Pee-wee's Playhouse backdrop
Kids•Comedy

The Best Episodes of Pee-wee's Playhouse

Every episode of Pee-wee's Playhouse ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Pee-wee's Playhouse!

Binge this in 22h 30m•Peaking at 8.5/10

Join Pee-Wee Herman and his friends Chairry, Miss Yvonne, Cowboy Curtis, Jambi the Genie and others as they play around in Pee-Wee's magical Playhouse!

Airs on
CBS
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons5

All12345

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 5 Episode 8 - Camping Out
    8.5/10(42 votes)

    S5:E8

    Pee-wee goes on a camping trip with Cowboy Curtis and leaves Mrs. Rene to house-sit the Playhouse. Pee-wee and Cowboy Curtis ride horses, roast wieners, and sleep under the stars. Curtis does his best to "show" Pee-wee a good time, and Pee-wee thinks Curtis is lucky to be a cowboy!

    Directors:John Paragon, Paul Reubens
    Writer:John Paragon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 2 Episode 9 - Playhouse In Outer Space
    8.4/10(66 votes)

    S2:E9

    Aaaaugh! The secret word is "zyzzybalubah," and that can only mean one thing! The entire Playhouse, including Reba, is sucked into space, transported to a strange planet, and taken over by an odd, lonely alien! Yvona, an alien from the planet, is trying to escape the unfriendly Zyzzybalubah, but Pee-wee teaches him how to be polite and make friends. Reba teaches Pee-wee how to whistle, and she sings a song.

    Directors:Wayne Orr, Paul Reubens
    Writers:George McGrath, Max Robert, Paul Reubens

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 4 Episode 1 - Dr. Pee-wee and the Del Rubios
    8.4/10(43 votes)

    S4:E1

    When Reba isn't feeling too "well," Pee-wee tells her to be patient because he's going to be her doctor. With the help of Chandelier, Magic Screen, and Pterri, Pee-wee takes an X-ray and her temperature before removing a splinter from her finger! Then, the Del Rubio Triplets stop by but not for long because their "Boots Are Made For Walkin'!"

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:John Paragon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 4 Episode 2 - Fire In the Playhouse
    8.4/10(49 votes)

    S4:E2

    When Pee-wee and Miss Yvonne decide to bake bread to make peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches for snack time, Randy decides to break the rules and change the temperature on Miss Yvonne's baking bread to 700 degrees! Though Pee-wee's been dreaming of Miss Yvonne, she develops a sizzling crush on the four-alarm Fireman Frank when he arrives to share the cold hard facts of fire safety! Listen for the secret word, - you know the "one" - and you'll have a red-hot time.

    Directors:John Paragon, Paul Reubens
    Writer:John Paragon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 1 Episode 13 - Party
    8.3/10(58 votes)

    S1:E13

    It's party time at the Playhouse and you're invited! The whole gang is here: Cowboy Curtis, Captain Carl, Reba the Mail Lady and the lovely Miss Yvonne! You'll want to join in the Hokey-Pokey, yell when you hear the secret word (""this"") and play pin the tail on the...Globey.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 3 Episode 1 - Reba Eats and Pterri Runs
    8.3/10(41 votes)

    S3:E1

    Pee-wee wants a letter mailed, so he asks Jambi to make Reba appear at the Playhouse. This makes Reba mad because it's her day off. Pee-wee convinces her to stay for an imaginary breakfast of oatmeal and potatoes. Meanwhile, Pterri disappears when Pee-wee sends him to his nest for being naughty. The Playhouse gang blames themselves for Pterri's punishment until Pterri comes back - from hiding underneath the bed! Watch, "now," and you'll have a "Pterri-fic" time!

    Directors:Wayne Orr, Paul Reubens
    Writer:John Paragon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Pee-wee's Playhouse

    READ
  7. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 1 Episode 3 - Rainy Day
    8.2/10(86 votes)

    S1:E3

    It's a rainy day outside, and Pee-wee does many things for the rest of the day: fly paper airplanes, get a call from Miss Yvonne (who won't make it due to the weather), build an indoor campfire, and tell a ghost story. Later, he gets bored and has Playhouse fever! Randy tries to cheer him up by letting him call strangers - such as a housewife who grows angry when Randy plays a prank phone call on her. Pee-wee then calls the same person whose husband turns out to be a police officer. The husband threatens to take Pee-wee in, but he lets him go after he learns his lesson. Now, Pee-wee's only hope for "help" is Jambi.

    Director:Stephen R. Johnson
    Writers:George McGrath, Max Robert, Paul Reubens, John Paragon, Michael Varhol

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 2 Episode 1 - Open House
    8.2/10(54 votes)

    S2:E1

    Today in the "Playhouse," Pee-wee tricks his friends into doing all of his chores by pretending that work is fun. The gang meets some new friends while renovating the "house." Reba arrives in time to deliver Clocky while the Playhouse gang uncovers Floory and meets Mrs. Rene for the first time.

    Directors:Guy J. Louthan, Paul Reubens
    Writers:George McGrath, Max Robert, Paul Reubens

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 2 Episode 4 - Pee-wee Catches a Cold
    8.2/10(52 votes)

    S2:E4

    Today the secret word is "out," but Pee-wee is stuck in when he overdoes it and comes down with a cold! It's lovely Nurse Yvonne and ultra-health conscious Ricardo to the rescue with some good advice and chicken soup for their sick and cranky friend. In no time, Pee-wee's back to his old self again to join in the Playhouse fun.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 1 Episode 9 - Monster In the Playhouse
    8.1/10(69 votes)

    S1:E9

    "Look" out because Mrs. Steve reports that there is a giant, one-eyed monster in town! He appears in the Playhouse, on the loose, and scares everyone! After Pee-wee makes the monster a snack, and Jambi grants Pee-wee's wish to understand the monster, the whole gang has a new friend! They even play a game of golf.

    Director:Stephen R. Johnson
    Writers:George McGrath, Max Robert, Paul Reubens, John Paragon, Michael Varhol

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 2 Episode 10 - Pajama Party
    8.1/10(57 votes)

    S2:E10

    Guess who's having a pajama-party sleepover? That's right, it's Pee-wee along with his co-hostess, "the most beautiful woman in Puppetland," Miss Yvonne! Jambi's got a head for pajama fashion when he gives Cowboy Curtis a Wild-West pair of P.J.s! Wacky Roger, the Monster, keeps an eye on things as Pee-wee decides that, since he loves his fruit salad so much, he's going to marry it! "Watch" for the secret word!

    Directors:Wayne Orr, Paul Reubens
    Writers:George McGrath, Max Robert, Paul Reubens

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 1 Episode 1 - Ice Cream Soup
    8.0/10(170 votes)

    S1:E1

    In this very first Playhouse episode, Pee Wee's friends, including Cowboy Curtis and Miss Yvonne, are introduced when they come over to swim in the pool. Captain Carl would be there too... if he weren't lost! When he calls in a mayday, it takes Conky and Globey to locate him and guide him to the delicious Sandwich Islands. Speaking of delicious, Pee Wee makes Ice cream Soup for the gang when rain drives them back through the Playhouse ""door"".

    Director:Stephen R. Johnson
    Writers:George McGrath, Max Robert, Paul Reubens, John Paragon, Michael Varhol

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 1 Episode 2 - Luau For Two
    8.0/10(97 votes)

    S1:E2

    It's no secret that today's secret word is ""fun,"" 'cause Pee Wee just won a dinner for two at a Hawaiian restaurant! The question is -- who's he gonna take? The whole gang, including Captain Carl and Miss Yvonne, ""lei""s on the guilt for poor Pee Wee. Even Cowntess the cow has bought a new Moo-Moo! What's Pee Wee to do? Throw his own wild luau, that's what -- and invite the entire Playhouse!

    Director:Stephen R. Johnson
    Writers:George McGrath, Max Robert, Paul Reubens, John Paragon, Michael Varhol

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 1 Episode 7 - Restaurant
    8.0/10(60 votes)

    S1:E7

    Pee-wee is the maitre d', waiter and cashier while playing restaurant. Customer Captain Carl orders everything on the menu only to learn that all they have are peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches! Also, Dixie is having a particularly bad "day."

    Director:Stephen R. Johnson
    Writers:George McGrath, Max Robert, Paul Reubens, John Paragon, Michael Varhol

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 2 Episode 2 - Puppy In the Playhouse
    8.0/10(51 votes)

    S2:E2

    Cowntess, just back from a world cruise, is showing some of her home movies from the trip. Globey teaches Pee-wee how to say "hello, my name is Pee-wee" in French and Chinese! When a lost puppy appears at the Playhouse door, no one can figure out who the owner is. Pee-wee develops a strong case of puppy love and decides to keep him and name him Aloysius. However, Reba comes "over," and it's obvious just whose dog it is.

    Directors:Wayne Orr, Paul Reubens
    Writers:George McGrath, Max Robert, Paul Reubens

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 2 Episode 3 - Store
    8.0/10(51 votes)

    S2:E3

    Pee-wee and Cowboy Curtis take a leap into Magic Screen where they enjoy some mighty fine handcart ridin' until a train chases them back into the waiting arms of Chairry! Then, Cowboy Curtis sings a song with "more" of the secret word in it than you could scream at. Finally, Cowboy Curtis and Miss Yvonne go shopping at Pee-wee's "department store" where they decide to buy Chairry!

