American Horror Story backdrop
Drama•Mystery•Sci-Fi & Fantasy

The Best Episodes of American Horror Story

Every episode of American Horror Story ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of American Horror Story!

Binge this in 4d 3h•Peaking at 8.4/10

An anthology horror drama series centering on different characters and locations, including a house with a murderous past, an asylum, a witch coven, a freak show, a hotel, a farmhouse in Roanoke, a cult, the

Airs on
FX
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons12

All123456789101112

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    American Horror Story Season 10 Episode 1 - Cape Fear
    8.4/10(50 votes)

    #1 - Cape Fear

    S10:E1

    A struggling writer, his pregnant wife, and their daughter move to an isolated beach town for the winter. Once they're settled in, the town's true residents begin to make themselves known.

    Director:John J. Gray
    Writers:Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. American Horror Story Season 10 Episode 2 - Pale
    8.3/10(32 votes)

    #2 - Pale

    S10:E2

    A quick fix for Harry's writer's block has unexpected side effects. Two eccentric locals offer Harry a helping hand.

    Director:Loni Peristere
    Writers:Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. American Horror Story Season 9 Episode 7 - The Lady in White
    8.2/10(33 votes)

    #3 - The Lady in White

    S9:E7

    A hidden chapter of Camp Redwood is revealed. The survivors help a stranded hitchhiker.

    Director:Liz Friedlander
    Writer:John J. Gray

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. American Horror Story Season 9 Episode 9 - Final Girl
    8.1/10(34 votes)

    #4 - Final Girl

    S9:E9

    Camp Redwood draws in a lost soul looking for closure.

    Director:John J. Gray
    Writer:Crystal Liu

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. American Horror Story Season 4 Episode 10 - Orphans
    8.0/10(50 votes)

    #5 - Orphans

    S4:E10

    The death of a Freak sparks troubling behavior in Pepper. Elsa reveals the history of the Freak Show. Desiree grows suspicious of Maggie.

    Director:Bradley Buecker
    Writer:James Wong

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. American Horror Story Season 9 Episode 4 - True Killers
    8.0/10(36 votes)

    #6 - True Killers

    S9:E4

    Mr. Jingles closes in on the one who got away as the counselors rally to escape Camp Redwood.

    Director:Jennifer Lynch
    Writer:Jay Beattie

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of American Horror Story

    READ
  7. American Horror Story Season 1 Episode 10 - Smoldering Children
    7.9/10(79 votes)

    #7 - Smoldering Children

    S1:E10

    Violet learns about the rules of the house. The truth about Larry's condition is explained. Constance is interrogated by the police.

    Director:Michael Lehmann
    Writer:James Wong

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. American Horror Story Season 2 Episode 5 - I Am Anne Frank (2)
    7.9/10(68 votes)

    #8 - I Am Anne Frank (2)

    S2:E5

    Sister Jude employs a renowned Nazi hunter to gather evidence against Arden; Kit makes a surprising confession; Bloody Face is unmasked.

    Director:Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
    Writer:Brad Falchuk

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. American Horror Story Season 2 Episode 10 - The Name Game
    7.9/10(69 votes)

    #9 - The Name Game

    S2:E10

    The Monsignor confronts the Devil. Dr. Arden's experiments reach a shocking conclusion. Dr. Thredson facilitates a surprising reunion for Kit.

    Director:Michael Lehmann
    Writer:Jessica Sharzer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. American Horror Story Season 9 Episode 3 - Slashdance
    7.9/10(36 votes)

    #10 - Slashdance

    S9:E3

    Imitation is the best form of tragedy. Coming clean can be pretty messy.

    Director:Mary Wigmore
    Writer:James Wong

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. American Horror Story Season 10 Episode 3 - Thirst
    7.9/10(26 votes)

    #11 - Thirst

    S10:E3

    Harry's newfound talent brings an unexpected visitor to town. Alma decides to take matters into her own hands.

    Director:Loni Peristere
    Writers:Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. American Horror Story Season 10 Episode 5 - Gaslight
    7.9/10(24 votes)

    #12 - Gaslight

    S10:E5

    Harry struggles to keep Alma under control. Doris is pushed past her limits.

    Director:John J. Gray
    Writers:Brad Falchuk, Manny Coto

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. American Horror Story Season 1 Episode 5 - Halloween (2)
    7.8/10(83 votes)

    #13 - Halloween (2)

    S1:E5

    Tate comes face to face with his past, and Ben and Vivien are haunted by a new houseguest before Halloween night comes to an end.

