Moviefone logo
  • Movie Showtimes
  • News
  • TV Shows
  • Movies
  • Streaming
Trending
New 'Avatar: Fire & Ash' Trailer
'The Mandalorian and Grogu' Trailer
'Wicked: For Good' Trailer
'Zootopia 2' Teaser Trailer
Buy TicketsHighlightsNew MoviesTV ShowsStreamingMovie ChartsVideosWhat to WatchIn TheatersMovie TheatersComing SoonMovie ReviewsMoviefone TVMade In HollywoodNewsCelebritiesNetflixPrime Video
Our FaultOur FaultThe Black PhoneThe Black PhoneLurkerLurkerSneakersSneakersJohn Candy: I Like MeJohn Candy: I Like MeThe Chair CompanyThe Chair CompanySlow HorsesSlow HorsesGen VGen VTaskTaskHigh PotentialHigh Potential
Highlights
Stranger Things Season 5 - The Original Party Teaser Clip
Stranger Things
Elio - Gift Bag Beam Me Write Up Clip
Elio
The Last of Us Season 2 - Bella Ramsey Clip
The Last of Us
Frankenstein - Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein
Frankenstein
Elio - Teaser Clip 2
Elio
Good Fortune - Sandra Oh at the New York Premiere
Good Fortune
Thunderbolts* - Premiere Clip
Thunderbolts*
The Lost Bus - Matthew McConaughey at the London Special Screening
The Lost Bus
Foundation Season 4 - Teaser Announcement Clip
Foundation
The Running Man - Official Teaser Poster
The Running Man
Elio - Freeze Frame Clip
Elio
After the Hunt - Julia Roberts and Brian Tyree Henry at the Los Angeles Special Screening
After the Hunt
Bosch: Legacy - Titus Welliver Exclusive Interview
Bosch: Legacy
Sarah's Oil - Confrontation Scene
Sarah's Oil
Black Bag - Cate Blanchett Exclusive Interview
Black Bag
Mr. Scorsese - Martin Scorsese, Rebecca Miller and Robert De Niro at the New York Film Festival
Mr. Scorsese
Don’t Miss Out! Sign Up for the Moviefone Newsletter Today.
  1. News
  2. ›Best TV Shows Ever

Every 'American Horror Story' Season, Ranked from Worst to Best

Moviefone
October 22, 2018 - 1 min read

When "American Horror Story" premiered in 2011, it was unlike anything on television. An old school anthology horror story, it featured A+ actors, cutting-edge make-up effects, and an obscene amount of sex and violence. Throughout the years, it has constantly reinvented itself, and is doing so again with the new season -- "Apocalypse," an uncanny mash-up of two previous seasons (at least) and so much more. As "Apocalypse" keeps us clutching our armrests, we look back at the stories that have come before it.

8. 'Hotel' (Season 5)

More often than not, the lesser "AHS: Horror Story" seasons can be described as "off" or "disappointing." But the fifth entry -- an overstuffed, modern day-set retread of the first -- was just out-and-out bad. Yes, Lady Gaga was devilishly captivating as The Countess, a villainous vampire at the heart of a ghostly establishment in downtown Los Angeles, but everything else about it was, in a word, dumb. This season is listless and uninspired, with a bunch of gonzo ideas ping-ponging around inside an incredibly empty, immaculately designed space, with nowhere to go.

7. 'Freak Show' (Season 4)

What made "Freak Show" such a letdown was the fact that it had so much potential. Everything was there, from the very beginning -- the period setting (1952 Florida), the cast of wonderful weirdos (Evan Peters had flippers, Sarah Paulson had two heads), and an intriguing premise of where things were headed (a violent confrontation between the freak show and the surrounding town), But instead of organically building to an operatic climax, it instead became a blood-soaked muddle, one full of supernatural asides and murderous mama's boys. But, oh, what could have been.

6. 'Roanoke' (Season 6)

The gimmick of Season Six was that its theme wouldn't be revealed until the very first episode -- elliptical billboards and advertisements showed off a myriad of possible scenarios, with a logo that formed a stylized "6?" When the first episode finally aired, the show took on the form of a faux supernatural documentary, with two sets of actors playing each character (the real person and the performer reenacting the scenario on the documentary). But even then, the true format of the season changed when, halfway through, the fake documentary was over and a new one was presented, with the actors and the real people reconvening in a haunted house near where the Roanoke colony went missing. The back half was way funnier and scarier than the first half (even if it was more conceptually chaotic), and it's a testament to the show's compulsively watchable nature that anybody stuck around through the extended experiment. It was also a shock to see Lady Gaga, the glamorous epicenter of the previous season, smeared in mud and portraying a barely recognizable wood witch. Hey, anything for the applause, right?

