The Most Frightening Episode of Criminal Minds, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the episode you think is the most frightening!
Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:27
Fans of 'Criminal Minds' know that the suspense and psychological thrills are part of the show's appeal. With so many episodes delving into the darkest aspects of human nature, it can be intriguing to see which ones have left viewers sleeping with the lights on. Ranking these episodes isn't just about choosing the scariest; it's about understanding which stories resonate the most with our deepest fears.
This ranking gives you a chance to voice your opinion on the episodes that truly got under your skin. By voting for the episodes you find most unsettling, you help paint a clearer picture of what makes an episode particularly impactful. It's a fun way to engage with other fans of the series and see how your own reactions compare to the community.
What Is the Most Frightening Episode of Criminal Minds?
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195votesThis episode features the return of the notorious serial killer, The Reaper, and his brutal attacks on the BAU team. The episode is particularly chilling due to the personal connection the team has with The Reaper, making it a tense and emotional watch.
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225votesThis episode follows the team's efforts to rescue Reid, who has been kidnapped by a religious fanatic. The episode features graphic scenes of torture and is particularly frightening due to the intensity of the situation.In the episode 'Revelations' of Criminal Minds, Season 2, Episode 15, the team finds themselves facing a terrifying case involving a sadistic serial killer who abducts and tortures young women. The BAU must race against time to save the life of one of their own, Spencer Reid, who becomes the target of the deranged unsub. This chilling episode focuses on the psychological torment endured by the victims and the intense pressure faced by the team.
- Episode Number: 15
- Season: 2
- Air Date: February 7, 2007
- Director: Guy Norman Bee
- Writer: Simon Mirren
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319votesThis episode features the disturbing case of a man who kidnaps and tortures young women, leaving them to die in a remote location. The episode is particularly frightening due to the graphic nature of the crimes and the twisted mind of the killer.Entropy (Season 11, Episode 11) is a terrifying episode of Criminal Minds that delves into the twisted mind of an infamous serial killer. It was created by Breen Frazier.
- Season: 11
- Episode: 11
- Title: Entropy
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
- Original Air Date: January 13, 2016
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420votes
Louis Charles Arsenne · Public domainThe Lesson (Season 8, Episode 10)
Jeff DavisThis episode follows the team's investigation into a series of murders committed by a high school student. The episode is particularly frightening due to the age of the killer and the brutal nature of the crimes.In the episode "The Lesson" from Season 8 of Criminal Minds, the BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit) investigates a series of disturbing murders in which the killer creates a website showcasing the dying moments of his victims. As the team tracks down the sadistic psychopath, they must confront the twisted mind behind this horrifying display of violence.- Season: 8
- Episode: 10
- Title: The Lesson
- Airdate: December 5, 2012
- Director: Rob Bailey
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517votesThis episode features the team's investigation into a serial killer who targets people with lucky charms. The episode is particularly frightening due to the killer's unpredictable nature and the sense of luck that permeates throughout the episode.In the episode 'Lucky' from Season 3 of Criminal Minds, the BAU team investigates a chilling case involving a Los Angeles serial killer known as 'The Reaper.' The killer appears to have a pattern of randomly choosing and tormenting his victims prior to killing them. As the team delves deeper into the investigation, they discover a personal connection between the Reaper and one of their own members, putting them all in grave danger.
- Episode Number: Season 3, Episode 8
- Original Air Date: November 14, 2007
- Directed by: Gloria Muzio
- Written by: Simon Mirren
- Main Cast: Mandy Patinkin, Thomas Gibson, Paget Brewster, Shemar Moore, Matthew Gray Gubler, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness
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610votesThis two-part episode features the team's hunt for a killer who is recreating the steps of an ancient myth. The episode is particularly frightening due to the eerie setting and the killer's obsession with the myth.The Fisher King (Season 1, Episodes 22 and 23) is a two-part episode of Criminal Minds that aired in the first season. It is considered one of the most frightening episodes of the series. The creator of Criminal Minds is Jeff Davis.
