With this being the eve of All Hallows Eve, I thought it would be fun to pick out the most terrifying episodes of each season of AHS for a mini horror marathon. I've also added runner-up episodes for those who have more time for a longer marathon of terror.
17 Moments proving AHS's Dandy Mott is the biggest freak of all
Season 1: Murder House
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Scariest episode: "Pilot"
I know that this episode might not seem all that scary compared to what has followed on this series, but it was the beginning of it all. Before this episode aired, we didn't have this show and hadn't seen everything it could offer. But all that aside, the pilot was pretty scary. I know I jumped when the twin boys showed up in the basement and it was all downhill from there (as in, downhill on a roller coaster and screaming my head off in terror).
Runner-up: "Halloween: Part 1"
The first season kept on getting creepier and creepier and one episode that gave us tons of creepiness was the one that took place on Halloween. The murder house was just brimming with ghosts and the best part was that the family still had no idea. The adorable Chad and Patrick come to the house as fluffers and reveal the tragedy of their own murders, plus the wife of the abortionist — with her open head wound and all. I think this episode scared me because it was when things really started going insane.
Season 2: Asylum
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Scariest episode: "Unholy Night"
Merry Christmas! Time to open your presents in the insane asylum and get a visit from a serial killer dressed as Santa Claus. Just those elements alone were enough to terrify me as I watched this episode, and I think seeing it around the holidays made it that much worse. I'm all for being scared when it's Halloween-time, but when that fear comes during a time of year that's supposed to be jolly it brings the terror to a whole new level.
How AHS' Jessica Lange really felt about that David Bowie scene
Runner-up: "The Origins of Monstrosity"
You know that part in a horror movie where the character that has been through the worst of everything finally gets away only to find that he or she is in even more danger than before? That's precisely what happened in this episode and it nearly had me screaming when the identity of Bloody Face was revealed. I had thought that Lana was safe, but her terrifying journey had really only just begun.
Season 3: Coven
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Scariest episode: "Bitchcraft"
For me, the third season wasn't quite as scary as all the rest, but it had plenty of frightening moments. The first episode began with some of the scariest and most disgusting scenes I've ever witnessed on this show. Kathy Bates as Madame Delphine LaLaurie is a character that still gives me chills when I think about all the awful things she did to those poor people in her torture chamber. The way she showed no emotion whatsoever for their suffering was the hardest part of all to watch.
Runner-up: "The Axeman Cometh"
Want to know a good way to scare the living daylights out of me? Bring on a vicious serial killer. The introduction of the man calling himself "The Axeman" was a truly scary scene for me to watch. I didn't know who this guy was, but I found his brazen act of sending out warnings detailing who exactly he would kill and why terrorizing.
Season 4: Freak Show
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Scariest episode: "Monsters Among Us"
While this season isn't nearly over yet, there have still been plenty of scares to discuss in the episodes that have aired so far. I've never looked forward with so much anticipation any other season like Freak Show and I was happy that the first episode didn't disappoint. Aside from the introduction of the absolute scariest clown that has even been seen, it was chock-full of terrifying moments. Don't believe me? Check out my list of the moments that made me scream during the episode.
How many creepy clues from the AHS: Freak Show intro can you find?
Runner-up: "Edward Mordrake: Part 1"
How about this for a formula of terror? Take one series about horror, add clowns and freaks with a dash of serial killer and mix well, then add a dollop of Halloween and blend with a bit of classic horror genre — a scary ghost with a cape and a penchant for stealing freaks away in the night. That's what this episode delivered and, boy, did it do a fantastic job. Add to that some other frightening elements like Dandy putting on his own clown costume and you have one of the scariest episodes of the season so far.