After Two Decades, These Are Officially the 20 Best Episodes of Supernatural

It’s been two decades since John Winchester, Sam and Dean’s father, embarked on a hunting trip and never returned. Nevertheless, “Supernatural” continues to hold a special place among viewers as one of the enduring TV series. With a wealth of compelling narratives spanning fifteen years, it would take a supernatural intervention on par with God himself for us all to reach a consensus about the top episodes. However, courage often finds favor, and here we’ve compiled 20 hours of what we believe to be the finest moments in “Supernatural” that showcase both the characters and its self-deprecating humor.

These are collections of episodes that continue to spark conversations, repeated viewings, and memorable quotes among fans. They range from emotional goodbyes to hilarious fan favorites.

20) “Black” (Season 10, Episode 1)

Following the resurrection of Dean as a demon by Crowley at the close of season 9, they spent a delightful summer wreaking havoc across America. The opening episode of season 10, titled “Black”, marks the beginning of an intriguing narrative arc in the series. Fans named this altered version of Dean, “Deanmon”. He was both frightening and sorrowful, pushing Sam’s allegiance to its limits and testing Crowley’s tolerance. This situation also offered a deeper insight into Crowley’s character. After his transformation at the end of season 8, shouting “I just want to be loved!” in a notably human manner, Crowley seemed more relatable from then on. His “Boys of Summer” moment provided a poignant glimpse into Crowley’s loneliness and his yearning for companionship.

The acting skills of Jensen Ackles have been lauded for presenting a multi-dimensional portrayal of Dean, offering audiences a peek into what the character might be without his human qualities. Although some fans argue that this version is not too different from the usual Dean, it’s safe to say that such an encounter would not be ideal.

19) “Clap Your Hands If You Believe” (Season 6, Episode 9)

Transforming the text into a more conversational style:

Instead of Demon Dean, we have Soulless Sam now. In a small town, they – Sam and Dean – delve into baffling abductions. But the twist comes when Dean gets ensnared by this very mystery he was trying to solve. The episode stands out due to its light-hearted approach, combining elements of X-Files-like parody with fairytale themes, and even making fun of Dean, literally speaking, in a comedic manner.

In another way of saying it, the humor in this episode is just one part of what makes it enjoyable. The fact that Sam lacks a soul and an ethical guide, leaving it up to Dean to fill that role, is quite interesting, given that it’s not typically associated with Dean. It’s entertaining to watch Dean step into more of Sam’s shoes, while Sam seems nonchalant about his brother’s absence.

18) “It’s a Terrible Life” (Season 4, Episode 17)

As a devoted fan, I must say that episodes when Sam and Dean aren’t their usual selves are always an exciting twist! One such episode that stands out among favorites is “It’s a Terrible Life.” In this captivating tale, the brothers find themselves in alternate lives with new last names. Dean becomes Smith, while Sam transforms into Wesson, yet even in these unfamiliar roles, their connection to the world of firearms remains strong.

In an intriguing blend of “Office Space” and a subtle touch of “American Psycho,” these two characters find themselves working as office drones in a corporate setting, with no prior connection between them. The narrative then shifts into a supernatural twist, as they stumble upon a ghost hunt that reunites the Winchesters. Both characters are thrilled by their unexpected action-packed escapades and discover they possess hidden fighting abilities. There’s even a wink to “Ghostfacers” in the storyline, as well as a nod to the Winchester brothers’ reliance on their advice.

17) “Red Meat” (Season 11, Episode 17)

Not all episodes of Supernatural were filled with levity. The episode “Red Meat,” for instance, begins with Sam and Dean saving two werewolf victims, leading them through Wallowa-Whitman National Forest in Grangeville, Idaho. However, this particular episode deviates from the usual Supernatural storyline as Sam appears to perish at the beginning of the show. Unlike typical scenarios, there’s no prolonged emotional scene, heartfelt brotherly goodbye speech, or deal with a crossroads demon. Instead, it’s presented abruptly, leaving Dean grappling with grief and urgency to save the werewolf victims, while his brother is left behind.

Indeed, it’s not surprising that Sam, being as resilient as a moose, manages to persevere (this happens without Dean even realizing it). The tense build-up of the survival-horror genre and Dean’s choice to take his own life in an attempt to reach Billie the Grim Reaper left viewers on tenterhooks.

16) “Dark Side of the Moon” (Season 5, Episode 16)

In Heaven, following their sudden deaths, Sam and Dean encounter a place built from their most joyful recollections. The intense episode delves into the themes of memories, regrets, and the definition of paradise for these seasoned hunters. Dean’s heavenly experience revolves around a Fourth-of-July fireworks display shared with young Sam, representing the family he always strived to safeguard. On the other hand, Sam finds solace in a peaceful Thanksgiving gathering at a friend’s house, symbolizing his longing for a normal life devoid of the Winchester lifestyle. This scene beautifully illustrates Sam’s desire for a regular existence like any ordinary person might have.

