House of Cards backdrop
Drama

The Best Episodes of House of Cards

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

Binge this in 2d 15h•Peaking at 8.5/10

Betrayed by the White House, Congressman Frank Underwood embarks on a ruthless rise to power. Blackmail, seduction and ambition are his weapons.

Airs on
Netflix
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons6

All123456

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    House of Cards Season 4 Episode 3 - Chapter 42
    8.5/10(41 votes)

    #1 - Chapter 42

    S4:E3

    Claire joins Frank as he stumps in South Carolina, but he doesn't trust her. A disastrous scandal blindsides Frank's campaign on primary day.

    Director:Robin Wright
    Writer:Frank Pugliese

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. House of Cards Season 2 Episode 13 - Chapter 26
    8.4/10(66 votes)

    #2 - Chapter 26

    S2:E13

    Frank faces annihilation while the nation is in an uproar. Stamper must tie up loose ends. Claire feels the cost of ruthlessness.

    Director:James Foley
    Writer:Beau Willimon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 12 - Chapter 38
    8.4/10(44 votes)

    #3 - Chapter 38

    S3:E12

    Heather Dunbar goes for the jugular, forcing Claire to confront her worst fears. The rift between Frank and Claire widens.

    Director:Robin Wright
    Writer:Beau Willimon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. House of Cards Season 4 Episode 9 - Chapter 48
    8.4/10(40 votes)

    #4 - Chapter 48

    S4:E9

    At the convention, Frank and his team publicly push for Catherine Durant to be chosen as his running mate, but privately pursue a different agenda.

    Director:Robin Wright
    Writer:Frank Pugliese

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. House of Cards Season 2 Episode 1 - Chapter 14
    8.3/10(81 votes)

    #5 - Chapter 14

    S2:E1

    The Underwoods tackle two threats that could bring their plans to ruin. Frank grooms his replacement as Whip. Claire goes on the offensive.

    Director:Carl Franklin
    Writer:Beau Willimon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. House of Cards Season 4 Episode 4 - Chapter 43
    8.3/10(45 votes)

    #6 - Chapter 43

    S4:E4

    Claire threatens Frank. Frank makes a politically bold move that may provoke Russia. An event at a campaign stop changes everything.

    Director:Robin Wright
    Writer:John Mankiewicz

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of House of Cards

    READ
  7. House of Cards Season 4 Episode 5 - Chapter 44
    8.3/10(39 votes)

    #7 - Chapter 44

    S4:E5

    Claire advises Donald Blythe on dealing with Petrov. Further investigation of Lucas Goodwin dredges up his accusations against Frank.

    Director:Tom Shankland
    Writer:Melissa James Gibson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 13 - Chapter 39
    8.2/10(48 votes)

    #8 - Chapter 39

    S3:E13

    In the midst of the Iowa caucuses, Frank and Claire must confront hard truths about each other.

    Director:James Foley
    Writer:Beau Willimon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. House of Cards Season 4 Episode 6 - Chapter 45
    8.2/10(39 votes)

    #9 - Chapter 45

    S4:E6

    Claire clashes with the Secretary of State over her involvement in negotiations with Russia. Dunbar must choose between her campaign and her ethics.

    Director:Tom Shankland
    Writer:Laura Eason

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. House of Cards Season 4 Episode 7 - Chapter 46
    8.2/10(39 votes)

    #10 - Chapter 46

    S4:E7

    Frank and Claire adjust to their new reality. The search for Frank's running mate begins. Frank starts a campaign to weaken Conway's strong support.

    Director:Tom Shankland
    Writer:Bill Kennedy

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 2 - Chapter 2
    8.1/10(82 votes)

    #11 - Chapter 2

    S1:E2

    Frank uses a young reporter, Zoe Barnes, to spin a story that puts the White House on its heels. Claire makes a cold-blooded move at work.

    Director:David Fincher
    Writer:Beau Willimon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 8 - Chapter 34
    8.1/10(44 votes)

    #12 - Chapter 34

    S3:E8

    A hurricane endangers more than just the entire East Coast and Frank must make a difficult choice.

    Director:John Dahl
    Writer:Bill Kennedy

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 11 - Chapter 37
    8.1/10(46 votes)

    #13 - Chapter 37

    S3:E11

    Things turn ugly when Frank, Jackie, and Heather square off during their first debate. Tom joins Claire on the campaign trail.

