The 10 Best Jordan Peele Twilight Zone Episodes, Ranked

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The original Twilight Zone is considered one of the greatest sci-fi anthology shows ever made, and Jordan Peele’s recent remake lives up to its legacy. As expected, Peele’s version tackles more social issues, using the same science fiction concepts as Rod Serling’s original but updating them for today’s world. Both creators cleverly used relevant social commentary to tell thought-provoking stories, and Peele consistently delivered twists and turns that were as impactful as those in the classic series across its two seasons.

Here’s a list of the 10 best episodes from the revival of Jordan Peele’s The Twilight Zone, based on its two seasons and 20 total episodes.

10) “Downtime”

The second episode of Season 2 of The Twilight Zone, titled “Downtime,” was written by Jordan Peele and directed by J.D. Dillard (known for Devotion). Morena Baccarin (from Firefly and Deadpool) stars as Michelle Weaver, a woman who gets the promotion of her dreams, but then begins to question if her life is real when a massive orb appears and everyone around her stops moving except for her. The episode featured strong performances from Colman Domingo and Tony Hale, and while the ending was bittersweet, it offered a glimmer of hope, demonstrating that The Twilight Zone doesn’t always have to end with a depressing twist.

9) “Blurryman”

The tenth episode of the first season of the Twilight Zone reboot was special because Jordan Peele not only produced it, but also acted in it. The episode was particularly clever and self-aware – it features a screenwriter who unexpectedly finds herself becoming part of the Twilight Zone story she’s creating. Zazie Beetz, known from Joker, plays the screenwriter, and the episode also stars Betty Gabriel, Seth Rogen, Jason Priestley, and Jordan Peele himself. The episode ends with a surprising twist, cleverly connecting Peele’s version of The Twilight Zone to the original series created by Rod Serling. It was a truly brilliant and unexpected conclusion.

8) “The Comedian”

Jordan Peele’s first episode of the revived Twilight Zone, titled “Comedian,” was a powerful start. Kumail Nanjiani (known from Eternals) plays Samir Wassan, a comedian trying to make it big. He gets advice from a seasoned comic played by Tracy Morgan in one of his first roles after recovering from an accident. The episode explores the challenges of being a comedian, the nature of comedy itself, and the sacrifices people make in pursuit of fame.

7) “A Small Town”

“A Small Town” is the eighth episode of The Twilight Zone‘s second season. It centers on a grieving handyman who discovers a miniature town that grants him almost unlimited power, but his control is threatened when someone else tries to take it. The episode contrasts the handyman (Damon Wayans Jr.), who uses the town to improve the lives of those around him, with a selfish major (David Krumholtz) who seeks to exploit it for personal gain. Ultimately, the story’s focus on morality and its rewarding conclusion perfectly capture the spirit of The Twilight Zone.

6) “The Who of You”

“The Who of You” was the third episode of Season 2 of The Twilight Zone. It tells the story of a struggling actor who attempts to rob a bank, but discovers he has the ability to swap bodies with other people, changing his plans completely. Ethan Embry, known for his role in Scream 7, plays the actor, Harry Pine, and throughout the episode, he inhabits the bodies of various characters. The episode is a classic example of The Twilight Zone‘s signature twists and turns, culminating in a perfectly executed ending.

5) “A Traveler”

Okay, so episode four of the first season, “A Traveler,” really grabbed me. Steven Yeun, who I loved in Invincible, plays this incredibly unsettling stranger who just shows up at a holiday party and immediately throws everyone off balance. It’s definitely one of those episodes where you’re not sure who to trust, and Yeun is just fantastic at playing that ambiguous role. Marika Sila as Sgt. Mongoyak is equally great – she’s the only one who seems to realize something’s seriously not right with this guy. The whole thing wraps up in a completely wild, over-the-top way, but honestly, it works because of the amazing direction by Ana Lily Amirpour – you might know her from A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night. She really pulled it off!

4) “Nightmare At 30,000 Feet”

One of the most unsettling episodes of Jordan Peele’s revival of The Twilight Zone was his reimagining of “Nightmare At 30,000 Feet.” Instead of William Shatner, Adam Scott plays the passenger who suspects something is wrong with the plane. However, this version differs significantly from the original. Scott’s character is a journalist who hears a podcast predicting the plane’s disappearance. Despite his efforts, he can’t prevent the disaster, and his fate is far more grim than Shatner’s character, who was simply committed to an institution.

3) “Try, Try”

The second season of The Twilight Zone features a standout episode called “Try, Try,” starring Topher Grace and Kylie Bunbury. The episode centers around a time loop and initially feels like a charming romantic comedy, as the two characters, Claudia and Marc, get to know each other. But true to The Twilight Zone, a sinister twist emerges when Claudia discovers Marc isn’t who he seems. The episode cleverly explores the darker side of seemingly kind individuals and how immense power can corrupt, turning someone into a monster.

2) “Meet in the Middle”

The second episode of the show, titled “Meet in the Middle,” centers around a solitary man who develops a connection with a voice inside his head. Jimmi Simpson plays Phil Hayes, who uses telepathy to connect with a woman (Gillian Jacobs), but soon discovers she isn’t who he initially believed. The episode features a surprising twist, highlighting how even the most vulnerable people can be manipulative. Many viewers found it to be one of the most unsettling episodes of Jordan Peele’s Twilight Zone, and it felt similar in tone to an episode of Black Mirror.

1) “Replay”

“Replay,” an episode from Jordan Peele’s revival of The Twilight Zone, continues the show’s long tradition of reflecting society’s darker side. The episode is powerfully relevant even today. It centers on a mother (Sanaa Lathan) who discovers an old camcorder with a strange ability: it allows her to rewind time and protect her son (Damson Idris) from a threatening police officer. While a compelling story about a mother’s fierce love, the episode, true to classic The Twilight Zone, ends with a deliberately ambiguous and thought-provoking conclusion.

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2026-04-06 16:45