The Ultimate Ranking of Every Supernatural Season: Unveiling the Best of the Best

Summary

Great seasons of Supernatural have a cohesive long-running story arc, monsters of the week, character growth, and compelling villains.

The earliest seasons are widely regarded as the best, as they took fewer risks and had more creative elements. However, season 14 failed to capture the same level of love from audiences due to its repetitive storylines. Meanwhile, season 15 concluded on a somewhat underwhelming note, lacking a climactic ending. On the other hand, season 12 stood out by offering satisfying answers to lingering questions and introducing fresh storylines.

When a television show has been on the air for 15 years, it is natural to experience both highs and lows. This is particularly true for Supernatural, as certain seasons clearly outshine others. This captivating series premiered in 2005, featuring two brothers on a quest to find their father while battling ghosts, demons, and other supernatural creatures throughout the night. Despite its ups and downs, Supernatural has achieved iconic status.

To create an exceptional season of Supernatural, it is essential to have a well-crafted overarching storyline that interweaves with standalone monster-of-the-week episodes. In addition to this, the development of characters and the presence of compelling villains are crucial. As the series continued, some storylines became repetitive, but the writers took greater risks with certain arcs. Consequently, the later seasons may not be regarded as the best, but they undoubtedly incorporate some of the show's most innovative elements. Nevertheless, the earliest seasons remain the pinnacle of Supernatural excellence.

15 Season 14 (2018–2019)

Number of episodes: 20

The concept of Sam and Dean serving as vessels for the archangels Michael and Lucifer is introduced early on in the series and remains relevant throughout. It is revisited in the fourteenth season to some extent, which partly explains the lukewarm reception for the second-to-last season.

14 Season 15 (2019–2020)

: Nick, Lucifer's former vessel, spends the majority of the season seeking retribution for the murder of his family and attempting to reunite with Lucifer. Meanwhile, Dean, who had been possessed by Michael, undergoes significant transformations as he grapples with the consequences of banishing Michael. Despite the presence of beloved characters like Jody Mills and Bobby Singer, the season failed to captivate fans.

No. of episodes: 20

The final season of Supernatural displayed inconsistency. Although the writers made efforts to appease the audience by tying up loose ends and reintroducing a multitude of characters from the Winchesters' past, the Supernatural finale failed to provide the desired closure for fans. Strangely, it was the only season in the series that did not conclude with a cliffhanger.

In the ultimate season, God himself becomes the primary antagonist, a logical choice given the show's history of featuring various demons and angels. However, fans will undoubtedly harbor long-lasting resentment towards the show for certain character deaths. Moreover, the manner in which these characters met their demise adds to the fans' dissatisfaction. When evaluating the quality of Supernatural seasons, it is evident that season 15 lacked the anticipated climactic ending for both the show and its beloved characters.

13 Season 12 (2016–2017)

The season consisted of 23 episodes. Despite successfully addressing long-standing questions and resolving various storylines, it failed to satisfyingly engage fans. Season 12 attempted to introduce several new storylines while leaving other pressing questions unanswered, which disheartened fans.

12 Season 13 (2017–2018)

In this season, the Winchesters once again find themselves on the trail of Lucifer, as per usual. However, what sets this season apart is the reintroduction of his yellow-eyed demons. These demons are now confirmed as his Princes of Hell and are established as the first demons created after Lilith. Alongside this, viewers are treated to a surprising double-cross from Crowley, the introduction of a new character named Jack who is part-human and part-angel, and the mind-blowing revelation that alternate universes actually exist. Despite being in its twelfth year, Supernatural manages to further expand on its rich mythology and provide long-awaited answers to its audience. It is because of this that when ranking the seasons, this particular one stands out as superior to both seasons 14 and 15.

No. of episodes: 23

In Season 13 of Supernatural, many previously killed off characters made a comeback, primarily those from an alternate world known as the Apocalypse World. This allowed the show's writers to have creative fun with these characters. However, fans are disappointed about the death of favorites like Kevin, even though it was the Apocalypse version of him. Another aspect that upset fans was the backdoor pilot featured in the season, which introduced Jody Mills and a group of teenage girls who possess knowledge about the supernatural. They teamed up with the Winchesters to help them. This pilot episode was supposed to launch a spin-off series called Wayward Sisters, but unfortunately, it never materialized, causing a significant loss for the show.

