Every Episode of 'Game of Thrones', Ranked
Which episode of the HBO hit reigns supreme?
Game of Thrones has been one of the most popular shows on TV since it premiered in 2011, but now our watch has ended with the show's final episode, "The Iron Throne."
Over the past eight seasons, HBO's epic fantasy drama, based on George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, has consistently left fans with their jaws on the floor thanks to moments like Ned Stark's decapitation, the Red Wedding, and Jon Snow's death. (Yes. There's a lot of dying.)
Game of Thrones Season 8 Spoilers
All of these incredible moments happened in some of Game of Thrones' most exciting hours. The saga has delivered episodes ranging from masterpieces like "Hardhome" and "Winds of Winter" to the not-so-great in "Eastwatch" and "Breaker of Chains." But which episode reigns supreme?
Below, we've ranked all 73 episodes of the HBO hit show, from worst to first.
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Let's start with the worst...
73. "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken" (S5E06)
The worst episode in the series features the forced wedding of Ramsay Bolton and Sansa Stark..
Memorable moment: In one of the show's worst and most controversial scenes, Ramsay rapes Sansa on their wedding night.
72. "Breaker of Chains" (S4E03)
In the aftermath of the Purple Wedding, Sansa escapes King's Landing, and Tyrion Lannister awaits his trial for the murder of Joffrey Baratheon.
Memorable moment: Daario Naharis kills Meereen's champion without breaking a sweat in an otherwise slooow episode.
71. "Eastwatch" (S7E05)
Tyrion, an incredibly intelligent man, comes up with the bright idea to capture a wight and present it to Cersei Lannister to prove that the army of the dead exists.
Memorable moment: Randall and Dickon Tarly are burned to a crisp by Drogon.
70. "The Gift" (S5E07)
In this entry that sets the scene for the epic "Hardhome" episode, Sansa pleads for help from Reek, aka Theon Greyjoy, while Cersei is imprisoned by the Faith Militant.
Memorable moment: When Cersei tries to leave her meeting with the High Sparrow, she's locked in a cell by a group of Septas.
69. "The Prince of Winterfell" (S2E08)
In the episode prior to fan favorite "Blackwater," two not-dumb characters make incredibly stupid moves: Robb arrests his mom, and Cersei kidnaps the wrong person altogether.
Memorable moment: Arya Stark persuades Jaqen H'ghar to help her escape Harrenhal.
68. "The House of Black and White" (S5E02)
Jon Snow is elected the new Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, and Arya starts her looooong quest to become "no one" in Braavos.
Memorable moment: A public execution in Meereen leads to a riot among former masters and slaves.
67. "The Broken Man" (S6E07)
After being stabbed by the Waif, Arya is left for dead. And Sandor "The Hound" Clegane seeks revenge on the Brotherhood Without Banners.
Memorable moment: In an otherwise depressing episode, Lady Lyanna Mormont bursts onto the scene with an episode-stealing appearance as she pledges her family's allegiance to Jon and the Starks.
66. "Beyond the Wall" (S7E06)
In a plan that makes absolutely no sense, Jon, the Hound, Jorah Mormont, and others venture beyond the Wall to capture a wight.
Memorable moment: The Night King -- with his incredibly accurate arm -- throws an ice javelin that kills Viserion, who is later resurrected as a wight dragon.
65. "A Man Without Honor" (S2E07)
Daenerys Targaryen learns her stolen dragons are at the House of the Undying, and Theon Greyjoy continues his ill-fated rule over Winterfell.
Memorable moment: The only incredible moment from the episode is Pyat Pree magically multiplying himself and then killing eleven members of the Thirteen.
64. "Valar Dohaeris" (S3E01)
In the Season 3 premiere, Jon meets Mance Rayder, the King Beyond the Wall. And Daenerys considers purchasing the Unsullied, an army of eunuch slave warriors.
Memorable moment: Ser Barristan Selmy saves Daenerys from being assassinated.
63. "Sons of the Harpy" (S5E04)
In this Season 5 episode, the dull Sand Snakes are introduced, Tommen Baratheon meets with the High Sparrow, and the Sons of the Harpy rise up.
Memorable moment: The Unsullied, led by Grey Worm, and Ser Barristan Selmy fight the attacking Sons of the Harpy members.
