Arrow backdrop
Crime•Drama•Action & Adventure

The Best Episodes of Arrow

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

Binge this in 4d 23h•Peaking at 8.6/10

Spoiled billionaire playboy Oliver Queen is missing and presumed dead when his yacht is lost at sea. He returns five years later a changed man, determined to clean up the city as a hooded vigilante

Airs on
The CW
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons8

All12345678

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    Arrow Season 5 Episode 23 - Lian Yu
    8.6/10(8885 votes)

    #1 - Lian Yu

    S5:E23

    Oliver assembles a group of unlikely allies - Slade, Nyssa, Merlyn and Digger Harkness - to engage in an epic battle against Chase and his army.

    Director:Jesse Warn
    Writers:Marc Guggenheim, Wendy Mericle

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Arrow Season 8 Episode 10 - Fadeout
    8.6/10(4015 votes)

    #2 - Fadeout

    S8:E10

    After eight seasons, and the launch of countless superheroes, the series wraps up the story of the Green Arrow.

    Director:James Bamford
    Writers:Marc Guggenheim, Beth Schwartz

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Arrow Season 1 Episode 23 - Sacrifice
    8.5/10(8845 votes)

    #3 - Sacrifice

    S1:E23

    Oliver and Diggle race to stop the Dark Archer from unleashing his vengeance on The Glades. However, they run into a roadblock after Detective Lance picks up Felicity for questioning. Tommy and Oliver's already tumultuous relationship takes a turn for the worse after Oliver makes a confession about Laurel. After hearing of the danger in The Glades, Thea races to find Roy, inadvertently putting herself directly in the line of fire for Malcolm's devious plan. On the island, Oliver, Slade and Shado are locked in a life-or-death struggle against Fyers as his missiles lock on a full Ferris Air jetliner.

    Director:David Barrett
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Arrow Season 2 Episode 9 - Three Ghosts
    8.5/10(6820 votes)

    #4 - Three Ghosts

    S2:E9

    After covering from a near-fatal drug overdose, Oliver begins hallucinating people from his past. Believing he's a liability, Oliver gives the information he has on Cyrus Gold to Quentin... which results in the deaths of several police officers. Meanwhile, Brother Blood captures Roy and uses him as a test subject for his new serum. In the past on the island, Ivo gives Oliver an impossible choice to make.

    Director:John Behring
    Writers:Andrew Kreisberg, Greg Berlanti

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Arrow Season 2 Episode 23 - Unthinkable
    8.5/10(8264 votes)

    #5 - Unthinkable

    S2:E23

    As Oliver's face off with Slade escalates, his resolve to the no-kill rule is tested. Especially as Slade targets the woman Oliver loves.

    Director:John Behring
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Arrow Season 1 Episode 22 - Darkness on the Edge of Town
    8.4/10(6037 votes)

    #6 - Darkness on the Edge of Town

    S1:E22

    With the Undertaking days away, Malcolm dons his black hood to conclude business with seismologist Dr. Brion Markov and his team. Oliver and Moira entertain a number of surprise - and mostly unwelcome - visitors. Hooded confrontations at home and the Meryln Global Group reveal dark secrets. Meanwhile, Roy and Thea are still looking out for a hero. Laurel makes a decision after Tommy's revelation. In a flashback to the island, Oliver, Slade and Shado struggle to prevent Fyers from shooting a Ferris Air jet out of the sky. Paul Blackthorne and David Ramsey also star.

    Director:John Behring
    Writers:Wendy Mericle, Drew Z. Greenberg

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Arrow

    READ
  7. Arrow Season 2 Episode 18 - Deathstroke
    8.4/10(6169 votes)

    #7 - Deathstroke

    S2:E18

    Sara and Roy become prisoners at the Slade and the only one who is able to save them is Oliver Queen.

    Director:Guy Norman Bee
    Writers:Marc Guggenheim, Drew Z. Greenberg

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Arrow Season 2 Episode 22 - Streets of Fire
    8.4/10(6006 votes)

    #8 - Streets of Fire

    S2:E22

    Oliver rallies his team as Slade's soldiers attack the city. Felicity gets a call from S.T.A.R. Labs with game-changing news and Thea comes face-to-face with her father.

    Director:Nick Copus
    Writers:Jake Coburn, Ben Sokolowski

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Arrow Season 7 Episode 7 - The Slabside Redemption
    8.4/10(3943 votes)

    #9 - The Slabside Redemption

    S7:E7

    Oliver makes a choice that will affect his entire life, as well as the lives of everyone he cares about.

