The BEST episodes of The Vampire Diaries
Every episode of The Vampire Diaries ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Vampire Diaries!
The story of two vampire brothers obsessed with the same girl, who bears a striking resemblance to the beautiful but ruthless vampire they knew and loved in 1864.
#1 - I Was Feeling Epic
Season 8 - Episode 16 - Aired 3/10/2017
With the fate of Mystic Falls at stake, Stefan and Damon must fight their greatest enemy for one last battle.
#2 - The Departed
Season 3 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/10/2012
Determined to protect his sister, Jeremy makes a decision that will change everything; Bonnie makes a secret deal that has heartbreaking consequences.
#3 - Graduation
Season 4 - Episode 23 - Aired 5/16/2013
It's Graduation Day. Damon's life is in danger and Elena faces an epic confrontation. Plus, Stefan discovers a horrifying clue to the mystery surrounding Silas.
#4 - Founder's Day
Season 1 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/13/2010
Damon and Alaric try to stop John Gilbert from setting a plan in motion to bring Founder's Day to an end amid chaos, destruction and death.
#5 - I'm Thinking of You All the While
Season 6 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/14/2015
In the aftermath of Jo and Alaric's wedding, an unexpected, and definitely uninvited guest shows up, putting Elena's life in jeopardy. Despite Matt's attempt to leave town to save himself, Bonnie takes matters into her own hands after finding herself on the receiving end of a twisted plan.
#6 - Home
Season 5 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/15/2014
Damon's plan causes a huge explosion in Mystic Falls, and everyone is caught up in the confusion, leaving a trail of heroism, sacrifice, relief and despair.
#7 - The Last Day
Season 2 - Episode 20 - Aired 4/28/2011
Damon reveals that he is willing to go to incredible lengths to protect Elena from falling victim to Klaus's plans. Stefan and Elena spend a romantic day together.
#8 - Klaus
Season 2 - Episode 19 - Aired 4/21/2011
Stefan and Damon are angry when they find out that Elena has taken matters into her own hands in the battle against Klaus. Tensions also rise between the brothers over the best way to protect her.
#9 - The Sun Also Rises
Season 2 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/5/2011
Despite an unanticipated act of courage, events spin out of control in a frightening way.
#10 - Homecoming
Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/10/2011
On the night of the Homecoming dance, Rebekah opens up to Elena about why the evening is so important to her, leaving Elena with conflicting emotions. Caroline and Matt are both shocked at Tyler’s behavior throughout the evening. The night takes a surreal turn when Klaus puts his latest plan into action. Determined to outsmart Klaus, Damon enters into a dangerous partnership, leading to a terrifying turn of events.
#11 - As I Lay Dying
Season 2 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/12/2011
Lives hang in the balance as the consequences of the sacrifice ritual play out.
#12 - The Reckoning
Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/13/2011
Despite all that has happened, Caroline is determined to see that Elena, Bonnie, Matt and Tyler all enjoy a traditional Senior Prank Night before the school year begins at Mystic Falls High School. However, when uninvited guests show up, it doesn't take long for the evening to take a deadly turn. Damon convinces Jeremy that he can use his new connection to the other side to help find a way to defeat Klaus. Finally, Klaus deepens his hold on Stefan and uses him for increasingly violent and dangerous purposes.
#13 - Ghost World
Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/27/2011
As Mystic Falls prepares to celebrate the traditional Illumination Night, the town is invaded by spirits of the dead. After a particularly violent encounter with an angry spirit, Damon asks Bonnie to find the reason behind the ghosts' surprising power. Elena convinces Jeremy to use his connection to the other side to help her find a new way to reach Stefan, leading Jeremy to a terrible choice. Finally, Alaric discovers a long-hidden clue to the past.
#14 - Rose
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/4/2010
Stefan and Damon come to Elena's assistance and, in the process, learn surprising new information.
#15 - Know Thy Enemy
Season 2 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/7/2011
Isobel unexpectedly returns, leaving Jenna devastated. Bonnie attempts to harness her ancestors' power. Stefan and Damon realise that they have a new weapon.
#16 - You Made a Choice to Be Good
Season 8 - Episode 11 - Aired 2/3/2017
Cade returns to Mystic Falls with new assignments for Damon and Stefan that each lead to unthinkable consequences.
#17 - The Dinner Party
Season 2 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/17/2011
Stefan tells Elena about his darkest days. Trying to catch Elijah off guard, Damon arranges a dinner party.
#18 - Gods and Monsters
Season 7 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/13/2016
Despite their best efforts to help Bonnie through the harrowing predicament she now faces, Damon, Enzo and Caroline realize their options are running out and drastic measures need to be taken. With their only chance of saving their friend lying inside the Armory, Stefan breaks the news to Caroline that they may need help from an unlikely source – her and Alaric’s twin daughters. Elsewhere, Enzo keeps Bonnie preoccupied by bringing her back to their cabin but when his plan takes an unexpected turn, it’ll be up to Damon to make the ultimate sacrifice to save his closest friends.
#19 - Isobel
Season 1 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/6/2010
Isobel returns to town and stuns Alaric with her attitude and her demands that he arrange a meeting with Elena.
#20 - The Sacrifice
Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/2/2010
Elena decides to take matters into her own hands and offers a tempting incentive to Rose for her help. When things take an unexpected turn, however, Rose calls on Damon to deal with the plan Elena has set in motion. Jeremy's reckless attempt to help Bonnie retrieve the moonstone lands him in a life-threatening position and forces Stefan to put himself in danger. Bonnie and Luka form a closer connection. Tyler shows Caroline the Lockwood cellar, where she makes a discovery that leaves them both terrified.
#21 - The Walking Dead
Season 4 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/9/2013
Someone has been attacking patients at the hospital. A violent wind storm causes a power outage and ghosts suddenly appear - some with good intentions and some bent on revenge.
#22 - Handle with Care
Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/7/2013
Damon and Elena are skeptical of Silas's new goal; Tessa realizes she was outsmarted by Silas; after discovering a new consequence of becoming human, Katherine decides she needs a new place to stay; Bonnie is impressed with Jeremy.
#23 - Katerina
Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/11/2010
Elena puts herself in a dangerous position as she searches for the truth about Katherine's past and what her own future may hold. Knowing that Stefan would never agree to her plan, Elena swears Caroline to secrecy. Damon uses a new-found confidant to help him try to discover the real purpose and power of the moonstone. Jeremy and Bonnie meet Luka, a new student with a surprising family history.
#24 - The World Has Turned and Left Me Here
Season 6 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/30/2014
Elena invites Liam to a party at the corn maze; Stefan shows up asking Caroline for help with a mess created by Enzo; Tyler winds up in a dangerous position.
#25 - Ordinary People
Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/3/2011
With help from Elena and Bonnie, Alaric tries to decipher the meaning behind his recent discovery Elena and Rebekah engage in a mean-girl power struggle, until Rebekah finally reveals some of her family's ancient secrets and the violent past she shares with Klaus and Elijah. Damon tries a reckless new approach to make a breakthrough with Stefan, and they're both surprised by an unlikely ally.