Originally published on 4/19/25

My eyes! My eyes! These behind-the-scenes photos from Friends are everything! Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the Central Perk crew, these rare set snapshots prove the cast’s off-screen bond was just as sweet as their on-screen friendship. The series ran from 1994 to 2004 and remains one of the most-watched sitcoms of all time. These images capture the laughter, the love—and even the unexpected cameos—that made Friends unforgettable. And now these rare photos show what really went on when the cameras weren’t rolling. PIVOT and keep scrolling!  

Lights, cameras and cars?

Despite the show taking place in New York City, this photoshoot with Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox seems to take place in a junkyard with a bunch of cars stacked on top of each other. Now, if it had Phoebe’s (Kudrow) yellow cab or Monica’s (Cox) Porsche, it might make sense, but since it doesn’t, this photoshoot is as random as it is iconic. 

Guest stars galore

In Season 3, Episode 24, “The One with the Ultimate Fighting Champion,” Robin Williams and Billy Crystal have a small cameo at the beginning where they fight in front of the gang in Central Perk. And while that scene was super tense, this photo definitely isn’t. 

Fun fact: Williams and Crystal’s roles were added to the episode the day of filming, because they just happened to be on the Warner Bros lot. 

‘I Ross, take thee Rachel’ 

Everyone remembers where they were when Ross (Schwimmer) said Rachel’s (Aniston) name instead of Emily’s (Helen Baxendale) during the wedding in Season 4, Episode 24, “The One with Ross’s Wedding: Part 2.” It was shocking, romantic and sure caused a lot of problems for the three of them down the road—yes, we are talking about when Emily tells Ross that he couldn’t see Rachel anymore. But based on this photo, we are struggling to remember why those issues came up in the first place. Everyone looks so happy. 

Who has the water balloons? 

One of the most iconic parts of Friends is when they are all singing and dancing around in the fountain during the intro. And while it probably was freezing at points, you’d never know based on the photos. All six of the friends are laughing, smiling and look like they might even go swimming later. Let us join, please! 

We were NOT on a break 

Ross and Rachel are one of the best “will they or won’t they” couples in TV history. And in this photo filled with hearts and kisses, it’s difficult to remember why they ever broke up in the first place. This couple definitely didn’t have a girl from the copy place, 18-page letters and pros and cons lists hanging around. 

Happy birthday!

In Season 7, Episode 14, “The One Where They All Turn Thirty,” all of the friends relive what happened when they turned 30, and how depressing it was for them. Ironically, though, in this behind-the-scenes photo, no one looks sad. In fact, they all look quite happy to enter their dirty thirties. 

What if this episode never happened? 

Like so many other shows, Friends did a “What if” episode in Season 6. It was told in two parts, and while every character was completely different from who we saw in every other episode, they all ended up loving each other by the time things wrap up. Talk about true friendship. 

Finale fun 

While this photo isn’t technically on the Friends set, we had to include it because it makes for the perfect final shot. When the finale aired on May 6, 2004, Times Square decided to air it on one of their billboards, and thousands of people came to watch. You can see just some of them here, and while we are super happy that they got to go, we are just super jealous we weren’t among them. 

Link to original: https://www.firstforwomen.com/entertainment/movies-shows/rare-behind-the-scenes-friends-photos-you-have-to-see