Summary

• American Horror Story revolutionized horror TV shows, proving that high-quality scares worked just as well on the small screen.
• The best AHS seasons are known for their unique storylines and themes, with each season focusing on a different horror subgenre.
• Some seasons, like Roanoke and Cult, have been less well-received by critics and fans, while others, like Asylum and Murder House, are considered standout seasons in the franchise.

American Horror Story blossomed from an obscure FX series to a full-blown franchise, and the best AHS seasons ranked show why the anthology horror is still going strong after over a decade. Created by Ryan Murphy, American Horror Story premiered in 2011 and has released a new season nearly every year since, with part 2 of season 12 due in 2024. As an anthology series, AHS revolutionized horror TV shows, proving that that disturbing high-quality scares of theatrical releases worked just as well on the small screen. Since its premiere, the show has won over 100 awards, with several actors receiving recognition for their performances.

American Horror Story is known for recycling its stellar ensemble cast into a new storyline with each season, with each of the AHS seasons focusing on a different theme or horror subgenre. The first AHS season was a haunted house storyline, after which the show moved on to everything from mental asylums and carnivals to hotels and witch covens. The best American Horror Story seasons also connected in many ways, even outside the ensemble cast playing different roles over the way. Some seasons of American Horror Story are better than others, however, and when looking at the AHS seasons ranked, there are some clear high points in the show's history.

11 AHS: Roanoke (2016)

American Horror Story Season 6

The format of American Horror Story: Roanoke is interesting and possibly the weirdest of all the American Horror Story seasons. Although the American Horror Story seasons are all connected, no one expects scenes from other seasons to be replayed. The found-footage part of AHS season 6 was an interesting new direction for the show, though it never seemed to land quite as well as the best found-footage horror movies.

American Horror Story cast veteran Sarah Paulson said she wasn't a fan of the season, saying she was "underwhelmed by the whole experience" (via The Independent). Roanoke was the season that caused her to leave the franchise for a short time, and many critics shared her disappointment with this season of AHS.

"I was so underwhelmed by the whole experience because I felt like I had entered into a new place inside of myself in terms of what I thought possible, in terms of what I might be willing to see if I can do... I felt like I wish I could have gone to Ryan and said please let me sit this one out. You know, let me out."

10 AHS: Double Feature (2021)

American Horror Story Season 10

American Horror Story: Double Feature tried to tell two stories in one season, although they both connected. The season was aided enormously by newcomer Macaulay Culkin alongside a fine selection of cast alumni. The two stories, Red Tide and Death Valley had different locations, with one taking place at sea and the other on land. AHS season 10 felt like a Stephen King tale brought to American Horror Story and spun narratives about people setting out to find hope, only to find horror, leading to AHS: Double Feature's shocking ending. The season received positive reviews, but fewer awards than previous seasons.

American Horror Story: Double Feature picked up two Emmy nominations - one for Makeup and the other for Sound Editing.

9 AHS: Cult (2017)

American Horror Story Season 7

American Horror Story: Cult was somewhat disregarded by critics for incorporating politics and steering away from non-human horrors. Sarah Paulson's American Horror Story character in season 7 is difficult to relate to initially, but her triumph is surprisingly enthralling. The latter portion of the season is much more enjoyable for this reason, not to mention that Evan Peters as Andy Warhol, alongside a slew of real-life cult leaders, is mesmerizing.

The season only picked up seven Emmy nominations and received lukewarm reviews from critics. AHS: Cult hasn't aged well either, as its social commentary was so tied to the 2016 Presidential election that it already feels less poignant. While it was a highlight of the show when it first aired thanks to the timely satirical elements, Cult has gradually declined among the AHS seasons ranked.

8 AHS: Hotel (2015)

American Horror Story Season 5

Hotel was one of the lesser American Horror Story seasons according to critics, although it did present the arrival of Lady Gaga to the series with a fantastic performance. It was her role as The Countess that helped Gaga win a Golden Globe Award. Evan Peters is great as James March, based on a real-life killer, while Kathy Bates and Dennis O'Hare quite rightly become the focus of AHS: Hotel by the halfway mark. There are some things Hotel does better than even the best American Horror Story seasons — especially visually — but it's far too inconsistent to be close to the best American Horror Story seasons.

7 AHS: NYC (2022)

American Horror Story Season 11

American Horror Story: NYC seemed like a return to form for the series. Billie Lourd continued to fit well in her role as the new lead actor for the franchise, and the season brought back some older actors who had been missing for a long time, including Zachary Quinto and Patti LuPone. The incorporation of real-life events is also much smoother and more seamless than in other American Horror Story seasons.

The scope of the season is quite broad but allows for newer story avenues, avoiding the potential of repeated horrors. It also provides a much-needed LGBTQ+ presence in the horror genre, allowing the season to pick up a GLAAD Media Award nomination. While not one of the best American Horror Story seasons, NYC is arguably only held back by the quality of the higher-ranked seasons.

