Walking Dead Episodes Ranked Best to Worst
Up to date, every episode of the show ranked.
Season 1: 8.5/10
Season 2A: 8/10
Season 2B: 9.5/10
Season 3A: 9.5/10
Season 3B: 9/10
Season 4A: 8.5/10
Season 4B: 8.5/10
Season 5A: 8/10
Season 5B: 9/10
Season 1: 8.5/10
Season 2A: 8/10
Season 2B: 9.5/10
Season 3A: 9.5/10
Season 3B: 9/10
Season 4A: 8.5/10
Season 4B: 8.5/10
Season 5A: 8/10
Season 5B: 9/10
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- DirectorErnest R. DickersonStarsAndrew LincolnNorman ReedusSteven YeunRick and the group face imminent danger as The Governor tries to take the prison.S4 EP8
Walking Dead's most shocking, emotional, and jaw-dropping hour. Everything is done right; the intro, the governor's ultimatum, the little girl's death, and then the bloodshed that follows from a battle of about 25 versus 25. The best episode of the first half of season four.
10/10 - DirectorGreg NicoteroStarsAndrew LincolnNorman ReedusSteven YeunCarol takes drastic action to rescue Rick and the group from the cannibals of Terminus as she and Tyreese reach the compound. A familiar face makes a return.S5 EP1
The premiere to the fifth season is not just the show's best opening hour, but it's most action-packed and violent; Emotionally stressing and unbelievably satisfying. Nearly perfect.
10/10 - DirectorBilly GierhartStarsAndrew LincolnSarah Wayne CalliesLaurie HoldenRick, Daryl, Michonne and Oscar enter Woodbury in search of Glenn and Maggie. Meanwhile, a new group of survivors encounter the prison.S3 EP8
Memorizing, exciting, emotionally gripping. Perfectly paced, the episode has death, shocking reunions, incredible shootouts, and an unforgettable fight between Michonne and the governor.
10/10 - DirectorGreg NicoteroStarsAndrew LincolnSarah Wayne CalliesLaurie HoldenWhile Rick decides the fate of Michonne, Merle takes matters into his own hand.S3 EP15
Never before has a show turned such a rotten character, in one episode only, to have us completely sympathize for him and find redemption. The best episode in the second half of season 3, and surprisingly one of the most emotional the show has ever had.
10/10 - DirectorGreg NicoteroStarsAndrew LincolnNorman ReedusSteven YeunDaryl and Aaron cross paths with Morgan. Back at the safe-zone, the people of Alexandria decide what to do with Rick, as a new danger emerges.S5 EP16
Season 5 of the Walking Dead began and ended on incredible high notes. Sure the season had some ups and downs, but all the story arcs are completed, and others are set up for season 6. The most impressive part of this finale, however, is that every single character gets enough screen time considering the large amount of stories taking place simultaneously. A very well organized and written script.
9.5/10 - DirectorMichelle MacLarenStarsAndrew LincolnNorman ReedusSteven YeunRick, Carl and Michonne cross paths with the Claimers once again on the way to Terminus, as the so-called sanctuary begins to reveal its true face.S4 EP16
From start to finish, the show wraps up its fourth season in a stunning fashion. Everything from the gang fight, to the apparent safe haven, to the cliffhanger ending are done to near perfection. The flashbacks are the icing on the cake, and seeing Hershel one last time was great too.
9.5/10 - DirectorErnest R. DickersonStarsAndrew LincolnSarah Wayne CalliesLaurie HoldenAfter months on the run, the group take refuge in a federal prison, while elsewhere, Andrea's health starts to deteriorate.S3 EP1
The show's strongest season premiere until season 5. Exciting and jaw-dropping, ending with Hershel getting bit and Rick cutting off his leg. From start to finish, it is an incredible episode.
9.5/10 - DirectorGuy FerlandStarsAndrew LincolnSarah Wayne CalliesLaurie HoldenLori goes into labour when the prison comes under attack. Michonne tries to convince Andrea to leave Woodbury.S3 EP4
This chaotic episode features both the death of T-Dog and Lorie. The hardest and most emotional parts, however, are the scenes in which Lorie gives birth. Emotionally and mentally exhausting, but memorizing and fantastic.
9.5/10 - DirectorGuy FerlandStarsAndrew LincolnJon BernthalSarah Wayne CalliesShane's antagonistic behaviour reaches new heights, while Carl suffers the consequences of his actions.S2 EP12
Shane loses it. Shane kills Randall, then plans to kill Rick. What follows is one of the best TV one-on-one confrontations of all time. The best episode of season 2.
9.5/10 - DirectorErnest R. DickersonStarsAndrew LincolnJon BernthalSarah Wayne CalliesAs the farm is overrun by walkers, the group fights to escape.S2 EP13
As of right now, one of the show's most complete and fulfilling finales. The first twenty minutes or so are easily the best and most intense scenes, the rest is still really great too. Besides, Andrea's seemingly hopeless run through the woods is amazing, and also Rick revealing what Jenner said was cool too.
9/10 - DirectorTricia BrockStarsAndrew LincolnSarah Wayne CalliesLaurie HoldenRick runs into a familiar face when he, Carl and Michonne head back to Rick's hometown for more guns to fortify themselves against The Governor.S3 EP12
Emotion, heartbreaking, and a great episode all around. Morgan has some incredible lines of dialogue, and the symbolism in this hour cannot be overstated. Anything from Morgan's insanity, Duane's explained death, Rick's recovery, and Michonne's acceptance into the group make this a fantastic watch.
9/10 - 2010–202242mTV-MA7.9 (15K)TV EpisodeDirectorGreg NicoteroStarsAndrew LincolnNorman ReedusSteven YeunRick, Glenn, Michonne and Tyreese take Noah to his home in Shirewilt Estates with hopes of finding sanctuary, but what they encounter is something else entirely.S5 EP9
What makes this episode so great is the writers' choice to center the entire episode on one character and have the audience sympathize for him - something the show was lacking with the previous "hospital and cops" story arc.
