The 61 Best Criminal Minds Episodes That You Should Watch

If you are someone who relishes watching crime-inspired drama, then Criminal Minds must be a familiar name for you. The television series, which initially premiered back in 2005, was made by Jeff Davis. The series maintained its popularity throughout its fifteen-season run, achieved many accolades, and remained people’s favorite. But unfortunately, the show finally came to an end in February of 2020. So, if you want to find the best Criminal Minds episodes, then we have the perfect list for you!

The fans were surprised with season 16 by Paramount+ and to trust the news season 17 will be here soon. The last episode of season 16 was released in February only. 

Owing to its immense popularity and success, the show also inspired a South Korean drama, various spin-offs, and even a video game. The premise of the police procedural drama focuses on a group of FBI officials appointed in its Behavioral Analysis Unit and are engaged in finding the suspects by using behavioral analysis. The show follows the journey of the BAU team through various cases and the personal turbulences that come in their way.

The Best 61 Criminal Minds Episodes to Watch Right Away.

61. A Beautiful Disaster (Season 11, Episode 18)

• Director: Tawnia McKiernan
• IMDb Rating: 7.6/10

In this episode, the BAU looks into a string of fatal car accidents in Pittsburgh that seem to have been planned. As they investigate the case further, they find a link to a cult-like group that holds the possibility of the end of the world in high regard. The crew must solve the secret surrounding these planned mishaps and avert future devastation.

60. The Replicator (Season 8, Episode 24)

• Director: Glenn Kershaw
• IMDb Rating: 8.9/10

The BAU battles “The Replicator,” their most powerful foe to yet, who is out to get the team, in this episode. This perilous and crafty person has been mimicking the BAU’s prior cases and raising the stakes. Before additional lives are put in danger, the team must put up unwavering effort to outwit and capture this dangerous adversary.

59. Seven Seconds: Season 3, Episode 5

• Director: Doug Aarniokoski
• IMDb Rating: 7.4/10

The BAU looks into kidnappings connected to an online game where participants have seven seconds to save victims. They must act quickly to interpret the clues and free the abducted before it’s too late.

58. Natural Born Killer: Season 1, Episode 8

• Director: David Grossman
• IMDb Rating: 7.5/10

The BAU team looks into a string of murders where the perpetrator leaves a trail of automobile mishaps. As they investigate the case further, they learn that the unsub (unknown subject) is a troubled young man who is copying well-known serial killers in an effort to become well-known. Before the copycat killer commits more violent acts, the squad must work quickly to find and capture him.

57. The Replicator Season: 8 Episode: 24

• Director: Glenn Kershaw
• IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

This episode of Criminal Minds portrayed the character essayed by none other than Mark Hamill, who goes by the Replicator, or simply John Curtis. A former FBI special agent transforms into a serial killer highly skillful with genius-level IQ.

The episode marked the end of the eighth season perfectly, with Curtis back to seek revenge from the BAU and attempt crimes similar to the ones already solved by the team.

56. Mayhem Season: 4 Episode: 1

• Director: Edward Allen Bernero
• IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

With the BAU team realizing that they might have committed a mistake by analyzing the profile wrong, the city comes under high alert due to the attacks by terrorists. They then deduce that whatever happened is just to hide the more significant motive that has yet to occur.

55. Riding the Lightning Season 1 Episode 14

• Director: Chris Long
• IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

The episode sees a married couple accused of attempting several murders and are about to get the death sentence. But what keeps Gideon still wondering is that he presumes the woman to be actually innocent, but to save her from getting executed in two days, the race against time has to be won.

54. Coda Season 6 Episode 16

• Director: Rob Hardy
• IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

In this episode, the case infront of the BAU is of a young autistic boy named Sammy Sparks, who was found to bespattered with blood. On reaching the place, the team members find that the child’s parents- Alison and Charlie Sparks, have been missing and that the father had a massive loan on himself to keep his family music store open.

It then comes to the notice of the officials that someone had been eyeing for a large amount of money that the Sparks received and that their autistic child would not be able to recognize him. Thus, they then begin to piece up every possible information given by Sammy and try to solve the case.

