Best Game of Thrones

TL;DR:

We cross-checked The Ringer, Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb.
The Rains of Castamere and Battle of the Bastards lead.
Hardhome and The Winds of Winter round out the top tier.
Picks balance action, shocks, and character payoff.
Use our quick table to plan a rewatch tonight.

This is helpful content, not news. We reviewed three strong sources on January 20, 2026. The Ringer ranks all 73 episodes by editorial judgment. Rotten Tomatoes orders episodes by Tomatometer. IMDb shows crowd favorites through user ratings. We compared overlap, then weighted consensus, cultural impact, and rewatch value.

Why this mix works. Critics highlight craft and theme. Rotten Tomatoes reflects broad critical approval. IMDb captures audience love at scale. Using all three cuts bias and gives a fair list.

The top 10 episodes, explained

1) The Rains of Castamere (Season 3, Episode 9)

Often named the show’s defining hour. The Red Wedding resets the board in one brutal scene. The shock still lands on a rewatch because the setup sings. The Ringer puts it near the summit. IMDb users rate it among the best. Critics agree on its tight writing and ruthless payoff.

What to look for. Watch the slow dread build from songs and glances. The horror works because the politics made sense for seasons.

2) Battle of the Bastards (Season 6, Episode 9)

A clear, tense battle that stays readable. Jon’s near suffocation remains the show’s most visceral moment. Critics praise the scale and staging. IMDb scores are sky high. It sits near the top on Rotten Tomatoes lists as well.

Tip. Listen for the sound design during the crush. It puts you inside the chaos.

3) The Winds of Winter (Season 6, Episode 10)

A masterclass in payoff. The opening sequence, set to piano, delivers shock with calm precision. Big answers arrive with clean ties to earlier seasons. Critics love its control. IMDb users rank it near the ceiling.

Rewatch angle. Track the visual clues in the Sept, then note how every win carries a cost.

4) Hardhome (Season 5, Episode 8)

The series sharpens its threat beyond politics. The final 20 minutes change the show’s stakes. The Night King’s silent raise is an all-timer. Critics cite momentum and craft. IMDb user scores confirm the impact.

Lesson. Hardhome proves scale works when we care about the people on the ground.

5) Blackwater (Season 2, Episode 9)

A tight bottle episode with big consequences. The wildfire reveal is pure spectacle, but the Cersei and Sansa scenes carry the heart. Critics love its focus. Fans rate it high for strategy and character beats.

Watch for. Tyrion’s halftime speech. It is brave, scared, and honest.

6) The Door (Season 6, Episode 5)

An emotional sledgehammer that still feels earned. The time knot clicks into place. Critics cite bold structure. IMDb scores reflect the gut punch.

Rewatch note. See how earlier lines gain new meaning. The tragedy sits in plain sight.

7) The Spoils of War (Season 7, Episode 4)

Short, sharp, and packed. The field attack is thrilling yet readable. Critics applaud kinetic clarity. IMDb ranks it near the top. The episode keeps stakes personal while showing scale.

Angle. The dragon is a weapon, but the people caught in fire keep it human.

8) The Watchers on the Wall (Season 4, Episode 9)

A single-location siege with heart. The giant, the scythe, and the vows all land. Critics praise its focus and rhythm. Fans love the heroism and loss.

Key detail. Sam’s arc here is quiet courage in action.

9) Baelor (Season 1, Episode 9)

The first true shock. It teaches the audience the rules. Critics point to risk and theme. IMDb scores show respect that has grown over time.

Rewatch cue. The power is not in the swing, but in the choice before it.

10) The Lion and the Rose (Season 4, Episode 2)

A dark wedding done with style. It reshapes power without a battle. Critics enjoy the control and tone. Fans enjoy justice with a twist.

Tip. Track looks across the feast. The camera tells you who matters next.

Quick table: best by season

Season	Best episode	Why it stands out
1	Baelor	The rule-breaking twist that set the tone
2	Blackwater	A focused siege with character payoffs
3	The Rains of Castamere	The most shocking turn, perfectly set up
4	The Watchers on the Wall	Tight, bold, and emotional
5	Hardhome	Stakes jump from politics to survival
6	Battle of the Bastards	Clear, brutal, and cathartic
7	The Spoils of War	Fast, fiery, and personal
8	The Winds of Winter*	Often grouped with S6, yet many fans revisit it as a capstone to the best stretch

* For final-season viewing, many rewatch Hardhome, Battle of the Bastards, and The Winds of Winter as a trilogy before Season 8.

How this helps your rewatch

Short on time. Watch 3, 6, 9, then 10 above. That gives you shock, scale, rules, and wit.
Full weekend. Add 4, 5, 7. You get both faces of the show, court and field.

[Related: Game of Thrones viewing order for key houses → /guides/got-houses-order]

Where critics and fans agree

The Ringer’s editorial list places The Rains of Castamere, The Winds of Winter, and Hardhome near the very top. Rotten Tomatoes’ ranked guide features Battle of the Bastards and The Winds of Winter with high Tomatometer positions. IMDb users push The Rains of Castamere, The Winds of Winter, and Battle of the Bastards to the front. The overlap is clear. These episodes hit story, craft, and emotion at once. Dates vary for those lists, but their rankings remain stable today.

Why these episodes work

Setup meets surprise. Each twist was earned by seasons of clear motives.
Clean action. Big battles stay readable, with room for fear and hope.
Choices carry weight. Wins and losses change who holds power next.
Texture and tone. Quiet scenes give space to dread and grief.

Common mistakes in rankings

Overvaluing pure spectacle. Some late battles look big but lack buildup.
Ignoring small rooms. The show shines when words change the world.
Forgetting Season 2 and 4. Those seasons hold tight, focused hours.

A simple checklist for a great GoT episode

Does the conflict grow from character, not plot needs?
Can you follow the action without pausing?
Do choices have clear costs by the end?
Are quiet scenes as tense as the fights?
On a rewatch, do clues pay off in new ways?

Why it matters

Rewatches compete with busy lives. A tight hit list saves time. This guide blends critic views and crowd taste. You can jump to the best without debate and still feel the arc.

Notes on the final season

The finale on May 19, 2019 drew record HBO viewership. Reactions were mixed, yet many top episodes sit before Season 8. If you want the show at peak form, this list steers you there.