The 15 Best Buffy the Vampire Slayer Episodes

Almost 30 years ago, Joss Whedon transformed a middling movie script into a groundbreaking television series that redefined sci-fi and fantasy, elevating genre television to new heights. Now, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is poised for a legacy sequel, with Variety reporting Sarah Michelle Gellar is in final negotiations to reprise her iconic role as Buffy Summers in a Hulu revival.

To celebrate this potential return, let's revisit the original series and highlight 15 of its best episodes. Debuting on the WB on March 10, 1997, Buffy the Vampire Slayer proved that compelling television could be built around a teenage girl battling vampires, demons, and the everyday anxieties of adolescence against a backdrop of near-constant apocalyptic threats.

The show's ensemble cast redefined the "ragtag team" trope, showcasing teen and then college-age angst and anxieties within a perpetually looming apocalypse. This list celebrates the original series' blend of absurd comedy, intense drama, and everything in between. Note: Two-part episodes are counted as one. Prepare for some serious "beep me, bite me" nostalgia!

The Best Buffy the Vampire Slayer Episodes

16 Images