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The Best Episodes of Once Upon a Time

Every episode of Once Upon a Time ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Once Upon a Time!

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There is a town in Maine where every story book character you've ever known is trapped between two worlds, victims of a powerful curse. Only one knows the truth and only one can break the

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 22 - There's No Place Like Home
    9.2/10(2823 votes)

    #1 - There's No Place Like Home

    S3:E22

    Hook and Emma try to find their way back to the present and correct the mistakes they made in the past.

    Director:Ralph Hemecker
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  2. Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 11 - Going Home
    9.1/10(2671 votes)

    #2 - Going Home

    S3:E11

    The residents of Storybrooke race to stop Pan from placing another curse on the town.

    Director:Ralph Hemecker
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  3. Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 21 - Snow Drifts
    9.0/10(2051 votes)

    #3 - Snow Drifts

    S3:E21

    While Mary Margaret and David celebrate the naming of their son at a coronation in Granny's Diner, Emma and Hook are pulled into Zelena's time portal and find themselves in the Enchanted Forest of the past. But in their quest to discover a way back, they must be careful not to change anything or risk altering the lives of their friends and family - as well as their very own existence.

    Director:Ron Underwood
    Writers:David H. Goodman, Robert Hull

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  4. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 23 - Operation Mongoose (2)
    9.0/10(2073 votes)

    #4 - Operation Mongoose (2)

    S4:E23

    The Author proves to be a formidable wild card and forges an alliance with Gold. Emma, her parents, Hook and Regina scramble to stop them, but when Gold and the Author turn the tables on heroes and villains alike, the prospect of any happy outcome appears worlds away. Henry discovers he has big shoes to fill as he steps up to save his family before the story’s final page is turned. It’s a race to the finish, and everything culminates with a shocking twist that will leave the residents of Storybrooke reeling

    Director:Ralph Hemecker
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  5. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 22 - A Land Without Magic
    8.9/10(3014 votes)

    #5 - A Land Without Magic

    S1:E22

    Emma and Regina team together in order to find a way to save Henry's life. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was, Prince Charming attempts to escape from the Evil Queen's clutches in order to reunite with Snow White who, unbeknownst to him, has already taken a bite of the Queen's poison apple.

    Director:Dean White
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  6. Once Upon a Time Season 7 Episode 22 - Leaving Storybrooke
    8.9/10(1239 votes)

    #6 - Leaving Storybrooke

    S7:E22

    Wish Rumple’s evil plan is revealed and Regina realizes the only hope to stop him is by turning Wish Henry from his path for vengeance. Meanwhile, Tilly and Margot try to get help in Storybrooke. With his hope of ever being reunited with Belle fading, Weaver struggles to find a way to defeat his evil alter ego; and when Rogers’ life is threatened, he is faced with the ultimate sacrifice. Series Finale.

    Director:Ralph Hemecker
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Once Upon a Time

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  7. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 12 - Skin Deep
    8.7/10(3099 votes)

    #7 - Skin Deep

    S1:E12

    After Mr. Gold's house is robbed, Emma keeps a close eye on him when it looks like he wants to track down the criminal and dole out some vigilante justice as payback, and Valentine's Day finds Mary Margaret, Ruby and Ashley having a girls' night out. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was, Belle agrees to a fateful deal to give up her freedom in order to save her town from the horrors of the Ogre war.

    Director:Milan Cheylov
    Writer:Jane Espenson

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  8. Once Upon a Time Season 2 Episode 14 - Manhattan
    8.7/10(2063 votes)

    #8 - Manhattan

    S2:E14

    Emma, Henry and Mr. Gold search for Gold's son in New York; Hook, Cora and Regina look for one of Rumplestiltskin's most precious possessions.

    Director:Dean White
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  9. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 22 - Operation Mongoose (1)
    8.7/10(1726 votes)

    #9 - Operation Mongoose (1)

    S4:E22

    The Author proves to be a formidable wild card and forges an alliance with Gold. Emma, her parents, Hook and Regina scramble to stop them, but when Gold and the Author turn the tables on heroes and villains alike, the prospect of any happy outcome appears worlds away. Henry discovers he has big shoes to fill as he steps up to save his family before the story’s final page is turned. It’s a race to the finish, and everything culminates with a shocking twist that will leave the residents of Storybrooke reeling.

