There is no argument that Friends has established itself in its own sprinkled biscuit with HIMYM giving them a run for their money over the years as both have created some much-needed laughter, tons of catchphrases, and intelligence (to an extent) over their tenures doing it. But at the end of the day, Friends squeaked by its successor as the better sitcom.
Maybe it is reaching back into the nostalgia of the 90s, or maybe it’s just good humor and great characters that strike a chord universally, but Friends has an incredible magic that keeps people coming back. So, here’s a closer inspection of the reasons it rises above HIMYM:
1) The On-Again, Off-Again Romance To End All On-Again, Off-Again Romances
Both shows had their core romantic arcs—Ross and Rachel in Friends, and Ted and Robin in HIMYM. It was dramatic and made sense emotionally, but also felt like a thing that could happen in real life — the cycle of falling back into each other. Viewers were glued to their television screens, whether it was Ross calling the name Rachel at his wedding or the iconic We were on a break! debate.
Robin and Ted’s ride, though ridden more like a rollercoaster you regret getting on. And when they finally got together in the series finale, it felt less like an emotional payoff and more of a quick-and-dirty check mark by the writers.
2) A Finale That Delivered
When it comes to a sitcom, that final episode can be hit or miss when it comes to the show being remembered fondly, and in the case of Friends, they nailed the landing. With Ross racing to catch Rachel at the airport, and then nostalgic pangs of Monica and Chandler beginning their family, it was the perfect blend of bittersweet comedy for an ending.
On the other hand, HIMYM’s controversial finale is infamous. After devoting an entire season to Robin and Barney’s wedding, the show hastily divorced them in the finale and revealed that The Mother—arguably the most important character—died as a narrative afterthought. Fans were left disappointed, and for many, the finale tarnished the show’s legacy.
3) Common Ground Long-Term Stories
Friends practiced the art of long-running arcs with their humor and heart. The show depicted Monica’s infertility, Rachel’s career trajectory, and Joey’s acting ambitions all with grace. Even Chandler’s success at work and Ross’s divorces were also beautifully transitioned in a comic setting.
HIMYM had its share of great arcs as well ( Marshall, Lily, and the baby arc) but also a lot of unnecessary or forced storylines (Stella and Jeanette). A few arcs lasted longer than they should have, so their impact diminished as this occurred.
4) The Original Ensemble Dynamic
Friends wrote the rule book for modern ensemble sitcoms. All characters were equally essential and no one felt sidelined. Jennifer Aniston became one of the biggest stars in America, but Rachel was still only part of a larger ensemble.
In contrast, HIMYM frequently seemed like “The Ted Show,” with other players—especially Lily on occasion—left in the background. At times characters were even completely absent such as Lily was gone for much of Season 2. HIMYM could never get the balance of Friends right.
5) The Original Ensemble Dynamic
Friends was gifted at balancing the two types of moments, keeping it light without bordering on melodrama. Whether it be Monica and Chandler getting engaged or Phoebe serenading a cafe with “Smelly Cat,” its iconic scenes are packed with laughs and heart.
Although clever and heartfelt, HIMYM often tipped too far into dark or sentimental tones. Some of the comedy vs. drama balance in each episode was off, though—making the dramedy moments feel too heavy/forced, or wildly out of place.
6) Timeless, Lovable Characters
From Chandler with his signature sarcasm to Joey with his roguish charm, and Phoebe with her quirky eccentricities, Friends gave people characters whom audiences adore. They have entered pop culture, spawning thousands of memes and quotes, not to mention entire Halloween costumes.
Something HIMYM had (as well as some of his antics) was Barney, and his character carried the series through some tough seasons. Those monologues Ted delivers about “The One” could grow tiresome for many viewers, too. The Friends bunch is still a cuddly and welcoming entity, the HIMYM lot feels like that group of mates you move away from at one point or another.
7) Cultural Phenomenon Status
Friends was more than just a television show; it was a global phenomenon. 52 million viewers tuned in for its finale, and phrases like “How you doin’? so they can still be distinguished immediately. The series has continued to enthrall generations of new viewers on streaming services decades later.
They were both big shows, HIMYM had its time but never reached the cultural peak. It was a great sitcom, but Friends out-grotted the sitcom to become an iconic piece of pop culture.
8) Unmatched Guest Stars
Both shows attracted some big guest stars but Friends wins this one hands down. Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts Bruce Willis even Paul Rudd before his HIMYM days each guest appearance felt like an occasion.
No idea what a single-malt rye got to do with anything but HIMYM sure loved its celebrities, even if those appearances often felt more gimmicky than they did organic plot additions.
9) Natural Cast Chemistry
It was practically unavoidable to see real friendships translate on-screen with the Friends cast. From Monica and Rachel’s battles a la sisters to Chandler and Joey’s bromance, it was as if every conversation was natural and unscripted.
Although the HIMYM cast had its pathos, its chemistry sometimes seemed more contrived, and less natural.
10) Rewatchability Factor
The best rewatchable sitcom of them all is Friends. Whether it’s Ross’s “Pivot!” moment, or the Thanksgiving episodes, its humor and charm never age, regardless of how many times you may have watched it.
By contrast, HIMYM thrives on plot reversals and twists. If you’d already known the ending or other spoiler-ish things, you lose any excitement for meaty moments that I’ve revisited many times over.
Watch Friends on Netflix and HIMYM on Prime Video
