The BEST episodes of Sanford and Son

Every episode of Sanford and Son ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Sanford and Son!

The misadventures of a cantankerous old man and his son, partners in the family junk business in Los Angeles' Watts neighborhood.

Last Updated: 3/16/2024Network: NBCStatus: Ended
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Rated X
star
8.66
50 votes

#1 - Rated X

Season 2 - Episode 24 - Aired 3/16/1973

After Lamont, Rollo and Fred unwittingly show up at an adult movie shoot, a police raid lands them all in jail.

Directors: Peter Baldwin
Writer: Ilunga Adell
Watch Now:Amazon
Fred Sanford, Legal Eagle
star
8.39
49 votes

#2 - Fred Sanford, Legal Eagle

Season 3 - Episode 15 - Aired 1/11/1974

When Lamont tries to contest a traffic ticket, Fred creates disorder in the court.

Directors: Bob Lahendro
Writer: Gene Farmer
The Party Crasher
star
8.26
42 votes

#3 - The Party Crasher

Season 3 - Episode 18 - Aired 2/8/1974

Lamont and Rollo set up a rendezvous at Rollo's place with two girls that doesn't go as planned, but Fred stops by and saves the day.

Directors: Stan Lathan
Writer: Gene Farmer
Watch Now:Amazon
The Blind Mellow Jelly Collection (a.k.a.) The Chameleon
star
8.26
47 votes

#4 - The Blind Mellow Jelly Collection (a.k.a.) The Chameleon

Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/16/1973

Fred donates a collection of Blind Mellow Jelly records to a library for a tax deduction, but after learning of the records' monetary value, he cooks up a scheme to get them back.

Directors: Mark Warren
Writer: Phil Mishkin
A Little Extra Security
star
8.25
32 votes

#5 - A Little Extra Security

Season 4 - Episode 13 - Aired 12/13/1974

After Grady receives an extra Social Security check, he gambles the money away in Las Vegas.

Directors: Herbert Kenwith
Watch Now:Amazon
Fred's Cheating Heart
star
8.24
34 votes

#6 - Fred's Cheating Heart

Season 3 - Episode 17 - Aired 2/1/1974

Fed up with all of Fred's fake heart attacks, Lamont forces his father to check into the hospital for tests.

Directors: Stan Lathan
Writer: Ilunga Adell
Watch Now:Amazon
Fred's Treasure Garden
star
8.14
35 votes

#7 - Fred's Treasure Garden

Season 4 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/29/1974

With Fred in St. Louis, Grady unwittingly serves a salad to Smitty and Hoppy that may contain marijuana leaves.

Directors: Herbert Kenwith
Writer: Ilunga Adell
Watch Now:Amazon
The Masquerade Party
star
8.10
21 votes

#8 - The Masquerade Party

Season 4 - Episode 18 - Aired 1/31/1975

Fred and his pals don ridiculous costumes to win a prize for Lamont on a TV game show.

Directors: Norman Abbott
Writer: Ted Bergman
Watch Now:Amazon
Tyranny, Thy Name Is Grady
star
8.09
35 votes

#9 - Tyranny, Thy Name Is Grady

Season 3 - Episode 21 - Aired 3/1/1974

With Fred away in St. Louis, Grady rules the house with an iron fist.

Directors: Stan Lathan
Writer: Gene Farmer
Fred, the Reluctant Fingerman
star
8.08
59 votes

#10 - Fred, the Reluctant Fingerman

Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/28/1973

After Fred witnesses a burglary at Julio's place but refuses to identify the culprits, Lamont and Julio turn the tables to show Fred the value of being a good neighbor.

Directors: Jack Shea
Writer: Gene Farmer
A Matter of Life and Breath
star
8.08
101 votes

#11 - A Matter of Life and Breath

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/11/1972

Lamont forces Fred to quit smoking and visit the doctor, but Fred becomes convinced he has tuberculosis.

