15 Best Three Stooges Episodes for the Entire Fam to Enjoy

Even today, the Three Stooges have a lot of loyal fans who enjoy their comedy shorts. But which episodes are the best?

Best Three Stooges Episodes, Ranked

You'll be hard-pressed to find a more iconic trio in the annals of TV and movie history than the Three Stooges. The line-up may have changed throughout the years, but the better known short films included Moe Howard, Larry Fine and "Curly" Howard. Brother Shemp Howard joined later and was featured in some of the most popular Three Stooges episodes.

So, which Three Stooges episodes are among the best? That's a question we hope to answer in a list that ranks some of the most beloved and popular shorts that were later popularized on television in the 1960s and '70s. Families across the globe just couldn't get enough of the trio.

15. Disorder in the Court

Director: Jack White

Year released: 1936

IMDb rating: 9/10

Why ‘Disorder in the Court’ Is One of the Best Three Stooges Episodes

The name certainly fits, as the trio of Moe, Larry and Curly were up to hilarious high jinks as witnesses called to help clear a friend, who works as a dancer at a local nightclub, of murder. This is a fan favorite because each member of the gang is at their comic best, especially during a scene where the Stooges try to "help" by re-enacting the night of the murder.

We won't spoil the surprise twist, but we will say that "Disorder in the Court" is a definite must-watch for any new fan or re-watch for any long-time lover of the Three Stooges.

This short happens to be one of four in the public domain. Here you can enjoy it in its entirety.

14. I'm a Monkey's Uncle

Director: Jules White

Year released: 1948

IMDb rating: 8.8/10

Why ‘I’m a Monkey’s Uncle’ Is One of the Best Three Stooges Episodes

We suspect that this re-imagining of early man isn't remotely accurate, but "I'm a Monkey's Uncle" goes to show that, in theory, the Three Stooges can be funny in any setting or time period.

This episode has them trying their hands at hunting and gathering with a bit of romance on the side. But clumsiness and misunderstandings abound in this classic!

13. Boobs in Arms

Director: Jules White

Year released: 1940

IMDb rating: 8.8/10

Why ‘Boobs in Arms’ Is One of the Best Three Stooges Episodes

We've seen the "accidentally joined the Army" trope play out many times across different types of media, but the Three Stooges was definitely one of the best to do it, with "Boobs in Arms" being a favorite.

What makes it especially funny is that the Stooges unwittingly join the Army to get away from an irate bully, only to meet him again as an even more irate drill instructor. Oops.

12. Dizzy Detectives

Director: Jules White

Year released: 1943

IMDb rating: 8.7/10

Why ‘Dizzy Detectives’ Is One of the Best Three Stooges Episodes

One part case of mistaken identity and one part side-busting "who done it?" comedy, "Dizzy Detectives" stars Moe, Larry and Curly as construction workers turned police officers tasked with catching a clever criminal who commits robberies while disguised as a gorilla.

But nothing is as it seems in this episode, which actually has the Stooges up against a massive conspiracy. And a real gorilla — because, of course!

11. If a Body Meets a Body

Director: Jules White

Year released: 1945

IMDb rating: 8.6/10

Why ‘If a Body Meets a Body’ Is One of the Best Three Stooges Episodes

This Three Stooges short is significant, as it's the first time we hear the "Three Blind Mice" tune that would ultimately become synonymous with their episodes.

As for the plot, we have Curly, whose last name is Link in this film, as a potential heir to a fortune. But when the will goes missing and the family lawyer turns up dead, he and the other Stooges are held as suspects. Comedic chaos ensues.

10. An Ache in Every Stake

Director: Del Lord

Year released: 1941

IMDb rating: 8.4/10

Why ‘An Ache in Every Stake’ Is One of the Best Three Stooges Episodes

The Three Stooges' plots often run on massive misunderstandings and poor communication, and while that might cause frustration for the audience in other scenarios, "An Ache in Every Stake" is proof that this type of trope works best in the hands of great comedic writers and truly hilarious slapstick comedians like Moe, Larry and Curly.

Here, the dynamic three work as icemen, and despite their best efforts to satisfy a customer, they ultimately end up ruining things. We still can't quite believe the trio thought that filling a cake with gas and topping it with birthday candles would end well, but nonetheless, it was still very funny to watch play out.

9. Brideless Groom

Director: Edward Bernds

Year released: 1947

IMDb rating: 8.3/10

Why ‘Brideless Groom’ Is One of the Best Three Stooges Episodes

"Brideless Groom" is so funny from the very opening scene, which sets the tone for the entire episode. Shemp, with the help of Larry and Moe, tries desperately to spurn the advances of a homely student with a crush while finding a desirable bride to help him collect an inheritance from a deceased relative.

It's worth noting that there are technically two versions of this short. In the first, more widely circulated version, the plot plays straight, as Shemp is indeed set to inherit a sizeable fortune.

However, an alternate version called "Husbands Beware" sees the entire thing as a cruel prank by Larry and Moe, who resent him for remaining a playboy while indirectly tying them down to less-than-desirable wives.

8. Men in Black

Director: Raymond McCarey

Year released: 1934

IMDb rating: 8.1/10

Why ‘Men in Black’ Is One of the Best Three Stooges Episodes

This Three Stooges episode holds the distinction of being the only one (out of 190 or so short films by the trio) that earned an Academy Award nomination. It's very easy to see why, as it's probably among the most distinct Stooges films in terms of plot.

Moe, Larry and Curley are three doctors who aren't the best or brightest (they ultimately graduated due to having spent so much time in medical school), but they are sincere, promising to do their best "for duty and humanity!"

