The essential episodes of One Tree Hill
Watch these 15 in order and you've got One Tree Hill — each pick states its reason.
- 01
Nathan challenges Lucas to a nighttime one-on-one basketball game. If Nathan wins, Lucas must not join the team; if Lucas wins, Nathan will quit.
- 02
Lucas obtains the evidence he needs to defeat Dan at last, while also struggling to tell Brooke he wants to be with her. Peyton is threatened by a webcam voyeur at the same time a journalist takes an interest in her life. Nathan and Deb conspire to desert Dan for good, leading to an explosive conclusion when he discovers their plan.
- 03
It's Midnight Madness in Tree Hill as the Ravens officially begin basketball practice -- with explosive results. New hoops captain Nathan clashes with Lucas over Haley. Brooke fills a vacancy on the cheerleading squad, only to regret her decision when the new girl, Rachel, sets her sights on Lucas. Meanwhile, Dan's bid for mayor takes a surprising turn when an unlikely opponent steps forward.
- 04
Haley confronts Brooke regarding the stolen calculus test. Lucas and Peyton consider taking their relationship to the next level as Peyton and Brooke grow closer. In Deb's absence, Nathan throws a senior party at the Scott House, where a sex tape from Nathan's past surfaces.
- 05
You're Gonna Need Someone on Your Side
On the eve of Lucas and Lindsey's marriage, they conspire to save Nathan and Haley's. Brooke pairs Peyton with a surprise old boyfriend, while dealing with Victoria. Rachel returns to Tree Hill facing old challenges, while Dan also returns hoping for a fresh start.
- 06
Lindsey returns to Tree Hill for Jamie's fifth birthday party, giving Lucas hope for their relationship. Brooke and Peyton prepare for life with a new baby. Meanwhile, Dan tries to insinuate himself back into the lives of his family, ultimately divulging a grave secret to Nathan and Haley.
- 07
Lucas investigates Dan's heart condition while Haley struggles with letting Dan into Jamie's life. Nathan urges Quentin to reinvent his game and Brooke juggles her career with life as a new mother. Peyton tries to assuage her guilt over Lucas' breakup, and Mouth gets a shot to be sports anchor.
- 08
Lucas is crushed by devastating news, while Brooke's baby undergoes emergency surgery. Haley wrestles with her decision to record a new album. Skills and Nathan employ a risky game plan to salvage the Raven's season and Lucas stuns Peyton with a shocking truth.
- 09
Touch Me I'm Going to Scream, Part 1
The girl of Lucas' dreams shows up at the airport. Nathan's comeback is halted by news that could change his career, while Dan's life hangs in the balance. Mouth and Millicent wrestle with leaving Tree Hill, as Brooke and Victoria's battle over Clothes Over Bros comes to a surprising head.
- 10
Lucas returns from Las Vegas to face a tragedy, as Nathan and Haley struggle to find a way to help Jamie understand the death of someone close to them.
- 11
Nathan is released from the Chiefs, and is forced to face Haley and Jamie. On the eve of Peyton's delivery, Lucas and Peyton receive a surprise visit from Karen. Dan is on death's door, while Brooke and Victoria prepare to re-launch Clothes Over Bro's.
- 12
Dan brings Renee onto his television show, leaving Nathan and Haley powerless to stop him from revealing the truth of her pregnancy to the world. Quinn examines what went wrong with David, and Sara and Clay discuss their past. Meanwhile, Brooke comes clean with Julian about her true desires.
- 13
Brooke and Julian's wedding day is finally here. Dreams become reality, secrets are revealed and wedding hookups are inevitable.
- 14
The search for Nathan becomes increasingly dangerous, and Dan's life hangs in the balance. Brooke is surprised when her father returns. And Clay and Quinn reconnect with Logan.
- 15
In the final chapter of One Tree Hill, the tenth anniversary of Tric brings old faces and new possibilities for the Tree Hill family.
Shows like One Tree Hill
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
- 01Drama·Action·Science-FictionThe essential episodes of Arrow2012–2020Same network — The CWAfter a violent shipwreck, billionaire playboy Oliver Queen was missing and presumed dead for five years before being discovered alive on a remote island in the Pacific.
- 02Drama·Crime·ThrillerThe essential episodes of True Detective2014–present
Touch darkness and darkness touches you back. - 03Drama·Action·Science-FictionThe essential episodes of The Flash2014–2023Same network — The CW·
- 04Drama·Action·SupernaturalThe essential episodes of Supernatural2005–2020Same network — The CW·
- 05Drama·Comedy·CrimeThe essential episodes of Fargo2014·FX
Fargo is a seasonal anthology crime drama with some dark comical elements, inspired by the film Fargo written by the Coen brothers. - 06Drama·CrimeThe essential episodes of Chicago P.D.2014–present·NBCSophia Bush also stars·
