The Donna Reed Show backdrop
Comedy•Family

The Best Episodes of The Donna Reed Show

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

Binge this in 5d 17h•Peaking at 9.8/10

Revolves around typical family problems, such as firing a clumsy housekeeper, throwing a retirement bash for a colleague, and finding quality time away from the children.

Airs on
ABC
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons8

All12345678

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    The Donna Reed Show Season 7 Episode 28 - The Mysterious Smile (a.k.a.) That Mysterious Smile
    9.8/10(8 votes)

    #1 - The Mysterious Smile (a.k.a.) That Mysterious Smile

    S7:E28

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. The Donna Reed Show Season 6 Episode 3 - Whatever You Wish
    9.0/10(9 votes)

    #2 - Whatever You Wish

    S6:E3

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. The Donna Reed Show Season 6 Episode 17 - The Combo
    9.0/10(8 votes)

    #3 - The Combo

    S6:E17

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. The Donna Reed Show Season 7 Episode 5 - The Daughter Complex
    9.0/10(10 votes)

    #4 - The Daughter Complex

    S7:E5

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. The Donna Reed Show Season 7 Episode 26 - Guests, Guests, Who Wants Them? (a.k.a.) Guests, Guests, Who Needs Guests?
    9.0/10(10 votes)

    #5 - Guests, Guests, Who Wants Them? (a.k.a.) Guests, Guests, Who Needs Guests?

    S7:E26

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. The Donna Reed Show Season 4 Episode 34 - The Caravan
    8.8/10(36 votes)

    #6 - The Caravan

    S4:E34

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Donna Reed Show

    READ
  7. The Donna Reed Show Season 6 Episode 4 - House Divided
    8.8/10(8 votes)

    #7 - House Divided

    S6:E4

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. The Donna Reed Show Season 6 Episode 18 - Who's Rockin' the Partnership
    8.8/10(8 votes)

    #8 - Who's Rockin' the Partnership

    S6:E18

    No description available

    Director:Barry Shear
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. The Donna Reed Show Season 6 Episode 2 - Brighten the Corner
    8.7/10(10 votes)

    #9 - Brighten the Corner

    S6:E2

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. The Donna Reed Show Season 6 Episode 24 - Teamwork
    8.6/10(8 votes)

    #10 - Teamwork

    S6:E24

    Trisha decides to go into business for herself.She and all her neighborhood friends say they'll fix anything Dave needs fixing around the house.They spend the entire day trying to fix things,but cause trouble for the most part.Dave,in the meantime,has bought himself new golfballs-which he tries to hide from Midge.Trisha sees that Midge resents Dave spending less time with her.Midge wishes she and Dave would just have marshmallows together.Trisha gets an idea,and substitutes marshmallows for golf balls-and Midge and Dave have a wonderful time.Dave truly appreciates the favor Trisha did for him and says it was worth all the previous hassles.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. The Donna Reed Show Season 5 Episode 1 - Mister Nice Guy
    8.5/10(35 votes)

    #11 - Mister Nice Guy

    S5:E1

    Mary can't understand why her brother Jeff is being so polite to her - unless there is some ulterior motive behind his good behavior.

    Director:Jeffrey Hayden
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. The Donna Reed Show Season 3 Episode 36 - Mary's Driving Lesson
    8.4/10(33 votes)

    #12 - Mary's Driving Lesson

    S3:E36

    Scotty, smitten by Mary, agrees to teach Mary how to drive. Oh boy! Does he have his hands full! Will their romantic friendship last through this experience?

    Director:Robert Ellis Miller
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. The Donna Reed Show Season 4 Episode 27 - Once Upon a Timepiece
    8.4/10(33 votes)

    #13 - Once Upon a Timepiece

    S4:E27

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. The Donna Reed Show Season 6 Episode 13 - Air Date
    8.4/10(8 votes)

    #14 - Air Date

    S6:E13

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. The Donna Reed Show Season 6 Episode 19 - Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Altar
    8.4/10(8 votes)

    #15 - Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Altar

    S6:E19

    No description available

    Director:Barry Shear
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. The Donna Reed Show Season 6 Episode 30 - Four's a Crowd
    8.4/10(8 votes)

    #16 - Four's a Crowd

    S6:E30

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. The Donna Reed Show Season 8 Episode 2 - With This Ring
    8.4/10(14 votes)

    #17 - With This Ring

    S8:E2

    No description available

    Director:Lawrence Dobkin
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. The Donna Reed Show Season 3 Episode 2 - The Mystery Woman
    8.3/10(38 votes)

    #18 - The Mystery Woman

    S3:E2

    A lady spots Donna and Mary having lunch in a restaurant, so she stops to say hello. She recognized Donna, even though ""it's been 13 years."" Donna doesn't recognize her but is polite and too embarrassed to ask her name. Later, Donna realizes she must find out who the mystery woman was.

    Director:Norman Tokar
    Writer:Barbara Avedon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. The Donna Reed Show Season 5 Episode 18 - The Chinese Horse
    8.3/10(38 votes)

    #19 - The Chinese Horse

    S5:E18

    At an auction a mysterious woman asks Donna to buy a huge Chinese horse statue and gives her the money for it, so Donna does buy it and takes it home. Mary, Jeff and Alex all wonder why?

    Director:Gene Nelson
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. The Donna Reed Show Season 4 Episode 5 - The Monster
    8.2/10(38 votes)

    #20 - The Monster

    S4:E5

    First some large animal has trampled Mary's flowers. Now when Alex is out of town, Donna and the kids keep hearing noises late at night. Upon investigating, they peek out the front door window and see a large, furry creature sitting on the porch!

    Director:Jeffrey Hayden
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. The Donna Reed Show Season 4 Episode 7 - One of Those Days
    8.2/10(32 votes)

    #21 - One of Those Days

    S4:E7

    Nothing seems to be going right in the house. Old Man: Arthur Hunnicut. Ma: Doris Kemper. Carl Betz, Shelley Fabares.

    Director:Jeffrey Hayden
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. The Donna Reed Show Season 4 Episode 20 - Donna's Prima Donna
    8.2/10(48 votes)

    #22 - Donna's Prima Donna

    S4:E20

    Mary decides to forsake college and embark on a singing career.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. The Donna Reed Show Season 4 Episode 23 - The Golden Trap
    8.2/10(34 votes)

    #23 - The Golden Trap

    S4:E23

    While Donna and Alex are away, Mary's little get-together with a friend somehow turns into open house party.

    Directors:Robert Ellis Miller, Jeffrey Hayden
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. The Donna Reed Show Season 5 Episode 6 - My Dad
    8.2/10(42 votes)

    #24 - My Dad

    S5:E6

    Alex tries over and over to spend a day with Jeff,but his plans are always interrupted by emergency calls.Jeff later shows that he still loves his father by singing the song,""My Dad.""

    Director:Gene Nelson
    Writer:Barbara Avedon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. The Donna Reed Show Season 6 Episode 1 - The Playmate
    8.2/10(10 votes)

    #25 - The Playmate

    S6:E1

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"The Mysterious Smile (a.k.a.) That Mysterious Smile" is the best rated episode of "The Donna Reed Show". It scored 9.8/10 based on 8 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 3/25/1965. This episode scored 0.8 points higher than the second highest rated, "Whatever You Wish".