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The Best Episodes of Riverdale

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

Set in the present, the series offers a bold, subversive take on Archie, Betty, Veronica and their friends, exploring the surreality of small-town life, the...
Genres:CrimeDramaMystery
Network:The CW

Best Episodes Summary

"Chapter Fifty-Eight: In Memoriam" is the best rated episode of "Riverdale". It scored 9.2/10 based on 3099 votes. Directed by Gabriel Correa and written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, it aired on 10/9/2019. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Chapter Thirty-Four: Judgment Night".

  • Chapter Fifty-Eight: In Memoriam
    9.2/103,099 votes
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    #1 - Chapter Fifty-Eight: In Memoriam

    Season 4 Episode 1 - Aired 10/9/2019

    As the residence of Riverdale prepare for its upcoming Independence Day parade, Archie receives a phone call that will change the rest of his life forever.

    Director: Gabriel Correa

    Writer: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa

  • Chapter Thirty-Four: Judgment Night
    9.0/102,547 votes
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    #2 - Chapter Thirty-Four: Judgment Night

    Season 2 Episode 21 - Aired 5/9/2018

    When an incident at the Sheriff’s station triggers an all-out war between the North and the Southside, Archie and Jughead find themselves in the fight of their lives. Meanwhile Veronica makes a devastating discovery about Hiram, just as someone from his past arrives in Riverdale looking for revenge. Finally, Betty comes face to face with the Black Hood.

    Director: Cherie Nowlan

    Writer: Shepard Boucher

  • Chapter Twelve: Anatomy of a Murder
    8.7/102,746 votes
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    #3 - Chapter Twelve: Anatomy of a Murder

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 5/4/2017

    Archie and Veronica are shocked to learn of the arrest but know they need to come clean to their parents about what they uncovered. Still hurt by the betrayal of his friends and torn over who to trust, Jughead reluctantly joins them in a quest for truth. Meanwhile, Cheryl confronts her mom about why she treats her so much worse than she ever did with Jason.

    Director: Rob Seidenglanz

    Writer: Michael Grassi

  • Chapter Thirteen: The Sweet Hereafter
    8.5/102,622 votes
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    #4 - Chapter Thirteen: The Sweet Hereafter

    Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 5/11/2017

    Archie and Veronica continue to grow closer. Betty is tired of her family acting as if nothing has happened and confronts her mother. Jughead finds himself in an unexpected situation, leaving Archie and the gang scrambling. Hermione makes Fred an offer that seems too good to be true. Meanwhile, the truth about Blossoms’ family business is revealed leaving Cheryl to take matters into her own hands.

    Director: Lee Toland Krieger

    Writer: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa

  • Chapter Seventy-Three: The Locked Room
    8.4/101,338 votes
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    #5 - Chapter Seventy-Three: The Locked Room

    Season 4 Episode 16 - Aired 3/11/2020

    Jughead and Betty confront Bret, Donna and Professor DuPont and unravel their plan to commit the perfect murder.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Chapter Eighteen: When a Stranger Calls
    8.3/102,052 votes
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    #6 - Chapter Eighteen: When a Stranger Calls

    Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 11/8/2017

    When Alice publishes a fiery piece in the Riverdale Register blasting the Southside, Jughead is forced to take matters into his own hands to try and keep the peace. Betty turns to Archie for help after receiving an ultimatum that could potentially destroy some of her closest relationships. With their SoDale open house fast approaching, Hiram and Hermoine enlist the help of an unlikely ally to get some potential investors on board. Finally, Veronica welcomes her old friend Nick St. Clair to Riverdale, but his plans for a wild night with the gang quickly takes an unexpected turn.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Midnight Club
    8.3/102,017 votes
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    #7 - Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Midnight Club

    Season 3 Episode 4 - Aired 11/7/2018

    When Betty confronts Alice about Gryphons and Gargoyles, Alice has no choice but to come clean about how she, along with a young Fred, FP, Hermoine, Hiram, Sierra, Penelope and Tom, played the game in the early 90’s – and how a shocking mystery has been plaguing them all ever since.

    Director: Dawn Wilkinson

    Writer: Tessa Leigh Williams

  • Chapter Seventy-Nine: Graduation
    8.3/101,420 votes
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    #8 - Chapter Seventy-Nine: Graduation

    Season 5 Episode 3 - Aired 2/3/2021

    With Graduation Day around the corner, the gang consider their next steps beyond Riverdale High. Archie learns whether he will be able to graduate with his classmates. FP makes a difficult decision about his and Jellybean's future.

    Director: Gabriel Correa

    Writer: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa

  • Chapter Thirty-Two: Prisoners
    8.2/101,706 votes
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    #9 - Chapter Thirty-Two: Prisoners

    Season 2 Episode 19 - Aired 4/25/2018

    After an incident at Riverdale High leaves the town on edge, Archie leads the charge to uncover the culprit. Meanwhile, the reveal of a devastating secret leads to a violent showdown between Chic, Jughead, Betty and Alice. Elsewhere, Veronica takes matters into her own hands when someone from her past comes to town seeking revenge. Finally, Hermoine and Cheryl conspire to take down Sheriff Keller.