On the other hand, we see two colleagues of Prentiss, Clyde Easter and Tsia Mosely, trying to locate the actions of Ian Doyle and Prentiss to solve the issue seeks help from BAU.

53. The Instincts Season: 4 Episode: 6

• Director: Rob Spera
• IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

The episode shows the BAU team looking into the connection between killing one five-year-old Nevada boy and another young boy being kidnapped soon after the former incident.

Among all this, Reid is seen struggling with the flashes of his past that come in his dreams. Thus, while solving the case, he is seen trying his best to recall the buried secrets of the past that manage to haunt him till the very present.

52. Hit Season 7 Episode 23

• Director: Michael Lange
• IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

This one is yet again an exciting addition. Our special team searches for a group of bank robbers that also work as the killers in Washington D.C. But matters get worse when one of the teammates gets down as the hostage at the crime site.

51. Run Season 7 Episode 24

• Director: Glenn Kershaw
• IMDb Rating: 8.4/10

The members of the BAU try their best to make peace with the serial killers turned robbers and discover that the bank robbery has an ugly motive behind it. Meanwhile, Prentiss makes a shocking decision that will significantly impact the team’s future.

50. The Bunker Season 13 Episode 6

• Director: Aisha Tyler
• IMDb Rating: 8/10

The sixth episode of season 13 of Criminal Minds presents a local case in front of the officials where four women were reported to go missing under identical circumstances over the past five years. With the Richmond field office not able to gain any lead in the case, they sought assistance from BAU when the fourth victim went missing recently.

The abducted women were found to be successful professionals who went missing around midnight with no ransome call or dead body received in any case. This leads the team to believe that victims might be alive. But the death of one of them through a self-inflicted injury further twists the case.

But the missing pieces of the puzzle come together as they find leads and can track down the women held captive for years.

49. Derailed Season 1 Episode 9

• Director: Félix Enríquez Alcalá
• IMDb Rating: 8/10

A paranoid schizophrenia killer takes a group of train passengers’ hostage, including Elle. In order to free the captivated passengers, Reid tries to talk through the crazy man and agrees to believe his theories and convince him.

48. JJ Season 6 Episode 2

• Director: Charles S. Carroll
• IMDb Rating: 8.1/10

With JJ being offered a promotion, she and the BAU members fear that it could set her apart from the team. But what makes the team struggle, even more is solving the disappearance of a young girl named Kate Joyce from Maryland when the major suspects get pass the polygraph test and do not utter a word in the regard.

The tense situation gets further aggravated when the team juggles between the girl’s parents, who are overprotective and trying to get the confession about the case that could help save the girl.

But JJ ultimately deduces some significant facts that ease the case but still finds herself in a dilemma with the job offer that is tough to ignore, which requires her not to be an FBI agent any longer.

47. Lo-Fi Season 3 Episode 20

• Director: Glenn Kershaw
• IMDb Rating: 8.1/10

The third season with its episode 20, sets forth the team one of the biggest challenges that they ever encountered. The season finale presents a set of random shootings in New York, and the team sets out to reveal whether there is a single person, or a group involved in the incident.

Meanwhile, JJ comes out with a surprising announcement that no one expected, and Hotch finds himself crossing paths with an old acquaintance. All in all, one of the most challenging cases for our team in the entire series.

46. Demons Season 9 Episode 24

• Director: Glenn Kershaw
• IMDb Rating: 8.1/10

The twenty-fourth episode of the ninth installment of Criminal Minds continues the journey of BAU while solving the murder case in Texas.

As they dive deeper into the case, they learn about the motive of murders to be corruption and find an organization with similar bad intentions. On the other hand, Garcia puts herself in trouble when forced to take action against to save a colleague.

45. Anonymous Season 10 Episode 12

• Director: Joe Mantegna
• IMDb Rating: 7.4/10

The episode of Criminal Minds shows the BAU team searches Tallahassee for a serial killer who makes sure to inform the authorities before committing the crime. Amidst all this, Rossi receives the news about the demise of a comrade from the Vietnam War as the former was preparing for the weekend with his daughter Joy.

