The highest-rated sitcom episodes of all time according to fans – from The Office to Friends

The episode was written by Emily Cutler and directed by Justin Lin. What begins as an official campus-wide paintball competition quickly spirals into all-out chaos, transforming Greendale into a dystopian battleground. As the game intensifies, students and faculty abandon reason, responsibility and even basic decency in a relentless fight for one coveted prize: first pick of next semester's classes.

In the episode directed by Paul Feig and Greg Daniels, regional manager Michael Scott secretly plans to leave the office earlier than his staff expect and he even misses his own leaving party.

The episode was written by Chris McKenna and directed by prolific sitcom director Jeff Melman. A simple decision over who should answer the door for the pizza delivery takes an unexpected turn when Jeff rolls a die, setting off a series of alternate realities. Each possible outcome follows a different member of the group leaving the room, revealing seven distinct timelines – including the "true" version, where Abed stops the die before it can land.

Written by Greg Daniels, the episode brings together two of the series' biggest storylines as Dwight and Angela finally tie the knot, while the long-awaited documentary chronicling life at Dunder Mifflin is unveiled.

Directed by Matt Shakman, the episode was a great hit. Paddy's Pub is hit with an unexpected health inspection, Charlie races to get the bar up to standard while the rest of the Gang becomes consumed by an elaborate scheme to rack up airline miles through a chicken-and-steak promotion.

Directed by Shelley Jensen, the episode is one for the archives. After being absent for 14 years, Will's father, Lou, unexpectedly returns and begins rebuilding a relationship with his son. While Will embraces the chance to reconnect, Uncle Phil remains sceptical, convinced Lou is destined to let him down once again.

Written by Alexa Junge and directed by Michael Lembeck, this is the most popular Friends episode. Phoebe uncovers Monica and Chandler's secret romance and joins forces with Rachel to playfully expose the couple by turning up the flirtation with Chandler. Elsewhere, Ross seizes the chance to move into Ugly Naked Guy's apartment when it becomes available. The episode concludes with a cliffhanger.

Written by Neil Goldman and Garrett Donovan, and directed by Chris Koch, it captures Brendan Fraser's final appearance as Ben Sullivan.