    Directors:Wayne Orr, Paul Reubens
    Writers:George McGrath, Max Robert, Paul Reubens

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 5 Episode 3 - Front Page Pee-wee
    8.0/10(36 votes)

    S5:E3

    Pee-wee's revving up the presses to print the Playhouse's first newspaper! The Playhouse crew starts researching their articles with the five "W's" and "H": who, what, when, where, why, and "how." When Pee-wee puts the paper to bed, and then goes to bed himself, sneaky Randy changes everyone's stories to lies! How will the Playhouse pals live it down?

    Directors:John Paragon, Paul Reubens
    Writers:Doug Cox, John Moody

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 5 Episode 5 - Playhouse Day
    8.0/10(43 votes)

    S5:E5

    Because Cowboy Curtis, Miss Yvonne, and Cowntess all have to work, Pee-wee and the Playhouse crew create a special holiday: "Playhouse Day!" To celebrate, they decorate a tree, the Playhouse, and even the King of Cartoons! When they find out it's an official holiday, Cowboy Curtis, Miss Yvonne, and the Cowntess take the day off. After all, it is the fun "thing" to do!

    Directors:John Paragon, Paul Reubens
    Writer:Rob Bragin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 5 Episode 9 - Something To Do
    8.0/10(36 votes)

    S5:E9

    Pee-wee can't figure out what to "do" today, so Jambi gives him a to-do list which includes blowing a big balloon, dressing up as a pirate, and going for a walk with Miss Yvonne. The list also mentions cleaning up Pee-wee's room.

    Directors:John Paragon, Paul Reubens
    Writer:John Paragon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 5 Episode 10 - Playhouse For Sale
    8.0/10(46 votes)

    S5:E10

    Miss Yvonne pays a visit to the Playhouse, yet Pee-wee is nowhere to be found. Miss Yvonne finds, instead, the words "For Sale" in front of the Playhouse abode. Shocked and confused, Miss Yvonne and everyone else try to remember all the better times that the Playhouse has gone through. Watch for today's secret "word."

    Directors:John Paragon, Paul Reubens
    Writer:John Paragon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 1 Episode 5 - Just Another Day
    7.9/10(68 votes)

    S1:E5

    Cowboy Curtis decides to have a cowboy-style snack (slow-cooked steak) and shows Pee-wee how to square dance. Pee-wee shows Curtis how to pogo, and Dixie gets her name on the "back" of her new jacket.

    Director:Stephen R. Johnson
    Writers:George McGrath, Max Robert, Paul Reubens, John Paragon, Michael Varhol

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 1 Episode 6 - Beauty Makeover
    7.9/10(61 votes)

    S1:E6

    Miss Yvonne is willing to give a beauty makeover to the next person who steps into the playhouse, and it ends up being Mrs. Steve! Then, the Cowntess has a tea party. You'll have the "time" of your life!

    Director:Stephen R. Johnson
    Writers:George McGrath, Max Robert, Paul Reubens, John Paragon, Michael Varhol

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 1 Episode 10 - The Cowboy and the Cowntess
    7.9/10(65 votes)

    S1:E10

    The fabulous Miss Yvonne just asked Cowboy Curtis out for a date -- and now he's as nervous as a prairie critter who's just been...um, asked out for a date by Miss Yvonne! To calm Curtis down, Cowntess the Cow suggests a little ""date"" role-playing -- and suddenly Curtis finds himself with ""the most beautiful woman in Puppetland"" -- Pee Wee? ""Remember"" the secret word and you'll have a "good" time!

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 2 Episode 5 - Why Wasn't I Invited?
    7.9/10(47 votes)

    S2:E5

    Nothing bugs Pee-wee's flowers more than having a caterpillar in their flower box until Magic Screen shows how a caterpillar can turn itself into a beautiful butterfly. The caterpillar's not the only uninvited creature around when Cowntess has a birthday party and invites practically "all" of Puppetland except Pee-wee! Is she mad at him or just being moody?

    Directors:Wayne Orr, Paul Reubens
    Writers:George McGrath, Max Robert, Paul Reubens

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 2 Episode 6 - Tons of Fun
    7.9/10(48 votes)

    S2:E6

    Today, Pee-wee gives everybody "That Certain Feeling" by lip-synching to one of his old records. Later, while Pee-wee is out with the Playhouse Gang, Cowboy Curtis comes over and sings to the flowers, and Miss Yvonne does a wild clog dance. Tensions mount when the gang ends up with two "cool" ice cream desserts, and they have to choose which to eat. Of course, they could just eat them both!

    Directors:Wayne Orr, Paul Reubens
    Writers:George McGrath, Max Robert, Paul Reubens

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Camping Out" is the best rated episode of "Pee-wee's Playhouse". It scored 8.5/10 based on 42 votes. Directed by John Paragon, Paul Reubens and written by John Paragon, it aired on 11/3/1990. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Playhouse In Outer Space".