44. Ghost Season 15 Episode 5

• Director: Diana Valentine
• IMDb Rating: 7.4/10

Sometimes what we see isn’t the truth, which is what episode 5 of last season is all about. The episode shows the FBI’s agents dealing with an unexpected turn when while investigating a series of sniper shootings, the team believes the case to be a work of a copycat serial killer that they hunted years ago. But what awaits them is an unknown suspect.

The episode is enjoyable as it skillfully draws strings between the characters, even though they weren’t present then. It will be a refreshing watch for sure!

43. The Pact Season 8 Episode 2

• Director: Karen Gaviola
• IMDb Rating: 7.5/10

When the two completely different murders- one in Los Angeles and the other in San Diego- have committed just a few hours apart, the officials believe that the two killers are working in coherence to take revenge from the recently released criminals. That is the cryptic connection that the victims shared.

Meanwhile, we see Rossi with her upcoming holidays deducing a unique way to spend them.

42. And In The End Season 15 Episode 10

• Director: Glenn Kershaw
• IMDb Rating:7.5/10

The season finale and the marking the end of the series and one of the best episodes, the tenth episode of the last season, was what we call a perfect ending. Spencer Reid suffered from a fatal brain injury when his team was up against Lynch. He then begins to experience hallucinations and experiences his past fears visiting him once again.

The episode was filled with touching scenes with Rossi’s retirement party, climatic confrontation with the ultimate villain that affects Rossi deeply, and Gracia’s shocking decision that would impact the team’s future.

41. Hashtag Season10 Episode 7

• Director: Constantine “Gus” Makris
• IMDb Rating: 7.5/10

The episode’s premise revolves around the internet-savvy individuals who, with their much social presence, have become the victims of a dangerous serial killer disguised as an urban legend who kills them mysteriously. When the news of the death of one such social influencer in Bethesda surfaces, the members of the Behavioral Analysis Unit begin to profile the unknown subject.

Moreover, some light is also thrown on the relationship of Morgan and Savannah in the episode as the former tries to strike a balance between his career and bond with ladylove, and the two take out time for each other.

40. Hamelin Season 14 Episode 12

• Director: Simon Mirren
• IMDb Rating: 7.5/10

The episode presents an eerie kidnapper who is abducting the children to seek personal revenge. The BAU members rush to lowa to look into the matter when the news about three children gone missing from their own home reaches them.

But their only help is a surveillance video clip and no eyewitness. The clip reveals that the three children knowingly went to an unknown van that led to their kidnapping.

How the team manages to rescue the victims and confront Hollis makes it an exciting watch and tells us how unsuspected events can significantly impact human psychology.

A lot is also learnt about JJ and her mother Sandy and the equation they share, and how, towards the end of the episode, they make peace with the facts that troubled them before.

39. The Job Season 11 Episode 1

• Director: Glenn Kershaw
• IMDb Rating: 7.6/10

The episode presents the absence of two profilers from the team. One is JJ, who was off on maternity leave, while the other is Kate, who leaves the position to spend time with Meg. To fill the latter’s position, Hotch conducts interviews while the rest of the team takes charge of the cases.

The present case involved the killing of two unrelated individuals in different cities. But it is revealed later that the two victims- one young father and the other a drug dealer- had been murdered similarly by injected with a nutritional liquid and their faces painted.

Thus, when one more similar case arises, the team can get a clearer image of the suspect and its hidden motives.

38. Doubt Season 3 Episode 1

• Director: Gloria Muzio
• IMDb Rating:7.7/10

This one takes the FBI agent aback when their own skills come under the question. When the three women in Arizona were stabbed to death, the BAU, without any delay, suspected the security guard of the college to be the prime culprit. But to their utter dejection, another murder occurred when their suspect was still in their presence.

Thus, Gideon self-doubt his skills and begins questioning what he does. He is seen being distracted by the flashes of Sarah while solving the case.

37. The Big Wheel Season 4 Episode 22

• Director: Rob Hardy
• IMDb Rating: 7.8/10

In this episode of Criminal Minds, Michelle Watson, a real estate agent based in New York, is found to be dead in her house. Soon after the incident, the Buffalo agency receives a video clip where the murderer is seen undertaking the crime and also begging the officials to stop him from committing them any further.

