15 Best ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ Episodes — Ranked!

In recent years, What We Do in the Shadows has earned the reputation of being an incredibly funny and absurd sitcom with its twist on a spooky premise.

Based on the movie directed by Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement, this show follows a group of vampires living undercover in Staten Island and their human familiar, Guillermo De La Cruz (Harvey Guillén), who works to keep the vampires’ identities a secret as he tries to become a vampire himself.

While it’s sad that What We Do in the Shadows will end with the upcoming sixth season, the show has had an incredible run with many amazing episodes worthy of rewatches before the new season drops.

Here are our rankings for the 15 best episodes of the series:

15. Brain Scramblies (Season 2 Episode 3)

Given that this episode created the term “Superb Owl” in reference to the Superbowl, What We Do in the Shadows Season 2 Episode 3, “Brain Scramblies,” has to be considered a top-tier installment.

This episode includes Charmaine (Marissa Jaret Winokur) and Sean (Anthony Atamanuik), the vampires’ human neighbors who become two of the most iconic recurring characters.

In addition to the main plot of Laszlo (Matt Berry) and Nandor (Kayvan Novak) hypnotizing Sean to the point of him getting “brain scramblies,” the subplot of Guillermo accidentally joining a collective of vampire hunters and realizing with horror how well he fits in is hilarious.

It also cleverly sets up his lineage as an obstacle to becoming a vampire for future episodes.

14. Gail (Season 3 Episode 3) 

The main reason this episode is included on this list is because of the recreation of the most iconic Twilight baseball scene between the vampires and the werewolves, with a snowy twist.

On top of that, this installment showcases Nandor’s soft and sentimental side, a sweet contrast to the threatening face he puts on to prove he is “Nandor the Relentless.”

While Nandor struggles with impressing Gail, his on-and-off lover, we see Colin and Laszlo bond and work together to try to get the latter’s car out of a building.

It is one of the first instances of the two developing a close bond throughout the later seasons.

13. Pride Parade (Season 5 Episode 3)

This comedy has the reputation of being a show that highlights LGBTQ+ characters, as evidenced by the fact that Guillermo himself comes out as gay in Season 4. Not to mention, all the vampires are queer.

What We Do in the Shadows Season 5 Episode 3, “Pride Parade,” explicitly acknowledges that fact and satirizes the culture of rainbow capitalism during Pride Month.

This episode is every bit as wacky and unexpected as one would expect an episode of What We Do in the Shadows covering the topic of queer identity to be.

The stark contrast between Guillermo’s exploration of his possible vampiric abilities and Nadja’s ghost’s strange relationship with Colin Robinson makes this episode hilarious and rewatchable.

12. Citizenship (Season 1 Episode 8)

Even though this show doesn’t always cover political topics, What We Do in the Shadows Season 1 Episode 8, “Citizenship” is a stark and welcoming exception.

Nandor’s struggles with navigating the tedious process of applying for citizenship in the United States is a witty and refreshing approach to discussing the state of immigration in America.

Furthermore, actress Beanie Feldstein guest stars on this episode as Jenna, a vampire Nadja takes under her metaphorical wing and teaches how to be a proper vampire.

11. Private School (Season 4 Episode 5)

“Private School” is a classic sitcom bottle episode that provokes laughs effortlessly.

This episode explores the character dynamics through brief scenes of the vampires (and sometimes Guillermo) attempting to convince a school headmaster to admit Colin into his private school. The hypnosis attempts are every bit as humorous as the premise promises.

Another amusing part of this episode is that actor Sal Vulcano of Impractical Jokers randomly shows up out of the blue, proving that What We Do in the Shadows has plenty of surprises to keep viewers on their toes.

10. The Portrait (Season 3 Episode 10)

If there’s one thing that this zany series can do, it’s write a shocking and incredible finale.

This Season 3 finale will make every viewer’s jaw drop with the reveal of Colin Robinson’s death and how Laszlo knew about it since the beginning of the season.

To make the situation more somber, Nandor leaves Staten Island, determined to do some soul-searching that he’s never had the opportunity to do before. This signaled a desire to change the dynamics of this aging comedy in significant ways.

This unexpectedly emotional episode proves that this show promises good laughs and heartfelt stories that stick with viewers.

9. The Curse (Season 2 Episode 4) 

What We Do in the Shadows Season 2 Episode 4, “The Curse,” follows two unforgettable plotlines.

One where the vampires’ inexperience with emails leads them to believe that an old chain email has cursed them. And one where Guillermo embarks on a dangerous mission to kill a house of bloodthirsty vampires alongside a group of hunters.

The episode’s ability to move between these two storylines while building suspense regardless of the difference in stakes (haha, get it?) between the two situations demonstrates that this spooky sitcom has some of the most skilled TV writers on its team.

8. The Casino (Season 3 Episode 4) 

What We Do in the Shadows Season 3 Episode 4, “The Casino,” is one of the silliest episodes of the series.

