The essential episodes of Charmed

Watch these 15 in order and you've got Charmed — each pick states its reason.

1. 01

   S01E01 · Pilot · October 7, 1998 · 1h

   Something Wicca This Way Comes8.2

   Reunited in the grand Victorian home of their childhood a trio of sisters; Prue, Piper & Phoebe discover they are gifted witches. Little do they know that their new-found powers mean that they are now prey to evil forces

2. 02

   S01E17 · Season 1 peak · April 7, 1999 · 1h

   That '70s Episode8.7

   After Prue, Piper, and Phoebe cross paths with a Warlock named Nicholas, they discover that he is intent on obtaining their powers by any means necessary. When they discover that he's immune to their powers thanks to an agreement with their mother, they cast a spell to go back in time to the day the deal was made, hoping to stop their mother from going through with it.

3. 03

   S02E18 · Season 2 peak · April 20, 2000 · 1h

   Chick Flick8.7

   Prue, Piper, and Phoebe battle the Demon of Illusion after he brings to life one of Phoebe's favorite movie characters. Realizing what he can do, the demon sends an axe murder after the sisters in an attempt to kill them. What happens as a result is that the sisters and the demon get drawn into a horror movie where a battle of good and evil ensues before they're able to vanquish the demon.

4. 04

   S03E22 · Season 3 peak · May 17, 2001 · 1h

   All Hell Breaks Loose9.0

   After the sisters save a doctor from the Source's personal hitman, they're exposed as witches. As a result, Phoebe and Cole get trapped in the Underworld, where they reluctantly make an agreement with the Tempus to go back in time to before the sisters' secret is exposed. However, that causes Phoebe, Cole, and Leo to be stuck in the Underworld while Prue and Piper get sent back in time and get caught in a life or death situation while Phoebe is forced to make a difficult decision to stay where she is or to go help save innocents and her sisters.

5. 05

   S04E02 · Top rated · October 4, 2001 · 1h

   Charmed Again, Part 28.7

   After the sisters vanquish Shax, The Source of All Evil decides to turn Paige evil instead of killing her. As a result, the Source possesses her boyfriend to see if he can lure her to the dark side. Upon learning of the Source's plan, Piper and Phoebe do their best to track Paige down and convince her to fulfill her destiny to become a Charmed One. As this is occurring, Paige is discovering what her powers can do. Inspector Cortez suspects Piper and Phoebe are behind the deaths of Prue and Dr. Griffiths.

6. 06

   S04E08 · Top rated · November 15, 2001 · 1h

   Black as Cole8.7

   After pondering a marriage proposal from Cole, Phoebe is forced to face a blast from his demonic past when the widow of one of his past victims hunts him down, looking for vengeance. As a result, they're forced to face an old protégé of Belthazor's who likes to kill witches with the same athame Cole used to use. However, when Paige learns of this, she has an instant mistrust of Cole and tries to convince her sisters to vanquish him. Meanwhile, Paige helps Leo and Piper find out whether they're ready to have kids.

7. 07

   S04E17 · Season 4 peak · March 28, 2002 · 1h

   Saving Private Leo8.8

   When a pair of brothers who served in World War 2 with Leo return and seek revenge on Leo for their deaths, he has no choice to do what they want before the brothers hurt everyone he loves. Cole begins to plot with the Seer and a new demonic assistant to find a way to get Phoebe to move out of the Manor and into their own place in order to break the Power of Three.

8. 08

   S04E21 · Top rated · May 9, 2002 · 1h

   Womb Raider8.7

   After banishing Cole, Phoebe's baby begins having strong demonic powers while still in the womb. As a result, the baby starts signs of open hostility toward Paige and anyone else who speaks ill of his father. What happens next is that the Seer takes it upon herself to steal the demonic baby from Phoebe and ultimately gain its power as heir to the Source.

9. 09

   S04E22 · Top rated · May 16, 2002 · 1h

   Witch Way Now?8.8

   Following the defeat of the Source, Piper, Phoebe, and Paige are visited by the Angel of Destiny with a tempting reward: continue their lives as the Charmed Ones or relinquish their powers and live normal lives. Their decision however, is put on hold when the sisters discover that they're being investigated by the FBI because of their involvement with a large number of unsolved cases. Meanwhile, Cole is trying to reach out to Phoebe. Later, after the sisters make their decision, Piper and Leo get some miraculous news.

10. 10

    S05E15 · Season 5 peak · February 16, 2003 · 1h

    The Day the Magic Died8.9

    The aurora borealis is happening and as result, nothing magical is able to occur around the world. As a result, a powerful sorcerer called Cronyn decides to use that to his advantage in order to take out the Charmed Ones before Piper can deliver her baby. However, Phoebe and Paige set up a summit in an attempt to get things back to normal, leaving Leo to try and keep them safe. Meanwhile, Victor and his new wife arrive and help Piper deliver her baby, however, they're in for a surprise at discovering Doris being a demon, trying to steal the new bundle of joy in the Halliwell house.

11. 11

    S05E16 · Top rated · March 30, 2003 · 1h

    Baby's First Demon8.7

    After discovering that a pair of demons is out to kidnap Piper and Leo's son, they set out to protect him. However, everyone is surprised to see that the baby has a few tricks up his sleeves to help keep himself safe. Meanwhile, as they try to discover who is trying to take the baby and why, Paige decides to go undercover as a bounty hunter to find that out. Because the newspaper was sold, Phoebe finds herself at odds with the new owner.

12. 12

    S06E14 · Season 6 peak · February 8, 2004 · 1h

    The Legend of Sleepy Halliwell8.7

    When a mentor of Leo's arrives at the Manor with news that a student conjured up a headless horseman and is ultimately terrorizing students and teachers alike at Magic School, the sisters are surprised to learn about the supernatural institution of learning all things magic. They are soon asked to help discover why a student called upon the horseman and stop him before escaping to hurt innocents. Meanwhile while on a vision quest, Phoebe learns something shocking about Chris.

13. 13

    S07E16 · Season 7 peak · April 10, 2005 · 1h

    The Seven Year Witch8.4

    Leo's punishment is handed down by the Elders – he is wiped of his memories and stripped of his powers, stranded out in a sparsely populated area and has to find his way back home in order to find out where he truly belongs. Meanwhile, as she is faced with a future without Leo in it, Piper is attacked by a powerful demon and ends up in a coma where she is fighting for her life. It is while hovering between life and death that Piper is shocked to discover Cole waiting to see her. Phoebe has to say goodbye to Drake.

14. 14

    S08E21 · Season 8 peak · May 14, 2006 · 1h

    Kill Billie: Vol. 28.4

    As the Charmed Ones are contemplating their moves when the final battle between the Ultimate Powers while stuck in the Underworld, Piper gets a vision of Leo, who approves of the sisters final plan. As a result, they conjure the Hollow before the final battle begins. While this is going on, Coop attempts to proclaim his love to Phoebe, and both Victor and the demon Dumaine attempt to persuade Piper's sons to use their magical powers to help both sides of the fight.

15. 15

    S08E22 · Series finale · May 21, 2006 · 1h

    Forever Charmed7.2

    With Leo by her side, Piper turns to Coop for help in traveling back in time to bring Phoebe and Paige back to life following the final battle. It is during this time, the sisters get a glimpse of what the future holds for them. Billie is forced to make a heartbreaking decision in regards to Christy and her future magical endeavors.