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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!

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...
Genres:DramaMysterySci-Fi & Fantasy
Network:FX
Episodes
132
Avg. Rating
7.4
S1
S2
S3
S4
E1
E2
E3
7.9
8.2
8.3
8.1
7.9
8.3
7.9
7.8
8.0
8.2
8.1
8.0

Filter By Season (12)

  • Return to Murder House
    9.2/10(6,537)
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    #1 - Return to Murder House

    Season 8 Episode 6

    Aired 10/17/2018

    Madison and Behold travel to the Murder House to uncover the origins of Michael Langdon.

    Director: Sarah Paulson

    Writer: Crystal Liu

    Comments

    0
  • The Name Game
    8.8/10(6,727)
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    #2 - The Name Game

    Season 2 Episode 10

    Aired 1/2/2013

    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

    Comments

    0
  • I Am Anne Frank (2)
    8.7/10(5,981)
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    #3 - I Am Anne Frank (2)

    Season 2 Episode 5

    Aired 11/14/2012

    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

    Comments

    0
  • Madness Ends
    8.7/10(6,358)
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    #4 - Madness Ends

    Season 2 Episode 13

    Aired 1/23/2013

    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

    Comments

    0
  • Orphans
    8.7/10(5,113)
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    #5 - Orphans

    Season 4 Episode 10

    Aired 12/17/2014

    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

    Comments

    0
  • Could It Be... Satan?
    8.7/10(4,694)
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    #6 - Could It Be... Satan?

    Season 8 Episode 4

    Aired 10/3/2018

    Michael's history as a teenager, and how he came to find himself at the Hawthorne Boy's school, is revealed.

    Director: Sheree Folkson

    Writer: Tim Minear

    Comments

    0
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    The 20 WORST Episodes of American Horror Story

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  • Edward Mordrake (2)
    8.6/10(4,933)
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    #7 - Edward Mordrake (2)

    Season 4 Episode 4

    Aired 10/29/2014

    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

    Comments

    0
  • Unholy Night
    8.5/10(5,409)
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    #8 - Unholy Night

    Season 2 Episode 8

    Aired 12/5/2012

    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

    Comments

    0
  • Smoldering Children
    8.4/10(6,123)
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    #9 - Smoldering Children

    Season 1 Episode 10

    Aired 12/7/2011

    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

    Comments

    0
  • Boy Wonder
    8.4/10(4,101)
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    #10 - Boy Wonder

    Season 8 Episode 5

    Aired 10/10/2018

    After witnessing the Apocalypse, Coredelia must act quickly to stop Michael or face the end of days.

    Director: Gwyneth Horder-Payton

    Writer: John J. Gray

    Comments

    0
  • Gaslight
    8.4/10(3,484)
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    #11 - Gaslight

    Season 10 Episode 5

    Aired 9/15/2021

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

    Director: John J. Gray

    Writer: Brad Falchuk, Manny Coto

    Comments

    0
  • Birth
    8.3/10(5,975)
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    #12 - Birth

    Season 1 Episode 11

    Aired 12/14/2011

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

    Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon

    Writer: Tim Minear

    Comments

    0
  • Tricks and Treats
    8.3/10(5,795)
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    #13 - Tricks and Treats

    Season 2 Episode 2

    Aired 10/24/2012

    An exorcist is called to Briarcliff to help save a troubled farm boy; Sister Jude's darkest secret is revealed.

    Director: Bradley Buecker

    Writer: James Wong

    Comments

    0
  • Spilt Milk
    8.3/10(5,152)
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    #14 - Spilt Milk

    Season 2 Episode 11

    Aired 1/9/2013

    Grace tells Kit devastating news about the aliens' experiments on Alma; Dr. Thredson receives an unexpected visitor; the Monsignor goes to extreme lengths to silence Jude.

    Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon

    Writer: Brad Falchuk

    Comments

    0
  • Bitchcraft
    8.3/10(7,031)
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    #15 - Bitchcraft

    Season 3 Episode 1

    Aired 10/9/2013

    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

    Writer: Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk

    Comments

    0
  • Head
    8.3/10(4,985)
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    #16 - Head

    Season 3 Episode 9

    Aired 12/11/2013

    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

    Comments

    0
  • Chapter 6
    8.3/10(4,276)
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    #17 - Chapter 6

    Season 6 Episode 6

    Aired 10/19/2016

    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.

    Director: Angela Bassett

    Writer: Ned Martel

    Comments

    0
  • Final Girl
    8.3/10(3,456)
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    #18 - Final Girl

    Season 9 Episode 9

    Aired 11/13/2019

    Camp Redwood draws in a lost soul looking for closure.

    Director: John J. Gray

    Writer: Crystal Liu

    Comments

    0
  • Welcome to Briarcliff
    8.2/10(6,907)
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    #19 - Welcome to Briarcliff

    Season 2 Episode 1

    Aired 10/17/2012

    Terrifying evils blur the boundaries between reality and insanity at the Briarcliff Manor.

    Director: Bradley Buecker

    Writer: Tim Minear

    Comments

    0
  • Nor'easter
    8.2/10(5,480)
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    #20 - Nor'easter

    Season 2 Episode 3

    Aired 10/31/2012

    A violent storm allows a group of patients to plan a daring escape; Sister Jude is haunted by her past.

    Director: Michael Uppendahl

    Writer: Jennifer Salt

    Comments

    0
  • I Am Anne Frank (1)
    8.2/10(5,373)
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    #21 - I Am Anne Frank (1)

    Season 2 Episode 4

    Aired 11/7/2012

    A new patient exposes Arden's past; Kit learns why Grace was admitted to Briarcliff.

    Director: Michael Uppendahl

    Writer: Jessica Sharzer

    Comments

    0
  • Dark Cousin
    8.2/10(5,047)
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    #22 - Dark Cousin

    Season 2 Episode 7

    Aired 11/28/2012

    Sister Mary Eunice is terrified to discover a dark angel at Briarcliff; Kit makes a bold move to be reunited with Grace.

    Director: Michael Rymer

    Writer: Tim Minear

    Comments

    0
  • The Coat Hanger
    8.2/10(4,995)
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    #23 - The Coat Hanger

    Season 2 Episode 9

    Aired 12/12/2012

    The Monsignor takes an unlikely convert under his wing; Lana secures a new piece of evidence that can exonerate Kit; Dr. Arden witnesses a miraculous return.

    Director: Jeremy Podeswa

    Writer: Jennifer Salt

    Comments

    0
  • Fearful Pranks Ensue
    8.2/10(4,929)
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    #24 - Fearful Pranks Ensue

    Season 3 Episode 4

    Aired 10/30/2013

    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.

    Director: Michael Uppendahl

    Writer: Jennifer Salt

    Comments

    0
  • Burn, Witch. Burn!
    8.2/10(4,919)
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    #25 - Burn, Witch. Burn!

    Season 3 Episode 5

    Aired 11/6/2013

    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.

    Director: Jeremy Podeswa

    Writer: Jessica Sharzer

    Comments

    0

Best Episodes Summary

"Return to Murder House" is the best rated episode of "American Horror Story". It scored 9.2/10 based on 6537 votes. Directed by Sarah Paulson and written by Crystal Liu, it aired on 10/17/2018. This episode scored 0.4 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Name Game".