The WORST episodes of Cruel Summer

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

An unconventional thriller that takes place over three summers — 1993-95 — in a small Texas town when a beautiful popular teen, Kate, is abducted and, seemingly unrelated, a girl, Jeanette, goes from being a sweet, awkward outlier to the most popular girl in town and, by ’95, the most despised person in America.

Last Updated: 10/4/2024Network: FreeformStatus: Ended
All I Want for Christmas
star
6.86
123 votes

#1 - All I Want for Christmas

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/26/2023

In Summer 1999, Isabella is rocked by a surprise visit from her past. In Winter 1999, Isabella’s concerns for Megan lead her to some surprising news. In Summer 2000, family loyalties are tested.

Directors: Hiromi Kamata
Watch Now:Amazon
Springing a Leak
star
6.98
130 votes

#2 - Springing a Leak

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/19/2023

In Summer 1999, Megan wants to be adventurous and makes fake IDs for the gang. In Winter 1999, a burst pipe leads the Landrys and Isabella to a messy night at the Chambers house. Isabella wants to help but is met with resistance from Megan.

Watch Now:Amazon
Bloody Knuckles
star
7.04
137 votes

#3 - Bloody Knuckles

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/12/2023

In Summer 1999, Megan and Isabella bond during an overnight at the Chambers’ cabin. Luke tries to stand up to Brent, but ends up causing more problems for his dad. Suspicions are raised after fingerprints are found on the gun that shot Luke.

Directors: Bill Purple
Writer: Heather Robb
Watch Now:Amazon
It's the End of the World
star
7.09
116 votes

#4 - It's the End of the World

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 7/10/2023

In winter 1999, tensions are high on Y2K. At the New Year's Eve party, a not-so-secret conversation changes the lives of the trio forever. In summer 2000, suspicion falls on Ned after some new evidence from summer 1999 comes to light.

Directors: Bill Purple
Watch Now:Amazon
Welcome to Chatham
star
7.11
173 votes

#5 - Welcome to Chatham

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/5/2023

In Summer 1999, small-town computer genius Megan resents the arrival of outgoing and mysterious foreign exchange student Isabella. Little does she know how her life will change by Summer 2000.

Directors: Bill Purple
Watch Now:Amazon
Confess Your Sins
star
7.16
123 votes

#6 - Confess Your Sins

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/17/2023

In summer 1999, new friendships are formed and secrets are kept as the crew approaches senior year at the annual school car wash. In winter 1999, Megan and Isabella push for answers. In summer 2000, Debbie wants to protect her daughter.

Watch Now:Amazon
The Plunge
star
7.20
120 votes

#7 - The Plunge

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 7/3/2023

In summer 1999, sparks fly at Luke's birthday party. In winter 1999, relationships are tested as Megan becomes more distant from Luke. In summer 2000, Megan obsesses over an interesting letter she received.

Directors: Laura Nisbet
Writer: Jason Sack
Watch Now:Amazon
The Miseducation of Luke Chambers
star
7.30
125 votes

#8 - The Miseducation of Luke Chambers

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 7/24/2023

Luke examines all his relationships and worries that the pressures of being a “Chambers man” have changed him.

Directors: Laura Nisbet
Watch Now:Amazon
Off With a Bang
star
7.33
347 votes

#9 - Off With a Bang

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/27/2021

Victim or villain? Jeanette continues to add fuel to the fire as her reckless behavior causes her friends and family to question her even more.

Directors: Kellie Cyrus
Watch Now:Amazon
Ride or Die
star
7.35
147 votes

#10 - Ride or Die

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/5/2023

In Summer 1999, Isabella grows closer to Luke while struggling to connect with Megan. In Winter 1999, Isabella searches for justice following the disastrous Christmas party.

Directors: Laura Nisbet
Writer: Matt Morgan
Watch Now:Amazon
Happy Birthday, Jeanette Turner
star
7.36
458 votes

#11 - Happy Birthday, Jeanette Turner

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/20/2021

Taking place over 3 summers in the 90s when a popular teen goes missing, and a seemingly unrelated girl transforms from a sweet and awkward outlier to the most popular girl in town, eventually becoming the most despised person in America.

Directors: Max Winkler
Watch Now:Amazon
Endgame
star
7.36
131 votes

#12 - Endgame

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 7/31/2023

As timelines collide, friendships implode, new evidence emerges and the shocking truth is revealed … in more ways than one.

Directors: Bill Purple
Watch Now:Amazon
An Ocean in Me
star
7.41
282 votes

#13 - An Ocean in Me

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/18/2021

A new deposition threatens Jeanette's case. A discovery causes Cindy's suspicions about her own daughter to reach new heights as her relationship with Greg becomes further strained.

Directors: Kellie Cyrus
Writer: Brian Otaño
Watch Now:Amazon
A Smashing Good Time
star
7.42
379 votes

#14 - A Smashing Good Time

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/20/2021

It's time for the annual Skylin Garden Club Party! Year after year after year, the residents of Skylin struggle with the truth around what happened to Kate, keeping their secrets buried and maintaining appearances.

Directors: Bill Purple
Watch Now:Amazon
As The Carny Gods Intended
star
7.44
291 votes

#15 - As The Carny Gods Intended

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 5/11/2021

Jeanette and Kate cross paths at the Skylin High takeover of the County Fair, where one is desperate to prove herself, and the other to lose herself.

Directors: Daniel Willis
Watch Now:Amazon
You Don't Hunt, You Don't Eat
star
7.46
304 votes

#16 - You Don't Hunt, You Don't Eat

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 5/4/2021

Kate, reeling from the lawsuit, prepares her defense and finds friendship in an unlikely source. The annual Wallis hunting trip becomes the setting for an important first meeting.

Directors: Laura Nisbet
Watch Now:Amazon
Proof
star
7.47
266 votes

#17 - Proof

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 6/1/2021

On the first day of school, everyone learns that the drama of the summer is anything but over and that some people will pay more for the consequences of Jeanette and Kate's deception than others.

Directors: Daniel Willis
Watch Now:Amazon
Happy Birthday, Kate Wallis
star
7.57
277 votes

#18 - Happy Birthday, Kate Wallis

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/25/2021

Kate struggles with a family secret she's been holding on to. Joy tries to convince Kate to go on The Marsha Bailey Show. Mallory has a birthday surprise.

Directors: Alexis Ostrander
Watch Now:Amazon
A Secret of My Own
star
7.69
286 votes

#19 - A Secret of My Own

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 6/8/2021

Kate's closely held secrets and fragmented memories of her time in Martin's captivity are brought to the surface.

Directors: Alexis Ostrander
Watch Now:Amazon
Hostile Witness
star
7.75
292 votes

#20 - Hostile Witness

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 6/15/2021

Kate and Jeanette's worlds collide as the court date arrives, finally forcing the two young women to answer the question on everyone's mind, but the answer comes with a price that not everyone can pay.

Directors: Bill Purple
Watch Now:Amazon