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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!

The Best Episodes of American Horror Story

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...
  1. Background image for Cape Fear
    8.6/10(42 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.

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  2. Background image for Smoldering Children
    8.4/10(6.2k votes)

    #2 - 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.

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  3. Background image for Pale
    8.4/10(25 votes)

    #3 - Pale

    S10:E2

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

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  4. Background image for Birth
    8.3/10(6.0k votes)

    #4 - Birth

    S1:E11

    Vivien gives birth. Tate and Violet attempt to rid the house of some of its ghosts for good.

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  5. Background image for Bitchcraft
    8.3/10(7.1k votes)

    #5 - 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.

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  6. Background image for Head
    8.3/10(5.0k votes)

    #6 - 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.

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    Director:Howard Deutch
    Writer:Tim Minear
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  8. Background image for Chapter 6
    8.3/10(4.3k votes)

    #7 - Chapter 6

    S6:E6

    After the wrap of the show My Roanoke Nightmare, the producer creates a follow up show called Return to Roanoke, bringing the actors of the previous show and the real Shelby, Matt, and Lee, back to the house.

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    Writer:Ned Martel
  9. Background image for Thirst
    8.3/10(19 votes)

    #8 - Thirst

    S10:E3

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

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  10. Background image for Fearful Pranks Ensue
    8.2/10(5.0k votes)

    #9 - Fearful Pranks Ensue

    S3:E4

    Fiona's choices rattle a decades-long truce between the Salem witches and Marie Laveau; the Council of Witchcraft pays a surprise visit to the academy with disturbing allegations.

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  11. Background image for Burn, Witch. Burn!
    8.2/10(5.0k votes)

    #10 - Burn, Witch. Burn!

    S3:E5

    Besieged by Marie Laveau's army, Zoe unleashes a new power; Fiona and Myrtle clash over control of the coven; Madame LaLaurie is confronted by old ghosts.

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  12. Background image for The Lady in White
    8.2/10(26 votes)

    #11 - The Lady in White

    S9:E7

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

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  13. Background image for Halloween (1)
    8.1/10(6.6k votes)

    #12 - Halloween (1)

    S1:E4

    The line between the living and the dead blurs on Halloween. Two of the house's previous residents give the Harmons decorating advice.

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  14. Background image for Halloween (2)
    8.1/10(6.4k 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.

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  15. Background image for The Name Game
    8.1/10(61 votes)

    #14 - 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.

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  16. Background image for The Replacements
    8.1/10(5.1k votes)

    #15 - 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.

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  17. Background image for Go to Hell
    8.1/10(4.5k votes)

    #16 - 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.

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  18. Background image for Chapter 5
    8.1/10(3.8k votes)

    #17 - Chapter 5

    S6:E5

    The mob comes for Shelby, Matt and Flora, but they get help from a new face to escape the Butcher's wrath.

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    Director:Nelson Cragg
  19. Background image for Gaslight
    8.1/10(17 votes)

    #18 - Gaslight

    S10:E5

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

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  20. Background image for Murder House
    8.0/10(7.0k votes)

    #19 - Murder House

    S1:E3

    Vivien learns the horrific truth about the house's first residents and Ben's visitor causes him to further unravel about what really happened in the haunted house. Constance and Moira have their history revealed.

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  21. Background image for I Am Anne Frank (2)
    8.0/10(60 votes)

    #20 - 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.

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  22. Background image for Orphans
    8.0/10(42 votes)

    #21 - 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.

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  23. Background image for Devil's Night
    8.0/10(4.1k votes)

    #22 - 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.

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    Director:Ryan Murphy
  24. Background image for Battle Royale
    8.0/10(3.2k votes)

    #23 - Battle Royale

    S5:E11

    Ramona draws vitality from an unlikely source. Sally uses her past to negotiate her future. Scarlett learns the truth of her family's affliction.

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  25. Background image for Chapter 7
    8.0/10(3.7k votes)

    #24 - Chapter 7

    S6:E7

    Audrey, Lee, and Monet find themselves in grave danger as they search for Rory; Agnes comes back for revenge; Matt and Shelby deal with the ramifications of their situation.

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    Director:Elodie Keene
  26. Background image for Final Girl
    8.0/10(28 votes)

    #25 - Final Girl

    S9:E9

    Camp Redwood draws in a lost soul looking for closure.

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    Director:John J. Gray

Best Episodes Summary

"Cape Fear" is the best rated episode of "American Horror Story". It scored 8.6/10 based on 42 votes. Directed by John J. Gray and written by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, it aired on 8/25/2021. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Smoldering Children".