    Director:James Bamford
    Writers:Rebecca Bellotto, Jill Blankenship

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Arrow Season 2 Episode 8 - The Scientist
    8.3/10(5978 votes)

    #10 - The Scientist

    S2:E8

    When a superhumanly strong thief robs a Queen Consolidated warehouse, Central City police scientist Barry Allen comes to Starling City to investigate the case. However, despite his close working relationship with Felicity, Oliver suspects that there's more to the young scientist than meets the eye. Meanwhile, Sin asks Roy to help investigate the disappearance of a friend. In the past, Oliver, Shado, and Sara try to get Slade to the submarine so they can use the serum to save his life.

    Director:Michael Schultz
    Writers:Andrew Kreisberg, Greg Berlanti

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Arrow Season 2 Episode 19 - The Man Under the Hood
    8.3/10(5366 votes)

    #11 - The Man Under the Hood

    S2:E19

    When Oliver and his team destroy Slade's centrifuge, he attacks them as Deathstroke to get what he needs to find a replacement. Meanwhile, Laurel ponders what to do with Slade's information, and Oliver tries to convince Thea to help him protect their finances from Isabel.

    Director:Jesse Warn
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Arrow Season 7 Episode 1 - Inmate 4587
    8.3/10(3887 votes)

    #12 - Inmate 4587

    S7:E1

    Following Oliver's shocking decision to turn himself over to the FBI and reveal his identity as the Green Arrow to the public, Oliver has spent the past five months in Slabside Maximum Security Prison. Determined to keep a low profile to shorten his sentence for the sake of his family, Oliver is tested when he runs into old foes. Meanwhile, Diggle and Dinah have taken on new jobs and left their costumes behind but not everyone is following suit. With her focus on William, Felicity tries to start over but when someone from her past resurfaces, things become complicated.

    Director:James Bamford
    Writers:Beth Schwartz, Oscar Balderrama

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Arrow Season 8 Episode 7 - Purgatory
    8.2/10(2382 votes)

    #13 - Purgatory

    S8:E7

    Oliver's mission takes him to Lian Yu where he tries to ignore the repercussions of the looming Crisis until he receives help from an old friend. Meanwhile, a united Team Arrow faces a recognisable villain.

    Director:James Bamford
    Writers:Rebecca Bellotto, Rebecca Rosenberg

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Arrow Season 1 Episode 16 - Dead to Rights
    8.1/10(5421 votes)

    #14 - Dead to Rights

    S1:E16

    Oliver and Diggle learn that Deadshot is still alive and his next target is Malcom. Malcom invites Tommy to attend a benefit honoring Malcom for his work with Starling City but Tommy refuses to attend. Oliver encourages his friend to mend his relationship with his father while he can. Meanwhile, Oliver struggles to balance his new relationship with McKenna and his duties as Arrow.

    Director:Glen Winter
    Writer:Geoff Johns

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Arrow Season 1 Episode 21 - The Undertaking
    8.1/10(5392 votes)

    #15 - The Undertaking

    S1:E21

    Finding it difficult to mend fences with Tommy and Diggle, Oliver instead focuses on crossing another name off the list. While digging through a crooked accountant's laptop, Felicity discovers a transaction that could help Oliver find Walter. To reconfirm the lead, Oliver gambles that Felicity can be counted on in the field for the first time. In a flashback, Malcolm reveals to Robert Queen and Frank Chen painful details surrounding his wife's murder, and how that shaped his plans for the Glades. Meanwhile, Tommy stuns Laurel with the truth.

    Director:Michael Schultz
    Writers:Jake Coburn, Lana Cho

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Arrow Season 2 Episode 15 - The Promise
    8.1/10(5961 votes)

    #16 - The Promise

    S2:E15

    In the present, Slade visits Oliver and makes his intentions clear. Five years earlier, Slade, Sara, and Oliver launch their assault on the Amazo, but things go wrong when Slade learns that Oliver was responsible for Shado's death.

    Director:Glen Winter
    Writers:Jake Coburn, Ben Sokolowski

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Arrow Season 2 Episode 20 - Seeing Red
    8.1/10(7197 votes)

    #17 - Seeing Red

    S2:E20

    The Mirakuru sends Roy into an uncontrollable rage and he unleashes on the city. Oliver realizes the Mirakuru has taken over Roy completely and must figure out a way to stop him.

