The BEST episodes of The Handmaid's Tale

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

In a dystopian near-future, the totalitarian and Christian-fundamentalist government of Gilead rules the former United States amidst an ongoing civil war and subjugates women, who are not allowed to work, control money, or even read. Widespread infertility due to environmental contamination has resulted in the conscription of young fertile women—called Handmaids, according to biblical precedent—who are assigned to the homes of the elite, where they must have ritualized sex with the men in order to become pregnant and bear children for those men and their wives.

Last Updated: 3/17/2024Network: HuluStatus: Continuing
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Mayday
star
8.45
2616 votes

#1 - Mayday

Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 8/14/2019

With her plan in place, June reaches the point of no return on her bold strike against Gilead and must decide how far she’s willing to go. Serena Joy and Commander Waterford attempt to find their way forward in their new lives.

Directors: Mike Barker
Writer: Bruce Miller
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Night
star
8.26
5103 votes

#2 - Night

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 6/14/2017

Serena Joy confronts Offred and the Commander. Offred struggles with a complicated, life-changing revelation. The Handmaids face a brutal decision.

Directors: Kari Skogland
Writer: Bruce Miller
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Liars
star
8.23
2596 votes

#3 - Liars

Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 7/31/2019

A return to Jezebel's puts everything in jeopardy. Serena Joy and Commander Waterford take a clandestine trip.

Writer: Yahlin Chang
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Word
star
8.13
3307 votes

#4 - The Word

Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 7/11/2018

Serena and the other Wives strive to make change. Emily learns more about her new Commander. Offred faces a difficult decision.

Directors: Mike Barker
Writer: Bruce Miller
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Wilderness
star
8.07
1677 votes

#5 - The Wilderness

Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 6/16/2021

June draws on all her resources and relationships, risking everything to ensure her own kind of justice.

Directors: Liz Garbus
Writer: Bruce Miller
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Last Ceremony
star
8.05
3384 votes

#6 - The Last Ceremony

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 6/20/2018

A frustrated Serena becomes desperate. The Commander tries to make amends with Offred. Nick pushes Eden farther away. Offred is faced with an unexpected reunion.

Directors: Jeremy Podeswa
Writer: Yahlin Chang
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Smart Power
star
8.04
3387 votes

#7 - Smart Power

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 6/13/2018

The Waterfords embark on a diplomatic trip abroad. Serena faces the temptation of life outside Gilead. Luke and Moira grapple with survivor's guilt. Offred seeks support from allies.

Directors: Jeremy Podeswa
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
First Blood
star
8.02
3591 votes

#8 - First Blood

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/23/2018

Offred finds unexpected allies and obstacles in her search for a way to protect Hannah. The Commander prepares for the dedication of a new Red Center. Nick struggles with his new assignment.

Directors: Mike Barker
Writer: Bruce Miller
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
June
star
7.98
4249 votes

#9 - June

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/25/2018

Offred reckons with the consequences of a dangerous decision while haunted by memories from her past and the violent beginnings of Gilead.

Directors: Mike Barker
Writer: Bruce Miller
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Women's Work
star
7.96
3443 votes

#10 - Women's Work

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 6/6/2018

A sick baby tests Offred and Serena. Janine finally faces Naomi.

Directors: Kari Skogland
Writer: Bruce Miller
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Bridge
star
7.96
4978 votes

#11 - The Bridge

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 6/7/2017

Offred embarks on a dangerous mission for the resistance. Janine moves to a new posting. Serena Joy suspects the Commander’s infidelity.

Directors: Kate Dennis
Writer: Eric Tuchman
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
A Woman's Place
star
7.96
5189 votes

#12 - A Woman's Place

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/17/2017

A Mexican Ambassador visiting Gilead questions Offred about her life as a Handmaid. Serena Joy reflects on her marriage and the role she once played in Gilead’s inception.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Unknown Caller
star
7.93
2657 votes

#13 - Unknown Caller

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/19/2019

June and Serena grapple with a new revelation about Nichole, leading to an incident that will have far-reaching ramifications.

Directors: Colin Watkinson
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Safe
star
7.91
1197 votes

#14 - Safe

Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/9/2022

Under threat, June must find a way to keep herself and her family safe from Gilead and its violent supporters in Toronto.

Directors: Elisabeth Moss
Writer: Bruce Miller
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Sacrifice
star
7.91
2481 votes

#15 - Sacrifice

Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 8/7/2019

Gilead leadership is rocked by losses among their own. Luke and Moira adjust to new arrivals in Canada. June worries about disruptions to her plan, only to have tragedy strike the entire household.

Writer: Eric Tuchman
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Night
star
7.90
2969 votes

#16 - Night

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/5/2019

June embarks on a bold mission with unexpected consequences. Emily and Nichole make a harrowing journey. The Waterfords reckon with Serena Joy’s choice to send Nichole away.

Directors: Mike Barker
Writer: Bruce Miller
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Holly
star
7.88
3349 votes

#17 - Holly

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 6/27/2018

Offred faces a grueling challenge alone as she recalls her life as a mother. Serena Joy and the Commander deal with the fallout of their actions towards Offred.

Directors: Daina Reid
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Together
star
7.87
1185 votes

#18 - Together

Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/12/2022

June and Luke’s mission puts them in serious jeopardy. Serena senses a threat from her benefactors. Lawrence and Nick make a shocking power move.

Directors: Eva Vives
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
No Man’s Land
star
7.87
1203 votes

#19 - No Man’s Land

Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/19/2022

June and Serena find themselves in a desperate situation.

Directors: Natalia Leite
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Witness
star
7.84
2493 votes

#20 - Witness

Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 7/24/2019

Ready to strike back at her oppressors, June starts making arrangements for an ambitious plan, but a devious ploy on the part of Commander Waterford threatens to derail her.

Directors: Daina Reid
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Household
star
7.84
2612 votes

#21 - Household

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 6/26/2019

June accompanies the Waterfords to Washington D.C., where a powerful family offers a glimpse of the future of Gilead. June makes an important connection as she attempts to protect Nichole.

Directors: Dearbhla Walsh
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Postpartum
star
7.83
3255 votes

#22 - Postpartum

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 7/4/2018

Offred is sent to a familiar place. Nick is rocked by Gilead’s brutal response to a crime. Emily is assigned to a mysterious new house.

Directors: Daina Reid
Writer: Eric Tuchman
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Testimony
star
7.83
1588 votes

#23 - Testimony

Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 6/2/2021

June confronts Fred and Serena in court and challenges Emily to face a painful reminder of her Gilead past. Lawrence presents Aunt Lydia with a newly captured, familiar handmaid.

Directors: Elisabeth Moss
Writer: Kira Snyder
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Home
star
7.81
1623 votes

#24 - Home

Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/26/2021

June struggles with her newfound freedom, reuniting with loved ones and confronting her nemesis, Serena.

Directors: Richard Shepard
Writer: Yahlin Chang
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
After
star
7.80
3414 votes

#25 - After

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/30/2018

An attack sends shockwaves through both Gilead and Little America. Serena Joy makes a dangerous choice in order to protect her family. Moira searches for someone from her past.

Directors: Kari Skogland
Writer: Bruce Miller
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV