Among even the most acclaimed and popular shows on television, the highest-rated episodes stand out as something truly special in the history of the medium. From cultural impact to accolades to critical acclaim, these episodes have earned a reputation as some of the best television offerings of all time. Not only do they exceed the other episodes within their own shows, but highlight just what can be achieved over the course of one episode.
The highest-rated episodes cover a wide variety in the kind of shows that strike a chord with audiences. They are featured in classic series like The Twilight Zone as well as very recent hits like Succession. They can be in hilarious comedies like Seinfeld or epic fantasy shows like Game of Thrones. With shocking moments, inventive filmmaking, and game-changing developments, these unforgettable episodes of television are truly something special.
"407 Proxy Authentication Required" - Mr. Robot (2015-2019)
Season 4, Episode 7
Created by Sam Esmail and starring Rami Malek, Mr. Robot is the story of a socially-challenged programmer who joins an anarchist group of hackers. "407 Proxy Authentication Required" didn't amaze viewers and critics just from a storytelling point of view; it was visually stunning, featuring top-notch choreography. The whole episode takes place in a single area, between two rooms, almost like a stage play, and it is even divided into "acts." It's something like a modern-day version of Alfred Hitchcock's Rope, albeit adapted masterfully for the small screen.
"The Contest" - Seinfeld (1989-1998)
Season 4, Episode 11
Among the prestige dramas and big genre storytelling of some shows, it takes a very special episode of a sitcom to stand out in a similar way. However, there is no denying the cultural impact of Seinfeld' season 4, episode 11 "The Contest" when it aired in 1992. The episode was a boundary-pushing half-hour of television that found the four main characters competing to see who could be "master of their domain" the longest. The episode helped to establish Seinfeld as one of the most talked-about and influential shows on television with Larry David winning an Emmy for writing this hilarious story and it was named the best TV episode of all time by TV Guide in 2009.
"Perfect Game" - Attack On Titan (2013-2023)
Season 3, Episode 16
Attack on Titan season 3, episode 16, appropriately titled "Perfect Game," picks up the Scout Regiment's losing battle against the Beast and Colossal Titans that are concurrently attacking separate vulnerable points. As hope begins to wane, the protagonists mount one final — and desperate — ploy to win the day. "Perfect Game" shows exactly why Attack on Titan is one of the highest-rated anime series of all time. Mixing intense action with genuine meditations on leadership and the nature of survival, this episode soars in every sense of the word.
"Victory And Death" - Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020)
Season 7, Episode 12
The series finale of Star Wars: The Clone Wars is a standout moment in the entire Star Wars franchise. Season 7, episode 12 "Victory and Death" concludes with the unfolding of Order 66 as the war comes to a sudden and violent end. Everything great about The Clone Wars can be found in this final episode, as it plays directly into the events of Revenge of the Sith. The true tragedy of Anakin's downfall and the extermination of the Jedi is tangible, though the events are not seen onscreen. And, as the final moments play out for fans to view through teary eyes, the series is put in sobering perspective through the gleam in a fallen clone's helmet.
"Zero X And X Rose" - Hunter X Hunter (2011-2014)
Season 5, Episode 51
In one of the highest-rated episodes of an anime series, the one hundred and twenty-sixth episode of Hunter x Hunter blew audiences away with the explosive continuation of Mereum and Netero's brutal struggle. The episode remains the favorite during the series' entire run, with fans still not fully over the incredible implications of its ending. The fandom was quick to praise Hunter x Hunter season 5, episode 51 "Zero X and X Rose" as the greatest episode in the series, singling out its writing as truly superb, as it captured the deep metaphors of Hunter x Hunter's hidden meaning, depicting a world that had sunken into apathy.
"Two Cathedrals" - The West Wing (1999-2006)
Season 2, Episode 22
Aaron Sorkin's political drama The West Wing was known for its engrossing dialogue scenes that showcased Sorkin's amazing talents as a writer. A perfect example of this is one scene in season 2, episode 21 "Two Cathedrals" which helped earn the episode's reputation as one of the greatest episodes of the 21st century. It takes place amidst the scandal of President Jed Bartlet's multiple sclerosis being made public. After losing someone close to him, the final scene of the episode has the president taking his anger out on God in a fiery speech within an empty cathedral. It is an unforgettable television moment that sends chills down the spine of the viewer.
"Hero" - Attack On Titan (2013-2023)
Season 3, Episode 17
Attack on Titan is not just another anime series; it has transcended to the level where it is larger than life and supersedes the genre itself. The drama and action in season 3, episode 17 "Hero" remain unmatched. In this episode, Commander Erwin rallies a literal suicide squad to battle the Beast Titan in order to distract him and the others while Levi unleashes the fury of God on them from behind. It's an undeniably epic sequence, and it's up there with top-tier anime moments from acclaimed series such as Cowboy Beebop and Neon Genesis Evangelion.
