Ranking Every Season of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' from the Worst to the Best

The Big Picture

Season 7 of

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

falls short, lacking behind-the-scenes cohesion and a compelling premise, but Nathan Fillion's appearance provides some relief.

In Season 1, the Hellmouth and the school library are introduced as clever plot devices, despite their shortcomings and initial difficulties.

Season 6 focuses on exploring realistic themes and emotions, particularly Buffy's depression, with standout moments including the loss of Tara and the memorable musical episode.

Watching a TV show from the late '90s can be challenging, especially one that requires a 4:3 aspect ratio at times. It is crucial for the show to have enough captivating content to fill the empty space on the screen. Fortunately, in the case of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the show only remains in the late '90s for a few seasons. Additionally, it features Sarah Michelle Gellar, who takes on a wide range of roles as an actor throughout the series. The narrative of (almost) every season relies heavily on Buffy's fearless ability to effectively portray its key moments.

Luckily, the influential creative team at Mutant Enemy Productions—a company specifically established to produce Buffy the Vampire Slayer in partnership with 20th Century Fox (although the show initially aired on The WB)—provides the cast with exceptional scripts. These scripts elevate the genre of fantasy television with their remarkable quality. The material presented in the show convincingly showcases the all-consuming nature of teenage drama. Moreover, talented actors like Charisma Carpenter bring depth and complexity to their characters, making even the role of a vicious bully seem desirable – a testament to the excellence of the writing. This quality is maintained throughout numerous seasons, but not all seasons are created equal. In this analysis, we will explore Buffy the Vampire Slayer's seasons to determine which ones contribute most to its enduring legacy and which ones fall short.

"Buffy The Vampire Slayer" is a television series that was released on March 10, 1997. The main cast includes Sarah Michelle Gellar, Alyson Hannigan, Nicholas Brendon, Michelle Trachtenberg, Emma Caulfield, and James Marsters. The show falls under multiple genres such as action, adventure, comedy, drama, mystery, and sci-fi. It has a TV-14 rating and consists of 7 seasons. The creator of the series is Joss Whedon, and it is produced by Mutant Enemy, Kuzui Enterprises, and Sandollar Television.

7. Season 7

Image via UPN

Look—there are shows for which this would be their best season. Buffy simply does not fall into that category. Despite its long run, there have been rumors suggesting that it was not the most pleasant work environment for the cast and crew, who endured grueling hours expected in television production. As a result, behind-the-scenes unity was not at its peak here. Furthermore, this show already had a series finale in Season 5, so it had to find a way to dismantle its own premise in this season by introducing the concept of potential Slayers from all over the world coming together. This storyline somehow contributed to a feeling of claustrophobia throughout the season. Additionally, unlike the previous outstanding seasons, there was no cool gathering spot for the characters to meet and hang out. Lastly, there was an intangible presence of a Big Bad until Nathan Fillion arrived to alleviate our anguish.

6. Season 1

Presented here are a couple of ingenious facets brought forth by this somewhat shaky season of television. One remarkable element is the Hellmouth. This plot device performs the entirety of the heavy lifting for you. While critics may meticulously scrutinize every aspect that challenges suspension of disbelief within this introductory installment, the fundamental concept—that there exists a fissure in the Earth, wherein terrifying creatures are drawn to the very location where our characters must consistently reside—is an extraordinary mechanism that seamlessly integrates itself into the narrative.

The school library, the second bit, is a mystery regarding how Rupert Giles obtained such a coveted position through the Watchers' Council. Principal Flutie's understanding of what occurs in the library remains unknown. However, in a show where regular explanations are necessary, the library serves as a remarkable gathering place. Especially in a time before the internet, having a room filled with books about demons proves to be incredibly useful for a high school demon-slayer. Anthony Stewart Head effortlessly portrays Giles, making it seem as though his role was meant for him. The rest of the cast delivers some of the most memorable lines ever spoken on network television, as if they had come up with them on the spot.

Nonetheless, it is always a relief when these episodes are finished. The fact that episodes of this caliber are considered the least impressive among the rest speaks to the exceptional quality that follows, as well as to the natural imperfections Buffy experiences as a growing television series.