5. 'Coven' (Season 3)

Easily the most popular season of the series, "Coven" centered around a coven of witches in modern day New Orleans (led by a slithery Jessica Lange). The concept was undeniably delicious, with the coven serving as a black magic version of Xavier's School for the Gifted. And what's more, the entire season had a narrative engine that was lacking from all previous cycles (and pretty much every one since). While the fact that seemingly any character could easily return from the grave lessened some of the emotional impact, did that really matter when various plot threads involved voodoo, a menacing bayou demon, Danny Huston as an infamous ax murderer, and Stevie Nicks playing herself? Didn't think so.    

4. 'Murder House' (Season 1)

This is the one that started it all, a season built around a very haunted LA home and the very screwed up people who move into it (among them: Dylan McDermott, Connie Britton and Tessa Farmiga). There's a sense of exploratory newness to the season, with creators Murphy and Falchuk really trying something different and unproven with the format, cramming in as many ghosts, supernatural creatures (long live the Infantata!), and surprise subplots as they could conceivably squeeze into a single 12-episode arc. For most of the season, it's an absolute blast and the idea that characters that we've been exploring for the entire show could turn out to be ghosts (revealed in later episodes) was a genuinely nifty conceit that never felt forced or overwrought. By the time the season concluded, though, it had badly stumbled; instead of ending on a triumphant high note it just kind of fizzled out. Still, that wasn't enough to dampen the enthusiasm for both the show and the series. "Murder House" is, for better or worse, the haunted foundation for the rest of the show.

3. 'Cult' (Season 7)

This seemed like the riskiest season yet. Not only was there going to be no supernatural activity whatsoever -- a hallmark of the series since the first season -- but it was also going to be based, in part, on the 2016 election, something that most of us feel is far more terrifying than any horror conceit. As it turns out, "Cult" is the most quietly unsettling season yet. Bit by bit, it has built into one of the more audacious and effective installments. Then things start to really unravel. Not only did Murphy and his collaborators (including an unprecedented number of female directors) vividly recreate election night with even more terror, but they succeeded through a combination of thoughtful characterization and shocking thrills.

2. 'Apocalypse' (Season 8)

Somehow, "Apocalypse," which mashes up two of the most beloved seasons ("Murder House" and "Coven") has already managed to outshine both. The set-up is deceptively simple: a nuclear holocaust has wiped out most of humanity, save for a small group of chosen few who are secreted away to an underground bunker. But that conceit (as delicious as it is) quickly mutates into something worse, as we're introduced to Michael Langdon, the grown version of the demonic baby from "Murder House." And then (a-ha!) some of the witches from "Coven." This season pays suitable homage to the seasons that came before it (hello, "Hotel!") while forging its own wicked path. Even the narrative switcheroo feels like a more refined (and much more successful) version of the rug-pull from "Roanoke." We cannot wait to see where this thing goes (crazy, is our guess).

1. 'Asylum' (Season 2)

If "Murder House" was an interesting lark, well, than "Asylum" was the transcendent pop culture moment. Set in a mental institution in 1960's Massachusetts, this featured Jessica Lange in her series best role as Sister Jude, a deeply flawed nun trying to maintain her sanity -- and the sanity of those around her (through some rather unconventional means). Somehow, this season pulled together wildly disparate elements (Anne Frank, aliens, diseased mutants, a serial killer named Bloody Face) into a singular, cohesive storyline about otherness and acceptance. 

FXamerican horror storymoviescult
Best TV Shows EverTV Show RecapsHalloweenHorrorWorth Watching
Moviefone
Article by Moviefone
Moviefone Writers

Related News

Zach Galifianakis, Cary Elwes join ‘Very Young Frankenstein’
Zach Galifianakis, Cary Elwes join ‘Very Young Frankenstein’
Brie Larson & Olivia Colman to Star in FX Series ‘Cry Wolf’
Brie Larson & Olivia Colman to Star in FX Series ‘Cry Wolf’
TV Review: ‘The Bear’ Season 4
TV Review: ‘The Bear’ Season 4
Keanu Reeves Producing New ‘John Wick’ TV Spin-Off
Keanu Reeves Producing New ‘John Wick’ TV Spin-Off
TV Review: ‘The Bear Season 3
TV Review: ‘The Bear Season 3
‘The Bear’ Filming Additional Episodes Ahead of Season 3
‘The Bear’ Filming Additional Episodes Ahead of Season 3

