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The Best Episodes of Animal Kingdom

Every episode of Animal Kingdom ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Animal Kingdom!

Binge this in 2d 9h•Peaking at 9.5/10

17-year-old Joshua "J" Cody moves in with his freewheeling relatives in their Southern California beach town after his mother dies of a heroin overdose. Headed by boot-tough matriarch Janine "Smurf" Cody and her right-hand Baz,

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Animal Kingdom Season 4 Episode 12 - Ghosts
    9.5/10(1296 votes)

    S4:E12

    The Cody family sets off on Smurf’s mysterious heist, unaware of the surprises that await them when they arrive, which will change the family forever.

    Director:John Wells
    Writer:John Wells

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  2. Animal Kingdom Season 2 Episode 13 - Betrayal
    9.1/10(930 votes)

    S2:E13

    When Smurf realizes she may be in jail a lot longer than expected, she pits her sons against one another, the consequences be damned.

    Director:John Wells
    Writer:John Wells

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  3. Animal Kingdom Season 4 Episode 8 - Ambo
    9.1/10(939 votes)

    S4:E8

    The Codys head out for a big job, even though Smurf is nowhere to be found. All eyes are on J as he assumes a leadership position in a risky heist.

    Director:David Rodriguez
    Writer:Bradley Paul

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  4. Animal Kingdom Season 1 Episode 10 - What Have You Done
    8.9/10(1122 votes)

    S1:E10

    Puzzled by Catherine's disappearance, Baz hunts down all leads. With J caught in the middle, the cops close in on the Codys and threaten to take them all down.

    Director:John Wells
    Writer:Jonathan Lisco

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  5. Animal Kingdom Season 6 Episode 13 - Fubar
    8.9/10(1254 votes)

    S6:E13

    The Cody boys embark on their most dangerous job yet. Andrew commits the original sin that destroyed the family.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Animal Kingdom Season 1 Episode 9 - Judas Kiss
    8.8/10(1070 votes)

    S1:E9

    While the Codys go after the biggest score of their lives, the cops put J in an impossible position. Catherine triggers Smurf's suspicions when she comes over to make amends. Smurf sends Pope to investigate.

    Director:Christopher Chulack
    Writer:John Wells

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Animal Kingdom

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  7. Animal Kingdom Season 2 Episode 6 - Cry Havoc
    8.8/10(855 votes)

    S2:E6

    As Javi ratchets up the pressure on Smurf, she enlists J to help her. Baz is confronted by a secret Catherine kept from him. Pope and Baz clash in the wake of the megachurch job.

    Director:Larry Teng
    Writer:Jonathan Lisco

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  8. Animal Kingdom Season 3 Episode 11 - Jackpot
    8.8/10(767 votes)

    S3:E11

    Smurf enlists the boys in a surprise job that results in devastating consequences; Pope is forced to confront the truth about Baz's murder as J steps up for the family in an unexpected way.

    Director:Shawn Hatosy
    Writer:Matt Kester

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  9. Animal Kingdom Season 2 Episode 12 - You Will Be Gutted
    8.7/10(763 votes)

    S2:E12

    With Smurf in jail, Baz makes his move to run the family, but his brothers have other plans.

    Director:Larry Teng
    Writer:Jonathan Lisco

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  10. Animal Kingdom Season 3 Episode 13 - The Hyenas
    8.7/10(769 votes)

    S3:E13

    J realizes the danger of balancing his role in the family with his personal ambitions. Deran wants to take his relationship with Adrian to the next level, but it’s not as easy as he hoped.

    Director:Christopher Chulack
    Writer:John Wells

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  11. Animal Kingdom Season 2 Episode 10 - Treasure
    8.6/10(751 votes)

    S2:E10

    As Craig leads the boys and Nicky in pirating the yacht, Smurf tries to find out who robbed her. Meanwhile, Baz considers what life would be like without Smurf calling all the shots.

    Director:Josef Kubota Wladyka
    Writer:T.J. Brady

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  12. Animal Kingdom Season 5 Episode 13 - Launch
    8.6/10(621 votes)

    S5:E13

    It's all hands on deck as the Cody family uses all their tools, tricks, and vehicles to pull off the job of their lives and settle all scores. A deadly secret from the past is also revealed. Season finale.

    Director:Nick Copus
    Writer:Daniele Nathanson

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  13. Animal Kingdom Season 2 Episode 5 - Forgive Us Our Trespasses
    8.5/10(812 votes)

    S2:E5

    As the boys put the megachurch heist in motion, Craig has second thoughts. Javi surprises Smurf with a visit.

