Criminal Minds is a crime drama show that follows an elite team of FBI profilers as they attempt to analyze the country's most twisted criminal minds. The show first aired in 2005 and is now available on Paramount+. With 17 seasons, it can be difficult to know which episodes are the best. That's why we have ranked the best episodes of Criminal Minds so you can get the most out of the show.
From the pilot episode to the series finale, Criminal Minds has offered fans many memorable episodes. From thrillers to heart-breaking moments, it’s hard to pick the best ones. Luckily, we have compiled a list of the best episodes ranked from top to bottom.
Whether you are a fan of the show or just getting started, our list of the best episodes of Criminal Minds will help you get the most out of this amazing show. So settle in for a thrilling ride with Criminal Minds as you watch some of the best episodes the show has to offer.
Written by Sophie and last updated on dec 20, 2023.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
Several women go missing in Virginia and the BAU must figure out what they all have in common in order to find them.
The episode was rated 7.59 from 1244 votes.
In the episode "The Dance of Love" of Criminal Minds, the BAU travels to Chicago to investigate an unsub who leaves red roses on each victim. As the team searches for the perpetrator, Rossi gets an unexpected visit from his ex-wife, Krystall Richards.
Viewers were enthralled by Rossi's strong response to the situation with his ex-wife and the perpetrator. He was unwavering in his stance and was able to protect the people that he cared about. His relationship with Krystall Richards was heartwarming and showed viewers a different side of Rossi. The case itself was strange, but it kept the audience engaged and was exciting to watch. The episode was an overall success and provided viewers with great entertainment.
The episode was rated 7.59 from 1095 votes.
The BAU is called when the New Orleans P.D. discovers a mass grave inside a vandalized above-ground crypt in a local cemetery.
The episode was rated 7.59 from 1219 votes.
The BAU searches for an unsub in Austin, Texas, who is targeting prominent members of the community.
The episode was rated 7.60 from 1396 votes.
The BAU is called to investigate a series of deaths in Virginia suspected by the Center for Disease Control to be caused by bio-terrorism; Garcia visits her stepbrother to take care of a family issue.
The episode was rated 7.61 from 1108 votes.
The BAU investigates a workplace shooting committed by a state-of-the-art drone in Silicon Valley.
The episode was rated 7.64 from 1578 votes.
The BAU investigates three similar crimes in which victims' remains are discovered in old suitcases.
The episode was rated 7.65 from 1721 votes.
The BAU is called to investigate a series of D.C. homicides where cryptic messages are found inside the mouths of each victim.
The episode was rated 7.65 from 1228 votes.
When two members of a conspiracy group in Roswell, N.M., perish in quick succession, the BAU is called to investigate.
The episode was rated 7.66 from 1299 votes.
The BAU takes charge of a hostage situation at a law firm in D.C., where Matt Simmons’ wife, Kristy works.
The episode was rated 7.67 from 1119 votes.
The FBI's assistant director of national security, Linda Barnes, joins the BAU as they investigate a quadruple homicide of a group of roommates in St. Louis.
The episode was rated 7.73 from 1221 votes.
Morgan lends emotional support to Garcia when she experiences anxiety over a case that is personal to her from her past.
The episode was rated 7.76 from 1557 votes.
In the wake of a devastating attack, the BAU works with former International Response Team member Matthew Simmons to save one of their own from escaped serial killer Peter Lewis.
The episode was rated 7.81 from 1935 votes.
When Reid discovers former FBI Special Agent Owen Quinn locked inside a storage unit, the BAU questions the credibility of Quinn's bizarre accounts of searching for an UnSub that he named "The Strangler". Obama, Senile Joe and their corrupt administration has really destroyed this show and many others by corrupting the FBI to the extent that they are now the bad guys in real life.
The Believer episode of Criminal Minds had a great season with a nice finale. You see it coming and yet it is still very exciting and intens. This season started off unspectacular and bland, following the pattern of recent seasons. However, around episode 13 or so, it started to feel like classic Criminal Minds again. Keep Matt, he is such a nice addition to the team! It was great to see Reid and J.J. moments still as precious as ever.
The episode was rated 7.87 from 1130 votes.
In the Criminal Minds episode "Last Gasp", the BAU team meets in secret to investigate an UnSub who appears to be kidnapping and photographing young women. While the team is away from the watchful eye of the FBI's assistant director of national security, Linda Barnes, viewers reach a thrilling moment at 4:22 in the episode where they fantasize about backhanding Barnes. To make things more exciting, the team discovers that the case they are working on is connected to the director's daughter.
The episode created mixed reviews from viewers, as some were content with the Mulder and Scully agent pair, while others felt the episode was too convenient and filled with Hollywood writer "drama" that ruined the episode. Many were disheartened by the lack of actual crime solving, and felt it was too much to ask for the team to actually solve crimes without the drama.
The episode was rated 7.94 from 1190 votes.
