In honor of the new documentary about Matthew Perry, just released on Netflix, we compiled 5 reasons we love and relate to his F.R.I.E.N.D.S. character, Chandler Bing.
FRIENDS premiered in 1994, chronicling the lives of six friends in New York: Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), Monica (Courteney Cox), Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), Joey (Matt LeBlanc), Ross (David Schwimmer), and Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry). For ten seasons, we watched them navigate life, advance in their careers, and even fall in love.
However, one character who stands out from the rest is Chandler Bing. Maybe it’s because we relate to him, have come across some of his witty lines and jokes online or heard them quoted by others, or simply because we love a good sweater vest. Or perhaps it’s because we find ourselves wanting to say the same thing whenever we don’t know how to help our friends:
Can I interest you in a sarcastic comment?
On October 27, 2026, Netflix released a new documentary titled The One About Matthew Perry. It chronicles Perry’s life, from landing his iconic role in Friends to starring in other films like Fools Rush In and The Whole Nine Yards, as well as his lifelong struggle with drug addiction.
The three-episode documentary features interviews with Perry’s sister and lifelong friends, who look back on both the highs and lows of his life and, ultimately, how hard he fought for himself and others.
To commemorate both Matthew Perry and his beloved Friends character, Chandler Bing, here are five things we love about him.
1. Chandler Bing and his sarcasm and wit
Hi, I’m Chandler, I Make Jokes When I’m Uncomfortable.
Could he be any more relatable? Having a list about Chandler Bing without mentioning his sarcasm would feel wrong. His jokes are so memorable that people still quote them to this day! The show establishes sarcasm as Chandler’s defense mechanism, whether he’s using it to mask his feelings or cope with difficult situations.
Either way, his wit keeps even the most awkward moments lighthearted and the show entertaining, especially when paired with Perry’s impeccable comedic timing.
Perry has stated before in his memoir and in interviews that the role of Chandler felt like it was made just for him. His perfect deadpan delivery of every sarcastic line is proof of that.
2. Chandler Bing and his sibling-like friendship with Rachel and Phoebe
One of Chandler Bing’s most unexpected friendships is with Rachel and Phoebe. We know he met Ross in college and subsequently got to know Monica through her brother. His closeness with Joey comes naturally from being roommates and frequently getting into shenanigans together, like raising a chicken and a duck in their apartment. However, Chandler can also be just one of the girls.
His connection with Rachel and Phoebe, on the other hand, is solely through Monica, but that doesn’t make their friendships any less memorable. For instance, Rachel and Chandler famously share a cheesecake straight off the floor, while Phoebe never fails to surprise him with her antics. Both women treat Chandler like a sibling, and he happily lets them drag him along as they try new things together.
3. Chandler Bing always reassures Monica
In Season 4, Monica and Chandler Bing spend the night together before Ross’ second wedding. There had already been hints of a possible romance between the two throughout the earlier seasons. For instance, Chandler once suggested that they could be each other’s backups if they were both still single at 40. He also tried to convince Monica to date him, although she didn’t think she was boyfriend material. However, their night together marks the beginning of what would become one of the show’s most beloved endgame couples. From the get-go, viewers could see their chemistry and wanted them to get together. So when it finally happened, everyone cheered!
In some ways, though, the two seem like opposites. The show often pokes fun at Monica’s neurotic and controlling tendencies, as she wants everything to be organized and clean. Chandler, on the other hand, is generally more carefree and awkward.
Still, one of the best insights into how their relationship works comes from the episode The One with the Joke. Monica feels insulted after being called high-maintenance and turns to Chandler for reassurance. But Chandler Bing has always been honest with her. He tells her that it’s okay because he enjoys comforting her when she’s upset and, more importantly, that he likes “maintaining” her.
That’s just one example of how Chandler always knows how to reassure Monica in the way she needs, and how he’s willing to stand up for her when the situation calls for it.
4. Roommate moments with Joey
Even when they’re fighting over chairs or wearing (too much) of each other’s clothes to get back at one another, you know Joey and Chandler Bing always have each other’s backs. These two have so many moments that showcase their bromance that it’s almost impossible to list them all!
Even after Chandler marries Monica and moves into Apartment 20, he continues to reassure Joey that he’ll still visit and hang out with him. In fact, Monica and Chandler even make sure to have a room for Joey in their new home after everyone moves out of their apartments!
5. His character development throughout 10 seasons
At the beginning of the show, Chandler Bing’s defining traits include his fear of commitment and difficulty being vulnerable. He also has a complicated childhood, particularly following his parents’ divorce.
However, as we get closer to the show’s finale, we see him overcome many of these fears. He ends up marrying Monica and starting a family with her and their adopted twins. While he never loses his signature sarcastic humor, his heart has undoubtedly healed and grown over the years, just like the rest of the friends.
The One About Matthew Perry
The One About Matthew Perry chronicles Perry’s life from a different perspective, offering a glimpse into how he was remembered and perceived by the people he loved. The documentary also features previously unreleased photos and videos from Perry’s personal collection, along with insights into his other projects, both as an actor and a writer.
This is not the first time Perry’s story has been told. In 2022, he released Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir, in which he opened up about his lifelong struggles. In an interview with People, Perry explained that after so much had been written about him over the years, he felt it was time for people to hear his story directly from him.
It’s been three years since Perry died from an accidental ketamine overdose. While Chandler Bing remains memorable in his own right, let’s not forget the man behind the character. Perry was vocal about his desire to help others struggling with drug addiction, while also making it his mission to bring laughter to people’s lives.
Watching the documentary feels like a continuation of Perry’s legacy: encouraging people to be authentic, helping those in need, and, of course, making others laugh.
You can stream The One About Matthew Perry now on Netflix.
Sources: Netflix, People, IMDB, Fandom
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