The BEST episodes of One Tree Hill

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

Half-brothers Lucas and Nathan Scott trade between kinship and rivalry both on the basketball court and in the hearts of their friends in the small, but not so quiet town of Tree Hill, North Carolina.

Last Updated: 12/31/2023Network: The CWStatus: Ended
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Remember Me as a Time of Day
star
8.28
579 votes

#1 - Remember Me as a Time of Day

Season 6 - Episode 24 - Aired 5/18/2009

Tree Hill bids goodbye to the past while anticipating the future: Lucas and Peyton prepare for the birth of their child with the help of a surprise visitor, Dan nears his end, and Brooke works with Victoria to relaunch Clothes Over Bro's. Meanwhile, Nathan returns to Tree Hill to face Haley and Jamie after being released from the Chiefs.

Directors: Mark Schwahn
Watch Now:Amazon
Songs to Love and Die By
star
8.23
417 votes

#2 - Songs to Love and Die By

Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/6/2006

After a cardiac incident, Lucas has a dream in which the spirit of Keith visits and shows him how much one life can affect the lives of others, with a nod to “It's a Wonderful Life.” Elsewhere, Hayley is the victim of an accident and Dan helps out Nathan.

Writer: Mark Schwahn
Watch Now:Amazon
One Tree Hill
star
8.23
483 votes

#3 - One Tree Hill

Season 9 - Episode 13 - Aired 4/4/2012

In the final chapter of One Tree Hill, the tenth anniversary of Tric brings old faces and new possibilities for the Tree Hill family.

Directors: Mark Schwahn
Writer: Mark Schwahn
Watch Now:Amazon
Nothing Left to Say but Goodbye
star
8.18
396 votes

#4 - Nothing Left to Say but Goodbye

Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/22/2006

Derek tells Peyton to give Lucas a chance just as Brooke tries to make up with him. Rachel asks Haley to tutor her when she discovers she is failing a class. And Nathan has more trouble with Daunte.

Directors: Janice Cooke
Watch Now:Amazon
The Leavers Dance
star
8.13
190 votes

#5 - The Leavers Dance

Season 2 - Episode 23 - Aired 5/24/2005

In the second part of the this seamless 2-hour Season Finale of "One Tree Hill," things heat up between Lucas and Brooke since he finally tells her what he feels about her. Nathan and Deb conspire to desert Dan for good, leading to an explosive conclusion when he discovers their plan. Peyton has a shock. Meanwhile, Karen decides to spend the summer holiday in New Zealand. And at the climax of Dan's numerous deceptions someone sets the dealership on fire with him in it.

Directors: Greg Prange
Writer: Mark Schwahn
Watch Now:Amazon
You Call It Madness, but I Call It Love
star
8.12
359 votes

#6 - You Call It Madness, but I Call It Love

Season 4 - Episode 16 - Aired 5/2/2007

It's Prom night, but things start to go awry as Lucas discovers who was the person in the hallway when Keith was killed, and psycho Derek holds Peyton hostage at her own house. Meanwhile, Haley and Nathan vow to be romantic with each other throughout the night, and Dan continues to win over Karen's affections.

Directors: Tom Wright
Watch Now:Amazon
I Love You but I've Chosen Darkness
star
8.11
441 votes

#7 - I Love You but I've Chosen Darkness

Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/25/2006

Nathan gets two surprises in a row, and everyone is eager to share their advice with him. Deb also shares something she picked up. Brooke decides to celebrate while Peyton is being attacked by her stalker.

Directors: Stuart Gillard
Writer: Mark Schwahn
Watch Now:Amazon
Pictures of You
star
8.10
457 votes

#8 - Pictures of You

Season 4 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/7/2007

A class assignment reveals the deepest secrets and desires of Lucas and the students at Tree Hill High. Worried about college prospects, Skills turns to Haley, while Nathan wrestles with Deb's suicide attempt. Chase learns that Brooke cheated on her calculus exam, while nudity and drugs run rampant in the halls of the school.

