The BEST Episodes of How I Met Your Mother
Every episode ever - ranked by fan votes!
Last Updated: Feb 7, 2020
Network: CBS
The year is 2030. Ted Mosby is relaying the story of how he met his wife to his daughter and son. The story starts in the year 2005, when then twenty-seven year old architect Ted was spurred on to want to get married after his best friends from his college days at Wesleyan, lawyer Marshall Eriksen, who was his roommate at the time and kindergarten teacher Lily Aldrin, got engaged after nine years of dating each other. Ted's new quest in life was much to the dismay of his womanizing friend, Barney Stinson. But soon after Marshall and Lily's engagement, Ted believed that his life mate was going to be news reporter and aspiring news anchor Robin Scherbatsky, who, despite having had a romantic relationship with her after this time, ended up being who the kids know as their "Aunt" Robin. As Ted relays the story to his kids, the constants are that their Uncle Marshall, Aunt Lily, Uncle Barney and Aunt Robin are always in the picture and thus have something to do with how he got together with their mother.
#1 - The Final Page: Part Two
Season 8 - Episode 12 - Aired Dec 17, 2012
Christmas approaches and Ted wrestles with whether to tell Robin about Barney's intentions involving Patrice, while Marshall and Lily get an early Yule gift, a night away from Marvin, but a case of separation anxiety strikes and threatens to ruin the evening.
8.27 
#2 - Oh Honey
Season 6 - Episode 15 - Aired Feb 7, 2011
Barney gets emotional when he opens up to Honey about his life. Ted admits to having feelings for Zoey to the group.
8.13 
#3 - How Your Mother Met Me
Season 9 - Episode 16 - Aired Jan 27, 2014
On the 200th episode, The Mother recounts how she met Ted and what she’s been up to for the past eight years.
8.00 
#4 - The Bro Mitzvah
Season 8 - Episode 22 - Aired Apr 29, 2013
The gang works together to plan a legendary bachelor party for Barney.
7.99 
#5 - The Playbook
Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired Nov 16, 2009
After his relationship with Robin ends, Barney dusts off his "playbook" to help him back into the dating scene
7.99 
#6 - The Final Page: Part One
Season 8 - Episode 11 - Aired Dec 17, 2012
Robin takes steps to have Patrice fired from WWN, while Marshall puts a jinx on Barney. Later, Ted invites his architecture professor to the dedication of the GNB building, and Marshall and Lily bump into an oddball acquaintance from college.
7.99 
#7 - Something New
Season 8 - Episode 24 - Aired May 13, 2013
As the gang prepares to go to Robin and Barney’s wedding, Ted invites Lily to see the house he's finally finished fixing up. Meanwhile, Robin and Barney’s night of relaxation is ruined by an obnoxious couple, and Marshall takes the baby on a last-minute trip to Minnesota to see his family.
7.99 
#8 - The Magician's Code: Part Two
Season 7 - Episode 24 - Aired May 14, 2012
Ted is conflicted when Victoria approaches him on her wedding day and asks him to elope. Meanwhile, Barney and Quinn are arrested by airport security while on the way to Hawaii when Barney refuses to open a box they are traveling with.
7.97 
#9 - The Naked Man
Season 4 - Episode 9 - Aired Nov 24, 2008
The gang learns a new way to get their dates to sleep with them after Ted walks in on Robin's date sitting naked on the couch.
7.97 
#10 - Challenge Accepted
Season 6 - Episode 24 - Aired May 16, 2011
Robin and Barney bond when they intervene in Ted's relationship, and Marshall and Lily watch a ticking clock as he fears that he soon will be the victim of food poisoning.
7.95 
#11 - Bass Player Wanted
Season 9 - Episode 13 - Aired Dec 16, 2013
The gang encounters a guy at the wedding who intentionally stirs up trouble among them, and Marshall finally arrives at the Farhampton Inn.
