Supernatural: The Single Best Episode from Every Season

When a show that has been on the air for 15 seasons has reached its end we always want to look back at everything they achieved. This is why we wanted to create a list of Supernatural‘s best episodes.

Now looking back over so much content — 327 episodes to be exact — is no small feat. So we decided to make things even more interesting by choosing the best episode from each season. 

Sounds like a daunting task, right? You are very much correct. However, limiting ourselves to one episode per season made things even more fun as we looked back on all the creepy, strange, and exciting this show gave us for 15 years.

There are spoilers ahead, but if you haven’t seen the show, then what are you even doing here? 

Here are our picks for the single best episode from every season:

1. Home (Season 1 Episode 9)

The great thing about Supernatural Season 1 Episode 9, “Home,” is the number of family memories that get brought up over the course of the episode. It’s the first time we see the boys return to their hometown in the present day, and they are working a case at their old family home no less.

Then you have to consider the element of Missouri Moseley.

This psychic is played by Loretta Devine and adds an element of light to the dark episode. Missouri is a woman who knows the family history in that house and knows John personally.

We get to see Mary interact with her grown sons for the first time ever in the series just before she sacrifices her spirit to save them. Also, we can’t discredit the significance of John showing up at Missouri’s in the final moments giving us our first glimpse of him as well. 

2. Born Under a Bad Sign (Season 2 Episode 14)

Early on in the series, Sam and Dean don’t know enough to keep themselves protected from possession by demons. One of the greatest examples of this is during Supernatural Season 2 Episode 14, “Born Under a Bad Sign,” when Sam is possessed by demons and kidnaps Jo and then tries to kill Bobby.

It could be argued that, of the first three seasons, this episode stands above the rest due to the level of information we gain as viewers but also because of its pure entertainment value. We all know at this point, Sam is special and likely to become something less than human under the influence of Azazel.

So when he becomes a meat suit for a demon and tortures Jo Harvelle, it’s a little snapshot of what could possibly be in his future if the boys aren’t successful in their quest. We also learn, alongside Jo what exactly happened to her dad when he was on a hunt with John.

Finally, who can forget the iconic line, “My daddy shot your daddy in the head.”

3. Ghostfacers (Season 3 Episode 13)

One of the more comical adversaries of Sam and Dean comes in the form of Ed and Harry — wannabe ghost hunters. These guys are very much the mosquito buzzing in Sam and Dean’s ears during the early years.

During Supernatural Season 3 Episode 13, “Ghostfacers,” the Winchesters run into Ed, Harry, et al while hunting the same ghost.

While the two groups work together to solve the case, it is done so begrudgingly. Sam and Dean are the real deal and that gets on the Ghostfacers’ nerves.

What’s great about this episode is we get to revisit Ed and Harry, but this time they are actually doing a hunt rather than just running a silly website. Also, even though they don’t like it, we love getting to see them all come together and vanquish a ghost.

4. The Monster at the End of This Book (Season 4 Episode 18)

Considering Chuck goes from hapless prophet to actually revealing himself as God during the series, the episode where we meet him has to go down as one of the best. On Supernatural Season 4 Episode 18, “The Monster at the End of This Book,” Chuck Shurley is writing a series about Sam and Dean’s life titled Supernatural — can anyone say meta?

That’s what is so great about a handful of Chuck’s greatest hits. They occur on episodes that really bring on the meta. But it’s not the meta we stick around for.

No, the reason we love this episode is that it’s the first real example of Sam and Dean’s existence and lives being at the mercy of God. His prophet is writing their lives, word for word.

This is also the first time in Season 4 we see Lilith in the flesh. Her first attempt at wooing Sam may not have been successful, but it doesn’t bode well for the evolution of Sam and his demon blood addiction. 

5. Hammer of the Gods (Season 5 Episode 19)

Supernatural has never been afraid to explore mythology for the sake of telling a more complete story. This is why of all the phenomenal Season 5 content we decided to go with Supernatural Season 5 Episode 19, “Hammer of the Gods.”

