Having just completed the series finale of *Delicate* moments ago, I’ve ranked the seasons of American Horror Story based on my viewing experience. While I haven’t seen *Asylum* or *Roanoke*, here are my thoughts on those I did watch, from favorite to least favorite.
At the top is *Coven*, a season I adored for its rich setting, compelling characters, and interwoven subplots. The inclusion of historical figures like the Axe Man and Madame La Laurie added depth, and characters such as Madison and Queenie truly stood out. Next, *Hotel* captivated me with its characters and main storyline, though I felt some of the sexual content was excessive. Liz Taylor, however, was an absolute queen. *Cult* surprised me; initially skeptical, I appreciated its use of real-world fears and the transformation of the main female character from a timid figure into a determined survivor. *Double Feature* offered a strong first half with *Red Tide*, which resonated with me as a writer exploring the drive for greatness and family conflict. The latter segment, *Death Valley*, also held my interest with its intriguing premise.
*Apocalypse* felt somewhat rushed, but I enjoyed characters like Coco and the time-traveling protagonist. *1984* was solid, with its campy slasher theme and ghostly elements, though I wished certain subplots had been more developed. *Murder House* was another favorite, though its plotlines seemed more narrowly focused in hindsight. *Freak Show* had memorable characters but didn’t stand out as a top season for me. *Delicate* left me conflicted; expecting a spider-centric story due to my arachnophobia, I found instead a tale of fame and soul-selling that was oddly compelling yet peculiar. Lastly, *NYC* had its merits, but certain parts, including the repeated emphasis on the AIDS crisis, felt drawn out and diminished my engagement.
Based on partial viewing, I did not care for *Asylum* and would rank it last, whereas *Roanoke* showed promise and may warrant a revisit.
I completely agree about *Coven* being a top-tier season; the way it wove in historical figures like Madame La Laurie with the modern coven created such a rich, rewatchable world. Your ranking makes me want to finally go back and watch *Asylum*, since it’s the other major one I’ve missed—do you think it holds up as well as people say?
I’m so glad you also appreciate the rich world-building in *Coven*—the historical and modern blend really is its magic. While I haven’t seen *Asylum* myself, its reputation for being one of the series’ most critically acclaimed and psychologically intense seasons is incredibly strong, so I’d say it’s absolutely worth your time. I’d love to hear your take on it once you dive in!
I completely agree about *Coven* being a top contender—the way it wove in historical figures like Madame La Laurie with the modern witch narrative was brilliant and made the world feel so rich. As someone who loves character-driven stories, I’m now tempted to finally give *Cult* a shot, since you mentioned the main character’s transformation from timid to survivor; that arc always hooks me. What did you think of the finale for *Delicate* compared to other season endings?
I’m glad you appreciated the rich historical tapestry of *Coven*—it really does elevate the whole season. Regarding *Delicate*’s finale, I found it a bit more subdued and character-focused compared to the explosive, plot-twist endings of seasons like *Apocalypse*, but it delivered a satisfying conclusion to Anna’s harrowing journey. If you do start *Cult*, I’d love to hear your take on Ally’s evolution compared to other survivor arcs in the series.
I completely agree about *Coven* being a top contender—the way it wove in historical figures like Madame La Laurie with the modern coven created such a rich, rewatchable atmosphere. Your ranking makes me want to finally give *Cult* a shot, as I also initially skipped it for being too “real.” What did you think of the finale for *Delicate* compared to other seasons?
I’m so glad you appreciate the rich historical tapestry of *Coven*—it really does make that season uniquely rewatchable. Regarding *Delicate*, I found its finale to be a more contained and character-focused resolution compared to some of the bigger, wilder finales in the series, which felt fitting for its intimate story. If you do dive into *Cult*, I’d love to hear your thoughts, especially on how its grounded tension compares to *Delicate*’s finale for you.
I completely agree about *Coven* being a top contender—the way it wove in historical figures like Madame La Laurie with the modern witch narrative was brilliant and made the world feel so rich. As someone who loves character-driven stories, I also found myself unexpectedly impressed by *Cult*’s take on real-world paranoia, which felt uncomfortably relevant. Your ranking makes me want to finally go back and watch *Asylum*, which I’ve also skipped; did you hear anything specific about it that would sell a fellow *Coven* fan on giving it a try?
I’m so glad you appreciated that rich historical tapestry in *Coven*—it really does elevate the whole season. As a fellow *Coven* fan, I’d say *Asylum* is a must-watch for its similarly deep character work and gothic atmosphere, though it trades witchcraft for a more intense psychological and religious horror. If you decide to dive into *Asylum*, I’d love to hear your thoughts on how Sister Jude’s arc compares to Fiona Goode’s!
Whether you’re gay or not, saying “get on with it” about the AIDS epidemic is shocking.
I’m tired of people excusing their dismissive or unkind remarks about this topic by saying, “But I’m gay!” Being gay doesn’t make your insensitive opinions any less hurtful. It’s great that you’re not homophobic, but the standards for discussing NYC seem incredibly low.
Why didn’t you watch Asylum? It’s a masterpiece and easily the best season of the show.
You skipped the two seasons that are widely considered the scariest in the fandom?
Roanoke really picks up halfway through the season. Episode 6 is one of the best in the entire series.
Asylum is arguably the top season. I think you may have meant to say you haven’t seen it all yet?
You should definitely watch Asylum and Roanoke on your own, or with family if you can convince them.
First of all, it’s surprising that Roanoke isn’t getting more recognition—it’s a fantastic season and my personal favorite. The tone completely shifts after episode five, so I hope no one spoils it for you.
Here’s something to consider about Roanoke:
– Episode one introduces the house and its backstory, including the pig-headed man (reminiscent of Murder House).
– Episode two delves deeper into the history with the nurses who turned it into a nursing home and killed their patients (similar to Asylum).
– Episode three brings in Cricket and his magic (echoing Coven).
The only hint I’ll give is that in episode four, you’ll likely notice the neighbors are connected to a character from Freak Show.
I hope your family gives Roanoke another chance. It’s great to see Cult and Double Feature ranked so highly—they deserve more appreciation. NYC being last is surprising, though. Having watched both Roanoke and NYC as they aired, I think the viewing experience impacts how they’re perceived compared to binge-watching.
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Asylum is the best, along with Coven. But since you ranked Murder House and Freak Show so low, it’s clear we can’t trust your opinion.