The greatest Monty Python sketches and scenes
The top 3 according to 51 votes from people: Dead Parrot sketch · The Ministry of Silly Walks · Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!. (Updated Feb 16, 2026.)
The best of Monty Python's Flying Circus (BBC, 1969-1974) and their films, from the Dead Parrot to the Black Knight. Ranked by how often they top fans' and critics' polls.
Top 15
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1
Dead Parrot sketch
«This is an ex-parrot!» John Cleese returns a dead Norwegian Blue to Michael Palin's pet shop; series 1, episode 8 (1969).
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2
The Ministry of Silly Walks
John Cleese as a civil servant with an absurd walk; series 2, episode 1 (1970).
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3
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!
Michael Palin's cardinal bursts in, again and again; series 2, episode 2 (1970).
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4
What have the Romans ever done for us?
The People's Front of Judea meeting in Life of Brian (1979).
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5
The Funniest Joke in the World
A joke so funny it kills anyone who hears it, weaponized in WWII; series 1, episode 1 (1969).
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6
The Argument Clinic
Michael Palin pays for an argument and gets contradiction instead; series 3, episode 3 (1972).
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7
The Fish-Slapping Dance
Michael Palin slapped into a canal by John Cleese with a fish; series 3, episode 2 (1972).
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8
The Black Knight
«'Tis but a scratch!» A knight who refuses to give up while losing all his limbs, in Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975).
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9
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
Eric Idle's song from the crucifixion finale of Life of Brian (1979), now sung at football grounds and funerals.
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10
Spam
A café where everything comes with Spam, sung by Vikings; series 2, episode 12 (1970). It gave its name to junk email.
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11
Cheese Shop
John Cleese tries to buy any cheese at all in a shop that has none; series 3, episode 7 (1972).
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12
Mr Creosote
The world's greediest diner and «just one wafer-thin mint» in The Meaning of Life (1983).
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13
«He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy!»
Brian's mother (Terry Jones) to the crowd in Life of Brian (1979).
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14
Four Yorkshiremen
Rich men competing over who had the poorest childhood; written for At Last the 1948 Show (1967) and a Python live favourite.
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15
The Knights Who Say «Ni!»
Knights who demand a shrubbery, in Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975).
Candidates
They don't make it into the top 15… yet. Vote for them to move them up.
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16
Nudge Nudge
Eric Idle's «wink wink, say no more» man in the pub; series 1, episode 3 (1969).
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17
The Bridge of Death
The bridgekeeper's three questions, including the airspeed of an unladen swallow, in Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975).
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18
Self-Defence Against Fresh Fruit
John Cleese teaching how to defend yourself against an attacker armed with a banana; series 1, episode 4 (1969).
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19
The Lumberjack Song
«I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay», series 1, episode 9 (1969).
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
Is something missing?
Comments (9)
NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition!
'What have the Romans ever done for us?' 'The aqueduct!' 😂
Spam is why we call junk email spam, amazing legacy.
The Dead Parrot at #1, it is an ex-sketch, it has ceased to be! 🦜
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life at funerals is very British.
Four Yorkshiremen, 'Luxury!'
Ministry of Silly Walks still makes me cry laughing.
The Black Knight: 'It's just a flesh wound!'
Missing the Life of Brian 'He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy!'