Not only do we get content from the Gods of every worldly religion, but we also get a showdown between these Gods and Lucifer. Oh, and we can’t count out Gabriel posing as Loki.

Even though seeing all these Gods in one location is definitely a sight to behold, the moment we most remember from this episode is Gabriel and his brother, Lucifer finally fighting it out. The writing and execution of the scene is top tier and can’t ever be matched.

The saddest part is seeing Gabriel lying motionless on the floor at the end with his wings burned out from his body. Gabriel is a fan favorite, and this ending for him is the best, but it also breaks our collective hearts. 

6. The Man Who Would Be King (Season 6 Episode 20)

Main character origin stories are always fun episodes — here’s looking at Jimmy and Nick before they were vessels. However, the backstory on Castiel is a fantastic episode, even if Cas isn’t a character favorite of yours.

Supernatural Season 6 Episode 20, “The Man Who Would Be King,” is mostly done from the perspective of Cas as he retells all the things he has done. He is asking his father for guidance and reassurance that he’s doing the right thing.

What we love about this episode is it gives us insight into how Cas thinks and processes everything he does. He truly thinks that by teaming up with Crowley he is helping and protecting the Winchesters.

Ultimately, we realize Cas is just another example of a son seeking reassurance and acceptance from an absent father — much like Dean Winchester.

7. Season Seven, Time for a Wedding! (Season 7 Episode 8)

We’ve mentioned time and time again how light-hearted episodes sometimes stand out more clearly than the serious, plot-driven ones. On Supernatural Season 7 Episode 8, “Season Seven, Time for a Wedding!,” fans are treated to a reappearance of the super-fan Becky.

Only this time, she has somehow convinced Sam to be her willing husband on the day of their wedding? It turns out she is drugging him in order for the happy occasion to work out. Never fear, Dean is on the case!

Becky, as sweet as she is, is borderline creepy during this episode. Watching Sam be a hapless romantic to her every whim is something we never thought we’d love to see.

There are just so many hilarious elements to this episode that as a whole this episode pushes ahead of the pack. We get a fun, albeit a crazy, adventure with our pal Becky while Dean makes a new alliance with a fellow hunter, Garth. 

8. LARP and the Real Girl (Season 8 Episode 11)

It isn’t often that fans get to see a softer side of Dean Winchester. That is the beauty that is Supernatural Season 8 Episode 11, “LARP and the Real Girl.”

After many months of not seeing Charlie, the fan-favorite is back for a case like no other. Sam and Dean discover her as Queen of Moondoor, a LARPing game she dominates.

This episode has everything we know and love about Supernatural. It has fun memorable lines, quirky side characters, and a uniquely fun case to solve.

For the first time ever, Dean draws back the curtain on his tough-guy exterior and shows the slight geek boy within. While we would have initially assumed that Sam would excel in this realm, Dean actually does.

9. King of the Damned (Season 9 Episode 21)

Crowley is the King of Hell, so there is no way he has a heart, right? Well not exactly.

As Supernatural Season 9 Episode 21, “King of the Damned,” sets out to tell us that Crowley — formerly Fergus MacLeod — once had a family of his own.

The ever cunning Abaddon is hard at work during this episode to really bring the Winchesters down.

She devises a perfect plot to use Crowley’s son (who has been teleported to 2014 from 1723) as her bargaining chip. Not only does it appeal to Crowley’s heavily guarded human instincts, but it also gives insight into who Crowley was before he was Demon Numero Uno.

It’s truly unfortunate that Gavin is used as a pawn, but ultimately this episode sends the boys on their trajectory of defeating Abaddon once and for all. Between learning about Crowley and seeing where things are headed with Abaddon, this episode is one worth revisiting again and again.

10. Brother’s Keeper (Season 10 Episode 23)

One of the most intriguing storylines of Season 10 revolves around the Mark of Cain. When Cain moved his mark to Dean back on Season 9, we were intrigued to find out just how far its influence would take Dean.

The reason Supernatural Season 10 Episode 23, “Brother’s Keeper,” stands out among the rest is two-fold — the most important being Sam finally cures Dean of the mark. The other element that really makes this episode is when Dean turns on Death and kills him with his own hook.

