The BEST episodes of 24
Every episode of 24 ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of 24!
"24" is a TV thriller presented in "real time" with each minute of airtime that corresponds to a minute in the lives of the characters. "24" employs fast-paced and complex stories, and often contains unexpected plot twists. Though each day's events typically revolve around thwarting an impending terrorist attack, each season is made up of various interwoven story threads. These may run for just one hour, but more usually run over several hours. These typically involve investigations of leads on terrorists, tracking suspects, and averting attacks. The exact objective of the day evolves over the course of the season as the antagonists adapt, contingencies arise, and larger scale operations unfold.
#1 - Day 8: 3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Season 8 - Episode 24 - Aired 5/24/2010
Heads of state gather at the UN to sign the accord, three at CTU make a final effort to expose a conspiracy, Logan and Pillar tie up loose ends, and justice may elude Jack.
#2 - Day 8: 1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.
Season 8 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/17/2010
Jack's rogue operation includes kidnapping a high-profile target. Pools of blood, a knife wound, and Chloe's mistrust of her new supervisor add texture, while President Taylor feels the loneliness of power.
#3 - Day 8: 2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Season 8 - Episode 23 - Aired 5/24/2010
The Russian Federation President arrives to sign the accord, Jack wants justice, and Logan stays in pursuit. Meanwhile, Dalia has a realization, President Taylor rattles her sabers, and Chloe tests her mettle.
#4 - Day 2: 7:00 A.M. - 8:00 A.M.
Season 2 - Episode 24 - Aired 5/20/2003
Jack uses Sherry to lure Kingsley out into the open, but Kingsley suspects a set-up and lays his own trap. Kate and her father have a final, ominous conversation with Marie. Palmer's attorney finds evidence involving Kingsley and convinces Mike to release Palmer from custody. Palmer and his cabinet gather to watch as Sherry meets with Kingsley. Mike orders Chappelle to reinstate Tony and Michelle. Jack sends Sherry in for the meeting with Kingsley, but his mounting heart troubles cause problems for him at the crucial moment.
#5 - Day 8: 12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M.
Season 8 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/10/2010
While delegates review the peace agreement, Jack searches for evidence of Russian involvement in the day's tragedies, covered up at the highest levels. Ex-President Logan is desperate to neutralize Jack.
#6 - Day 3: 12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M.
Season 3 - Episode 24 - Aired 5/25/2004
Jack and Chase must make a powerful sacrifice when dealing with the virus. Tony is able to help Jack one last time before he is taken into custody, while an angry victim seeks vengeance on Saunders. Palmer makes a surprising career choice in the wake of Sherry's death.
#7 - Day 8: 7:00 A.M. - 8:00 A.M.
Season 8 - Episode 16 - Aired 4/5/2010
A traitor makes a deal for immunity, while Jack and Renee race uptown to rescue a hostage.
#8 - Day 4: 6:00 A.M. - 7:00 A.M.
Season 4 - Episode 24 - Aired 5/23/2005
As the missile speeds toward its destination, Mandy cuts a deal with Jack and the President to give up Marwan's location in exchange for a full pardon on all of her crimes. Tony and Michelle share a happy reunion, but Jack finds his relationship with Audrey shattered as she makes her feelings known. Logan's advisor suggests a drastic course of action when the Chinese government demands that Jack be handed over to them for trial. Palmer tries desperately to warn Jack of the danger against him. Jack's life changes forever as Tony, Michelle and Chloe help him to evade the trap set for him by Secret Service.
#9 - Day 5: 6:00 A.M. - 7:00 A.M.
Season 5 - Episode 24 - Aired 5/22/2006
Jack takes his fight directly to the President as he attempts to force a confession from him that will prove his involvement in the day's events. Martha vents her hatred for her husband in front of the press as Logan gives a eulogy over Palmer's body. Jack and Audrey share a tender moment when it seems the crisis has subsided, but Jack finds that his problems have only begun as his past catches up with him.
#10 - Day 9: 2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Season 9 - Episode 4 - Aired 5/19/2014
With the threat escalating, Jack Bauer heads to the U.S. Embassy as the CIA closes in on him. Elsewhere, Margot asserts her authority with unthinkable force, President Heller faces members of Parliament and Kate Morgan takes matters into her own hands.
#11 - Day 8: 3:00 A.M. - 4:00 A.M.
Season 8 - Episode 12 - Aired 3/15/2010
Nuclear fuel rods await transport into Manhattan, Jack pursues a lead to a hotel, Kayla is in danger, and a Southern probation officer wants information from Dana.
#12 - Day 8: 11:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Season 8 - Episode 20 - Aired 5/3/2010
While the media interview the peace delegates, Jack and Cole have gone rogue to rescue a traitor being tortured by off-the-grid operatives; Logan gets President Taylor to approve putting his aide in charge of the manhunt.
