What is the best season of American Horror Story?
American Horror Story has entertained and frightened viewers for over a decade. Each season producing a different theme keeps people curious. They want to know what the creative team will do next. Season 12 will be no different. Season 12 is titled American Horror Story: Delicate and will be based on the novel Delicate Condition. Once again proving that you never know what to expect from the show.
Like most popular shows, some American Horror Story seasons aren’t good. The idea may sound good, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. Then there are the AHS finales. There have been seasons where everything was flawless until the end. That leaves some viewers upset that the landing wasn’t stuck. Nevertheless, fans (this writer included) see the potential and keep tuning in.
This article will rank each of the seasons and point out the good, the bad, and the ugly of the show. Sometimes the ugliness helped make the season great. Other times it’s made people wonder whether or not to finish the season.
Another thing that will be taken into account is the acting. No matter how bad the story may be, the actors always performed admirably. Many of them executed their roles so well that produced Golden Globe and Emmy nominations and wins.
Let’s begin.
11. Freak Show
"“You see, that’s how it works. Your mother lives because the show will always go on.” – Elsa"
If it wasn’t for Finn Wittrock and the creepy clown, this season would have been unwatchable. Not even the combined might of Sarah Paulson, Angela Bassett, and Jessica Lange could save it. This was all over the place and there were too many storylines. Some of them were pointless and went nowhere. The only reason to watch this season is because it connects to the others. Otherwise, this can be skipped. There are no other redeeming qualities about AHS: Freakshow.
10. Cult
"“Isn’t it sad when a strong woman scares people more than clowns?” – Ally"
American Horror Story attempted something different with AHS: Cult. There’s still an aspect of horror, but it’s not the supernatural stuff that preceded this. This became the most realistic season of the series.
Evan Peters plays a guy who becomes a political powerhouse by using fear as a weapon. At times, this was terrifying. There were moments during AHS: Cult when things felt too real. Being scared can motivate people for good or for evil.
AHS: Cult not being very memorable causes it to get ranked low. However, there are a few good performances throughout. Especially Evan Peters. This wasn’t the first time he’s played someone unlikeable and it wouldn’t be the last. It’s something he excels at. If anything, seeing him put on an acting masterclass is the only reason to watch this season.
9. Double Feature
"“We’re more than OK. From now on, we’re going to be great.” – Harry"
The first half of American Horror Story: Double Feature was excellent. As always, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, and Lily Rabe were incredible and Macaulay Culkin proved why he deserves more acting roles. The biggest surprise was Ryan Kiera Armstrong. She showed skills that were way beyond her age. At times she stole the scene from veteran actors.
The twist on vampires was cool. Instead of it being a virus, it hit on who people were inside. Plus, the season concluding with chaos was fantastic. The only negative was that the show didn’t continue to tell that story. Unfortunately, this was the only thing worth praising from this season.
This writer hoped that the alien storyline would fill in some blanks from season 2. Not only did that not happen, it was done poorly. The story regarding the past U.S. Presidents and their connections to aliens was superb. The stuff happening in the present with the alien abductions? Not so much. This was one of the few times where even the best performers couldn’t make this watchable. Angelica Ross had moments of brilliance as Theta, but it wasn’t enough to carry most of the scenes.
As rough as this may seem, it’s ok to avoid most of the second half of Double Feature. There are some gems, but not up to the American Horror Story standards. This writer will go as far as to say you can skip anything in the second half that isn’t in black and white.
8. American Horror Story: NYC
"“You know, I’m actually looking forward to being a one-man guy. I think I can do it. Since the guy is you.” – Theo Graves"
AHS: NYC was a deep season. The creative team behind this story hit on the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s and how LGBTQ men were treated. If you were gay, you were treated unfairly. That part hasn’t changed much, but it was worse back then. The addition of AIDS and HIV just made things almost unlivable. Without the proper information, gay men were treated like lepers. Even breathing the same air made people uncomfortable. It was a disgusting time for sure.
On the horror side, the killer for this season was a bit weird. This writer couldn’t tell if he was a metaphor or an actual ghost killing people. There was physical evidence that he existed, but that seemed to change at times. Sometimes this hurt the story more than it helped. It may have been better if he wasn’t in it at all. The payoff was mediocre.
