With Halloween fast approaching and Hulu’s planned continuation of the franchise stalled, Buffy enthusiasts are turning back to the original run for their seasonal frights. As officially not moving forward as of March, the show that once defined a generation of genre television now leaves its devoted viewers with nothing new to watch — prompting this outlet’s official ranking of all seven seasons of the original series, ordered from worst to best.
The situation has only grown more complicated for fans hoping for fresh Buffy content. It briefly appeared that Dynamite Entertainment’s forthcoming comics reboot by Kelly Thompson and Stephen Byrne had met the same fate as the television project. However, Dynamite recently resolicited both its an unspecified future date — titles that appear to be interquels set between seasons 5 and 6 of the original run — offering a glimmer of hope for those invested in the broader Buffyverse.
Until then, there remain seven seasons of television, five full “seasons” of official comics, and a host of hazily out-of-continuity novels, video games, and older Dark Horse comic tie-ins to keep fans occupied. For newcomers tuning in for the first time this spooky season, the original series remains a creepy enough ride — even if its quality swings wildly from brilliance to mediocrity.
A Franchise in Transition
The roadblock arrived earlier this year when officially not moving forward as of March, ending the hopes that Chloé Zhao and original star Sarah Michelle Gellar would return for a new chapter. The news landed hard on a fanbase that had invested heavily in the revival, particularly given Zhao’s acclaimed directorial pedigree.
The comics reboot seemed headed for the same fate until Dynamite reversed course. Its resolicited an unspecified future date titles — featuring work by Kelly Thompson and Stephen Byrne — are understood to be interquels bridging seasons 5 and 6 of the original series, potentially offering new canonical content that slots neatly into established continuity.
“You win some, you lose some.”
Gamer24h editorial
The cancellation has left a genuine void in the franchise’s landscape. With no new television or comics imminent, this season’s rewatch guide serves as both a comfort and an introduction for those discovering the series anew — one that does not shy away from acknowledging where the show faltered alongside its triumphs.
The Bottom of the Pack
At the foot of the ranking sits Season 6 (2001–2002), a season that divides fans more than any other. It marked a shift in both networks and showrunners, alongside Anthony Head stepping down from the main cast as Giles. The result leaves Buffy — played by Sarah Michelle Gellar — broke, unemployed, adrift, and depressed, with little support from friends who assume everything is fine. That emotional weight defines a season that many find difficult to watch.
The sole bright spot is Joss Whedon’s beloved musical episode “Once More, with Feeling,” widely considered among the best episodes in the entire series. For devoted fans of the Buffy-Spike relationship — which curdles into something deeply toxic this season — the material offers plenty to chew on, though Spike spends much of his time center stage at the expense of everyone else.
Season 7 (2002–2003), Joss Whedon’s return as showrunner for the series finale, suffers from a different problem entirely. The first seven episodes rebuild the show almost from first principles before the final 15 race through an epic story that would have benefited from more time. “Conversations with Dead People” stands as an incredible showcase of both acting and writing, and the finale — in which Buffy shares her power with every potential Slayer worldwide — sends the series off on a high thematic note. It simply tries to do too much.
The Middle Years
Season 4 (1999–2000) is perhaps the second most controversial entry, as Buffy and Willow enter college and the show must rebuild its setting, supporting cast, and core metaphors on the fly. The costume design drew early criticism during original broadcast, and the introduction of Riley Finn — Buffy’s new love interest after Angel departed for his own spin-off — left fans cold from the start.
The season swings between extremes: “Hush,” a largely silent horror feature featuring the voice-stealing Gentlemen, stands alongside the widely disliked anti-drinking PSA “Beer Bad.” That contrast captures Season 4 as a whole. Meanwhile, Season 1 (1997), a mere 12 episodes long on the WB, contains seven monster-of-the-week installments with little connective tissue — yet already showcases Whedon’s trademark dialogue and genuinely effective scares in episodes like “Nightmares.” It belongs squarely in the middle of the chart.
The Pinnacle
Rising above them all is Season 5 (2000–2001), widely regarded as the most consistent season. The introduction of Dawn — Buffy’s suddenly appearing little sister — fuels a storyline against the dark god Glory, culminating in “The Body,” arguably the single most emotional episode in the entire series. It stays on an even keel from start to finish.
Season 2 (1997–1998) earns its place just below with the two-part finale “Becoming” and Angel’s compelling turn to evil, though a slow first six episodes and several filler stories hold it back. But Season 3 (1998–1999) claims the top spot, home to at least half of any hypothetical best-episodes list — including “The Wish,” “The Zeppo,” “Dopplegangland,” and the introduction of fan-favorite rival Faith Lehane. Its all-time great episodes vastly outnumber its misfires, building toward the two-part finale “Graduation Day” in a season firing on all cylinders.
Looking Ahead
Until an unspecified future date for Dynamite’s resolicited titles materialize, fans can revisit any of these seven seasons — or finally catch up on the ones they skipped. The comics reboot by Kelly Thompson and Stephen Byrne remains the most promising path forward for new canonical content, potentially filling the gap between seasons 5 and 6.
For now, though, ended with season 5 may be a debate fans continue to wage — but it is one they can revisit at will this Halloween, armed with an official ranking that captures both the heights that made Buffy legendary and the rough patches that came along for the ride.
Join the conversation