"The Phantom Apprentice" - Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020)
Season 7, Episode 10
Star Wars: The Clone Wars premiered on Cartoon Network in 2008 and lasted for five seasons, shifting to Netflix for a sixth and seemingly final season. However, the series was revived on Disney+, with the seventh and conclusive season launching in 2020. This Clone Wars episode heavily features fan-favorite Star Wars characters Darth Maul and Ahsoka Tano, includes some franchise-defining lightsaber battles, and explains the hitherto unsung roles they played in the events of the third canonical Star Wars installment. The episode also serves to set up the well-loved final arc in the Clone Wars' run, as the series prepared for its final bow.
"Battle Of The Bastards" - Game Of Thrones (2011-2019)
Season 6, Episode 9
No matter how disappointing most fans found the final season of Game of Thrones, it doesn't take away from the fact that the previous seasons consist of some of the best television episodes ever made. Season 6, episode 9 "Battle of the Bastards" was an epic showdown between two of Game of Thrones' most scene-stealing characters: Jon Snow and Ramsay Bolton. Nothing gave fans more pleasure than seeing John go to war against Ramsey, who proved to be a horrendous villain since the very beginning. The exceptional choreography of the fight sequences made it even more memorable, as the true horrors of war play out and end in a fitting conclusion.
"Nightmare At 20,000 Feet" - The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)
Season 5, Episode 3
The Twilight Zone delivered excellent episodes that stuck in the minds of the audience for decades after they aired. But no episode on the eerie anthology has had the longevity of season 5, episode 3 "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet." The episode stars Williams Shatner as a man traveling in a storm who becomes convinced there is a gremlin on the wing of the plane who is sabotaging it yet no one else sees it. From the paranoia to the terrifying appearance of the gremlin, the episode is an edge-of-the-seat ride that has been parodied and copied in everything from The Simpsons to Saturday Night Live and is the only classic story recreated for The Twilight Zone: The Movie.
"Felina" - Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
Season 5, Episode 16
Breaking Bad is known for producing some truly intense episodes of television. Even so, many viewers may still not have recovered from the series finale, which brought an end to each of Walter White's long-running struggles for good. While many series finales have dropped the ball when it comes to pleasing devoted fans of the franchise, season 5, episode 16 "Felina" may go down in history as the best conclusion to a popular series ever made. Each storyline from seasons past reached its satisfying conclusion and the series itself ended fittingly, in a way that many saw coming but few were truly ready for.
"Connor's Wedding" - Succession (2018-2023)
Season 4, Episode 3
Though a very recent episode of television, Succession season 4, episode 3 "Connor's Wedding" seems destined to go down as one of the all-time greats. As the title suggests, it takes place on the day of Connor Roy's decadent wedding when the Roy siblings get a call that their father, media titan Logan Roy, has seemingly died. Killing off a main character on a show is always tricky to do, but Succession subverts expectations by dragging out the death in an uncomfortable, heartbreaking yet darkly comedic way. It is a brilliant contained story that shows the siblings dealing with grief and falling apart in real time. It is the crown jewel on the highly acclaimed final season of the show.
"Pine Barrens" - The Sopranos (1999-2007)
Season 3, Episode 11
The Sopranos often ranks as one of the best TV shows of all time so it is guaranteed that what is considered its best episode is something special. Interestingly, season 3, episode 11 "Pine Barrens" is one of the few episodes in which Tony Soprano himself is not the main focus. Instead, the episode follows Christopher and Paulie on a misadventure to kill a man, only to find themselves stranded in the frozen woods. The Sopranos is often underrated for its humor and "Pine Barrens" is its funniest episode, leaning into the dark comedy and hilarious duo of Christopher and Paulie. It showed that one of the best shows on television could still take things in new directions.
"The Winds Of Winter" - Game Of Thrones (2011-2019)
Season 6, Episode 10
In Game of Thrones' season 6 finale, appropriately titled "The Winds of Winter" after the long-delayed sixth installment of George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, events come to pass that change the hierarchy of the Seven Kingdoms forever. Despite dipping ratings for the earlier parts of the season, "The Winds of Winter" showcases everything that is great about the series. The episode begins with a solemn opening montage as Cersei Lannister's trial begins and slowly unravels into utter chaos as the truth of her master scheme is revealed. Everything an audience member needs to know about Cersei is present in this paradigm-shifting episode of television that propelled the series into its final era.
"Ozymandias" - Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
Season 5, Episode 14
Breaking Bad is one of the most critically acclaimed TV shows ever as audiences watched Walter White grow his criminal empire. So it is not surprising that what many considered the best episode in television history is when Walt's world finally comes crashing down. Directed by Rian Johnson, every minute of the show's fifth and final season is absolutely jam-packed with drama and action, and "Ozymandias" is the peak. It is the tragic end to nearly seven years worth of storytelling. Hank is killed, and Jesse is taken captive. The White family falls apart once and for all as Walt is forced to flee. Ultimately, "Ozymandias" is arguably the greatest hour of TV ever produced.