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.

Last Updated: 2/20/2024Network: The CWStatus: Ended
Share:
Chapter Fifty-Eight: In Memoriam
star
8.38
689 votes

#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.

Directors: Gabriel Correa
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Thirteen: The Sweet Hereafter
star
8.16
2081 votes

#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.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Seventy-Three: The Locked Room
star
8.11
402 votes

#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.

Directors: Tessa Blake
Writer: Aaron Allen
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Thirty-Four: Judgment Night
star
8.06
1014 votes

#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.

Directors: Cherie Nowlan
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Twelve: Anatomy of a Murder
star
8.03
2080 votes

#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.

Directors: Rob Seidenglanz
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Thirty-Two: Prisoners
star
7.90
1009 votes

#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.

Directors: Jennifer Phang
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Eleven: To Riverdale and Back Again
star
7.88
2023 votes

#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.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Thirty-Five: Brave New World
star
7.87
908 votes

#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.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Seventy-Nine: Graduation
star
7.82
319 votes

#9 - 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.

Directors: Gabriel Correa
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Eighteen: When a Stranger Calls
star
7.80
1587 votes

#10 - 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.

Writer: Aaron Allen
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Ten: The Lost Weekend
star
7.78
2117 votes

#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.

Directors: Dawn Wilkinson
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Seventy-Two: To Die For
star
7.76
388 votes

#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.

Directors: Shannon Kohli
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Thirty-Three: Shadow of a Doubt
star
7.72
974 votes

#13 - 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.

Directors: Gregory Smith
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Seven: In a Lonely Place
star
7.72
2360 votes

#14 - 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.

Directors: Allison Anders
Writer: Aaron Allen
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Twenty-Two: Silent Night, Deadly Night
star
7.71
1420 votes

#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.

Directors: Rob Seidenglanz
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Nineteen: Death Proof
star
7.70
1581 votes

#16 - 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.

Directors: Maggie Kiley
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Twenty: Tales from the Darkside
star
7.69
1509 votes

#17 - 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.

Directors: Dawn Wilkinson
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Fifty-Seven: Survive the Night
star
7.69
614 votes

#18 - 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.

Directors: Rachel Talalay
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Three: Body Double
star
7.69
2822 votes

#19 - 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.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Six: Faster, Pussycats! Kill! Kill!
star
7.69
2525 votes

#20 - 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.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Fifty-Six: The Dark Secret of Harvest House
star
7.69
586 votes

#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.

Directors: Rob Seidenglanz
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Four: The Last Picture Show
star
7.67
2639 votes

#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.

Directors: Mark Piznarski
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Hills Have Eyes
star
7.66
1185 votes

#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.

Directors: David Katzenberg
Writer: Ross Maxwell
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Thirty-Six: Labor Day
star
7.66
996 votes

#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.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chapter Fourteen: A Kiss Before Dying
star
7.65
2103 votes

#25 - Chapter Fourteen: A Kiss Before Dying

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/11/2017

As Fred’s life hangs in the balance following the shooting at Pop’s diner, Archie struggles with the emotional aftermath of what he witnessed. Meanwhile, as Veronica steps out of her comfort zone to support Archie, she learns that her father Hiram has arrived to Riverdale earlier than expected. Elsewhere, at Pop’s diner, Pop Tate recounts the chilling details of the shooting, which leaves Jughead and Betty questioning the gunman’s true motives. Lastly, after running into Cheryl at the hospital, Betty and Kevin are surprised to learn about the fire at Thornhill.

Directors: Rob Seidenglanz
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV