The Most Popular Episode of Glee, Ranked

Choose the episode you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 9, 2024 06:37
Fans of Glee understand that each episode has its unique flavor, memorable musical numbers, and dramatic moments that set it apart. However, deciding which episode is the best can often lead to lively debates. Having a system that ranks these episodes based on fan votes can provide a clear picture of the episodes that struck a chord with the widest audience. This dynamic ranking system allows fans to cast votes for their favorite episodes, contributing to a living snapshot of popular opinion. By participating, users help ensure that the rankings reflect the collective preferences of the fan community. Moreover, for new viewers or those looking to revisit the series, these rankings can serve as a curated guide to the episodes most cherished by fans.

What Is the Most Popular Episode of Glee?

  1. 1
    43
    votes
    This episode features the cast performing Madonna's greatest hits, and it's widely considered one of the best episodes of the show.
    The Power of Madonna is the fifteenth episode of the first season of Glee, an American musical comedy-drama television series. In this episode, the glee club takes on the music of Madonna as they learn to empower themselves and embrace their identities.
    • Episode Number: Season 1, Episode 15
    • Original Air Date: April 20, 2010
    • Director: Ryan Murphy
    • Writer: Ryan Murphy
    • Genre: Musical, Comedy, Drama
  2. 2
    29
    votes
    This episode concludes the first season with the New Directions competing in the Regionals competition. It's an emotional and uplifting episode that leaves fans feeling satisfied.
    In the Glee episode 'Journey to Regionals' (Season 1, Episode 22), the New Directions glee club competes in the Regionals competition. This episode marks the end of the first season and showcases the journey and growth of the characters as they prepare for their biggest performance.
    • Episode Number: 22
    • Season: 1
    • Title: Journey to Regionals
    • Air Date: June 8, 2010
    • Director: Brad Falchuk
  3. 3
    24
    votes
    This episode tackles religion and faith in a heartfelt and respectful way. It's a standout episode that showcases the cast's acting and singing abilities.
    In the episode 'Grilled Cheesus' from Season 2 of Glee, the creator explores the themes of religion, faith, and miracles. The story revolves around Finn Hudson, who discovers an image resembling Jesus on a grilled cheese sandwich. This event sparks a series of heartfelt conversations and personal dilemmas among the students of William McKinley High School.
    • Episode Number: Season 2, Episode 3
    • Air Date: October 5, 2010
    • Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
    • Writer: Ryan Murphy
    • Main Characters: Finn Hudson, Rachel Berry, Kurt Hummel, Will Schuester, Sue Sylvester
  4. 4
    17
    votes
    This episode features the cast performing duets with each other, and it's a fan favorite for its great musical numbers and romantic moments.
    In the episode 'Duets' of Glee's second season, the glee club members pair up to perform duets and compete against each other. This episode focuses on the theme of collaboration and showcases the diverse talents of the characters.
    • Episode Number: 4
    • Season: 2
    • Original Air Date: October 12, 2010
    • Running Time: 43 minutes
    • Genre: Musical, Comedy, Drama
  5. 5
    8
    votes
    This episode pays tribute to the cult classic film "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and features some of the show's most iconic musical performances.
    In "The Rocky Horror Glee Show," the members of the glee club decide to pay homage to the iconic musical by putting on their own production of "The Rocky Horror Show." The episode features all the beloved characters of Glee as they take on the roles made famous by the original production. It tackles themes of self-expression, acceptance, and embracing one's unique identity.
    • Season: 2
    • Episode: 5
    • Original air date: October 26, 2010
    • Director: Adam Shankman
    • Writer: Ryan Murphy
  6. 6
    10
    votes
    Born This Way (Season 2, Episode 18)
    NicolásTM · Public domain
    This episode features the cast performing Lady Gaga's hit song "Born This Way" and tackles issues of self-acceptance and body positivity.
    Born This Way (Season 2, Episode 18) is an episode of the popular TV show Glee. It was created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan. The episode focuses on the theme of self-acceptance and embracing one's individuality. Here are ten important specs about it:
    • Season: 2
    • Episode: 18
    • Theme: Self-acceptance
    • Premiere Date: April 26, 2011
    • Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
  7. 7
    3
    votes
    This episode pays tribute to the music of Michael Jackson and features some of the show's most energetic and memorable performances.
    The episode 'Michael' is the eleventh episode of the third season of the musical comedy-drama television series Glee. It pays tribute to the legendary pop singer Michael Jackson, featuring several of his iconic songs. The episode showcases the glee club members performing and competing against each other in a series of Michael Jackson-themed performances.
    • Episode Number: Season 3, Episode 11
    • Original Airdate: January 31, 2012
    • Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
    • Writer: Ryan Murphy
    • Featured Songs: Bad, Scream, Black or White, Never Can Say Goodbye, Human Nature, Smooth Criminal, Ben
  8. 8
    3
    votes
    This episode deals with the aftermath of several couples breaking up and is a dramatic and emotional episode that showcases the cast's acting abilities.
    In the episode 'The Break-Up' from Season 4 of Glee, tensions rise as several key relationships face challenges and potential breakups. The emotional episode delves into the complexities of love, trust, and loyalty, with dramatic consequences for the characters involved.
    • Season: 4
    • Episode: 4
    • Air date: October 4, 2012
    • Duration: 43 minutes
    • Genre: Musical comedy-drama
  9. 9
    9
    votes
    This episode celebrates the show's 100th episode and features a reunion of many of the show's former cast members. It's a nostalgic and fun episode for fans of the show.
    In the episode '100' of Glee, the members of the New Directions reunite to celebrate their milestone 100th episode. As they prepare for a final assignment from Will Schuester, the former students reflect on their time in glee club and showcase some of their favorite performances. Amidst the celebrations, tensions rise and old feelings resurface.
    • Season: 5
    • Episode: 12
    • Original air date: March 18, 2014
    • Director: Paris Barclay
    • Writer: Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Ian Brennan
  10. 10
    3
    votes
    This episode concludes the final season of the show and serves as a satisfying and emotional conclusion to the characters' stories.
    The finale episode of Glee's sixth season, titled 'Dreams Come True,' brings the beloved series to a heartfelt and satisfying close. It wraps up the various storylines and character arcs with nostalgia, optimism, and a celebration of dreams coming true. Filled with musical performances and touching moments, it is a perfect send-off for fans who have followed the journey of the Glee Club.
    • Season: 6
    • Episode Number: 13
    • Air Date: March 20, 2015
    • Running Time: Approximately 47 minutes
    • Main Characters: Rachel Berry, Kurt Hummel, Blaine Anderson, Will Schuester, Sue Sylvester

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Ranking factors for popular episode

  1. Audience Ratings and Reviews
    Analyze the ratings and reviews from popular media platforms like IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, or official TV network websites.
  2. Viewership Numbers
    Look at the number of views the episode garnered during its original airing and consider streaming platform views as well.
  3. Social Media Engagement
    Analyze the buzz and discussions on social media platforms like Twitter or Facebook around the time of the episode's original airing. Look for trending hashtags or phrases related to the episode.
  4. Critical Acclaim
    Consider the opinions and reviews of respected television critics and publications when assessing the popularity of an episode.
  5. Cultural Impact
    Evaluate if the episode made any significant cultural impact or led to significant public discussion. For example, if the episode tackled important social issues or broke television barriers.
  6. Awards and Nominations
    Check if the episode received any notable awards or nominations, such as Emmy Awards, Golden Globes, or Screen Actors Guild Awards.
  7. Memorable Moments and Catchphrases
    Consider if the episode contained any iconic scenes or catchphrases that became widely quoted or recognized by the general public.
  8. Guest Stars
    Assess the impact and popularity of any guest stars or cameo appearances in the episode. Popular guest stars can bring in additional viewers and boost an episode's popularity.
  9. Musical Performances
    As Glee is a musical show, evaluate the popularity and impact of the musical performances featured in the episode. Consider factors such as song choices, choreography, and vocal performances.
  10. Storyline Significance
    Analyze if the episode's storyline is significant within the overall Glee narrative, such as resolving long-standing character arcs, introducing new characters, or tackling significant themes.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular episode of Glee. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or episode is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1076 views
  • 150 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each episode once every 24 hours. The rank of each episode is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular episode of glee

Glee, the popular musical comedy-drama television series, aired on Fox from 2009 to 2015. The show follows a group of high school students who form a glee club and navigate their way through the challenges of adolescence while also showcasing their singing and dancing talents. Over the course of six seasons, Glee tackled a variety of themes and issues, including bullying, sexuality, and relationships. One of the standout features of the show was its musical performances, which covered a wide range of genres and included both classic and contemporary hits. Fans of the show eagerly awaited each new episode to see what songs would be featured and how the characters would interpret them. With so many memorable episodes and musical performances, it can be difficult to determine which is the most popular. That's why we've turned to our StrawPoll community to help us settle the debate. Through thousands of votes and rankings, we'll determine once and for all which Glee episode reigns supreme.

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