There are currently 94 episodes of American Horror Story, an anthology horror TV series created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. The performances are second to none, and each new season brings a fresh wave of horrors that viewers couldn't even begin to imagine.
Although it's easy (albeit subjective) to pick the scariest season out of nine, selecting 15 of the scariest episodes over the entire course of the show is no easy feat. Every single season is uniquely horrifying, whether it's psychological (Cult) or paranormal (Coven). In a show like this, there is evil around every corner.
Updated on April 29th, 2020 by Matthew Wilkinson: The entire premise of the show is to scare people, and each season does that in different ways. Whether it be down to straight up gore and murders, or if it is more psychological, AHS knows how to freak people out.
While the whole series is creepy to watch as that's the general tone, not every episode is downright terrifying. However, in this list, we are focusing on the 15 scariest episodes of American Horror Story, in no particular order.
Piggy Piggy: Murder House
"Piggy Piggy" is the sixth episode of AHS: Murder House and it's easily the most bone-chilling one of the season. Although the episode's name might seem hokey, this is the "school shooting" episode in which Tate Langdon kills five teenagers locked in a library back in 1994. The depiction of their fear and the violent nature of their last moments is truly chilling.
After his killing spree is over, Tate is then shot by a SWAT team at his own house. The next part of the episode involves Derek (played by Eric Stonestreet), a man who is terrified by the "Piggy Man," a silly urban legend that provides a bit of comic relief after the Columbine-inspired scene beforehand.
Smouldering Children: Murder House
The original season of American Horror Story still very much holds up as one of the scariest that Ryan Murphy has created. The "Smouldering Children" is a particularly freaky episode that has the major revelation that Tate didn't save Violet.
This episode also shows us how Larry got all of his scars with an uncomfortable burning scene that isn't the easiest thing to watch. The episode also features Rubber Man being revealed as Tate, which is a cool moment, but also scary, as Rubber Man is easily one of the scariest characters the show has ever created.
Test Of Strength: Freak Show
This episode is aptly named because it truly is a "test of strength" to get through the end of it! "Test of Strength" is the seventh episode of AHS: Freak Show, and it goes from bad to worse real quick. The episode seems to begin on a high note, with Dot and Bette escaping from Dandy's clutches, but the storyline takes a dark turn when Penny confronts her father and tells him she's moving out to live with Paul. In a cruel and vengeful twist, Penny's father has his "artist friend' tattoo her entire face and head and fork her tongue while she's knocked out. If that's not bad enough, the episode ends with Dell sneaking into Ma Petite's tent, giving her a pretty dress, and then crushing her to death in his arms.
Holes: Cult
Something that American Horror Story certainly gets right is creepy killer clowns. In the AHS: Cult season, they play a big part in the proceedings, providing terror every time they appear. One of the scariest moments is during "Holes" when they attack Bob, who is the local newsman.
His death isn't a simple one though, as they film it all taking place, and they also kill his cameraman in a very brutal way. The group tortures him with shots from a nail gun until he can take no more, creating a very uncomfortable watch. Oh, and there's the small matter of Kai's parents being left in their bedroom after they died to slowly rot away as well - scary stuff indeed.
Unholy Night: Asylum
"Unholy Night" is the eighth episode of AHS: Asylum that ruins Christmas Eve for everyone by making Santa Claus the thing of nightmares. Ian McShane guest stars as Leigh Emerson, a man who has a psychotic break and kills while dressed as Santa Claus. Eventually, Leigh is sent to Briarcliff and placed in solitary confinement by Sister Jude after biting off an orderly's nose on Christmas Day.
As an act of revenge (and with some help by demon-possessed Sister Mary Eunice and former-nazi, Dr. Arden), Leigh dresses up as Santa Claus once again and corners Sister Jude in her office. When Sister Jude asks why he's there, he claims he is there to "open his present." Ugh, no, this episode has ruined Santa Claus forever.
Chapter 9: Roanoke
American Horror Story: Roanoke is an incredibly creepy season of the show, in general. The mood and vibe of the entire series is very creepy and tense, and "Chapter 9" is a perfect example of that. The episode is unbelievably tense from start to finish as the big fans of the show head to find the Roanoke house.
Of course, things turn into a complete disaster from start to finish, with the trio ending up being caught by the mob. The episode has several murders and tons of action going on, making it incredibly scary to watch.
Bitchcraft: Coven
"Bitchcraft" is the first (and best) episode of AHS: Coven, a season filled with powerful and vindictive witches, but the scariest person by far is Madame Delphine LaLaurie (Kathy Bates). The most disturbing thing about this character is that she's based on a real life New Orleans socialite who was known for torturing and murdering slaves in the early 1800s. The scenes involving Madame LaLaurie in American Horror Story are some of the scariest and most disgusting depictions of violence on TV, so buckle up and watch if you dare.
Halloween Part 1: Murder House
For those who are up for 40 minutes of pure terror, try watching "Halloween, Part 1," the fourth episode of AHS: Murder House. The beginning of the episode starts off by giving viewers the backstory behind Chad and his partner Patrick, the former owners of Murder House who were violently killed by Rubber Man (there might be an iron poker involved, it's the worst).
After that, the show attempts to explain the existence of the creepy creature in the basement, and trust us, ignorance is bliss. The episode ends in Addie's death, as well as an ultrasound result that makes the ultrasound tech collapse in fear.
Monsters Among Us: Freak Show
"Monsters Among Us" is the premiere episode of AHS: Freak Show, and anyone who can get through the first clown scene without closing their eyes should win some kind of award. The killer clown, Twisty, really is the stuff of nightmares, and his murders of a teenage girl's boyfriend and a young boy's parents really set the mood for the rest of the season. This episode also introduces the viewers to a wide variety of twisted and unusual characters, including coned twins Bette and Dot Tattler, who brutally murdered their own mother with a steak knife.
Chapter 5: Roanoke
Writers Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk really brought the terror with "Chapter 5," the fifth episode of AHS: Roanoke. This particular episode is the "finale" of My Roanoke Nightmare and depicts the capture (and eventual escape) of Shelby, Matt, and Flora from The Butcher's clutches.
At the beginning of the episode, viewers are introduced to Edward Philipe Mott, the original owner of the house who was impaled and burned alive by The Butcher. In the present day, Shelby, Matt, and Flora are trapped in the house as it "comes alive" during the Blood Moon and are offered up as sacrifices to The Butcher by the Polk family. Despite the (happy?) ending, the last few minutes of this episode are nightmare-inducing.