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The Best Episodes Directed By Ryan Murphy

Every TV Episode Directed by Ryan Murphy Ranked from Best to Worst by Thousands of Voters

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    undefined Season 13 Episode 1 - 13
    8.5/10(13 votes)

    #1 - 13

    S13:E1

    After a near-death experience, Ben provides hospice care for a mysterious client in an eerie penthouse.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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  2. undefined Season 1 Episode 6 - Marcia, Marcia, Marcia
    8.3/10(34 votes)

    #2 - Marcia, Marcia, Marcia

    S1:E6

    As Marcia Clark juggles her home and work obligations, she starts to feel the public scrutiny of her appearance.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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  3. undefined Season 1 Episode 10 - The Verdict
    8.2/10(38 votes)

    #3 - The Verdict

    S1:E10

    In the season finale, the prosecution and defense make their closing statements; the jurors deliberate; and the verdict is given.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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  4. undefined Season 3 Episode 6 - Man Handled
    8.0/10(13 votes)

    #4 - Man Handled

    S3:E6

    The Office of the Independent Counsel ensnares Monica Lewinsky, holding her for 12 traumatizing hours in a hotel room.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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  5. undefined Season 1 Episode 7 - Throwdown
    7.9/10(11 votes)

    #5 - Throwdown

    S1:E7

    To cause distension among the Glee Club members, Sue forces the students to compete against each other, but the real showdown happens when she and Will get called into the principal's office. Meanwhile, the Glee kids rally to support Quinn after some shocking news is revealed.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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  6. undefined Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.8/10(229 votes)

    #6 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    A therapist and his family move across the country to escape their troubled past but quickly discover that their new home comes with its own horrific baggage.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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  7. undefined Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.6/10(22 votes)

    #7 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    Optimistic high school teacher Will Schuester tries to refuel his own passion while reinventing the McKinley High School's glee club and challenging a group of outcasts to realize their star potential. Going up against McKinley's cruel high school caste system and facing harsh criticism from everyone around him, Will is determined to prove them all wrong.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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  8. undefined Season 1 Episode 1 - From the Ashes of Tragedy
    7.6/10(54 votes)

    #8 - From the Ashes of Tragedy

    S1:E1

    Investigators visit the home of O.J. Simpson following the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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  9. undefined Season 2 Episode 7 - The Substitute
    7.5/10(12 votes)

    #9 - The Substitute

    S2:E7

    When Mr. Schuester gets sick, a substitute teacher takes over his Spanish class and the glee club and winds up winning over the whole New Directions clan. Meanwhile, when Sue fills in for Principal Figgins as McKinley's top dog, she tries to flex her power on campus.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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  10. undefined Season 2 Episode 1 - The Man Who Would Be Vogue
    7.5/10(39 votes)

    #10 - The Man Who Would Be Vogue

    S2:E1

    The murder of Gianni Versace turns the eyes of the world onto Miami Beach.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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  11. undefined Season 1 Episode 2 - The Run of His Life
    7.4/10(44 votes)

    #11 - The Run of His Life

    S1:E2

    O.J. Simpson goes missing in the white Bronco and Robert Shapiro and Robert Kardashian battle the fallout while the D.A.'s office and the LAPD go searching for O.J.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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  12. undefined Season 3 Episode 1 - Exiles
    7.4/10(19 votes)

    #12 - Exiles

    S3:E1

    After the death of her boss, White House staffer Linda Tripp is moved to The Pentagon where she meets Monica Lewinsky. Paula Jones decides to sue The President for sexual harassment.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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  13. undefined Season 4 Episode 1 - Monsters Among Us
    7.3/10(72 votes)

    #13 - Monsters Among Us

    S4:E1

    One of the only surviving sideshows in the country struggles to stay in business during the dawning era of television; police make a terrifying discovery at a local farmhouse.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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  14. undefined Season 5 Episode 4 - Devil's Night
    7.3/10(47 votes)