Thus, the BAU members begin to stop the killer before he commits any more crime. The serial killer is believed to suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder.

36. Extreme Aggressor Season 1 Episode 1

• Director: Richard Shephard
• IMDb Rating: 7.8/10

The foremost episode of Criminal Minds’ first season is one of the best episodes. It opens with a woman earlier gone missing in Seattle found to be dead soon after. Then, it gets connected to other unsolved murder mysteries, and the BAU comes into action in order to prevent another crime from happening.

35. The Capilanos Season 13 Episode17

• Director: Matthew Gray Gubler
• IMDb Rating: 7.9/10

The team is seen heading to Oklahoma when the incidents of a clown terrorizing the people of Guymon surface. The suspect is believed to have known the town well, making it easier for him to go undetected.

Thus, the team believes that it could be due to the murderer’s connection with the place. Thus, begins the quest of the BAU to uncover the entity responsible for the incidents.

34. Pariahville Season 11 Episode 6

• Director: Félix Enríquez Alcalá
• IMDb Rating: 7.3/10

The episode showed the BAU investigating the case of a sole murder of married Paige Lincoln by stabbing in Glenport Village of Florida. What makes the case important for the BAU is the small, isolated community of Glenport that has various non-violent sex offenders, including the husband of the victim named Jorge Santos.

Initially, the team believed that the suspect was one present in the community itself. But the low crime rate ruled out the possibility shifted the team’s investigation.

33. Profiler, Profiled Season 2 Episode 12

32. The Uncanny Valley Season 5, Episode 12

A few episodes, like “The Uncanny Valley,” are able to do both. A combination of muscle relaxants and neural inhibitors paralyzes Samantha Malcolm’s (Jennifer Hasty) victims, turning them into living dolls who are conscious of every moment until they pass away from a brain hemorrhage.

The episode makes good use of Samantha’s penchant for sewing wigs onto the scalps of her “dolls,” as well as those blank, made-up faces.

31. Pleasure Is My Business Season 4, Episode 16

• Director- Gwyneth Horder-Payton
• Writers-Jeff Davis, Breen Frazier, Oanh Ly
• Stars- Joe Mantegna, Paget Brewster, Shemar Moore

One might leave the episode wishing there was a full movie about Kane, a wealthy dirtbag who poisons rich people to avoid paying their alimony. Kane is sympathetic to the point of being an anti-hero.

It’s unfortunate that she passes away at the conclusion, but at least she gets her dad’s attention and has a sweet moment with BAU agent Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson), who she describes as “the first man I ever met who didn’t let me down.”

30. The Big Wheel Season 4, Episode 22

Criminal Minds doesn’t always treat mental illness delicately, but “The Big Wheel” manages OCD fairly well. Vincent has rituals he must perform, such as obsessively changing his slippers, covering the wheel of his car with plastic, or even stabbing people.

The subplot in “The Big Wheel” where he befriends a blind boy whose mother, he killed makes it clear that tragedy is inevitable.

29. The Lesson Season 8, Episode 10

The Lesson may be one of Criminal Minds’ most frightful episodes. It can’t show everything, but viewers might wish it showed even less. Criminal Minds has always had nightmare imagery for a TV-14 show. It looks like a scene from some grotesque David Lynch/Eli Roth collaboration when Rain uses his pulley system to make a limp, agonized woman dance. Furthermore, doesn’t Rain’s assistant seem a bit wooden to you…?

28. Heathridge Manor Season 7, Episode 19

Like “directed by Alan Alda” was for M.A.S.H., the “directed by Matthew Gray Gubler” credit on a Criminal Minds episode serves as a warning that things are about to get dark.

Some of the best-remembered episodes of the series, some of which will appear further down the list, were directed by Gubler, who also portrayed resident awkward genius Spencer Reid on the BAU.

The emotional impact of those episodes is absent from “Heathridge Manor,” but it is more than made up for with sheer gothic brio. “Heathridge Manor,” which centers on a string of ritualistic killings in Oregon, has it all: hallucinations, poisoned dresses, incest, a baby with an arm severed, and The Merry Wives of Windsor.