11 Season 9 (2013–2014)

There are a total of 23 episodes in this season. It delves into the ongoing conflict between angels, with two distinct factions targeting Castiel. Since Castiel has lost his grace in the past, he no longer possesses angelic abilities and is now living as a vulnerable human. Although Castiel's storyline is captivating, season 9 of Supernatural includes excessive back-and-forth between the angels and the Winchester brothers.

10 Season 7 (2011–2012)

Sam and Dean's contrasting approaches to handling various situations lead them to part ways, ultimately driving them to resort to drastic measures. In his pursuit of a solution, Dean decides to acquire the Mark Of Cain, granting him the formidable ability to wield the First Blade against a formidable adversary. Nonetheless, this choice comes with severe repercussions, culminating in Dean's transformation into a demon by the end of the season.

No. of episodes: 23

Castiel's claim as the new God and his absorption of souls from Purgatory signals a shift in direction for this season of Supernatural, particularly in its exploration of angel and demon mythology. Notably, the only beings whose souls Castiel neglects to return are the Leviathans - the oldest and most powerful monsters brought into existence by God. This introduces a formidable new element for the Winchesters to confront.

In contrast to previous adventures where the brothers quickly found solutions to supernatural challenges, their past knowledge proves ineffective against the Leviathans. Consequently, this season proves to be particularly gripping and captivating. However, it also evokes mixed reactions when compared to other seasons of Supernatural. Fans appreciate the daunting nature of battling the Leviathans, but there are criticisms regarding subpar CGI and a potential dragging of the storyline as the season progresses.

9 Season 8 (2012–2013)

Number of episodes: 23

An intriguing aspect of Supernatural lies in its exploration of angelic mythology. In the eighth season, the narrative delves deeper into the story of angels. Dean Winchester reemerges from Purgatory, while Castiel is resurrected and manipulated by a different angel for her own agenda.

8 Season 6 (2010–2011)

This season also sees Sam and Dean coming into contact with their grandfather, who utilizes a spell for time travel to venture into the future. This development expands on the narrative of the Men Of Letters, serving as a significant storyline for the show going forward. Season 8 of Supernatural not only offers an abundance of fresh information but also manages to be more captivating than its predecessor, season 7.

No. of episodes: 22

In the fifth season, series creator Eric Kripke's original vision for the show came to an end. Season 6 of Supernatural picks up a year later, with Dean attempting to lead a normal life, only to be disrupted when Sam returns from Hell.

Throughout 22 episodes, Dean realizes that although his brother has returned, he is lacking his soul. He devises a plan to retrieve it. Surprisingly, Castiel becomes an unexpected foe as he collaborates with Crowley to release the souls from Purgatory, with the intention of absorbing them and assuming the role of God. This season strikes the perfect balance between episodes centered on mythology and exploring the intricate relationship between the two brothers. Consequently, it became highly popular and brought a fresh perspective to the show.

7 Season 10 (2014–2015)

Number of episodes: 23

Dean starts Supernatural's 10th season as a demon under Crowley's control, but Castiel and Sam manage to restore his humanity. However, Dean's possession of the Mark of Cain poses challenges throughout the season as he repeatedly succumbs to his dark side. Alongside Dean's personal struggle, a beloved antagonist, Rowena, is introduced. Unbeknownst to many, Rowena is Crowley's mother, and she ultimately removes the Mark of Cain from Dean, setting the stage for the next season's villain.

6 Season 1 (2005–2006)

Season 10 also showcases an incredibly entertaining meta-episode within the series: the Supernatural musical. This remarkable installment demonstrates how the show cleverly mocks itself, while simultaneously honoring the unwavering support and adoration from its dedicated fanbase, which significantly contributed to its immense popularity.

No. of episodes: 22

Season 1 of many long-running television series is often not highly regarded because the shows are still establishing themselves. However, the initial storyline in Supernatural is adored by fans and is considered one of the best seasons. Therefore, when ranking the Supernatural seasons, the first season must be placed near the top.

