The BEST episodes of Happy Days season 1

Every episode of Happy Days season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Happy Days season 1!

A nostalgic comedy set in 1950s Milwaukee centered on the squeaky-clean Cunningham family and their relationship with Fonzie, a motorcycle-riding Casanova who became a pop-culture phenomenon during the show's heyday in the 1970s.

Last Updated: 8/13/2024Network: ABC (US)Status: Ended
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Great Expectations
star
8.05
113 votes

#1 - Great Expectations

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 4/16/1974

Richie meets a beatnik named Diedre at the movies and gets caught up in her type of lifestyle.

Watch Now:Amazon
All the Way
star
7.51
465 votes

#2 - All the Way

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/15/1974

Potsie sets Richie up with a girl known to have a reputation. Richie doesn't get far with her but leads Fonzie and others to believe he did.

Directors: Mel Ferber
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Because She's There
star
7.46
146 votes

#3 - Because She's There

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 4/2/1974

Richie is put in an awkward situation when he is set up with a girl much taller than he is. Meanwhile, Howard is frustrated by Marion's ineptness at playing bridge.

Directors: Peter Baldwin
Writer: Jack Winter
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Richie's Cup Runneth Over
star
7.45
247 votes

#4 - Richie's Cup Runneth Over

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/29/1974

Richie and Potsie are invited to Potsie's cousin's stag party. In an attempt to lessen the effects of the alcohol they will consume, they each drink several cartons of milk and a sip of olive oil.

Directors: Jerry Paris
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The Lemon
star
7.45
309 votes

#5 - The Lemon

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/22/1974

Tired of driving around in Howard's DeSoto, Richie and Potsie buy a car of their own. The car has several problems including an engine that won't run consistently. This causes problems when they try to impress two girls.

Directors: Jerry Paris
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Breaking up is Hard to Do
star
7.43
123 votes

#6 - Breaking up is Hard to Do

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 3/12/1974

Richie and his girlfriend, Arlene, break up after two weeks of dating. Neither of them have dates for the prom, so they end up going together as friends.

Directors: Jerry Paris
Watch Now:Amazon
The Deadly Dares
star
7.41
195 votes

#7 - The Deadly Dares

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/19/1974

Richie and Potsie, in their never-ending effort to get girls, decide that they want to join a gang called the Demons. However, in order to be accepted, they have to perform several dares.

Directors: Herb Wallerstein
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Hardware Jungle
star
7.35
197 votes

#8 - Hardware Jungle

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/12/1974

Richie buys tickets to a rock and roll show from Fonzie but has to work at the hardware store when Howard needs to have his tonsils removed. Because he'll be working until 9:00 PM, he won't be able to go to the show, so he asks Fonzie for a refund. Later, Howard tells Richie that he can close the store at 5:00 PM leaving him free to go to the show. He, now, has to ask Fonzie for the tickets back.

Directors: Jerry Paris
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Give the Band a Hand
star
7.29
161 votes

#9 - Give the Band a Hand

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/26/1974

To make some money, Richie, Potsie, Ralph, and Bag form a band. They secure a gig, but Richie and Potsie lose the money (including that of Ralph and Bag) playing poker.

Directors: Jerry Paris
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Guess Who's Coming to Visit
star
7.23
219 votes

#10 - Guess Who's Coming to Visit

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/5/1974

Potsie is staying with the Cunninghams, and he and Richie sneak out to watch a drag race in which Fonzie is involved.

Directors: Jerry Paris
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Knock Around the Block
star
7.19
140 votes

#11 - Knock Around the Block

Season 1 - Episode 15 - Aired 4/30/1974

Richie gets on the good side of a local gang, the Dukes, when he protects the leader's sister from being picked on. However, things change when the Dukes steal Potsie's bike, and Richie tries to get it back.

Directors: Jerry Paris
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Best Man
star
7.19
139 votes

#12 - The Best Man

Season 1 - Episode 14 - Aired 4/23/1974

Howard's old army buddy, a black man, asks Howard to be the best man at his wedding. Howard and Marion consider holding the wedding at their home when the man can't find anyone else willing to do it.

Directors: Jerry Paris
Writer: Joel Kane
Watch Now:Amazon
Fonzie Drops In
star
7.16
195 votes

#13 - Fonzie Drops In

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/26/1974

After taking a look at a B+ Potsie got on an exam, Fonzie decides to drop back into school. He asks Richie to do his homework and cheat for him.

Directors: Mel Ferber
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
In the Name of Love
star
7.13
146 votes

#14 - In the Name of Love

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 4/9/1974

Cindy, a new girl in school, asks Richie to tutor her. Richie is interested in more than just studying and makes several attempts to win her over.

Directors: Don Weis
Writer: Jack Winter
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Be the First on Your Block
star
7.12
134 votes

#15 - Be the First on Your Block

Season 1 - Episode 16 - Aired 5/7/1974

Howard wants to buy a bomb shelter to protect his family. Problems quickly arise when several of Richie's friends ask if they can use it.

Directors: Jerry Paris
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The Skin Game
star
7.05
156 votes

#16 - The Skin Game

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 3/5/1974

Richie and Potsie obtain fake identification cards in order to attend a burlesque show where Ralph says Bubbles McCall takes it all off.

Directors: Mel Ferber
Watch Now:Apple TV