DashJ

The 24 Best 'Criminal Minds' Episodes of All Time

24

"Exit Wounds" Season 5, Episode 21

los angeles april 4 exit wounds garcia kirsten vangsness, left talks with morgan shemar moore, right about her role on the bau team when she travels with them to alaska for a case and sees more than she bargained for, on criminal minds, wednesday, may 12 900 1000 pm, etpt on the cbs television network photo by monty brintoncbs via getty images

Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Images

Full disclosure: if you're not obsessed with Penelope and Derek's loving and flirty friendship, then "Exit Wounds" might not rank among your favorite Criminal Minds episodes. That said, if you, like me, believe that this relationship is the emotional heart of the BAU, then you'll also be a fan of this episode that brings Penelope out into the field, causing her to question her place on the team.

23

"Jones" Season 2, Episode 18

los angeles september 13 aj cook and matthew gray gubler of the cbs series criminal minds photo by cliff lipsoncbs photo archive via getty images

Cliff Lipson/CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images

The BAU travels all over the country tracking down serial killers, but that doesn't mean they can't have some fun. In "Jones," the team heads down south to New Orleans, where an UnSub is copying Jack the Ripper. While working the case, JJ meets a charming detective, Will LaMontagne (Josh Stewart).

22

"Lauren" Season 6, Episode 18

criminal minds lauren when emily prentiss confronts her nemesis, ian doyle, and goes missing, jj jareau is asked by the bau to help find prentiss and capture doyle before it is too late, on criminal minds airing on cbs on wednesday, march 16 900 1000 pm, et photo by matt kennedydisney general entertainment content via getty imageskirsten vangsness, shemar moore

Matt Kennedy/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

Emily's undercover past takes center stage in "Lauren" when she disappears, prompting the BAU to look into her undercover past with a dangerous criminal, Ian Doyle (Timothy V. Murphy).

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

21

"Memoriam" Season 4, Episode 7

a man and a woman sitting at a table

CBS / courtesy Everett Collection

Every now and then, Criminal Minds will have an episode that dives deep into the backstories of the BAU team members. In "Memoriam," it's Reid's turn. After a case inspires nightmares, he decides to look into a case of a missing boy that has bothered him since childhood, which means getting answers from his mother (Jane Lynch) and estranged dad.

20

"What Doesn't Kill Us" Season 16, Episode 7

los angeles november 29 cure the bau is called to investigate a series of dc homicides where cryptic messages are found inside the mouths of each victim, on criminal minds, wednesday, jan 24 1000 1100 pm, etpt on the cbs television network pictured adam rodriguez luke alvez, joe mantegna david rossi photo by cliff lipsoncbs via getty images

CBS Photo Archive

Technically, this episode is part of Criminal Minds: Evolution, the recent Criminal Minds revival that aired on Paramount+, but it is considered as a continuation of the original series, so I felt it deserved at least one mention on this list. This episode falls towards the end of the 10-episode season, and juggles the team's investigation into Sicarius (the season's major big bad) and the episode's UnSub of the week.

19

"Green Light/Red Light" Season 12, Episodes 21 & 22

los angeles march 14 red light caught in an impossible scenario, reid must square off with an old nemesis, and derek morgan guest star shemar moore comes to the team with a lead that might help catch mr scratch, the elusive fugitive that has been tormenting the team all season, on the 12th season finale of criminal minds, wednesday, may 10 900 1000 pm, etpt on the cbs television network jane lynch returns as diana reid, the mother of dr reid pictured paget brewster emily prentiss, shemar moore derek morgan, kirsten vangsness penelope garcia photo by sonja flemmingcbs via getty images

Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images

These are technically two episodes, but they work as a two-part finale for Season 12. In "Green Light," an increasingly anxious Reid is worried his mother has been abducted and enlists the BAU to investigate, meanwhile the team is still working overtime to clear his name and get him out of prison. But getting him out is only one part of the puzzle. In "Red Light," the BAU goes after the man who landed him behind bars in the first place: their longtime rival, Mr. Scratch (Bodhi Elfman).

