Friends is known mostly for being a show full of comedic moments that had fans laughing. While of course Friends is a sitcom, it also made audiences feel connected to the characters. Seeing the main six characters as they went through relationships, breakups, jobs, parenthood, and more made audiences feel a variety of emotions. Along with all of the times that audiences laughed while watching the show, there were also times when it made audiences cry.
We’ve put together a list of the 10 saddest moments on the series ranked leading up to the saddest moment of them all.
10. ROSS SAYING GOODBYE TO HIS PET MONKEY MARCEL
The fact that Ross had a monkey as a pet in an apartment in Manhattan isn’t a very great thing. That environment is definitely not a healthy one for an exotic animal, so it was definitely for the best that Marcel needed to be moved to a zoo in San Diego.
While having Marcel as a pet was questionable at best, there’s no denying that Ross did love him. It was definitely an emotional moment when he had to say goodbye, and anyone who has lost a pet can relate to this moment somewhat.
9. ROSS AND RACHEL’S BREAK UP IN SEASON THREE
It’s no secret to fans of Friends that Ross and Rachel had a pretty tumultuous relationship at times. The two were often breaking up, hooking up, and getting back together. While not all fans love their relationship, it was definitely a sad moment when these two broke up in season three.
It’s clear that these two do care about each other, but in many ways, they are not very compatible at all. This scene definitely does show how depressing it can be to be in the middle of a breakup, however.
8. WHEN RACHEL SAYS GOODBYE AS SHE GETS READY TO GO TO PARIS
In season 10 of the series, Rachel decides to move to Paris to take the job with Louis Vuitton. This prompts some emotional scenes as she says goodbye to her friends. The most emotional moment of all is when she has to say a hard goodbye to Ross.
However, her goodbyes to her other friends also tugged at the heartstrings. Of course, Rachel doesn’t actually end up going to Paris, but watching these goodbyes play out was definitely sad.
7. WHEN PHOEBE’S GRANDMOTHER DIES
Phoebe is a character who has probably had some of the saddest moments in the series. It often seems like she just can’t catch a break. Even though she has had a hard life, she is generally optimistic and happy proving that she is tougher than one might think.
When Phoebe’s grandmother dies, the entire episode is a sad one. Not only is this a traumatic event for her, but the funeral also brings her dad into the picture again which leads to even more sad moments.
6. MONICA AND RICHARD’S BREAKUP
One of the things that Friends was great at doing was showing the emotional ups and downs of romantic relationships. Monica and Richard were a relationship on the show that had many fans feeling mixed emotions. The two actually got along well and were good together, but the age difference and the fact Richard knew her as a child made this relationship weird to many people.
However, their breakup scene which occurs while they dance together at a wedding was definitely emotional and raw.
5. WHEN JOEY MOVES OUT OF HIS APARTMENT WITH CHANDLER
This moment is both sad and funny which is definitely fitting for the show. Even some of the saddest moments on Friends definitely had an edge of humor to them, and this is one of those times.
Joey and Chandler were best friends and lived together for many years, but after Chandler getting fed up with some of Joey’s more disgusting habits, Joey decides to move in with a different friend. This leads to a hilarious and dramatic montage showing that the two friends miss each other greatly.
4. MIKE AND PHOEBE’S BREAKUP
Poor Phoebe often couldn’t catch a break on Friends. Her family situation was often difficult and her childhood was not an easy one. Plus, she had a lot of sad situations when it came to romance.
She and Mike loved each other a lot. However, after they moved in together they realized they wanted different things which lead to them breaking up. This was difficult to watch, but luckily everything turned out for the best as they ended up together again and got married.
3. PHOEBE SAYING GOODBYE TO THE TRIPLETS
Phoebe is definitely one of the most giving characters on the show. This is especially apparent when she agrees to be a surrogate for her brother and his wife. She ends up carrying triplets for them. After she gives birth to the babies, she is understandably emotional about saying goodbye to them as she was the one pregnant with them.
Of course, she understands they aren’t her Vkids, and ends up being happy to be their aunt. However, seeing her say goodbye was hard to watch.
2. WHEN MONICA AND CHANDLER LEARN THEY CAN’T HAVE BIOLOGICAL CHILDREN
As the show went on, it followed the group of friends as they encountered more and more adult issues including parenthood and the struggles that can surround that. It was definitely a very real and raw moment when Monica and Chandler learned that they wouldn’t be able to have biological children on their own.
This is a moment that many couples can relate to, and it was definitely sad to watch. Luckily, these two get a happy ending when they are able to adopt twins.
1. THE FINAL SCENE WHERE THE FRIENDS SAY GOODBYE
This moment is hands down the saddest one of the series. For fans of the show, watching this last scene of the series finale was sad and a bit heartbreaking. In this scene, the six friends say goodbye as they go their separate ways. The iconic apartment is left behind as Monica and Chandler move upstate to raise their twins.
While it’s clear that the six of them will still be friends, their lives will be very different. This is a moment that many people can relate to as life changes and people move onto new stages.