Directors: George Tyne
Writer: Aaron Ruben
Watch Now:Amazon
Libra Rising All Over Lamont
star
8.00
58 votes

#12 - Libra Rising All Over Lamont

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/21/1973

Inspired by a visit to an astrologist, Lamont seeks peace with his father, but Fred is convinced that his indigestion may be fatal.

Directors: Jack Shea
Writer: Ilunga Adell
Hello, Cousin Emma...Goodbye, Cousin Emma
star
8.00
33 votes

#13 - Hello, Cousin Emma...Goodbye, Cousin Emma

Season 3 - Episode 24 - Aired 3/29/1974

Grady's cousin Emma comes to visit and tries to take advantage of his hospitality.

Directors: Hal Cooper
Writer: Bill Manhoff
The Copper Caper
star
7.98
121 votes

#14 - The Copper Caper

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/4/1972

Fred and Lamont fall victim to a copper scam.

Directors: Bud Yorkin
Writer: Aaron Ruben
Home Sweet Home
star
7.97
32 votes

#15 - Home Sweet Home

Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/25/1974

When a Japanese company tries to buy out the neighborhood to build a brewery, Fred holds out for as much as he can get.

Directors: Norman Abbott
Writer: Ted Bergman
Watch Now:Amazon
My Fair Esther
star
7.97
31 votes

#16 - My Fair Esther

Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/14/1975

With a $1,000 prize on the line, Fred tries to groom Esther to win a beauty contest.

Directors: James Sheldon
Writer: Jerry Ross
Watch Now:Amazon
Donna Pops the Question
star
7.97
29 votes

#17 - Donna Pops the Question

Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/7/1975

With another marriage proposal in hand, Donna gives Fred an ultimatum.

Directors: James Sheldon
Watch Now:Amazon
Wine, Women and Aunt Esther (a.k.a.) Leaving the Nest
star
7.96
50 votes

#18 - Wine, Women and Aunt Esther (a.k.a.) Leaving the Nest

Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 12/14/1973

After the death of a friend, Fred and his buddies throw a party to feel young again but run out of gas long before they can make time with a group of younger women.

Directors: Peter Baldwin
Writer: Ilunga Adell
Lamont, Is That You?
star
7.94
53 votes

#19 - Lamont, Is That You?

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/19/1973

After Bubba spots Lamont and Rollo mistakenly entering a gay bar, an incredulous Fred tries to find out if his son has become a homosexual.

Directors: Peter Baldwin
Lamont Goes Karate
star
7.94
33 votes

#20 - Lamont Goes Karate

Season 3 - Episode 19 - Aired 2/15/1974

Beaten up by a barroom bully, Lamont takes karate lessons to defend himself against the thug.

Directors: Bud Yorkin
Writer: Ilunga Adell
The Return of the Barracuda
star
7.92
63 votes

#21 - The Return of the Barracuda

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 4/7/1972

With Fred and Donna once again planning marriage, Lamont cooks up a scheme to drive them apart.

Directors: Peter Baldwin
Writer: Aaron Ruben
Watch Now:Amazon
The Suitcase Case
star
7.92
71 votes

#22 - The Suitcase Case

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 3/31/1972

Fred and Lamont find a large sum of money in an old suitcase but are soon visited by a gunman intent on taking the treasure.

Directors: Peter Baldwin
The TV Addict
star
7.90
21 votes

#23 - The TV Addict

Season 5 - Episode 17 - Aired 1/30/1976

A hypnotherapist tries to cure Fred of his addiction to television.

Directors: Mark Warren
Writer: Jerry Ross
Watch Now:Amazon
The Light Housekeeper
star
7.90
41 votes

#24 - The Light Housekeeper

Season 2 - Episode 14 - Aired 12/22/1972

Lamont and Fred hire a maid who'd rather relax than work.

Directors: Peter Baldwin
Pot Luck
star
7.90
41 votes

#25 - Pot Luck

Season 2 - Episode 22 - Aired 2/23/1973

Lamont tries to turn a fast buck on a commode that he thinks is a valuable antique.

Directors: Peter Baldwin
Writer: Aaron Ruben
Watch Now:Amazon