This brainchild of Jeff Davis premiered on CBS in September 2005 and quickly captivated audiences. Unlike other crime shows that focus solely on catching criminals, Criminal Minds delves into the twisted minds of both the unsubs (unknown subjects) and the BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit) team tasked with profiling them. This unique perspective creates a chilling yet thrilling experience, leaving you constantly on the edge of your seat.
The show’s success propelled it into a full-fledged media franchise. It wrapped up its impressive 15th and final season in 2020. However, the show was revived two years later with the introduction of a 16th season, Criminal Minds: Evolution, which aired from November 2022 to February 2023. Filming for season 17 just kicked off in January 2024! With such a long and rich history, it’s no surprise that there are countless captivating episodes.
But where do you start? To help you navigate this world of criminal psychology, we’ve compiled a list of the top-rated Criminal Minds episodes that will leave you wanting more.
Best Criminal Minds Episodes to Watch More Than Once
We present you with the best Criminal Minds episodes out there.
1. Hit/Run (Season 7: Episodes 23 & 24)
For devoted Criminal Minds fans, JJ and Will’s love story has been a heartwarming constant. This episode took their bond to a new level. Will, caught in a bank robbery hostage situation, forced JJ to watch helplessly as his life hung in the balance. Despite the terrifying ordeal, they emerged stronger. Unwilling to wait any longer, their brush with death served as a powerful reminder of life’s preciousness. The episode culminated in a beautiful wedding, a demonstration of their enduring love, and a celebration of their second chance.
2. Believer (Season 13: Episode 22)
Season 13’s heart-pounding finale, Believer, throws the BAU into a web of suspicion and betrayal. A rescued FBI agent, saved by Reid from a storage unit, claims he was abducted while tracking a vicious serial killer. However, as the team delves deeper, cracks begin to appear in his story. Is he a victim or a cunning villain toying with them? This edge-of-your-seat episode will keep you guessing until the shocking cliffhanger that rewrites the rules of the game.
3. Mosley Lane (Season 5: Episode 16)
A missing child case triggers a buried trauma for JJ, forcing her to revisit unsolved disappearances. Her relentless investigation unearths a horrifying truth: a depraved network of kidnappers raising abducted children as their own. While the episode inherently deals with sensitive material, Criminal Minds approaches the subject with a respectful focus on the victims and the unrelenting pursuit of justice.
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4. Masterpiece (Season 4: Episode 8)
Masterpiece is a chilling testament to the twisted brilliance of some unsubs. This episode features a vengeful serial killer harboring a grudge against Rossi for putting away his own murderous brother. Obsessed with elaborate schemes, he orchestrates a deadly game, holding five innocent lives hostage. In a desperate race against time, Rossi must unravel the killer’s twisted masterpiece before it’s too late.
5. Revelations (Season 2: Episode 15)
The BAU faces its worst nightmare when a sadistic serial killer abducts and tortures their own, Dr. Spencer Reid. In a horrifying twist, the unsub live streams Reid’s ordeal, forcing the team to watch helplessly as their friend suffers. With time running out and emotions running high, the BAU launches a desperate race against time to decipher clues, pinpoint the unsub’s location, and save Reid before it’s too late.
6. Minimal Loss (Season 4: Episode 3)
Minimal Loss is a must-watch for fans. This episode features a captivating guest appearance by Luke Perry and lays the groundwork for a future milestone: the BAU’s 300th case. But the true heart of the episode lies in its chilling investigation: a secluded cult suspected of harboring a dark secret. As the BAU delves deeper, the lines between faith and manipulation blur, leading to a shocking twist that will leave you speechless.
7. 300 (Season 14: Episode 1)
A landmark episode for Criminal Minds, this heart-pounding saga delivers chills worthy of its 300th-case status. A charismatic cult leader, Benjamin Merva, with a body count of 299, sets his sights on the BAU, abducting none other than Reid and Garcia. The clock ticks mercilessly as the team dives into a desperate search, uncovering shocking secrets and facing relentless suspense. Will they reach their teammates in time? This episode is a must-watch for any fan of the series.
8. Penelope (Season 3: Episode 9)
Prepare to see the series in a whole new light. This gripping episode throws fan-favorite Penelope Garcia into the heart of the horror. Targeted by a ruthless serial killer, Garcia becomes both a victim and a key witness. As the BAU scrambles to track the unsub, the team grapples with a terrifying truth: even the most brilliant and kind can be vulnerable. This episode will have you on the edge, questioning safety and the power of good in a world shrouded in darkness.
9. Mayhem (Season 4: Episode 1)
Mayhem lives up to its name in this explosive Criminal Minds episode. The BAU races against time to apprehend a terrorist cell responsible for a devastating bombing. But as they delve deeper, a chilling realization dawns: their initial profile might be way off. Could a more sinister plot be unfolding right under their noses? Buckle up for a heart-pounding ride filled with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end.
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10. Entropy (Season 11: Episode 11)
The series takes a surprising turn with a guest appearance by Aubrey Plaza. As Dr. Reid navigates a captivating new relationship, a shadow of doubt emerges. Is this charming connection all it seems, or does a hidden danger lurk beneath the surface? The BAU must race to uncover the truth before Reid and potentially others fall victim to a shocking deception. This episode, featuring Plaza’s captivating performance, is a must-watch for any Criminal Minds fan.
11. The Replicator (Season 8: Episode 24)
Mark Hamill portrays a cunning adversary—a brilliant former FBI agent twisted into a terrifying serial killer. His twisted game? Replicating past BAU cases with a deadly new spin. With an intellect that rivals the BAU’s own, this unsub remains a step ahead, forcing the team to confront the ghosts of their past while desperately trying to stop him before the body count rises. This episode is a must-watch for fans eager to see a legendary actor deliver a performance as chilling as it is brilliant.
12. 100 (Season 5: Episode 9)
This episode delivers a harrowing encounter with one of its most enduring villains, The Reaper. This elusive serial killer, shrouded in mystery and active for years, has tormented countless lives, leaving a trail of devastation in his wake. As the BAU relentlessly pursues him, the lines between hunter and hunted blur. This chilling pursuit culminates in a heart-wrenching tragedy that forever alters the life of a beloved team member. This demonstrates the show’s ability to explore the emotional toll of facing pure evil.
13. Mr. Scratch (Season 10: Episode 21)
This episode marks the arrival of Mr. Scratch, a shadowy figure destined to become a nemesis for the BAU. Possessing an unsettling ability to manipulate others, Mr. Scratch sets the stage for a twisted game of cat and mouse that will span multiple seasons. As the BAU delves into a series of seemingly unconnected murders, a disturbing pattern emerges, hinting at a cunning puppet master pulling the strings from the darkness. This episode is a must-watch for fans who crave a villain unlike any other.
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14. Lauren (Season 6: Episode 18)
Brace yourself for a rollercoaster ride into Emily Prentiss’ hidden past. This episode shatters the illusion, forcing the BAU to confront a side of their colleague they never knew existed. Packed with adrenaline-pumping action, emotional gut punches, and heart-stopping suspense, this episode will leave you glued to the edge of your seat.
15. Zugzwang (Season 8: Episode 12)
Sometimes it seems like members of the BAU cannot catch a break. This episode sees Reid struggle and fail to save the woman he loves from being killed by her stalker. It makes you want to clutch your heart and weep for everything that has ever been taken away from you. The episode explores the profound sense of loss and heartbreak that comes with the sudden absence of someone you love. Prepare for a poignant exploration of grief and the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of tragedy.
