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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!

Binge this in 13h 39m•Peaking at 8.2/10

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 darkness and weirdness bubbling beneath Riverdale’s wholesome facade.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Riverdale Season 5 Episode 1 - Chapter Seventy-Seven: Climax
    7.1/10(1374 votes)

    #1 - Chapter Seventy-Seven: Climax

    S5:E1

    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
    Writers:Greg Murray, Ace Hasan

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  2. Riverdale Season 5 Episode 2 - Chapter Seventy-Eight: The Preppy Murders
    6.7/10(1201 votes)

    #2 - Chapter Seventy-Eight: The Preppy Murders

    S5:E2

    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
    Writers:Janine Salinas Schoenberg, Devon Turner

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  3. Riverdale Season 5 Episode 3 - Chapter Seventy-Nine: Graduation
    8.2/10(1475 votes)

    #3 - Chapter Seventy-Nine: Graduation

    S5:E3

    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

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  4. Riverdale Season 5 Episode 4 - Chapter Eighty: Purgatorio
    7.2/10(1316 votes)

    #4 - Chapter Eighty: Purgatorio

    S5:E4

    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

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  5. Riverdale Season 5 Episode 5 - Chapter Eighty-One: The Homecoming
    7.3/10(1657 votes)

    #5 - Chapter Eighty-One: The Homecoming

    S5:E5

    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

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  6. Riverdale Season 5 Episode 6 - Chapter Eighty-Two: Back to School
    7.2/10(1160 votes)

    #6 - Chapter Eighty-Two: Back to School

    S5:E6

    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

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  7. Riverdale Season 5 Episode 7 - Chapter Eighty-Three: Fire in the Sky
    6.6/10(1017 votes)

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

    S5:E7

    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

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  8. Riverdale Season 5 Episode 8 - Chapter Eighty-Four: Lock & Key
    5.9/10(1215 votes)

    #8 - Chapter Eighty-Four: Lock & Key

    S5:E8

    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

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  9. Riverdale Season 5 Episode 9 - Chapter Eighty-Five: Destroyer
    6.2/10(1030 votes)

    #9 - Chapter Eighty-Five: Destroyer

    S5:E9

    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

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  10. Riverdale Season 5 Episode 10 - Chapter Eighty-Six: The Pincushion Man
    6.3/10(948 votes)

    #10 - Chapter Eighty-Six: The Pincushion Man

    S5:E10

    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

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  11. Riverdale Season 5 Episode 11 - Chapter Eighty-Seven: Strange Bedfellows
    6.0/10(848 votes)

    #11 - Chapter Eighty-Seven: Strange Bedfellows

    S5:E11

    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

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  12. Riverdale Season 5 Episode 12 - Chapter Eighty-Eight: Citizen Lodge
    7.8/10(1040 votes)

    #12 - Chapter Eighty-Eight: Citizen Lodge

    S5:E12

    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

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  13. Riverdale Season 5 Episode 13 - Chapter Eighty-Nine: Reservoir Dogs
    6.2/10(757 votes)

    #13 - Chapter Eighty-Nine: Reservoir Dogs

    S5:E13

    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

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  14. Riverdale Season 5 Episode 14 - Chapter Ninety: The Night Gallery
    6.5/10(771 votes)

    #14 - Chapter Ninety: The Night Gallery

    S5:E14

    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

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  15. Riverdale Season 5 Episode 15 - Chapter Ninety-One: The Return of the Pussycats
    4.3/10(1102 votes)

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

    S5:E15

    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
    Writers:Ariana Jackson, Evan Kyle

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  16. Riverdale Season 5 Episode 16 - Chapter Ninety-Two: Band of Brothers
    5.7/10(651 votes)

    #16 - Chapter Ninety-Two: Band of Brothers

    S5:E16

    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

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  17. Riverdale Season 5 Episode 17 - Chapter Ninety-Three: Dance of Death
    6.9/10(747 votes)

    #17 - Chapter Ninety-Three: Dance of Death

    S5:E17

    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

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  18. Riverdale Season 5 Episode 18 - Chapter Ninety-Four: Next to Normal
    3.3/10(1431 votes)

    #18 - Chapter Ninety-Four: Next to Normal

    S5:E18

    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

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  19. Riverdale Season 5 Episode 19 - Chapter Ninety-Five: RIVERDALE: RIP (?)
    6.3/10(927 votes)

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

    S5:E19

    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
    Writers:Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Greg Murray

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Season 5 Ratings Summary

"Chapter Seventy-Seven: Climax" is the best rated episode of "Riverdale" season 5. It scored 7.1/10 based on 1374 votes. Directed by Pamela Romanowsky and written by Greg Murray, Ace Hasan, it aired on 1/20/2021. This episode is rated 0.4 points higher than the second-best, "Chapter Seventy-Eight: The Preppy Murders".