There are currently 94 episodes of American Horror Story, an anthology horror TV series created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. The performances are second to none, and each new season brings a fresh wave of horrors that viewers couldn't even begin to imagine.
Although it's easy (albeit subjective) to pick the scariest season out of nine, selecting 15 of the scariest episodes over the entire course of the show is no easy feat. Every single season is uniquely horrifying, whether it's psychological (Cult) or paranormal (Coven). In a show like this, there is evil around every corner.
Updated on April 29th, 2020 by Matthew Wilkinson: The entire premise of the show is to scare people, and each season does that in different ways. Whether it be down to straight up gore and murders, or if it is more psychological, AHS knows how to freak people out.
While the whole series is creepy to watch as that's the general tone, not every episode is downright terrifying. However, in this list, we are focusing on the 15 scariest episodes of American Horror Story, in no particular order.
Piggy Piggy: Murder House
"Piggy Piggy" is the sixth episode of AHS: Murder House and it's easily the most bone-chilling one of the season. Although the episode's name might seem hokey, this is the "school shooting" episode in which Tate Langdon kills five teenagers locked in a library back in 1994. The depiction of their fear and the violent nature of their last moments is truly chilling.
After his killing spree is over, Tate is then shot by a SWAT team at his own house. The next part of the episode involves Derek (played by Eric Stonestreet), a man who is terrified by the "Piggy Man," a silly urban legend that provides a bit of comic relief after the Columbine-inspired scene beforehand.
Smouldering Children: Murder House
The original season of American Horror Story still very much holds up as one of the scariest that Ryan Murphy has created. The "Smouldering Children" is a particularly freaky episode that has the major revelation that Tate didn't save Violet.
This episode also shows us how Larry got all of his scars with an uncomfortable burning scene that isn't the easiest thing to watch. The episode also features Rubber Man being revealed as Tate, which is a cool moment, but also scary, as Rubber Man is easily one of the scariest characters the show has ever created.
Test Of Strength: Freak Show
This episode is aptly named because it truly is a "test of strength" to get through the end of it! "Test of Strength" is the seventh episode of AHS: Freak Show, and it goes from bad to worse real quick. The episode seems to begin on a high note, with Dot and Bette escaping from Dandy's clutches, but the storyline takes a dark turn when Penny confronts her father and tells him she's moving out to live with Paul. In a cruel and vengeful twist, Penny's father has his "artist friend' tattoo her entire face and head and fork her tongue while she's knocked out. If that's not bad enough, the episode ends with Dell sneaking into Ma Petite's tent, giving her a pretty dress, and then crushing her to death in his arms.
Holes: Cult
Something that American Horror Story certainly gets right is creepy killer clowns. In the AHS: Cult season, they play a big part in the proceedings, providing terror every time they appear. One of the scariest moments is during "Holes" when they attack Bob, who is the local newsman.
His death isn't a simple one though, as they film it all taking place, and they also kill his cameraman in a very brutal way. The group tortures him with shots from a nail gun until he can take no more, creating a very uncomfortable watch. Oh, and there's the small matter of Kai's parents being left in their bedroom after they died to slowly rot away as well - scary stuff indeed.
Unholy Night: Asylum
"Unholy Night" is the eighth episode of AHS: Asylum that ruins Christmas Eve for everyone by making Santa Claus the thing of nightmares. Ian McShane guest stars as Leigh Emerson, a man who has a psychotic break and kills while dressed as Santa Claus. Eventually, Leigh is sent to Briarcliff and placed in solitary confinement by Sister Jude after biting off an orderly's nose on Christmas Day.
As an act of revenge (and with some help by demon-possessed Sister Mary Eunice and former-nazi, Dr. Arden), Leigh dresses up as Santa Claus once again and corners Sister Jude in her office. When Sister Jude asks why he's there, he claims he is there to "open his present." Ugh, no, this episode has ruined Santa Claus forever.
Chapter 9: Roanoke
American Horror Story: Roanoke is an incredibly creepy season of the show, in general. The mood and vibe of the entire series is very creepy and tense, and "Chapter 9" is a perfect example of that. The episode is unbelievably tense from start to finish as the big fans of the show head to find the Roanoke house.
Of course, things turn into a complete disaster from start to finish, with the trio ending up being caught by the mob. The episode has several murders and tons of action going on, making it incredibly scary to watch.
Bitchcraft: Coven
"Bitchcraft" is the first (and best) episode of AHS: Coven, a season filled with powerful and vindictive witches, but the scariest person by far is Madame Delphine LaLaurie (Kathy Bates). The most disturbing thing about this character is that she's based on a real life New Orleans socialite who was known for torturing and murdering slaves in the early 1800s. The scenes involving Madame LaLaurie in American Horror Story are some of the scariest and most disgusting depictions of violence on TV, so buckle up and watch if you dare.
