There’s 133 Phineas and Ferb episodes that are full of adventure and excitement. The titular duo made the most out of their summer vacation each day. They created amazing memories and inventions in every episode, much to the annoyance of their older sister Candace. Phineas and Ferb holds a special place in my heart as one of the funniest and sweetest cartoons Disney has ever produced. To celebrate the recent release of Candace Against the Universe, here are some of the best episodes of the series. (There are slight spoilers for the new movie, so be prepared!)
10. “Night of the Living Pharmacists” (Season 4, Episode 26)
This kid-friendly horror movie spoof is such a fun Halloween episode. Phineas, Ferb, and their friends must save Danville from a horde of Dr. Doofenshmirtz zombies. Dr. Doof realizes he can use them, but his creations end up turning on him and throwing him out of his building. One by one the kids are turned into “pharmacists” until only one of them can save the city. From the zombies to a Shaun of the Dead cameo, this episode is chock full of one-liners and action that will never fail to be entertaining.
9. “Tri-Stone Area” (Season 3, Episode 15)
I’m a sucker for meta episodes and this episode has a lot of meta moments. We go back to 27,000 B.C., where we meet Phinabunk and Gerb. The show starts with the two brothers inventing the wheel and finding so many uses for it. When we aren’t watching the group racing in a wooden car, we are treated with a photo animation of Jeff “Swampy Marsh (“Major Monogram/Monobrow”) and Dan Povenmire (“Dr. Doofenshmirtz/Doofengung”) to explain what was happening since the characters are speaking a completely different language.
8. “Flop Starz” (Season 1, Episode 4)
Flop Starz brought us the greatest Phineas and Ferb song: “Gitchee Gitchee Goo.” The song is so upbeat and positive that it’s nearly impossible to not dance and sing along. The rest of the episode follows Phineas and Ferb on their quest to become a one-hit-wonder just like their mother. It amazes me how they were able to get a recording contract, a tour, and an elevator music version of their song all in one day.
7. “Dude, We’re Getting the Band Back Together!” (Season 1, Episode 14)
This season one episode is one of the sweetest of the series. Phineas, Ferb, and Candace are determined to save their parents’ wedding anniversary when their dad forgets to buy their mother a gift. Along with the adorable storyline, we’re treated to some amazing songs like “I Ain’t Got Rhythm,” “Fabulous,” and the unforgettable “Snuck Your Way Right Into My Heart.” I love to go back and rewatch this one all the time.
6. “Meapless in Seattle” (Season 3, Episode 21)
We almost didn’t get this delightful episode. What was supposed to be a joke at the end of “The Chronicles of Meap” turned into a fantastic story after the fans’ excitement for the first appearance of Meap. Phineas, Ferb, Meap, and the gang must retrieve a vessel of “cuteonium” and keep it away from the villain known as Big Mitch. The episode reaches the peak cuteness when Isabella saves Phineas by using her natural adorableness.
5. Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe
Five years after the last episode of Phineas and Ferb aired, the gang has reunited in a fun new adventure. We finally get to see Candace in her own adventure as she is taken across the universe to an alien planet as a “chosen one.” As much fun as it is to see the boys create and innovate, it’s refreshing to see their sister in the spotlight. The boys team up with Dr. Doof and their friends, and honestly, it’s hilarious to see the evil scientist compete with Isabella for the role of team leader and argue about whether or not adulting is a word. This movie is a fantastic continuation of the beloved series and I highly recommend watching it on Disney+!
4. “Crack that Whip” (Season 1, Episode 18)
Okay, this one might be on here because I play roller derby and it’s a derby themed episode. While it’s not how modern derby is played, it’s still fun to watch some of my favorite characters take to the track to reach the finish line first. It’s even more special to me because they do use one of the moves that is often used in the sport of roller derby: the whip. One skater holds their arm out so that another skater can grab on and be launched across the track to gain the lead. Trust me, it’s a lot of fun to be the one that gets “whipped.” It’s fun watching the Johnsons and the Flynn-Fletchers battle it out on the track. (Oh, by the way, my derby name is Jared Smashalecki, if you were wondering. :D)
3. “Summer Belongs to You” (Season 2, Episode 31)
This episode is one of the most ambitious things Phineas and Ferb have done: travel around the world to create the world’s longest day. They leave Danville in a jet plane and travel to Japan, Paris, the Himalayas, and a deserted island (though the last one is unintentional). Some of my absolute favorite songs of the series are in this special, such as “City of Love” and “Summer Belongs to You.” I can’t help but sing along when I hear those songs play. My favorite part of the episode is watching Phineas and Ferb fixing the plane with giant baguettes and a giant rubber band ball.
2. “Finding Mary McGuffin” (Season 2, Episode 18)
I think this is Dr. Doof’s best episode and shows how amazing of a father he is. He finds a Mary McGuffin doll that was accidentally placed in the garage sale at Phineas and Ferb’s house, and he buys it knowing his daughter Vanessa wanted one so badly when she was a kid. Vanessa tries to play it cool and say she was too old, but she finds out that her dad never stopped looking and realizes how much her father loves her. While Doofenshmirtz brings Vanessa her surprise, Candace is visibly upset because she lost the Mary McGuffin doll that Dr. Doof bought. Phineas and Ferb decide to help her out by becoming detectives, and I love seeing the boys being such good brothers to Candace.
1. “Rollercoaster: The Musical!” (Season 2, Episode 37)
This is my all-time favorite episode of Phineas and Ferb. This one recreates the very first episode of Phineas and Ferb, but now there are more musical numbers. What makes it special to me is that it pays homage to many different Broadway musicals in the first song “Hey Ferb.” You can see references to Cats, Chicago, Oklahoma!, The King and I, Singing in the Rain, and so many others. And that’s just in the first few minutes of the episode. Phineas and Ferb start the show, but the others follow their lead and perform songs like “You’re Going Down” and “Mom Look.” Even some of the other characters get a chance to sing, like the building engineer that performs a song based around one of the signature catchphrases of the show, “Aren’t You a Little Young?” Also, as a High School Musical fan, I adore the cameo by Kenny Ortega in the final number, “Carpe Diem.”
Phineas and Ferb will always be a classic Disney Channel show. From the catchy tunes to the witty one-liners, there is something for everyone to enjoy. What are your favorite episodes to watch?