More News on Moviefone

‘A Minecraft Movie’ Sequel is in the Works
‘A Minecraft Movie’ Sequel is in the Works
'HIM' Digital Release Interview: Tyriq Withers
'HIM' Digital Release Interview: Tyriq Withers
Matt Dillon and Stephan James Join ‘I Play Rocky’
Matt Dillon and Stephan James Join ‘I Play Rocky’
'The Last Frontier' Interview: Haley Bennett and Dominic Cooper
'The Last Frontier' Interview: Haley Bennett and Dominic Cooper
Cameron Monaghan to Play Harry Bosch in New Prequel Series
Cameron Monaghan to Play Harry Bosch in New Prequel Series
Movie Review: ‘Black Phone 2’
Movie Review: ‘Black Phone 2’
  • New Movies
  • Movies In Theaters
  • Movies Coming Soon
  • Movies Streaming Now
  • TV Shows
  • Best Movies
  • Best TV Shows

Follow Moviefone

FacebookXInstagramYouTubeLinkedInTikTokRSSNewsletterWidgets

Movie and TV Reviews

Black Phone 2 poster
Black Phone 2
Movie Review
80
The Last Frontier poster
The Last Frontier
Season 1
TV Show Review
75
Kiss of the Spider Woman poster
Kiss of the Spider Woman
Movie Review
65

Top Movies

Our Fault poster
Our Fault
75
The Black Phone poster
The Black Phone
Never talk to strangers.
76
Lurker poster
Lurker
Keep your friends close.
65

Top Series

The Chair Company poster
The Chair Company
There's a whole world under the surface and only Ron has any idea about it. And sometimes the two worlds collide, and sometimes they don't. Ron holds them at arm's length from each other. Watch every week to find out when he can and when he can't.
79
Slow Horses poster
Slow Horses
Drinker. Thinker. Rebel. Spy.
80
Gen V poster
Gen V
77

Latest Trailers

'Come See Me in the Good Light' Trailer2:23'Come See Me in the Good Light' Trailer
'Zodiac Killer Project' Trailer1:39'Zodiac Killer Project' Trailer
'Deadly Vows' Exclusive Trailer1:47'Deadly Vows' Exclusive Trailer
'Primate' Trailer2:36'Primate' Trailer
'Champagne Problems' Trailer1:59'Champagne Problems' Trailer
'Tyler Perry’s Finding Joy' Trailer2:00'Tyler Perry’s Finding Joy' Trailer
Moviefone logo
MoviesMovie ChartsMovies In TheatersMovies Coming SoonNew Movie ReleasesMovies by KeywordsWhat to Watch
TV ShowsTV Show ChartsTop Rated TV ShowsPopular TV ShowsTV Shows by KeywordTV Show TrailersTV Show Clips
StreamingNetflixPrime VideoDisney+HuluMaxApple TV+
Movie ShowtimesLos Angeles ShowtimesDallas ShowtimesNew York ShowtimesAll TheatersAMC TheatresCinemark
VideosMovie TrailersMoviefone TVMovie ClipsExclusive InterviewsMade in HollywoodMade In Hollywood Teen
Movie GenresSummer MoviesFamily MoviesMusic MoviesAdventure MoviesFantasy Movies
TV GenresFamily TV ShowsRomance TV ShowsSoap TV ShowsAnimation TV ShowsNews TV Shows
NewsMovie NewsTV NewsMovie PhotosBehind the ScenesBest Movies Ever
CelebritiesEmily BluntJenna OrtegaGal GadotDaniel RadcliffeBrie Larson
ReviewsMovie ReviewsTV Show ReviewsBlack Phone 2 ReviewThe Last Frontier ReviewKiss of the Spider Woman Review
FacebookXInstagramYouTubeLinkedInTikTokRSSNewsletterWidgets
AboutContact UsSitemapTerms of ServicePrivacy Policy
Copyright © 2025 Moviefone Media LLC
Asset 1This product uses the TMDb API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDb.
Moviefone Weekly

Moviefone is your ultimate guide to what's new in theaters and streaming on any screen. Each week, we'll help you discover the biggest releases & hidden gems. Subscribe to the weekly newsletter. Moviefone: find it. watch it.

No spam, unsubscribe anytime.