15 Best ‘Breaking Bad’ Episodes, Ranked According to IMDb

Considered by many to be the greatest television show of all time, Breaking Bad set an unprecedented bar for drama entertainment during its five-season run. With its antihero lead, memorable characters, purposeful storytelling, sophisticated action, and riveting twists, there’s a clear reason why the series has become a staple of pop culture and is endlessly rewatchable.

Bryan Cranston created one of the most iconic television characters of all time as high school chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin Walter White, otherwise known as Heisenberg. It seems to be the one show that most viewers can agree did not have a single bad episode, with a standard so high that it’s incredibly difficult to choose which one is best. It’s possible to choose the best episodes of Breaking Bad thanks to IMDb, as the platform’s scores narrow down the highest-rated ones in the series.

15 “Say My Name”

Season 5, Episode 7 (2012)

IMDb Rating: 9.5/10

In “Say My Name,” Walt is already a ruthless criminal who will do anything to expand and protect his drug empire, and he also makes sure that everyone knows it. So when he encounters a new minor antagonist Declan (Louis Ferreira), he quashes the character’s resistance against Walt’s plans and rules about his territory.

The episode sees Walt say his now-iconic and unintentionally funny line from the serious moment – “say my name.” He doesn’t hesitate to show that he’s in charge, and he has fully embraced his “Heisenberg” persona and ensures that everyone respects that name (that he once ironically loathe).

14 “End Times”

Season 4, Episode 12 (2011)

IMDb Rating: 9.5/10

With the title itself foreshadowing something explosive to come in the following episode, “End Times” sees Hank Schrader’s (Dean Norris) family threatened and Walt and Jesse Pinkman’s (Aaron Paul) relationship almost at its worst point. Despite Gustavo Fring’s (Giancarlo Esposito) insistence on killing Walt, though, Jesse remains loyal to his old friend and promises not to cook if he’s out of the picture.

Perhaps what this episode is most remembered for is one of the biggest twists in Breaking Bad, which reveals that Walt has truly gone to the dark side by choosing to poison Brock (Ian Posada) to manipulate Jesse. It’s a shocking and disgusting admission that somehow only makes fans even more intrigued by what happens next.

13 “Half Measures”

Season 3, Episode 12 (2010)

IMDb Rating: 9.5/10

The penultimate episode of season 3 marks an important part of Jesse’s character development, which is quickly pivoting to show how the morality of his and Walt’s actions are affecting his psyche. Jesse begins to lash out following the death of a child indirectly connected to his and Walt’s dealings with Gus, which soon leads to a dangerous situation when Pinkman confronts drug dealers in his neighborhood.

Walt’s initial hesitation to help Jesse highlights the ambiguity of their relationship at this point, as the protagonist doesn’t step in until the last possible second. This creates one of the most nail-biting moments in Breaking Bad, where Jesse almost loses his life before Walt steps in to save him.

12 “Gliding All Over”

Season 5, Episode 8 (2012)

IMDb Rating: 9.6/10

Episode eight of the final season arguably sees Walter White at his most ruthless and inhumane – and technically, he doesn’t even lift a finger. With Hank pressuring Mike’s (Jonathan Banks) crew about the Fring investigation, Walt goes to extreme measures to silence anyone who may reveal his own involvement.

Using Jack’s (Michael Bowen) prison connections, Walt orders a simultaneous killing spree across three prisons in less than two minutes. The plan is a horrific success and cements Walt as a madman, if there was any doubt left. The episode also ends with Hank finally figuring out the true identity of Heisenberg, funnily enough, as he sits on the man’s toilet.

11 “Confessions”

Season 5, Episode 11 (2013)

IMDb Rating: 9.6/10

“Confessions” sees the series get to the pointy end of things, with Walt and Jesse further away from each other than they’ve ever been. With Hank now fully aware that his brother-in-law is Heisenberg, Walt tries to convince him to do nothing because his cancer will kill him soon.

With no avail, Walt records a video confessing to his crimes and names Hank as the mastermind behind it all, leaving Hank in an unfortunate position. Things also take a turn when Jesse learns that Walt poisoned Brock, sending him on a rampage where he tries to burn down Walt’s house (who, at this point, is already a bonafide Breaking Bad villain anyway).

10 “Salud”

Season 4, Episode 10 (2011)

IMDb Rating: 9.6/10

Walter White faces many foes throughout his drug dealings, but none more cold and calculated than Gustavo Fring. Gus is always one step ahead, exhibited when he executes a deadly plan during a cartel visit in Mexico.

Gus makes a deal with Don Eladio (Steven Bauer) and his men, where they seemingly make peace and have a toast. Gus slips away and induces himself to vomit, having poisoned the bottle of tequila. Don Eladio and his henchmen drop dead as Gus exacts his long-awaited revenge against him for killing his business partner Max (James Martinez).

9 “One Minute”

Season 3, Episode 7 (2010)

IMDb Rating: 9.6/10

“One Minute” features a violent and heart-pounding interaction between Hank and the unforgettable Breaking Bad characters, the Cousins (played by Luis and Daniel Moncada). Following an outburst that lands Jesse in the hospital and Hank in hot water with the DEA, a mysterious call warns him that he has one minute to escape before someone tries to kill him. Hank being Hank, he sticks around and ends up having to fight for his life.

Aside from the intense and action-packed sequence, this episode stands out for being a fantastic exploration of Hank’s complex character. His anger and frustration about the way he’s tricked into thinking his wife Marie (Betsy Brandt) is in the hospital get the best of him – it’s not the last time Hank’s rage will get him in trouble.

