The BEST episodes of The Killing (US)

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

From writer, executive producer and series showrunner Veena Sud (Cold Case), The Killing is based on the wildly successful Danish television series Forbrydelsen and tells the story of the murder of a young girl in Seattle and the subsequent police investigation. The Killing ties together three distinct stories around a single murder including the detectives assigned to the case, the victim's grieving family, and the suspects. Set in Seattle, the story also explores local politics as it follows politicians connected to the case. As the series unfolds, it becomes clear that there are no accidents; everyone has a secret, and while the characters think they've moved on, their past isn't done with them.

Last Updated: 3/23/2024Network: NetflixStatus: Ended
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What I Know
star
8.55
1918 votes

#1 - What I Know

Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 6/17/2012

Sarah and Holder's investigation comes to a close. Meanwhile, Richmond sets out on a bold new course; and a surprise source helps bring closure to the Larsens.

Directors: Patty Jenkins
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Eden
star
8.34
1185 votes

#2 - Eden

Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 8/1/2014

Linden and Holder are confronted with the shocking truth behind the Stansbury murders.

Directors: Jonathan Demme
Writer: Veena Sud
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Road to Hamelin
star
8.13
1041 votes

#3 - The Road to Hamelin

Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 8/4/2013

In the Season 3 finale, Sarah risks her life when someone dear to her goes missing; and Holder's past is used against him.

Directors: Daniel Attias
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Orpheus Descending
star
8.07
2118 votes

#4 - Orpheus Descending

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 6/19/2011

The identification of the mysterious Orpheus provides a vital connection to the case. Mitch and Stan reflect on the past while contemplating their family's future.

Directors: Brad Anderson
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Bulldog
star
8.06
1807 votes

#5 - Bulldog

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 6/3/2012

A return to the casino winds up sending Sarah and Holder on the run, while Stan and Richmond face life-altering decisions.

Directors: Ed Bianchi
Writer: Jeremy Doner
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Donnie or Marie
star
8.05
1892 votes

#6 - Donnie or Marie

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 6/10/2012

Sarah and Holder close in on the murderer. Meanwhile, the Richmond campaign preps for the election; and the Larsens seek to get their lives back in order.

Directors: Keith Gordon
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Truth Asunder
star
8.03
1170 votes

#7 - Truth Asunder

Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired 8/1/2014

New information about the family murders surfaces. Meanwhile, Holder's loyalty is put to the test.

Directors: Coky Giedroyc
Writer: Dan Nowak
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Beau Soleil
star
8.03
2021 votes

#8 - Beau Soleil

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 6/12/2011

The police connect Rosie to a suspicious website. Stan faces his demons while Mitch learns secrets she never knew about Rosie.

Directors: Keith Gordon
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Reckoning
star
8.03
1494 votes

#9 - Reckoning

Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 7/21/2013

The hunt for a pornographer leads to a shocking revelation; Holder looks for a scapegoat; Twitch and Lyric find their dream home.

Directors: Jonathan Demme
Writer: Dan Nowak
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
From Up Here
star
7.98
1492 votes

#10 - From Up Here

Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 8/4/2013

Sarah seeks peace in the case's aftermath; the detectives pick up an unnerving new assignment; Lyric is tempted by her old life; Danette says good-bye.

Directors: Phil Abraham
Writer: Eliza Clark
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Pilot
star
7.97
2689 votes

#11 - Pilot

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/3/2011

On her last day of work, homicide detective Sarah Linden is drawn into a new case about the disappearance of a teenage girl, Rosie Larsen. Mitch and Stan Larsen frantically try to track down their daughter when they learn she did not show up at school. City Councilman Darren Richmond prepares for an important forum with the Mayor as the election nears.

Directors: Patty Jenkins
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Dream Baby Dream
star
7.96
1162 votes

#12 - Dream Baby Dream

Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired 8/1/2014

Linden and Holder focus their investigation on a new suspect, and a tip from an informant leads Reddick to a shocking discovery.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Sayonara Hiawatha
star
7.95
1836 votes

#13 - Sayonara Hiawatha

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 5/20/2012

Richmond lends support to the investigation; Sarah tries to track down Rosie's key; and Stan deals with his troubled son.

Directors: Phil Abraham
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Try
star
7.94
1479 votes

#14 - Try

Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/14/2013

Sarah goes missing; Bullet makes a choice to save Lyric; a dark secret is learned.

Directors: Lodge Kerrigan
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Good Soldier
star
7.85
1177 votes

#15 - The Good Soldier

Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 8/1/2014

Reddick digs deeper as Linden and Holder struggle to keep their investigation from going cold.

Directors: Ed Bianchi
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Keylela
star
7.85
1949 votes

#16 - Keylela

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/6/2012

The investigation refocuses on the casino; Stan has an uneasy face-to-face with Richmond; tension grips the Larsen house.

Directors: Nicole Kassell
Writer: Dan Nowak
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Hope Kills
star
7.84
1423 votes

#17 - Hope Kills

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

Holder and Linden get a break in the case; Seward clashes with death; Bullet becomes a protector.

Directors: Tricia Brock
Writer: Brett Conrad
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Scared and Running
star
7.83
1410 votes

#18 - Scared and Running

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/23/2013

Bullet races to find a victim on the run before someone else does; Seward is discourteous to surprise visitors.

Directors: Daniel Attias
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Six Minutes
star
7.82
1546 votes

#19 - Six Minutes

Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 7/28/2013

Sarah copes with the consequences of past mistakes; Holder wrestles personal demons; Seward is truthful.

Directors: Nicole Kassell
Writer: Veena Sud
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
72 Hours
star
7.79
1712 votes

#20 - 72 Hours

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 5/27/2012

Sarah teeters on the edge. Stan attempts to make amends. Richmond receives an unexpected boost in the mayoral race.

Directors: Nicole Kassell
Writer: Eliza Clark
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Cage
star
7.78
1969 votes

#21 - The Cage

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/3/2011

The investigation into Rosie’s killer begins as Sarah and Holder question the missing girl’s parents, Stan and Mitch, as well as Rosie’s friends and City Councilman Richmond. Rosie’s school becomes a potential murder site when Sarah and Holder uncover shocking evidence on campus. Heartbroken and grief-stricken, Mitch and Stan face the aftermath of losing their daughter.

Directors: Ed Bianchi
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Undertow
star
7.78
1917 votes

#22 - Undertow

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 5/22/2011

The police are thwarted in their efforts to arrest Bennet. Richmond thinks long and hard about removing himself from the Mayor's race. Mitch and Stan have had it with the police.

Writer: Dan Nowak
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
El Diablo
star
7.74
2356 votes

#23 - El Diablo

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/10/2011

Councilman Richmond suspects a leak within his team; Sarah tracks down a witness and is led to a suspect.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
A Soundless Echo
star
7.73
2108 votes

#24 - A Soundless Echo

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/17/2011

The Larsens plan their daughter's funeral; Rosie's friend unveils surprises about her life.

Writer: Soo Hugh
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
That You Fear the Most
star
7.71
1067 votes

#25 - That You Fear the Most

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/2/2013

Directors: Lodge Kerrigan
Writer: Dan Nowak
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV