American Horror Story: What Order You Should Watch Each AHS Season

American Horror Story: What Order You Should Watch Each AHS Season

As someone who’s been a dedicated fan of American Horror Story since its very first season, I can confidently say that this anthology series has become a staple in my life, providing countless hours of chilling entertainment over the years. From the creepy Murder House to the eerie Asylum, each season offers a unique and terrifying tale that keeps me on the edge of my seat.


The hit TV series, American Horror Story, has significantly shaped television in the last ten years, particularly in the horror genre. With a third season of the spin-off, American Horror Stories, set to premiere on October 26 this year, and the original AHS being renewed for Season 13, it’s evident that the show has achieved great success. Creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk continually amaze viewers with their innovative approaches to fear and disturbance, producing one hit after another. Upon closer inspection, though, American Horror Story is not just about telling unique terrifying tales every year; they are all interconnected.

The television series, titled “American Horror Story“, is an anthology program that delivers a unique horror narrative each season, set in diverse locations and time periods. The cast remains consistent across seasons, portraying new characters almost every year, although the original cast members are gradually being replaced. However, this continuous change can create confusion for new fans regarding the appropriate viewing order due to the interconnectedness of the seasons within the show. Here’s a suggested sequence for watching the series to fully grasp the intricate connections between each season.

All Seasons of American Horror Story

American Horror Story: What Order You Should Watch Each AHS SeasonAmerican Horror Story: What Order You Should Watch Each AHS SeasonAmerican Horror Story: What Order You Should Watch Each AHS Season

Each season of a show carries a distinctive label, which serves to summarize its narrative content. Instead of being referred to by numbers, these labels are the ones commonly used in the advertising and promotional materials for the series, thereby shaping the show’s unique identity each year. Furthermore, they play an essential role in setting the story’s overall tone and atmosphere.

Here is a list of every AHS season available and what they are called:

  • Season 1 – Murder House
  • Season 2 – Asylum
  • Season 3 – Coven
  • Season 4 – Freak Show
  • Season 5 – Hotel
  • Season 6 – Roanoke
  • Season 7 – Cult
  • Season 8 – Apocalypse
  • Season 9 – 1984
  • Season 10 – Double Feature
  • Season 11 – NYC
  • Season 12 – Delicate

Everything Is Connected: AHS in Chronological Order

American Horror Story: What Order You Should Watch Each AHS SeasonAmerican Horror Story: What Order You Should Watch Each AHS SeasonAmerican Horror Story: What Order You Should Watch Each AHS Season

The show follows an anthology structure, which means each season can be reimagined independently without reference to the previous ones. However, as time went by, subtle connections emerged, making the series highly successful. For instance, characters from earlier seasons might make a cameo or be mentioned in later seasons. Over time, these references became more frequent and eventually led to entire seasons being interconnected, with some characters even reappearing. Consequently, it’s beneficial for viewers to watch the seasons in a specific sequence to fully appreciate the development of characters and the plotline. While not mandatory to understand the stories, these connections serve as delightful Easter eggs for long-term fans.

When you’re watching a series, it’s crucial to steer clear of spoilers that might tarnish upcoming episodes. This can generally be achieved by watching the show episode by episode as they were initially released. However, some seasons occur before the storyline of previous seasons, which can make things a bit perplexing regarding the timeline. By adhering to the series’ chronology, viewers can avoid spoilers from events that transpire years later. For instance, the fifth season, Hotel, contains spoilers for characters who die in Coven and 1984.

