The BEST episodes of Shameless (US)

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

Chicagoan Frank Gallagher is the proud single dad of six smart, industrious, independent kids, who without him would be... franco, perhaps better off. When Frank's not at the bar spending what little money they have, he's passed out on the floor. But the kids have found ways to grow up in spite of him. They may not be like any family you know, but they make no apologies for being exactly who they are.

Last Updated: 3/1/2024Network: ShowtimeStatus: Ended
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Found
star
8.18
1358 votes

#1 - Found

Season 9 - Episode 14 - Aired 3/10/2019

As the Gallaghers decide what to do with a bedridden Frank, Fiona has to make a decision about her future. Carl and Debbie share their heartbreak together. Lip has to deal with a distressed Tami.

Directors: John Wells
Writer: John Wells
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Requiem for a Slut
star
8.15
3412 votes

#2 - Requiem for a Slut

Season 7 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/18/2016

The Gallaghers grapple with the loss of one of their own. As Lip takes steps to improve his future, Debbie, Carl and Liam get roped into Frank's new scheme. Meanwhile, Kev and V get their revenge on Svetlana.

Directors: John Wells
Writer: John Wells
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Lazarus
star
8.14
2834 votes

#3 - Lazarus

Season 4 - Episode 12 - Aired 4/6/2014

Sheila fights for custody and clashes with Sammi; Lip catches up on bills; Fiona is released; Frank begins to feel like himself.

Directors: Mark Mylod
Writer: John Wells
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Survival of the Fittest
star
8.13
2949 votes

#4 - Survival of the Fittest

Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 4/7/2013

Fiona and the family prepare a surprise high school,graduation party for Lip. Frank wins a bet and uses the winnings to take Lip out for lobster and some quality father/son time.

Directors: Mark Mylod
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Familia Supra Gallegorious Omnia!
star
8.13
2765 votes

#5 - Familia Supra Gallegorious Omnia!

Season 6 - Episode 12 - Aired 4/3/2016

During Fiona's wedding Debbie shows up at the church with Franny, and Frank arrives uninvited and high, and reveals that Sean is still a practicing junkie. Meanwhile, Ian brings Caleb to meet the family; and Sean tries to do everything he can to keep his son in his life.

Writer: John Wells
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Emily
star
8.12
2783 votes

#6 - Emily

Season 4 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/30/2014

Fiona is taken to a correctional facility; Frank suffers post-operative delirium; Ian crashes Mickey's son's christening; Amanda's parents use bribery to keep Lip away from her; Debbie meets an older student.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Happily Ever After
star
8.08
3594 votes

#7 - Happily Ever After

Season 7 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/11/2016

Frank and Monica have an interesting proposal for the kids. Lip buckles under pressure from Debbie to get his sobriety under control. Meanwhile, Fiona sees a business opportunity as Kev and V attempt to start a new chapter.

Directors: John M. Valerio
Writer: John Wells
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
"Gallavich!"
star
8.04
996 votes

#8 - "Gallavich!"

Season 10 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/26/2020

Liam out-Gallaghers Frank, Lip works to convince Tami to stay in Chicago with their baby, Debbie turns over a new romantic leaf and Kev’s new business takes off, but V wonders where the money is going.

Directors: John Wells
Writer: John Wells
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Aunt Ginger
star
7.97
4525 votes

#9 - Aunt Ginger

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/23/2011

Fiona turns her attentions to Tony, a cop who has had a crush on her since childhood, but Steve isn't willing to give up without a fight; Ian is targeted by the brothers of a girl he spurned; the whole family searches for elderly Aunt Ginger, who owns their house.

Directors: Stephen Hopkins
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Crazy Love
star
7.97
2198 votes

#10 - Crazy Love

Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/15/2015

Fiona is thrown into chaos by the return of Jimmy. Ian takes Mickey's baby.

Writer: John Wells
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Fiona Interrupted
star
7.97
3214 votes

#11 - Fiona Interrupted

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 4/1/2012

A lonely Frank schemes to break Monica out of the psychiatric facility. Jimmy earns his way back into Fiona's good graces and she asks to meet his family while Ian runs into Ned again.

Directors: John Wells
Writer: John Wells
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Can I Have a Mother
star
7.96
3528 votes

#12 - Can I Have a Mother

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/12/2012

Grammy Gallagher shows up on a medical furlough and tries to track down a former meth lab protege that owes her money; Sheila plans Karen's wedding reception; Fiona double dates with Steve and his Brazilian girlfriend, and discovers that Steve is married; Ethel reacts to Clyde's death; Frank discovers the identity of Eddie's insurance beneficiary.

