The Fosters backdrop
Drama

The Best Episodes of The Fosters

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

Binge this in 3d 0h•Peaking at 7.0/10

Stef Foster, a dedicated police officer, and her partner Lena Adams, a school vice principal, have built a close-knit, loving family with Stef's biological son from a previous marriage, Brandon, and their adopted twins, Mariana

Airs on
ABC FamilyFreeform
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons5

All12345

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    The Fosters Season 1 Episode 15 - Padre
    7.0/10(380 votes)

    #1 - Padre

    S1:E15

    A family gathering brings Callie back into the Fosters' home for the first time since she ran away.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. The Fosters Season 1 Episode 21 - Adoption Day
    7.0/10(317 votes)

    #2 - Adoption Day

    S1:E21

    Stef and Mike deal with the fallout from a shocking revelation; Brandon makes another bad decision.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. The Fosters Season 2 Episode 12 - Over/Under
    6.6/10(273 votes)

    #3 - Over/Under

    S2:E12

    Stef and Lena take different sides on several issues; Brandon is invited to attend a music program.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. The Fosters Season 4 Episode 10 - Collateral Damage
    6.6/10(259 votes)

    #4 - Collateral Damage

    S4:E10

    Callie and the family set up a “Justice for Jack” booth at a music festival in order to gather signatures to stop Justina’s foster care bill, but Callie’s persistence in advocating for both Jack and Kyle lands her in a dangerous situation. Additionally, Callie’s efforts are sidelined when the tensions between her boyfriend AJ and her friend Aaron come to a head. Mariana, still taking Jesus’ ADHD prescription medication, sees Nick and runs away from the festival, sending the family into a frantic search for her. Meanwhile, Stef discovers that her inquiries into Kyle’s case will have repercussions at her job.

    Director:Peter Paige
    Writers:Bradley Bredeweg, Peter Paige

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. The Fosters Season 1 Episode 9 - Vigil
    6.5/10(379 votes)

    #5 - Vigil

    S1:E9

    Mariana and Jesus deal with the repercussions of their actions.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. The Fosters Season 3 Episode 19 - The Show
    6.5/10(435 votes)

    #6 - The Show

    S3:E19

    As Brandon debuts his “Romeo and Juliet” rock musical, moments in the production are hitting home for the Adams Foster family, causing them to look back at recent events.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Fosters

    READ
  7. The Fosters Season 1 Episode 2 - Consequently
    6.4/10(439 votes)

    #7 - Consequently

    S1:E2

    Callie is accused of selling pills around school, and Lena and Stef decide not to punish Brandon which causes tension among the parents.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. The Fosters Season 1 Episode 7 - The Fallout
    6.4/10(370 votes)

    #8 - The Fallout

    S1:E7

    Lexi's parents punish her when they find out the truth about Lexi and Jesus.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. The Fosters Season 2 Episode 3 - Play
    6.4/10(294 votes)

    #9 - Play

    S2:E3

    While Lena and Stef are away on a babymoon, the kids throw a party that gets out of hand.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. The Fosters Season 2 Episode 10 - Someone's Little Sister
    6.4/10(301 votes)

    #10 - Someone's Little Sister

    S2:E10

    Callie asks her biological father for a favor; Connor is pressured to end his friendship with Jude.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. The Fosters Season 2 Episode 11 - Christmas Past
    6.4/10(275 votes)

    #11 - Christmas Past

    S2:E11

    Brandon looks back on Callie and Jude’s first Christmas with the Foster family.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. The Fosters Season 2 Episode 13 - Stay
    6.4/10(255 votes)

    #12 - Stay

    S2:E13

    Kiara seeks help after being placed in an unfit foster home; Mariana downplays her high math scores.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. The Fosters Season 2 Episode 17 - The Silence She Keeps
    6.4/10(278 votes)

    #13 - The Silence She Keeps

    S2:E17

    Stef and Lena attempt to understand Callie's decision; Monte and Timothy's disagreement over the school curriculum puts Lena in a tough spot; Mariana tries to get a talented dancer to join her team.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. The Fosters Season 4 Episode 9 - New York
    6.4/10(220 votes)

    #14 - New York

    S4:E9

    Brandon travels to New York City for his Julliard audition and meets a girl who forces him to take a hard look at his life, including his relationship with Cortney. Meanwhile, Stef and Lena make an unexpected announcement that leaves the family in shock. And Callie’s friendship with Aaron causes friction between her and AJ.

    Director:Joanna Johnson
    Writer:Joanna Johnson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. The Fosters Season 5 Episode 11 - Invisible
    6.4/10(153 votes)

    #15 - Invisible

    S5:E11

    Callie actively helps to make Ximena’s fight visible. Meanwhile, Brandon and Grace struggle to be intimate knowing her diagnosis and Mariana is suddenly courted by multiple suitors.

