12 Best American Horror Story Episodes

“American Horror Story” returns for its ninth installment, “1984,” on Sept. 18, bringing what looks like a classic slasher to the FX horror anthology. In honor of the latest season, we looked back at the greatest episodes so far.

12. The Name Game
“American Horror Story: Asylum”
Two big deaths, a questionable rape scene, a cheerfully out-of-place song and dance … “The Name Game” had it all. The Monsignor may have lived, but “AHS” made up for the with the apropos death of the villainous Dr. Arden. As we say goodbye to Sister Mary Eunice, Dr. Arden also sees his symbolic demise as he steps into the fire with her. It’s wholly unexpected, just like the colorful dance to “The Name Game” that Jude hallucinates in her shock treatment. It is, without a doubt the happiest scene of the season, and compared to what’s actually happening to Jude, it highlights the darkness that looms the whole ordeal.
11. Be Our Guest
“American Horror Story: Hotel”
“American Horror Story” finales are usually sentimental, and “Hotel” was no different, but it was Denis O’Hare that made it special. Liz was one of the highlights of the season, and the most sympathetic in a season full of despicable characters. So when her difficult life came to a beautiful end, surrounded by her ghoulish friends, it felt especially earned. This was also the episode that saw Sarah Paulson play double duty, bringing back her “Murder House” character Billie Dean Howard, and, in even more fun, we got to see Sally become an Instagram star … yes, really. With a season so over-the-top, it needed an equally extravagant end.
10. Bitchcraft
“American Horror Story: Coven”
The premiere episode of “Coven” marked a huge tonal shift from the dreary (in a good way!) “Asylum,” and it was non-stop entertainment. Jessica Lange and Sarah Paulson get to feud as mother and daughter, we meet some witches almost X-Men-like in their powers, and Emma Roberts, in her “AHS” debut, flips a bus with her mind. Let’s not forget the delightfully gruesome ending, in which Taissa Farmiga’s Zoe uses her unenviable power to bone a rapist frat boy to death. Kathy Bates, also in her first “AHS” episode, injects “horror” in this “American Horror Story” installment, with LaLaurie’s terrifying introduction opening the door to a roller-coaster season.
9. Flicker
“American Horror Story: Hotel”
“Hotel” gets a bad rap among critics and “AHS” fans alike, but it had so many moments that were just downright fun. And Ryan Murphy and co. seemed to have a blast bringing a little old Hollywood glam to the series with “Flicker,” which took Lady Gaga’s Countess and made her so much more interesting. Up until this point, her character had been carried by her actress’ star power, killer impulses, and dramatic outfits, but “Flicker” revealed her complicated backstory and tied her to Mr. March — Evan Peters’ murderous Hotel Cortez mascot was undoubtedly one of the best parts of the season. Plus, Kathy Bates got to utter the line, “I couldn’t pick my a–hole out of a line-up,” which is, unarguably, fantastic.
8. Chapter 4
“American Horror Story: Roanoke”
One of “American Horror Story’s” greatest strengths is its consistently seasoned cast members, so when the show lets them do what they do best, it’s a joy to watch. That’s what makes “Chapter 4” of “Roanoke” such a memorable ride, as Kathy Bates steals the series in an episode that tells the story of the colony and how she became the Butcher. Here, we learn that the Butcher, based on the historical Tomasyn White, is even more deliciously evil than Bates’ “Coven” character, which set a high bar. Not to mention, it includes one of the most gruesome scenes in “AHS” history with the disembowelment of Cricket. Poor, poor Cricket.
7. Drink the Kool-Aid
“American Horror Story: Cult”

Like so many “American Horror Story” highlights, “Cult” came down to the performances. Evan Peters was at his best, not only as the oddly charismatic Kai, but as the various cult leaders he played in flashbacks. But it’s Sarah Paulson who really makes the episode one to remember. Her character’s 180 is thrilling to watch; the once terrified Ally finally takes action, murdering her wife and setting out to save her son. Masterfully directed by “AHS” vet Angela Bassett, in a season that sometimes felt disjointed, “Drink the Kool-Aid” gave us the answers – and the action – viewers were craving.
6. Return to Murder House
“American Horror Story: Apocalypse”