    Director: Jennifer Phang

    Writer: Cristine Chambers

  • Chapter Thirty-Three: Shadow of a Doubt
    8.2/101,618 votes
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    #10 - Chapter Thirty-Three: Shadow of a Doubt

    Season 2 Episode 20 - Aired 5/2/2018

    As the town’s mayoral race between Fred and Hermoine heats up, Hiram sets his sights on a new ally – Sheriff Minetta. Betty turns to Cheryl for help when she has a suspicion about the Black Hood. Meanwhile, the reveal of a dark secret forces Archie and Jughead to try and ease tensions between the Bulldogs and Serpents. Finally, on the eve of the mayoral debate, a mysterious message leaves everyone on edge.

    Director: Gregory Smith

    Writer: Yolonda Lawrence

  • Chapter Twenty-Two: Silent Night, Deadly Night
    8.1/101,785 votes
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    #11 - Chapter Twenty-Two: Silent Night, Deadly Night

    Season 2 Episode 9 - Aired 12/13/2017

    After snooping around for Christmas gifts, Veronica uncovers a major secret Hiram has been keeping from her. Fallout from Jughead’s encounter with Penny Peabody creates tension between him and FP. Meanwhile, a defiant Cheryl takes matters into her own hands after Penelope tells her they cannot afford Christmas this year. Finally, Betty and Archie’s vow to take down the Black Hood once and for all leads to a dangerous showdown.

    Director: Rob Seidenglanz

    Writer: Shepard Boucher

  • Chapter Fifty-Seven: Survive the Night
    8.1/101,623 votes
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    #12 - Chapter Fifty-Seven: Survive the Night

    Season 3 Episode 22 - Aired 5/15/2019

    After receiving mysterious invitations, Archie, Betty, Veronica and Jughead band together to confront the evils of their past once and for all. Meanwhile, chaos ensues at The Farm after Edgar makes a chilling announcement.

    Director: Rachel Talalay

    Writer: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa

  • Chapter Ten: The Lost Weekend
    8.0/102,298 votes
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    #13 - Chapter Ten: The Lost Weekend

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 4/13/2017

    When Fred decides to finalize the divorce with Archie’s mother Mary, Archie hides his true feelings. Archie tries to win Valerie back with a romantic evening, however, Betty hijacks his plans when she decides to throw Jughead a surprise birthday party. Once Cheryl learns of the party, she decides to make it interesting and things quickly get out of control. Meanwhile, Veronica contemplates whether she should participate in the deposition to help get her Dad released.

    Director: Dawn Wilkinson

    Writer: Britta Lundin, Brian E. Paterson

  • Chapter Eleven: To Riverdale and Back Again
    8.0/102,185 votes
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    #14 - Chapter Eleven: To Riverdale and Back Again

    Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 4/27/2017

    Betty is slammed overseeing Homecoming and Reunion weekend, but Alice wants her to help with the Jason Blossom investigation. Alice turns to Archie and Veronica for help, but when Betty discovers they are working with her mom, she is not happy. After seeing his father FP start to clean up his act, Jughead wonders if it's the right time to give him another chance. Cheryl and Polly have both decided to go to Homecoming in Jason's honor, until a revelation waylays their plans. Meanwhile, Fred and Mary attend the Homecoming dance, leaving Fred to possibly reconsider the divorce.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa

  • Chapter Nineteen: Death Proof
    8.0/101,778 votes
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    #15 - Chapter Nineteen: Death Proof

    Season 2 Episode 6 - Aired 11/15/2017

    After a charge led by Mayor McCoy threatens to further escalate tensions between the North and Southside, Jughead, along with Archie, tries to put a stop to a dangerous alliance being considered between the Serpents and a long-time rival. Betty turns to Veronica for help when she’s thrust into the center of a burgeoning mystery surrounding The Sugarman. Finally, Cheryl confronts her mother Penelope after a traumatic run-in forces her to make a stark realization.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Chapter Twenty-Six: The Tell-Tale Heart
    8.0/101,624 votes
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    #16 - Chapter Twenty-Six: The Tell-Tale Heart

    Season 2 Episode 13 - Aired 2/7/2018

    Betty turns to Jughead for help when the consequences of a hasty decision come back to haunt her. Veronica organizes a face to face meeting after tensions between Hiram, FP and Jughead spiral out of control. Elsewhere, Archie is forced to make a tough decision after Agent Adams takes things one step too far.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Chapter Forty: The Great Escape
    8.0/101,593 votes
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    #17 - Chapter Forty: The Great Escape

    Season 3 Episode 5 - Aired 11/14/2018

    After weeks go by with no contact from Archie, Veronica devises a dangerous plan to break him out of juvie. Meanwhile, when Betty learns that Jughead has taken their investigation into Griffins & Gargoyles a step too far, she finds herself in a race against the clock to save him.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Chapter Fifty-Six: The Dark Secret of Harvest House
    8.0/101,303 votes
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    #18 - Chapter Fifty-Six: The Dark Secret of Harvest House

    Season 3 Episode 21 - Aired 5/8/2019

    Veronica turns to Mary and Archie for help after uncovering a secret that Hiram had been keeping from her. Betty raises questions after witnessing some strange activities at The Farm. Jughead finds himself one step closer to uncovering the Gargoyle King’s identity.