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

18

"In the Dark" Season 12, Episode 17

los angeles july 19 the crimson king agent luke alvez adam rodriguez joins the bau team, which is tasked with capturing a killer who escaped prison with 13 other convicts at the end of last season, on the 12th season premiere of criminal minds, wednesday, sept 28 900 1000 pm, etpt, on the cbs television network pictured adam rodriguez luke alvez photo by eddy chencbs via getty images

Eddy Chen/CBS via Getty Images

The fallout from Reid's arrest for murder continues as the BAU are simultaneously tracking down two UnSubs and trying to figure out how best to help Reid behind bars. The real reason this episode is one of the best? It's the first episode where newbie Luke Alvez (Adam Rodriguez) really feels like he's part of the family. (Bonus points for guest star Harold Perrineau, who appears as a menacing inmate targeting Reid.)

17

"Zugzwang" Season 8, Episode 12

criminal minds alchemy the episode entitled, alchemy, airs on wednesday, april 10 900 1000 pm, et, on cbs photo by sonja flemmingdisney general entertainment content via getty images studios via getty images matthew gray gubler

Sonja Flemming/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Studios via Getty Images

Poor Reid could never catch a break. Case in point: "Zugzwang," a tense episode where Reid enlists the BAU to find his girlfriend, whom he's never actually met face-to-face, after she is abducted by her longtime stalker.

16

"Mosley Lane" Season 5, Episode 16

Mickael Yarish/CBS via Getty Images

A child abduction case quickly escalates as the BAU find a connection between a little girl's disappearance and the abduction of a young boy eight years ago. But the big draw is the guest stars: Beth Grant! A baby Evan Peters! And, yes, it's disturbing AF.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

15

"Minimal Loss" Season 4, episode 3

los angeles july 10 minimal loss reid matthew gray gubler, right tries to talk with cult leader benjamin cyrus special guest star luke perry, left from on criminal minds, wednesday, oct 8 900 1000 pm, etpt on the cbs television network sonja flemmingcbs via getty images

Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images

Criminal Minds is serial killer focused, which means the BAU usually focuses on individual offenders. In "Minimal Loss," however, they are forced to mediate a stand-off between a cult (led by a very convincing Luke Perry) and law enforcement when two of their own are caught in the middle.

14

"The Lesson" Season 8, Episode 10

los angeles july 15 the silencer seated, left to right jj aj cook, reid matthew gray gubler, newest bau member alex blake jeanne tripplehorn and morgan shemar moore, standing go over evidence as the bau investigates the murder of a victim with the trademark handiwork of the unsub the silencer, who leaves behind victims with his unique trademark of sewing their mouths shut, on the eighth season premiere of criminal minds, wednesday, sept 26 900 1000 pm, etpt on the cbs television network photo by monty brintoncbs via getty images

Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Images

Horror fans will delight in this twisted episode directed by Matthew Gray Gubler himself. "The Lesson" puts the BAU on the case of an UnSub who seems to be slowly killing his victims, leaving them horribly injured and disjointed. The twist? The killer has been turning people into living puppets to relive a childhood trauma. It is, quite literally, the stuff of my nightmares.

13

"It Takes a Village" Season 7, Episode 1

criminal minds it takes a village in the seventh season premiere, the members of the bau are questioned by a senate committee for their retaliatory actions after the assumed death and disappearance of emily prentiss, but a familiar face could help them win their case and keep the team together, on criminal minds airing on cbs on wednesday, september 21 900 1000 pm, et photo by matt kennedydisney general entertainment content via getty images studios via getty imagesthomas gibson, paget brewster, timothy v murphy, matthew gray gubler, shemar moore, aj cook

Matt Kennedy/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Studios via Getty Images

Spoiler alert: if you haven't watched this episode, turn back now. In "It Takes a Village," the BAU team are questioned by a Senate Committee after Emily's death, but things take a turn when the FBI agent returns to the team.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

12

"To Hell...And Back" Season 4, Episode 25

los angeles december 24 to helland back agent prentiss paget brewster and the bau track a serial killer who chooses junkies, prostitutes and the homeless off the streets of detroit as his victims and takes them across the border into canada, and an agents life is in peril, on the two hour, fourth season finale event of criminal minds, wednesday, may 20 900 1100 pm, etpt on the cbs television network photo by michael yarishcbs via getty images

Michael Yarish/CBS via Getty Images

The 2-part Season 4 finale "To Hell...And Back" features what might be one of the most disturbing UnSubs the team has ever tracked. The episode begins when the team are alerted to a string of disappearances of unhoused people, sex workers, and others that one man is convinced is the sign of a serial killer. The BAU investigation takes the team up to Canada, where they come face-to-face with an unexpected killer.