    Director:Romeo Tirone
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  10. Once Upon a Time Season 6 Episode 22 - The Final Battle (2)
    8.7/10(1290 votes)

    #10 - The Final Battle (2)

    S6:E22

    Emma regains her memory but discovers that the Black Fairy has set the perfect trap for her. Meanwhile, the Evil Queen makes the ultimate sacrifice to save her former kingdom, and Gold is forced to choose between Good and Evil.

    Director:Ralph Hemecker
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  11. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 7 - The Heart is a Lonely Hunter
    8.6/10(3033 votes)

    #11 - The Heart is a Lonely Hunter

    S1:E7

    One of the town's residents begins to remember their fairytale past, and Storybrooke mourns the loss of one of their own. Meanwhile, in the fairytale world that was, the Evil Queen attempts to find a heartless assassin to murder Snow White.

    Director:David Barrett
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  12. Once Upon a Time Season 2 Episode 16 - The Miller's Daughter
    8.6/10(2027 votes)

    #12 - The Miller's Daughter

    S2:E16

    Cora and Regina try to overpower Mr. Gold; dark magic tempts Mary Margaret; Rumplestiltskin offers his services to Cora.

    Director:Ralph Hemecker
    Writer:Jane Espenson

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  13. Once Upon a Time Season 2 Episode 22 - And Straight on 'Til Morning
    8.6/10(1980 votes)

    #13 - And Straight on 'Til Morning

    S2:E22

    Storybrooke's inhabitants brace themselves as Greg and Tamara activate the trigger within the curse; Mr. Gold mourns; Hook rescues Bae, who is being pursued by the Lost Boys.

    Director:Dean White
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  14. Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 8 - Think Lovely Thoughts
    8.6/10(1869 votes)

    #14 - Think Lovely Thoughts

    S3:E8

    Pan leads Henry to a secret cave, where he has convinced the boy that he alone can save magic – and Neverland itself. But a showdown between good and evil is about to go down as Emma, Mary Margaret, David, Regina, Mr. Gold, and Hook find themselves directly on a path to Pan in an effort to save Henry.

    Director:David Solomon
    Writers:David H. Goodman, Robert Hull

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  15. Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 12 - New York City Serenade
    8.6/10(1961 votes)

    #15 - New York City Serenade

    S3:E12

    In New York, Hook tries to get Emma to remember who she really is. In the past, the Storybrooke residents return to the Enchanted Forest and are threatened by a threat like no other.

    Director:Billy Gierhart
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  16. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 10 - Fall
    8.6/10(1689 votes)

    #16 - Fall

    S4:E10

    The Snow Queen attempts to pit Anna and Elsa against each other; with her powers out of control, Emma seeks assistance from Gold; Regina's quest takes a surprising turn.

    Director:Mario Van Peebles
    Writer:Jane Espenson

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  17. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 11 - Shattered Sight
    8.6/10(1718 votes)

    #17 - Shattered Sight

    S4:E11

    As Storybrooke descends into chaos as the Snow Queen's spell takes hold, Emma and Elsa try to trick Regina into destroying the ribbons so that they can attack the Queen. In the past, Ingrid adopts Emma and attempts to show the girl that she's a powerful sorceress.

    Director:Gwyneth Horder-Payton
    Writers:Scott Nimerfro, Tze Chun

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  18. Once Upon a Time Season 5 Episode 8 - Birth
    8.6/10(1589 votes)

    #18 - Birth

    S5:E8

    Tensions in Camelot come to a head when Merlin, now under Arthur’s control, delivers an ultimatum to Emma: hand over the Dark One dagger and the Promethean spark or he will kill her entire family. Refusing to give in, Emma and our heroes face off against Arthur, Merlin and Zelena in an epic battle of magic and will. Just when the end is in sight, Emma is forced to make a gut-wrenching choice that no one saw coming. Back in Storybrooke, Zelena’s pregnancy mysteriously accelerates and Hook goes to new and desperate lengths to get answers from the Dark Swan.

