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The Best Episodes of New Girl

Every episode of New Girl ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of New Girl!

Binge this in 2d 5h•Peaking at 8.4/10

Jessica Day is an offbeat and adorable girl in her late 20s who, after a bad breakup, moves in with three single guys. Goofy, positive, vulnerable and honest to a fault, Jess has faith in

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    New Girl Season 2 Episode 15 - Cooler
    8.4/10(2990 votes)

    #1 - Cooler

    S2:E15

    Nick and Schmidt go out on a "bro's night," but quickly become infatuated with, and highly competitive over, a beautiful woman attracted to sadness. Meanwhile, Winston falls for a girl with absolutely no interest in him, which only makes him more attracted to her. Then, Jess' decision to have a night alone in the loft doesn't go as planned and involves another round of the drinking game "True American," and a surprising development in her relationship with one of the loft mates.

    Director:Max Winkler
    Writer:Rebecca Addelman

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  2. New Girl Season 4 Episode 22 - Clean Break
    8.3/10(2134 votes)

    #2 - Clean Break

    S4:E22

    As Coach prepares to move out of the loft, Schmidt also decides to get rid of his non-essentials and in the process discovers what is truly important to him; Jess and Nick reminisce about their “sex mug” and wonder if they still have feelings for each other.

    Director:Trent O'Donnell
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. New Girl Season 4 Episode 6 - Background Check
    8.1/10(2072 votes)

    #3 - Background Check

    S4:E6

    As part of Winston's police academy training, the loft must pass a home visit and background check, which shouldn't be a problem until Jess admits she might be hiding illegal substances in her closet.

    Director:Lorene Scafaria
    Writer:Rebecca Addelman

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  4. New Girl Season 4 Episode 17 - Spiderhunt
    8.0/10(1345 votes)

    #4 - Spiderhunt

    S4:E17

    It’s a lockdown in the loft when Schmidt’s arachnophobia forces the group go on a spider hunt. In the midst of this chaos, Winston inadvertently makes Jess think that Cece is in love with Nick.

    Director:Steve Welch
    Writer:Berkley Johnson

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  5. New Girl Season 2 Episode 25 - Elaine's Big Day
    7.9/10(1902 votes)

    #5 - Elaine's Big Day

    S2:E25

    Cece's wedding day finds Jess and Nick making a decision about their relationship. Meanwhile, Schmidt schemes with a typically overenthusiastic Winston to sabotage the nuptials, although a shocking announcement may be bigger than anything he plans.

    Director:Jake Kasdan
    Writers:Christian Magalhaes, Robert Snow

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  6. New Girl Season 5 Episode 22 - Landing Gear
    7.8/10(1503 votes)

    #6 - Landing Gear

    S5:E22

    Schmidt makes a last ditch effort to convince Cece's mom to come to their wedding, but in doing so, he might miss the special day himself.

    Director:Erin O'Malley
    Writer:Luvh Rakhe

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of New Girl

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  7. New Girl Season 4 Episode 9 - Thanksgiving IV
    7.7/10(1269 votes)

    #7 - Thanksgiving IV

    S4:E9

    With winter coming and everyone still single, Schmidt initiates a "Bangs-giving"-themed Thanksgiving dinner party, to which everyone must bring someone compatible for someone else.

    Director:Fred Goss
    Writer:David Feeney

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  8. New Girl Season 4 Episode 12 - Shark
    7.7/10(1064 votes)

    #8 - Shark

    S4:E12

    Nick and Coach become concerned when they meet Winston's new training officer; Jess uses Schmidt in hope of influencing a councilwoman to stop the night construction taking place outside the loft.

    Director:Alex Hardcastle
    Writers:Rob Rosell, Jacob Brown

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  9. New Girl Season 1 Episode 4 - Naked
    7.6/10(2277 votes)

    #9 - Naked

    S1:E4

    Jess accidentally walks in on Nick naked, sending his self-confidence to an all-time low - just after an attractive co-worker agrees to go out on a date with him. Meanwhile, Winston becomes obsessed with learning pop-culture references online.