62. "The Night Lands" (S2E02)
Gendry hides from Lannister men who are hunting him, Theon returns to the Iron Islands, and Melisandre seduces Stannis Baratheon.
Memorable moment: Jon learns that Craster is sacrificing his newborn sons to the White Walkers in a somewhat meandering episode.
61. "Kill the Boy" (S505)
Jorah and a captured Tyrion are attacked by stone men. Jon cements an alliance with the Wildlings.
Memorable moment: Jorah is infected with greyscale.
60. "Book of the Stranger" (S6E04)
In a rehash of the Season 1 finale, Daenerys emerges from the flames, naked and unscathed.
Memorable moment: After years apart, Jon and Sansa reunite at the Night's Watch.
59. "High Sparrow" (S5E03)
Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish heartlessly convinces Sansa to marry Ramsay Bolton, whose father was responsible for the death of her brother and mother. Tyrion is kidnapped by Jorah.
Memorable moment: Jon Snow beheads Janos Slynt for insubordination.
58. "Wars to Come" (S5E01)
In the Season 5 premiere, a flashback shows a young Cersei discovering her unfortunate prophecy.
Memorable moment: In a scene that's hard to watch, Jon mercifully shoots Mance Rayder as he's being burned to death.
57. "Kingsroad" (S1E02)
Tyrion and Jon journey to the Wall, while a paralyzed Bran Stark wakes up from his coma.
Memorable moment: In a sign of things to come, Joffrey Baratheon exhibits his first act of evil by bullying Arya and her friend.
56. "First of His Name" (S4E05)
Tommen Baratheon is crowned king, and Jon and with the Night's Watch attack Craster's Keep.
Memorable moment: Bran wargs into Hodor, turning him into a brutal killing machine.
55. "Second Sons" (S3E08)
Tyrion and Sansa get married, and Samwell Tarly is attacked by a White Walker.
Memorable moment: When a White Walker charges at Gilly, Samwell -- proving his fan-favorite status -- uses a dragonglass dagger to disintegrate the enemy.
54. "The Red Woman" (S6E01)
Davos Seaworth and members of the Night's Watch protect the body of Jon, while Brienne of Tarth and Podrick Payne save a fleeing Sansa and Theon. A blinded Arya must fight the Waif.
Memorable moment: Brienne of Tarth pledges her loyalty to Sansa, who's in need of some good news.
53. "Dark Wings, Dark Words" (S3E02)
On the road to King's Landing, Jaime Lannister and Brienne of Tarth are captured by Locke, a Roose Bolton bannerman. Joffrey flaunts his deadly crossbow.
Memorable moment: Brienne of Tarth proves she might be the best warrior in Westeros by defeating Jaime, aka the Kingslayer, in a swordfight.
52. "The Bear and the Maiden Fair" (S3E07)
Melisandre divulges to Gendry that his father is the late King Robert Baratheon, and Jaime saves Brienne of Tarth from a bear.
Memorable moment: Definitely not Ramsay torturing Theon. That's for sure.
51. "The Queen's Justice" (S7E03)
In this action-packed episode, the Lannisters seize Highgarden, where Olenna Tyrell confesses to murdering Joffrey.
Memorable moment: Jon and Daenerys *FINALLY* meet.
50. "The North Remembers" (S2E01)
In the Season 2 premiere, Tyrion takes over as Hand of the King, while Stannis Baratheon and Melisandre plan an invasion.
Memorable moment: Melisandre drinks what is obviously poison and is unaffected by it.
49. "Dragonstone" (S7E01)
After six epic seasons, Daenerys makes her long-awaited arrival in Westeros. Euron Greyjoy enjoys quite the entrance in King's Landing.
Memorable moment: Arya finally gets sweet revenge on the Freys and then hangs out with golden-voiced Ed Sheeran.
48. "Oathkeeper" (S4E04)
Jaime Lannister continues his sword training with Bronn, and he commands Brienne of Tarth to find and protect Sansa.
Memorable moment: In the Night King's debut episode, the leader of the White Walkers transforms a baby boy into a White Walker. And it's a terrifying sight.
47. "The Bells" (S8E05)
In the penultimate episode of Game of Thrones, the Last War doesn't last very long at all. Daenerys Targaryen goes full Mad Queen and lays waste to King's Landing, even after the city surrenders. And Jaime reunites with Cersei before the two perish in unsatisfying fashion.
