One of the rare TV shows that appeals to both adults and children in equal measure, Adventure Time really grew into something special over the course of its ten seasons. Whereas most series tend to reach their peak early on before petering out, Adventure Time started out strong and only got stronger as it went on – with its lore, characters, mystery, and heart only getting deeper as the series progressed.
Needless to say, the majority of the show’s episodes received acclaim from critics and fans alike, but some really stand out as shining examples of what the show has to offer. Here is the best Adventure Time episode from each season, according to IMDb.
“Evicted!” (Season One) – 8.3
As is the case with many TV shows, it took a little while for Adventure Time to find its feet, but that by no means implies that the show’s first few seasons weren’t great – they were – but it clearly went from strength to strength over the course of its ten season run.
The highest-rated episode of season one was “Evicted!”, in which fan-favorite character Marceline the Vampire Queen was introduced – who subsequently kicks Jake and Finn out of their own tree fort before claiming it as her own.
“Mortal Recoil” (Season Two) – 8.8
With Adventure Time’s second season starting to focus more heavily on the show’s overarching narrative, it started to introduce elements that would become mainstays of the series for years to come.
While The Lich’s first appearance in the show came during season one’s “His Hero”, however, his first direct conflict with Jake, Finn and the gang started in season two. “Mortal Recoil” deals with the fallout of Princess Bubblegum being dropped into The Lich’s Well of Power, which results in Bubblegum being possessed by the malevolent entity.
“Elements Part 8: Skyhooks II” (Season Nine) – 8.9
Arguably the weakest of the three Adventure Time miniseries, the eighth and final chapter of “Elements”, titled “Skyhooks II”, received critical acclaim, nonetheless.
The miniseries sees Jake and Finn home return home to Ooo, only to discover it’s been turned into something else entirely – leaving it up to them to save the day. Offering some interesting revelations about Lumpy Space Princess, the final episode of the miniseries caps off its events in satisfying fashion.
“Thank You” (Season Three) – 8.9
Despite being considered one of the best Adventure Time episodes in the show’s entire run, season three’s “Thank You” relegates its main characters, Jake and Finn, to supporting roles, instead focusing on the unlikely friendship between a Snow Golem and a young, lost fire wolf.
The episode perfectly encapsulates what fans love about the show, showcasing the heart and creativity that the series has become known for while making the world of Ooo feel much larger and more vibrant.
“Stakes Part 2: Everything Stays” (Season Seven) – 9.3
The second part of the “Stakes” miniseries in season seven, “Everything Stays” sees Marceline recount her early life, following a series of events that lead her to believe she’ll die as the sun rises.
Putting the spotlight on one of the show’s most beloved characters, the episode is amongst the most emotional in the entire series, with the song “Everything Stays” – written by Rebecca Sugar – immediately etching itself into the hearts of fans.
“Escape from the Citadel” (Season Six) – 9.3
The highest-rated episode of the show’s sixth season, “Escape from the Citadel” sees Finn and Jake follow The Lich to a crystal Citadel Prison, before the villain’s corruptive influence results in a massive jailbreak.
As well as deepening Jake and Finn’s conflict with The Lich, the episode is also notable for introducing Finn’s long-lost father, Martin, resulting in an episode that’s both exciting to watch and important to the overall lore of the show.
“Islands Part 6: Min and Marty” (Season Eight) – 9.5
Finally answering multiple questions about Finn’s mysterious past after Susan Strong regains her memories, “Min and Marty” is the sixth part of Adventure Time’s “Islands” miniseries.
The miniseries follows Finn, Jake and Susan as they set sail to a series of islands in search of other humans, but “Min and Marty” focuses heavily on the backstory of Finn’s parents, Martin Mertens and Dr. Minerva Campbell, which has a profound effect on Finn in the current day.
“I Remember You” (Season Four) – 9.5
One of the definitive episodes of Adventure Time, “I Remember You” delves into the tragic backstory and eventual transformation of Simon Petrikov into The Ice King, making what was once one of the show’s most one-dimensional characters one of its most interesting.
The episode also chronicles the close relationship between Marceline and Simon before he sadly lost all memory of her. Capping things off with the show’s most beautiful but heart-breaking song, “I Remember You” is Adventure Time at its very best.
“Simon & Marcy” (Season Five) – 9.6
Building on the widely loved “I Remember You”, season five’s “Simon & Marcy” once again focuses on the relationship between The Ice King and Marceline, chronicling their lives almost 1000 years prior to the events of Adventure Time, during the fallout of the cataclysmic Mushroom War.
Both heart-warming and heart-breaking, the episode is surprisingly touching while managing to remain humorous, further adding tragic layers to The Ice King’s character, playing out as a kind of post-apocalyptic road trip story.
“Come Along with Me” (Season Ten) – 9.7
While it’s infamously hard to nail a series finale after years of build-up and fan anticipation, Adventure Time somehow managed to pull off one of the most satisfying, emotional finales to any series in recent memory – with the show’s final episode also having its highest IMDb score.
The episode is abnormally long, clocking in at a lengthy 44 minutes, meaning it was even eligible for a Primetime Emmy nomination. The episode sees Finn, Jake, Princess Bubblegum and several other key characters face off against the all-powerful GOLB, with the fate of Ooo hanging in the balance.