With 12 seasons under its belt, American Horror Story has solidified itself as a staple of television horror. Co-created by Ryan Murphy, this anthology series has been providing chills, suspense, and jaw-dropping twists since the premiere of Murder House in 2011. From witches to cults, ’80s slashers, and even the apocalypse itself, the show’s diverse subject matter offers something for many viewers. It’s a franchise that has garnered a dedicated fanbase.
Although the American Horror Story series has a dedicated fanbase, certain seasons have gained more acclaim than others over time. Given there are 12 seasons so far, with a 13th in production, it’s only natural that some stand out as superior. Since our last ranking, several new seasons have been released. In this updated analysis, we will examine the critical reception of each season using Rotten Tomatoes scores and comparing it to audience feedback. We are also including the latest season, ‘Delicate’, in our assessment. You might find the final rankings intriguing, so keep reading!
12) Hotel (Season 5)
The Hotel season of American Horror Story has received the lowest rating among critics so far at 64%, with a general consensus that it prioritizes flashy style over compelling storytelling, leaving its cast members underutilized. This season revolves around the enigmatic Hotel Cortez in Los Angeles, a location filled with unsettling and supernatural occurrences under the watchful eye of its cryptic staff. Notable cast members include Kathy Bates, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Wes Bentley, Matt Bomer, Chloe Sevigny, Denis O’Hare, Cheyenne Jackson, Angela Bassett, and Lady Gaga. Unfortunately, fans also shared a similar sentiment, giving the season a 60% rating.
11) NYC (Season 11)
Season 11 has sparked a great deal of debate among viewers and critics. Critics assigned it a score of 71, placing it at the tenth position on our rankings, but fans have given it a considerably lower rating of 40 percent — the lowest for any season thus far. This season, which is set in New York City during the 1980s, explores a series of murders targeting gay men as the HIV/AIDS virus begins to spread. The ensemble cast includes Russell Tovey, Joe Mantello, Billie Lourd, Denis O’Hare, Charlie Carver, Leslie Grossman, Sandra Bernhard, Isaac Powell, Zachary Quinto, and Patti LuPone.
10) Murder House (Season 1)
Although it’s the initial season, Murder House received a relatively low rating of 72% from critics, but fans seem to enjoy it more with an 84% approval rating, placing it second in their rankings. The season established the foundation for subsequent episodes and focuses on a family who relocate to a renovated mansion in Los Angeles following personal struggles like miscarriage and infidelity. However, they soon find out that the house is inhabited by the spirits of its previous residents – and victims. The cast includes Connie Britton, Dylan McDermott, Evan Peters, Taissa Farmiga, Denis O’Hare, and Jessica Lange.
9) Cult (Season 7)
The cult film ranks eighth with an approval rating of 73%, commended for its “timely, excessive eeriness”. Yet, it was somewhat criticized for its sweeping political statements which limited its appeal. Consequently, these broad generalizations and its politically charged theme didn’t resonate well with the audience, resulting in a moderate rating of 52%. This makes it a highly contentious addition within the franchise as a whole.
The series unfolded in the fictional town of Brookfield Heights, Michigan, where a cult was causing distress among residents following Donald Trump’s presidential victory. In this season, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Cheyenne Jackson, Billie Lourd, and Alison Pill graced our screens.
8) Roanoke (Season 6)
In contrast to other seasons of American Horror Story (AHS), the sixth season, titled Roanoke, stands out by incorporating substantial historical elements and presenting a “show-within-a-show” structure, which many critics appreciate. Critics highly rate it with an 74% score, positioning it as the 7th best season overall, praising its departure from traditional AHS formats towards a slower, eerier pace on a more intimate scale. Conversely, fans were not as enthusiastic, giving the season a 57% rating.
The TV series, titled “Roanoke,” explores eerie events surrounding a haunted house in North Carolina. The initial part of the season is portrayed as a documentary, while the latter half switches to footage discovered from the ill-fated filming of its sequel. Notable cast members include Kathy Bates, Sarah Paulson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Lily Rabe, Andre Holland, Denis O’Hare, Wes Bentley, Evan Peters, Cheyenne Jackson, Angela Bassett, and Lady Gaga.
7) Freak Show (Season 4)
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but sing praises for “Freak Show,” a season that Jessica Lange holds dear and has garnered critical acclaim, boasting an impressive 74% score. Critics have acknowledged its eccentricity yet applauded it for delivering chills through its consistently stylish execution and talented ensemble cast. While some fans might have given it a 68%, we placed it towards the bottom of our list, at number 8 out of 9 seasons initially, owing to its unique elements and musical performances that set it apart.
The show “Freak Show” chronicled the lives of one of America’s final traveling freak shows and featured an ensemble cast including Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Michael Chiklis, Francis Conroy, Denis O’Hare, Emma Roberts, Finn Wittrock, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Jessica Lange, with Lily Rabe, Naomi Grossman, and John Cromwell reappearing from the series “Asylum.
