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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!

Binge this in 4d 17h•Peaking at 9.2/10

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 4 Episode 23 - Operation Mongoose (2)
    9.2/10(2090 votes)

    #1 - 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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  2. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 11 - Shattered Sight
    8.7/10(1733 votes)

    #2 - 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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  3. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 22 - Operation Mongoose (1)
    8.7/10(1741 votes)

    #3 - 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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  4. Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 11 - Going Home
    8.5/10(2684 votes)

    #4 - 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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  5. Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 22 - There's No Place Like Home
    8.5/10(2845 votes)

    #5 - 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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  6. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 12 - Skin Deep
    8.4/10(3111 votes)

    #6 - 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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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Once Upon a Time

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  7. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 2 - White Out
    8.4/10(1808 votes)

    #7 - White Out

    S4:E2

    While desperately trying to find her sister Anna, Elsa accidentally traps them both inside an ice cave. Regina secludes herself from the town and Henry. With the townspeople considering Mary Margaret their leader, she faces her first leadership task in trying to re-start a generator and restore the town’s electricity after Elsa freezes and damages the power lines. Anna tries to teach a meek David to fight Bo Peep.

    Director:Ron Underwood
    Writer:Jane Espenson

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  8. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 5 - Breaking Glass
    8.4/10(1656 votes)

    #8 - Breaking Glass

    S4:E5

    Emma tries to convince a reluctant Regina to help her find the Snow Queen, only to discover that Regina is lying to her about Sidney's whereabouts. Meanwhile, David convinces Mary Margaret to go on a date, but the date turns into a hunt when Will escapes his jail cell. In the past, Emma befriends another young orphan who isn't all that she seems.

    Director:Alrick Riley
    Writers:Kalinda Vazquez, Scott Nimerfro

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  9. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 4 - The Apprentice
    8.3/10(1696 votes)

    #9 - The Apprentice

    S4:E4

    Hook discovers that magic always comes with a price after he makes a deal with Mr. Gold to re-attach his hand so that he can embrace Emma with both hands on their first real date. And back in the fairy tale land of the past, Rumplestiltskin uses Anna to help him acquire a magical box from the sorcerer’s apprentice.

    Director:Ralph Hemecker
    Writers:Andrew Chambliss, Dana Horgan

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  10. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 7 - The Snow Queen
    8.3/10(1599 votes)

    #10 - The Snow Queen

    S4:E7

    Emma captures the Snow Queen and learns that they are more alike then she can possibly imagine. In arendelle of the past, Ingrid discovers her deadly ice powers and makes a pact with her two sisters to protect and always be there for one another – no matter what.

    Director:Billy Gierhart
    Writers:Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis

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  11. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 8 - Smash the Mirror (1)
    8.3/10(1694 votes)

    #11 - Smash the Mirror (1)

    S4:E8

    Emma’s powers run amok and she turns to Gold for help, Elsa and Anna’s relationship is tested, and the Snow Queen’s agenda is revealed.

    Directors:Ralph Hemecker, Eagle Egilsson
    Writers:David H. Goodman, Jerome Schwartz

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  12. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 9 - Smash the Mirror (2)
    8.3/10(1213 votes)

    #12 - Smash the Mirror (2)

    S4:E9

    Emma’s powers run amok and she turns to Gold for help, Elsa and Anna’s relationship is tested, and the Snow Queen’s agenda is revealed.

    Director:Ralph Hemecker
    Writers:David H. Goodman, Jerome Schwartz

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  13. Once Upon a Time Season 6 Episode 20 - The Song in Your Heart
    8.3/10(1902 votes)

    #13 - The Song in Your Heart

    S6:E20

    In flashback, Snow and Charming make a special wish that Emma will be protected. The result of their wish has the whole kingdom bursting into song which infuriates the Evil Queen. Meanwhile in Storybrooke, the Black Fairy announces her plans to unleash another curse on the town while Emma and Hook prepare for their wedding.

    Director:Ron Underwood
    Writers:David H. Goodman, Andrew Chambliss

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  14. Once Upon a Time Season 7 Episode 22 - Leaving Storybrooke
    8.3/10(1245 votes)

    #14 - 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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  15. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 8 - Desperate Souls
    8.2/10(2675 votes)

    #15 - Desperate Souls

    S1:E8

    Regina and Mr. Gold play dirty politics and take opposite sides when Emma runs for a coveted Storybrooke public office against Sidney. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale world that was, Rumplestiltskin tries to track down the ultimate power source in order to help his son avert the horrors of a meaningless war.

    Director:Michael Waxman
    Writer:Jane Espenson

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  16. Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 15 - Quiet Minds
    8.2/10(1644 votes)

    #16 - Quiet Minds

    S3:E15

    Neal finds himself back in Storybrooke and yearns for a way to reconnect with his son Henry, whose memories of his father are gone, while also trying to find his own father, Rumplestiltskin, whom he has just learned is alive but missing, and Regina discovers a possible connection with Robin Hood. Meanwhile, in the Fairy Tale Land that was over the past year, agonizing over the death of his father, Neal - with the help of Belle and enchanted candelabra Lumiere - attempts to find a magical solution to bring back Rumplestiltskin from the dead.

    Director:Eagle Egilsson
    Writer:Kalinda Vazquez

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  17. Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 19 - A Curious Thing
    8.2/10(1645 votes)

    #17 - 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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  18. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 10 - Fall
    8.2/10(1704 votes)

    #18 - 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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  19. Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 12 - Heroes and Villains
    8.2/10(1706 votes)

    #19 - 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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  20. Once Upon a Time Season 5 Episode 20 - Firebird
    8.2/10(1228 votes)

    #20 - Firebird

    S5:E20

    Hades turns to the heroes to ask for help with getting Zelena back from Rumplestiltskin and Peter Pan. In return, he offers to take all their names off their tombstones. However, when Hook is still unable to leave, he and Emma must journey into the depths of the Underworld. Meanwhile, Cruella De Vil is determined to keep the heroes trapped in the Underworld. In flashbacks, Emma searches for answers about her family and makes an unexpected friendship.

    Director:Ron Underwood
    Writer:Jane Espenson

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  21. Once Upon a Time Season 6 Episode 22 - The Final Battle (2)
    8.2/10(1311 votes)

    #21 - 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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  22. Once Upon a Time Season 1 Episode 17 - Hat Trick
    8.1/10(2645 votes)

    #22 - 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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  23. Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 8 - Think Lovely Thoughts
    8.1/10(1874 votes)

    #23 - 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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  24. Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 12 - New York City Serenade
    8.1/10(1975 votes)

    #24 - 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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  25. Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 16 - It's Not Easy Being Green
    8.1/10(1620 votes)

    #25 - It's Not Easy Being Green

    S3:E16

    With Rumplestiltskin as her slave, Zelena challenges Regina to a fight to the death and shocks the Evil queen with the reveal of their familial connection, and the town lays Neal to rest. Meanwhile, back in the past in the land of Oz, a jealous Zelena asks the Wizard to send her to Fairy Tale Land after discovering that she has a sister, Regina, and that Rumplestiltskin is training her to become a powerful force to be reckoned with.

    Director:Mario Van Peebles
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Operation Mongoose (2)" is the best rated episode of "Once Upon a Time". It scored 9.2/10 based on 2090 votes. Directed by Ralph Hemecker and written by Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis, it aired on 5/10/2015. This episode scored 0.5 points higher than the second highest rated, "Shattered Sight".