This episode provides a deeply emotional exploration of the siblings’ bond. Dean’s grief over Sam preferring a stranger’s home stems from the fact that Sam’s most cherished memories exclude him, intensifying Dean’s apprehensions about being abandoned and questioning his self-value.

15) “Bad Day at Black Rock” (Season 3, Episode 3)

In this episode, some of the most memorable lines for Sam fans may have originated. When Sam and Dean stumble upon a cursed rabbit’s foot, it sets off one of the funniest arcs in the series during its early stages. The moment when Dean is overjoyed as he recognizes Sam’s newfound luck (winning $45,000 on scratch cards, finding a gold Rolex, etc.) and the subsequent desperation and exasperation he feels when Sam loses the rabbit’s foot and encounters a series of unfortunate events (“I lost my shoe”) is still highly referenced. The episode effectively blends physical humor with genuine suspense, solidifying it as a noteworthy episode in Season 3 and demonstrating the outstanding chemistry between Ackles and Padalecki.

14) “Don’t Call Me Shurley” (Season 11, Episode 20)

For quite some time, viewers of the series pondered if Chuck Shurley, the peculiar author of the Supernatural books, was something greater than he seemed. This episode made it clear that Chuck was indeed God. The impact of “Don’t Call Me Shurley” lies in its ability to merge cosmic unveiling with heartfelt storytelling. Instead of delivering the reveal with grandeur, the writers opted for a more personal approach by using intimate character development. Through his discussions with Metatron, the divine aura surrounding Chuck is peeled back, exposing a God fraught with flaws, weariness, and battling feelings of disappointment and apathy.

13) “Lebanon” (Season 14, Episode 13)

In a more casual and flowing style, one could say: Supernatural never failed to deliver for centennial episodes, and “Lebanon” was no exception. The 300th episode evoked nostalgia and presented the opportunity for happy family reunions by bringing Jeffrey Dean Morgan back as John Winchester.

For nearly ten years, fans longed for reconciliation between John and his sons, and the show “Lebanon” offered them an emotionally charged reunion that skillfully blended heartfelt moments with laughter. It was a pivotal moment in the series, offering the boys closure and providing John a chance to make amends, essentially marking a significant turning point for him.

12) “Death’s Door” (Season 7, Episode 10)

Moving from one father who has experienced loss to another: When Bobby Singer is gunned down, viewers join him on a journey through his memories as he struggles to cling to life during an entire episode. Jim Beaver delivers an exceptional performance throughout this heartrending hour, and the focus on Bobby’s character in this episode was exceptionally well-deserved. This moment provided one of the show’s most poignant farewells for fans. Though Bobby reappeared as a ghost and later from Apocalypse World, the experience never seemed quite the same after that episode.

11) “The Real Ghostbusters” (Season 5, Episode 9)

Fans are particularly fond of the special episodes from “Supernatural,” and the animated series “The Real Ghostbusters” expands on this by involving fans more directly. The storyline finds Sam and Dean right smack in the midst of a first-ever “Supernatural” fan convention. Navigating through cosplay enthusiasts, “Supernatural” role-players, and overzealous fan Becky (who deceived them with an SOS text to get them there) forms part of their tasks.

The Real Ghostbusters” is like a heartfelt tribute to its fanbase, encapsulating the special bond between creators and followers. At the same time, it functions as an intelligent installment in the monster-of-the-week format, where the roles of the Winchester brothers are essential.

10) “Carry On” (Season 15, Episode 20)

Indeed, we’ve chosen to air the final episode midway through the series, understanding the strong reactions it might elicit from our loyal fanbase. To be frank, it was an immensely challenging task to bid farewell after 15 years in a manner that paid homage to the show, its principal actors, and you, our cherished fans.

In a nod to its origins, “Carry On” returned the narrative to its core format. It featured the classic monster-of-the-week motif, with the brothers united on their final hunt together. Admittedly, some viewers might feel a tinge of disappointment seeing Dean’s demise. Despite battling deities, it was a common nail that proved fatal in this instance. Even Jensen Ackles, who portrays Dean, initially had misgivings, but has since accepted and supported the storyline, expressing that Dean departed while doing what he cherished most – hunting.

9) “What Is and What Should Never Be” (Season 2, Episode 20)

To reconnect with the original essence of the series, let’s reminisce about its early seasons. The episode titled “What Is and What Should Never Be” presents an intriguing idea: In it, Dean gets captured by a Djinn, leading to an alternate reality where his mom is alive, Sam is engaged to Jessica, and Dean himself has a long-term relationship. Despite the allure of this peaceful life, things aren’t perfect. There’s a rift between Sam and Dean, and Dean is tormented by ghostly apparitions of people he once helped, only to find out they’ve perished in this alternate world.

In this poignant scenario, he’s faced with a difficult choice: whether to continue living in this newly found secure and comfortable life, reminiscent of an “apple pie” existence, or to put that at risk by making a sacrifice for those he has saved. This choice makes this episode particularly heart-wrenching and among the most emotionally charged in the series.

