The hit fantasy TV show Supernatural has hundreds of episodes, but there are some excellent standalone watches that capture the show perfectly.
Supernatural was an immensely popular fantasy TV show that had fifteen seasons. As the longest-running American fantasy series, the show is an icon of the genre. Beloved by a dedicated and passionate fanbase, Supernatural continues to be a pop culture sensation even considering the decline of quality in later seasons.
As a massive series, the show is quite a lengthy binge-watch. However, Supernatural has dozens of great episodes that are great to watch on their own, even without the context of previous installments. These episodes are some of the most beloved by the fandom, admired for capturing the themes and tone of the show. They are also excellent options for new fans who want to experiment with the show before deciding if they want to watch it from beginning to end.
10
Mystery Spot Puts Sam Winchester In a Familiar Position, Again & Again
Supernatural’s “Mystery Spot” at a Glance
Season, Episode :Season 3, Episode 11
Air Date: February 14, 2008
Writers: Eric Kripke, Jeremy Carver, Emily McLaughlin
There are serious plots in Supernatural that make the tone dark and foreboding, and then there are monster-of-the-week episodes that have a slightly more comedic tone. Among all the seriousness, it’s refreshing to have a break with some of the show’s excellent comic relief. Though most of these funny episodes do not contribute to the overarching plot, they are some of the most memorable, making them fan favorites.
“Mystery Spot” is more than just a funny episode in Season 3 that balances the serious with the comical well, and while the big bad turns out to be a player that factors into things later in the series, for the most part this episode is remembered for its humorous approach to some very dark subject material. When Sam gets stuck in a time loop reminiscent of Billy Murray’s Phil in the movie Groundhog Day, he’s forced to repeatedly witness Dean’s death hundreds of times and in a variety of shocking and traumatic ways. This episode is known as the reason why Dean Winchester is one of Supernatural’s characters with most deaths under his belt, which is plenty of reason to earn it a ranking on the list, but it lands at the bottom because there are definitely stronger standalone episodes.
9
Bad Day at Black Rock Sees Sam & Dean Facing Some Epic Bad Luck
Supernatural’s “Bad Day at Black Rock” at a Glance
Season, Episode: Season 3, Episode 3
Air Date: October 18, 2007
Writers: Eric Kripke, Jeremy Carver, Ben Edlund
“Bad Day at Black Rock” is another comedic episode of Supernatural and a great starter for new viewers deciding if they want to watch the show. In this plot, Sam and Dean go to investigate a break-in at their father’s storage unit. They come in contact with a magic rabbit’s foot that gives them great luck. However, when it is stolen by a magical objects’ dealer, the brothers have a serious string of bad luck.
This episode highlights the dynamic of the brothers, the magic present in the show, and the villains. This is one of the few storylines in which their enemies are solely people and not supernatural beings, though the fantastical elements still contribute to the main plot.
8
Frontierland Sent Sam & Dean Back In Time to the Wild West
Supernatural’s “Frontierland” at a Glance
Season, Episode: Season 6, Episode 18
Air Date: April 22, 2011
Writers: Eric Kripke, Andrew Dabb, Daniel Loflin
In “Frontierland,” Castiel sends the brothers back in time to 1863, so they can retrieve a magical gun that can kill powerful beings, along with the ashes of a Phoenix to defeat Eve. As a fan of Old Westerns, Dean is excited about this trip in time but gets a harsh reality check when encountering the dirty, unsafe environment of the Old West. It seems germs aren’t as fun as they look in the Wild West.
This episode is action-packed, capturing the excitement and danger Supernatural is known for. There are also a couple of good laughs that remind viewers of the unique humor of the show. Fans of Westerns will appreciate this episode, which captures the American Frontier and ends with an iconic “duel at high noon.”
7
Everybody Loves a Clown, Except for Sam Winchester
Supernatural’s “Everybody Loves a Clown” at a Glance
Season, Episode: Season 2, Episode 2
Air Date: October 5, 2006
Writers: Eric Kripke, John Shiban, Sera Gamble
In this early episode of Supernatural, Dean and Sam are still struggling with the loss of their father. After meeting an old friend of their father, who was also a monster hunter, they take a case in a local town where a killer clown is manipulating kids into letting them into their homes, so they can kill their parents.
In the typical Supernatural fashion, this is no ordinary clown. What is so exceptional and entertaining about this case they work in “Everybody Loves A Clown” is it plays with a relatable fear of clowns. Sam has to work on this case while struggling with his fear of the performers, making the plot a fun but creepy experience.
6
A Very Supernatural Christmas Saw the Winchesters Battling Evil Santa
Supernatural’s “A Very Supernatural Christmas” at a Glance
Season, Episode: Season 3, Episode 8
Air Date: December 13, 2007
Writers: Eric Kripke, Jeremy Carver
If new viewers want to analyze the quality of a TV show, a great way to do so is by seeing how it handles its holiday specials. “A Very Supernatural Christmas” still holds up as one of the best standalone episodes ever. It’s another perfectly balanced sequence that explains the lore of their case while blending the humor and action of the series.