27. The Good Earth Season 8, Episode 5

• Stars- Joe Mantegna, Shemar Moore Matthew, Gray Gubler
• Director-John Terlesky

When it came to the more bizarre UnSubs, Criminal Minds occasionally struggled to strike the right tone, giving characters who were just one step removed from Batman villains a dry, procedural approach.

But “The Good Earth” strikes a balance, allowing Emma to retain some of her plausibility while still reveling in the extreme grotesquery on display. How many other television programs feature a pregnant woman’s placenta being stolen?

26. Rock Creek Park Season 10, Episode 18

The underappreciated film “Rock Creek Park” centers on an abduction rather than a serial killer or even a regular murder. The BAU is tasked with identifying which of Benjamin Troy’s (Chris McKenna) enemies may have committed the kidnapping when the wife of a rising congressman is taken.

Although the show frequently sparkled as a sort of political thriller, the actual revelation isn’t quite as shocking as the episode might think (hint: no one casts an Oscar nominee for no reason), but the intrigue, combined with the change of pace, makes this one sing.

25. Run Season 7 Episode 24

• Director: Glenn Kershaw
• IMDb Rating: 8.4/10

The members of the BAU try their best to make peace with the serial killers turned robbers and discover that the bank robbery has an ugly motive behind it. Meanwhile, Prentiss makes a shocking decision that will significantly impact the team’s future.

24. Somebody’s Watching Season 1 Episode 18

• Director: Paul Shapiro
• IMDb Rating: 8.4/10

The episode sees Reid and Gideon paying a visit to Los Angeles to give LAPD seminar. This followed when the team was told to solve the case involving the killing of several individuals somehow connected to a famous actress.

23. Masterpiece Season 4 Episode 8

• Director: Paul Michael Glaser
• IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

A narcissistic serial killer admits to having killed seven people before and now targets to murder five more and challenges the BAU to stop him if they can. The performance by Jason Alexander essaying the role of prolific serial killer Henry Grace makes the episodes even more exciting, one among the best criminal minds episodes.

22. Hit Season 7 Episode 23

• Director: Michael Lange
• IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

This one is yet again an exciting addition. Our special team searches for a group of bank robbers that also work as the killers in Washington D.C. But matters get worse when one of the teammates gets down as the hostage at the crime site.

21. Jones Season 2 Episode 18

• Director: Steve Shill
• IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

Episode 18 of the second season of Criminal Minds marks the return of one of the most dangerous villains in New Orleans, that was otherwise thought to be dead a couple of years back. But unfortunately, he restarts his crimes and the city into terror once again.

The team tries to resolve the case, beginning with a single clue but with aid from the police department of New Orleans, jump on the mission to find the killer.

20. Minimal Loss Season 1 Episode 6

• Director: Félix Enríquez Alcalá
• IMDb Rating: 8.4/10

It is the time when the officials in La Plata County receive a message of child abuse being practiced in a compound belonging to the cult leader that Prentiss and Reid decide to investigate the case by going undercover.

But the two find themselves as hostages of the raid that went disastrously bad and created further problems for them.

19. Conflicted Season 4 Episode 20

• Director: Jason Alexander
• IMDb Rating: 8.5/10

Another well-written episode of Criminal Minds highlights an important aspect of the crime units engaged in solving dangerous cases. In comparison, looking into the case involving the sexual assault of college students that later were suffocated while on vacation, BAU is forced to reconsider the decision to send two mates into the matter when an unknown turn comes during the investigation.

18. True Genius Season 7 Episode 11

• Director: Glenn Kershaw
• IMDb Rating: 8.6/10

When San Francisco witnesses a series of killings with signs of Zodiac Killer, the team wonders as to whether the serial killer has actually made its return or not. The suspect is one of the dangerous villains that the team ever confronted.

On the other hand, we see Reid meeting his old fellow prodigy and his left pondering afterward about his achievements in life and what more he can be doing with his intellectual abilities.

17. Lauren Season 6 Episode 18

• Director: Matthew Gubler
• IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

This one sees the reunion of former FBI special agent JJ with the BAU team to investigate Prentiss’s connection with Ian Doyle, a terrorist. It is the team when Prentiss is missing after the demise of former Interpol mate and is all ready to face with her nemesis once and for all.