Memorable moment: The Hound and the Mountain finally clash in the much-anticipated Clegane Bowl. And it does not disappoint.
46. "Lord Snow" (S1E03)
This Season 1 episode introduces fan-favorite characters Littlefinger and Varys. Jon and Tyrion bond beyond the Wall.
Memorable moment: Arya gets her first lesson in Syrio Forel's water-dancing.
45. "Walk of Punishment" (S3E03)
In this Season 3 episode, Podrick Payne transforms from virgin squire to Sex God Pod. Also, Daenerys apparently trades a dragon for an army.
Memorable moment: Jaime gets his hand chopped off by Locke.
44. "Garden of Bones" (S2E04)
King Joffrey continues to show how cruel he is by punishing Sansa for her brother Robb's triumphs.
Memorable moment: Melisandre births a shadow baby.
43. "The Wolf and the Lion" (S1E05)
We get an early preview of the Clegane Bowl -- The Hound versus The Mountain -- at the Tourney of the Hand, while a captured Tyrion notches his first kill.
Memorable moment: The first great swordfight in Game of Thrones gives us a Ned and Jaime showdown for the ages.
42. "Blood of My Blood" (S6E06)
Family be damned, Samwell steals House Tarly's Valyrian steel sword, Heartsbane, from his father.
Memorable moment: Proving that she isn't "no one," Arya retrieves her trusty sword, Needle.
41. "The Ghost of Harrenhal" (S2E05)
While Renly Baratheon and Catelyn Stark negotiate a treaty, he is murdered by a mysterious shadow. Arya reunites with Jaqen H'ghar, who offers her a favor for saving him.
Memorable moment: The Red Woman's shadow baby shocks the world and assassinates Renly.
40. "A Golden Crown" (S1E06)
Bronn volunteers to be Tyrion's champion in a trial by combat, strengthening their burgeoning bromance.
Memorable moment: A whiny and inebriated Viserys Targaryen gets his golden crown when Khal Drogo pours molten gold on his head.
39. "The Old Gods and the New" (S2E06)
With Theon controlling Winterfell, Hodor helps Bran and Rickon Stark escape. Daenerys' dragons are stolen in Qarth.
Memorable moment: King Joffrey is humiliated when he's smacked in the face by a cowpie and then by Tyrion.
38. "Mhysa"(S3E10)
Following the events of the Red Wedding, Roose Bolton is named Warden of North and Theon is captured by Ramsay.
Memorable moment: A crowd of freed slaves lifts Daenerys in the air as her dragons fly overhead.
37. "Stormborn" (S7E02)
Melisandre encourages Daenerys to meet Jon, and Samwell saves Jorah from greyscale.
Memorable moment: In a treacherous action scene, Euron Greyjoy's Iron Fleet attacks the Greyjoys and Sand Snakes.
36. "No One" (S6E08)
The Hound searches for the Brotherhood Without Banners. Jaime retakes Riverrun.
Memorable moment: Arya kills the Waif and departs for Winterfell.
35. "Valar Morghulis" (S2E10)
Following the Battle of Blackwater, Tyrion suffers an extreme fall from power.
Memorable moment: A White Walker and an army of wights march toward the Night's Watch in a terrifying scene.
34. "The Climb" (S3E06)
Jon, Ygritte, and others climb the treacherous Wall.
Memorable moment: The silver-tongued Littlefinger sums up Game of Thrones in one essential quote: "Chaos is a ladder."
33. "The Iron Throne" (S8E06)
The finale episode of Game of Thrones might have been slow, but it was still one of the stronger entries in Season 8. Bran the Broken was crowned the new King, while the North (expectedly) became independent again. The Mother of Dragons didn't get to enjoy the fulfillment of her destiny for long, and Jon Snow was sentenced to return to the Night's Watch.
Memorable moment: In the Mother of Dragons' moment of triumph, Jon Snow -- while embracing his queen -- stabs her in the heart. Drogon melts down the Iron Throne and flies off with Dany in tow.
32. "Oathbreaker" (S6E03)
A freshly resurrected Jon oversees the hanging of the Night's Watch brothers who betrayed and killed him. Take that, Olly!
Memorable moment: In a vision that hints at a BIG secret, Bran and the Three-Eyed Raven see a young Ned Stark at the Tower of Joy.