5. Season 4

Image via The WB

Buffy Season 4 was at a disadvantage from the start. With the characters graduating, the series had to change locations. The Vampire Diaries, on the other hand, stretches out its high school years excessively, which is not a good look. Season 4 also shares a similar flaw with Season 7 - the lack of a cool hangout spot for the characters to make plans. The library is no longer available, and instead, it's replaced by Giles's living room?

However, despite some less impressive episodes, the college freshman storyline in this season has some notable highlights. "Hush" stands as one of the top 5 episodes of the show, showcasing the purest form of horror the series has ever achieved. Additionally, there's "Restless," which presents the most Lynchian element the show has ever attempted. Furthermore, the introduction of Tara (Amber Benson) and Willow's coming out are crucial elements for the show's future.

4. Season 6

Image via UPN

This season of television is undeniably controversial. It marks the show's transition from its previous five-season run on The WB to its new two-season home at UPN. Marti Noxon, a writer responsible for popular episodes like "What's My Line?" (parts 1 and 2), "Surprise," and "The Wish," takes the helm as the show's new leader. Throughout this season, a wide range of emotionally charged topics are explored, many of which require careful consideration. These themes manifest themselves in both supernatural and ordinary forms. In a surprising twist, Buffy deviates from the established formula by introducing The Trio, a group of three despicable villains with believable and relatable motivations. Alongside the honest portrayal of Buffy's depression, this fantasy show unexpectedly becomes realistic.

The loss of Tara and the subsequent transformation of Willow into Dark Willow generates a thrilling sense of dread unparalleled in the show's history. The audience experiences genuine pain as a result of this loss, leading to a twisted satisfaction in witnessing the vengeful rampage that follows. Alyson Hannigan delivers caustic and memorable one-liners, targeting both deserving and undeserving characters. Willow's pain becomes the main focus of the season, with Buffy playing a supporting role. This dynamic gives the season a significant depth that cannot be overlooked. Additionally, there is even a musical episode to enjoy.

3. Season 5

Image via The WB

Buffy's existence was uncertain leading into Season 5, which required us to write a finale that felt momentous. With a compelling and underrated villain named Glory, the stakes were high throughout the season. However, the characters themselves seemed to be enjoying their journey.

One highlight of the season was the introduction of the Magic Box, a fantastic headquarters that rivaled the library. It also served as a great platform for exposition. But undoubtedly, the standout episode was "The Body," which showcased the show's ability to tackle serious themes. This episode proved that transitioning Buffy from high school stories to more mature content was not detrimental to the show, but rather an opportunity for creative revitalization. It also set a high bar for the seasons that followed.

2. Season 2

Image via The WB

When creators are able to tap into the full potential of their early work and make an extraordinary leap forward, it becomes the stuff of legends. Season 2 not only continues the viewer-friendly format of stand-alone episodes that advertisers adore, but also delves into the deep lore and serialized storytelling that would become the benchmark of the 21st century. With its constantly twisting and turning narrative, Season 2 captivates viewers, immersing them in its intricate storyline and leaving them emotionally drained by the end. Filled with heartbreak and captivating villainy, the introduction of James Marsters's character, Spike, in Episode 3 signifies the beginning of an exhilarating journey.

This captivating season sets a new standard for urban fantasy/horror television, establishing the tone for the following season and raising the bar even higher.

1. Season 3

Image via The WB

Spike is the party, and Faith Lehane, portrayed by Eliza Dushku, is the after-party. Her intense presence adds an electric charge to the show, setting the stage for every impactful moment throughout its 22 episodes. The tragedy at the core of the story revolves around Faith, and her unapologetic confidence mirrors the show's own assurance. There is no hesitation or doubt from the creators.

As for the season's main antagonist, we have the Mayor, played by Harry Groener. He embodies authoritative power, patronizing arrogance, and a history of dominance. When he infiltrates the safe space of our heroes on the eve of their graduation, it feels like a true violation. Despite it being only the third season of a show with much more story to tell, his threats never feel empty. The writers continually build up dangers, losses, and risks, especially in the latter half of Season 3. The narrative remains cohesive, the characters remain in control, and the intensity remains unparalleled, with a sustained level of energy that is unmatched in subsequent youth-oriented fantasy dramas. Though none have been able to replicate it so far, let's hope they continue to strive for that level of excellence.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is currently available to watch on Hulu in the U.S.

Watch on Hulu