Futurama is an animated series that has been on tv since 1999 and has 7 seasons. I love this show because it is able to provoke every emotion possible, all while keeping the jokes rolling. This is a list of my favorite Futurama episodes, I think these specific episodes give the viewer a great idea of the true meaning of the show. It would be foolish to watch this show and avoid the episodes on this list.
I recommend starting at the first season, first episode of Futurama and working from there. But if you have a stubborn friend who has lost sight of the show, one of these episodes might lead them back.
I love all of Futurama but this list is just a little more special to me. This list is in order of when each episode aired. I also made a point not to include the feature film length episodes (such as Bender’s Big Score or The Beast with a Billion Backs). If you’ve seen Futurama, I’m sure you’ll agree with me. And if you haven’t seen Futurama, what are you waiting for??
1. Hell is Other Robots
(SEASON 1; EPISODE 9) In this episode, Bender becomes addicted to electricity but soon joins the Temple of Robotology in order to rid himself of his addiction. But Leela and Fry are upset by Bender’s lack of sin so they tempt him back to the dark side of life. Soon after, the Robot Devil comes to teach Bender a lesson about sin (sadly this lesson goes unlearned).
2. Xmas Story
(SEASON 2; EPISODE 8) Fry wants to celebrate Christmas the way he once did but soon learns the new meaning of Xmas in New New York. In this episode, we learn a little more about Leela’s past as an orphan and we watch Fry attempt to reconcile Leela’s sorrow. It’s heartfelt, funny and scary, all at once.
3. A Bicyclops Built For Two
(SEASON 2; EPISODE 13) Leela has no idea of her past and figures that she is the only cyclops in existence until she finds another cyclops online. The cyclops, Alcazar, reaches out to Leela and invites her back to their home planet where she learns that they are they only two cyclops alive and that it’s their duty to repopulate… That is until she meets some of the other inhabitants of ‘Cyclopia.’
4. The Problem with Popplers
(SEASON 2; EPISODE 18) The Planet Express crew lands on a random planet in search of a quick snack and discover the edible and delicious Popplers. The crew loads up their ship and returns to Earth in order to make a profit but their plans soon change when Leela realizes what the Popplers truly are and that this discovery endangers Earth.
5. Parasites Lost
(SEASON 3; EPISODE 4) The Plant Express crew stops at a gas station where Fry eats a gross egg salad sandwich. He gets parasites that want to live in a ‘great body’ so the parasites clean up his body and make him smarter and stronger. Leela loves the new Fry and Fry loves the attention from Leela. But he soon realizes that everything isn't as great as it seems.
6. The Luck of the Fryish
(SEASON 3; EPISODE 10) Fry is on the search for his old lucky 7-leaf clover and assumes his brother has stolen it when he can't find it. His journey leads him to some awful conclusions until he realizes that there is another Philip J. Fry. This episode made me miss my brother so much, another tear-inducing gem!
7. Insane in the Mainframe
(SEASON 3; EPISODE 12) Fry and Bender happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and are falsely blamed for a bank robbery. Both are sent to a robot mental institution. While there, Fry is forced to believe that he is actually a robot and Bender gets mixed up with the wrong company.
8. Obsoletely Fabulous
(SEASON 5; EPISODE 14) A new type of robot is created, and all old robots have to be updated. Bender is sent to be updated but decides to avoid the upgrade at the last minute. He goes on a journey to avoid technology, which means avoiding himself because the new robot makes him so insecure. The best part of this episode is watching Bender dismantle his own thoughts and body.
9. The Devil’s Hands are Idle Playthings
(SEASON 5; EPISODE 16) Fry wants to learn how to play the holophonor in order to win Leela over but he is unable so Bender tells him to make a deal with the Robot Devil. When the deal goes awry for the Robot Devil, Fry ends up taking his hands. Though he can now impress Leela, the Robot Devil is working overtime to make Fry fail.
10. The Late Phillip J. Fry
(SEASON 6; EPISODE 7) Fry secures a date with Leela and is forced to promise to be on time due to his infamous trend of being late. But just before the date, Fry agrees to test the Professor's new creation and to go one second into the future with the Professor and Bender. The group accidentally goes further than wanted, with no way to return to the past. It’s a race against the group’s stupidity and time. This episode proves to be very heartfelt when you realize that Fry and Leela’s relationship is on the line.
11. The Bots and The Bees
(SEASON 7; EPISODE 1) Planet Express gets a new vending machine and after a couple of heated arguments, Bender falls for the machine and fathers her child. Bender has to explore the idea of having a child and soon realizes how far he is willing to go to make sure his son is happy. I love this episode because it shows a sensitive side of Bender and makes you appreciate you your parents all the more.
12. Game of Tones
(SEASON 7; EPISODE 23) There’s a loud, and scary noise going off in New New York and the sound vibrations have put Earth in grave danger. Fry thinks the noise sounds familiar so the Professor takes Fry on a journey back into his dreams in order to investigate the old New York in search of clues. Fry goes into his dreams but becomes distracted when he realizes that he can communicate with his family again. If you’re looking for a reason to cry, this is the episode.
13. Meanwhile
(SEASON 7; EPISODE 26) The Professor creates a button that can send the holder 10 seconds back in time. The Professor wants to keep it safe but things get tricky when Fry uses it to perfect a date and to prevent death. Everything falls apart when the button is eventually broken. This episode is the finale of Futurama and will incite tears.