Death is probably one of their strongest adversaries, so to defeat him is worth admiring for all time. It’s a very poetic moment in which Sam and Dean finally feel like they’ve won. 

11. Into The Mystic (Season 11 Episode 11)

One of the best female hunters, if not THE best, is introduced to us on Supernatural Season 11 Episode 11, “Into the Mystic.” We’re talking about the one and only Eileen Leahy.

This hunter is not only extremely important to the plot for the final third of the series, but also to the evolution of Sam’s character. Eileen proves from the get-go that just because she’s deaf doesn’t mean she can’t handle and hold her own against the monsters of the world.

Another wonderful highlight of this episode is getting to experience Castiel/Lucifer or Casifer in all his glory. This role really shows off Misha Collins’ acting chops as he takes on yet another personality that bears the same image as Jimmy and Castiel.

12. Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell (Season 12 Episode 15)

Fans of Crowley love this episode because it really showcases how delightfully cunning the King of Hell really is. Supernatural Season 12 Episode 15, “Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell,” shows how Lucifer can think he’s got one up on Crowley only to be knocked down a few pegs.

This episode occurs post-Casifer and post-Crowley capturing Lucifer, but the hurt on both sides of the aisle is still strong and fresh. After all, Crowley and Lucifer are famous for holding long grudges.

So, when Crowley reluctantly goes to help the boys with a rogue hellhound, Lucifer tried to escape. Unfortunately for him, Crowley is ten steps ahead of that and had already made assurances that Lucifer’s vessel was stuck in hell.

It’s always great to see these two go head to head because they are both equally cunning and manipulative. It also shows that despite his airs and his frustration with the Winchesters, Crowley still can’t resist helping them. 

13. ScoobyNatural (Season 13 Episode 16)

Supernatural Season 13 Episode 16, “ScoobyNatural,” easily goes down as one of the best TV crossover events of all time. It’s not easy to meld two shows that are of different mediums into one cohesive episode.

The series creates an episode that feels like Sam and Dean have always been a part of the Scooby-Doo universe. I swear I grew up seeing Dean hang out with Shaggy and Scooby eating sandwiches.

Somehow the characteristics of these two shows remain true and intact while being combined with each other. Sam and Dean are still Sam and Dean, and the same goes for the Mystery Inc. crew.

It’s a fun episode we love to revisit again and again. 

14. Lebanon (Season 14 Episode 13)

After 14 seasons, we finally got something we have always wished for — a family dinner with Sam, Dean, Mary, and John. To be honest the nostalgia factor is what makes Supernatural Season 14 Episode 13, “Lebanon,” so great.

In fact, it’s the perfect option for the show’s 300th episode. It’s fan service, but doesn’t feel like fan service — unlike their 200th episode, Supernatural Season 10 Episode 5, “Fan Fiction.”

The family being together one last time isn’t exactly what the Winchesters hoped their deepest desire would be, but once they had it, they struggled to let it go. The love between Mary and John has been a backbone this whole time, and we finally get to see it.

The most emotional moment comes when John has a real and honest conversation with Sam, in which Sam finally tells John he loves him. This gives the story of John and Sam some much-needed closure before John leaves again.

15. The Rupture (Season 15 Episode 3)

One of the greatest character arcs on Supernatural is that of Rowena. This all-powerful witch went from being an enemy of the Winchesters to ultimately sacrificing her life in order to save them.

That’s the beauty of Supernatural Season 15 Episode 3, “The Rupture.” Rowena works tirelessly with the group to try and seek up the hole God made which was releasing demons.

During this ongoing mission, we are treated to a story at the edge of the rupture with Rowena, Sam, and Dean, as well as a story elsewhere with Ketch, and still yet another with Cas and Belphegor. All of these stories seamlessly work together to create the whole story — containing the ghosts and demons.

So many important things happen in this episode that viewers should remember it always. After all, the team loses two important members to the greater good — Rowena and Ketch.

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What episode would you pick from each season? Sound off in the comments below!

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