The BEST episodes of Glee

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

In the face of much criticism, an optimistic high school teacher challenges a group of outcasts to realize their potential in the school's glee club.

Last Updated: 2/17/2024Network: FOXStatus: Ended
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The Quarterback
star
8.50
1305 votes

#1 - The Quarterback

Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/10/2013

The McKinley gang celebrate the life of former quarterback and New Directions member Finn Hudson. The episode mirrors the real-life death of actor Cory Monteith (1982-2013), who played Finn.

Directors: Brad Falchuk
Watch Now:Amazon
Journey to Regionals
star
8.27
3272 votes

#2 - Journey to Regionals

Season 1 - Episode 22 - Aired 6/8/2010

Quinn is getting more anxious by the minute as she expects the baby, plus, Regionals is finally here, but will the Glee Club be able to triumph over Sue Sylvester's plots?

Directors: Brad Falchuk
Writer: Brad Falchuk
Watch Now:Amazon
Nationals
star
8.26
1781 votes

#3 - Nationals

Season 3 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/15/2012

The glee club travels to Chicago, to compete in Nationals against the best show choirs in the country, including Vocal Adrenaline, for celebrity judges including Lindsay Lohan and Perez Hilton.

Directors: Eric Stoltz
Writer: Ali Adler
Watch Now:Amazon
Dreams Come True
star
8.25
603 votes

#4 - Dreams Come True

Season 6 - Episode 13 - Aired 3/20/2015

All of Will’s hard work and dedication to the Glee Club and to fostering the talents and dreams of his students pays off in a major way, and everyone shares in the feeling of joy that permeates the school as teachers and students reflect on their shared journey. Old rifts and wounds are healed and new sights are set on a promising future. Everyone seems to be ending up exactly as expected and right where they belong… along with more than a few unexpected surprises.

Directors: Brad Buecker
Watch Now:Amazon
Sectionals
star
8.15
3145 votes

#5 - Sectionals

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 12/9/2009

Sectionals is finally here for the Glee Club, but when Quinn’s secret unravels, the club may not be able to recover in time to compete. Meanwhile, Sue’s scheming hits an all-time high, and with Emma and Ken’s marriage looming, Will makes a decision that could change his life forever.

Directors: Brad Falchuk
Writer: Brad Falchuk
Watch Now:Amazon
Goodbye
star
8.13
1630 votes

#6 - Goodbye

Season 3 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/22/2012

The William McKinley High School class of 2012 graduates, and the glee club bids farewell to its graduating seniors.

Directors: Brad Falchuk
Writer: Brad Falchuk
Watch Now:Amazon
100
star
8.10
789 votes

#7 - 100

Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired 3/18/2014

The original members of New Directions reunite at McKinley to celebrate and reflect on the history of the seemingly doomed glee club.

Directors: Paris Barclay
Watch Now:Amazon
2009
star
8.04
540 votes

#8 - 2009

Season 6 - Episode 12 - Aired 3/20/2015

Glee goes back in time to see why the original members of New Directions signed up for glee club in the first place.

Directors: Paris Barclay
Watch Now:Amazon
On My Way
star
8.03
1880 votes

#9 - On My Way

Season 3 - Episode 14 - Aired 2/21/2012

Things heat up as the New Directions go head-to-head with the Dalton Academy Warblers at Regionals.

Directors: Bradley Buecker
Watch Now:Amazon
New Directions
star
8.00
862 votes

#10 - New Directions

Season 5 - Episode 13 - Aired 3/25/2014

As the fate of the glee club becomes a reality, April and Holly plot a plan to save New Directions. Meanwhile, Rachel and Santana attempt to make amends after their blowout fight.

Directors: Brad Falchuk
Writer: Brad Falchuk
Watch Now:Amazon
Original Song
star
7.97
2958 votes

#11 - Original Song

Season 2 - Episode 16 - Aired 3/15/2011

With Sue Sylvester coaching Aural Intensity, Blaine and the Warblers’ dynamic set list and tough judges Tammy Jean Albertson (guest star Griffin) and Sister Mary Constance (guest star Devine), the kids of New Directions decide the only way to win Regionals is to write and perform their own original songs. Meanwhile, Quinn is hell-bent on getting Finn back and ruling McKinley once again.

Directors: Bradley Buecker
Writer: Ryan Murphy
Watch Now:Amazon
Dance with Somebody
star
7.96
1888 votes

#12 - Dance with Somebody

Season 3 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/24/2012

The glee club pays homage to a true icon when they cover Whitney Houston's greatest hits. Meanwhile, Emma and Will are one step closer to their dream wedding.

Directors: Paris Barclay
Writer: Ross Maxwell
Watch Now:Amazon
The Break-Up
star
7.93
1596 votes

#13 - The Break-Up

Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/4/2012

The relationships of four of the couples are tested – Will and Emma, Rachel and Finn, Kurt and Blaine, and Santana and Brittany but only one of them will survive.

