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The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes 

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Updated May 19, 2020 4.6k votes 645 voters 22.9k views 52 items

List Rules Vote for your favorite The Vampire Diaries episodes, no matter how popular they are.

List of the best The Vampire Diaries episodes, as determined by voters like you. This sexy show about the undead and the people who love them is an addictive treat. With all the amazing episodes of the show that exist, it's hard to trust just one person's opinion of what the top The Vampire Diaries episodes of all time are. Currently ranking number one on TV shows with the hottest casts, The Vampire Diaries has also given fans many memorable moments. Fans of The Vampire Diaries are very passionate about the show, and there are often debates over which episodes are the greatest. That's why this list exists- so you can vote for your favorites and we can find out once and for all what everyone thinks the best episode is.

List is made up of many different episodes, including "A Darker Truth" and "The Departed". What is the best The Vampire Diaries episode of all time? Look below and find out. After you've voted for your favorite episodes, make sure to check out these other shows like The Vampire Diaries.

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list ordered by
1
Masquerade is listed (or ranked) 1 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
Episode: 7, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 2

Original Airing: Oct 28 2010

Stefan and Damon decide on a new plan to deal with Katherine at the Lockwood’s masquerade ball. Katherine calls on an old friend, Lucy, to attend the ball with her. Bonnie, Jeremy and Alaric all ...more
2
Graduation is listed (or ranked) 2 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
Graduation Episode: 23, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 4

Original Airing: May 16 2013

On Graduation Day, Mystic Falls is overrun with ghosts intent on settling old scores and fulfilling their supernatural destinies. Damon’s life is in danger after a ghostly encounter, while Matt ...more
3
The Departed is listed (or ranked) 3 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
The Departed Episode: 22, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 3

Original Airing: May 10 2012

"The Departed" is the twenty-second and final episode of The Vampire Diaries's third season, premiering May 10, 2012 on The CW. During the episode, Elena remembers when life was ...more
4
The Birthday is listed (or ranked) 4 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
The Birthday Episode: 1, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 3

Original Airing: Sep 15 2011

On the morning of Elena’s 18th birthday, Caroline is busy planning a party, but Elena is focused on searching for any clues that might help her discover where Stefan is. Damon is also searching ...more
5
Rose is listed (or ranked) 5 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
Episode: 8, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 2

Original Airing: Nov 04 2010

An Ancient Presence In Mystic Falls, Stefan and Damon come to Elena’s assistance and, in the process, learn surprising new information about people, vampires and events in the distant past. ...more
6
Heart of Darkness is listed (or ranked) 6 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
Heart of Darkness Episode: 19, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 3

Original Airing: Apr 19 2012

Elena and Damon set off together to make sure Jeremy is safe in Denver, and to see if his special abilities can help reveal the information they need about ancient vampire bloodlines. It doesn’t ...more
7
Founder's Day is listed (or ranked) 7 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
Founder's Day Episode: 22, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 1

Original Airing: May 13 2010

Founder's Day has finally arrived, and everyone is busy with last-minute preparations for floats and fireworks. Stefan is uncomfortable with Damon's new attitude toward Elena, but Elena is more ...more
8
The Return is listed (or ranked) 8 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
Episode: 1, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 2

Original Airing: Sep 09 2010

The second season begins with Elena discovering her uncle John's bloody body and learning Jeremy's fate, and Damon realizing that Katherine has returned. Meanwhile, Caroline is taken to the ...more
9
As I Lay Dying is listed (or ranked) 9 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
As I Lay Dying Episode: 22, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 2

Original Airing: May 12 2011

Mystic Falls screens "Gone with The Wind" in the town square, and Damon's memories of Katherine in 1864 mix with the reality of present-day Elena. Stefan pays a steep price after ...more
10
Klaus is listed (or ranked) 10 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
Episode: 19, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 2

Original Airing: Apr 21 2011

Stefan and Damon are furious when they discover that Elena has defied them both to make a new ally and take control of the plan to out-maneuver Klaus. Disagreement over how to protect Elena ...more
11
I Know What You Did Last... is listed (or ranked) 11 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
I Know What You Did Last Summer Episode: 1, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 5

