Playing avi files on a mac?

[LeadFarmer]

What is the best software for playing avi files on a MacBook?

I have quite a lot of avi video files that I put onto external hard drives using my MacBook back in 2012.
I now can't get them to play using Quicktime of Flip Player that I have.
Would i need to convert them to a different file type? If so, would Handbrake do it?
Or is there a better media player I could use, such as VLC?

[megaphone]

Try VLC

[GCH]

VLC plays avi files

[LeadFarmer]

Ok thanks, i'll get VLC installed.
i did used to be able to play the files, not sure why I can't now, maybe I accidentally deleted a media player?