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The Best Episodes of The Crown

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

Binge this in 2d 7h•Peaking at 9.3/10

The gripping, decades-spanning inside story of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Prime Ministers who shaped Britain's post-war destiny. The Crown tells the inside story of two of the most famous addresses in the

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Crown Season 3 Episode 3 - Aberfan
    9.3/10(7815 votes)

    #1 - Aberfan

    S3:E3

    A horrible disaster in the Welsh town of Aberfan leaves scores of children dead, but when the Queen takes a week to decide to visit the town to offer solace to its people, she must confront her reasons for postponing the trip.

    Director:Benjamin Caron
    Writer:Peter Morgan

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  2. The Crown Season 2 Episode 6 - Vergangenheit
    9.1/10(5860 votes)

    #2 - Vergangenheit

    S2:E6

    A secret World War II document opens Elizabeth's eyes to grim realities about a family member. The Duke of Windsor campaigns to re-enter public life.

    Director:Philippa Lowthorpe
    Writer:Peter Morgan

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  3. The Crown Season 2 Episode 8 - Dear Mrs. Kennedy
    9.1/10(6188 votes)

    #3 - Dear Mrs. Kennedy

    S2:E8

    Inspired by Jackie Kennedy and against her government's wishes, Elizabeth takes an unconventional approach to resolving an issue with Ghana.

    Director:Stephen Daldry
    Writer:Peter Morgan

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  4. The Crown Season 3 Episode 6 - Tywysog Cymru
    9.1/10(6491 votes)

    #4 - Tywysog Cymru

    S3:E6

    Prince Charles is sent to Aberystwyth to learn Welsh from an ardent nationalist in preparation for the ceremony for his investiture as Prince of Wales.

    Director:Christian Schwochow
    Writers:James Graham, Peter Morgan

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  5. The Crown Season 1 Episode 9 - Assassins
    9.0/10(6619 votes)

    #5 - Assassins

    S1:E9

    As tensions with Philip increase, Elizabeth spends time with her old friend Porchey. Churchill’s portrait is painted for his 80th birthday.

    Director:Benjamin Caron
    Writer:Peter Morgan

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  6. The Crown Season 6 Episode 10 - Sleep, Dearie Sleep
    9.0/10(3985 votes)

    #6 - Sleep, Dearie Sleep

    S6:E10

    The Queen gives Charles the green light to wed Camilla. Tasked with planning her own funeral ahead of her 80th birthday, she faces an existential crisis.

    Director:Stephen Daldry
    Writer:Peter Morgan

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Crown

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  7. The Crown Season 1 Episode 2 - Hyde Park Corner
    8.9/10(7790 votes)

    #7 - Hyde Park Corner

    S1:E2

    With King George too ill to travel, Elizabeth and Philip embark on a four-continent Commonwealth tour. Party leaders attempt to undermine Churchill.

    Director:Stephen Daldry
    Writer:Peter Morgan

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  8. The Crown Season 2 Episode 5 - Marionettes
    8.9/10(5414 votes)

    #8 - Marionettes

    S2:E5

    After Elizabeth makes a tone-deaf speech at a Jaguar factory, she and the monarchy come under public attack from an outspoken lord.

    Director:Philippa Lowthorpe
    Writers:Peter Morgan, Amy Jenkins

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  9. The Crown Season 4 Episode 6 - Terra Nullius
    8.8/10(4695 votes)

    #9 - Terra Nullius

    S4:E6

    On a tour of Australia, Diana struggles to balance motherhood with her royal duties while both she and Charles cope with their marriage difficulties.

    Director:Julian Jarrold
    Writer:Peter Morgan

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  10. The Crown Season 1 Episode 7 - Scientia Potentia Est
    8.7/10(5810 votes)

    #10 - Scientia Potentia Est

    S1:E7

    As the Soviets test the H-bomb, both Churchill and Eden have major health crises. Angry about her inadequate education, Elizabeth hires a tutor.

    Director:Benjamin Caron
    Writer:Peter Morgan

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  11. The Crown Season 2 Episode 9 - Paterfamilias
    8.7/10(5530 votes)

    #11 - Paterfamilias

    S2:E9

    Philip insists that Prince Charles attend his alma mater in Scotland and reminisces about the life-changing difficulties he experienced there.

    Director:Stephen Daldry
    Writers:Tom Edge, Peter Morgan

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  12. The Crown Season 4 Episode 3 - Fairytale
    8.7/10(4724 votes)

    #12 - Fairytale

    S4:E3

    After Charles proposes, Diana moves into Buckingham Palace and finds her life filled with princess training, loneliness — and Camilla Parker Bowles.

