Summary

• "Return To Murder House" in Apocalypse ties together multiple seasons and reveals Michael's origin, making it a standout episode.
• "Madness Ends" of Asylum neatly ties multiple storylines together for a satisfying conclusion and clever narrative framing.
• "Could It Be... Satan?" in Apocalypse delivers a satisfying crossover episode with strong character development.

American Horror Story is one of the best horror anthology shows on TV, with a brand-new story in each season, but during its run, there have been several episodes that stood out more than others. The series was created by Brad Falchuk and Ryan Murphy, with the ambitious goal of unpacking a new story in each season. Since 2011, the show has released 12 seasons of horror-filled stories, with well over a hundred episodes.

While some seasons have proven far more successful than others, each new season of American Horror Story has its highs and lows. Some seasons have been criticized for departing from the tone of earlier seasons, but in a show where the entire plot shifts with every new release, some seasons are bound to resonate more with some people and fall flat for others. However, the show has featured many episodes that put anthology series on the map and helped to make the show stand out as one of the best horror series currently airing.

15 "Chapter 6"

American Horror Story "Roanoke" Season 6, Episode 6

Roanoke was a controversial season for American Horror Story and one of the first that received a lot of negative criticism as opposed to the sea of positive reviews in earlier seasons. However, halfway through the season, "Chapter 6" is a high point that brings together the two halves of the story in a clever way and increases the tension that was lacking earlier. As the actors who reenacted the dark story of the Millers are brought back to the house to the Millers, everyone comes face to face with the true horrors that were the subject of the documentary.

14 "Final Girl"

American Horror Story "1984" Season 9, Episode 9

The American Horror Story season 9 finale of 1984 stood out from the rest of the season as it moved from homage to classic slashers of the 80s to become more in line with AHS. Bobby Richter comes to Camp Redwood looking for answers, and the ghosts in the camp help him to learn the truth about his mother's fate. The finale is distinct from the rest of the season, but it helps to tie everything together and provide a satisfying conclusion to the season as a whole.

13 "Could It Be... Satan?"

American Horror Story "Apocalypse" Season 8, Episode 4

The crossover episodes of AHS provide some of the best and most satisfying tales from the series as a whole, which can be seen in "Could It Be... Satan?" in Apocalypse. Connecting Michael, the mysterious figure who appears to be central to the destruction of the world, back to Coven as a young and gifted witch, and also with Hotel, as he brings ghosts of the past back to life, the episode is an excellent bridge for the entire show. Cody Fern's depiction of a frustrated young man with power beyond his understanding is also fantastic and enhances the rest of the season.

12 "Madness Ends"

American Horror Story "Asylum" Season 2, Episode 13

American Horror Story season 2, Asylum, was one of the absolute best of the entire series despite many contradictory sources for the horror, but it managed to tie everything together neatly to enhance the overall quality. In the season finale, closure is intricately offered for each of the characters who starred in the season, neatly tying together everything that came before. The narrative framing of an interview with Lana Winters telling the story of Briarcliff is also cleverly used to help finish the story, without feeling rushed, or unnatural in any way.

11 "Gaslight"

American Horror Story "Double Feature" Season 10, Episode 5

Once again, Double Feature was largely criticized for the weaker stories divided over two seasons, but the first half did have a strong conclusion. "Gaslight" sees Doris deliver the baby, take the mysterious drugs that helped enhance her husband and daughter, and deteriorate to become one of the pale monsters roaming around the town. The conclusion is dark and gruesome, with an unhappy ending for Doris, but as AHS proves time and time again, horror isn't about happy endings.

10 "Be Our Guest"

American Horror Story "Hotel" Season 5, Episode 12

Despite any criticisms that Hotel gets, it did contain some great episodes of AHS, as well as helping to transition from recurring cast of earlier seasons to other stars that would continue to appear in later seasons. "Be Our Guest" provided closure to the story of the Hotel Cortez with Iris and Liz taking over. Despite most seasons not having a happy ending, Hotel comes the closest with many of the core characters living their happily ever afterlife together. The ending feels conclusive, and while it's filled with murder and mayhem, it fits the tone of the season.

9 "Devil's Night

American Horror Story "Hotel" Season 5, Episode 4

Earlier in AHS season 5, "Devil's Night" is a very different affair. Ghosts of some of history's most infamous serial killers gather at the hotel for a night of untempered indulgence. The episode also sees John Lowe coming to the realization of some harsh truths about what is going on in the hotel, and the fact that his own actions have been marred by his blackouts, leading to him committing horrors of his own.

8 "Drink The Kool-Aid"

American Horror Story "Cult" Season 7, Episode 9

Cult places Evan Peters at the heart of the season, as the enigmatic and influential young man, Kai Anderson. This episode turned the tides of the season as Ally was able to gain the upper hand, getting rid of her corrupted partner Ivy, and fooling Kai into believing he was the biological father of Oz. The episode also sees Kai convincing his followers to drink the literal Kool-aid, in an effort to prove their loyalty. However, his was not tainted, and his followers proved more faithful than ever.

7 "Mid-Western Assassin"

American Horror Story "Cult" Season 7, Episode 6

Earlier in the season, the mental chess game being played between Kai and the community, particularly Ally, is in full swing. Kai faces off against a tough competitor who s the race to the city council, and Meadow appears to be aiding Ally. However, the episode has sharp twists and turns as deceptions play out, and the episode's shocking beginning and ending make it the best of the season.

6 "Smoldering Children"

American Horror Story "Murder House" Season 1, Episode 10

Season 1 was a strong start for the entire series, with a captivating story built around the Murder House. Towards the season's conclusion, "Smoldering Children" marks the first major reveal of the show, with young Violet attempting to leave the house and escape the haunting from Tate, only to discover that she has been dead for quite some time. She finds her body, decaying in the house, and the reality of her tragic situation comes crashing down on her with full force.