What is Friends?
Friends is one of the most popular American sitcoms of all time, airing for 10 seasons on NBC from 1994 to 2004, which adds up to 236 episodes—that’s a lotta lattes. Did we mention that the show mostly takes place in a Manhattan coffee shop?
There’s little need to summarize Friends here. The Central Perk gang of Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), Chandler (Matthew Perry), Monica (Courteney Cox), Ross (David Schwimmer), Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), and Joey (Matt LeBlanc) is probably more familiar to you than your own family—could that be any more awkward at Thanksgiving?
Friends has enjoyed a healthy TV afterlife in streaming, where a whole new generation has discovered and binge-watched the entire series many times over. Some would even say the worst thing that happened in 2020 was Friends leaving Netflix (January 1, 2020, a day that will live in infamy). Fortunately, Friends was there for you with the launch of Max six months later.
How to watch Friends
Other than digging out your old DVD box sets or waiting for random episodes to show up on cable or local TV stations, the only way to truly enjoy Friends in your matching recliner chairs is to stream it on Max. The service has all 10 seasons, plus the 2021 cast reunion special. (If you prefer your Friends to remain forever young, however, maybe skip that one.)
Max plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | Streams | Video | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max (with ads) | $9.99/mo. | 2 | 1080p | View plans |
| Max (no ads) | $15.99/mo. | 2 | 1080p | View plans |
| Max Ultimate (no ads) | $19.99/mo. | 4 | 1080p, 4K | View plans |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Back in the day, Friends aired with commercial breaks. Now, we’d recommend the $14.99-a-month version of Max for ad-free binge-watching—you don’t want the “authentic” viewing experience of the ’90s. Unless you really need the five bucks you’d save on ad-supported $9.99 Max for a monthly mochaccino, we say skip the commercials.
Final take: Get back to your Friends
Sure, you and Friends were on a break after the series left Netflix, but now you can make Max your lobster.
Mangled show quotes aside, Max is now the only place to stream Friends—not a bad problem to have since it has plenty of other shows and movies to watch. After you’ve powered through all 236 Friends episodes for the eighth time, you’ll be looking at the Max menu and saying, “So, how you doin’?” (Always count on Joey for the perfect catchphrase.)
How to watch Friends FAQ
Where can I watch all seasons of Friends?
As of this post date, the only place to stream all 10 seasons of Friends is Max. Episodes of Friends air on Comedy Central, TBS, Nick at Night, and in broadcast syndication on local TV stations, but they’re not always in order or available on-demand. Friends episodes can also be purchased through platforms like YouTube, Google Play, and iTunes.
Can I watch Friends on Netflix?
Friends is no longer on Netflix. The show left Netflix in December 2019 in order to stream exclusively on Max when that service launched in May 2020.
Is Friends available on Hulu?
Friends is not available on Hulu. You can subscribe to Max through Hulu, however, which will give you access to all 10 seasons of Friends.