It follows the vampires as they navigate Atlantic City and their powers begin to drain away. While Guillermo scrambles to find the soil to save the vampires, these silly supernatural beings bumble around the casino, barely getting by without their usual vampiric powers.

This episode truly is a model What We Do in the Shadows episode, with the exploration of vampiric abilities and comical bits where the vampires learn about humanity’s strange obsession with The Big Bang Theory — both the show and the scientific theory. 

7. Ancestry (Season 1 Episode 10)

What We Do in the Shadows Season 1 Episode 10, “Ancestry,” is a quintessential season finale.

The episode features a shocking plot twist and a hilarious, volatile plotline that follows the vampires as they struggle to navigate “normally” in the human world by forcing themselves to attend a funeral on holy grounds, which they, as vampires, are not allowed on.

The surprise reveal that Guillermo is a descendant of a long line of vampire killers perfectly sets up the remaining season of the show.

And honestly, there’s no way anybody could have seen that plot twist coming, even though there were hints cleverly dropped throughout the first season.

6. Local News (Season 5 Episode 5) 

What We Do in the Shadows Season 5 Episode 5, “Local News,” is a very Guillermo-centric episode.

It explores how he manages to keep his work life a secret from his family and the struggles of choosing between his chosen family, the vampires, and his biological family.

This episode contains all of the usual shenanigans of the Staten Island vampires, inadvertently causing a ruckus so disruptive that the local news covers it.

Yet, the moments that shine during the episode the most are Guillermo’s scenes of internal conflict. He emotionally wrestles with what it means for him to keep his devotion to his vampiric friends a secret from his family, who’s confused about why he’s so distant and secretive.

5. Go Flip Yourself (Season 4 Episode 8) 

What We Do in the Shadows Season 4 Episode 8, “Go Flip Yourself,” is what The Curse could have been if it had followed a more sitcom-like format.

This episode creatively features the beloved Staten Island vampires in the in-universe design show called Go Flip Yourself. The HGTV format of the installment is super engaging and provides a perfect solution for the ensemble, who had been struggling with their run-down house for many years.

The reveal that the whole show had been a ruse for Simon the Devious (Nick Kroll) to steal Laszlo’s cursed witch hat is an unbelievable twist.

It is also a great callback to Kroll’s previous guest appearance in the show’s first two seasons. 

4. Pine Barrens (Season 4 Episode 7)

What We Do in the Shadows Season 4 Episode 7, “Pine Barrens,” is a shockingly emotional episode.

While many viewers assume that Guillermo identified queer before this episode, he properly comes out as gay to his family. Both because he wants to be honest with them about a part of his identity and to protect his friends.

After this episode, plenty of queer viewers came forward to express how grateful they were to have What We Do in the Shadows address the coming-out experience.

At the same time, Laszlo and Nandor furiously battle with the Jersey Devil in the B plotline.

3. On the Run (Season 2 Episode 6)

What We Do in the Shadows Season 2 Episode 6, “On the Run,” features one of the most iconic guest appearances of the show: Mark Hamill as Jim the Vampire.

This episode also introduces an iconic alter ego: Jackie Daytona, Laszlo’s human persona

The most endearing part of the plot is Jackie’s care for the local women’s volleyball team he supports when he runs away to Tuscon, Arizona.

His care for humans and the community he stumbles upon during this episode reveals a softer side that is rarely shown. So, it is a real treat that this outing is solely dedicated to that mission with Laszlo’s human alter ego.

2. Nouveau Théâtre des Vampires (Season 2 Episode 10) 

This Season 2 finale is an epic accumulation of Guillermo’s internal battle between embracing his heritage as a vampire killer and pursuing his dream of being a vampire.

Without the familiar’s protection, the vampires are captured by the Vampiric Council and set to be publicly slaughtered for killing Baron Afaras and a vampiric family — even though Guillermo is genuinely at fault for both events.

Ultimately, Guillermo swoops in to save the day, effortlessly killing hundreds of vampires to save his friends as he reveals his vampire-killing tendencies to them.

Now, the tables have turned, and the vampires spend the rest of the show struggling with this revelation alongside Guillermo.

1. Wellness Center (Season 3 Episode 8)

What We Do in the Shadows Season 3 Episode 8, “Wellness Center,” might seem like a surprising episode to put at the top of this list, but the episode’s meaningful message makes it one of the best outings.

Nandor’s struggles with his mental health are relatable and relevant to society today, as many non-vampires also struggle with their mental health and seek out support.

The cult he accidentally joins is a visually appealing community center with an alluring 80s aesthetic. While Nandor’s obliviousness to the signs of the cult is hilarious, Guillermo saving him and bringing him back to Staten Island so he’s no longer taken advantage of is the heart of this journey.

The episode demonstrates the importance of having people in one’s life to care for them and look out for what’s best when going through a tough time.

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That concludes our list of the 15 best What We Do in The Shadows episodes.

What do you think of our selections? Are there any episodes that you believe should be included? Let us know in the comments below!

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