The BEST episodes of American Horror Story

Every episode of American Horror Story ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of American Horror Story!

An anthology series centering on different characters and locations, including a house with a murderous past, an insane asylum, a witch coven, a freak show, a haunted hotel, a possessed farmhouse, a cult, the apocalypse and a slasher camp.

Last Updated: 3/11/2024Network: FXStatus: Continuing
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Return to Murder House
star
8.12
1751 votes

#1 - Return to Murder House

Season 8 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/17/2018

Behold and Madison are sent on a mission to Murder House to uncover the truth about Michael Langdon’s past. Although revelations about their next Supreme paint a bleak picture—there may be room to set some things right.

Directors: Sarah Paulson
Writer: Crystal Liu
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Name Game
star
8.10
3503 votes

#2 - The Name Game

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/2/2013

The Monsignor confronts the Devil. Dr. Arden’s experiments reach a shocking conclusion. Dr. Thredson facilitates a surprising reunion for Kit.

Directors: Michael Lehmann
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Madness Ends
star
8.08
3440 votes

#3 - Madness Ends

Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/23/2013

Johnny sets out to complete his father's work. Lana leads the charge to finally shut down Briarcliff.

Writer: Tim Minear
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Burn, Witch. Burn!
star
8.03
3227 votes

#4 - Burn, Witch. Burn!

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/6/2013

Besieged by Marie Laveau's army, Zoe unleashes a new power. Fiona and Myrtle clash over control of the coven. Madame LaLaurie is confronted by old ghosts.

Directors: Jeremy Podeswa
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
I Am Anne Frank (2)
star
8.03
4030 votes

#5 - I Am Anne Frank (2)

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/14/2012

Sister Jude employs a renowned Nazi hunter to gather evidence against Arden. Kit makes a surprising confession. Bloody Face is unmasked.

Writer: Brad Falchuk
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Could It Be... Satan?
star
7.98
1867 votes

#6 - Could It Be... Satan?

Season 8 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/3/2018

Three years before the bombs drop, Outpost Three houses the Hawthorne School for Exceptional Young Men. Its inhabitants, warlocks living in the shadow of Cordelia Goode's coven, place their hopes on a new, troubled apprentice—Michael Langdon.

Directors: Sheree Folkson
Writer: Tim Minear
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Fearful Pranks Ensue
star
7.96
3207 votes

#7 - Fearful Pranks Ensue

Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/30/2013

Fiona's choices rattle a decades-long truce between the Salem witches and Marie Laveau. The Council of Witchcraft pays a surprise visit to the academy with disturbing allegations.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Bitchcraft
star
7.93
3962 votes

#8 - Bitchcraft

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/9/2013

A young girl discovers she possesses a strange genetic affliction tracing back to the dark days of Salem. Fiona Goode returns to town.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Smoldering Children
star
7.89
5175 votes

#9 - Smoldering Children

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/7/2011

Violet learns about the rules of the house. The truth about Larry's condition is explained. Constance is interrogated by the police.

Directors: Michael Lehmann
Writer: James Wong
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Head
star
7.88
2945 votes

#10 - Head

Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/11/2013

Cordelia’s attacker is revealed. Fiona looks to form an alliance with Marie Laveau. Nan learns a disturbing truth about Luke’s past.

Directors: Howard Deutch
Writer: Tim Minear
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Coat Hanger
star
7.88
3523 votes

#11 - The Coat Hanger

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/12/2012

The Monsignor takes an unlikely convert under his wing. Lana secures a new piece of evidence that can exonerate Kit. Dr. Arden witnesses a miraculous return.

Directors: Jeremy Podeswa
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
I Am Anne Frank (1)
star
7.86
4151 votes

#12 - I Am Anne Frank (1)

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/7/2012

A new patient exposes Arden's past. Kit learns why Grace was admitted to Briarcliff.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Birth
star
7.85
4834 votes

#13 - Birth

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/14/2011

Vivien gives birth. Tate and Violet attempt to rid the house of some of its ghosts for good.

Writer: Tim Minear
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
She Gets Revenge
star
7.85
2126 votes

#14 - She Gets Revenge

Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/16/2015

Alex enlists John's help to contain an outbreak. Donovan learns the Countess' true intentions. Liz and Iris plan to leave the hotel for good.

Directors: Bradley Buecker
Writer: James Wong
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Seven Wonders
star
7.84
2940 votes

#15 - The Seven Wonders

Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/29/2014

A new Supreme rises.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Apocalypse Then
star
7.83
1585 votes

#16 - Apocalypse Then

Season 8 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/14/2018

The witches prepare for a final epic battle with Michael Langdon. An old face returns to help with the plan.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Sacred Taking
star
7.82
3103 votes

#17 - The Sacred Taking

Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/4/2013

Cordelia rallies the girls in the fight to stop Fiona. A dangerous new enemy puts Misty in the cross hairs. The rivalry between Marie Laveau and Delphine comes to a head.

Writer: Ryan Murphy
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Orphans
star
7.82
1885 votes

#18 - Orphans

Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/17/2014

The death of a Freak sparks troubling behavior in Pepper. Elsa reveals the history of the Freak Show. Desiree grows suspicious of Maggie.

Directors: Bradley Buecker
Writer: James Wong
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Traitor
star
7.81
1658 votes

#19 - Traitor

Season 8 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/24/2018

The witches recruit a clairvoyant friend to expose deceivers in their midst. Cordelia looks to make a deal with another sort of devil. A test of Mallory's powers reveal more about the Supreme-elect. Covens unite to send Michael a fiery message.

Directors: Jennifer Lynch
Writer: Adam Penn
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Afterbirth
star
7.81
4765 votes

#20 - Afterbirth

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/21/2011

In the aftermath of family tragedy, Ben tries to take his child out of the Murder House. Violet and Vivien accustom themselves to their new living arrangements, Constance raises Tate's child as her own. A new family buys the house.

Directors: Bradley Buecker
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Boy Wonder
star
7.81
1782 votes

#21 - Boy Wonder

Season 8 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/10/2018

Beset by visions of a terrifying future, Cordelia lets Michael attempt the Seven Wonders. A wealthy new student joins the coven. John Henry's suspicions are short lived. Michael's test brings back a familiar face along with a chorus of warnings.

Writer: John J. Gray
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Edward Mordrake (2)
star
7.81
2164 votes

#22 - Edward Mordrake (2)

Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/29/2014

Edward Mordrake continues his search for a Freak to add to his ghostly coterie. Elsa tells the grisly story of her days in Germany. Jimmy and Maggie have a run-in with the Twisted Clown.

Directors: Howard Deutch
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Boy Parts
star
7.81
3399 votes

#23 - Boy Parts

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/16/2013

Fiona helps Zoe and Madison deal with a horrible tragedy. Delphine LaLaurie struggles to adjust to modern life. Cordelia faces a dark decision about her family.

Directors: Michael Rymer
Writer: Tim Minear
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Spilt Milk
star
7.79
3616 votes

#24 - Spilt Milk

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/9/2013

Grace tells Kit devastating news about Alma. Dr. Thredson receives an unexpected visitor. The Monsignor goes to extreme lengths to silence Jude.

Writer: Brad Falchuk
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Unholy Night
star
7.78
3660 votes

#25 - Unholy Night

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/5/2012

A murderous Santa wreaks havoc on Briarcliff. Sister Jude faces off with the devil. Arden has a shocking encounter in the death chute.

Directors: Michael Lehmann
Writer: James Wong
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV