The 65 absolute best moments from ‘The Office’

Fact: The Office is now and will always be one of the greatest television shows of all time.

The NBC comedy, which debuted in 2005, followed the extraordinarily amusing lives of Michael Scott, Jim Halpert, Pam Beesley, and other employees at Dunder Mifflin Scranton. And even though The Office has been off the air since 2013, fans have yet to stop obsessing over the nine glorious seasons.

While everyone impatiently awaits a possible revival, which John Krasinski already has planned, we figured it’d be wise to take a look back and cherish some of The Office’s best moments.

From entire episodes like “Dinner Party,” to small but hilariously written and acted cold opens — like the time Kevin spilled his chili — here’s a comprehensive list of 65 best moments from The Office. 

1. The Dundies

Nothing beats your first Dundies! So let’s kick this list off by taking a trip back to Chilli’s to see Michael in his prime as a host and Jim and Pam share their first real kiss. ?

2. Dwight blasting “Everybody Hurts” in his car

In Season 2, episode 4 — “The Fire” — Dwight gets jealous of Michael’s budding relationship with new temp Ryan Howard. After a fire alarm causes Dunder Mifflin employees to evacuate to the parking lot, he’s seen hardcore brooding in the car. Dwight, windows down, slumped in the driver’s seat, blasting “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M., will forever be one of the Biggest Moods out there.

3. “Ryan Started the Fire”

Another equally gorgeous moment in “The Fire,” occurs when Dwight bounces back from his brooding to belt a parody of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire.”

After learning the beloved temp Ryan accidentally started the fire in the office by leaving his cheese pita in the toaster oven (set to “oven” instead of “toaster”), Dwight sings “Ryan Started the Fire” while waving the charred cheese pita in the air.

4. Jim and Pam having a roof date AND sharing headphones

In “The Client,” (Season 2, episode 7) Jim and Pam spend the night sitting in lawn chairs on the roof while watching Dwight set off fireworks. Jim makes his “famous” grilled cheese sandwiches and Pam brings drinks and a freaking candle. Then later, before saying goodbye, they SHARE HEADPHONES, which is such an important moment that Mashable.com already mentions it in two other articles. Has there ever been a more wholesome 1:14 of television?

5. “Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration” 

In the eight seasons since the world finally met the love of Phyllis’ life, Bob Vance, we’ve had the pleasure of listening to him introduce himself many many times. Nothing, however, will ever beat the first.

6. The teapot

As Season 2’s stressful holiday party comes to an end, Jim’s thoughtful Secret Santa gift finally makes its way to the intended recipient, Pam. Jim (clearly smitten to hell) gets her a tea pot she wanted but FILLS IT WITH BONUS GIFTS, including several cute and sentimental inside jokes like hot sauce packets, a mini golf pencil, and his dorky high school yearbook photo. Swoon city!

7. Jim’s “Booze Cruise” confession 

Season 2, episode 11 aka “Booze Cruise” is a doozy. In a touching scene on the boat, Jim finally reveals his feelings for Pam to Michael. Surprisingly, Michael replies with some truly inspiring advice.

8. Michael’s grilled foot

Season 2, episode 12’s “The Injury” is one of the greatest The Office moments. Michael burns his foot by stepping on a George Foreman grill, which he places on his bedroom floor because he likes to wake up to the smell of bacon. Understandable. It’s a beautiful, overdramatic episode filled with crutches, Country Crock, and Michael trying to shove his foot into Dwight’s MRI machine.

9. Pam’s voicemails

“The Carpet” (Season 2, episode 14) starts super gross and ends super sweet. Jim’s feeling a bit sad after being isolated from Pam all day due to a temporary desk switch, but when he checks his voicemail before leaving for the day he finds he’s a bunch of messages from her! Aww. Luv.

10. When Ryan hooked up with Kelly but didn’t check the date

In Season 2, episode 16, after finally hooking up with Kelly Kapoor on Valentine’s Day eve, Ryan Howard utters perhaps his most iconic line in the series.

11. Dwight’s bobblehead

Unlike Ryan, Dwight had a great Valentine’s Day, because a secret admirer *cough* Angela *cough* gave him a bobblehead doll of himself. Watch as Dwight experiences true joy.