    Director:Eagle Egilsson
    Writers:David H. Goodman, Jerome Schwartz

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  19. Once Upon a Time Season 7 Episode 20 - Is This Henry Mills?
    8.6/10(845 votes)

    #19 - Is This Henry Mills?

    S7:E20

    Roni enlists Lucy’s help to wake Henry and stop Gothel, but things don’t go as planned. Meanwhile, Rogers and Weaver go to Margot in hopes of freeing Tilly before her magic can be used to power the spell. In a flashback, Young Henry struggles to decide what path to follow until a mysterious phone call helps put him on track.

    Director:Ron Underwood
    Writers:Dana Horgan, Leah Fong

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  20. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 15 - Red-Handed
    8.5/10(2531 votes)

    #20 - Red-Handed

    S1:E15

    After Ruby quits Granny's diner and with her self-esteem at an all-time low, Emma hires her as an assistant in order to help Ruby discover what it is in life that she's good at; and Emma continues questioning David about the disappearance - and possible murder - of Kathryn. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was, Red Riding Hood yearns to run away with her true love. But she, along with her fellow townspeople, are virtual prisoners when a bloodthirsty wolf continues on its relentless killing spree.

    Director:Ron Underwood
    Writer:Jane Espenson

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  21. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 17 - Hat Trick
    8.5/10(2630 votes)

    #21 - Hat Trick

    S1:E17

    While searching for a missing Mary Margaret, Emma is kidnapped by a man whose affinity for hats has him teetering on the edge of madness. Meanwhile, viewers will be transported outside of the fairytale land that was for the first time when the Evil Queen persuades a skillful man of magic to come work for her one last time and travel to Wonderland in order to help steal something from the Queen of Hearts.

    Director:Ralph Hemecker
    Writer:David H. Goodman

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  22. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 18 - The Stable Boy
    8.5/10(2482 votes)

    #22 - The Stable Boy

    S1:E18

    Emma continues her exhaustive search for evidence that will prove Mary Margaret's innocence in the murder of David's wife, Kathryn. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was and before evil blackened her soul, Regina must choose between betraying her mother, Cora, and marrying for true love, or betrothing royalty and living a regal - but loveless - life; and the event that caused the Evil Queen to loathe Snow White is revealed.

    Director:Dean White
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  23. Once Upon a Time Season 2 Episode 9 - Queen of Hearts
    8.5/10(2002 votes)

    #23 - Queen of Hearts

    S2:E9

    Hook and Cora face off with Emma and Mary Margaret in a race for the compass; Mr. Gold and Regina plan to kill anyone who enters the portal.

    Director:Ralph Hemecker
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  24. Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 19 - A Curious Thing
    8.5/10(1628 votes)

    #24 - A Curious Thing

    S3:E19

    Zelena threatens to kill Henry if Hook - whose lips have been cursed by the Wicked Witch -- doesn't proceed with kissing Emma, which will drain all of her magical powers away, and things begin to heat up between Regina and Robin Hood. Meanwhile, back in the Fairy Tale Land that was during the past year, Snow and Charming go in search of Glinda, The Good Witch of the South, to see if she can help them defeat Zelena, and the curse that will ultimately send the Fairy Tale characters back to Storybrooke is cast -- but from an unlikely source.

    Director:Ralph Hemecker
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  25. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 12 - Heroes and Villains
    8.5/10(1689 votes)

    #25 - Heroes and Villains

    S4:E12

    In the aftermath of the Snow Queen’s spell, our heroes try to pick up the pieces and Regina has to make a difficult choice. Hook’s fate hangs in the balance as Gold’s quest for power threatens everything he holds dear. And, in the Enchanted Forest flashback, an intrusion during Belle's stay at Rumplestiltskin's dark castle will wreak havoc in both the past and the future.

    Director:Ralph Hemecker
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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Best Episodes Summary

"There's No Place Like Home" is the best rated episode of "Once Upon a Time". It scored 9.2/10 based on 2823 votes. Directed by Ralph Hemecker and written by Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis, it aired on 5/11/2014. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Going Home".