In the beginning, Supernatural introduces monster-of-the-week episodes where Sam and Dean are in search of their missing father. Sam has no interest in pursuing the family tradition of hunting supernatural creatures and urban legends, while Dean continues to follow their father's path. This creates significant tension between them, but as the season progresses, they gradually form a strong bond, which sets the foundation for the rest of the series.

5 Season 11 (2015–2016)

Episodes: 23

Season 11 of Supernatural focuses on The Darkness, also referred to as Amara. Delving deeper into the show's mythology surrounding God, it unfolds that Amara is, in fact, God's sister, driven by a desire for retribution following her exile.

4 Season 2 (2006–2007)

The Winchesters' season-long struggle takes a surprising turn as they seek assistance from Lucifer, who possesses Castiel. In an unexpected alliance, angels and demons unite to combat Amara. Eventually, Amara reconciles with her brother and even fulfills one of Dean's deepest desires. The season concludes with Amara resurrecting Sam and Dean's mother, propelling the show into uncharted territory for the upcoming seasons. In contrast to the later seasons that rehash old storylines, Season 11 breathes new life into the series and offers a refreshing change.

No. of episodes: 22

The second season of Supernatural lays a solid groundwork for the show by delving deeper into the Winchester brothers' journey. Serving as the primary antagonist during the early seasons, the demon Azazel becomes the brothers' main target. Notably, season 2 showcases some of the finest moments in Supernatural.

Furthermore, this season expands the world of the hunters as it introduces several allies for Sam and Dean. The Harvelles, Ash, and Bobby join the fray, becoming integral parts of the show moving forward. It is during season 2 that the immense challenges faced by hunters become evident, highlighting the close-knit nature of their network, where everyone knows each other.

3 Season 3 (2007–2008)

Number of episodes: 16

Starting the top three seasons of Supernatural is also the briefest season. Season 3, comprising only 16 episodes, was reduced from the initial 22 due to the 2007 writer's strike. However, this truncated season turned out to benefit the fans, as it resulted in more condensed storylines and a decrease in standalone episodes.

In season two, Dean enters into a pact that will ultimately result in his soul being consigned to Hell after a year's time. The majority of the third season centers around efforts to prevent Dean's descent into Hell. This leads to the introduction of Ruby, who claims to possess the means to free Dean from his contractual obligation. Additionally, the concept of Lilith is introduced as she holds the contract for Dean's soul. "Bedtime Stories," an episode beloved by fans and brimming with hidden references, even pays homage to fairy tales.

2 Season 4 (2008–2009)

No. of episodes: 22

In Supernatural's fourth season, a major storyline revolves around Lilith's relentless pursuit to break the 66 seals, which will enable Lucifer to manifest on Earth. Introducing the character Castiel, who saves Dean from Hell, and joins forces with the Winchesters to thwart Lilith's plans. As Lilith progressively breaks the seals, a sense of impending doom builds throughout the episodes, creating intense suspense and fueling the central conflict between Sam and Dean.

True to their history, Sam and Dean find themselves at odds, despite sharing a common objective. Dean is concerned about Sam embracing his darker nature, while Sam believes that harnessing this side is necessary to defeat Lilith, accepting the associated risks. Ultimately, Lilith cunningly manipulates Sam through Ruby, successfully achieving her goal. The dramatic season finale marks the first physical appearance of Lucifer in the series, elevating the stakes even further.

1 Season 5 (2009–2010)

There are 22 episodes in total for the fifth season of Supernatural. The fans initially thought this would be the show's final season, given that it is Eric Kripke's last season as the showrunner and marks the completion of the original story plan for the series. This contributes significantly to its overall greatness.

With Lucifer's release from his cage in the fourth season, the Winchesters now face the daunting task of preventing his havoc on Earth. Sam is destined to become Lucifer's vessel, while Dean is destined to become the vessel for the angel Michael. Despite their efforts to evade this fate, their plans consistently go awry. Unexpectedly, their half-brother becomes Michael's vessel, and Sam sacrifices himself to trap Lucifer once again. Season 5 masterfully concludes storylines, introduces lingering questions, and serves as the ultimate culmination of the series. It stands as the most powerful and outstanding season of Supernatural.