11

"Big Sea" Season 6, Episode 23

joe mantegna and thomas gibson in criminal minds

Courtesy/Paramount+

The BAU is called in when skeletal remains wash up on the shore in Jacksonville. It's a puzzling case, which is complicated by Derek's aunt's belief that her daughter might be among those dead. Add in a terrifying killer who enjoys torturing families, and you've got a perfect episode of Criminal Minds.

10

“Sex, Birth, Death” Season 2, Episode 11

mandy patinkin and anton yelchin in cbs criminal minds

CBS / courtesy Everett Collection

"Sex, Birth, Death" put a twist on the Criminal Minds procedural by shifting away from a case and towards the psychology upon which the show is based. In this case, the serial killer targeting prostitutes takes a backseat to a teenage boy, Nathan (Anton Yelchin), who seeks Reid out due to his violent fantasies, raising questions about whether a killer is born or made.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

9

"Penelope"

los angeles august 3 p911 shemar moore stars as special agent derek morgan on criminal minds scheduled to air on the cbs television network photo by cliff lipsoncbs photo archive via getty images

Cliff Lipson/CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images

Penelope Garcia is usually kept out of the action, safely behind her wall of computers, but in "Penelope," she isn't just involved in the case; she's the victim. After being shot by a date, Penelope has to let the team take care of her as they investigate who could have targeted their favorite tech genius. Come for the intrigue, stay for Morgan's protectiveness going into overdrive. No one messes with his baby girl and gets away with it!

8

"The Wheels on the Bus..." Season 8, Episode 8

criminal minds the scratch three people who are implicated with murders claim to have been attacked by a clawed monster at the time each crime occurred, so the bau starts searching for an unsub that may be controlling the suspects minds but as the search continues, one team member is put in jeopardy, on criminal minds airing on cbs, wednesday, april 22 1000 1100 pm, et photo by sonja flemmingdisney general entertainment content via getty images studios via getty images

Sonja Flemming/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Studios via Getty ImagesSonja Flemming

When a school bus of teenagers goes missing, the BAU is brought onto the case, where a pair of young men are using the teens as guinea pigs in their twisted, deadly games. None of the team members are really in danger in this episode, but the stress of watching teens in shock collars fighting for their lives is enough to scar you for life.

7

"The Uncanny Valley" Season 5, Episode 12

los angeles december 3 the uncanny valley three women, bethany rosalie ward, left, cindy megan duffy, center and maxine monique patrice, right are abducted by a woman and turned into her real life doll collection, on criminal minds, wednesday, january 13 900 1000 pm, etpt on the cbs television network photo by cliff lipsoncbs via getty images

Cliff Lipson/CBS via Getty Images

Forget human puppets, in "The Uncanny Valley," the BAU is on the lookout for an UnSub who turns victims into human dolls. The entire episode is disturbing, but when the killer is revealed, it becomes a twisted tragedy you won't be able to stop thinking about.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

6

"Amplification" Season 4, Episode 24

matthew gray gubler and shemar moore in criminal minds

Courtesy/Paramount+

It's a race against the clock in "Amplification," when the BAU goes up against an UnSub who targets his victims using a new strain of anthrax that, of course, has no known antidote. The team realizes that the UnSub is working his way up to a bigger attack, and are racing to stop it when one of their own is exposed.

5

"A Beautiful Disaster" Season 11, Episode 18

los angeles february 9 a beautiful disaster when an unsub targets the bau, and the team goes into action to find out who is responsible, on criminal minds, wednesday, march 23 900 1000 pm, etpt on the cbs television network series star kirsten vangsness co wrote the episode with erica messer, one of the series executive producers pictured shemar moore as derek morgan photo by robert voetscbs via getty images

Robert Voets/CBS via Getty Images

Saying goodbye to a cast member on your favorite show is never easy, but at least Shemar Moore got a grand sendoff with "A Beautiful Disaster," his last episode as a series regular, which focused on Derek's wild hunt for the UnSub targeting him after his pregnant fiancée is shot. The episode is emotional, more than a little ridiculous, and absolutely perfect. (This one was also co-written by Penelope Garcia herself, Kristen Vangsness!)

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLvSpqapp5yewaK6jZympmeVo8GmvtOaoKellaPBcMDVaJ5tbWdtgHl8l2iZnqukYrCztcyipZqkXaK2r7DSZpypoaOksaa%2Fjg%3D%3D

« The 25 Best Horror Podcasts The 20 Most Expensive Barbie Dolls You Probably Still Own in 2023 »