But the team rushes to capture Doyle before it’s too late for their colleague.

16. Zugzwang Season 8 Episode 12

• Director: Jesse Warn
• IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

Yet another thrilling Criminal Minds episode that entertains thoroughly and is filled with touching moments. The episode sees Reid disheartened when Michelle Trachtenberg’s character named Diane abducts Reid’s girlfriend, Maeve. The BAU investigates the case and finds the victim and the suspect.

15. Mr. Scratch Season 10 Episode 21

• Director: Matthew Gray Gubler
• IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

This episode of Criminal Minds throws light on the psychology of serial killers and marks the beginning of a new storyline in the series.

The episode sees the escape of Mr. scratch along with other killers. Mr. Scratch then makes FBI members its target in the subsequent installments.

14. Sex, Birth, Death Season 2 Episode 11

• Director: Gwyneth Horder-Payton
• IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

The episode stands its place in one of the best Criminal Minds episodes lists. While solving the case of the murder of many prostitutes in the Washington metropolitan area, Reid suspects a young boy to be behind the crime.

But political pressure and power forces Hotch to keep the case low and close it eventually, thus throwing shade on the dark side of politics.

13. Memoriam Season 4 Episode 7

• Director: Guy Bee
• MDb Rating: 8.6/10

The episode definitely gives some sneak peek into Reid’s life as he tries to deduce a connection between the decades-old murder of Riley Jenkins in Las Vegas and his own father with whom he lost touch a while ago.

But, for the same, he decides to stay back in the city and dives deeper to find out what his nightmares could signify. Meanwhile, we also see JJ having unexpected early labor and eventually births a baby boy.

12. Extreme Aggressor Season 1 Episode 1

• Director: Richard Shephard
• IMDb Rating: 7.8/10

The foremost episode of Criminal Minds’ first season is one of the best episodes. It opens with a woman earlier gone missing in Seattle found to be dead soon after. Then, it gets connected to other unsolved murder mysteries, and the BAU comes into action in order to prevent another crime from happening.

11. Lucky Season 3 Episode 8

• Director: Steve Boyum
• IMDb Rating: 8/10

This one presents another set of challenging cases for the BAU. One woman from Florida is found to be dead, with most of her finger being cut in a gruesome manner, while two more are found to be missing. This initiates the team members to handle the situation intricately.

The two women are saved well in time, and the serial killer with cannibal instincts is found before any more loss. We see Morgan with dwindling faith and issues, and Penelope Garcia is stuck in a situation that could threaten her life.

This one definitely makes for the watch and thus, stands a place in our fifty best criminal minds episodes you cannot afford to miss!

10. The Fisher King Season 1 Episode 22

•  Director: Edward Allen Bernero
• IMDb Rating: 8.1/10

The plot of the case occurs in two episodes divided into parts. The case involves Randall Garner, a man who lost his family in a fire that also made him disfigured. Owing to his ill mental health, he becomes institutionalized but, upon release, sets the BAU members as his target.

It is thrilling and keeps one engaged till the very end.

9. Penelope Season 3 Episode 9

• Director: Félix Enríquez Alcalá
• IMDb Rating: 8.4/10

The episode sees Garcia recovering from the injury and is somewhat stable. Next, the teammates try to look for the individual who targeted her and deduce whether the injured is on the target spot of the serial killers.

8. L.D.S.K. Season 1 Episode 6

• Director: Ernest Dickerson
• IMDb Rating: 8.4/10

In order to catch hold of the real culprit, the team creates a similar scenario as the shooter, who targets the victims in the middle of the day.

Still, as soon as they are about to execute their plan, a shocking twist forces them to take action with their true profession revealed.

7. The Fisher King Part 2 Season 2 Episode 1

• Director: Gloria Muzio
• IMDb Rating: 8.6/10

FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit is seen continuing to discover the means behind the clues left by a serial killer named Randall Garner so that a potential victim can be saved from the aftermath. But amidst all this, Spencer Reid’s past comes into play as he finds that his connection can be useful to save the victim’s life.

Meanwhile, the member of team Elle is seen fighting against death after being shot by a gun at her own place.