    Director:Benjamin Caron
    Writer:Peter Morgan

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  13. The Crown Season 4 Episode 10 - War
    8.7/10(4241 votes)

    #13 - War

    S4:E10

    Amid a growing challenge to her power, Thatcher fights for her position. Charles grows more determined to separate from Diana as their marriage unravels.

    Director:Jessica Hobbs
    Writer:Peter Morgan

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  14. The Crown Season 1 Episode 4 - Act of God
    8.6/10(6308 votes)

    #14 - Act of God

    S1:E4

    When dense smog cripples London for days and creates a serious health hazard, Churchill’s inaction leaves him vulnerable to his political enemies.

    Director:Julian Jarrold
    Writer:Peter Morgan

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  15. The Crown Season 3 Episode 4 - Bubbikins
    8.6/10(5444 votes)

    #15 - Bubbikins

    S3:E4

    Left without a home by a political coup in Athens, Philip's eccentric mother, Princess Alice of Greece, is invited to live in Buckingham Palace by the Queen.

    Director:Benjamin Caron
    Writer:Peter Morgan

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  16. The Crown Season 4 Episode 2 - The Balmoral Test
    8.6/10(4796 votes)

    #16 - The Balmoral Test

    S4:E2

    Margaret Thatcher visits Balmoral but has trouble fitting in with the royal family, while Charles finds himself torn between his heart and family duty.

    Director:Paul Whittington
    Writer:Peter Morgan

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  17. The Crown Season 6 Episode 8 - Ritz
    8.6/10(3394 votes)

    #17 - Ritz

    S6:E8

    After a series of strokes, a declining Margaret recalls a wild night with her sister at the Ritz in 1945, and later celebrates her 70th birthday there.

    Director:Alex Gabassi
    Writers:Peter Morgan, Meriel Sheibani-Clare

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  18. The Crown Season 1 Episode 5 - Smoke and Mirrors
    8.5/10(5907 votes)

    #18 - Smoke and Mirrors

    S1:E5

    Elizabeth rejects protocol by appointing Philip to coordinate her coronation, but his ideas create conflict. The Duke of Windsor returns to London.

    Director:Philip Martin
    Writer:Peter Morgan

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  19. The Crown Season 1 Episode 10 - Gloriana
    8.5/10(5321 votes)

    #19 - Gloriana

    S1:E10

    Margaret and Peter are reunited, but another obstacle stands in their way. Elizabeth is torn between her duty as Queen and her love for her sister.

    Director:Philip Martin
    Writer:Peter Morgan

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  20. The Crown Season 2 Episode 4 - Beryl
    8.5/10(5393 votes)

    #20 - Beryl

    S2:E4

    When Elizabeth and Philip throw a grand party for their 10th anniversary, both Margaret and the new Prime Minister experience romantic tribulations.

    Director:Benjamin Caron
    Writer:Peter Morgan

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  21. The Crown Season 4 Episode 5 - Fagan
    8.5/10(4658 votes)

    #21 - Fagan

    S4:E5

    As Thatcher's policies create rising unemployment, a desperate man breaks into the palace, where he finds Elizabeth's bedroom and awakens her for a talk.

    Director:Paul Whittington
    Writers:Peter Morgan, Jonathan Wilson

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  22. The Crown Season 4 Episode 8 - 48:1
    8.5/10(4127 votes)

    #22 - 48:1

    S4:E8

    As many nations condemn apartheid in South Africa, tension mounts between Thatcher and Elizabeth over their clashing opinions on applying sanctions.

    Director:Julian Jarrold
    Writer:Peter Morgan

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  23. The Crown Season 3 Episode 2 - Margaretology
    8.4/10(5195 votes)

    #23 - Margaretology

    S3:E2

    While Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon visit the USA, the queen, at the bidding of Harold Wilson, asks them to make a side trip to Washington, D.C. to ask President Johnson for financial assistance for the United Kingdom.

    Director:Benjamin Caron
    Writer:Peter Morgan

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  24. The Crown Season 4 Episode 1 - Gold Stick
    8.4/10(4851 votes)

    #24 - Gold Stick

    S4:E1

    As Elizabeth welcomes Britain's first woman prime minister and Charles meets a young Diana Spencer, an IRA attack brings tragedy to the royal family.

    Director:Benjamin Caron
    Writer:Peter Morgan

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  25. The Crown Season 5 Episode 3 - Mou Mou
    8.4/10(4465 votes)

    #25 - Mou Mou

    S5:E3

    In 1946, an Egyptian street vendor finds inspiration in the abdicated King Edward. Years later, he eagerly tries to integrate into British High Society.

    Director:Alex Gabassi
    Writer:Peter Morgan

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Best Episodes Summary

"Aberfan" is the best rated episode of "The Crown". It scored 9.3/10 based on 7815 votes. Directed by Benjamin Caron and written by Peter Morgan, it aired on 11/17/2019. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Vergangenheit".