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Only Fools and Horses

1981 – 1991Show7 seasons45 episodes

Comedy
85
ExcellentGoodWatch score
IMDb9.0Metacritic–8.1Rotten Tomatoes–91%

A nostalgic, cathartic comedy series about family and everyday modern life, with standout performances and characters.

Good for family movie night · friends night · party vibe

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Not for scares, brutality or adrenaline.

Shows with

Episodes

7 seasons · 45 episodes · best: S6E7 "The Jolly Boys' Outing" 9.6

Episodes

7.7
8.2
8.3
8.3
8.0
9.1
8.3
9.3
7.7

Story

This time next year, we'll be millionaires!

Only Fools and Horses.... Is a British sitcom created and written by John Sullivan. Seven series were originally transmitted on BBC One from 1981 to 1991, with sixteen sporadic Christmas specials aired until 2003. In working-class Peckham in south-east London, ambitious market trader Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter and his younger half-brother Rodney, explore their highs and lows in life, in particular their attempts to get rich. Initially not an immediate hit and receiving little promotion early on, it later achieved consistently high ratings, and the 1996 episode "Time on Our Hands" (originally billed as the series finale) holds the record for the biggest UK audience for a sitcom episode, attracting 24.3 million viewers. The series bears a significant influence on British culture, contributing several words and phrases to the English language.

Feels like

  • Classic British Sitcom
  • Working-Class Life in Peckham
  • Brotherly Bond
  • Con Artist Adventures
  • Heartfelt & Humorous
  • Iconic Dialogue
  • Nostalgic Comfort Food
  • Character-Driven Comedy
  • Cultural Phenomenon

Cast

24 of 69 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
Ray Butt, Tony Dow, Susan Belbin
Written by
John Sullivan
Produced by
Ray Butt, Gareth Gwenlan, Bernard Thompson

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

September 8, 1981 · February 3, 1991 · Ended

First aired
September 8, 1981
Last aired
February 3, 1991
Status
Ended
Length
7 seasons · 45 episodes
Content
Strong Language
Genres
Comedy
Original language
English
Made in
United Kingdom
Available in
13 countries

Tropes

Bribe Backfire, Hope Spot, Umbrella Drink +9

  • Bribe Backfire
  • Hope Spot
  • Umbrella Drink
  • Oop North
  • Mistaken for Prank Call
  • Status Quo Game Show
  • Locked in a Freezer
  • Flanderization
  • Mob Debt
  • Improbable Aiming Skills
  • Complete-the-Quote Title
  • The "Fun" in "Funeral"

12 of 344 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream Only Fools and Horses?"

Questions about Only Fools and Horses

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Only Fools and Horses?

BritboxBritBox

In the United States, Only Fools and Horses streams on Britbox and BritBox. It also streams in 11 other countries.

Is Only Fools and Horses worth watching?

85
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 85 (IMDb 9). Season 1 is the weak spot, with an IMDb average of 7.7 against 9.3 for the best season.

Does Only Fools and Horses get better after season 1?

Yes: season 1 has an IMDb average of 7.7, and season 8 peaks at 9.3. The highest-rated episode is The Jolly Boys' Outing (season 6, episode 7) at 9.6, and the lowest is A Royal Flush (season 5, episode 7) at 7.0.

Is Only Fools and Horses okay for kids?

Strong language

Yes: its content advisories are strong language, and the viewing guide lists it for family nights.

How long does it take to watch Only Fools and Horses?

23 h

About 23 hours: 45 episodes in 7 seasons of about 30 minutes each, aired from 1981 to 1991.

Will Only Fools and Horses make me laugh?

Funny

Yes: the humor is mostly situational comedy (9 of 10) and sharp wit (7 of 10).

Is Only Fools and Horses plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and dialogue centrality (9 of 10) more than on its plot.