 6. 300 Season 14 Episode 1

• Director: Glenn Kershaw
• IMDb Rating: 8.6/10

One of the exciting Criminal Minds episodes, 300, follows the cliffhanger finale of the previous season where only Spencer Reid and Penelope Garcia are kidnapped out of the entire BAU team. What astonishes the rest of the BAU members is the fact that just the two of their heroes were targeted and not others.

They look into their past and are shocked by the truth. The team discovers that what they believed to be an ordinary enemy turns out to be an old acquaintance way back from season 4.

Yes, it is Benjamin Merva who is behind it. But it is an emotional ride when the members try their best to find their missing mates against the odds in the way.

5. Amplification Season 4 Episode 24

• Director: John E. Gallaghar
• IMDb Rating: 8.6/10

The episode has a terrorist plot and follows Chad Brown trying to show that the countries can be easily affected by the terror attacks. But, for the same, he carries out an anthrax attack. Unfortunately, this infects Spencer Reid, but he ultimately can solve the case and get a vaccine.

4. 100 Season 5 Episode 9

• Director: Edward Allen Bernero
• IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

The episode was one of the unforgetable ones in the Criminal Minds where C. Thomas Howell essayed the role of the most dreaded villain named The Reaper, who was seen returning to Washington and then come in action our BAU team members to protect Hotch and his family from The Reaper.

The villain earlier killed Hotch’s ex-wife Haley and several others but suddenly went missing and resurfaced once again after eleven years of silence. The episode will surely give you some high emotional dose with its truly touching moment!

3. Mosley Lane Season 5 Episode 16

• Director: Matthew Gray Gubler
• IMDb Rating: 9/10

Making as one of the thrilling Criminal Minds episodes, the story focuses on the case of a child kidnapper in Virginia who is believed to have kept the children for more than eight years. The BAU springs into action to rescue the recent as well as previous victims of the case.

2. Revelations Season 2 Episode 15

• Director: Guy Bee
• IMDb Rating: 9/10

The episode was high on emotions and the most intense thus far. With Spencer Reid being beaten up and forcibly drugged by his captor Tobias Hankel, the episode creates an intense situation that remains incomplete by James Van Der Beek’s commendable portray.

Henkel is a man with an impaired personality, whereas Reid suffers from past traumas. The episode shows the BAU team come into action to find abducted Reid when a viral video of Hankel abusing the former reaches them.

1. Entropy Season 11 Episode 11

• Director: Heather Capiello
• IMDb Rating: 9.2/10

The episode marks Reid bringing down hitwoman Cat Adams. It involved the strategic planning by the BAU to catch hold of the entire gang. Reid goes on a blind date with Adams to execute the plan and manages to accomplish the task.

Thus, one of the best Criminal Minds episodes thus far shows how two exceptionally smart people try to outdo each other.

What Episodes of Criminal Minds is the Best?

The best episodes of Criminal Minds comprise of- Episode 9 of Season 5 titled 100, Episode 15 of Season 2 titled Revelations, Episode 16 of Season 5 titled Mosley Lane, Episode 11 of Season 11 titled Entropy, Episode 24 of Season 4 titled Amplification, and Episode 11 of Season 2 titled Sex, Birth, Death.

Which Criminal Minds Episodes are Based on True Stories?

There are five episodes from Criminal Minds that draw inspiration from true stories. It includes- Episode 14 of Season 11 titled Hostage, Episode 20 of Season 7 titled The Company, Episode 11 of Season 6 titled 25 To Life, Episode 18 of Season 4 titled Omnivore, and Episode 11 of Season 1 titled Blood hungry.

How Many Episodes of Criminal Minds are There?

The series comprises 324 episodes that are spread across its 15 seasons.

How Long are Criminal Minds Episodes?

The approximate duration of each episode of Criminal Minds is around 42-45 minutes.

Where to Watch Criminal Minds Episodes?

All the seasons of Criminal Minds can be streamed on Paramount Plus. However, Netflix houses the first 12 seasons, DirecTV eight seasons, and Hulu three installments. You can also choose to selectively view the best episodes we have listed above from these streaming platforms.

If you prefer to purchase the selective episodes from all the fifteen seasons, then you can do so from Vudu, iTunes, and Amazon Prime Video.