    Director:Jake Kasdan
    Writer:J. J. Philbin

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  10. New Girl Season 3 Episode 14 - Prince
    7.6/10(2185 votes)

    #10 - Prince

    S3:E14

    Jess is ready to paint the town purple when a chance encounter finds her and best friend Cece invited to a once-in-a-lifetime mansion party thrown by music legend Prince. Not wanting to miss out on the fun, Nick, Schmidt, Winston and Coach are determined to crash the festivities, building toward an Unforgettable ending.

    Director:Fred Goss
    Writers:Rob Rosell, David Feeney

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  11. New Girl Season 5 Episode 21 - Wedding Eve
    7.6/10(1112 votes)

    #11 - Wedding Eve

    S5:E21

    On the night before the wedding, Nick and Winston try to help Schmidt re-write his vows and Jess, thinking that Sam is going to propose to her, rallies the gang into playing True American to avoid giving him an answer.

    Director:Trent O'Donnell
    Writers:Kim Rosenstock, Nina Pedrad

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  12. New Girl Season 2 Episode 19 - Quick Hardening Caulk
    7.5/10(1840 votes)

    #12 - Quick Hardening Caulk

    S2:E19

    Jess comes to a conclusion about her romantic feelings for Nick and she struggles to tell him - until she's hopped up on pain medication. But after admitting her feelings, she finds out he may have been keeping something from her. Meanwhile, Schmidt becomes obsessed with buying a fish, which Winston sees as a metaphor for Schmidt's unresolved feelings toward Cece and Nick plans a bar promotion to impress the bar owner (guest star Odette Annable).

    Director:Lorene Scafaria
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. New Girl Season 3 Episode 11 - Clavado En Un Bar
    7.5/10(1257 votes)

    #13 - Clavado En Un Bar

    S3:E11

    When Jess has to make a quick decision about her career, her friends all recall how they ended up at their jobs.

    Director:Eric Appel
    Writer:Berkley Johnson

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  14. New Girl Season 4 Episode 5 - Landline
    7.5/10(1305 votes)

    #14 - Landline

    S4:E5

    When Coach's liaison with the school nurse gets messy, vice principal Jess must enforce a new, "no fraternization" policy among the teachers. But the tables soon get turned when she finds herself attracted to the hot new science teacher. Meanwhile, Nick is enjoying being Schmidt and Winston's secretary, after the loft gets a new home phone

    Director:Trent O'Donnell
    Writer:Rob Rosell

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  15. New Girl Season 4 Episode 7 - Goldmine
    7.5/10(1358 votes)

    #15 - Goldmine

    S4:E7

    Nick pretends to be gay to make his status as Jess' "ex" less of an issue to her new beau. To Coach's annoyance, Winston works his "Long Game" on their attractive neighbors, Michelle and Viv. Meanwhile, Schmidt panics when Cece considers having a breast reduction

    Director:Russ T. Alsobrook
    Writer:Berkley Johnson

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  16. New Girl Season 7 Episode 6 - Mario
    7.5/10(899 votes)

    #16 - Mario

    S7:E6

    Nick's plan to propose to Jess is thrown off-course when they decide to get a dog, Winston sees color for the first time and Schmidt worries about Cece getting pregnant again.

    Director:Jay Chandrasekhar
    Writer:Joe Wengert

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  17. New Girl Season 1 Episode 13 - Valentine's Day
    7.4/10(1825 votes)

    #17 - Valentine's Day

    S1:E13

    Single for the first time on Valentine's Day, Jess convinces Schmidt to be her wingman as she attempts to have an attachment-free fling with a handsome stranger. Nick's romantic plans are foiled when he finds himself spending more time with Julia's law firm assistant than with her. Winston becomes one of the girls when Shelby invites him over on the holiday.

