The BEST episodes of Riverdale
Every episode of Riverdale ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Riverdale!
A subversive take on Archie and his friends, exploring small town life, the darkness and weirdness bubbling beneath Riverdale's wholesome facade.
#1 - Chapter Fifty-Eight: In Memoriam
Season 4 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/9/2019
As the residence of Riverdale prepare for its upcoming Independence Day parade, Archie receives a phone call that will change the rest of his life forever.
#2 - Chapter Thirteen: The Sweet Hereafter
Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 5/11/2017
Jughead finds himself in an unexpected situation; The truth about Blossoms' family business is revealed, leaving Cheryl to take matters into her own hands.
#3 - Chapter Seventy-Three: The Locked Room
Season 4 - Episode 16 - Aired 3/11/2020
Jughead and Betty confront Bret, Donna and Professor DuPont and unravel their plan to commit the perfect murder.
#4 - Chapter Thirty-Four: Judgment Night
Season 2 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/9/2018
When an incident at the Sheriff’s station triggers an all-out war between the North and the Southside, Archie and Jughead find themselves in the fight of their lives. Meanwhile Veronica makes a devastating discovery about Hiram, just as someone from his past arrives in Riverdale looking for revenge. Finally, Betty comes face to face with the Black Hood.
#5 - Chapter Twelve: Anatomy of a Murder
Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 5/4/2017
Archie and Veronica are shocked to learn of the arrest, and must come clean to their parents about what they uncovered; Jason's killer is revealed.
#6 - Chapter Thirty-Two: Prisoners
Season 2 - Episode 19 - Aired 4/25/2018
After an incident at Riverdale High leaves the town on edge, Archie leads the charge to uncover the culprit. Meanwhile, the reveal of a devastating secret leads to a violent showdown between Chic, Jughead, Betty and Alice. Elsewhere, Veronica takes matters into her own hands when someone from her past comes to town seeking revenge. Finally, Hermoine and Cheryl conspire to take down Sheriff Keller.
#7 - Chapter Eleven: To Riverdale and Back Again
Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 4/27/2017
Cheryl and Polly decide to attend the Homecoming in Jason's honor, until a revelation waylays their plans; Alice turns to Archie and Veronica for help.
#8 - Chapter Thirty-Five: Brave New World
Season 2 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/16/2018
With Fred trailing in the polls, Archie steps in to lend a hand in his dad's mayoral campaign. Veronica stays one step ahead after uncovering Hiram's latest scheme. Elsewhere, Cheryl finalizes her emancipation from her mother, while FP makes a surprising announcement to Jughead and the Serpents. Finally, Betty confronts her darkest demons.
#9 - Chapter Eighteen: When a Stranger Calls
Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/8/2017
When Alice publishes a fiery piece in the Riverdale Register blasting the Southside, Jughead is forced to take matters into his own hands to try and keep the peace. Betty turns to Archie for help after receiving an ultimatum that could potentially destroy some of her closest relationships. With their SoDale open house fast approaching, Hiram and Hermoine enlist the help of an unlikely ally to get some potential investors on board. Finally, Veronica welcomes her old friend Nick St. Clair to Riverdale, but his plans for a wild night with the gang quickly takes an unexpected turn.
#10 - Chapter Seventy-Nine: Graduation
Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/3/2021
With Graduation Day around the corner, the gang consider their next steps beyond Riverdale High. Archie learns whether he will be able to graduate with his classmates. FP makes a difficult decision about his and Jellybean’s future.
#11 - Chapter Ten: The Lost Weekend
Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 4/13/2017
Fred decides to finalize his divorce; Archie plans to win Valerie back; Betty plans a surprise birthday party for Jughead, until Cheryl spirals things out of control.
#12 - Chapter Seventy-Two: To Die For
Season 4 - Episode 15 - Aired 3/4/2020
Alice begins shooting a documentary about Riverdale and the latest mystery involving one of its own. Meanwhile, Betty, Archie and Veronica fall deeper into a web of lies as the investigation gets underway.
#13 - Chapter Seven: In a Lonely Place
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 3/9/2017
New rumors swirl when a major piece of evidence is mysteriously destroyed; Cheryl approaches Betty with an unexpected proposal.
#14 - Chapter Thirty-Three: Shadow of a Doubt
Season 2 - Episode 20 - Aired 5/2/2018
As the town’s mayoral race between Fred and Hermoine heats up, Hiram sets his sights on a new ally – Sheriff Minetta. Betty turns to Cheryl for help when she has a suspicion about the Black Hood. Meanwhile, the reveal of a dark secret forces Archie and Jughead to try and ease tensions between the Bulldogs and Serpents. Finally, on the eve of the mayoral debate, a mysterious message leaves everyone on edge.