Directors: John Dahl
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Carl's First Sentencing
star
7.95
2266 votes

#13 - Carl's First Sentencing

Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 3/15/2015

Frank has a check-up with his uptight doctor, Bianca, who's cracking up after getting a terminal cancer diagnosis. Discovering she hasn't truly 'lived,' he agrees to be her tour guide to the seedier side of life. Meanwhile, Fiona preps an uncooperative Carl for his sentencing hearing. Plus, Lip sleeps with a professor on the assumption he's only days away from being kicked out, Ian realizes it's time to get back on his meds and Kev finds himself enjoying college life as campus 'rapewalker.'

Writer: Etan Frankel
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Father Frank, Full of Grace
star
7.94
3891 votes

#14 - Father Frank, Full of Grace

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 3/27/2011

Steve tries to convince Fiona to skip town with him now that his true livelihood as been discovered; Frank and Karen's secret is revealed, forcing Frank to go into hiding; Fiona tries to figure out how to get Lip and Ian out of jail after their arrest for car theft.

Directors: Mark Mylod
Writer: John Wells
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
El Gran Cañon
star
7.94
3054 votes

#15 - El Gran Cañon

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/13/2013

Fiona struggles to accept the new Jimmy; Frank wakes up in a place completely foreign to him.

Directors: Mark Mylod
Writer: John Wells
Watch Now:Apple TV
Order Room Service
star
7.94
2917 votes

#16 - Order Room Service

Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/31/2013

Fiona takes the kids on a camping trip. Essentially homeless, Frank seeks out Carl who sneaks him into the Gallagher van for the night.

Directors: Sanaa Hamri
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Just Like the Pilgrims Intended
star
7.94
3488 votes

#17 - Just Like the Pilgrims Intended

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/25/2012

It's a typical Gallagher nontraditional Thanksgiving that includes a suicide attempt by Monica, Carl shooting a bald eagle, and Karen going into labor; Steve agrees to allow Estefania's boyfriend to steal his identity; Ian sleeps with a businessman named Ned; Frank tries to get his share of his mother's money from his brother Clayton.

Directors: Mark Mylod
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Frank the Plumber
star
7.94
2847 votes

#18 - Frank the Plumber

Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 3/17/2013

Fiona starts a new office job but has a hard time fitting in with the corporate culture. In an attempt to get medical coverage, Frank inadvertently becomes involved in the gay rights movement where he meets Abraham Paige, a powerful activist.

Directors: Mark Mylod
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Liver, I Hardly Know Her
star
7.94
2772 votes

#19 - Liver, I Hardly Know Her

Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/23/2014

Fiona violates terms of her probation, sending the family into search party mode.

Writer: Davey Holmes
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
You Sold Me the Laundromat, Remember?
star
7.94
3479 votes

#20 - You Sold Me the Laundromat, Remember?

Season 7 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/20/2016

Fiona takes a DIY approach to renovating the laundromat. Lip agrees to go before the school board in hopes of getting reinstated. Meanwhile, Kev's trust in Svetlana wanes even further when the titty van goes missing.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
A Gallagher Pedicure
star
7.94
2125 votes

#21 - A Gallagher Pedicure

Season 8 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/21/2018

Fiona's homeless tenants barricade themselves in her apartment; Lip takes in Sierra and Lucas; Ian provides sanctuary to a runaway teen; Frank considers retirement.

Writer: Mark Steilen
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Face It, You're Gorgeous
star
7.94
1612 votes

#22 - Face It, You're Gorgeous

Season 9 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/14/2018

Frank employs Liam to help him chase down a romantic connection. Lip spends the day wrangling an alcoholic actress who hired him to be her sober companion. Fiona struggles to keep up with the demands of her new investment as Ford pushes her to get serious about their relationship. Kev and V run into trouble at the twins' preschool when show and tell goes awry.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Sleep No More
star
7.93
2583 votes

#23 - Sleep No More

Season 6 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/27/2016

Frank offers to pay for Fiona's wedding reception and then goes scamming around town to raise the money. Meanwhile, Sean fears that Frank will end up hurting Fiona and confronts him on it. Their difference of opinion quickly descends into a brawl.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
I Only Miss Her When I'm Breathing
star
7.93
2716 votes

#24 - I Only Miss Her When I'm Breathing

Season 6 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/10/2016

Frank's newfound appreciation freaks the Gallaghers out.

Writer: John Wells
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
A Yurt of One's Own
star
7.93
2569 votes

#25 - A Yurt of One's Own

Season 6 - Episode 9 - Aired 3/13/2016

Fiona tries to make amends with Sean, who isn't giving her the time of day. Meanwhile, Debbie and Queenie travel to Queenie's rural commune along with Frank who is trying to escape G-Dogg who's after him for stealing his drugs.

Directors: Ruben Garcia
Writer: Davey Holmes
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV