The shining moments when the ABC sitcom truly earned all those Emmys.

The 20 best episodes of Modern Family, ranked

The shining moments when the ABC sitcom truly earned all those Emmys.

By Tanya Melendez

Tanya Melendez

Tanya Melendez is a freelance writer at **. She joined EW in 2023.

EW's editorial guidelines

and Kevin Jacobsen

May 13, 2026 8:00 a.m. ET

Leave a Comment

(From left to right): Reid Ewing as Dylan Marshall, Ariel Winter as Alex Dunphy, Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy, Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy, Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker, Nolan Gould as Luke Dunphy, Frances Anderson as Lily Tucker-Pritchett, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett, Jeremy Maguire as Joe Pritchett, Sarah Hyland as Haley Dunphy, Sofía Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, Rico Rodriguez as Manny Delgado, and Ed O'Neill as Jay Pritchett on 'Modern Family'. Credit:

Jill Greenberg via Getty

*Modern Family* was among the most consistent sitcoms on television. With razor-sharp joke writing and hilariously committed performances from its cast, the ABC comedy hit more than it missed in its portrayal of family dysfunction and hijinks, resulting in five consecutive Emmy wins for Outstanding Comedy Series.

Even though the series concluded after 11 seasons in 2020, some episodes continue to tickle our funny bones, no matter how many times we watch the syndicated reruns. Whether it's Phil (Ty Burrell) and Claire's (Julie Bowen) children catching them having sex in "Caught in the Act," Manny's (Rico Rodriguez) existential crisis in "Manny Get Your Gun," or the many Halloween-themed episodes, the Pritchetts and Dunphys' lives were almost unbelievably messy — and we loved them for it.

Ahead, we rank the top 20 best episodes of *Modern Family* and delve into why they still hold up today.

“White Christmas” (season 7, episode 9)

Nolan Gould as Luke Dunphy, Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett, Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy, and Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy on 'Modern Family'.

Eddy Chen/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

After years of hot, loud Christmases in Columbia full of arguments, betrayal, and schemes, all Gloria (Sofía Vergara) wants is a “white people Christmas.” So the family packs up for a mountain cabin only to discover it’s very hot, there are at least a half dozen schemes and betrayals afoot, and everyone ends up yelling at one another. Also, Andrea Martin guest stars as the ghost of Alex’s (Ariel Winter) Christmas future.

Luckily, the holiday works its magic and all beef is quashed just in time for snow to fall — no, wait, that’s not snow. It’s a forest fire. Merry Christmas!

**Best Phil sight gag:** his look of disappointment when Jay (Ed O’Neill) doesn’t want to rent an RV and go to all the MLB parks with him.

“The Wedding, Parts 1 & 2” (season 5, episodes 23 and 24)

Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett, Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy, Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy, and Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker on 'Modern Family'.

Peter "Hopper" Stone/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and Cam (Eric Stonestreet) are finally getting married in a two-parter episode, so you *know* things are going to go very wrong before they get very adorable. The sheer number of things that go wrong is impressive, though, including wildfires at the first venue; the officiant going into labor; Cam’s parents breaking up after 45 years of marriage; and the second venue being reclaimed by a runaway bride, not to mention Jay and Mitchell being on the outs over Jay’s lack of enthusiasm for a gay wedding.

But then the adorable resolutions come — notably Jay saving the day by hosting at his golf club and walking his son proudly down the aisle, inspiring Cam’s parents to do the same. As Phil says, the best marriages contain just a little bit of magic, and this one is no exception.

**Best Phil sight gag:** practicing his officiating complete with confetti sparklers shooting from each sleeve.

“Unplugged” (season 2, episode 5)

Ariel Winter as Alex Dunphy, Nolan Gould as Luke Dunphy, Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy, Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy, and Sarah Hyland as Haley Dunphy on 'Modern Family'.

Eric McCandless/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

When Claire has had enough of the family’s screen addiction, the Dunphys make a bet to see who can go the longest without tech. Haley (Sarah Hyland) goes all out, including carving a phone out of soap, leading to an impressed Phil exclaiming, “Holy crap, we’ve been Shawshanked.”

The less said about Mitchell and Cam’s awkward preschool interview, the better, but Jay investigating whether or not Gloria literally murdered the neighbor’s dog is one of the best bits in *Modern Family* history, if only because even after watching the episode, it’s still not 100% clear if she’s innocent.

**Best Phil sight gag:** turning a nod into a negative shake of the head to support Claire’s parenting decisions in real-time.

“Strangers in the Night” (season 6, episode 9)

Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett, and Kristen Johnston as Brenda on 'Modern Family'.

Tony Rivetti/Walt Disney Television via Getty

Cam and Mitchell are the proud owners of a brand new all-white designer couch, which they can barely enjoy before Mitchell’s co-worker, soon-to-be-divorcée Brenda, needs to spend the night. Kristen Johnston plays the messy, chocolate ice-cream-eating, hyper sweat-gland-having, night cream-wearing threat to the sofa with a full-bodied intensity only matched by the red wine she keeps waving around.

Meanwhile, Jay forces Gloria to attend a "bark mitzvah" with his friends from the dog park, complete with a gravy fountain, and Alex is getting the full “Sure, Jan” treatment from Phil and Claire about her mysterious boyfriend (who is not named George Glass, thankfully).

**Best Phil sight gag:** holding up a handful of leaves in dismay when Alex tells her parents to leave.

“Sex, Lies, & Kickball” (season 9, episode 4)

Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett, Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker, and Frances Anderson as Lily Tucker-Pritchett on 'Modern Family'.

This episode features two of *Modern Family*’s best guest stars. Chazz Palminteri is Shorty, Jay’s best friend, who has mysteriously returned after four years in Costa Rica just in time for Gloria to make him her replacement Manny, who’s now at college. Nathan Lane returns as Pepper, best frenemy of Mitch and Cam, along with his and Ronaldo’s (Christian Barillas) adopted son, Lionel (Cedric Joe).

Of course, Mitch and Cam can’t help meddling with their parenting, leading to a blunt conversation that Pepper does not want to have (“I feel the sickening threat of brutal honesty, and I’m wildly uncomfortable!”). All that, plus a “passion paint kit,” sets off a battle between Alex and Claire, artistically speaking.

**Best Phil sight gag:** squirming at the touch of cold passion paint.

“Queer Eyes, Full Hearts” (season 6, episode 7)

Michael Urie as Gavin Sinclair and Sarah Hyland as Haley Dunphy on 'Modern Family'.

Mitchell Haaseth/Walt Disney Television via Getty

Cam goes full *Friday Night Lights* mode when a local news anchor leans into the “gay high school football coach” human interest story. Despite working on a trial involving an evil corporation underpaying unhoused employees, Mitchell is sidelined by the self-described “Belle of the (foot)ball.”

Meanwhile, Andy (Adam DeVine) and Haley coach each other for job interviews, but when a mean receptionist refuses to let Haley in for her appointment, she merely replies “‘Kay!” and leaves to go sob in her car, yell at herself (“WHO SAYS ‘KAY?!"), and then pump herself up to march back in and get the job. Forget Texas — Haley forever!

**Best Phil sight gag:** trying for a cool exit and walking backwards into a coat rack.

“Pilot” (season 1, episode 1)

Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker (right) on 'Modern Family'.

Ron Tom/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

What’s remarkable about watching this pilot 15 years later is how fully realized every character was from the jump. There’s Manny staring wistfully at a girl instead of playing soccer; Gloria threatening another mom; Jay being mistaken for Gloria’s dad; Mitchell giving a stranger an impromptu anti-hate lecture; Cam wanting to make friends with his fellow plane passengers; Haley needling her mother over Dylan; Claire freaking out over Dylan (Reid Ewing); Phil explaining he’s a cool dad who texts; Alex being the smartest in the room; and Luke (Nolan Gould) getting his head stuck in the stair rail. Again. All of this in the first five minutes! It’s the perfect start to a legendary show.