#15 - Chapter Twenty-Two: Silent Night, Deadly Night
Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/13/2017
After snooping around for Christmas gifts, Veronica uncovers a major secret Hiram has been keeping from her. Fallout from Jughead’s encounter with Penny Peabody creates tension between him and FP. Meanwhile, a defiant Cheryl takes matters into her own hands after Penelope tells her they cannot afford Christmas this year. Finally, Betty and Archie’s vow to take down the Black Hood once and for all leads to a dangerous showdown.
#16 - Chapter Three: Body Double
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/9/2017
Cheryl comes clean about when she last saw Jason; Betty and Jughead investigate Jason's death; Veronica and Ethel investigate a shame book.
#17 - Chapter Nineteen: Death Proof
Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/15/2017
After a charge led by Mayor McCoy threatens to further escalate tensions between the North and Southside, Jughead, along with Archie, tries to put a stop to a dangerous alliance being considered between the Serpents and a long-time rival. Betty turns to Veronica for help when she’s thrust into the center of a burgeoning mystery surrounding The Sugarman. Finally, Cheryl confronts her mother Penelope after a traumatic run-in forces her to make a stark realization.
#18 - Chapter Twenty: Tales from the Darkside
Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/29/2017
Riverdale remains on edge after a chilling letter from the Black Hood challenges the town’s residents to remain sinless for 48 hours – or he’ll strike again. Meanwhile, Jughead and Archie’s friendship gets tested after Penny Peabody unexpectedly calls in a favor that Jughead owes her. Elsewhere, Betty and Veronica team up to investigate someone who Betty thinks could be the Black Hood killer. Finally, things take an unexpected turn for Josie when a secret admirer takes things one step too far.
#19 - Chapter Six: Faster, Pussycats! Kill! Kill!
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 3/2/2017
Valerie's efforts to help Archie leads to a major fallout with Josie; Betty and Jughead's investigation brings them face-to-face with Polly.
#20 - Chapter Fifty-Seven: Survive the Night
Season 3 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/15/2019
After receiving mysterious invitations, Archie, Betty, Veronica and Jughead band together to confront the evils of their past once and for all. Meanwhile, chaos ensues at The Farm after Edgar makes a chilling announcement.
#21 - Chapter Fifty-Six: The Dark Secret of Harvest House
Season 3 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/8/2019
Veronica turns to Mary and Archie for help after uncovering a secret that Hiram had been keeping from her. Betty raises questions after witnessing some strange activities at The Farm. Jughead finds himself one step closer to uncovering the Gargoyle King’s identity.
#22 - Chapter Four: The Last Picture Show
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/16/2017
Jughead fights to keep the local drive-in open; Betty and Veronica investigate Ms Grundy, uncovering some startling information about her past.
#23 - Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Hills Have Eyes
Season 2 - Episode 14 - Aired 3/7/2018
When Hiram suggests that Veronica and Archie head up to their lake house for the weekend, Veronica decides to invite Betty and Jughead to join them. Determined to uncover Hiram’s plans for Riverdale, Jughead uses his time at the lake house to press Veronica about what she may know. Back in Riverdale, Cheryl makes a surprising connection with an unlikely friend, while Josie lands in hot water after revealing a secret to Kevin.
#24 - Chapter Thirty-Six: Labor Day
Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/10/2018
The jury begins deliberations in the murder trial and Archie makes a surprising request about how he wants to spend his final days of summer. Betty is forced to deal with her problems head-on after a heated confrontation with Alice and Polly brings up some dark secrets she's kept hidden. Veronica pleads with Hiram to step in and help Archie before a verdict is announced. Finally, Jughead leads the Serpents against the Ghoulies latest attack.
#25 - Chapter Twenty-Five: The Wicked and the Divine
Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/31/2018
As preparations for her confirmation ceremony get underway, Veronica becomes concerned that Archie, who’s agreed to be Hiram’s “intern,” may be learning too much about her family’s secret business dealings. Jughead and FP lead the charge after an incident at Pickens Park leads to increased tensions among the Serpents. Meanwhile, Chic helps Betty deal with her inner darkness, while Archie finds himself in over his head after a high-stakes poker game with Hiram’s shady inner-circle goes awry.