    Director:Laura Nisbet Peters
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. The Fosters Season 2 Episode 4 - Say Something
    6.3/10(277 votes)

    #16 - Say Something

    S2:E4

    Callie meets her half-sister for the first time. Timothy starts a legal battle over his parental rights of the baby.

    Director:Zetna Fuentes
    Writer:Kathleen McGhee-Anderson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. The Fosters Season 3 Episode 7 - Faith, Hope, Love
    6.3/10(278 votes)

    #17 - Faith, Hope, Love

    S3:E7

    Stef and Lena hesitate to give their blessing when Mariana’s biological grandfather tells her she must be baptized in order to be her new half-sister Isabella’s godmother. Callie’s actions at her birthday party are called out by Stef, and they make a big decision in order to avoid jeopardizing her adoption.

    Director:Jann Turner
    Writers:Kris Q. Rehl, Cristian Martinez

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. The Fosters Season 3 Episode 11 - First Impressions
    6.3/10(265 votes)

    #18 - First Impressions

    S3:E11

    Callie is now officially adopted into the Adams Foster family and must put aside any romantic feelings for Brandon. She does so by throwing herself into her “Fost and Found” website, even drawing the interest of an investor.

    Director:Peter Paige
    Writers:Bradley Bredeweg, Peter Paige

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. The Fosters Season 3 Episode 16 - EQ
    6.3/10(230 votes)

    #19 - EQ

    S3:E16

    Stef begins teaching a class in the police department’s youth outreach program, but she soon realizes that it is not as easy as she thought it would be.

    Director:Anne Renton
    Writer:Anne Meredith

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. The Fosters Season 3 Episode 17 - Sixteen
    6.3/10(214 votes)

    #20 - Sixteen

    S3:E17

    Jesus is upset after his plans for a low key birthday are supplanted by Mariana, who plans a huge dance party instead. Jude is excited by the prospect of a weekend visit with Connor. Meanwhile, Callie and Brandon strike a truce by agreeing not to bring their new respective significant others home or to family functions.

    Director:Elodie Keene
    Writer:Marissa Jo Cerar

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. The Fosters Season 3 Episode 20 - Kingdom Come
    6.3/10(252 votes)

    #21 - Kingdom Come

    S3:E20

    A tragic loss brings the family together. Despite Callie’s hesitation, Justina moves forward with the Fost and Found launch party. Brandon tells his moms that Cortney has a son.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. The Fosters Season 4 Episode 16 - The Long Haul
    6.3/10(186 votes)

    #22 - The Long Haul

    S4:E16

    Sharon and Will return to the Adams Foster home with news that they are engaged. In an effort to come clean with Jesus, Emma writes him a letter but learns he is hiding a secret of his own. Meanwhile, Jude is teased at school when Lena organizes an LGBTQ-friendly sex ed class for students.

    Director:Bradley Bredeweg
    Writers:Wade Solomon, Megan Lynn

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. The Fosters Season 4 Episode 18 - Dirty Laundry
    6.3/10(167 votes)

    #23 - Dirty Laundry

    S4:E18

    As Stef works longer hours in her new position, Lena feels overwhelmed trying to keep up with the complicated lives of their five teenagers in addition to the pressures of her own job. Jude, fed up with being bullied at school, resorts to bullying tactics of his own. Callie heads to Los Angeles with Aaron to visit his parents, who are struggling with Aaron being transgender.

    Director:Laura Nisbet Peters
    Writers:Wade Solomon, Megan Lynn

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. The Fosters Season 4 Episode 19 - Who Knows
    6.3/10(163 votes)

    #24 - Who Knows

    S4:E19

    It seems just about everyone in the Adams Foster household has a secret, but unfortunately for each of them, they all start spilling out. With Callie’s court date inching closer, Robert’s attorneys present a defense strategy that Callie vehemently opposes. Monte and Lena join forces to stop Drew’s underhanded dealings. Stef works to bust Diamond’s pimp. Jesus asks Gabe to keep a secret from his moms.

    Director:Joanna Johnson
    Writer:Joanna Johnson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. The Fosters Season 5 Episode 1 - Resist
    6.3/10(210 votes)

    #25 - Resist

    S5:E1

    Stef frantically searches for Callie after she offers to help Diamond, thinking she has nothing to lose after accepting the plea deal. Struggling with his TBI, Jesus unleashes his anger after discovering Brandon helped Emma with a deeply personal decision. With Mariana leading the charge, protests continue over Anchor Beach Charter’s privatization.

    Director:Peter Paige
    Writers:Bradley Bredeweg, Peter Paige

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Padre" is the best rated episode of "The Fosters". It scored 7/10 based on 380 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 2/10/2014. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Adoption Day".