Writer: Ryan Murphy
Watch Now:Amazon
Yes/No
star
7.93
2196 votes

#14 - Yes/No

Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/17/2012

When Will tries to plan a special surprise for Emma, he enlists the glee club to help him sweep her off her feet. Meanwhile, Becky sets her sights on Artie, and Finn makes an announcement about his life plans after high school that surprises the glee club.

Directors: Eric Stoltz
Writer: Brad Falchuk
Props
star
7.92
1634 votes

#15 - Props

Season 3 - Episode 20 - Aired 5/15/2012

Tina's head injury from falling into a fountain leaves her seeing her fellow singers and other people at McKinley High in a new way as rehearsals continue for the glee club's Nationals performance.

Directors: Ian Brennan
Writer: Ian Brennan
Watch Now:Amazon
Hold on to Sixteen
star
7.92
2195 votes

#16 - Hold on to Sixteen

Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/6/2011

In an attempt to recruit a few more members, Finn tracks down former teammate Sam Evans and convinces him to come back to the glee club. Tina comes to the defense of Harry and encourages him to pursue his dream while McKinley prepares to host the big sectionals performance.

Directors: Bradley Buecker
Writer: Ross Maxwell
Watch Now:Amazon
Michael
star
7.90
2042 votes

#17 - Michael

Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/31/2012

In a special episode celebrating the music of Michael Jackson, the rivalry between New Directions and the Warblers intensifies en route to Regionals. Meanwhile, Kurt and Rachel receive news regarding their admissions process at NYADA, and things continue to heat up between Sam and Mercedes.

Writer: Ryan Murphy
Watch Now:Amazon
Prom Queen
star
7.89
2863 votes

#18 - Prom Queen

Season 2 - Episode 20 - Aired 5/10/2011

When the entertainment for prom falls through, Principal Figgins asks New Directions to perform at the dance much to prom coordinator Sue’s dismay. Things get heated as the competition for prom king and queen draws closer, and Jessie St. James returns.

Directors: Eric Stoltz
Writer: Ian Brennan
Watch Now:Amazon
Mash Off
star
7.89
2435 votes

#19 - Mash Off

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/15/2011

Congressional hopeful Sue Sylvester starts a smear campaign to ruin the candidacy of her biggest rival. Puck falls in love, and glee club directors Will and Shelby encourage some friendly competition between their clubs

Directors: Eric Stoltz
Watch Now:Amazon
A Wedding
star
7.87
459 votes

#20 - A Wedding

Season 6 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/20/2015

The members of New Directions are busy at work planning, planning and planning, while Sue encourages everyone to follow their hearts.

Directors: Bradley Buecker
Writer: Ross Maxwell
Watch Now:Amazon
City of Angels
star
7.87
724 votes

#21 - City of Angels

Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/11/2014

Dedicating their performance to Finn’s memory, New Directions arrive in Los Angeles to take part in the National High School Show Choir Championship, and face off against “Throat Explosion”, their fiercest competition to date.

Directors: Elodie Keene
Watch Now:Amazon
Pilot
star
7.87
4166 votes

#22 - Pilot

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 5/19/2009

Will Schuester an optimistic high school teacher, tries to reinvent the McKinley High School's glee club, while reinventing himself. He challenges a group of outcasts to realize their true star potential, while facing harsh criticism from everyone in the school.

Directors: Ryan Murphy
Watch Now:Amazon
The Sue Sylvester Shuffle
star
7.86
3410 votes

#23 - The Sue Sylvester Shuffle

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 2/6/2011

A local football championship game takes place and the "Thriller" mash-up is performed during the halftime show. The Cheerios, McKinley High's cheerleading team, compete at Regionals.

Directors: Brad Falchuk
Writer: Ian Brennan
Watch Now:Amazon
The Power of Madonna
star
7.85
3412 votes

#24 - The Power of Madonna

Season 1 - Episode 15 - Aired 4/20/2010

Mr. Schuester is concerned that the girls in the glee club are being disrespected and bullied by the guys. Looking to Madonna and her musical message of equality as inspiration, he challenges the entire team to choose Madonna songs as their next assignment in the hopes that the girls embrace her strength, independence and confidence and that the guys will see the error of their misogynistic ways. The glee club takes the assignment to heart as they perform some of Madonna’s greatest hits, including “Express Yourself” and “Like A Prayer.” Meanwhile, Kurt and Mercedes give Sue a vote of confidence with a makeover that is definitely in “Vogue”.

Directors: Ryan Murphy
Writer: Ryan Murphy
Watch Now:Amazon
The Substitute
star
7.83
3176 votes

#25 - The Substitute

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/16/2010

After Mr. Schuester gets sick, a substitute teacher takes over the Glee Club and becomes a new love interest and competition for Will.

Directors: Ryan Murphy
Writer: Ian Brennan
Watch Now:Amazon