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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 9.1/10

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
    9.1/10(2980 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 6 Episode 22 - Five Stars for Beezus
    9.1/10(1805 votes)

    #2 - Five Stars for Beezus

    S6:E22

    Jess is ready to tell Nick of her true feelings for him. Meanwhile, Nick takes a meeting with a book publisher, as Aly helps Winston reconnect with an important person. Then, Cece and Schmidt receive big news.

    Director:Erin O'Malley
    Writer:Elizabeth Meriwether

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  3. New Girl Season 4 Episode 22 - Clean Break
    9.0/10(2089 votes)

    #3 - 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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  4. New Girl Season 5 Episode 22 - Landing Gear
    8.8/10(1469 votes)

    #4 - 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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  5. New Girl Season 4 Episode 6 - Background Check
    8.7/10(2029 votes)

    #5 - 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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  6. New Girl Season 2 Episode 25 - Elaine's Big Day
    8.6/10(1910 votes)

    #6 - 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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    The 20 WORST Episodes of New Girl

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  7. New Girl Season 3 Episode 14 - Prince
    8.6/10(2141 votes)

    #7 - 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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  8. New Girl Season 2 Episode 19 - Quick Hardening Caulk
    8.4/10(1847 votes)

    #8 - 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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  9. New Girl Season 2 Episode 23 - Virgins
    8.4/10(1926 votes)

    #9 - Virgins

    S2:E23

    In a series of flashbacks, Jess, Nick, Schmidt, Winston and Cece tell one another how they each lost their virginity. Not surprisingly, when they realize the stories directly affect their present day sex lives, one relationship will change forever.

    Director:Alec Berg
    Writer:Elizabeth Meriwether

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  10. New Girl Season 3 Episode 13 - Birthday
    8.3/10(1543 votes)

    #10 - Birthday

    S3:E13

    Nick struggles to throw Jess the perfect birthday party, while Schmidt works overtime to help out Cece in her new job as bartender and Winston and Coach engage in a bake-off.

    Director:Richie Keen
    Writer:Kim Rosenstock

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  11. New Girl Season 7 Episode 8 - Engram Pattersky
    8.3/10(1348 votes)

    #11 - Engram Pattersky

    S7:E8

    The gang takes a tour down memory lane, which includes a final round of "True American."

    Director:Erin O'Malley
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. New Girl Season 4 Episode 17 - Spiderhunt
    8.2/10(1312 votes)

    #12 - 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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  13. New Girl Season 5 Episode 21 - Wedding Eve
    8.2/10(1085 votes)

    #13 - 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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  14. New Girl Season 1 Episode 19 - Secrets
    8.1/10(1804 votes)

    #14 - Secrets

    S1:E19

    While training for a marathon, Jess discovers that Cece has been keeping a secret from her, and their friendship is put to the test. Meanwhile, Winston can't handle being the only one who knows about Cece and Schmidt, and Nick reluctantly asks for Schmidt's help as he tries to juggle dating two women at once.

    Director:David Wain
    Writer:Josh Malmuth

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  15. New Girl Season 2 Episode 11 - Santa
    8.1/10(1657 votes)

    #15 - 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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  16. New Girl Season 2 Episode 16 - Table 34
    8.1/10(1594 votes)

    #16 - 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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  17. New Girl Season 2 Episode 17 - Parking Spot
    8.1/10(1591 votes)

    #17 - Parking Spot

    S2:E17

    When Schmidt discovers a previously unknown, yet highly-coveted parking spot, Jess and the roommates battle it out to see who will get to use it. Meanwhile, Winston has a hard time finding a condom when he gets an impromptu invitation from Daisy.

    Director:Fred Goss
    Writer:Rebecca Addelman

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  18. New Girl Season 4 Episode 7 - Goldmine
    8.1/10(1328 votes)

    #18 - 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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  19. New Girl Season 4 Episode 9 - Thanksgiving IV
    8.1/10(1241 votes)

    #19 - 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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  20. New Girl Season 5 Episode 18 - A Chill Day In
    8.1/10(1149 votes)

    #20 - A Chill Day In

    S5:E18

    Refusing to accept that their crazy days are behind them, Jess and Cece abandon their low-key bachelorette party plans and seek a night out to top all others.

    Director:Erin O'Malley
    Writer:Sarah Tapscott

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  21. New Girl Season 6 Episode 21 - San Diego
    8.1/10(940 votes)

    #21 - San Diego

    S6:E21

    As Jess continues to stay with her dad in Portland, they unexpectedly help one another with their love lives. Meanwhile, Nick turns to a reluctant Aly for help with his relationship with Reagan, and Schmidt contemplates using his first name.

    Director:Trent O'Donnell
    Writers:Rob Rosell, David Feeney

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  22. New Girl Season 1 Episode 12 - The Landlord
    8.0/10(2038 votes)

    #22 - The Landlord

    S1:E12

    Against Nick's wishes, Jess makes it her mission to get the loft's cantankerous landlord to like her. In doing so, she inadvertently jeopardizes their living situation and the guys are forced to admit they've made some "unofficial" changes to the apartment. Meanwhile Schmidt tries to decipher what he thinks are mixed signals from his boss Kim.

    Director:Peyton Reed
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. New Girl Season 2 Episode 24 - Winston's Birthday
    8.0/10(1501 votes)

    #23 - Winston's Birthday

    S2:E24

    Jess' dad chooses the worst day to pay the loft an unexpected visit, forcing a nervous Nick to spend the day alone with him. Jess finds herself with huge opportunity for a new job on the day before Cece's wedding. Schmidt must take a look in the mirror and confront his real feelings about Elizabeth. Meanwhile, Winston psyches himself up for his huge surprise birthday celebration, which no one seemed to remember to throw for him.

    Director:Max Winkler
    Writers:Brett Baer, Dave Finkel

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  24. New Girl Season 1 Episode 4 - Naked
    7.9/10(2281 votes)

    #24 - 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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  25. New Girl Season 1 Episode 18 - Fancyman (2)
    7.9/10(1709 votes)

    #25 - Fancyman (2)

    S1:E18

    Jess' sophisticated date with Russell doesn't go as planned. Meanwhile, Nick's college friend visits and brings out Nick's inner frat boy to help him get over his break-up with Julia. Also, Winston panics when Shelby goes on a "girls" vacation and Schmidt and Cece try to keep their relationship under the covers, but one of the friends finds out their secret.

    Director:Matt Shakman
    Writers:Berkley Johnson, Kim Rosenstock

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Best Episodes Summary

"Cooler" is the best rated episode of "New Girl". It scored 9.1/10 based on 2980 votes. Directed by Max Winkler and written by Rebecca Addelman, it aired on 1/29/2013. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Five Stars for Beezus".