- Season: 1
- Episodes: 22 and 23
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
- Air Date: May 10, 2006
- Directed By: Danny Cannon
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79votes
The Uncanny Valley (Season 5, Episode 12)
Jeff DavisThis episode features the team's investigation into a series of murders committed by a man who believes he is a robot. The episode is particularly frightening due to the killer's delusions and the unsettling concept of the uncanny valley.In the episode "The Uncanny Valley" (Season 5, Episode 12) of Criminal Minds, the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) investigates a chilling case involving a serial killer who targets young women in the Los Angeles area. The unsub, named Robert Johnson, kidnaps his victims and subjects them to a horrifying procedure where he disfigures their faces to resemble dolls. The team races against time to track down the killer and rescue his latest victim before it's too late.- Season: 5
- Episode: 12
- Title: The Uncanny Valley
- Genre: Crime Drama, Psychological thriller
- Director: Nelson McCormick
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82votes
Into the Woods (Season 6, Episode 9)
Jeff DavisThis episode follows the team's efforts to rescue a group of missing children who have been taken by a cult. The episode is particularly frightening due to the dark and twisted nature of the cult and the sense of danger that permeates throughout the episode.In the episode 'Into the Woods' (Season 6, Episode 9) of Criminal Minds, the BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit) investigates a case of missing children in Oregon. The team discovers that someone is kidnapping kids while their families are camping in the woods, and they must unravel the twisted motives behind the abductions before it's too late.- Season: 6
- Episode: 9
- Title: Into the Woods
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
- Runtime: 43 minutes
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96votes
Abbyprovenzano · CC BY-SA 3.0The Crossing (Season 3, Episode 18)
Jeff DavisThis episode follows the team's investigation into a series of murders committed by a man who believes he is possessed by a demon. The episode is particularly frightening due to the killer's delusions and the sense of supernatural danger that permeates throughout the episode.In 'The Crossing' (Season 3, Episode 18) of Criminal Minds, the BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit) team investigates a series of brutal murders in a small town. The episode takes a dark and sinister turn when the team realizes that the killer leaves his victims chained and drowning in the rising tide on a remote beach. As they delve deeper into the case, they uncover a disturbing connection between the murders and a 20-year-old cold case involving a missing young woman.- Season: 3
- Episode: 18
- Title: The Crossing
- Air Date: April 30, 2008
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
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102votes
The Boogeyman (Season 2, Episode 6)
Jeff DavisThis episode features the team's investigation into a series of murders committed by a man who believes he is being stalked by the boogeyman. The episode is particularly frightening due to the killer's paranoia and the sense of danger that permeates throughout the episode.In 'The Boogeyman' episode of Criminal Minds, the BAU team investigates a small town plagued by a series of child abductions. Created by Jeff Davis, this episode delves into the twisted mind of an unsub (unknown subject) who targets families with young children. The team races against time to catch the Boogeyman before he strikes again.- Title: The Boogeyman
- Season: 2
- Episode: 6
- Series: Criminal Minds
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
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Ranking factors for frightening episode
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PlotConsider the storyline of the episode. The plot should be original, disturbing, and capable of evoking fear in the audience. The more twisted and perverse the plot, the more frightening the episode will be.
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VillainAnalyze the antagonist or criminal in the episode. A frightening episode will have a particularly evil, deranged, or horrifying villain whose actions send chills down the viewer's spine.
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AtmosphereEvaluate the overall atmosphere created by the setting, music, and visual effects. A frightening episode will have a dark, eerie, and suspenseful atmosphere that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
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Violence and GoreAssess the level of violence and gore depicted in the episode. An episode with a high level of blood, gore, and brutality will generally be considered more frightening than one with limited violent scenes.
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Plot TwistsExamine the episodes for unexpected twists or turns. Surprising plot twists can contribute to the overall fear factor, as they shock and unsettle the viewer.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most frightening episode of Criminal Minds. 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
- 1817 views
- 222 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 frightening episode of criminal minds
Background Information: The Most Frightening Episode of Criminal Minds
Criminal Minds is an American police procedural television series that focuses on the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The show premiered on September 22, 2005, and has since become a fan favorite for its thrilling storylines, complex characters, and suspenseful plot twists.
Throughout its 15 seasons, Criminal Minds has showcased a wide range of disturbing and frightening criminal cases. From serial killers to kidnappers, the show has tackled some of the most chilling and gruesome crimes imaginable. However, there is one episode that stands out as particularly terrifying – "100" (season 5, episode 9).
In this episode, the BAU team is tasked with tracking down a serial killer who has been targeting young women for nearly 20 years. The killer is revealed to be George Foyet, also known as "The Reaper," who has a personal vendetta against one of the BAU agents, Aaron Hotchner. The episode is filled with intense action and suspense, culminating in a heart-stopping showdown between Hotchner and The Reaper.
"100" is widely regarded as one of the most frightening episodes of Criminal Minds, thanks to its expertly crafted suspense and deeply disturbing subject matter. The episode is a testament to the show's ability to keep viewers on the edge of their seats, even after 15 seasons.
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