    #14 - Devil's Night

    S5:E4

    John receives an invitation to attend an exclusive Devil's Night Soiree. Alex tries to diagnose Holden's strange condition.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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  15. undefined Season 1 Episode 2 - Showmance
    7.2/10(17 votes)

    #15 - Showmance

    S1:E2

    As McKinley High School's glee club begins new routines, a restriction forces them to make some choices. Will must decide whether to continue with his passion or provide for his wife, which ultimately brings him closer to Emma. As some members of New Directions grow closer romantically, other's intentions aren't supportive of the group.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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  16. undefined Season 5 Episode 1 - Checking In
    7.1/10(73 votes)

    #16 - Checking In

    S5:E1

    Detective and family man John Lowe investigates a chain of gruesome murders in Los Angeles. A mysterious tip points him to the enigmatic Hotel Cortez.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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  17. undefined Season 2 Episode 15 - Sexy
    7.0/10(11 votes)

    #17 - Sexy

    S2:E15

    Holly Holiday returns as the sex education substitute teacher and helps the glee club out with some new numbers. On the other hand, Emma becomes the head of the celibacy club.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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  18. undefined Season 1 Episode 2 - Ice Pick
    6.9/10(21 votes)

    #18 - Ice Pick

    S1:E2

    Dr. Hanover demonstrates a cutting-edge procedure. Ratched visits a survivor of Edmund's massacre and joins Gwendolyn on an outing in Monterey.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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  19. undefined Season 1 Episode 15 - The Power of Madonna
    6.8/10(12 votes)

    #19 - The Power of Madonna

    S1:E15

    Mr. Schuester is concerned that the girls in the glee club are being disrespected and bullied by the guys. Looking to Madonna and her musical message of equality as inspiration, he challenges the entire team to choose Madonna songs as their next assignment in the hopes that the girls embrace her strength, independence and confidence and that the guys will see the error of their misogynistic ways. The glee club takes the assignment to heart as they perform some of Madonna's greatest hits, including "Express Yourself" and "Like A Prayer." Meanwhile, Kurt and Mercedes give Sue a vote of confidence with a makeover that is definitely in "Vogue".

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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  20. undefined Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    6.8/10(25 votes)

    #20 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    Nurse Mildred Ratched seeks employment at Lucia State Hospital as it prepares to admit a new psychiatric patient: notorious killer Edmund Tolleson.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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  21. undefined Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    6.7/10(25 votes)

    #21 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    Twenty years after a mysterious death rocks Wallace University, another murder takes place.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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  22. undefined Season 1 Episode 20 - Theatricality
    6.6/10(11 votes)

    #22 - Theatricality

    S1:E20

    Mr. Schuester encourages the glee club to express themselves using the music of Lady Gaga. Meanwhile, Rachael has a life-changing encounter, and Tina embraces her inner Goth.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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  23. undefined Season 1 Episode 21 - Funk
    6.3/10(11 votes)

    #23 - Funk

    S1:E21

    The glee club gets some news that's sure to rattle a few nerves. Meanwhile, Quinn connects with her "funky" side with a little help from Mercedes, and Will gets revenge on Sue.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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  24. undefined Season 2 Episode 2 - Britney/Brittany
    6.1/10(14 votes)

    #24 - Britney/Brittany

    S2:E2

    When Brittany and the gang try to convince Mr. Schuester to let them do a Britney Spears number, he is reluctant to go that edgy. Meanwhile, an insecure Will is curious about Emma's new beau, Dr. Carl Howell, so he convinces her to bring him in to talk to the kids about dental hygiene. While the dreamy doc inspires the girls to take their dental health more seriously, Will is left feeling worse than before.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:N/A

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Ryan Murphy Ratings Summary

"13" is the best rated episode directed by Ryan Murphy. It scored 8.5/10 based on 13 votes. It was written by N/A. It aired on 9/24/2026 and is rated 0.2 points higher than their second-best episode, "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia".