In What Order Should You Watch American Horror Story?

American Horror Story (AHS) is a popular anthology horror series created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. Each season of the show is self-contained and tells a unique story with different characters, themes, and settings. Since the show premiered in 2011, it has gained a massive following, and fans have debated the best order to watch the series. In this post, we will break down the different seasons of American Horror Story and offer suggestions on the best order to watch them.

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Season 1: Murder House (2011)

The first season of American Horror Story is a haunting tale of a family that moves into a haunted mansion in Los Angeles. As they navigate the horrors of their new home, they uncover dark secrets and tragic histories of their previous inhabitants. Murder House has become a fan favorite, and it is a great place to start for those new to the series.

Season 2: Asylum (2012-2013)

Asylum takes place in the 1960s and follows the stories of patients and staff at an institution for the criminally insane. The season touches on themes of religion, science, and madness. While Asylum is often considered one of the best seasons of AHS, it is also one of the darkest and most disturbing. As such, it may be best to watch it after experiencing some of the lighter seasons.

Season 3: Coven (2013-2014)

Coven centers around a group of witches living in modern-day New Orleans. The season explores themes of power, sisterhood, and the struggle between good and evil. Coven is one of the more lighthearted seasons of AHS and features a stellar cast, including Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, and Angela Bassett.

Season 4: Freak Show (2014-2015)

Freak Show takes place in the 1950s and follows a group of performers in a traveling carnival. The season explores themes of otherness, exploitation, and identity. While Freak Show has some of the most memorable characters in the series, it is also one of the weaker seasons and may not be the best place to start for newcomers.

Season 5: Hotel (2015-2016)

The hotel is set in a haunted hotel in Los Angeles and follows the stories of the guests and staff. The season features an all-star cast, including Lady Gaga, who won a Golden Globe for her role. While Hotel has some of the most stunning visuals and memorable characters in the series, it is also one of the more polarizing seasons and may not be the best place to start for those new to AHS.

Season 6: Roanoke (2016)

Roanoke is a found footage-style season that follows a couple who move into a haunted farmhouse in rural North Carolina. The season is unique in that it features a different format and storytelling style from previous seasons. While Roanoke is not one of the stronger seasons, it is still a worthwhile watch and can be enjoyed by fans of the series.

Season 7: Cult (2017)

Cult takes place in the aftermath of the 2016 U.S. presidential election and follows a cult leader and his followers as they wreak havoc in a small Michigan town. The season explores themes of fear, paranoia, and political extremism. While Cult is one of the more divisive seasons of AHS, it is also one of the most relevant and timely.

Season 8: Apocalypse (2018)

Apocalypse is a crossover season that combines characters and themes from two previous seasons: Murder House and Coven. The season follows the events of a nuclear apocalypse and the battle between the witches and the Antichrist. While Apocalypse is not the strongest season, it is a must-watch for fans of Murder House and Coven.

Season 9: 1984 (2019)

1984 is a slasher-style season that pays homage to classic horror movies of the 1980s. The season takes place at a summer camp and follows a group of counselors who are stalked by a serial killer. While 1984 is not the most groundbreaking season of AHS, it is a fun and entertaining watch for fans of the genre.

Season 10: Double Feature (2021)

Double Feature is the latest season of AHS and features two distinct storylines. The first half takes place in Provincetown, Massachusetts, and follows a family who moves there to escape the city. The second half takes place in Hollywood and explores the world of vampires. While it is still early to say where Double Feature ranks among the other seasons of AHS, it has received positive reviews so far.

Best Order to Watch American Horror Story

With eight seasons of American Horror Story to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide where to start or in what order to watch them. While each season is self-contained, there are still some benefits to watching them in a specific order. Here are some recommended viewing orders:

• Chronological Order: This is the simplest way to watch the series, starting with Murder House and ending with Double Feature. This order allows you to see the progression of the show and how it has evolved over the years.
• Release Order: Watching the series in the order it was released is another option. This order would start with Murder House and end with Double Feature. Watching the seasons in release order allows you to experience the series as it was intended to be seen and see how each season was received by fans and critics.
• Thematic Order: For those who prefer to watch the series thematically, you can group seasons based on similar themes. For example, you could watch Murder House, Asylum, and Roanoke together for their darker and more twisted storylines. You could also watch Coven, Freak Show, and Apocalypse together for their focus on supernatural beings.

Ultimately, the best order to watch American Horror Story is up to personal preference. Each season has its own strengths and weaknesses, and watching them in any order will not detract from the enjoyment of the series.