Original Airing: Oct 03 2013

After spending the summer enjoying her passionate relationship with Damon, and making sure that Jeremy is adjusting after his return from the dead, Elena is thrilled to move into the dorm at ...more
12
The Sun Also Rises is listed (or ranked) 12 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
The Sun Also Rises Episode: 21, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 2

Original Airing: May 05 2011

With the arrival of the full moon, Elena tries to prepare for whatever Klaus has planned and Tyler faces his second transformation. The terrifying events quickly spin out of control, despite an ...more
13
162 Candles is listed (or ranked) 13 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
Episode: 8, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 1

Original Airing: Nov 05 2009

On his birthday, Stefan is surprised by a visit from Lexi, one of his oldest friends. Still upset by the events at the Halloween haunted house, Elena does her best to stay away from Stefan, but ...more
14
Unpleasantville is listed (or ranked) 14 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
Episode: 12, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 1

Original Airing: Jan 28 2010

Damon, Elena and Stefan attend the school dance with a 1950s' theme, where Alaric introduces himself to Damon. Stefan and Damon try to figure out the identity of the new vampire in town, Stefan ...more
15
Memorial is listed (or ranked) 15 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
Memorial Episode: 2, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 4

Original Airing: Oct 18 2012

"Memorial" is the second episode of The Vampire Diaries's fourth season, premiering October 18, 2012 on The CW.
16
Bloodlines is listed (or ranked) 16 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
Episode: 11, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 1

Original Airing: Jan 21 2010

"Bloodlines" is the eleventh episode of the first season of The CW television series, The Vampire Diaries and the eleventh episode of the series overall. It originally aired on January ...more
17
Stand by Me is listed (or ranked) 17 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
Stand by Me Episode: 15, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 4

Original Airing: Feb 21 2013

When Stefan arrives back in Mystic Falls with Elena and Jeremy, Caroline is immediately worried about Elena’s state of mind. Stefan reaches out to Dr. Fell and Matt for help. Still on the ...more
18
Pilot is listed (or ranked) 18 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
Episode: 1, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 1

Original Airing: Sep 10 2009

Elena Gilbert and her brother Jeremy come to terms with the death of their parents. Elena is popular amongst her peers and the perfect straight A student, but has difficulties hiding her grief ...more
19
Plan B is listed (or ranked) 19 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
Episode: 6, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 2

Original Airing: Oct 21 2010

"Plan B" is the 6th episode of the second season of The CW television series, The Vampire Diaries and the 28th episode of the series overall. It originally aired on October 21, 2010. ...more
20
Lost Girls is listed (or ranked) 20 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
Episode: 6, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 1

Original Airing: Oct 15 2009

"Lost Girls" is the sixth episode of the first season of The CW television series, The Vampire Diaries and the sixth episode of the series overall. It originally aired on October 15, ...more
21
Children of the Damned ... is listed (or ranked) 21 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
Episode: 13, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 1

Original Airing: Feb 04 2010

In flashbacks, Stefan and Damon recall the long-ago actions taken by townspeople including their father, Guiseppe Salvatore, and Pearl, leading to the devastating events that caused the rift in ...more
22
The Hybrid is listed (or ranked) 22 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
The Hybrid Episode: 2, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 3

Original Airing: Sep 22 2011

Klaus puts a plan in motion that will give him even more power, but even with the unwilling participation of werewolf Ray Sutton, things don’t go exactly as Klaus had planned. Damon and Alaric ...more
23
Brave New World is listed (or ranked) 23 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
Brave New World Episode: 2, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 2

Original Airing: Sep 16 2010

When a confused and desperate Caroline leaves the hospital and joins her friends at the Mystic Falls Carnival, Damon wants to take immediate action, but Stefan and Elena come to Caroline’s ...more
24
Haunted is listed (or ranked) 24 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
Episode: 7, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 1

Original Airing: Oct 29 2009

"Haunted" is the seventh episode of the first season of The CW television series, The Vampire Diaries and the seventh episode of the series overall. It originally aired on October 29, ...more
25
The End of the Affair is listed (or ranked) 25 on the list The Best Vampire Diaries Episodes
The End of the Affair Episode: 3, Season: The Vampire Diaries - Season 3

Original Airing: Sep 29 2011

Klaus and Stefan arrive in Chicago, where Stefan is reunited with a vampire who hasn't really moved on from her interest in him decades earlier. In a flashback to Chicago in the 1920s, Stefan ...more