In this holiday storyline, Sam and Dean fight against Pagan gods who are eating people, performing a ritual to trick their victims into their trap. These evil gods hate Christmas because the rise of Christianity led to humans not willingly sacrificing themselves. It also has an endearing ending with the brothers that captures the wholesome moments of the show. “A Very Supernatural Christmas” earns its ranking in the middle of the list because it put a glorious supernatural spin on the holiday season in an incredibly unique way.
5
Skin Introduces the Supernatural Horror that Is Shapeshifters
Supernatural’s “Skin” at a Glance
Season, Episode: Season 1, Episode 6
Air Date: October 18, 2005
Writers: Eric Kripke, John Shiban, Sera Gamble
One of the most terrifying monsters in Supernatural are the shapeshifters. They take on the physical appearance of their targets but also obtain their target’s memories and thoughts as well. “Skin” is the first appearance of these beings. This shapeshifter takes on Dean’s persona, which inevitably leads to the Winchesters being wanted criminals. What’s funny is that Sam and Dean spend a significant part of the series on-the-run, as it is, so this new threat ups the ante.
There is a lot to love about this series, especially when it comes to the humorous tone. However, this episode demonstrates that the show can also be exceptionally eerie, disturbing, and horrific. Fans of horror TV shows will love standalone “Monster of the Week” episodes like “Skin.”
4
Fallen Idols Saw Paris Hilton As a Power Hungry Goddess
Supernatural’s “Fallen Idol” at a Glance
Season, Episode: Season 5, Episode 5
Air Date: October 8, 2009
Writers: Eric Kripke, Julie Siege, Andrew Dabb
“Fallen Idols” is one of the strangest cases the Winchesters work, which also makes the episode one of the most memorable. In this plot, a pagan god is taking on the appearance of famous icons to eat their worshipers. It takes on the forms of Abraham Lincoln, James Dean’s car, and Paris Hilton.
This episode of Supernatural is memorable for Paris Hilton’s guest star role, who puts on an impressive performance as a powerful, hungry god. “Fallen Idols” is a great introduction to the profoundly unusual and unique monsters the hunters battle. There’s even a scene where Sam finds himself in hand-to-hand combat with Ghandi.
3
Monster Movie Brought the Iconic Hollywood Monster Movies to Primetime
Supernatural’s “Fallen Idol” at a Glance
Season, Episode: Season 4, Episode 5
Air Date: October 16, 2008
Writers: Eric Kripke, Ben Edlund, Jeremy Carver
“Monster Movie” stands out for how it pays homage to iconic black-and-white monster movies that defined the genre’s early days in Hollywood. The monster in this conflict is another shapeshifter, though this case there is a far more comical tone than the last shapeshifter episode in the list. This shapeshifter is a movie fanatic who uses icons like Dracula, Frankenstein, and Wolf-Man to attack his victims.
The episode has a memorable black-and-white sequence that acts as another humble nod to the genre that made many monsters in Supernatural icons. “Monster Movie” is a good example of how the show respects the origins of the genre that aided in the development of its fanbase.
2
Everybody Hates Hitler
Supernatural’s “Everybody Hates Hitler” at a Glance
Season, Episode: Season 8, Episode 13
Air Date: February 6, 2013
Writers: Eric Kripke, Ben Edlund
Despite it having realistic elements, Supernatural is an immersive world that pulls fans into an exciting universe that is relatable while still being otherworldly. “Everybody Hates Hitler” is an outrageous episode that stands out by displaying just how creative and strange the magic in this world is.
The enemy in this storyline has been plotting to bring Adolf Hitler back to life since World War II. This plot brings in some real-world issues like racism and neo-Nazi beliefs, while blending them with magic that makes anything, both fascinating and horrific, possible. From Nazi necromancers to a golem destroying their secret research facility, this episode put a new spin on the Hitler resurrection trope a lot of series have toyed with over the years.
1
Yellow Fever Saw the Generally Brave Dean Winchester Afraid of His Own Shadow
Supernatural’s “Yellow Fever” at a Glance
Season, Episode: Season 4, Episode 6
Air Date: October 23, 2008
Writers: Eric Kripke, Andrew Dabb, Daniel Loflin
“Yellow Fever” has one of the most unique conflicts in the entire series. Instead of a monster, vengeful god, or demon, the brothers have to face a ghost sickness that quickly kills any person deemed to be a “jerk.” The plot ups the stakes when Dean contracts the virus, which causes the victims to get increasingly more paranoid and fearful until a heart attack kills them.
The episode is often considered the top fan-favorite rewatch, and combined with its hilarious premise, that alone is enough to rank “Yellow Fever” as the best standalone episode of Supernatural of them all. It’s also a great introduction to the humor and strangeness of the Supernatural universe. “Yellow Fever” has some of the most iconic scenes in the series, especially relating to Dean’s hilarious fear of everything, despite normally being a thick-skinned character.
Source: cbr.com