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 9.5/10

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 2 Episode 1 - Chapter 14
    9.5/10(12452 votes)

    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

  2. House of Cards Season 2 Episode 13 - Chapter 26
    9.5/10(7845 votes)

    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 4 Episode 13 - Chapter 52
    9.4/10(6905 votes)

    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

  4. House of Cards Season 4 Episode 4 - Chapter 43
    9.3/10(5221 votes)

    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

  5. House of Cards Season 4 Episode 10 - Chapter 49
    9.2/10(5027 votes)

    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

  6. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 11 - Chapter 11
    9.0/10(6416 votes)

    S1:E11

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

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

    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 2 Episode 4 - Chapter 17
    9.0/10(5816 votes)

    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

  8. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 6 - Chapter 32
    9.0/10(6075 votes)

    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

  9. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 11 - Chapter 37
    9.0/10(4912 votes)

    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

  10. House of Cards Season 5 Episode 12 - Chapter 64
    9.0/10(4177 votes)

    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

  11. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 13 - Chapter 39
    8.9/10(5413 votes)

    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

  12. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 13 - Chapter 13
    8.8/10(6043 votes)

    S1:E13

    Frank scrambles to keep his plan on track. Claire is haunted by choices old and new. Zoe poses a serious threat.

    Director:Allen Coulter
    Writer:Beau Willimon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. House of Cards Season 2 Episode 9 - Chapter 22
    8.8/10(5092 votes)

    S2:E9

    Things get personal when Tusk blindsides the Underwoods with a scandal. Freddy and his BBQ joint get caught up in the mix.

    Director:Jodie Foster
    Writer:Beau Willimon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. House of Cards Season 2 Episode 12 - Chapter 25
    8.8/10(4878 votes)

    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

  15. House of Cards Season 4 Episode 3 - Chapter 42
    8.7/10(4376 votes)

    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

  16. House of Cards Season 4 Episode 9 - Chapter 48
    8.7/10(3982 votes)

    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

  17. House of Cards Season 4 Episode 12 - Chapter 51
    8.7/10(3993 votes)

    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

  18. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 10 - Chapter 10
    8.6/10(5818 votes)

    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

  19. House of Cards Season 2 Episode 11 - Chapter 24
    8.6/10(5078 votes)

    S2:E11

    A Special Prosecutor interrogates Frank. Remy Danton tries to keep his options open. Stamper wrestles with his demons.

    Director:John David Coles
    Writers:Beau Willimon, John Mankiewicz

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 12 - Chapter 38
    8.6/10(4387 votes)

    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

  21. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 1 - Chapter 1
    8.5/10(9472 votes)

    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

  22. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 2 - Chapter 2
    8.5/10(7605 votes)

    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

  23. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 6 - Chapter 6
    8.5/10(6205 votes)

    S1:E6

    Frank strikes back at the striking teachers. Claire is caught off guard by a deathbed confession.

    Director:Joel Schumacher
    Writer:Sam Forman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. House of Cards Season 1 Episode 12 - Chapter 12
    8.5/10(5572 votes)

    S1:E12

    Frank must make an unforeseen detour. Zoe, Lucas and Janine get closer to the truth.

    Director:Allen Coulter
    Writers:Beau Willimon, Gina Gionfriddo

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. House of Cards Season 3 Episode 3 - Chapter 29
    8.5/10(5040 votes)

    S3:E3

    The Russian president's state visit becomes a cold war of wills, and some punks heat things up.

    Director:Tucker Gates
    Writer:Frank Pugliese

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Chapter 14" is the best rated episode of "House of Cards". It scored 9.5/10 based on 12452 votes. Directed by Carl Franklin and written by Beau Willimon, it aired on 2/14/2014. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Chapter 26".