It’s easy for crossover episodes to feel gimmicky, but “Apocalypse’s” return to the show’s first season managed to avoid that trap by deepening the Murder House’s mythology instead of exploiting it. Dylan McDermott, Connie Britton, Taissa Farmiga, Frances Conroy and of course “AHS” queen Jessica Lange all returned to help unravel more of the mystery of Michael. Making her directorial debut, Sarah Paulson expertly handled the line between banking on nostalgia and pushing the story forward. Plus, we got to see some of the Harmon family and Tate at peace, and even Moira and Constance got closure. “Return to Murder House” was a fitting goodbye to the family that started it all, eight years later.
5. Madness Ends
“American Horror Story: Asylum”
Finales are hard — ask any showrunner. It’s so often difficult to give viewers a satisfying end to the story while also delivering an exciting episode with the unexpected. That’s why “Madness Ends,” which was essentially an epilogue of sorts, deserves its praise. Kit and Jude’s storyline, even with the aliens involved, was heartwarming in a show where warm-fuzzies usually feel out of place. The scene where Jude faced the Angel of Death was especially beautiful. Meanwhile, we got to see Lana rise up and live a successful life, but not without her secrets. Still, she gets her closure in the end, and, in his own way, so did her son, Johnny.
4. Piggy Piggy
“American Horror Story: Murder House”
This episode marked a huge turning point for the Harmons: when the family actually had to face the fact that they’re surrounded by dead people. Seeing the normally apathetic Violet (Taissa Farmiga) freak out over the realization, especially when we saw Tate inflict the horror on his classmates in the same episode, was a moment that felt grounded in such a surreal environment. It also introduced Piggy Man (with the help of “Modern Family’s” Eric Stonestreet!), giving viewers a taste of the twisted imagery “AHS” would eventually milk for six seasons. Oh, and did we mention that Connie Britton eats a brain? Connie Britton eats a brain.
3. Smoldering Children
“American Horror Story: Murder House”
If there was any episode in the first season of “AHS” that let audiences know that it wasn’t afraid to get into the awful, ugly, brutal truth, it was “Smoldering Children.” This is the episode in which Violet comes to the horrifying realization of her own “Sixth Sense” twist — that she’s been dead the whole time. It wasn’t so much the twist that was memorable, but Violet seeing her own dead body, and Tate telling her that she “died crying,” that truly took “AHS” to the next level of psychological horror. We also see the extent of Tate’s evil once again when we learn that he’s the reason for Larry’s burns. “Smoldering Children” had chilling reveal after chilling reveal.
2. Orphans
“American Horror Story: Freak Show”
In this reporter’s humble opinion, “Freak Show” was a weak season — but “Orphans,” anchored by Naomi Grossman’s skilled portrayal of Pepper, is a worthy standout of the entire anthology series. In an almost wordless performance, Grossman shows us the heartbreak of yet another abandonment, this time by Elsa, who fancies herself a mother to her circus performers. “Orphans,” however, drives the point home: Elsa is no mother, and because of that, Pepper suffers yet another anguish. It’s “Horror Story” at its best, commenting on the darkest parts of society’s family dynamic.
1. I Am Anne Frank: Part 2
“American Horror Story: Asylum”
“American Horror Story” is known for — and is oft criticized for — its outlandish aspects, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. On the contrary, it’s what many fans love most about the series. But the anthology often shines the brightest when it slows down and focuses on character development, which was done beautifully in both parts one and two of “I Am Anne Frank.” It was the latter that made the big reveal that Dr. Thredson (Zachary Quinto, come back to “AHS”!) was Bloody Face, and while it’s a twist that some saw coming, it was done so deftly that Lana’s terror was painfully palpable. The Nazi storyline shouldn’t be overlooked either — in a world where even aliens exist, Dr. Arden remained one of the most horrifying obstacles.