12. Jim gets jinxed

In Season 2, episode 20 — “Drug Testing” — Pam jinxes Jim for the entire day and really makes the most of it. After poking a little too much fun at him, however, she goes out and buys a Coke so he can purchase it from her and un-jinx himself. 

13. Dwight “Honorary Security Advisor” K. Schrute

In “Drug Testing,” a guilty Michael also has Dwight inducted as “Honorary Security Advisor” of Dunder Mifflin Scranton. Hugh Dane, who played Hank the security guard, did the honors, and when the actor recently died Rainn Wilson shared the scene on social media.

14. “Casino Night” confession

Hello, yes. You knew Jim’s parking lot declaration of love was going to be on this list. We finally get to see Jim tell Pam his true feelings and it’s SO MUCH. When John Krasinski says, “I just needed you to know… once,” and “I’m sorry I misinterpreted our friendship,” who on this planet did not die? Not to mention, THE KISS. WHAT A KISS. 

15. Michael walking down to “the warehouse”

“Grief Counseling” (Season 3, episode 4) begins with a hilarious and underrated cold open in which Michael pretends to walk down the stairs to the warehouse. The ultimate dad joke.

16. Good Grief counseling

Later in the episode, Michael leads a grief counseling session where the Dunder Mifflin employees tell stories about losing loved ones. Turns out, they’re actually just death scenes from films.

17. The bird funeral

Wow, “Grief Counseling” again! Great episode. Gotta love this bird funeral complete with moving speeches, Pam singing, and Dwight playing his recorder. RIP BIRD.

18. Stanley on Pretzel Day

If you want to see Stanley Hudson shine, look no further than “Initiation” (Season 3, episode 5,) where the man gets to indulge in his annual free pretzel.

19. The phone call

Jim hasn’t spoken to Pam since he transferred to the Stamford branch, but in Season 3, episode 5, the two accidentally share a phone call and pick up right where they left off. They talk about Michael, how many words per minute they type, and Pam confusing 28 Days with 28 Days Later. Romantic shit, people!

20. Phyllis’ ultimate burn

After Stamford-turned-Scranton employee Karen Filippelli reveals she’s allergic to her new desk mate Phyllis’ perfume, Phyllis delivers this scathing hot burn: “Bob Vance bought this perfume for me in Metropolitan Orlando. It’s made from real pine.”

21. “Lazy Scranton”

Michael and Dwight present “Lazy Scranton,” a parody of Saturday Night Live’s “Lazy Sunday,” to get everyone pumped about working in The Electric City post-merger.

22. Prison Mike

After someone claims prison would be nicer than working at Dunder Mifflin, Michael Scott introduces the staff to Prison Mike — one of his many alter egos. In “The Convict,” Prison Mike memorably explains the worst thing about prison… the dementors.

23. Angela’s karaoke debut

Angela rarely comes out of her shell, but in “A Benihana Christmas,” she makes the office floor her stage and sings a very tame rendition of “The Little Drummer Boy.”

24. The ceiling prank

Although it ended in Andy punching a hole in the wall in a fit of rage and being forced to attend anger management classes, the prank where Jim put Andy’s phone in the ceiling tiles was quite fun.

25. The missing key

Behold: The Season 3, episode 17 cold open in which Michael unsuccessfully attempts to escape from a straight jacket.

26. Creed eating a potato

“Safety Training” (Season 3, episode 20) is an utterly delightful episode. The Scranton office gets into placing bets against each other, one of which is whether or not Creed will notice if his apple is replaced with a potato. Spoiler alert: He doesn’t.

27. “Lord beer me strength”

Jim puts his own fun spin on Andy’s famous saying in “Product Recall” (Season 3, episode 21). It gets a laugh, like a quarter of the time.

28. Mall day

Sometimes you just need a day with the girls to figure your life out. Michael learns this in the “Women’s Appreciation” episode, when he takes the ladies of Dunder Mifflin to the mall. They hit the food court, give him some much-needed advice about his relationship with Jan, and then he takes them on a shopping spree to Victoria’s Secret. Not inappropriate at all.

29. Andy floating away

In “Beach Games” — episode 23 of the third season — Angela tries to sabotage the games (so Dwight will win) by letting Andy drift away in the lake while wearing an inflatable sumo wrestling suit. Andy repeatedly asks her to go get help. She doesn’t.