**Best Phil sight gag:** performing *High School Musical* in a Wildcats letterman jacket.

“The Party” (season 7, episode 18)

Ed O'Neill as Jay Pritchett and Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker on 'Modern Family'.

Peter "Hopper" Stone/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

All you really need to know about this episode is that Phil and Mitchell get stoned. Meanwhile, on babysitting duty, Manny and Luke bribe Lily (Frances Anderson) with soda so they can throw a party. Everything is fine until Manny’s pipe sets off the smoke alarm, bringing Claire and Gloria back from the spa and Mitchell and Phil back from their all-male showing of the *Defenders of Infinity* movie.

It’s great, particularly Claire playing a bad cop trying to get the boys to admit they threw a party, but the important thing to remember is that Phil and Mitchell spend most of the episode higher than kites.

**Best Phil sight gag:** wearing a Torf the Ancient costume.

“My Funky Valentine” (season 1, episode 15)

Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy and Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy on 'Modern Family'.

Eric McCandless/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

This is a celebration of love, poetry, and escalator safety. One of the great facets of *Modern Family *is its ability to make well-worn sitcom tropes uniquely hilarious — and Phil and Claire’s romantic hotel roleplay as Clive Bixby and Julianna is a work of slapstick art.

After a couple of too-truthful attempts, Clive gets his seduction game going, and Julianna returns from the bathroom only wearing a trench coat… which gets caught in the escalator on the way to the hotel room. From there, things only get more awkward as a virtual Valentine’s Day parade of people they know from work and their kids’ schools appear. And that’s all before Jay and Gloria arrive. It’s a perfectly composed love letter to comedy.

**Best Phil sight gag:** his silent and horrified reaction to the taste of a martini.

“Manny Get Your Gun” (season 2, episode 8)

Rico Rodriguez as Manny Delgado on 'Modern Family'.

Danny Feld/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Age is just a number, but childishness can last forever. On his birthday, Manny has a midlife crisis about 40 years too early and tries to embrace his fleeting childhood (It might have been more effective if he weren’t wearing a three-piece suit). Meanwhile, every adult leans into their most juvenile behavior while trying to make it to the restaurant in time for the birthday dinner.

This is also the infamous episode where Mitchell joins a flash mob (the absolute grip flash mobs had on us for about five years needs to be studied in a laboratory!), but the most memorable moment is Cameron referring to a mall security guard as “Constable.”

**Best Phil sight gag:** wearing a not-racist-in-context “If you ain’t white, you ain’t right” T-shirt.

The cast of 'Modern Family': Where are they now?

'Modern Family' stars Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet still laugh about on-set gaffe

“Legacy” (season 11, episode 11)

Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy and Fred Willard as Frank Dunphy on 'Modern Family'.

Richard Cartwright/ABC via Getty

The late, great Fred Willard received two Emmy nominations for his turn as Phil’s lovable, goofy dad on *Modern Family* — and rightly so. In this last appearance, Phil flies to Florida and spends a very Dunphy day with his parenting role model, eating pancakes, hitchhiking, and learning family lore.

There are other sweet stories in this episode, including Mitchell and Claire discovering new information about Jay, and little Joe (Jeremy Maguire) becoming a business tycoon, but what sticks is Phil giving his father a haircut and bonding one last time with the original Dunphy Dad.

**Best Phil sight gag:** glancing at the camera when he finds out his mom loved watching hot dog eating contests.

“Las Vegas” (season 5, episode 18)

Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker, Sofía Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy, and Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy on 'Modern Family'.