31. "What Is Dead May Never Die" (S2E03)
Tyrion uses his cunning to discover the mole in the Small Council. Brienne of Tarth makes her first appearance.
Memorable moment: During a battle with Lannister bannermen, Arya frees Jaqen H'ghar.
30. "Winterfell" (S8E01)
After a long wait, the Season 8 premiere didn't disappoint. Jon Snow finally learned that Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen are his parents. The rightful heir to the Iron Throne also rode a dragon for the first time.
Memorable moment: Jon Snow and Arya Stark's much-awaited reunion.
29. "Mockingbird" (S4E07)
Oberyn Martell is named Tyrion's champion for his trial by combat, while Arya and the Hound are attacked on their journey east.
Memorable moment: Littlefinger pushes Lysa Arryn through the Moon Door.
28. "The Pointy End" (S1E08)
After capturing Ned Stark, the Lannisters search for the Stark family.
Memorable moment: With Arya in trouble, Syrio Forel's water-dancing fighting style is on full display when he's attacked by Lannister soldiers.
27. "The Last of the Starks" (S8E04)
Things go from bad to worse for the Mother of Dragons. Still mourning the death of her trusty adviser Jorah Mormont in the Battle of Winterfell, Daenerys' rift with the Starks grows larger, Jon shares his secret identity with his sisters, and Missandei and Rhaegal are killed by Cersei's army.
Memorable moment: Rhaegal is shot out of the sky, killed by Euron Greyjoy's fleet in an ambush.
26. "The Dance of Dragons" (S5E09)
In one of the darkest moments of the series, Stannis allows Melisandre to sacrifice his daughter. And Arya defies her assassin's code to kill Meryn Trant.
Memorable moment: Drogon gloriously returns to save Daenerys from a rebellion in Meereen.
25. "The Laws of Gods and Men" (S4E06)
Charged with the murder of Joffrey, Tyrion demands a trial by combat.
Memorable moment: Tyrion turns on the people of King's Landing, and it is delightful.
24. "The Dragon and the Wolf" (S7E07)
The 81-minute Season 7 finale features the long-awaited death of Littlefinger, the split of Jaime and Cersei, the breach of the Wall, and the full reveal of Jon Snow's parentage.
Memorable moment: Take your pick: wight Viserion destroying the Wall, Littlefinger's death, or Jon and Dany getting it on.
23. "Two Swords" (S4E01)
Jon is questioned about his ties with the Wildlings. The Martells arrive in King's Landing.
Memorable moment: The Hound demolishes a group of Lannister soldiers over some food.
22. "And Now His Watch Is Ended" (S3E04)
Joffrey takes Margaery Tyrell to the Great Sept of Baelor, and the Night's Watch brothers turn on each other.
Memorable moment: Daenerys takes control of the Unsullied army and commands her dragons to burn the masters.
21. "Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things" (S1E04)
Ned investigates the mysterious death of his predecessor, and Jon befriends Samwell.
Memorable moment: Catelyn rallies her allies to arrest Tyrion, whom she mistakenly believes tried to murder her son.
20. "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" (S8E02)
It was a tough episode for the Mother of Dragons. Daenerys discovers that she may not be the rightful heir to the throne -- and she's in love with her own nephew. But before she can even fully process these life-altering realizations, the army of the dead arrives.
On the bright side, Jaime joined Jon Snow and Co. and then knighted Brienne in what was one of the highlights of their relationship, and of the series.
Memorable Moment: Everything and anything involving Jaime and Brienne. And, of course, Arya losing her virginity to Gendry.
19. "Home" (S6E02)
Roose Bolton is betrayed by his bastard son Ramsay, and Melisandre attempts to resurrect a dead Jon Snow.
Memorable moment: JON COMES BACK TO LIFE!
18. "You Win or You Die" (S1E07)
After Ned idiotically reveals to Cersei that he knows Joffrey isn't Robert Baratheon's son, the king is gravely injured while hunting.
Memorable moment: In a move that should shock no one, Cersei refuses to honor King Robert's will, and Ned is subsequently arrested.
17. "The Children" (S4E10)
The Season 4 finale focuses on Bran's long-awaited arrival at Heart Tree and Jaime helping Tyrion escape.