9/10 - DirectorJeffrey F. JanuaryStarsAndrew LincolnNorman ReedusSteven YeunWith Bob's life hanging in the balance, the group prepares to fight back against Gareth and his group of cannibals.S5 EP3
An episode that has surprise after surprise after surprise. Rewarding, exciting, climatic, emotional.
9/10 - DirectorMichelle MacLarenStarsAndrew LincolnJon BernthalSarah Wayne CalliesIn Atlanta, Rick is rescued by a group of survivors, but they soon find themselves trapped inside a department store surrounded by walkers.S1 EP2
The best episode of season 1. Glenn, Andrea, T-Dog, and Merle make their first appearances. Funny, exciting, clever, a captivating story, and a lot of character development mark this as a standout episode in this series.
9/10 - DirectorDavid BoydStarsAndrew LincolnNorman ReedusSteven YeunHershel struggles to care for the sick as the situation in the cell block escalates. Meanwhile, Rick and Carl defend the prison as the fences give way.S4 EP5
The virus storyline ends in this climatic episode. Hershel's finest hour contains close calls, many deaths, and a shocking last few seconds that no one can forget; the governor has returned.
9/10 - DirectorMichael E. SatrazemisStarsAndrew LincolnNorman ReedusSteven YeunCarol has to cope with old secrets and Lizzie's psychotic behavior when she, Tyreese and the girls take refuge in a vacant house on the way to Terminus.S4 EP14
An unforgettable and unforgiving episode. Focusing on Carol, Tyreese, and the two young girls, excepted twists and turns along with not one, but two, unforgettable deaths make this one of the shows most unexpectedly emotional hours.
9/10 - DirectorErnest R. DickersonGwyneth Horder-PaytonStarsAndrew LincolnJon BernthalSarah Wayne CalliesThe group's plan to head for Fort Benning is put on hold when Sophia goes missing.S2 EP1
The first twenty minutes of this season 2 premiere are some of the most intense moments in the show. Also, Carl getting shot at the end was something no one saw coming. It's the best episode this half of the season, too.
9/10 - DirectorFrank DarabontStarsAndrew LincolnJon BernthalSarah Wayne CalliesDeputy Sheriff Rick Grimes awakens from a coma, and searches for his family in a world ravaged by the undead.S1 EP1
The pilot episode that started it all. Impressive, haunting, and overall just an amazing episode. It has a depressing and haunting feel to it that no episode later recreated. However, the zombies seem a bit different (slower and smarter) in this episode than they do in any of the others following.
9/10 - DirectorBilly GierhartStarsAndrew LincolnSarah Wayne CalliesLaurie HoldenAs Hershel's condition worsens, Rick, Daryl and T-Dog deal with a group of prisoners.S3 EP2
This episode proved to us that Hershel wasn't a goner, and had a very interesting storyline with the five prisoners. While there isn't much character development, watching Rick handle the situation and them dying one-by-one is engrossing to say the least.
9/10 - DirectorSeith MannStarsAndrew LincolnSarah Wayne CalliesLaurie HoldenRick continues to see visions of Lori. The Governor plans an assault on the prison. Daryl and Merle fend for themselves out in the forest.S3 EP10
Feeling like another really good episode turning into an unforgettable shootout and pulse-pounding finale. Easily one of the best shootouts the show has ever had.
9/10 - DirectorDaniel AttiasStarsAndrew LincolnSarah Wayne CalliesLaurie HoldenRick receives a mysterious phone call. Andrea grows closer to The Governor. Merle tries to hunt down Michonne.S3 EP6
One of the show's most underrated episodes. Michonne kills two people. Merle kills a young kid. Andrea and the governor become a thing. Merle kidnaps Glenn and Maggie. However, the best parts are of Rick on the phone, listening to his dead friends and saying the proper goodbye to Lorie he never really had.
8.5/10 - DirectorSeith MannStarsAndrew LincolnNorman ReedusSteven YeunWhile Carl and Michonne look for supplies, Rick is faced with a gang of marauders. Meanwhile, Glenn and Tara are brought together with three strangers on an important mission.S4 EP11
Intense scenes with Rick escaping the house along with great characterization of Michonne and getting more details on the Sgt. Abraham and co.'s mission make sure this episode doesn't drag for a second.
8.5/10 - DirectorErnest R. DickersonStarsAndrew LincolnJon BernthalSarah Wayne CalliesRick and Shane argue over what to do with Randall. Back at the farm, Lori, Andrea and Maggie deal with a suicidal Beth.S2 EP10
Even though the side-story with Beth wanting to commit suicide feels like filler, the rest of the show isn't. Every scene with Rick and Shane is amazing, and the fact that Rick went back for Shane, who was trapped in that bus, was just plain cool.
8.5/10 - DirectorLarysa KondrackiStarsAndrew LincolnNorman ReedusSteven YeunRecovering from a devastating storm, Rick and the group find themselves mistrustful of a new survivor who promises them safety in a walled-off community.S5 EP11
An exciting and fast-moving episode that showcases Rick and introduces a new character; Aaron.
8.5/10 - DirectorMichelle MacLarenStarsAndrew LincolnJon BernthalSarah Wayne CalliesGlenn tells the rest of the group about the walkers in the barn, dividing them on what to do. Meanwhile, Hershel sets a deadline for the group to leave, unless Rick does a difficult task.S2 EP7
The mid-season finale to season 2 is, other than the premiere, the best episode of this half of the season. Some plot lines end, while some only have just begun. The last five minutes of this episode are incredible, to say the least.
8.5/10