    Director:Agnieszka Holland
    Writer:Melissa James Gibson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. House of Cards Season 4 Episode 10 - Chapter 49
    8.1/10(42 votes)

    #14 - Chapter 49

    S4:E10

    As Frank deals with a new threat to his candidacy, Claire has doubts about their plan. Claire faces a difficult decision concerning her mother.

    Director:Robin Wright
    Writers:Kenneth Lin, Melissa James Gibson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 1 - Chapter 1
    8.0/10(123 votes)

    #15 - Chapter 1

    S1:E1

    When the newly elected President reneges on a promise, Frank and Claire decide to sever all allegiances and toss the rules out the window.

    Director:David Fincher
    Writer:Beau Willimon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. House of Cards Season 2 Episode 4 - Chapter 17
    8.0/10(64 votes)

    #16 - Chapter 17

    S2:E4

    A terror scare at the Capitol traps Frank with a resentful Donald Blythe. Claire gives a live interview that rocks the media.

    Director:James Foley
    Writer:Laura Eason

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. House of Cards Season 4 Episode 2 - Chapter 41
    8.0/10(40 votes)

    #17 - Chapter 41

    S4:E2

    As Claire begins exploring a campaign of her own, she and Frank engage in backdoor political maneuvering. But this time they're not on the same side.

    Director:Tucker Gates
    Writer:Melissa James Gibson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. House of Cards Season 4 Episode 12 - Chapter 51
    8.0/10(41 votes)

    #18 - Chapter 51

    S4:E12

    Frank asks Will to help deal with extremists threatening to murder hostages. Hammerschmidt digs deeper into the allegations against Frank.

    Director:Jakob Verbruggen
    Writers:Laura Eason, Bill Kennedy

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. House of Cards Season 4 Episode 13 - Chapter 52
    8.0/10(51 votes)

    #19 - Chapter 52

    S4:E13

    As the hostage situation continues, Claire secretly negotiates with Yusuf al Ahmadi. Frank confronts Hammerschmidt.

    Director:Jakob Verbruggen
    Writer:Beau Willimon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. House of Cards Season 5 Episode 4 - Chapter 56
    8.0/10(42 votes)

    #20 - Chapter 56

    S5:E4

    With a tight race and low voter turnout on Election Day, things look grim for Frank. But he's still got one more trick up his sleeve.

    Director:Alik Sakharov
    Writer:Beau Willimon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. House of Cards Season 5 Episode 12 - Chapter 64
    8.0/10(42 votes)

    #21 - Chapter 64

    S5:E12

    Frank attempts to stop Cathy from testifying. With Hammerschmidt sniffing out the truth, the Underwoods throw someone close to them under the bus.

    Director:Robin Wright
    Writers:Melissa James Gibson, Frank Pugliese

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 10 - Chapter 10
    7.9/10(64 votes)

    #22 - Chapter 10

    S1:E10

    Rebellion on all fronts. Claire defies Frank, Zoe finds comfort in someone new, and Peter makes an ultimatum.

    Director:Carl Franklin
    Writer:Sarah Treem

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 11 - Chapter 11
    7.9/10(67 votes)

    #23 - Chapter 11

    S1:E11

    Claire fuels an old flame. Peter wrestles with his demons. Frank crosses the point of no return.

    Director:Carl Franklin
    Writers:Keith Huff, Kate Barnow, Beau Willimon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. House of Cards Season 2 Episode 12 - Chapter 25
    7.9/10(57 votes)

    #24 - Chapter 25

    S2:E12

    Frank finds himself shut out, and Claire makes a difficult sacrifice. Stamper tries to regain control.

    Director:James Foley
    Writer:Beau Willimon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 6 - Chapter 32
    7.9/10(51 votes)

    #25 - Chapter 32

    S3:E6

    Frank and Claire travel to Moscow to negotiate the return of an imprisoned U.S. citizen. Claire takes a stand that jeopardizes their plans.

    Director:James Foley
    Writer:Melissa James Gibson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Chapter 42" is the best rated episode of "House of Cards". It scored 8.5/10 based on 41 votes. Directed by Robin Wright and written by Frank Pugliese, it aired on 3/4/2016. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Chapter 26".