You can’t talk about this season without discussing the flawless performances. Joe Mantello and Russell Tovey led AHS: NYC with brilliant acting in every episode. Zachary Quinto (this writer’s favorite) played an easily hatable guy almost too well. He was deplorable on a level only he could pull off.
This may not have had the same feeling that most American Horror Story has, but it was an important and well-done season.
7. Apocalypse
"“Darling, it seems Daddy didn’t tell you the most important rule of bringing on the apocalypse. If you want to finish the job, the thing you have to do first is get rid of all the witches.” – Myrtle Snow"
AHS: Apocalypse lived up to its name before the halfway mark of the first episode. The entire world became almost inhabitable after nuclear war ravaged the planet. Like most movies, the governments of the world and the rich had a plan. They made sure that certain people were kept safe to repopulate the world. Then, things connect back to season 1. It’s discovered that the anti-christ was the baby born during Murder House.
Overall, this was an okay season, but, yet again, the acting saved the day. Kathy Bates, Leslie Grossman, and Sarah Paulson rocked. They kept scenes intriguing that would otherwise be boring. The biggest surprise came from Cody Fern who played the anti-christ.
Cody Fern was phenomenal portraying a child in the body of an adult. He carried the show in a way this writer didn’t think was possible. This isn’t because of his skills as an actor. It seemed like the premise of the character would get tired and it didn’t. Plus, he continued to get better as the character evolved. Growing into his new title as the destroyer of the world isn’t something this writer saw coming.
6. Roanoke
"“I killed a psychopathic murderer before he could kill me. I did what I had to do.” – Lana"
Roanoke was the most violent season of American Horror Story. That’s saying a lot considering everything that’s happened throughout this series. In this season, every main character died. Usually, at least one person survives to tell the tale. Not here. One by one they all fall.
It’s also one of the weirdest. Sex with ghosts while in a trance, hide and seek with a spirit, and the random rednecks who were beyond eerie. There was even a scene where it was raining teeth. If that doesn’t rank among the oddest things in American Horror Story, this writer doesn’t know what does.
Roanoke embodies a lot of what AHS is. It shows a world where anything is possible. It was wild, unpredictable, and, most importantly, wacky. For example, the mystery behind Roanoke is discovered. Of course, the only way to explain this is via a Dateline kind of program and then a reality TV show.
This was an entertaining season, but there wasn’t much substance to it. Thankfully, the entire cast’s acting was great. Otherwise, this would have been among the more boring seasons.
5. Hotel
"“It’s not the Shalimar that gives you away. It’s your blood. You’re the only woman I’ve ever met whose blood smells like walnuts.” – Countess"
It’s a good AHS: Hotel was easy to follow because there was a lot going on. Countess (Lady Gaga) was having financial issues and needed to marry someone rich. Otherwise, someone was going to buy the hotel and likely demolish it. With her story came the guy she was lusting over that Liz Taylor loved. Liz losing the love of her life furthers her story where she decides to kill the Countess.
Meanwhile, James March was grooming John Lowe to be the new Ten Commandment Killer. The problem is John doesn’t remember that he’s a serial killer. While that’s going on, Dr. Alex Lowe (John’s wife) became a vampire and accidentally created diseased kid vampires. The mini-vampires she created were killing people without remorse and were eventually killed.
There are more plots, but naming them all would take up the entire section.
American Horror Story: Hotel kept the same theme fans have enjoyed for years. And, unlike some of the other seasons, the finale was perfect. All of the stories were wrapped up in a nice bow and even some of the characters even received a happy ending.
A debate can be made that the acting wasn’t as good as the other seasons. This writer would counter by saying that was intentional. The characters were supposed to be bad at times. The ones that weren’t had fantastic performances. For example, Lady Gaga was so good she won the Golden Globe for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film.
4. 1984
"“Pain is all I’ve ever known. Pain is how the world’s always talked to me. Why shouldn’t pain be the way I talk back?” – Richard Ramirez"
This writer will admit there is some bias here. American Horror Story: 1984 has hints of the Friday the 13th series. Part of it was like the original where Jason’s mother was the killer. As the series continues, the show becomes more supernatural. Also like those movies, the deaths were sometimes over the top, the acting was campy, and the jokes were so bad that you couldn’t help but laugh.
