The best episodes of The Killing
Ranked by viewer rating, highs first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
A detective's last day in homicide finds her investigating the disappearance of a 17-year-old girl who was supposed to be spending the weekend with a friend from school in the opener of this crime-drama series. When the teen's parents learn she didn't show up for class on Monday, they launch their own search, and when word gets out about the missing girl, a mayoral candidate cancels a forum planned at the high school.
- 02
Sarah deals with the consequences of her past mistakes; Holder wrestles with personal demons; and Seward tells the truth.
- 03
Linden and Holder visit Rosie's high school to question classmates and teachers about where she may have gone after the dance; Richmond and his staff go into spin mode over the fact that the victim was found in a car linked to his campaign.
- 04
The hunt for the pornographer leads to an alarming revelation, and Holder seeks someone to blame. Meanwhile, Twitch and Lyric find their dream home.
- 05
Rosie's ex-boyfriend Jasper comes under pressure from Sarah and Holder, who also grill a new suspect about the murder. The victim's best friend, Sterling, spills some astonishing secrets about Rosie's personal life. Meanwhile, grief-stricken Stan and Mitch plan their daughter's funeral service, and candidate Richmond seeks a financial shot-in-the-arm at a ritzy party, where he hopes to raise funds.
- 06
As the investigation continues, Rosie is tied to an unusual Web site; work is halted on the waterfront project, which gives Richmond's campaign a shot in the arm; and imprisoned Stan comes to grips with his demons, while Mitch uncovers secrets about her murdered daughter.
- 07
A return to the casino winds up sending Sarah and Holder on the run, while Stan and Richmond face life-altering decisions.
- 08
Sarah seeks peace in the case's aftermath; the detectives pick up an unnerving new assignment; Lyric is tempted by her old life; Danette says good-bye.
- 09
Police try to determine the connection between the teen girl's murder and the grisly crime scene at "The Cage" in the basement of the high school.
- 10
I'll Let You Know When I Get There
The police must regroup after they have second thoughts about a prime suspect, which has a big impact on Richmond's standings in the polls. Meanwhile, Stan's actions could quite possibly land him behind bars.
- 11
Police efforts to make an arrest hit a roadblock; Richmond reconsiders his place in the race; and the Larsens tire of the police's inability to collar a suspect and decide to take matters into their own hands.
- 12
The identification of the mysterious Orpheus provides a vital connection to the case; Mitch and Stan reflect on the past while contemplating their family's future
- 13
Sarah and Holder close in on the murderer. Meanwhile, the Richmond campaign preps for the election; and the Larsens seek to get their lives back in order.
- 14
Sarah joins the task force with an agenda of her own; and Holder finds a new street informant. Meanwhile, Seward stokes an old rivalry.
- 15
The investigation reaches a fever pitch when Sarah goes missing. Meanwhile, Bullet makes a choice to save Lyric and learns a dark secret.
- 16
Sarah risks her life when someone dear to her goes missing; and Holder's past is used against him.
- 17
The tattooed mystery man is identified; Jamie seeks help from Gwen; Stan's troubled past catches up to him.
- 18
Holder is assigned a disturbing case in the third-season premiere.
- 19
Sarah and Holder get a break in the case; Seward battles his own mortality; and Bullet takes on the role of protector.
- 20
A suspect's family, neighbors and friends are grilled by Sarah and Holder. Meanwhile, Richmond and his campaign adviser Gwen don't see eye-to-eye on strategy for his upcoming debate with the mayor; Rosie's funeral is held; and Stan intensifies his own investigation into his daughter's murder.
- 21
While steering clear of the FBI, Sarah and Holder uncover some surprising new evidence; Richmond scrambles to get back into the mayoral race; and Mitch's actions endanger her sons, leaving Stan to try and gain the upper hand.
- 22
Sarah and Holder's investigation comes to a close. Meanwhile, Richmond sets out on a bold new course; and a surprise source helps bring closure to the Larsens.
- 23
Sarah and Holder catch up to the latest victim; Seward comes face-to-face with his past; and Bullet struggles with the truth.
- 24
Holder and Linden start work on a new case where a quite wealthy family have been murdered. The only survivour attends an all-boys military academy and suspiscion instantly places him as a prime suspect. Lindon and Holder are struggle dealing with the final outcome of the last case.
- 25
One of Rosie's teachers provides Sarah and Holder with crucial new evidence. Meanwhile, the Richmond campaign comes up with an anticrime TV spot; and Stan steps up his search for Rosie's killer and enlists Belko's help.
Shows like The Killing
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
- 01Drama·Crime·ThrillerThe best episodes of True Detective2014–present
Touch darkness and darkness touches you back. - 02Drama·Crime·ThrillerThe best episodes of The Blacklist2013–2023·NBC
The Blacklist is a crime drama involving a former government agent who turned into a high-profile criminal turning himself in to the FBI offering to help catch criminals. - 03Drama·Crime·ThrillerThe best episodes of Criminal Minds2005–present·Paramount+
Criminal Minds revolves around an elite team of FBI profilers who analyze the country's most twisted criminal minds, anticipating their next moves before they strike again. - 04Drama·Crime·ThrillerThe best episodes of Breaking Bad2008–2019Same network — AMC·
- 05Drama·Crime·ThrillerThe best episodes of Euphoria2019–2026Euphoria follows a group of high school students as they navigate love and friendships in a world of drugs, sex, trauma, and social media.
- 06Drama·Crime·ThrillerThe best episodes of The Following2013–2015·FOXThe FBI estimates there are currently over 300 active serial killers in the United States.