Ronda Churchill/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

The most important part of this *Modern Family *episode is the reveal that Barkley, the dog butler, has a counterpart: the French maid dog, Rebarka. Everything else is just icing on the Vegas seafood buffet.

An adults-only trip (They didn’t leave Haley in charge of the kids, right? Joe’s still a baby!) leads to adults-only hijinks. Mitchell’s ex thinks a threesome is on the table; Claire can barely stand to be away from the craps table; Jay won’t table a potential upgrade; and Phil’s naughty-looking magician’s accessories leave Leslie Higgins (Stephen Merchant), discrete human butler, thinking he’s got something going under the table. It’s a jackpot of an episode.

**Best Phil sight gag:** his entire magic act. Metamorphosis!

“The Incident” (season 1, episode 4)

Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett, Shelley Long as DeDe Pritchett, and Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker on 'Modern Family'.

Mitch Haddad/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

In her first appearance as Jay’s ex-wife, Shelley Long is a delightfully destructive emotional wrecking ball. She’s in town to apologize for “the incident,” code for having a public meltdown at Jay and Gloria’s wedding (including a speech mocking Gloria as a gold digger that ends with her being physically carried out), but she can’t quite accept Gloria’s forgiveness.

Her arrival also explains a lot about Claire’s perfectionism and Mitchell’s people-pleasing, as DeDe methodically pushes her children’s buttons with enviable skill. We also get Dylan’s surefire hit number “Do You,” an earworm that ruins any chance of Haley getting permission to go to an overnight concert.

**Best Phil sight gag:** absolutely melting at Dylan’s heartfelt monologue about family.

“Halloween” (season 2, episode 6)

Sarah Hyland as Haley Dunphy and Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker on 'Modern Family'.

Karen Neal/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Claire’s favorite holiday is back, and most of her family is trying to ruin it, bringing their baggage rather than their A-game to her perfectly constructed haunted house. Cameron is spooked (heh) by childhood Halloween trauma; Mitchell is caught in costume at an extremely no-fun office; Gloria has had enough of Jay making fun of her accent and slightly incorrect aphorisms (we’re on her side, the word *should* be vo-lump-tuous!); and Phil is overcorrecting, trying to avoid becoming the divorcé next door. It’s a frighteningly gag-filled episode culminating in Claire’s favorite sound: children screaming in fear.

**Best Phil sight gag:** the jump scare every time he passes his own screaming pop-up skeleton.

“Fulgencio” (season 4, episode 13)

Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker, Stephanie Beatriz as Sonia Ramirez, Elizabeth Peña as Pilar Ramirez, Sofía Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, and Rico Rodriguez as Manny Delgado on 'Modern Family'.

Peter "Hopper" Stone/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Stephanie Beatriz and Elizabeth Peña are great as Gloria’s neglected sister and pushy mother (and Jay exclaiming “Son of a bitch, I’m Phil!” is an all-time great line), but this *Modern Family *episode is mainly remembered for the *Godfather* spoof no one can refuse.

When Phil’s nice-guy strategy fails to fix his or the kids' various problems, the literal godfather to baby Fulgencio Joseph Pritchett renounces the devil in church while a cinematic stream of consequences is unleashed on various enemies. Don’t ask him about his business, Claire. You don’t want to know…

**Best Phil sight gag:** his “I do renounce him” face.

“Family Portrait” (season 1, episode 24)

(From left to right): Sarah Hyland as Haley Dunphy, Sofía Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy, Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy, Rico Rodriguez as Manny Delgado, Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker, Ariel Winter as Alex Dunphy, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett, Ed O'Neill as Jay Pritchett, and Nolan Gould as Luke Dunphy on 'Modern Family'.

Danny Feld/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

The season 1 finale is fondly remembered for its titular family portrait, but that’s just the last scene of a hilarious *Modern Family *episode, complete with a Kobe Bryant cameo and a John Woo tribute where Mitchell destroys his house trying to kill a pigeon.