    Director:David Semel
    Writers:James Wong, Tim Minear

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. American Horror Story Season 3 Episode 9 - Head
    7.8/10(57 votes)

    #14 - Head

    S3:E9

    Cordelia's attacker is revealed. Fiona looks to form an alliance with Marie Laveau. Nan learns a disturbing truth about Luke's past.

    Director:Howard Deutch
    Writer:Tim Minear

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. American Horror Story Season 3 Episode 12 - Go to Hell
    7.8/10(51 votes)

    #15 - Go to Hell

    S3:E12

    Cordelia's latest vision puts the coven's future in question; the girls manifest powerful new gifts; Queenie's search for Marie Laveau leads her to hell and back.

    Director:Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
    Writers:Jessica Sharzer, Ryan Murphy

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. American Horror Story Season 9 Episode 1 - Camp Redwood
    7.8/10(48 votes)

    #16 - Camp Redwood

    S9:E1

    In the summer of 1984, five friends escape Los Angeles to work as counselors at Camp Redwood. As they adjust to their new jobs, they quickly learn that the only thing scarier than campfire tales is the past coming to haunt you.

    Director:Bradley Buecker
    Writers:Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. American Horror Story Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.7/10(214 votes)

    #17 - 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
    Writers:Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. American Horror Story Season 1 Episode 2 - Home Invasion
    7.7/10(112 votes)

    #18 - Home Invasion

    S1:E2

    Vivien and Violet get themselves caught in a dangerous situation. Meanwhile, Ben goes back to Boston to fix a mistake that he made.

    Director:Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
    Writers:Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. American Horror Story Season 2 Episode 8 - Unholy Night
    7.7/10(64 votes)

    #19 - Unholy Night

    S2:E8

    A murderous Santa wreaks havoc on Briarcliff; Sister Jude faces off with the devil; Arden has a shocking encounter in the death chute.

    Director:Michael Lehmann
    Writer:James Wong

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. American Horror Story Season 2 Episode 13 - Madness Ends
    7.7/10(68 votes)

    #20 - Madness Ends

    S2:E13

    Johnny sets out to complete his father's work; Lana leads the charge to finally shut down Briarcliff.

    Director:Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
    Writer:Tim Minear

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. American Horror Story Season 3 Episode 1 - Bitchcraft
    7.7/10(74 votes)

    #21 - Bitchcraft

    S3:E1

    A young girl discovers she possesses a strange genetic affliction tracing back to the dark days of Salem; Fiona Goode returns to town.

    Director:Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
    Writers:Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. American Horror Story Season 3 Episode 3 - The Replacements
    7.7/10(55 votes)

    #22 - The Replacements

    S3:E3

    Fiona takes on an unlikely protégé; a guilt-ridden Zoe tries to give Kyle his old life back; Madison has a fiery exchange with Joan Ramsey.

    Director:Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
    Writer:James Wong

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. American Horror Story Season 3 Episode 10 - The Magical Delights of Stevie Nicks
    7.7/10(54 votes)

    #23 - The Magical Delights of Stevie Nicks

    S3:E10

    Fiona attempts to out the new supreme with a visit from Stevie Nicks; Cordelia learns the truth about Hank and the witch hunters; Madison tries to eliminate her competition for the supremacy.

    Director:Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
    Writers:James Wong, Ryan Murphy

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. American Horror Story Season 4 Episode 4 - Edward Mordrake (2)
    7.7/10(52 votes)

    #24 - Edward Mordrake (2)

    S4:E4

    Edward Mordrake continues his search for a Freak to add to his ghostly coterie. Elsa tells the grisly story of her days in Germany. Jimmy and Maggie have a run-in with the Twisted Clown.

    Director:Howard Deutch
    Writer:Jennifer Salt

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. American Horror Story Season 7 Episode 4 - 11/9
    7.7/10(21 votes)

    #25 - 11/9

    S7:E4

    Kai gathers familiar faces to join his cult as the events surrounding 11/8/17 are explored.

    Director:Gwyneth Horder-Payton
    Writer:John J. Gray

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Cape Fear" is the best rated episode of "American Horror Story". It scored 8.4/10 based on 50 votes. Directed by John J. Gray and written by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, it aired on 8/25/2021. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Pale".