to cross paths with drama teacher Professor Garrity, who poses as Jeff's fake conspiracy theory teacher. The episode's best moment comes when the trio confronts the Dean in the study room, resulting in a confusing exchange of prop guns and fake admissions of guilt. It's certainly one of the best performances for Jim Rash's Dean.

3 Geothermal Escapism

For Community fans, few episodes are as emotional as Donald Glover's swan song for Troy Barnes, "Geothermal Escapism." After being offered the chance to sail around the world on Pierce's boat, Troy prepares to make his departure from Greendale. However, in typical Abed fashion, his goodbye will be a school-wide game of "The Floor Is Lava."

Most of the episode, however, follows Britta, who recognizes the game as a way for Abed to put off his feelings about Troy's departure. Once Abed finally accepts it, it's time for Troy to leave the show, saying tearful goodbyes to all the study group members and boarding the Childish Tycoon with LeVar Burton. Hopefully, they both return for the Community movie.

2 Cooperative Calligraphy

One of the more unique episodes in Community's run is "Cooperative Calligraphy," which plays on the tropes of TV bottle episodes where all the episode's plot is contained to one location with few main cast members. After a study session, Annie's purple pen goes missing and demands to know which of the other six study group members took it.

What devolves, much like "Cooperative Polygraphy," is a revelation of secrets in the study group. Abed has been tracking the girls' menstrual cycles while trying to analyze social cues, while Shirley reveals she's rekindling her relationship with her husband. Overall, it ends up being a heartfelt episode of bonding, even if Annie's missing pen is never found.

1 Remedial Chaos Theory

By far the most beloved episode in six seasons (and, soon, a movie) of Community is season three's "Remedial Chaos Theory." The episode revolves around a housewarming party at Troy and Abed's new apartment. However, when Jeff rolls a die to determine who will go downstairs to grab a pizza, the episode diverges into six different alternate timelines.

In each one, it's examined what happens when one study group member goes down to get pizza. Some result in awkward tension, and others result in blooming romances between study group members. In one where Troy leaves, the apartment descends into madness and fire, resulting in a now-iconic meme of Troy entering a chaotic apartment with a pizza box.

MORE: Funniest Community Quotes