Unfortunately, their "best" includes repeatedly shattering doors, riding horses through hallways and having a hilarious disagreement with the hospital switchboard. This is definitely a classic and a must-rewatch for any true Three Stooges fan.

7. Hoi Polloi

Director: Del Lord

Year released: 1935

IMDb rating: 8.1/10

Why ‘Hoi Polloi’ Is One of the Best Three Stooges Episodes

This episode can be thought of as "My Fair Lady" meets the Three Stooges, which makes sense as both films draw their plot from the famous 1913 play, "Pygmalion."

In the case of "Hoi Polloi," a professor bets one of his peers a whopping $10,000, claiming he can transform the Stooges into gentlemen. As any long-time fan of the comedic trip can guess, this was probably not the smartest bet to make.

It's a great twist on "Pygmalion," perhaps demonstrating that it's best to accept some people as they are and not try to change them. If only to avoid being out a very tidy sum of cash.

6. 3 Dumb Clucks

Director: Del Lord

Year released: 1937

IMDb rating: 7.2/10

Why ‘3 Dumb Clucks’ Is One of the Best Three Stooges Episodes

We see the "sudden inheritance" or "unexpected wealth" trope used a lot in Three Stooges shorts. This one combines it with the "mistaken identity" trope, as Curly gets mistaken for his father, who gets rich and dumps his first wife for another woman. And overall, it works very well here in getting laughs.

One moment of accidental humor involves a prison-break scene featuring a stunt double for Curly who has a full head of hair. It's kind of funny that in an episode like this, they couldn't find a bald stuntman or use a wig cap to make that moment just a touch more convincing. It's still a funny scene, though possibly not for the intended reasons.

5. Malice in the Palace

Director: Jules White

Year released: 1949

IMDb rating: 7.6/10

Why ‘Malice in the Palace’ Is One of The Best Three Stooges Episodes

Although this short could definitely not be released today for a host of reasons, many still consider "Malice in the Palace" to be a Three Stooges classic. Moe, Larry and Shemp run a restaurant of questionable quality, which explains why their guests, and even they themselves, accidentally assume that a pair of pets were included in the menu.

This episode really works because it once again showcases the ability of the Stooges to generate fresh laughs from the miscommunication and misunderstandings trope that was already common in their short films.

4. Punch Drunks

Director: Lou Breslow

Year released: 1934

IMDb rating: 8.4/10

Why ‘Punch Drunks’ Is One of the Best Three Stooges Episodes

The sound of "Pop Goes The Weasel" makes Curly violent. Because this is a Three Stooges short, the logical thing to do is to turn him into a prizefighter. One minute, Curly is waiting tables, and the next minute, he's in the ring and absolutely frightened. When things don't go as planned, it's up to Larry to go above and beyond to provide the magic tune to get Curly into a fighting mood.

Larry brings down the house to do so, and Curly brings down practically everyone around him. The episode is an absolute riot and a certified fan favorite.

3. Sing a Song of Six Pants

Director: Jules White

Year released: 1947

IMDb rating: 7.8/10

Why ‘Sing a Song of Six Pants’ Is One of the Best Three Stooges Episodes

Moe, Larry and Shemp own a tailoring business that's not going so well, as a telegram informs the trio that, unless they pay their bills, they'll be losing their equipment within a day. In true impossible fashion, a wanted bank robber with a bounty on his head just so happens to end up in their store.

The episode highlight has to be the cowardly Shemp accidentally pummeling the bad guy into unconsciousness. That and Moe making hotcakes using an ironing machine. We're still impressed, no pun intended.

This is another great Stooges episode that made its way into the public domain, which you can enjoy here.

2. Gents Without Cents

Director: Jules White

Year released: 1944

IMDb rating: 8.3/10

Why ‘Gents Without Cents’ Is One of the Best Three Stooges Episodes

Moe, Larry and Curly star as a troupe of down-on-their-luck song and dance performers. They initially bump heads with a trio of dancers, but when those dancers turn out to be beautiful women, it's all water under the bridge.

The episode features a hilarious performance of a "Niagara Falls" routine, in which the subject hears the recited phrase and becomes unexpectedly violent. The joke, which was a popular vaudeville gag, inevitably comes back to bite — or rather, chase — the hapless Curly, who apparently can outrun a car when he has to.

1. Idiots Deluxe

Director: Jules White

Year released: 1945

IMDb rating: 7.8/10

Why ‘Idiots Deluxe’ Is One of the Best Three Stooges Episodes

Poor Moe and his nerves. The angry leader of the Three Stooges finds himself on trial for attempted murder — the victims being Curly and Larry. Moe attempts to justify his actions, and we're treated to a flashback of a camping trip gone horribly wrong, complete with a grizzly bear that somehow knows how to drive and correctly use turn signals.

The short was remade and released as "Guns a Poppin" in 1957, with Joe Besser in place of Curly Howard. It featured stock footage from the original short. Sadly, this short was one of the last works featuring Curly, as he became progressively ill and was soon forced to leave the act.

Decades Later, the Three Stooges Continue To Make Us Laugh

It's not easy to pull off hilarious slapstick humor, and we know the Three Stooges aren't for everyone. But for those of us who grew up watching these episodes with friends and family, the laughs never get old. And because some episodes have made their way into the public domain, it represents an opportunity for a lot of people to get free exposure to some of the funniest comedians of the 20th century.

These are our favorite picks of Three Stooges episodes, but as there are nearly 200 shorts to take in, there's an endless combination of films to compare, rank and enjoy.