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The Best Episodes of American Horror Story Season 1

Every episode of American Horror Story Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of American Horror Story Season 1!

Binge this in 8h 49m•Peaking at 8.4/10

An anthology horror drama series centering on different characters and locations, including a house with a murderous past, an asylum, a witch coven, a freak show, a hotel, a farmhouse in Roanoke, a cult, the

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    American Horror Story Season 1 Episode 10 - Smoldering Children
    8.4/10(6554 votes)

    S1:E10

    Violet learns about the rules of the house. The truth about Larry's condition is explained. Constance is interrogated by the police.

    Director:Michael Lehmann
    Writer:James Wong

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  2. American Horror Story Season 1 Episode 11 - Birth
    8.3/10(6386 votes)

    S1:E11

    Vivien gives birth. Tate and Violet attempt to rid the house of some of its ghosts for good.

    Director:Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
    Writer:Tim Minear

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  3. American Horror Story Season 1 Episode 4 - Halloween (1)
    8.1/10(7056 votes)

    S1:E4

    The line between the living and the dead blurs on Halloween. Two of the house's previous residents give the Harmons decorating advice.

    Director:David Semel
    Writers:Tim Minear, James Wong

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  4. American Horror Story Season 1 Episode 5 - Halloween (2)
    8.1/10(6864 votes)

    S1:E5

    Tate comes face to face with his past, and Ben and Vivien are haunted by a new houseguest before Halloween night comes to an end.

    Director:David Semel
    Writers:Tim Minear, James Wong

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  5. American Horror Story Season 1 Episode 3 - Murder House
    8.0/10(7561 votes)

    S1:E3

    Vivien learns the horrific truth about the house's first residents and Ben's visitor causes him to further unravel about what really happened in the haunted house. Constance and Moira have their history revealed.

    Director:Bradley Buecker
    Writer:Jennifer Salt

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  6. American Horror Story Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.9/10(10258 votes)

    S1:E1

    A therapist and his family move across the country to escape their troubled past but quickly discover that their new home comes with its own horrific baggage.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writers:Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk

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  7. American Horror Story Season 1 Episode 2 - Home Invasion
    7.9/10(7741 votes)

    S1:E2

    Vivien and Violet get themselves caught in a dangerous situation. Meanwhile, Ben goes back to Boston to fix a mistake that he made.

    Director:Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
    Writers:Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk

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  8. American Horror Story Season 1 Episode 6 - Piggy, Piggy
    7.9/10(6694 votes)

    S1:E6

    Constance enlists Violet's assistance with Tate. Ben helps a new patient confront his fears.

    Director:Michael Uppendahl
    Writer:Jessica Sharzer

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  9. American Horror Story Season 1 Episode 12 - Afterbirth
    7.9/10(6700 votes)

    S1:E12

    In the aftermath of family tragedy, Ben tries to take his child out of the Murder House. Meanwhile, Violet and Vivien accustom themselves to their new living arrangements, Constance raises Tate's child as her own and a new family buys the house.

    Director:Bradley Buecker
    Writer:Jessica Sharzer

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  10. American Horror Story Season 1 Episode 7 - Open House
    7.8/10(6498 votes)

    S1:E7

    Moira persuades a buyer to make an offer while Constance and Larry work against her efforts.

    Director:Tim Hunter
    Writer:Brad Falchuk

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  11. American Horror Story Season 1 Episode 8 - Rubber Man
    7.8/10(6327 votes)

    S1:E8

    The man in the rubber suit is revealed.

    Director:Miguel Arteta
    Writer:Ryan Murphy

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  12. American Horror Story Season 1 Episode 9 - Spooky Little Girl
    7.8/10(6251 votes)

    S1:E9

    One of history's most famous murder victims pays the house a visit. Constance discovers more of Tate's bad behavior.

    Director:John Scott
    Writer:Jennifer Salt

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Smoldering Children" is the best rated episode of "American Horror Story" season 1. It scored 8.4/10 based on 6554 votes. Directed by Michael Lehmann and written by James Wong, it aired on 12/7/2011. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Birth".