Top 5 highest rated The Office episodes to celebrate 20 years of the show

Disclaimer for the fans of The Office:

This isn’t just a list. It’s a curated celebration, built with care, chaos, and way too many emotional rewatches. We’ve pulled from official sources like IMDb episode ratings, Rotten Tomatoes critic and audience scores, and iconic media rankings from outlets like Rolling Stone, Vulture, and The Ringer.

We also dove into the glorious trenches of the fandom—from Reddit’s passionate r/DunderMifflin threads to Ranker’s vote-driven chaos—to see which moments truly live rent-free in fans’ hearts. Add to that insights from The Office: The Untold Story by Andy Greene and those glorious Superfan Episodes commentaries, and what you get is not just a top 5... it’s the soul of The Office distilled into five unforgettable episodes.

So yes, these rankings reflect critical acclaim and fan consensus—but more than that, they reflect our love for this perfectly imperfect sitcom. From one fan to another: this list was made for you.

From fire drills gone wrong to quiet goodbyes whispered into microphones, The Office (US) has spent two decades making us laugh, cringe, and cry—sometimes all in the same scene.

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, we’re spotlighting the top 5 highest-rated episodes, according to IMDb and fan consensus.

So grab your Dundie, your World's Best Boss mug, and a big pot of chili (careful with the spill), and, without further ado, get ready to revisit the chaotic brilliance of Scranton’s finest.

5. "The Injury" (Season 2, Episode 12) – Rating: 9.3

Why it hits:

Michael burns his foot on a George Foreman Grill because he likes to wake up to the smell of bacon. That’s the premise. And somehow, it works. His fake disability demands royal treatment. Dwight, concussed and disoriented, becomes a cinnamon-scented driver on a mission. It’s one of the most ridiculous episodes ever aired. Yet, it’s weirdly endearing. The absurdity is matched only by the heart that bubbles underneath.

MVP scene:

Dwight commandeering a disabled parking spot while Michael limps around the office yelling at Toby for not respecting his “injury.” It’s chaos. It’s comedy. Highly politically incorrect, yes. It’s peak The Office.

4. "Casino Night" (Season 2, Episode 22) – Rating: 9.3

Why it hits:

Before the wedding toasts and teapots, there was a poker night. Jim drops the bomb:

“I’m in love with you.”

Pam freezes. The air disappears. It’s the moment every fan was waiting for. It's also the beginning of a painfully slow burn that would define the show’s emotional core.

Add Michael’s love triangle hijinks and Kevin winning at poker against the odds, and you’ve got a season closer that leaves your heart in pieces.

Unforgettable line:

“I just want to be married to someone.”

Michael accidentally breaks his own heart mid-bluff. It’s funny. It’s sad. It’s Michael Scott in a nutshell.

3. "Finale" (Season 9, Episode 23) – Rating: 9.7

Why it hits:

After nine seasons of laughs, heartbreaks, and staplers in Jell-O, the show bows out with warmth, grace, and just the right dose of absurdity. Dwight and Angela’s wedding is a Scranton fairytale.

Michael returns—briefly, but perfectly. Erin finds her birth parents. Andy delivers one of the most quietly devastating lines in sitcom history.

And then the office empties out, one last time, while Creed sings “All the Faces.”

It’s not just an ending. It’s a tribute.

Golden touch:

Pam’s hand-drawn mural becomes the show’s final frame, a living memory of every awkward silence and every ridiculous team-building exercise that made this workplace feel like home.

2. "Goodbye, Michael" (Season 7, Episode 22) – Rating: 9.7

Why it hits:

Steve Carell’s last day as Michael Scott is quietly devastating. There’s no dramatic farewell speech, no office-wide announcement, just small, emotional moments scattered throughout the day.

And then, that final whisper to Pam:

“See you tomorrow, boss.”

No fan was ever ready for that.

Michael, once the most obnoxiously loud character in the room, leaves with silence. And somehow, that says everything.

Standout quote:

“I feel like all my kids grew up and married each other.”

Michael’s meta mic-drop, summarizing years of office chaos and found-family weirdness in a single bittersweet line.

1. "Stress Relief" (Season 5, Episodes 14/15) – Rating: 9.7

Why it hits:

It all starts with a fire. Well, Dwight pretending there’s one, just to prove nobody pays attention during fire drills. What follows is pure, unfiltered mayhem: cats are thrown into ceilings, doors are kicked, CPR dummies are decapitated, and Stanley has a heart attack—fake, but still.

Yet somehow, amid the absurdity, the episode delivers one of the show’s most sincere moments, with the office gathering for a screening of Michael’s homegrown action flick, Threat Level Midnight. It’s chaos with heart, and that’s why it endures.

Classic moment:

Angela screaming “Save Bandit!” as Oscar launches her cat into the ceiling tiles. That's television perfection.

And then there’s Michael leading a CPR class to Stayin’ Alive while Dwight scalps the mannequin. Iconic doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Time to rewatch The Office, yes. Again. Why not?

These episodes are more than just fan favorites. They’re proof that awkwardness, heart, and a little bit of chaos can create something unforgettable. Whether you’re revisiting for Jim’s pranks, Dwight’s intensity, or Michael’s eternal optimism wrapped in delusion, this list is your Scranton starter pack. As Kevin Malone wisely put it:

“Why waste time say lot word when few word do trick?”

Well, Kevin, sometimes the words are worth it.