The 7 Best ‘That ’70s Show’ Episodes You Need To Binge

As one of the most-watched television shows of the 2000s, it’s impossible to measure That ‘70s Show’s endearing popularity as a mainstream sitcom. Dialing the clocks back to the swinging days of the 1970s, That ‘70s Show provided a nostalgic look at the numerous trends that characterized its distinct period setting, from illicit substance use and heavy rock music to teenage angst and the cultural clash between younger and older generations of Americans.

As audiences continue to delight at the loving sequel series That ‘90s Show, we thought we’d take a look back at some of That ‘70s Show’s grooviest episodes, ranking them in order from worst to best.

It’s a Wonderful Life (Season 4, Episode 1)

Deep down, we’ve all probably wondered if we might have been better off never falling in love with that special someone who erroneously broke our hearts. “It’s a Wonderful Life” takes that central idea and explores to its fullest, specifically wondering what Eric’s life might look like if his relationship with Donna had never happened. A genuinely thought-provoking examination of Eric and Donna’s romance, “It’s a Wonderful Life” also encourages us to recognize the fact that – more often than not – it’s always better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

Canadian Road Trip (Season 3, Episode 23)

Eric and his friends seldom ventured out of their hometown of Point Place, Wisconsin – but when they did, audiences knew they were about to witness a dysfunctional road trip of almost National Lampoon-esque proportions. Case in point with “Canadian Road Trip,” which sees Eric and the gang facing off against two ornery Mounties after failing to smuggle Fez back in from Canada. One of the rare That ‘70s Show episodes that has Kelso actually using his wits to escape trouble, “Canadian Road Trip” is destined to leave viewers laughing from start to finish.

Reefer Madness (Season 3, Episode 1)

As one might expect, recreational use of – let us say – certain illicit substances formed a major component of That ‘70s Show. While the series rarely explored the topic in a straightforward manner, “Reefer Madness” allowed this recurring subject to take center stage in a far more prominent light. Offering up a poignant discussion of teenage drug use in an average middle-class household, “Reefer Madness” also highlighted the early subdued emotions Hyde felt for his eventual girlfriend, Jackie (a romance, it’s safe to say, many of us never saw coming).

Dine and Dash (Season 3, Episode 13)

It’s no accident that the term “dine and dash” has entered the larger pop culture lexicon. Hilariously showcased in That ‘70s Show’s “Dine and Dash,” this classic episode finds the teenage characters trying to sneak out of a fancy restaurant – without paying the bill. Of course, the cherry on top of the episode is watching Eric and Donna get their laxative-filled revenge against their traitorous friends. Needless to say, Kelso and the rest of the gang get their just desserts in more ways than one.

Eric’s Panties (Season 3, Episode 6)

Few incidents in That ‘70s Show’s continuity tested Eric and Donna’s relationship quite like “Eric’s Panties.” Stumbling upon a mysterious pair of panties in the Vista Cruiser, Donna begins to suspect that Eric might be cheating on her. In a surprise twist, however, the panties’ true owners prove a genuinely shocking reveal for Donna, leading to Fez and Kelso bowing down before Eric while hilariously proclaiming him a god. 

Too Old to Trick or Treat, Too Young to Die (Season 3, Episode 4)

That ‘70s Show always had memorable holiday episodes, but “Too Old to Trick or Treat, Too Young to Die” undoubtedly takes the cake for the series’ best special. Lampooning classic Alfred Hitchcock films like Psycho, Vertigo, North by Northwest, and Rear Window, “Too Young to Trick or Treat, Too Young to Die” strikes a fine balance between tongue-in-cheek humor and an outright comedic spoof. For fans of similarly-veined movies like Young Frankenstein or Scary Movie, you probably won’t be disappointed with “Too Old to Trick or Treat, Too Young Die”’s satirical subject matter.

Garage Sale (Season 2, Episode 1)

Hypothetically, any episode of That ‘70s Show featuring Bob, Midge, Kitty, and Red all indulging in some “special brownies” deserves standout praise. After accidentally consuming a batch of Hyde’s homemade treats, the adults of That ‘70s Show spend a fun-filled afternoon sharing nonsensical laughs, cramming their faces with savory snacks, and going off on meandering tangents that seemingly go nowhere. From Red haphazardly selling the Vista Cruiser to Kitty shrieking in her characteristically high-pitched cackle, everything about this early That ‘70s Show episode is pure anarchic comedy at its finest.


About the author

Richard Chachowski

Richard Chachowski is an entertainment and travel writer who has written for such publications as Fangoria, Wealth of Geeks, Looper, Screen Rant, Sportskeeda, and MDLinx, among many others. He received his BA from The College of New Jersey and has been a professional writer since 2020.