    Director:Douglas Aarniokoski
    Writers:Wendy Mericle, Beth Schwartz

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Arrow Season 2 Episode 21 - City of Blood
    8.1/10(5600 votes)

    #18 - City of Blood

    S2:E21

    After the death of someone close to him, Oliver decides to give himself up to Slade rather than risk further bloodshed on his friends and family. Meanwhile, Laurel renews her investigation into Sebastian Blood, and Slade makes his final plans to unleash his Mirakuru-enhanced army on Starling City.

    Director:Michael Schultz
    Writer:Holly Harold

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Arrow Season 3 Episode 8 - The Brave and the Bold (II)
    8.1/10(6675 votes)

    #19 - The Brave and the Bold (II)

    S3:E8

    A crossover event that began on "The Flash" concludes with Oliver teaming with the Flash to stop a boomerang-wielding killer who plants five bombs in the city that are set to explode at the same time.

    Director:Jesse Warn
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Arrow Season 8 Episode 3 - Leap of Faith
    8.1/10(2723 votes)

    #20 - Leap of Faith

    S8:E3

    Reunited with his sister, Oliver and Thea find themselves searching through a familiar maze of catacombs. Meanwhile, John and Lyla partner on a special ops mission.

    Director:Katie Cassidy
    Writers:Emilio Ortega Aldrich, Elizabeth Kim

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Arrow Season 1 Episode 13 - Betrayal
    8.0/10(5425 votes)

    #21 - Betrayal

    S1:E13

    Cyrus Vanch, a nefarious criminal, is recently released from prison and intends to re-secure his position as leader of the underworld. His first step is to take down his biggest opponent in the city - Arrow. Meanwhile, Oliver shows Moira his father's notebook and questions her about the names on the list. Thea is miserable as she starts her internship with Laurel at the legal aid office and Detective Lance makes a deadly mistake that puts Laurel in the crosshairs of Vanch.

    Director:Guy Norman Bee
    Writers:Lana Cho, Beth Schwartz

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Arrow Season 2 Episode 1 - City of Heroes
    8.0/10(6465 votes)

    #22 - City of Heroes

    S2:E1

    Diggle and Felicity travel to the island of Lian Yu in search of Oliver, who left Starling City after the devastation of The Undertaking and his failure to avert it. Convinced to return home, Oliver finds that things are in much worse shape than he imagined – Isabel Rochev is preparing a hostile takeover of Queen Consolidated, Thea refuses to visit Moira in jail, Roy is trying to fill the void left by the Arrow's absence, and Laurel is working with the District Attorney's office to take down the vigilante. Meanwhile, flashbacks to the island show Oliver's mentors Slade, Shado and Oliver in a desperate situation.

    Director:John Behring
    Writer:Greg Berlanti

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Arrow Season 2 Episode 5 - League of Assassins
    8.0/10(5384 votes)

    #23 - League of Assassins

    S2:E5

    Oliver puts Sara Lance up at the manor and soon discovers that she doesn't want to contact her family... both because she would put them in danger, and because she become a killer since the last time they saw her. Meanwhile, the League of Assassins send men to bring Sara back, alive or dead. And Oliver discovers that Laurel will be sitting second chair for his mother's trial.

    Director:Wendey Stanzler
    Writers:Jake Coburn, Drew Z. Greenberg

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Arrow Season 3 Episode 9 - The Climb
    8.0/10(12743 votes)

    #24 - The Climb

    S3:E9

    Ra's al Ghul sends Nyssa and her lieutenant to Starling City to inform Oliver that the League will kill 50 people a day until Sara's murderer is turned over to them. With time running out, Oliver finally identifies the killer... and realizes that he can never turn them over for execution. Meanwhile, Ray shows Felicity his new project.

    Director:Thor Freudenthal
    Writers:Jake Coburn, Keto Shimizu

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Arrow Season 3 Episode 19 - Broken Arrow
    8.0/10(5410 votes)

    #25 - Broken Arrow

    S3:E19

    After Roy confesses that he's the Arrow, Oliver is forced to lie low as Quentin continues his quest to prove that Oliver is the real Arrow. Meanwhile, a metahuman kills two bank guards and Oliver is forced to turn to Ray--as the Atom--for help.

    Director:Douglas Aarniokoski
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Lian Yu" is the best rated episode of "Arrow". It scored 8.6/10 based on 8885 votes. Directed by Jesse Warn and written by Marc Guggenheim, Wendy Mericle, it aired on 5/24/2017. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Fadeout".