The Handmaid's Tale backdrop
Drama•Sci-Fi & Fantasy•Action & Adventure

The Best Episodes of The Handmaid's Tale

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

Binge this in 2d 8h•Peaking at 8.8/10

Set in a dystopian future, a woman is forced to live as a concubine under a fundamentalist theocratic dictatorship.

Airs on
Hulu
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons6

All123456

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 11 - Liars
    8.8/10(6327 votes)

    #1 - Liars

    S3:E11

    A return to Jezebels puts everything in jeopardy; Serena Joy and Commander Waterford take a clandestine trip.

    Director:Deniz Gamze Ergüven
    Writer:Yahlin Chang

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 10 - The Wilderness
    8.7/10(4695 votes)

    #2 - The Wilderness

    S4:E10

    June draws on all her resources and relationships, risking everything to ensure her own kind of justice.

    Director:Liz Garbus
    Writer:Bruce Miller

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 1 - Night
    8.6/10(4967 votes)

    #3 - Night

    S3:E1

    June embarks on a bold mission with unexpected consequences. Emily and Nichole make a harrowing journey. The Waterfords reckon with Serena Joy’s choice to send Nichole away.

    Director:Mike Barker
    Writer:Bruce Miller

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 1 - Pigs
    8.6/10(3823 votes)

    #4 - Pigs

    S4:E1

    On the run, June and the fugitive Handmaids seek refuge. In Gilead, Aunt Lydia reels from the loss of 86 children on Angels’ Flight. The combative Waterfords, in custody in Toronto, learn of June’s feat.

    Director:Colin Watkinson
    Writer:Bruce Miller

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 10 - Night
    8.4/10(6569 votes)

    #5 - Night

    S1:E10

    Serena Joy confronts Offred and the Commander. Offred struggles with a complicated, life-changing revelation. The Handmaids face a brutal decision.

    Director:Kari Skogland
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 13 - Mayday
    8.4/10(7243 votes)

    #6 - Mayday

    S3:E13

    With her plan in place, June reaches the point of no return on her bold strike against Gilead and must decide how far she’s willing to go. Serena Joy and Commander Waterford attempt to find their way forward in their new lives.

    Director:Mike Barker
    Writer:Bruce Miller

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Handmaid's Tale

    READ
  7. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 3 - The Crossing
    8.4/10(4494 votes)

    #7 - The Crossing

    S4:E3

    Captured by Gilead, June faces a vengeful Aunt Lydia and endures a torturous interrogation. Nick and Lawrence collaborate to protect June. In Toronto, Luke struggles with how to help June and Hannah.

    Director:Elisabeth Moss
    Writer:Bruce Miller

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. The Handmaid's Tale Season 5 Episode 1 - Morning
    8.4/10(2978 votes)

    #8 - Morning

    S5:E1

    June confronts the consequences of killing Fred. A scared Serena makes an unexpected decision.

    Director:Elisabeth Moss
    Writer:Bruce Miller

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 6 - First Blood
    8.3/10(5020 votes)

    #9 - First Blood

    S2:E6

    Offred finds unexpected allies and obstacles in her search for a way to protect Hannah. The Commander prepares for the dedication of a new Red Center. Nick struggles with his new assignment.

    Director:Mike Barker
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 5 - Unknown Caller
    8.3/10(4237 votes)

    #10 - Unknown Caller

    S3:E5

    June and Serena grapple with a new revelation about Nichole, leading to an incident that will have far-reaching ramifications.

    Director:Colin Watkinson
    Writer:Marissa Jo Cerar

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 2 - Nightshade
    8.3/10(3372 votes)

    #11 - Nightshade

    S4:E2

    June plots revenge at the local Jezebels, before she and the Handmaids plan to leave the farm for the next safe house. In Toronto, Moira deals with the fallout of June’s choices, and Serena and Fred are bound together by a miracle.

    Director:Colin Watkinson
    Writer:Kira Snyder

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. The Handmaid's Tale Season 5 Episode 2 - Ballet
    8.3/10(2972 votes)

    #12 - Ballet

    S5:E2

    June struggles to move on with her life in Toronto. Serena plans an elaborate memorial. Aunt Lydia and Janine prepare Esther for her first posting as a Handmaid.