8 “Full Measure”

Season 3, Episode 13 (2010)

IMDb Rating: 9.6/10

Tensions continue to rise between Walt, Jesse, and Gus in “Full Measure.” The duo’s recent violence against other drug dealers has convinced Gus that it’s best to reconsider their arrangements. Sure enough, Walt finds himself in danger of being killed and replaced later on, which prompts him to push Jesse to do the unthinkable to the only one capable of replacing him, Gale Boetticher (David Costabile).

Jesse’s storyline is increasingly becoming heartbreaking here, as he actually tries to reason with Walt and desperately asks him to quit already since he has all the money he’ll ever need. The difference between Jesse and Walt becomes clear when Heisenberg simply tells his former student that he will definitely be able to kill Gale – this drives a further rift between them, and obviously causes Jesse more distress down the line.

7 “Dead Freight”

Season 5, Episode 5 (2012)

IMDb Rating: 9.7/10

There’s nothing more badass in film and TV than when a crew manages to sleekly pull off a genius heist. With the DEA closing in on them, Walt, Jesse, and Mike devise a plan to steal a train car full of methylamine and bring on Todd (Jesse Plemmons) to assist.

The train is moving, so the group must stall its transit in order to swap the methylamine with the same amount of water. The robbery itself is one of the most enthralling set pieces of the series, but just when they think they’ve gotten away scot-free, a young boy on a bike sees them. Todd shoots the boy in cold blood, leaving everyone in shock.

6 “Granite State”

Season 5, Episode 15 (2013)

IMDb Rating: 9.7/10

The penultimate episode of Breaking Bad works as both the calm before and after the storm – the slow-burn build-up to the finale and the aftermath of the explosive “Ozymandias.” Walt assumes a new identity and lives in isolation, and Jesse is imprisoned by Todd’s Uncle Jack’s gang.

Walt is furious that Jack has his money, leaving his family with nothing, and asks for Saul’s (Bob Odenkirk) help. It’s also the first time Saul mentions Cinnabon, where he becomes manager under the identity of Gene Takovic in the spin-off Better Call Saul.

5 “Crawl Space”

Season 4, Episode 11 (2011)

IMDb Rating: 9.7/10

Walt is kidnaped by Gus and taken out to the desert, where Gus fires him and terrifyingly threatens to kill him and his family – including his infant daughter. Walt, terrified, takes Saul up on his offer to help him disappear, but it will cost half a million dollars.

In a frenzy, Walt rushes to the crawl space in his house to retrieve the money, but it’s not enough. When the already unlikable Skyler (Anna Gunn) reveals to him that she gave the rest of their money to Ted Beneke (Christopher Cousins) to pay off the IRS, Walt breaks down into a maniacal laugh, ending the episode on a frightening and uneasy note.

4 “To’hajiilee”

Season 5, Episode 13 (2013)

IMDb Rating: 9.8/10

Any sign of previous companionship between the iconic duo Walt and Jesse is seemingly obliterated when Walt hires Uncle Jack to kill Jesse. Meanwhile, Jesse and Hank devise a plan to take Walt down and find out where he has stashed all his money. When Jesse finds the fortune he threatens to burn it, causing Walt to send Jack his coordinates.

Walt arrives at the desert location and sees Jesse pull up, but immediately calls off Jack’s hit when he also sees Hank and Gomez (Steven Michael Quezada). Hank seems to have finally caught Walt, but Jack ignores the cancellation and arrives with his crew, setting the stage for a deadly shootout.

3 “Felina”

Season 5, Episode 16 (2013)

IMDb Rating: 9.9/10

In a world full of disappointing finales to great shows, it’s a relief that Breaking Bad has one of the best finales of all time. It’s an emotionally satisfying affair for fans, leaving no stone unturned and keeping the tension high right until the very end.

Walt returns to Albuquerque one last time to settle his affairs, secure his family’s financial future, and exact revenge. In a genius plan involving a strategically positioned automated machine gun, Walt kills Jack and his gang. In the process, Walt is shot and dies and Jesse escapes from captivity, finally free of this life.

2 “Face Off”

Season 4, Episode 13 (2011)

IMDb Rating: 9.9/10

In the final episode of season four, Walter White is as good as dead with Gus still lurking about. Out of options, he teams up with an old enemy who has a mutual interest – the enemy being Hector Salamanca (Mark Margolis), and the interest being the death of Gus Fring.

With his own plans to kill Hector, Gus visits his foe’s retirement home. Before he is able to do so, Hector frantically rings his bell and knowingly sets off the bomb under his wheelchair. Gus walks out with half his face blown off, but that doesn’t stop him from straightening his tie as he drops dead. Gus Fring’s shockingly gruesome death and the manner of which it happens is likely a large part of what makes this one of Breaking Bad‘s best episodes.

1 “Ozymandias”

Season 5, Episode 14 (2013)

IMDb Rating: 10/10

There is only one television episode with a perfect score on IMDb, and that deservingly goes to “Ozymandias.” The highest-rated Breaking Bad episode and in TV history, the episode is a knockout emotional rollercoaster and a masterclass in dramatic storytelling.

After a shootout that kills Gomez, Walt offers his entire fortune to Jack to spare Hank, but Hank is shot in front of him. Walt’s money is taken, Jesse is taken prisoner to cook meth, and Walt tries to flee with his baby daughter in a dramatic showdown with his family. The stakes have never been higher in this perfect episode of TV.

NEXT:The Highest-Rated TV Episodes on IMDb