Memorable moment: A freshly freed Tyrion finally hits his breaking point and kills his former lover, Shae, and his father, Tywin.
16. "Winter is Coming" (S1E01)
In the episode that started it all, Ned accepts Robert Baratheon's offer to become the King's Hand.
Memorable moment: Jaime pushes Bran out a tower window.
15. "The Watchers on the Wall" (S4E09)
Jon must protect the Wall from an oncoming Wildling attack.
Memorable moment: Ygritte's tragic death at the hands of Olly.
14. "Fire and Blood" (S1E10)
In the freshman season's finale, Robb is named King in the North, Arya hides as a Night's Watch recruit, and Bran starts to discover his powers.
Memorable moment: DAENERYS BECOMES THE MOTHER OF DRAGONS!
13. "Mother's Mercy" (S5E10)
Cersei confesses to her sins,. Jon is betrayed by members of the Night's Watch.
Memorable moment: Septa Unella ringing the "shame" bell as Cersei walks naked from the Great Sept to the Red Keep.
12. "The Spoils of War" (S7E04)
Daenerys, her dragon Drogon, and the Dothraki attack the Lannister army on their way to King's Landing.
Memorable moment: Drogon scorches everyone -- and everything -- in sight during the Loot Train Attack.
11. "Kissed by Fire" (S3E05)
The Hound battles Beric Dondarrion in a trial by combat, while Robb tries to repair his frayed alliance with the Freys.
Memorable moment: Jaime waxes poetic about the Mad King's obsession with wildfire and his decision to kill the man he was supposed to protect.
10. "The Mountain and the Viper" (S4E08)
Oberyn Martell, in a trial by combat for Tyrion, battles the Mountain.
Memorable moment: The Mountain gruesomely crushes Martell's skull with his bare hands.
9. "The Lion and the Rose" (S4E02)
King Joffrey is poisoned at his wedding to Margaery Tyrell.
Memorable moment: Joffrey slowly chokes to death, and Cersei immediately blames Tyrion for her son's death.
8. "Baelor" (S1E09)
The penultimate entry of the first season is one of the more jaw-dropping episodes of television because of the shocking beheading of Ned Stark.
Memorable moment: Ned's head gets sliced off by Ser Ilyn Payne.
7. "The Door" (S6E05)
After the Night King touches Bran in a vision, Hodor -- in a heartbreaking turn of events -- sacrifices himself to save Bran and Myra from certain death.
Memorable moment: "Hold the door."
6. "Blackwater" (S2E09)
The first Game of Thrones episode set in one location focuses on the legendary Battle of Blackwater.
Memorable moment: Tyrion outsmarts Stannis by using wildfire to decimate the attacking fleet.
5. "Battle of the Bastards" (S6E09)
Jon and Ramsay battle for control over Winterfell.
Memorable moment: With Bolton's army closing in on Jon, Sansa and Littlefinger appear with the Knights of the Vale to save the day.
4. "The Long Night" (S8E03)
The battle for Winterfell lived up to the hype, allowing this episode a secure spot in the top five. In the longest recorded battle sequence ever, the living won the Great War thanks to Arya Stark triumphantly assassinating the Night King. But, sadly, it came at the cost of some dear friends: Jorah and Lyanna Mormont, Theon Greyjoy, and Beric Dondarrion, to name a few.
Memorable moment: Arya becoming the Night Kingslayer, killing the Night King once and for all.
3. "The Winds of Winter" (S6E10)
In the Season 6 finale, Cersei blows up her foes and crowns herself queen, her son dies by suicide, Jon becomes King in the North, and Daenerys finally heads west to Westeros. That's all.
Memorable moment: The episode's opening sequence portrays Cersei's plan to exact revenge on her enemies by blowing up the Great Sept.
2. "The Rains of Castamere" (S3E09)
The episode that shocked the world -- better known as The Red Wedding -- focuses on Robb and his men, who are massacred at Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey's wedding.
Memorable moment: The Red Wedding, of course.
1. "Hardhome" (S5E08)
Jon, Tormund Giantsbane, and the Night's Watch travel to a Wildling village before the White Walkers attack.
Memorable moment: The Night King -- becoming a meme in front of our eyes -- raises his arms and resurrects the fallen Wildlings and Night's Watch brothers as he stares down a fleeing Jon.