When the Friends finale aired in 2004, it felt like the end of an era. A decade of laughs, heartbreaks, weddings, breakups, and Smelly Cat had come to a bittersweet close. The beloved sitcom, which ran for 10 glorious seasons, wasn’t just a show—it was a warm, cozy part of millions of lives across generations. And even today, Gen Z, millennials, and yep, even Gen Alpha, are discovering Friends and falling in love with Monica, Chandler, Ross, Joey, Phoebe, and Rachel.
In the final episode, we saw Monica and Chandler packing up to move to the suburbs with their adopted twins. The rest of the gang joins them for one last goodbye in that iconic purple apartment, each of them placing their keys on the counter—a symbolic, tear-jerking moment. Then, they head out to Central Perk for one final coffee together.
It was sweet, nostalgic, and heartwarming. But let’s be real—haven’t we all wondered “what if”? What if the writers took a different route? What if things ended just a little differently?
So, here’s our take on three alternate endings to the Friends TV series that fans (secretly or not-so-secretly) would’ve absolutely loved:
1. Rachel and Ross Start a New Life in Paris
In the actual finale, Rachel gets off the plane (yes, that plane!) and chooses Ross over her dream job in Paris. It’s romantic and satisfying for shippers of the Ross-Rachel rollercoaster, sure. But c’mon—why did she have to give up everything? Ross could have gone with her!
Imagine an ending where Ross realizes that if he truly loves Rachel, he should support her dreams too. He and Emma (their daughter) could’ve packed their bags and joined Rachel in Paris. It would’ve been a fresh start—a bold new chapter in a city of love, croissants, and Eiffel Tower selfies.
Fans would’ve been thrilled to see Ross and Rachel happy and thriving—together—without sacrificing ambitions. Now that’s a win-win.
2. Joey Moves in With Monica and Chandler
If there’s one duo in Friends that had next-level bromance, it’s Joey and Chandler. Their apartment shenanigans were legendary—from the recliners to the foosball table to the chick and the duck.
In the actual ending (and in the Joey spin-off), Joey moves to LA to chase his Hollywood dreams. But many fans felt that was a lonely route for our lovable goofball. What if, instead, Joey decided to stick around and move in with Monica and Chandler in the suburbs?
It’s not far-fetched. Joey loved the twins, adored Monica, and obviously had the tightest bond with Chandler. He could’ve had his own little guesthouse, stayed close to his found family, and pursued local acting gigs while still being a “funcle” to the babies.
Imagine the laughs! Diaper duty with Joey Tribbiani? Yes, please.
3. Rachel and Ross Don’t End Up Together
Okay, okay, don’t throw your coffee mugs just yet—hear us out.
Yes, Ross and Rachel are the couple of Friends. But let’s not forget how often they broke up, got back together, took breaks (ahem), and created drama. In the finale, Rachel gives up her Paris dream to stay with Ross—again. But what if the show took a more mature route?
In this alternate ending, Rachel stays on that plane. She heads to Paris, builds a fulfilling career, and maybe even finds a new love. Meanwhile, Ross stays in New York, focuses on being a dad to Ben, and accepts that sometimes, love stories don’t get a classic fairy-tale ending.
It would’ve been bittersweet, but empowering—showing that personal growth and career goals are just as valid as romance. And let’s be honest, Friends fans are emotionally strong enough to handle it!
Final Thoughts: No Matter the Ending, We’ll Always Have Central Perk
Sure, we can play the “what if” game all day—and it’s fun! These alternate endings to the Friends TV series offer a different lens, a chance to explore deeper character arcs, or give other beloved dynamics their moment.
But no matter how it ended, Friends gave us something rare—a show that still brings comfort, laughter, and nostalgia decades later. Whether they’re sipping coffee, yelling at each other from across apartments, or just hanging out in the iconic orange couch, they’ll always be there for us.
So… which ending would you have preferred?