Directors: Les Butler
Writer: Mark Schwahn
Watch Now:Amazon
The Games That Play Us
star
8.08
627 votes

#9 - The Games That Play Us

Season 1 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/11/2004

Lucas and Nathan bear the brunt of Dan's abuse as he coaches them into the playoffs, pushing both of them to their breaking points. Haley is stunned after Dan threatens her, causing her to reconsider her relationship with Nathan. Meanwhile, Whitey learns that his medical condition may be more serious than he first expected, and Dan learns a shocking secret from Deb.

Directors: Greg Prange
Writer: Mark Schwahn
Watch Now:Amazon
The Wind That Blew My Heart Away
star
8.07
399 votes

#10 - The Wind That Blew My Heart Away

Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/1/2006

A violent rainstorm knocks out the power in Tree Hill, leading Haley to Nathan's doorstep and Brooke out into the downpour for a dramatic confrontation with Lucas. Peyton finally confronts the truth about Ellie's illness, while Mouth is tempted by his new friend, Rachel. Before morning, secrets are revealed, relationships are tested, and new love gets hotter than ever.

Directors: David Jackson
Watch Now:Amazon
Show Me How to Live
star
8.07
512 votes

#11 - Show Me How to Live

Season 6 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/4/2009

The families of Tree Hill draw closer as Lucas bonds with Jamie while working on Peyton's car, Sam develops a connection with Victoria, and Brooke and Haley throw Peyton a baby shower. Meanwhile, Nathan's ambitions seem closer than ever when he learns that an NBA scout will be watching his next game.

Directors: James Lafferty
Watch Now:Amazon
I and Love and You
star
8.07
582 votes

#12 - I and Love and You

Season 7 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/26/2009

Dan brings Renee onto his television show, leaving Nathan and Haley powerless to stop him from revealing the truth of her pregnancy to the world. Quinn examines what went wrong with David, and Sara and Clay discuss their past. Meanwhile, Brooke comes clean with Julian about her true desires.

Directors: James Lafferty
Writer: Mark Schwahn
Watch Now:Amazon
The Same Deep Water as You
star
8.05
469 votes

#13 - The Same Deep Water as You

Season 4 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/27/2006

The residents of Tree Hill must deal with the aftermath of the shocking accident that left everyone without words. In the midst of all the chaos, Dan extends his help to Karen now that she is pregnant, Lucas and Peyton's friendship continues to grow stronger, and once rivals Brooke and Rachel move past their differences and manage to become good friends. Brooke has a difficult decision to make about her relationship with Lucas and Skills decides to try out for the Ravens.

Directors: Greg Prange
Writer: Mark Schwahn
Watch Now:Amazon
The Runaway Found
star
8.01
428 votes

#14 - The Runaway Found

Season 4 - Episode 18 - Aired 5/16/2007

Brooke and Peyton finally rekindle their friendship, Nathan's past mistakes continue to haunt him and Haley, and Lucas hears a shocking confession from the witness to Keith's murder.

Directors: David Jackson
Writer: Mark Schwahn
Watch Now:Amazon
Some You Give Away
star
8.01
458 votes

#15 - Some You Give Away

Season 4 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/29/2006

As the Ravens prepare for the championship, Lucas learns Nathan intends to throw the game and decides on a risky plan to even the odds. Karen insists Deb show up for her son's final game and tries to help her get there. Also Dan makes a last plea with Daunte.

Directors: Greg Prange
Writer: Mark Schwahn
Watch Now:Amazon
Just Watch the Fireworks
star
8.01
394 votes

#16 - Just Watch the Fireworks

Season 3 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/15/2006

When someone unleashes the students' time capsule upon Tree Hill High, Lucas and Mouth must confront a person from their past. Brooke has to deal with the revelation that secrets aren't the only things she exposed in the time capsule. Dan learns to forgive Keith. Haley is forced to reconcile the man Nathan was before with the man he has become, and Peyton's Breast Cancer Benefit Concert at Tric features performances by Haley, Jack's Mannequin and the return of Fall Out Boy.