6 AHS: Apocalypse (2018)

American Horror Story Season 8

After several varied American Horror Story seasons, Apocalypse brought together many loosely connected storylines for what felt like an epic AHS crossover season. This was a crossover with the first season, Murder House, as well as Coven and Hotel. The season saw the Antichrist born, with the witches from AHS: Coven showing up to battle him and stop the end of the world.

This crossover brought back Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters, both playing multiple roles, and other characters returning for the massive battle. AHS season 8 received positive reviews and picked up five Emmy Awards, although it was listed as a drama for the first time instead of its regular miniseries listing.

5 AHS: Freak Show (2014)

American Horror Story Season 4

American Horror Story: Freak Show has possibly the strongest ending of any AHS season, and it might be the best representation of what American Horror Story seasons represent. There are carnival freaks, ghosts, tragedies, and even some musical numbers to shake things up. The tragic death of Meep in AHS: Freak Show underlines the horrors on display here. The season is almost a long-form remake of the classic horror film, The Freaks, which itself is featured in the season. AHS season 4 is much more tragic than horrifying and brought in an astonishing 20 Emmy nominations.

4 AHS: 1984 (2019)

American Horror Story Season 9

American Horror Story: 1984 brought something completely different to the franchise. While the season suffered from the absence of Evan Peters and Sarah Paulson, both Billie Lourd and Emma Roberts valiantly attempted to pick up the slack. One of the strongest entries among the AHS seasons ranked, 1984 was based on 1980s slasher movies, lifting tropes from the genre and decade that delighted both fans and critics. The season earned critical acclaim and fans loved it as well, praising the lighter tone compared to other American Horror Story seasons and its willingness to have fun with the horror twists and turns. The season also picked up four Emmy nominations.

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3 AHS: Murder House (2011)

American Horror Story Season 1

The original American Horror Story is very nearly perfect and certainly the purest form of all American Horror Story seasons. The first season of American Horror Story feels less focused than those that followed, but also less forced. It allows events to unfold gradually, to breathe, and to slowly build a tone that becomes excruciating by the end. It is later confirmed Murder House is a portal to Hell in AHS: Apocalypse, which somewhat undermines the revelation that Tate is the center of the house's evil. Jessica Lange's performance stole the show and earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for the season, while the show picked up 17 total nominations.

2 AHS: Coven (2013)

American Horror Story Season 3

A regular fan-favorite among American Horror Story seasons, there is a lot to love about American Horror Story: Coven, particularly the iconic performances from the ensemble female-led cast. The season features the American Horror Story cast at its peak, now complete with new members Angela Bassett and Kathy Bates joining returning stars Sarah Paulson and Jessica Lange. Add in Emma Roberts and Taissa Farmiga, and AHS season 3 might be one of the best casts of the franchise. AHS: Coven picked up five different Emmy nominations for acting, with Bates and Lange winning awards.

Kathy Bates and Jessica Lange both won Emmy Awards for American Horror Story: Coven

1 AHS: Asylum (2012)

American Horror Story Season 2

American Horror Story: Asylum had a lot riding on it, as it was both the show's triumphant return and Ryan Murphy's first attempt at proving the season-by-season anthology format of AHS would work. After a strong first season, Ryan Murphy and the ensemble cast returned with the strongest AHS season to date. Season 2, Asylum, remains both the show's most terrifying and most riveting when it comes to its twist-filled plot. AHS: Asylum also boasts Jessica Lange in a leading role for the first time as the terrifying and tragic Sister Jude. One of the best American Horror Story seasons, it earned 17 Emmy nominations, winning an acting award for James Cromwell along the way.

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  American Horror Story

  Summary:

  American Horror Story is horror anthology series created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. Instead of a singular, concurrent story, each season containx a different terrifying tale of Americana. The first season of the series follows the Harmon family's move into a haunted mansion in Los Angeles; the second season focused on an insane asylum; and the third season followed a war between witch covens down in the Bayou. American Horror Story: Freak Show (season 4) will follow a traveling carnival in the 1950s.

  Release Date:

  2012-10-17

  Cast:

  Denis O'Hare, Emma Roberts, Dylan McDermott, Joseph Fiennes, Gabourey Sidibe, Taissa Farmiga, James Cromwell, Angela Bassett, Zachary Quinto, Sarah Paulson, Jamie Brewer, Evan Peters, Lizzie Brochere, Kathy Bates, Jessica Lange, Michael Chiklis, Connie Britton, Lily Rabe, Franches Conroy

  Writers:

  Brad Falchuk, Ryan Murphy

  Seasons:

  10

  Genres:

  Horror, Anthology, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Mystery

  Story By:

  brad falchuk

  Network:

  FX

  Streaming Service(s):

  Hulu, Disney+, Netflix

  Franchise(s):

  American Horror Story

  Directors:

  Ryan Murphy

  Showrunner:

  Ryan Murphy

  Season List:

  American Horror Story - Season 1, American Horror Story - Season 2, American Horror Story - Season 3, American Horror Story - Season 4, American Horror Story - Season 5, American Horror Story - Season 6, American Horror Story - Season 7, American Horror Story - Season 8, American Horror Story - Season 9, American Horror Story - Season 10, American Horror Story - Season 11, American Horror Story - Season 12