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.
15. 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.
14. 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.
13. 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.
12. 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.