Directors: Billy Dickson
Watch Now:Amazon
Life in a Glass House
star
8.00
702 votes

#17 - Life in a Glass House

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/4/2003

On the night of Dan and Deb's annual basketball appreciation party stirs up old wounds and new feelings as Karen makes a new friend, Keith faces off with his younger brother once again and Lucas finally makes his move on Peyton. Also, Haley and Nathan grow closer until Brooke spreads a vicious rumor that leaves Haley devastated.

Writer: Mike Kelley
Watch Now:Amazon
All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone
star
7.99
470 votes

#18 - All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone

Season 4 - Episode 21 - Aired 6/13/2007

Dan must face the harsh consequences of his decision to murder Keith as Karen and Haley's pregnancies complicate the lives of Nathan and the graduating seniors of Tree Hill High. Lucas wrestles with his post-high school options, and Peyton and Brooke prepare to spend the summer in Los Angeles together.

Directors: Mark Schwahn
Writer: Mark Schwahn
Watch Now:Amazon
Things a Mama Don't Know
star
7.99
413 votes

#19 - Things a Mama Don't Know

Season 6 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/5/2009

Peyton shares some startling news with Lucas, who discovers that Julian has been keeping another secret about the movie. While searching for runaway Sam, Brooke is forced to confront her lingering feelings over her attack. Nathan struggles with his new professional environment.

Directors: Michael J. Leone
Writer: Karin Gist
Watch Now:Amazon
Darkness on the Edge of Town
star
7.98
567 votes

#20 - Darkness on the Edge of Town

Season 8 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/7/2010

A storm strikes Tree Hill, putting everyone's life in danger.

Directors: Mark Schwahn
Writer: Mark Schwahn
Watch Now:Amazon
Hundred
star
7.97
426 votes

#21 - Hundred

Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired 3/18/2008

On Lucas and Lindsey's wedding day, Peyton must choose between intervening and losing Lucas forever. Nathan uses the event to try to mend his marriage to Haley. All are shocked when Dan, who is out of prison on parole, shows up at the event.

Directors: Les Butler
Writer: Mark Schwahn
Watch Now:Amazon
A Rush of Blood to the Head
star
7.96
461 votes

#22 - A Rush of Blood to the Head

Season 9 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/29/2012

Haley receives news of a possible tragedy. Dan’s search for Nathan leads him back to his dark past. Clay has a breakthrough in his treatment. Brooke and Julian deal with Xavier. Chase’s concern for Chuck pushes him to his limits.

Directors: Greg Prange
Watch Now:Amazon
The Show Must Go On
star
7.94
448 votes

#23 - The Show Must Go On

Season 3 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/3/2006

Nathan worries about Haley as they prepare to renew their vows. Peyton and Brooke's friendship becomes strained and Deb confesses to Dan about the fire.

Directors: Mark Schwahn
Writer: Mark Schwahn
Watch Now:Amazon
Family Affair
star
7.94
468 votes

#24 - Family Affair

Season 7 - Episode 14 - Aired 1/25/2010

Nathan tries to keep Haley calm after Taylor shows up at their house with Quinn’s ex-husband in tow. Julian sticks up for Alex on the set of their movie, and Brooke leans on Alexander to ease her heartache. Meanwhile, Clay gets a chance to prove his commitment to Quinn by helping her through a dinner with her sister and David.

Directors: Paul Johansson
Watch Now:Amazon
With Arms Outstretched
star
7.93
648 votes

#25 - With Arms Outstretched

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/18/2003

After fighting with his father and Haley, Nathan succumbs to the pressure he is feeling and takes amphetamines to help his game. However, he isn't prepared for the destruction the drugs do to both his body and his family. Meanwhile, Peyton goes to Lucas to rekindle their relationship, but when she arrives at his house, she catches him with Brooke.

Directors: Greg Prange
Writer: Mark Schwahn
Watch Now:Amazon