    Director:Laura Innes
    Writer:T.J. Brady

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  14. Animal Kingdom Season 2 Episode 11 - The Leopard
    8.5/10(749 votes)

    S2:E11

    Baz puts his plan to take down Smurf in motion as Marco cashes in a favor with Craig and Deran. Pope seeks the truth behind the reasons for Catherine's death.

    Director:Michael Morris
    Writer:Eliza Clark

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  15. Animal Kingdom Season 3 Episode 4 - Wolves
    8.5/10(728 votes)

    S3:E4

    With the cops on their tail, the Cody boys try to pull off their first heist without Smurf and Baz. They return to find unexpected guests waiting at home. Smurf demands that J get rid of them as she deals with a problem of her own in jail.

    Director:James Hanlon
    Writer:Bradley Paul

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  16. Animal Kingdom Season 3 Episode 8 - Incoming
    8.5/10(706 votes)

    S3:E8

    The weed heist goes awry and leaves J and Deran stranded. Pope and Billy butt heads as Craig tries to keep the peace between them. Smurf learns about what J has been hiding from her since she's been away.

    Director:David Rodriguez
    Writer:Daniele Nathanson

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  17. Animal Kingdom Season 3 Episode 12 - Homecoming
    8.5/10(658 votes)

    S3:E12

    The Cody family picks up the pieces from their showdown with Lucy; Smurf becomes determined to reel Pope back into the fold at any cost; J goes to extreme lengths to protect a secret.

    Director:David Rodriguez
    Writer:Eliza Clark

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  18. Animal Kingdom Season 4 Episode 13 - Smurf
    8.5/10(759 votes)

    S4:E13

    In the aftermath of Smurf’s heist, the Codys have to protect their reputation, while friends and enemies from the past close in. Deran realizes there is only one way to keep Adrian safe. Craig struggles to adapt to a new pace of life as Pope and J’s growing tension reaches a boiling point.

    Director:David Rodriquez
    Writer:Eliza Clark

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  19. Animal Kingdom Season 2 Episode 7 - Dig
    8.4/10(770 votes)

    S2:E7

    The boys consider how far they’ll go to help Smurf eliminate Javi. Shaken by what’s happened, Nicky and J get closer. Baz shares new information with Pope about Catherine’s disappearance.

    Director:David Rodriguez
    Writer:Eliza Clark

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  20. Animal Kingdom Season 3 Episode 1 - The Killing
    8.4/10(858 votes)

    S3:E1

    Baz fights for his life as the Cody boys figure out what their next move is in the aftermath of the shooting. Smurf gets some surprising news in jail and fields an offer from Pearce.

    Director:John Wells
    Writer:John Wells

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  21. Animal Kingdom Season 4 Episode 11 - Julia
    8.4/10(666 votes)

    S4:E11

    Pope grows suspicious of J when Angela reveals the circumstances of her disappearance. As the threats against Adrian loom larger, Deran scrambles to find a way out. Craig navigates new complications in his relationship with Renn. Janine takes on a different role in the crew’s latest heist as she plans for her future with Colin.

    Director:Shawn Hatosy
    Writer:Daniele Nathanson

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  22. Animal Kingdom Season 5 Episode 1 - Red Handed
    8.4/10(800 votes)

    S5:E1

    Dealing with the blowback from Season 4, the Codys are forced to tie up some loose ends with the cousins and figure out what the family looks like without Smurf.

    Director:Nick Copus
    Writer:Daniele Nathanson

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  23. Animal Kingdom Season 6 Episode 12 - Exodus
    8.4/10(527 votes)

    S6:E12

    Pope offers information on a cold case in exchange for a prison transfer. Deran says goodbye to the bar, J makes plans with Penny, and Craig chooses Renn and Nick. Smurf learns Julia has been dishonest.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Animal Kingdom Season 1 Episode 8 - Man In
    8.3/10(953 votes)

    S1:E8

    Tensions run high as the Codys prepare for their big heist. Catherine gets a shock and must decide what's best for her family. J faces pressure from the cops.

    Director:Larry Teng
    Writer:Megan Martin

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  25. Animal Kingdom Season 3 Episode 10 - Off the Tit
    8.3/10(677 votes)

    S3:E10

    Tensions run high as Billy pressures the family to give him what he's owed. Craig has a surprise meeting that makes him reconsider his future. The Cody boys struggle to hold onto the freedom they had when Smurf was in jail.

    Director:Larry Teng
    Writer:Addison McQuigg

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Best Episodes Summary

"Ghosts" is the best rated episode of "Animal Kingdom". It scored 9.5/10 based on 1296 votes. Directed by John Wells and written by John Wells, it aired on 8/13/2019. This episode scored 0.4 points higher than the second highest rated, "Betrayal".