Beyond the silliness came the best-acted slasher project you’ll ever see. Emma Roberts slayed as a character she doesn’t normally play in AHS. She was innocent. John Carroll Lynch was perfect as Mr. Jingles. He went from a killer to someone the viewers sympathized with. And you can’t forget Zach Villa. His portrayal of Richard Ramirez was unforgettable.
This writer’s favorite (and the best actor in this season) was Leslie Grossman as Margaret Booth. She was the most evil person on this show. That says a lot considering the awful people in 1984. At least Richard Ramirez believed in something. Margaret did everything for fame and money. Thankfully, she got what she deserved in the season finale.
Since all of the seasons are connected, going back to Camp Redwood would be a nice treat. However, with the direction the show has gone, it’s unlikely. Nevertheless, it’s refreshing knowing that this season ages well no matter how many times this writer watches it.
3. Asylum
"“All monsters are human. You’re a monster.” – Sister Jude Marton"
AHS: Asylum should’ve been the best season of the series. As it’s mentioned in most of these sections, the acting was superb. Sarah Paulson, Jessica Lange, Lily Rabe, James Cromwell, and Zachary Quinto, made this season special. Each of them had moments of brilliance that was difficult to top in the rest of the series. It’s unfortunate this season had one of the worst season finales of the series.
American Horror Story: Asylum dropped the ball almost as badly as any other season. The aliens played a big part in the series. It was the plot that got Evan Peter’s character into Briarcliff. But the payoff in the end wasn’t worth the wait. The moments in the middle of Asylum were better. It would have made more sense to not bring them up again. Yet, they did and it was poorly executed. The one saving grace about the end was Lana Winters (Paulson) meeting her son in the end.
Lana Winters and her son Johnny Morgan (played by Dylan McDermott) had amazing chemistry. They made the emotions in their scene believable. It really looked like Morgan actually hated his mother. You could feel that Johnny felt abandoned. If not for this storyline, the alien finale would have dropped this season down a notch or two.
2. Murder House
"“”The Holy Ghost merely whispered in the Virgin Mary’s ear and she begat the son of God. If the Devil’s going to use a human womb for his spawn, he’s going to want a little more bang for his buck.” – Billie Dean Howard"
Initially, Murder House was in the number 1 spot. It was the season that started it all. Without the first season’s success, there’s no way the show would become a big part of pop culture. It also sets the stage for multiple seasons by connecting to the series throughout. Even if it was burnt down in American Horror Stories, this writer believes that something will happen to bring the infamous house back.
There are multiple connections to this season. First, it’s the reason the world almost ends. The consummation of a spirit (Tate) and the living (Vivien) bore the child that became the Anti-Christ in Apocalypse (Michael Langdon played by Cody Fern). It connects to Coven via Apocalypse too. This is where the witches save the world with time travel. Season 1 introduces Billie Dean Howard as well. She’s a character that appears in multiple seasons for various reasons. This writer is certain he missed more links to Murder House which shows how important this season was.
Adding to this season being phenomenal was the story. Everything flowed better than any tale throughout the seasons. For example, the secrets of Tate being a killer and Violet being dead. This was hidden well. Especially when Tate’s high school victims show up.
1. Coven
"“Here’s my other offer. You can all just die.” – Fiona"
The first two seasons of American Horror Story were well-liked. However, it was season 3 that really got people to notice it.
Years later, Coven remains iconic. An entire season starring young and older actresses playing tough, smart, and powerful witches was exciting and won’t go out of style. There was even a cameo from Stevie Nicks who’s rumored to be a witch. Despite always denying the claims, she appeared on the show as herself.
At first, it seemed like the ending wasn’t worthy of the brilliant season. It had a very lackluster vibe because everything up to this point was perfectly done. There were moments where you smiled, became angered, maybe shed a tear, and cheered when the villain got their due. Then, as the show progressed, viewers saw that things didn’t end with the season finale.
Parts of Coven are connected to all of American Horror Story. In fact, as it was mentioned earlier, witches from Coven saved the world and made it look easy. All of this makes this *the* best season of the series.
Overall, Murder House was a season with very few flaws. It sparked the flame that created this series’ popularity. However, Coven is the one that captivated the hearts of the audience and kept American Horror Story going.
What do you think? How would you rank the 11 American Horror Story seasons? Let us know in the comments below.