6) Delicate (Season 12)
The sixth season of American Horror Story, titled “Delicate,” stands out in the series for a notable reason: it’s the first time the series has adapted an existing work, in this instance, Danielle Valentine’s novel “Delicate Condition.” Additionally, this season is the first not to be overseen by Ryan Murphy; instead, Halley Feiffer took on the role of showrunner and penned all nine episodes. These changes could contribute to the season’s ranking on the list, placing it at number six with a 77% score. Audiences gave the season a 67%, indicating a divide in opinions, common among most American Horror Story seasons. What resonated with viewers was surprisingly Kim Kardashian’s performance and the more refined, less extravagant tone of the episodes. However, similar to many seasons, audiences felt that things started to unravel slightly towards the end.
In “Delicate,” after numerous unsuccessful IVF attempts, actress Anna Victoria Alcott yearns deeply to establish a family. Yet, as interest in her latest movie escalates, she becomes increasingly apprehensive that some unknown force is jeopardizing both her dream of motherhood and her life itself. Not long after, Anna unwittingly becomes ensnared in something malevolent and beyond her command, while simultaneously expecting a baby.
5) Apocalypse (Season 8)
In this current crossover period, the fifth season of Apocalypse has garnered positive reviews from critics with a score of 79%. It’s been lauded for its acting performances and the bold move to merge multiple seasons of the series – Murder House, Hotel, and Coven. Previously, we had ranked this season at number six, but now it shares third place due to fan ratings at 75%. The season revolves around the Coven witches combating the Antichrist in an effort to salvage the world post-nuclear catastrophe. Starring cast members include Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Adina Porter, Billie Lourd, Leslie Grossman, Cody Fern, Emma Roberts, Cheyenne Jackson, and Kathy Bates.
4) Double Feature (Season 10)
As a movie reviewer, I found Season 10 of “American Horror Story” to be an intriguing departure from the norm. Instead of one continuous narrative, it presented two distinct stories: “Red Tide” and “Death Valley.” While these tales didn’t intertwine, they each offered a unique blend of mystery and horror.
“Red Tide,” set in Provincetown, Massachusetts, followed a family grappling with the enigmatic vampire residents, while “Death Valley” took us on a journey into an alien conspiracy experienced by a group of camping friends. The ensemble cast included familiar faces like Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Lily Rabe, Finn Wittrock, Frances Conroy, Billie Lourd, Leslie Grossman, Adina Porter, and Angelica Ross, along with new additions such as Macaulay Culkin, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Neal McDonough, Kaia Gerber, Nico Greetham, Isaac Powell, Rachel Hilson, and Rebecca Dayan.
Critics gave it a 80% score, positioning it fourth in the series, but fans seemed to have a differing viewpoint. The audience score stood at a disappointing 51%. However, there was one aspect on which everyone concurred – Leslie Grossman’s performance was exceptional.
3) Asylum (Season 2)
In the world of television criticism, the second installment of “American Horror Story: Asylum” ranks third overall, boasting an impressive 84% score. This season, set in the eerie Briarcliff Manor mental institution, has garnered acclaim for its audacious approach to horror, skillfully blending shocking and sensual subplots with thought-provoking perspectives on contemporary social issues. Interestingly, our initial assessment placed this season at the top spot, a ranking that appears to resonate with fans as well. To date, it holds the highest audience approval rating among all seasons of “American Horror Story,” standing strong at an impressive 90%.
2) Coven (Season 3)
In the third installment of “American Horror Story,” titled “Coven,” garnered an impressive 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics lauded it for its compelling ensemble cast, chilling narrative, and over-the-top, shocking suspense. Our previous review placed this season at the third spot. The audience seems to concur with this evaluation as the season, set in New Orleans around a coven of witches battling for survival, earned a 75% audience score. Starring an impressive lineup that included Sarah Paulson, Taissa Farmiga, Frances Conroy, Angela Bassett, Evan Peters, Gabourey Sidibe, Lily Rabe, Emma Roberts, Denis O’Hare, Kathy Bates, and Jessica Lange.
1) 1984 (Season 9)
In the world of Rotten Tomatoes, the critically acclaimed slasher-themed season of American Horror Story, titled 1984, stands out as the most praised among all seasons thus far. Critics agree that this season masterfully combines classic slasher elements with the distinctive twists typical of American Horror Story. Previously, we ranked it second on our list. Set in the 1980s near Los Angeles, the story revolves around a summer camp reopening after a 14-year hiatus following a massacre. The ensemble cast includes Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Leslie Grossman, Cody Fern, Matthew Morrison, Gus Kenworthy, John Carroll Lynch, Angelica Ross, and Zach Villa.
Regarding the audience rating, the novel ‘1984’ earned a score of 75%, which placed it as a joint third alongside ‘Coven’ and ‘Apocalypse’.
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2025-02-08 06:42