7.94 
#12 - Come On
Season 1 - Episode 22 - Aired May 15, 2006
Ted tries to keep Robin from going on a camping trip so that she can spend time with him. Barney enlists the help of an old flame to perform a rain dance. At the same time Marshall finds out about Lily's interview for the fellowship in San Francisco.
7.92 
#13 - Slapsgiving
Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired Nov 19, 2007
Lily and Marshall have their first Thanksgiving as a married couple; Barney is tortured by the slap bet countdown clock, worrying about when the slap will be dished out.
7.92 
#14 - Game Night
Season 1 - Episode 15 - Aired Feb 27, 2006
A mysterious tape arrives for Barney from one of his numerous ex-girlfriends, and the entire gang watches it. But, in order for them all to find out how she broke Barney's heart and made him into a suit-wearing bachelor, everyone must share their most embarrassing moment.
7.91 
#15 - The End of the Aisle
Season 9 - Episode 22 - Aired Mar 24, 2014
With only a half-hour to go, both Barney and Robin have panic attacks about their upcoming nuptials. Meanwhile, Marshall and Lily rewrite their old wedding vows.
7.91 
#16 - The Magician's Code: Part One
Season 7 - Episode 23 - Aired May 14, 2012
When Lily goes into labor, Ted and Robin distract her by telling her stories while Marshall hurries back from Atlantic City.
7.91 
#17 - Mary the Paralegal
Season 1 - Episode 19 - Aired Apr 24, 2006
Robin is nominated to receive an award for a news report and everyone needs a date to take to the show. Barney introduces Ted to Mary as a date that Ted can take to the show. Originally Ted is opposed to the idea of just trying to save face in front of Robin but when she shows up with a date he changes his mind. Robin asks Mary lots of questions, and Ted begins to really like Mary, despite her occupation.
7.89 
#18 - Blitzgiving
Season 6 - Episode 10 - Aired Nov 22, 2010
When Ted leaves the bar early to prepare a Thanksgiving feast for his friends, the gang winds up partying all night with The Blitz, an old friend from college who has bad luck. As a result Ted is forced to spend Thanksgiving with Zoey.
7.87 
#19 - Slap Bet
Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired Nov 20, 2006
Ted and Barney discusses their viewpoints on knowing things about women. Barney thinks that the more you know the more likely you are to find a deal breaker. Ted wants to know the deal breakers right away, as Robin refuses to go to the mall to cover her secret.
7.86 
#20 - Karma
Season 7 - Episode 18 - Aired Feb 27, 2012
Barney continues his pursuit of Quinn. Ted has to deal with Robin's old room, while Robin gets a taste of suburban life from Marshall and Lily.
7.86 
#21 - Disaster Averted
Season 7 - Episode 9 - Aired Nov 7, 2011
While the gang reminisces about Hurricane Irene, Barney tries to cut a deal with Marshall and Lily to get out of wearing the Ducky Tie.
7.85 
#22 - A Change of Heart
Season 6 - Episode 18 - Aired Feb 28, 2011
When Barney starts to have real feelings for Nora, he worries that something is wrong with his heart. Meanwhile, Robin starts dating a guy who acts a lot like a dog.
7.84 
#23 - Drumroll, Please
Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired Jan 23, 2006
Ted finds a new woman at the wedding. They want to remember the evening so they don't exchange last names or numbers; but Ted takes a big fall when he tries to find out her name.
7.83 
#24 - The Rehearsal Dinner
Season 9 - Episode 12 - Aired Dec 2, 2013
Barney is shooting to have the rehearsal dinner at a laser-tag venue, while Lily is upset when Ted fails to live up to a promise.
7.83 
#25 - Coming Back
Season 9 - Episode 2 - Aired Sep 23, 2013
When James reveals that he is getting divorced, Robin worries about how Barney will take the news. Meanwhile, Marshall races to find a way to get to New York in time for the wedding, and Ted deals with being alone at a romantic hotel.
7.82