Is Friends on Netflix in 2023?
What is Friends?
Friends is an American sitcom that originally aired from 1994 to 2004. Created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, the show follows the lives of six friends living in Manhattan, New York City. The show was a huge success and became one of the most popular television shows of all time, airing for nine seasons and 236 episodes.
Friends on Netflix in 2023?
Unfortunately, Friends is no longer available to stream on Netflix. In January 2021, it was announced that Netflix would be removing Friends from its service, as well as Sex and the City, The Nanny, and 1000 Years of Love. However, in a surprise move, Netflix has announced that it will be keeping Friends on its platform, but it will be streaming in a paid format, known as Friends Reunion Special.
Why was Friends removed from Netflix?
There are several reasons why Friends was removed from Netflix. "The decision was made to focus on current shows and seasons", according to Netflix’s Brian Bailey. Another reason is that the original run of Friends was only five seasons, leaving Netflix with limited room to offer more shows. Additionally, Netflix has been trying to shift its focus towards more original content, and Friends was a non-Netflix original series.
The Reunion Special: Friends Reunion Special
The Friends Reunion Special is a two-part reunion special that premiered on May 27, 2021. The special features the six friends reprising their roles, including Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer. The special features some hilarious moments, glimpses into their past, and of course, plenty of cheesiness.
The Cast’s Reaction to Netflix’s Decision
In a statement, Jennifer Aniston said, "The decision was very tough, but I think we should be proud of what we accomplished. We’ve created something that’s truly special, and I think it’s really something special." David Schwimmer added, "I’m very happy with Netflix’s decision. It’s allowed us to give our fans the reunion they’ve been waiting for, and I think it’s going to be a lot of fun."
When is Friends Reunion Special on Netflix?
The Friends Reunion Special is currently available to stream on Netflix. However, it’s not possible to purchase the special as a standalone movie or book. Instead, Netflix has divided the special into two streaming events: a half-hour special and a full-hour special. Both special will be available on May 27, 2021.
A Look Back at Friends on Netflix
Before Friends was removed from Netflix, it was still available to stream on the platform. Here are some highlights from Friends on Netflix:
- Favorite Episodes: Seasons 1-5, episode 5 of Season 1, and "The One Where No One’s Ready" (Season 10, Episode 22)
- Best Moments: "The One with the Prom Video" (Season 1, Episode 22), "The One with the Football" (Season 3, Episode 9), and "The One with the Embryos" (Season 4, Episode 12)
- All-Time Favorite Show: Fans have expressed their love for the show with comments like "Friends is my favorite TV show ever!" and "I’ve watched it for so many years and it still makes me laugh!"
Conclusion
Unfortunately, Friends is no longer available to stream on Netflix. However, the Friends Reunion Special has been released, allowing fans to still enjoy the reunion of their favorite characters. The special is available to stream on May 27, 2021, and once again in the fall (more details will be shared soon). Fans can also purchase individual episodes or seasons of Friends on Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.
Signs of The End of The Road For Friends On Netflix
It’s clear that the end of Friends on Netflix was a deal made for the network to abandon the platform in favor of more current and familiar content. However, fans continue to hold out hope that the show will one day return to Netflix, and perhaps even get a special re-release.