The essential episodes of The Blacklist

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

  1. 01

    S01E01 · Pilot · September 23, 2013 · 1h

    Pilot7.7

    Ex-government agent and one of the FBI's Most Wanted fugitives, Raymond "Red" Reddington mysteriously turns himself in to the FBI and offers to give up everyone he has ever worked with including a long-thought-dead terrorist but under one condition - he'll only talk to newly-minted female FBI profiler, Elizabeth Keen with whom he seemingly has no connection. For Liz, it's going to be one hell of a first day on the job and what follows is a twisting series of events as the race to stop a terrorist begins.

  2. 02

    S02E04 · Season 2 peak · October 13, 2014 · 1h

    Dr. Linus Creel (No. 82)7.4

    After a series of seemingly nonviolent citizens become killers, Red tips off Liz that a dangerous social-psychological experiment may be underway. Elsewhere, Red tries to convince, Naomi and her husband into accepting a complicated proposition.

  3. 03

    S03E02 · Season 3 peak · October 8, 2015 · 1h

    Marvin Gerard (No. 80)8.0

    Ressler is hot on the trail for Liz after she escapes to the Russian embassy for safety. There is no one left for her to trust but Red, who enlists a lawyer named Marvin Gerard to get them out of a sticky hostage situation. Meanwhile, the FBI tries to force Cooper out of the task force.

  4. 04

    S04E17 · Top rated · April 20, 2017 · 1h

    Requiem8.0

    Memories of the past set Red on a dangerous collision course with an enemy determined to destroy his criminal empire.

  5. 05

    S04E22 · Season 4 peak · May 18, 2017 · 1h

    Mr. Kaplan (No. 4): Conclusion8.1

    Red sets a risky plan in motion to save the Task Force and himself as Mr. Kaplan launches the final phase of her assault on his criminal empire. With the future of the Task Force in jeopardy, Liz confronts the biggest questions about her past.

  6. 06

    S05E08 · Season 5 peak · November 15, 2017 · 1h

    Ian Garvey (No. 13)8.1

    When Tom goes missing, Liz desperately retraces his steps in order to find him. Meanwhile Red's hunt for the suitcase of bones puts him on a collision course with Tom that will change everyone's lives forever.

  7. 07

    S06E12 · Top rated · March 22, 2019 · 1h

    Bastien Moreau (No. 20): Conclusion8.0

    Cooper puts his reputation on the line to appeal to the White House on Red's behalf, as Liz and the Task Force resume their search for The Corsican, a Blacklister with ties to an international conspiracy. Meanwhile, Samar's abilities in the field are tested.

  8. 08

    S06E14 · Top rated · March 29, 2019 · 1h

    The Osterman Umbrella Company (No.6)8.1

    Red directs Liz to investigate a secret organization of assassins hired by global intelligence agencies to eliminate former agents, a case with ramifications that will change the Task Force forever.

  9. 09

    S06E19 · Season 6 peak · April 26, 2019 · 1h

    Rassvet8.2

    Alone in a foreign country after a mission goes catastrophically wrong, Katarina Rostova goes on the run to avoid the forces trying to hunt her down. Isolated and out of options, she seeks out the only person she trusts, a man who has vowed to always protect her.

  10. 10

    S07E02 · Season 7 peak · October 11, 2019 · 1h

    Louis T. Steinhil (No. 27): Conclusion8.2

    Liz, Dembe and the Task Force continue to search for Red. Red attempts to escape his abductors with help from a surprise ally, but discovers he is not Katarina Rostova's only target in her hunt for information.

  11. 11

    S07E10 · Top rated · December 13, 2019 · 1h

    Katarina Rostova (No. 3)8.1

    Red and the Task Force pay a visit to a former blacklister, as an explosive confrontation leads Liz to make a critical choice.

  12. 12

    S08E22 · Season 8 peak · June 23, 2021 · 1h

    Konets7.8

    Reddington makes a disturbing request to Liz in exchange for the truth about his identity.

  13. 13

    S09E20 · Season 9 peak · May 13, 2022 · 1h

    Caelum Bank (No. 169)7.6

    In an effort to reveal his true enemy, Red turns to the Task Force to help ground a flying fortress bank.

  14. 14

    S10E19 · Season 10 peak · June 29, 2023 · 1h

    Room 4178.2

    A cryptic tip from Red leads the Task Force to uncover a security breach within the U.S. government. Congressman Hudson takes major steps to uncover the inner workings of the Task Force.

  15. 15

    S10E22 · Series finale · July 13, 2023 · 1h

    Raymond Reddington (No. 00): Good Night6.8

    Series finale, part 2. The future of the FBI's Reddington Task Force is decided.

Shows like The Blacklist

The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.

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  3. 03Drama·Crime·ThrillerThe essential episodes of Breaking Bad2008–2019·AMCAlso on NetflixBreaking Bad follows protagonist Walter White, a chemistry teacher who lives in New Mexico with his wife and teenage son who has cerebral palsy.9.2
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  6. 06Drama·Crime·ThrillerThe essential episodes of The Following2013–2015·FOXAlso on NetflixThe FBI estimates there are currently over 300 active serial killers in the United States.7.0
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