15 Best ‘Seinfeld’ Episodes, Ranked

15. “The Invitations” (Season 7, Episode 24)

George Costanza is the man who might want to do “nothing,” but often does the unthinkable on ‘Seinfeld.’ Who else could turn an engagement into a murder plot? Sure, it’s unintentional. But after spending a whole season trying to get out of marrying Susan, fate smiled upon George. The lethal weapon? Discount envelope glue. In George’s defence, "I picked them out myself. I liked the muted colors." One of TV’s darkest punchlines, and somehow still side-splitting.

14. “The Bubble Boy” (Season 4, Episode 7)

“The Bubble Boy” starts off sweet: Jerry agrees to visit a sick kid in a bubble. Yeah, a great guy! But this is ‘Seinfeld,’ and that bubble boy turns out to be a grown man with a voice like a cabbie and the temperament of a wet cat. So, Trivial Pursuit begins which quickly compromises and might we say, demolishes, George’s dignity.

13. “The Strike” (Season 9, Episode 10)

Festivus. For the rest of us. Enough said. In this absolute rollercoaster of an episode, our man George invents a fake charity—"The Human Fund: Money for People.” Also, Kramer’s life-changing decision drops, ending his 12-year-long bagel strike. Meanwhile, Frank Costanza introduces us to his funny tirade of grievances. “The Strike” delivers it all.

12. “The Hamptons” (Season 5, Episode 21)

In this ‘Seinfeld’ gem, the gang takes a beach trip. Sitcoms do that, right? ‘Friends’ certainly followed suit. “The Hamptons” gave fans a glance at Kramer stealing lobsters, a dig at an ugly baby, and Elaine’s accidental boob flash. We can’t deny how brilliantly this episode packed seaside shame and delicious awkwardness.

11. “The Jimmy” (Season 6, Episode 19)

Jimmy doesn’t like that. Jimmy talks in the third person. Jimmy’s confusing everyone. Well, Jerry and George really shouldn’t have made him their new friend. Meanwhile, Kramer gets mistaken as mentally challenged after a dental work and a pair of suspicious shoes. Bonus points for the moment George yells the now-iconic: “George is getting upset!”

10. “The Marine Biologist” (Season 5, Episode 14)

This one ends with one of the greatest punchlines in TV history uttered by Mr Costanza: “The sea was angry that day, my friends... like an old man trying to send back soup in a deli.”
Jerry lies, George doubles down, and somehow a golf ball becomes the hero of the episode.

9. “The Soup Nazi” (Season 7, Episode 6)

No soup for you! With one scowl and a ladle, the Soup Nazi, played with ease by Larry Thomas, created an instant cultural icon. And when Elaine finds his recipes and threatens to release them? We find out what happens when soup is served cold.

8. “The Merv Griffin Show” (Season 9, Episode 6)

Kramer recreates the set of ‘The Merv Griffin Show’ in his apartment for this genius ‘Seinfeld’ episode. Naturally, it had to be Kramer to take such a loony leap. Yet, the neurotic George also goes off the edge and kills pigeons, Jerry dates a toy collector, and Elaine fights an idea-stealer. It’s like a sitcom fever dream, but of course, the kicker is the fact that it actually happened.

7. “The Boyfriend” (Season 3, Episodes 17–18)

Keith Hernandez enters the Seinfeld Cinematic Universe, and of course, sparks fly. Between George’s lie about being unemployed and living with his parents, and Jerry’s JFK-style breakdown of the "spitting incident," this ‘Seinfeld’ two-parter is a masterclass in paranoia and petty jealousy.

6. “The Fire” (Season 5, Episode 20)

George runs from a fire. So what? Well, he does it over women and children. Oh there’s more. He even prioritises himself before an old lady with a walker. In his typical immature reasoning, he exclaims, “I was leading them to safety!” Meanwhile, Jerry battles a heckler, Elaine squares off with a rival, and Kramer promotes his coffee table book about coffee tables. This was definitely a blaze of brilliance.

5. “The Bizarro Jerry” (Season 8, Episode 3)

Elaine meets the “Opposite Gang” here and ‘Seinfeld’ as we knew it goes topsy-turvy. Here’s a nice Jerry, shy Kramer, and successful George. Seriously, what? Elaine’s reaction to these “bizarro versions” are totally justified. It’s a funhouse mirror of the sitcom’s dynamics, with surreal gags and the rare sight of Elaine realizing how insane her real friends are.

4. “The Chinese Restaurant” (Season 2, Episode 11)

One room. Three lost souls. No story. Just the gang waiting for a table, and yes…hilariously losing their minds. Kramer is a no-show at a Chinese restaurant in New York City. For individual characters, things fall apart due to overthinking, but overall, minimalism has never been so chaotic.

3. “The Opposite” (Season 5, Episode 22)

George does the opposite of every instinct, and suddenly his life works. He gets the girl, nails the interview, and even impresses Steinbrenner. How long could he remain unemployed, camping out in his parents’ house? He was a grown man, albeit highly neurotic. Meanwhile, Elaine’s life spirals and Jerry realizes he’s even-Steven. “The Opposite” remains peak ‘Seinfeld’ absurdity.

2. “The Parking Garage” (Season 3, Episode 6)

Ever lose your car in a garage? Now imagine doing it for a whole 22 minutes. Jerry needs a bathroom. Elaine’s fish is dying. George has to make it to dinner. It’s high-tension drama about extremely low-stakes and weird problems. And, we love it.

1. “The Contest” (Season 4, Episode 11)

You know it. You quote it. You salute it. We are talking about Jerry asking, “Are you master of your domain?” The episode that dared to tackle self-gratification without ever saying the word. George vows celibacy after being caught by his mom. Kramer’s out in minutes. Elaine meets JFK Jr. A timeless classic that won an Emmy and sparked countless discussions. The rest is “Yada yada yada.”