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The Best Episodes of Cruel Summer

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

Binge this in 14h 21mPeaking at 8.5/10

Taking place over three summers - 1993, 1994, 1995 - in a small Texas town, a beautiful popular teen, Kate, is abducted and, seemingly unrelated, a girl, Jeanette, goes from being a sweet, awkward outlier

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Seasons2

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Cruel Summer Season 1 Episode 9 - A Secret of My Own
    8.5/10(663 votes)

    #1 - A Secret of My Own

    S1:E9

    Kate's closely held secrets and fragmented memories of her time in Martin's captivity are brought to the surface.

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  2. Cruel Summer Season 1 Episode 10 - Hostile Witness
    8.4/10(785 votes)

    #2 - Hostile Witness

    S1:E10

    Kate and Jeanette's worlds collide as the court date arrives, finally forcing the two young women to answer the question on everyone's mind, but the answer comes with a price that not everyone can pay.

    Director:Bill Purple

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  3. Cruel Summer Season 1 Episode 2 - A Smashing Good Time
    7.8/10(738 votes)

    #3 - A Smashing Good Time

    S1:E2

    It’s time for the annual Skylin Garden Club Party! Year after year after year, the residents of Skylin struggle with the truth around what happened to Kate, keeping their secrets buried and maintaining appearances.

    Director:Bill Purple

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  4. Cruel Summer Season 1 Episode 1 - Happy Birthday, Jeanette Turner
    7.7/10(869 votes)

    #4 - Happy Birthday, Jeanette Turner

    S1:E1

    Taking place over 3 summers in the 90s when a popular teen goes missing, and a seemingly unrelated girl transforms from a sweet and awkward outlier to the most popular girl in town, eventually becoming the most despised person in America.

    Director:Max Winkler

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  5. Cruel Summer Season 2 Episode 10 - Endgame
    7.7/10(276 votes)

    #5 - Endgame

    S2:E10

    As timelines collide, friendships implode, new evidence emerges, and the shocking truth is revealed...in more ways than one.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Cruel Summer Season 1 Episode 7 - Happy Birthday, Kate Wallis
    7.6/10(546 votes)

    #6 - Happy Birthday, Kate Wallis

    S1:E7

    Kate struggles with a family secret she’s been holding on to. Joy tries to convince Kate to go on “The Marsha Bailey Show.” Mallory has a birthday surprise.

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Cruel Summer

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  8. Cruel Summer Season 1 Episode 4 - You Don't Hunt, You Don't Eat
    7.4/10(607 votes)

    #7 - You Don't Hunt, You Don't Eat

    S1:E4

    Kate, reeling from the lawsuit, prepares her defense and finds friendship in an unlikely source. The annual Wallis hunting trip becomes the setting for an important first meeting.

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  9. Cruel Summer Season 1 Episode 6 - An Ocean in Me
    7.4/10(550 votes)

    #8 - An Ocean in Me

    S1:E6

    A new deposition threatens Jeanette’s case. A discovery causes Cindy’s suspicions about her own daughter to reach new heights as her relationship with Greg becomes further strained.

    Director:Kellie Cyrus

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  10. Cruel Summer Season 1 Episode 5 - As the Carny Gods Intended
    7.3/10(565 votes)

    #9 - As the Carny Gods Intended

    S1:E5

    Jeannette and Kate cross paths at the Skylin High takeover of the County Fair, where one is desperate to prove herself and the other to lose herself.

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  11. Cruel Summer Season 1 Episode 8 - Proof
    7.3/10(534 votes)

    #10 - Proof

    S1:E8

    On the first day of school, everyone learns that the drama of the summer is anything but over and that some people will pay more for the consequences of Jeanette and Kate's deception than others.

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  12. Cruel Summer Season 1 Episode 3 - Off with a Bang
    7.2/10(661 votes)

    #11 - Off with a Bang

    S1:E3

    Victim or villain? Jeanette continues to add fuel to the fire as her reckless behavior causes her friends and family to question her even more.

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  13. Cruel Summer Season 2 Episode 8 - Confess Your Sins
    7.1/10(206 votes)

    #12 - Confess Your Sins

    S2:E8

    In summer 1999, new friendships are formed and secrets are kept as the crew approaches senior year at the annual school car wash. In winter 1999, Megan and Isabella push for answers. In summer 2000, Debbie wants to protect her daughter.

    Director:Unknown

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  14. Cruel Summer Season 2 Episode 9 - The Miseducation of Luke Chambers
    7.1/10(195 votes)

    #13 - The Miseducation of Luke Chambers

    S2:E9

    Luke examines all his relationships and worries that the pressures of being a “Chambers man” have changed him.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Cruel Summer Season 2 Episode 7 - It's the End of the World
    7.0/10(199 votes)

    #14 - It's the End of the World

    S2:E7

    In winter 1999, tensions are high on Y2K. At the New Year's Eve party, a not-so-secret conversation changes the lives of the trio forever. In summer 2000, suspicion falls on Ned after some new evidence from summer 1999 comes to light.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Cruel Summer Season 2 Episode 1 - Welcome to Chatham
    6.9/10(351 votes)

    #15 - Welcome to Chatham

    S2:E1

    In Summer 1999, small-town computer genius Megan resents the arrival of outgoing and mysterious foreign exchange student Isabella. Little does she know how her life will change by Summer 2000.

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  17. Cruel Summer Season 2 Episode 2 - Ride or Die
    6.9/10(267 votes)

    #16 - Ride or Die

    S2:E2

    In Summer 1999, Isabella grows closer to Luke while struggling to connect with Megan. In Winter 1999, Isabella searches for justice following the disastrous Christmas party.

    Director:Unknown

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  18. Cruel Summer Season 2 Episode 3 - Bloody Knuckles
    6.9/10(227 votes)

    #17 - Bloody Knuckles

    S2:E3

    In Summer 1999, Megan and Isabella bond during an overnight at the Chambers’ cabin. Luke tries to stand up to Brent, but ends up causing more problems for his dad. Suspicions are raised after fingerprints are found on the gun that shot Luke.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Cruel Summer Season 2 Episode 4 - Springing a Leak
    6.9/10(222 votes)

    #18 - Springing a Leak

    S2:E4

    In Summer 1999, Megan wants to be adventurous and makes fake IDs for the gang. In Winter 1999, a burst pipe leads the Landrys and Isabella to a messy night at the Chambers house. Isabella wants to help but is met with resistance from Megan.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Cruel Summer Season 2 Episode 5 - All I Want for Christmas
    6.9/10(212 votes)

    #19 - All I Want for Christmas

    S2:E5

    In Summer 1999, Isabella is rocked by a surprise visit from her past. In Winter 1999, Isabella’s concerns for Megan lead her to some surprising news. In Summer 2000, family loyalties are tested.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Cruel Summer Season 2 Episode 6 - The Plunge
    6.8/10(207 votes)

    #20 - The Plunge

    S2:E6

    In summer 1999, sparks fly at Luke's birthday party. In winter 1999, relationships are tested as Megan becomes more distant from Luke. In summer 2000, Megan obsesses over an interesting letter she received.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"A Secret of My Own" is the best rated episode of "Cruel Summer". It scored 8.5/10 based on 663 votes. Directed by Alexis Ostrander and written by Matt Antonelli, it aired on 6/8/2021. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Hostile Witness".