Here are the American Horror Story seasons in order of when they take place:

  • American Horror Story: Freak Show (Season 4) – 1952
  • American Horror Story: Asylum (Season 2) – 1964
  • American Horror Story: NYC (Season 11) – 1980s
  • American Horror Story: 1984 (Season 9) – 1984
  • American Horror Story: Murder House (Season 1) – 2011
  • American Horror Story: Coven (Season 3) – 2013
  • American Horror Story: Roanoke (Season 6) – 2014
  • American Horror Story: Hotel (Season 5) – 2015
  • American Horror Story: Cult (Season 7) – 2017
  • American Horror Story: Apocalypse (Season 8) – 2020
  • American Horror Story: Double Feature (Season 10) – 2021
  • American Horror Story: Delicate (Season 12) – Modern times. Episode 1 of Season 12 premiered on September 20

Small Appearances in American Horror Story

American Horror Story: What Order You Should Watch Each AHS Season

The creators of the show often include characters, locations, or items that have been featured in previous or subsequent seasons, enhancing the sense of a connected universe within the series. For instance, the realtor who sold the Harmon family’s house in “Murder House” reappears in the fifth season and takes over Hotel Cortez. Similarly, Briarcliff Manor from “Asylum” makes a brief appearance in “1984.” The frightening character Twisty, introduced in Season 4, is referenced as a comic book character in “Cult,” while the writers even subtly incorporate the same coffee brand across various seasons. These subtle connections give the series an intriguing sense of continuity despite the diverse nature of each storyline.

AHS Seasons That Need to Be Watched in a Specific Order

American Horror Story: What Order You Should Watch Each AHS SeasonAmerican Horror Story: What Order You Should Watch Each AHS SeasonAmerican Horror Story: What Order You Should Watch Each AHS Season

I strongly recommend experiencing the unique blend of horror that “Asylum” and “Freak Show” offer in sequence. For the most immersive experience, start with “Freak Show,” despite it being the fourth season, followed by “Asylum,” which is actually the second season. Enjoy the seamless transition between these captivating stories!

As a fan, I’d highly recommend experiencing the intricate web that is “American Horror Story” in the intended sequence. The first season kicks off the journey, followed by the third and eighth seasons, which have profound connections that will enrich your viewing experience. Watching them sequentially can help you keep track of the characters and their evolving narratives.

Best to Worst Seasons of American Horror Story

American Horror Story: What Order You Should Watch Each AHS SeasonAmerican Horror Story: What Order You Should Watch Each AHS SeasonAmerican Horror Story: What Order You Should Watch Each AHS Season

Some viewers prefer enjoying an anthology series by focusing on the standout seasons rather than their release order or connections between them. It’s worth noting that not every season has been universally appreciated; some fans argue that shows like “Double Feature” and “NYC” aren’t particularly engaging. If you’re looking to begin with the most well-liked seasons to get a sense of the series at its best, here is the suggested list.

These are the most recommended seasons of American Horror Story.

  • American Horror Story: 1984 (Season 9)
  • American Horror Story: Freak Show (Season 4)
  • American Horror Story: Asylum (Season 2)
  • American Horror Story: Murder House (Season 1)
  • American Horror Story: Hotel (Season 5)
  • American Horror Story: Cult (Season 7)

Ratched and American Horror Stories

American Horror Story: What Order You Should Watch Each AHS SeasonAmerican Horror Story: What Order You Should Watch Each AHS Season

Many people associate “Ratched” with the television series “American Horror Story.” This is primarily because Sarah Paulson plays the lead role, the show bears resemblance to “American Horror Story: Asylum” (Season 2), they both share the same creator in Ryan Murphy, and they possess a similar tone that horror enthusiasts have come to expect from “AHS.” However, it’s important to note that “Ratched” is not a part of “American Horror Story” but rather a separate series. While some fans view it as a spiritual successor to Season 2 of “American Horror Story,” watching it after “Coven” could provide a richer viewing experience.

The anthology series called “American Horror Stories” shares a common universe with the well-known show, “American Horror Story.” Each episode of “American Horror Stories” tells its own story and can be watched independently. However, for those who are fans of the series, they’ll notice various connections between the two shows. For instance, the infamous Murder House from the first season of “American Horror Story” is featured in the first episode of “American Horror Stories,” titled “Rubber(wo)Man Part One.” Characters from Season 3 (Coven) of “American Horror Story” are also present in Season 2 of “American Horror Stories.” While you can enjoy “American Horror Stories” independently, viewers might find it more rewarding if they’ve watched the main series first. All episodes of American Horror Story can be streamed on Hulu.

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2024-11-08 07:32