    Director:Tucker Gates
    Writer:Lesley Wake Webster

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  18. New Girl Season 2 Episode 6 - Halloween
    7.4/10(1594 votes)

    #18 - Halloween

    S2:E6

    Jess gets a job as a zombie at a haunted house, but is more frightened of her changing feelings towards Sam. Schmidt and Cece are perfectly matched in the costumes they're wearing, while Winston and Shelby are worlds apart in theirs. Nick gets a visit from a former college crush who shows her affection in a scary way.

    Director:Jesse Peretz
    Writer:David Iserson

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  19. New Girl Season 2 Episode 7 - Menzies
    7.4/10(1639 votes)

    #19 - Menzies

    S2:E7

    As Jess' job search kicks into high gear, the guys fear her time of the month is also affecting their physical and psychological well-being. Meanwhile, Schmidt begins a "50 Shades of Grey"-type of relationship with his corporate boss, and Nick gains wisdom from an unlikely, hands-on (and mute) source.

    Director:Jason Woliner
    Writer:Kim Rosenstock

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  20. New Girl Season 2 Episode 11 - Santa
    7.4/10(1641 votes)

    #20 - Santa

    S2:E11

    When the gang attempts to juggle multiple holiday parties in one night, Jess tries to avoid a remorseful Sam, Nick tries to keep up with a sexually adventurous Angie and Winston panics when he gets a cranberry stuck in his ear.

    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writer:Luvh Rakhe

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  21. New Girl Season 2 Episode 16 - Table 34
    7.4/10(1578 votes)

    #21 - Table 34

    S2:E16

    The gang attends a dating convention, where Cece hopes to find a prospective husband - even as Schmidt hopes to win her back. Meanwhile, Winston's mojo returns, and Jess and Nick get put in a compromising position in front of Dr. Sam.

    Director:Tristram Shapeero
    Writer:David Iserson

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  22. New Girl Season 2 Episode 21 - First Date
    7.4/10(1481 votes)

    #22 - First Date

    S2:E21

    Jess and Nick, who are caught between friendship and something more, try to break out of relationship-limbo by going on a First Date. Once Schmidt and Winston realize a full-on Jess/Nick romance might be happening, they swoop in to try to sabotage the date.

    Director:Lynn Shelton
    Writers:J. J. Philbin, Berkley Johnson

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  23. New Girl Season 4 Episode 8 - Teachers
    7.4/10(1252 votes)

    #23 - Teachers

    S4:E8

    Jess, Coach and Ryan attend a teachers' conference, led by education guru Brenda Brown. Back at the loft, Nick, Schmidt and Winston try to have a wild weekend while Jess is out of town.

    Director:Trent O'Donnell
    Writer:Kim Rosenstock

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  24. New Girl Season 4 Episode 15 - The Crawl
    7.4/10(1126 votes)

    #24 - The Crawl

    S4:E15

    When a new bar opens in the neighborhood, it completes the final piece of the puzzle for Nick's epic Valentine's Day pub crawl. Meanwhile, Jess and Ryan drunkenly contemplate their future, Coach meets a new woman - over and over again - and Schmidt tries to fit into the world of politics.

    Director:Jay Chandrasekhar
    Writer:Kim Rosenstock

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  25. New Girl Season 4 Episode 21 - Panty Gate
    7.4/10(1087 votes)

    #25 - Panty Gate

    S4:E21

    Schmidt takes the fall to help Fawn out of a political scandal. Meanwhile, Jess declares herself a “love doctor” and Coach faces a life-changing decision with May.

    Director:Reginald Hudlin
    Writers:David Feeney, Veronica McCarthy

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Best Episodes Summary

"Cooler" is the best rated episode of "New Girl". It scored 8.4/10 based on 2990 votes. Directed by Max Winkler and written by Rebecca Addelman, it aired on 1/29/2013. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Clean Break".