Show cover for Cruel Summer

The Worst Episodes of Cruel Summer

Every episode of Cruel Summer ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Cruel Summer!

Taking place over three summers - 1993, 1994, 1995 - in a small Texas town, a beautiful popular teen, Kate, is abducted and, seemingly unrelated,...
Genres:DramaMystery
Network:Freeform

Worst Episodes Summary

"Welcome to Chatham" is the worst rated episode of "Cruel Summer". It scored 6.9/10 based on 321 votes. Directed by Bill Purple and written by Tia Napolitano, Elle Triedman, it aired on 6/5/2023. This episode scored 0.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Ride or Die".

  • Welcome to Chatham
    6.9/10321 votes
    Loading...

    #1 - Welcome to Chatham

    Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 6/5/2023

    In Summer 1999, small-town computer genius Megan resents the arrival of outgoing and mysterious foreign exchange student Isabella. Little does she know how her life will change by Summer 2000.

    Director: Bill Purple

    Writer: Tia Napolitano, Elle Triedman

  • Ride or Die
    6.9/10244 votes
    Loading...

    #2 - Ride or Die

    Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 6/5/2023

    In Summer 1999, Isabella grows closer to Luke while struggling to connect with Megan. In Winter 1999, Isabella searches for justice following the disastrous Christmas party.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Matt Morgan

  • Bloody Knuckles
    6.9/10203 votes
    Loading...

    #3 - Bloody Knuckles

    Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 6/12/2023

    In Summer 1999, Megan and Isabella bond during an overnight at the Chambers’ cabin. Luke tries to stand up to Brent, but ends up causing more problems for his dad. Suspicions are raised after fingerprints are found on the gun that shot Luke.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • All I Want for Christmas
    6.9/10188 votes
    Loading...

    #4 - All I Want for Christmas

    Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 6/26/2023

    In Summer 1999, Isabella is rocked by a surprise visit from her past. In Winter 1999, Isabella’s concerns for Megan lead her to some surprising news. In Summer 2000, family loyalties are tested.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Plunge
    6.9/10184 votes
    Loading...

    #5 - The Plunge

    Season 2 Episode 6 - Aired 7/3/2023

    In summer 1999, sparks fly at Luke's birthday party. In winter 1999, relationships are tested as Megan becomes more distant from Luke. In summer 2000, Megan obsesses over an interesting letter she received.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Springing a Leak
    7.0/10199 votes
    Loading...

    #6 - Springing a Leak

    Season 2 Episode 4 - Aired 6/19/2023

    In Summer 1999, Megan wants to be adventurous and makes fake IDs for the gang. In Winter 1999, a burst pipe leads the Landrys and Isabella to a messy night at the Chambers house. Isabella wants to help but is met with resistance from Megan.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • It's the End of the World
    7.1/10177 votes
    Loading...

    #7 - It's the End of the World

    Season 2 Episode 7 - Aired 7/10/2023

    In winter 1999, tensions are high on Y2K. At the New Year's Eve party, a not-so-secret conversation changes the lives of the trio forever. In summer 2000, suspicion falls on Ned after some new evidence from summer 1999 comes to light.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Confess Your Sins
    7.2/10183 votes
    Loading...

    #8 - Confess Your Sins

    Season 2 Episode 8 - Aired 7/17/2023

    In summer 1999, new friendships are formed and secrets are kept as the crew approaches senior year at the annual school car wash. In winter 1999, Megan and Isabella push for answers. In summer 2000, Debbie wants to protect her daughter.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Diana Glogau

  • The Miseducation of Luke Chambers
    7.2/10172 votes
    Loading...

    #9 - The Miseducation of Luke Chambers

    Season 2 Episode 9 - Aired 7/24/2023

    Luke examines all his relationships and worries that the pressures of being a “Chambers man” have changed him.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Off with a Bang
    7.3/10630 votes
    Loading...

    #10 - Off with a Bang

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 4/27/2021

    Victim or villain? Jeanette continues to add fuel to the fire as her reckless behavior causes her friends and family to question her even more.

    Director: Kellie Cyrus

    Writer: Bert V. Royal

  • As the Carny Gods Intended
    7.3/10534 votes
    Loading...

    #11 - As the Carny Gods Intended

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 5/11/2021

    Jeannette and Kate cross paths at the Skylin High takeover of the County Fair, where one is desperate to prove herself and the other to lose herself.

    Director: Daniel Willis

    Writer: Tia Napolitano

  • You Don't Hunt, You Don't Eat
    7.4/10576 votes
    Loading...

    #12 - You Don't Hunt, You Don't Eat

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 5/4/2021

    Kate, reeling from the lawsuit, prepares her defense and finds friendship in an unlikely source. The annual Wallis hunting trip becomes the setting for an important first meeting.

    Director: Laura Nisbet Peters

    Writer: Imogen Binnie

  • An Ocean in Me
    7.4/10521 votes
    Loading...

    #13 - An Ocean in Me

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 5/18/2021

    A new deposition threatens Jeanette’s case. A discovery causes Cindy’s suspicions about her own daughter to reach new heights as her relationship with Greg becomes further strained.

    Director: Kellie Cyrus

    Writer: Brian Otaño

  • Proof
    7.4/10505 votes
    Loading...

    #14 - Proof

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 6/1/2021

    On the first day of school, everyone learns that the drama of the summer is anything but over and that some people will pay more for the consequences of Jeanette and Kate's deception than others.

    Director: Daniel Willis

    Writer: Addison McQuigg

  • Happy Birthday, Kate Wallis
    7.6/10516 votes
    Loading...

    #15 - Happy Birthday, Kate Wallis

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 5/25/2021

    Kate struggles with a family secret she’s been holding on to. Joy tries to convince Kate to go on “The Marsha Bailey Show.” Mallory has a birthday surprise.

    Director: Alexis Ostrander

    Writer: Savannah Ward

  • Happy Birthday, Jeanette Turner
    7.7/10833 votes
    Loading...

    #16 - Happy Birthday, Jeanette Turner

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 4/20/2021

    Taking place over 3 summers in the 90s when a popular teen goes missing, and a seemingly unrelated girl transforms from a sweet and awkward outlier to the most popular girl in town, eventually becoming the most despised person in America.

    Director: Max Winkler

    Writer: Bert V. Royal

  • Endgame
    7.7/10249 votes
    Loading...

    #17 - Endgame

    Season 2 Episode 10 - Aired 7/31/2023

    As timelines collide, friendships implode, new evidence emerges, and the shocking truth is revealed...in more ways than one.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • A Smashing Good Time
    7.8/10706 votes
    Loading...

    #18 - A Smashing Good Time

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 4/20/2021

    It’s time for the annual Skylin Garden Club Party! Year after year after year, the residents of Skylin struggle with the truth around what happened to Kate, keeping their secrets buried and maintaining appearances.

    Director: Bill Purple

    Writer: Bert V. Royal

  • Hostile Witness
    8.4/10743 votes
    Loading...

    #19 - Hostile Witness

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 6/15/2021

    Kate and Jeanette's worlds collide as the court date arrives, finally forcing the two young women to answer the question on everyone's mind, but the answer comes with a price that not everyone can pay.

    Director: Bill Purple

    Writer: Bert V. Royal

  • A Secret of My Own
    8.6/10626 votes
    Loading...

    #20 - A Secret of My Own

    Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 6/8/2021

    Kate's closely held secrets and fragmented memories of her time in Martin's captivity are brought to the surface.

    Director: Alexis Ostrander

    Writer: Matt Antonelli