#13 - Day 8: 8:00 A.M. - 9:00 A.M.
Season 8 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/12/2010
President Taylor requests a woman's help and brings in a disgraced ex-President who may have leverage with the Russians, while Jack and Renee take their leave of CTU, and Chloe gets a promotion.
#14 - Day 8: 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M.
Season 8 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/19/2010
President Taylor's envoy to the Russians persuades them to return to the peace table, but at what cost? Jack goes to CTU to interrogate a nearly-forgotten traitor, and the President decides to talk to Jack there.
#15 - 11:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.
Season 1 - Episode 24 - Aired 5/21/2002
Palmer has had enough of Sherry's power plays and has a final showdown with her in the hotel ballroom. Nina knows that the Drazens have no leverage without Kim, so she calls Jack and tells him that Kim's body was found floating in the harbor. Jack is crushed by grief and then he flies into a rage. He rushes the Drazens and a bloody shoot-out ensues. Nina's cover is blown and she makes a final dash for safety, leaving a bloody trail behind her. Jack is able to apprehend her before she can escape, but he is stunned to learn that he didn't arrive soon enough.
#16 - Day 9: 10:00 P.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Season 9 - Episode 12 - Aired 7/14/2014
The clock ticks toward the final seconds of Jack Bauer's most heroic day. As the world teeters on a terror plot of mass proportions, Jack and the team reunite one last time to avert an imminent international crisis. With little time left and the fate of the free world on the line, Jack is faced with an unthinkable and grave decision. Lives will be lost and the American administration will grapple with the day's most devastating news as the clock stops.
#17 - Day 3: 6:00 A.M. - 7:00 A.M.
Season 3 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/18/2004
Jack and Chase race against time to capture Saunders before the deadline, while Chappelle plans an escape. Michelle begins a frantic search when she learns that an infected hotel guest may have slipped through her fingers.
#18 - Day 2: 7:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 2/11/2003
Jack engages in a brutal contest of wills with Syed Ali. George questions Bob Warner to learn more about Marie's motivations for helping the terrorists. Kim is rescued by a mysterious hunter who offers her asylum. Lynne receives a dire warning from Sherry.
#19 - Day 4: 3:00 A.M. - 4:00 A.M.
Season 4 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/9/2005
CTU scrambles to forge an alibi when a Chinese representative produces evidence of American involvement in the raid on their embassy. Audrey gives Jack the cold shoulder, while Palmer and Logan clash over the consequences of Palmer's decisions. Jack and Curtis close in on Marwan as the countdown for the missile launch moves ahead.
#20 - Day 2: 10:00 P.M. - 11:00 P.M.
Season 2 - Episode 15 - Aired 3/4/2003
Palmer, Mike and Lynne discuss various ways to dispose of the ticking bomb. They conclude that the desert is the best place to set it off. Jack determines that one man must pilot the plane carrying the bomb. He chooses to fly the plane himself and bids a tearful goodbye to his daughter. Tony and Michelle become suspicious of a Middle Eastern diplomat who is asking questions about the evidence against Syed Ali. Palmer departs for Los Angeles so he can be on hand when news of the nuclear bomb reaches the public.
#21 - Day 6: 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M.
Season 6 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/15/2007
Ray uses the component to bargain for his family’s freedom, but Ahmed only grants half his wish. Chloe moderates an argument between Morris and Milo, while Walid overhears information in the detention center that may be of use to CTU. Wayne agrees to pardon Assad in the face of his efforts to aid Jack; a gesture that does not sit well with an enraged Curtis. Jack follows a lead given to the police by Jillian, but his information comes too late to stop Fayed from launching another deadly strike.
#22 - Day 8: 6:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
Season 8 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/18/2010
Jack and Chloe race against time to try to thwart a well-planned assassination of the President of the Islamic Republic.
#23 - Day 8: 7:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
Season 8 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/18/2010
CTU wants ex-FBI agent, Renee Walker, to infiltrate a Russian gang which is selling weapons-grade enriched uranium to the assassination plotters.
#24 - Day 9: 12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M.
Season 9 - Episode 2 - Aired 5/5/2014
Jack and Chloe are on the trail of a hacker who might lead them to whoever is behind an assassination attempt on President Heller... but Kate is hot on Jack's trail.
#25 - Day 8: 4:00 A.M. - 5:00 A.M.
Season 8 - Episode 13 - Aired 3/22/2010
Chloe goes up against NSA testosterone, Jack and Cole are in a firefight as the nuclear fuel rods are en route to Manhattan, and an evacuation from the UN is imminent.