Halloween Part 1: Murder House
For those who are up for 40 minutes of pure terror, try watching "Halloween, Part 1," the fourth episode of AHS: Murder House. The beginning of the episode starts off by giving viewers the backstory behind Chad and his partner Patrick, the former owners of Murder House who were violently killed by Rubber Man (there might be an iron poker involved, it's the worst).
After that, the show attempts to explain the existence of the creepy creature in the basement, and trust us, ignorance is bliss. The episode ends in Addie's death, as well as an ultrasound result that makes the ultrasound tech collapse in fear.
Monsters Among Us: Freak Show
"Monsters Among Us" is the premiere episode of AHS: Freak Show, and anyone who can get through the first clown scene without closing their eyes should win some kind of award. The killer clown, Twisty, really is the stuff of nightmares, and his murders of a teenage girl's boyfriend and a young boy's parents really set the mood for the rest of the season. This episode also introduces the viewers to a wide variety of twisted and unusual characters, including conjoined twins Bette and Dot Tattler, who brutally murdered their own mother with a steak knife.
Chapter 5: Roanoke
Writers Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk really brought the terror with "Chapter 5," the fifth episode of AHS: Roanoke. This particular episode is the "finale" of My Roanoke Nightmare and depicts the capture (and eventual escape) of Shelby, Matt, and Flora from The Butcher's clutches.
At the beginning of the episode, viewers are introduced to Edward Philipe Mott, the original owner of the house who was impaled and burned alive by The Butcher. In the present day, Shelby, Matt, and Flora are trapped in the house as it "comes alive" during the Blood Moon and are offered up as sacrifices to The Butcher by the Polk family. Despite the (happy?) ending, the last few minutes of this episode are nightmare-inducing.
Return To Murder House: Apocalypse
This episode was an incredible one for many reasons. Firstly, it saw an amazing cross-promotion as the original AHS: Murder House season was blended into AHS: Apocalypse. It was great to see all the characters back, but the show didn't just rely on that, and brought in the scares as well.
That mainly came via Constance, as she revealed everything about Tate. She told about how he was murdering different people as a child, which was incredibly creepy to see, especially since he was just a boy. This episode also had Constance's fourth child appear, who was visually very scary to look at.
Checking In: Hotel
"Checking In" is the premiere episode of AHS: Hotel, and it doesn't ease viewers in slowly. There are plenty of violent murders and creatures packed in this one episode, but the scariest of them all is the "addiction demon" pictured above, a creature who violently rapes a heroin addict named Gabriel after he checks into room 64. Two Swedish girls are also killed by a couple of bloodthirsty vampire children, and homicide detective John Lowe investigates the torture-murder of an adulterous couple. This episode also introduces viewers to The Countess, the head vampire in charge who enjoys killing her victims during sex.
Welcome To Briarcliff: Asylum
AHS: Asylum had tons of creepy moments taking place throughout it, and that was clear from episode one. The show kicked off with a bang and was incredibly scary as the tone of the asylum was set, with the different characters that inhabit it all making their presence known.
It was clear that something was wrong from the start and that led to a really creepy tone and a scary episode. However, it is the early scenes that involve "Bloody Face" who is visually incredibly horrifying that made things scary to watch early on.
Neighbors From Hell: Cult
No one with a clown phobia should watch "Neighbors from Hell," the third episode of AHS: Cult. Upon returning home from an appointment, a young couple is attacked by clowns and entombed in coffins while they are still alive. The combination of killer clowns and being buried alive really takes this episode to the next level of horror, but it doesn't stop there.
When Ally, Ivy, and Oz return home from dinner one night, they discover a red smiley face painted on their door, a mark of the clowns. Inside, they discover that their guinea pig had exploded upon being microwaved. After this episode, you'll never look at a smiley face the same way again.
The Coat Hanger: Asylum
AHS: Asylum is making the list again, only this time with episode nine, "The Coat Hanger." After being taken and raped by Dr. Thredson, Lana discovers that she is pregnant with his baby. As the title suggests, Lana is forced to use the "coat hanger method" to abort her own baby while she's trapped in Briarcliff, and watching her do it is excruciating.
Later, she realizes that her painstaking attempt to rid herself of her rapist's child was unsuccessful. Toward the end of the episode, Monsignor Howard is attacked and nailed to a crucifix after his misguided attempt to baptize Leigh (the Santa killer). Yep, the hits just keep coming.