    Director:Elisabeth Moss
    Writers:Nina Fiore, John Herrera, Aly Monroe

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. The Handmaid's Tale Season 5 Episode 10 - Safe
    8.3/10(2848 votes)

    #13 - Safe

    S5:E10

    Under threat, June must find a way to keep herself and her family safe from Gilead and its violent supporters in Toronto.

    Director:Elisabeth Moss
    Writer:Bruce Miller

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 1 - Offred
    8.2/10(8638 votes)

    #14 - Offred

    S1:E1

    Offred, one the few fertile women known as Handmaids in the oppressive Republic of Gilead, struggles to survive as a reproductive surrogate for a powerful Commander and his resentful wife.

    Director:Reed Morano
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 10 - The Last Ceremony
    8.2/10(5344 votes)

    #15 - The Last Ceremony

    S2:E10

    A frustrated Serena becomes desperate. The Commander tries to make amends with Offred. Nick pushes Eden farther away. Offred is faced with an unexpected reunion.

    Director:Jeremy Podeswa
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 10 - Witness
    8.2/10(3901 votes)

    #16 - Witness

    S3:E10

    June must deal with a devious ploy on the part of Commander Waterford.

    Director:Daina Reid
    Writer:Jacey Heldrich

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. The Handmaid's Tale Season 1 Episode 3 - Late
    8.1/10(6602 votes)

    #17 - Late

    S1:E3

    Offred visits Janine’s baby with Serena Joy and remembers the early days of the revolution before Gilead. Ofglen faces a difficult challenge.

    Director:Reed Morano
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 9 - Smart Power
    8.1/10(4914 votes)

    #18 - Smart Power

    S2:E9

    The Waterfords embark on a diplomatic trip abroad. Serena faces the temptation of life outside Gilead. Luke and Moira grapple with survivor’s guilt. Offred seeks support from allies.

    Director:Jeremy Podeswa
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 5 - Chicago
    8.1/10(3374 votes)

    #19 - Chicago

    S4:E5

    June seeks out more active rebels in the Chicago war zone, while Janine tries to help her fit in with their new group of survivors. Moira goes on her first field aid mission.

    Director:Christina Choe
    Writers:Nina Fiore, John Herrera

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 7 - Home
    8.1/10(3524 votes)

    #20 - Home

    S4:E7

    June contends with joy, pain and rage as she acclimates herself to vastly changed circumstances.

    Director:Richard Shepard
    Writer:Yahlin Chang

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 13 - The Word
    8.0/10(5579 votes)

    #21 - The Word

    S2:E13

    Serena and the other Wives strive to make change. Emily learns more about her new Commander. Offred faces a difficult decision.

    Director:Mike Barker
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 4 - God Bless the Child
    8.0/10(3963 votes)

    #22 - God Bless the Child

    S3:E4

    June negotiates a truce in the Waterfords’ fractured relationship. Janine oversteps with the Putnam family, and a still-healing Aunt Lydia offers a brutal public punishment.

    Director:Amma Asante
    Writer:Eric Tuchman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 6 - Household
    8.0/10(4367 votes)

    #23 - Household

    S3:E6

    June accompanies the Waterfords to Washington D.C., where a powerful family offers a glimpse of the future of Gilead. June makes an important connection as she attempts to protect Nichole.

    Director:Dearbhla Walsh
    Writer:Dorothy Fortenberry

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Episode 8 - Unfit
    8.0/10(4164 votes)

    #24 - Unfit

    S3:E8

    June and the rest of the Handmaids shun Ofmatthew, and both are pushed to their limit at the hands of Aunt Lydia. Aunt Lydia reflects on her life and relationships before the rise of Gilead.

    Director:Mike Barker
    Writer:Kira Snyder

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 Episode 8 - Testimony
    8.0/10(3154 votes)

    #25 - Testimony

    S4:E8

    June confronts Fred and Serena in court and challenges Emily to face a painful reminder of her Gilead past. Lawrence presents Aunt Lydia with a newly captured, familiar handmaid.

    Director:Elisabeth Moss
    Writer:Kira Snyder

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Liars" is the best rated episode of "The Handmaid's Tale". It scored 8.8/10 based on 6327 votes. Directed by Deniz Gamze Ergüven and written by Yahlin Chang, it aired on 7/31/2019. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Wilderness".