30. The yogurt lid

During “The Job,” Jim’s mid-interview with David Wallace when he discovers a sweet note and a gold medal yogurt lid from the “Office Olympics” episode. Pam hides them to encourage Jim, and they inspire him to return to Scranton and ask Pam on a date. One ticket back to swoon city, please!

31. Michael hitting Meredith with his car

Season 4, episode 1 starts with a bang, and that bang is the sound of Michael hitting Meredith with his car. Later, Michael holds a Fun Run to raise money for rabies awareness, carbo loads, and throws up fettuccine alfredo, saying, “While I eventually puked my guts out, I never puked my heart out.” The best. 

32. The DVD logo

In the thrilling cold open of “Launch Party” (Season 4, episode 3,) the staff watches on the edge of their seats, waiting for the DVD logo on the TV screensaver to hit the corner of the screen. When it finally does, they cheer, and Michael assumes it’s because of him.

33. Devil Wears Prada day

In “Money,” the seventh episode of Season 4, it’s very clear Michael’s obsessed with Meryl Streep’s character in The Devil Wears Prada.

34. Dwight’s bed and breakfast

This is also the episode in which Jim and Pam stay at Dwight’s family farm turned bed and breakfast. If you recall Dwight READS THEM A BED TIME STORY from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

35. Michael driving into Lake Scranton

If there’s one thing we learned from Season 4, episode 3 of The Office, it’s that your GPS is not always correct.

36. The entire “Dinner Party” episode

It’s impossible to choose just one best moment from “Dinner Party.” The Season 4 episode gives viewers a rare and hilarious AF glimpse at Michael and Jan’s home life — complete with bizarre sleeping arrangements, a tiny plasma television, and a catchy AF single. Even the cast loved this episode.

37. Michael singing “Goodbye Toby”

“Goodbye Toby” was the episode Michael dreamed of since the series began. Toby’s headed to Costa Rica but not before a parking lot party, a proposal, and Michael’s rendition of “Goodbye Stranger” by Supertramp.

38. Jim proposing to Pam

It might not seem like the most romantic setting, but Jim’s spontaneous gas station in the rain proposal is one for the books.

39. Dwight’s fire drill

One of the greatest cold opens of all time is in the Season 5 episode, “Stress Relief,” when Dwight starts a fire to teach the office about fire safety. Chaos ensues, Angela throws her cat through the ceiling, and Stanley straight-up has a heart attack. #SaveBandit

40. CPR training

Michael also attempts to perform CPR on a model in the two-part “Stress Relief” episode, but the office winds up singing “Stayin’ Alive” by The Bee Gees instead. A truly glorious moment where Kelly dances like all of us.

41. The roast of Michael Scott

In “Stress Relief,” Michael decides to hold a roast for himself — which is, of course, hilarious — but the real laughs come near the end of the episode when he fires back at his employees. Michael goes around the office flawlessly burning each of his coworkers, declaring, “BOOM, ROASTED,” when he’s finished. It’s so funny even Stanley LOLs.

41. Kevin tragically spills chili

RIP Kevin’s homemade chili. You lived a good, extremely short life, appearing only briefly in “Casual Friday” (Season 5, episode 26).

42. Phyllis’ hug selling for $1,000

Dunder Mifflin’s holding an auction to raise money after the office was robbed and the highest bid just so happens to be for a freakin’ hug from Phyllis. After an intense bidding war, Dwight surrenders to Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration.

43. Andy trapping Dwight

It’s a duel for Angela’s love and Andy’s not holding back. He tapes a note to some bushes to lure Dwight, then stealthily drives up behind him in his silent Toyota Prius at about 1mph and traps him. An impressive feat.

44. Kelly’s Hillary Swank freak out

In “Prince Family Paper,” the thirteenth episode of Season 5, the office tries to decide whether or not Hilary Swank is “hot.” When the group is unable to reach an agreement, Kelly has very relatable outburst in which she realizes that if people don’t think Hilary Swank is hot they must not think she’s hot either, and storms out of the room.

45. Soup snakes

“Company Picnic” (Season 5, episode 28) is a special one. The Dunder Mifflin branches come together to compete in a series of challenges, but amidst the chaos Michael admits he and Holly are “soup snakes” (mispronouncing “soul mates”).

Cute Fact: Mindy Kaling used the term “soup snakes” to describe her IRL relationship with B.J. Novak. ~ swoon city, bitch ~

46. Pam’s pregnant

“Company Picnic” is also the episode in which Jim and Pam learn she’s pregnant. GRAB THE TISSUES!

48. Jim’s wardrobe adjustment

Another two-part episode, “Niagara,” shows the highly anticipated wedding of Jim and Pam. But right before the two are about to head into the church Pam’s veil tears. Jim’s response? Cutting his tie in half.

49. Embarrassing 4ever

And what would Jim and Pam’s wedding be without their friends recreating a viral video and dancing down the aisle to Chris Brown’s “Forever” despite being asked not to?

50. Michael joins the Mafia

In the sixth episode of Season 6 of The Office, Dwight and Andy convince Michael that an insurance salesman interested in working with Dunder Mifflin is a member of the mafia. They go to out to lunch, say “gabagool” a lot, and Michael orders a salad ON THE SIDE.

51. The Lip Dub

Season 7 of the show begins with the Dunder Mifflin crew attempting to go viral by recording a lip dub of The Human Beinz’s song, “Nobody but Me.” Just watch.

52. Dwight doing Pretty Woman

In “Counseling,” (Season 7, episode 2), Dwight pulls a “Pretty Woman“ and returns to a store in the mall that refused to serve him. Turns out, the employees were simply terrified of his beet juice-stained hands, which looked bloody. He makes amends, but still manages to deliver the iconic Julia Roberts line.

53. The happy and sad boxes

In the “Ultimatum” episode, Erin helps Michael prep for potentially good or bad news regarding Holly. They create two boxes, one filled with happy things, and one with sad things. A truly brilliant method of dealing with news and we should all take note.

54. Creed attempting a cartwheel

Ah, watching Creed thinking he achieved his goal of successfully doing a cartwheel in Season 7, episode 13, is one of the most simple joys out there.

55. Threat Level Midnight

In Season 7, episode 7, after more than 10 years of hard work and preparation, Michael screens his action movie: Threat Level Midnight.

56. Kelly explains text message subtext

Kelly gets REAL when it comes to analyzing Darryl’s texts to Val from the warehouse in Season 8, episode 16, and we could all use her wisdom in our lives. Five dots, Darryl??? Are you kidding me?

57. Michael proposes to Holly

You will cry so many tears watching Michael propose to Holly in episode 19 of Season 7 that it’ll look like a sprinkler system went off.

58. “Seasons of Love”

In Michael’s second-to-last episode and final Dudies ceremony, the office honors him with a beautiful rendition of “Seasons of Love” from Rent.

59. Goodbye, Michael

Episode 22 of Season 7 requires a big old box of tissues. Michael’s leaving a day earlier than he told everyone and says heartfelt goodbyes to all his co-workers except Pam. Luckily, Jim catches on and drives Pam to meet Michael at the airport before his flight takes off.

60. Daryll’s daughter classing up Christmas

Daryll’s daughter Jada singlehandedly saves “Classy Christmas” — perhaps the worst holiday party to ever hit the office — by joyously handing out vending machine snacks to everyone. So wholesome, ugh.

61. Ryan’s final declaration of love

Scared of losing Kelly to a successful doctor, Ryan pulls out the big guns and declares his love with the help of poetry and a horse.

62. Asian Jim

From sticking belongings in Jell-O and making mega desks, to tampering with vending machines and more, Jim’s played some great pranks on Dwight over the years, but Asian Jim was a next-level effort.

63. Darryl’s farewell dance

The office busts a move to bid Darryl farewell in Season 9’s “A.A.R.M” episode, though it’s Oscar who really steals the show.

64. The Note

Remember THE TEAPOT? Well, at the last minute Jim hid the card to Pam he’d included in the box, and gives it to her years later (along with a DVD of highlights from their relationship) to save their marriage.

Jenna Fischer still has the note, too!

65. Michael returns for Dwight’s wedding

MICHAEL RETURNS for his BFF’s wedding to Angela, because what would this wedding be without one last “that’s what she said” joke? If the series had to come to an end, the only way we’d want to do it is with the whole gang back together again. It’s emotional AF, but “Finale” does a good job of wrapping up this brilliant journey.

To catch more best moments from Michael, Jim, Creed, Kelly, Angela, Kevin, and the your favorite paper salespeople, you can re-watch the series on Netflix. And who knows, maybe one day we’ll get that revival.