    Director: Rob Seidenglanz

    Writer: Cristine Chambers

  • Chapter Four: The Last Picture Show
    7.9/102,756 votes
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    #19 - Chapter Four: The Last Picture Show

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 2/16/2017

    When Jughead learns that an anonymous buyer has plans to tear down the local drive-in, he fights desperately to keep it open. Betty finds her friendship with Archie on the line after stumbling upon some startling information she's uncovered about Miss Grundy's past. Elsewhere, Veronica confronts her mother Hermoine about a suspicious meeting she witnessed between her mother and a shady Southside Serpent. Finally, after uncovering Betty's diary, Alice finds the perfect opportunity to destroy Archie's golden boy image.

    Director: Mark Piznarski

    Writer: Michael Grassi

  • Chapter Fourteen: A Kiss Before Dying
    7.9/102,317 votes
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    #20 - Chapter Fourteen: A Kiss Before Dying

    Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 10/11/2017

    As Fred's life hangs in the balance following the shooting at Pop's diner, Archie struggles with the emotional aftermath of what he witnessed. Meanwhile, as Veronica steps out of her comfort zone to support Archie, she learns that her father Hiram has arrived to Riverdale earlier than expected. Elsewhere, at Pop's diner, Pop Tate recounts the chilling details of the shooting, which leaves Jughead and Betty questioning the gunman's true motives. Lastly, after running into Cheryl at the hospital, Betty and Kevin are surprised to learn about the fire at Thornhill.

    Director: Rob Seidenglanz

    Writer: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa

  • Chapter Twenty: Tales from the Darkside
    7.9/101,793 votes
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    #21 - Chapter Twenty: Tales from the Darkside

    Season 2 Episode 7 - Aired 11/29/2017

    Riverdale remains on edge after a chilling letter from the Black Hood challenges the town’s residents to remain sinless for 48 hours – or he’ll strike again. Meanwhile, Jughead and Archie’s friendship gets tested after Penny Peabody unexpectedly calls in a favor that Jughead owes her. Elsewhere, Betty and Veronica team up to investigate someone who Betty thinks could be the Black Hood killer. Finally, things take an unexpected turn for Josie when a secret admirer takes things one step too far.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Chapter Seventy-One: How to Get Away with Murder
    7.9/101,023 votes
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    #22 - Chapter Seventy-One: How to Get Away with Murder

    Season 4 Episode 14 - Aired 2/26/2020

    When a night in the woods goes horribly awry, Betty, Archie and Veronica are forced to confront what one of them may be capable of.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Chapter Six: Faster, Pussycats! Kill! Kill!
    7.8/102,496 votes
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    #23 - Chapter Six: Faster, Pussycats! Kill! Kill!

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 3/2/2017

    With Riverdale High's annual variety show around the corner, Valerie's efforts to help Archie prepare for his big performance lead to some major fallout between her and Josie. Meanwhile, Betty and Jughead's investigation into Jason's death brings them to a home for troubled youth and face-to-face with Polly. Just as her relationship with her mother was on the upswing, an unexpected betrayal sends Veronica spiraling, while Josie deals with her own pressures at home after her overbearing father returns for her performance at the variety show. Finally, Hermoine's first day at Andrew's Construction finds her and Fred growing closer.

    Director: Steven A. Adelson

    Writer: Nicholas Zwart, Tessa Leigh Williams

  • Chapter Seventeen: The Town That Dreaded Sundown
    7.8/101,791 votes
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    #24 - Chapter Seventeen: The Town That Dreaded Sundown

    Season 2 Episode 4 - Aired 11/1/2017

    When Archie’s attempt to take matters into his own hands spirals out of control, Mayor McCoy calls an emergency town hall meeting to deal with the growing chaos in Riverdale. Meanwhile, when Betty finds herself at the center of a deepening mystery, her decision to keep some parts of it from Jughead causes further friction between the two. Elsewhere, Veronica grows concerned for Archie when she realizes the lengths he would go to seek revenge against the person terrorizing Riverdale. Finally, tensions between the North and Southside finally come to a head and leads to an unexpected showdown.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Chapter Twenty-One: House of the Devil
    7.8/101,778 votes
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    #25 - Chapter Twenty-One: House of the Devil

    Season 2 Episode 8 - Aired 12/6/2017

    When Jughead learns that FP is getting released from prison, he and Betty organize a welcome home party with the Serpents to ease him back into his former life. Meanwhile, Archie and Veronica reach a crossroad in their relationship, but are forced to push their issues aside after Jughead and Betty ask them to take over the Black Hood investigation.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Yolonda Lawrence