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The Best Episodes of Riverdale Season 5

Every episode of Riverdale Season 5 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Riverdale Season 5!

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

Season 5 Ratings Summary

"Chapter Seventy-Seven: Climax" is the best rated episode of "Riverdale" season 5. It scored 7.1/10 based on 1318 votes. Directed by Pamela Romanowsky and written by Greg Murray, Ace Hasan, it aired on 1/20/2021. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "Chapter Seventy-Eight: The Preppy Murders".

  • Chapter Seventy-Seven: Climax
    7.1/101,318 votes

    #1 - Chapter Seventy-Seven: Climax

    Season 5 Episode 1 - Aired 1/20/2021

    Betty and Jughead's investigation into the auteur leads them to the discovery of a secret underground for red-band screenings. Elsewhere, in order to impress the visiting Naval Academy Commandant, Archie agrees to participate in a boxing exhibition against another candidate - KO Kelly. Meanwhile, as Cheryl prepares for prom, she stumbles upon a major secret that Toni's been keeping from her.

    Director: Pamela Romanowsky

    Writer: Greg Murray, Ace Hasan

  • Chapter Seventy-Eight: The Preppy Murders
    6.8/101,148 votes

    #2 - Chapter Seventy-Eight: The Preppy Murders

    Season 5 Episode 2 - Aired 1/27/2021

    Betty and Jughead's investigation into the auteur takes a twisted turn after receiving a call from Bret. Meanwhile, Archie is forced to make an impossible decision when the person responsible for his father's death needs his help. Elsewhere, Veronica and Hermosa come up with a plan to force Hiram into early retirement, and Cheryl makes a business move.

    Director: Gabriel Correa

    Writer: Janine Salinas Schoenberg, Devon Turner

  • Chapter Seventy-Nine: Graduation
    8.3/101,416 votes

    #3 - 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 Eighty: Purgatorio
    7.3/101,266 votes

    #4 - Chapter Eighty: Purgatorio

    Season 5 Episode 4 - Aired 2/10/2021

    After spending seven years away from Riverdale, Archie returns to find the town is now under Hiram Lodge's grip and on the verge of becoming a ghost town. When Toni catches him up on what's been going on, Archie reaches out to the rest of the gang to return home.

    Director: Steven A. Adelson

    Writer: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa

  • Chapter Eighty-One: The Homecoming
    7.3/101,607 votes

    #5 - Chapter Eighty-One: The Homecoming

    Season 5 Episode 5 - Aired 2/17/2021

    Toni, Alice, Archie and Kevin fight to keep Riverdale High's doors open after learning that its budget had been cut by Hiram Lodge. Veronica gets creative when she discovers Chad is having her followed. Jughead starts a new job after debt collectors show up in Riverdale.

    Director: Steven A. Adelson

    Writer: Michael Grassi

  • Chapter Eighty-Two: Back to School
    7.2/101,115 votes

    #6 - Chapter Eighty-Two: Back to School

    Season 5 Episode 6 - Aired 2/24/2021

    Archie, Betty, Veronica and Jughead prepare for their first day as Riverdale High's newest teachers. Veronica introduces her husband Chad to the group after he shows up unexpectedly in Riverdale. After realizing they are out of funds, Archie and Toni turn to Cheryl for help restarting the football and cheer teams. Finally, Betty, Kevin and Alice follow a lead after learning that Polly may be in trouble.

    Director: Gabriel Correa

    Writer: Ariana Jackson

  • Chapter Eighty-Three: Fire in the Sky
    6.6/10972 votes

    #7 - Chapter Eighty-Three: Fire in the Sky

    Season 5 Episode 7 - Aired 3/10/2021

    Following in his Grandpa Artie's footsteps, Archie begins to recruit Riverdale's new volunteer fire department. Toni's attempt to lure Cheryl out of Thornhill and back into daily life in Riverdale leads to more tension between the two. Elsewhere, Betty, Alice and Kevin's latest investigation leads them into conflict with Hiram. Finally, as Veronica comes up with a risky plan to support Riverdale's local businesses, Jughead and Tabitha begin to unravel an old mystery surrounding some strange sightings in the town.

    Director: Gabriel Correa

    Writer: Ted Sullivan

  • Chapter Eighty-Four: Lock & Key
    5.9/101,168 votes

    #8 - Chapter Eighty-Four: Lock & Key

    Season 5 Episode 8 - Aired 3/17/2021

    A big announcement forces everyone to take stock of their current lives. Cheryl sets a risky plan in motion after learning some surprising news about Toni. Jughead tries to make sense of a strange encounter he had. Kevin and Fangs make a big decision about their future together.

    Director: Rachel Talalay

    Writer: Arabella Anderson

  • Chapter Eighty-Five: Destroyer
    6.2/10982 votes

    #9 - Chapter Eighty-Five: Destroyer

    Season 5 Episode 9 - Aired 3/24/2021

    After the Bulldogs lose several football games, Archie and Veronica come up with a plan to boost school spirit. Jughead turns his attention to a student who he thinks might need his help. Betty seeks guidance from Cheryl after being faced with a difficult decision to make. Finally, Kevin is forced to face a dark moment from his past.