8) “Changing Channels” (Season 5, Episode 8)

In “Changing Channels,” the Trickster orchestrates each episode with a dash of humorous chaos, and when he locks Sam and Dean in various television spoofs, there’s no shortage of laugh-out-loud moments. For two acts, this episode is geared towards fun, allowing Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki to showcase their comedic skills, as they navigate through sitcoms, medical dramas, and more.

7) “All Hell Breaks Loose Part 2” (Season 2, Episode 22)

Following Sam’s surprising demise in Part 1, the subsequent episode plunges Dean into his darkest hour yet. Faced with the heart-wrenching choice to sell his soul to resurrect Sam, he lays the groundwork for years of intricate narratives, altering the trajectory of both siblings’ lives. The episode skillfully blends themes of personal sacrifice with grand cosmic implications. It delivers on two seasons of tension by having John reappear to thwart Azazel’s plan to permanently open the Devil’s Gate, thereby releasing countless demons upon the world.

In ‘All Hell Breaks Loose: Part 2’, the Supernatural series solidified its reputation for pushing its protagonists to their limits, escalating the tension, and revolutionizing the storyline completely. This finale is widely regarded by both fans and critics as one of the most impactful and pivotal episodes in the show’s history.

6) “Fan Fiction” (Season 10, Episode 5)

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but express my excitement over the latest milestone episode! The 200th installment finds Sam and Dean immersed in an all-girls high school that’s been hit by a string of mysterious disappearances. Dressed to the nines in their FBI attire, they unwittingly find themselves entangled in the drama students’ musical adaptation of the Supernatural books penned by Carver Edlund. For our heroes, it turns into an uncanny reenactment of their past-a musical, no less! They even get a taste of déjà vu when Dean strongly objects to a rather intimate scene between the fictional Sam and Dean on stage, echoing back to the very first Carver episode where they encountered the unsettling “slash” fan fiction.

Brimming with inside humor, tunes, and shout-outs to fans, it was equally a playful satire and an apt homage to the devotion that sustained the show’s longevity for years.

5) “No Rest for the Wicked” (Season 3, Episode 16)

In simpler terms, the third season finale stands out as one of the most impactful and emotionally intense episodes in the series due to its focused exploration of Sam and Dean’s bond. During this episode, we witness Dean concealing his fear under a mask of bravado and gallows humor, while Sam becomes more frantic and holds onto any sliver of hope for his brother’s salvation.

In the closing scenes of the episode, seeing Sam tenderly holding Dean’s limp body, drenched in blood and presumably taken to Hell by hellhounds, left fans devastated – a scene that resonated deeply until Season 4. Essentially, “No Rest for the Wicked” encapsulates all the qualities that make Supernatural such a captivating series.

4) “Scoobynatural” (Season 13, Episode 16)

In simpler terms, this iconic episode, a delightful blend we didn’t anticipate but can’t imagine life without now, features the characters from Supernatural meeting those of Scooby-Doo. This encounter showcases Dean’s hidden love for Daphne and his geeky side. The episode skillfully merges cartoon antics with humor, blending elements typical of Supernatural (authentic ghosts, Sam having a crush on Velma, Castiel finding the whole scenario confusing) while remaining faithful to the Scooby Gang’s original intellectual property. This creative blend of nostalgia and innovation demonstrates that even after 13 seasons, Supernatural could still surprise its fans with unexpected twists.

3) “Baby” (Season 11, Episode 4)

A much-loved choice features an innovative, single-room style episode that revolves around Baby (Dean’s Impala), offering a captivating narrative perspective through dash-mounted cameras and a daily chronicle. The tale encompasses everything from subdued sibling chats to joy rides and intense brawls, the unconventional storytelling technique turning it into an immediate classic. This episode provided long-overdue attention to the car character, casting it as the main attraction.

2) “The French Mistake” (Season 6, Episode 15)

Without a doubt, this episode had to rank among the top 5. Known as one of the most hilarious installments throughout the series, “The French Mistake” transported Sam and Dean into an alternate world where they assumed the roles of Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, real-life actors. In a rare instance, the actual actors were involved in shaping the storyline, and their insistence on maintaining their characters, Sam and Dean, added a unique touch that made this episode truly outstanding.

The goofy wit and clever fourth-wall breaks demonstrate Supernatural at its most self-deprecating, showing off the cast’s lighthearted approach to their roles. Misha Collins’ endearing efforts to fit in with the popular crowd, along with Sam and Dean’s hilarious acting blunders, make for an entertaining spectacle that keeps us coming back for more.

1) “Swan Song” (Season 5, Episode 22)

In this crucial episode of “Supernatural”, Lucifer and the apocalypse pose a significant challenge for Sam and Dean. The episode is packed with emotional depth, high-stakes action, and a moving narrative from Chuck. The internal struggle within Sam and Dean’s steadfast resolve to never leave each other, even in the face of certain death, is truly impactful. When Sam manages to regain control, thanks to Dean’s unwavering support, it encapsulates the emotional essence that runs throughout the entire series. This climactic moment brings five seasons worth of storytelling to a satisfying close, creating an ending that feels both grand and intensely personal, making it the standout episode of “Supernatural”.

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2025-09-12 20:01