Claire, already angsting for her future empty nest, is determined to get a wholesome family picture — despite a broken stair step and Luke’s inability to keep an all-white outfit clean. Meanwhile, Phil spirals after being caught on the Laker kiss cam with Gloria. All of that, plus the mud fight, makes a perfect capper to a stellar first season.

**Best Phil sight gag:** the equal amounts of joy and horror on his stunned face after Gloria kisses him.

“Express Christmas” (season 3, episode 10)

Ed O'Neill as Jay Pritchett, Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker, Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy, Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy, Nolan Gould as Luke Dunphy, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett, Rico Rodriguez as Manny Delgado, Sofía Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, and Frances Anderson as Lily Tucker-Pritchett on 'Modern Family'.

Petere "Hopper" Stone/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

After realizing they can’t be together for the holiday, the family has just four hours to turn Dec. 16 into Christmas. Their chore division gives us less-typical character pairings with high payoffs: Claire and Haley super-shopping at Target; Cameron and Jay’s gift-wrapping rolling cart; Mitchell and Alex at the tree lot; Phil and Manny meeting a Craigslist seller; and Luke finally getting Gloria to understand that he can’t tell when she’s saying “look” versus his name.

In the end, the plan does *not* come together, but the family manages anyway, and a classic Christmas episode is born.

**Best Phil sight gag:** suffering from the aftershocks of getting tased by Manny, crumpling an expensive baseball card from mint condition… to near mint condition… to fair condition… to garbage.

“The Day We Almost Died” (season 6, episode 11)

Sarah Hyland as Haley Dunphy, Ariel Winter as Alex Dunphy, and Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy on 'Modern Family'.

Peter "Hopper" Stone/Walt Disney Television via Getty

An almost-collision inspires the fam to make some changes. Claire stops sweating the small stuff; Phil teaches Cameron to take care of business; Haley appreciates Alex; Alex gets a makeover (and possibly an infected upper lip); Manny gains and then conquers a fear of driving; and Luke tackles his bucket list.

Every mini-adventure is neatly aligned with the others, and even the predictably sweet ending is saved from becoming too saccharine by a callback to the many, many shades of white available for a dryer.

**Best Phil sight gag:** wearing a tank top and dousing himself with water while Cameron is overcome with confusing lust.

“Connection Lost” (season 6, episode 16)

Nolan Gould as Luke Dunphy, Sofía Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, Ed O'Neill as Jay Pritchett, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett, Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker, Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy, Ariel Winter as Alex Dunphy, and Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy on 'Modern Family'.

Walt Disney Television via Getty

Long before John Cho went *Searching*, *Modern Family* framed an entire episode through various screens. Claire, stuck at O’Hare on the way home from a client meeting, uses various Apple applications to figure out if Haley has run away to elope with Dylan.

With family members texting, emailing, FaceTiming, and calling each other throughout like a digital British farce, the humor elevates what could have been a gimmick into a loving spoof of how all these devices can feed into parental paranoia.

**Best Phil sight gag:** weeping in response to overhearing Jay say nice things about him.

“Caught in the Act” (season 2, episode 13)

Sarah Hyland as Haley Dunphy, Ariel Winter as Alex Dunphy, Nolan Gould as Luke Dunphy, Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy, and Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy on 'Modern Family'.

Michael Desmond/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

The Dunphy kids get permanently scarred in this tale of unlocked doors, parental anniversary sex, and a surprise breakfast-in-bed tray launching into the air amid screams of horror. While Phil and Claire panic, the kids flee the house in disgust before realizing that their parents still being in love isn’t the *worst* thing…even if they didn’t need visual proof.

In the end, they smile and nod their way through an awkward family discussion (“You talked to us on our level but without being condescending!”) before gifting them the perfect anniversary present: a new deadbolt for their bedroom.

**Best Phil sight gag: **Phil happily eating his anniversary English muffin off the floor.

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW Comedy”