    Director: Rob Seidenglanz

    Writer: Ace Hasan

  • Chapter Eighty-Six: The Pincushion Man
    6.3/10903 votes

    #10 - Chapter Eighty-Six: The Pincushion Man

    Season 5 Episode 10 - Aired 3/31/2021

    While preparing for the school's Parent-Teacher night, Archie is caught off guard when his former Army General shows up in Riverdale with some unexpected news. Cheryl pushes back after hearing that Hiram and Reggie have expressed interest in taking over the Blossom maple groves. Jughead's unconventional way to get through a case of writer's block causes Tabitha to be concerned for his safety. Finally, Betty and Alice receive some unexpected visitors.

    Director: Gabriel Correa

    Writer: Chrissy Maroon

  • Chapter Eighty-Seven: Strange Bedfellows
    6.1/10801 votes

    #11 - Chapter Eighty-Seven: Strange Bedfellows

    Season 5 Episode 11 - Aired 8/11/2021

    In the aftermath of the prison break at Hiram's jail, Archie leads the charge to round up the remaining convicts on the loose. Tabitha reaches out for Betty's help when she realizes Jughead is missing. When Penelope re-enters the fold, Cheryl becomes suspicious of her true intentions.

    Director: Tessa Blake

    Writer: Aaron Allen

  • Chapter Eighty-Eight: Citizen Lodge
    7.8/10982 votes

    #12 - Chapter Eighty-Eight: Citizen Lodge

    Season 5 Episode 12 - Aired 8/18/2021

    Hiram shares with Reggie his origin story and how he went from a young Jaime Luna to the powerful kingpin of Riverdale. Elsewhere, Reggie reflects on his relationship with his father.

    Director: James DeWille

    Writer: Brian E. Paterson

  • Chapter Eighty-Nine: Reservoir Dogs
    6.3/10708 votes

    #13 - Chapter Eighty-Nine: Reservoir Dogs

    Season 5 Episode 13 - Aired 8/25/2021

    While helping Eric deal with his PTSD, Archie is forced to confront his own past trauma in the Army. To find the Lonely Highway killer, Betty and Tabitha come up with a way to lure truckers to Pop's. Cheryl extends an invitation to Kevin and Veronica gives Reggie a shot to prove her wrong.

    Director: Gabriel Correa

    Writer: Evan Kyle

  • Chapter Ninety: The Night Gallery
    6.5/10723 votes

    #14 - Chapter Ninety: The Night Gallery

    Season 5 Episode 14 - Aired 9/1/2021

    Cheryl enlists the help of Archie, Kevin, Fangs and Reggie after she learns there is palladium underneath her maple groves. Meanwhile, Betty and Alice confront a trucker who may have been involved in Polly's disappearance. Elsewhere, Jughead and Archie each confront events from their past.

    Director: Mädchen Amick

    Writer: James DeWille

  • Chapter Ninety-One: The Return of the Pussycats
    4.3/101,048 votes

    #15 - Chapter Ninety-One: The Return of the Pussycats

    Season 5 Episode 15 - Aired 9/8/2021

    After going MIA during the middle of her world tour, mega-star Josie McCoy returns to Riverdale unexpectedly. But it's not until she reunites with her former bandmates Valerie and Melody, that she opens up about the real reason why she's back. Elsewhere, Veronica gets creative after a surprise visit from her old friend Alexandra Cabot. Finally, Toni steps in to help Tabitha and Veronica land a deal.

    Director: Robin Givens

    Writer: Ariana Jackson, Evan Kyle

  • Chapter Ninety-Two: Band of Brothers
    5.7/10602 votes

    #16 - Chapter Ninety-Two: Band of Brothers

    Season 5 Episode 16 - Aired 9/15/2021

    After hearing some unexpected news about his former commanding officer, Archie opens up to Uncle Frank about his time in the Army. Veronica comes up with a clever way to raise funds after Chad calls the SEC on her. Finally, Cheryl and Kevin attempt to take control of the ministry, and Jughead goes on an apology tour.

    Director: Robin Givens

    Writer: Janine Salinas Schoenberg

  • Chapter Ninety-Three: Dance of Death
    6.9/10699 votes

    #17 - Chapter Ninety-Three: Dance of Death

    Season 5 Episode 17 - Aired 9/22/2021

    After learning that a friend has gone missing, Tabitha enlists help from Jughead and Betty to investigate the disappearance. Penelope plants doubt in Kevin's mind, which leads him to confront Cheryl about the ministry. Finally, an explosion at the mines leaves several lives hanging in the balance.

    Director: Nathalie Boltt

    Writer: Devon Turner

  • Chapter Ninety-Four: Next to Normal
    3.3/101,353 votes

    #18 - Chapter Ninety-Four: Next to Normal

    Season 5 Episode 18 - Aired 9/29/2021

    Refusing to accept what's going on around her, Alice creates an imaginary musical fantasy world in which the Coopers are one big happy family again. But as her mother continues to spiral, Betty does her best to pull her back to reality.

    Director: Ronald Richard

    Writer: Tessa Leigh Williams

  • Chapter Ninety-Five: RIVERDALE: RIP (?)
    6.3/10874 votes

    #19 - Chapter Ninety-Five: RIVERDALE: RIP (?)

    Season 5 Episode 19 - Aired 10/6/2021

    As the gang pick up the pieces after a rough year back in Riverdale, an incident at Pop's forces them to make a difficult decision about the future of the town.

    Director: Gabriel Correa

    Writer: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Greg Murray