Ranking All 7 Seasons of Riverdale

Written by August Tales

In television history, Riverdale carves its unique spot as a trendsetter. This Archie Comics adaptation shatters norms with its diverse genre shifts throughout its seven-season run. The show’s bold and unexpected narrative style, initially set as a teen mystery, subsequently tapped into horror, suspense, sci-fi, historic, and even comedy.

Riverdale: Seasons Ranked

Despite being mockingly memed, this unorthodox show stands firm throughout its six-year tenure. With each season taking a distinct path—one exploring murders, another entering parallel dimensions—the series grips viewers with its audacious creativity. However, not all these daring ventures deliver. Here’s a ranking of Riverdale’s seasons, from worst to best.

Season 4: An Unsuccessful Experiment with Darker Themes

The fourth season of Riverdale took a darker turn with a focus on unpalatable themes. From a sinister amateur filmmaker terrorizing the town with graphic reenactments of crimes to the ominous atmosphere of Stonewall Prep. Although ambitious, this failed to resonate with fans who favored Riverdale’s innocent adolescent appeal.

Not all of Season Four was underwhelming. The convoluted plot of faking Jughead’s death added excitement, while the friendship-turned-romance of Archie and Betty was nothing short of enthralling.

Reckless Season 3: An Overkill of Outlandishness

In its third outing, Riverdale seemingly strayed too far into outlandish territory. Overstuffed with barely connected subplots, the season became an overkill of eccentricity. The worst offender? The game of Gryphons and Gargoyles that resulted in multiple murders and a string of unexplained occurrences.

Season 7: A Return to Character-Centered Drama

Season 7 saw Riverdale adopt a simpler style, bringing the focus back to its core characters. Plunging the cast into the 1950s, the final season offered tales of teenage troubles and personal growth over the grotesque. The most significant part of the season was the reset given to the Riverdale residents – a bittersweet refresher that left fans wanting closure for old story lines.

Season 6: Embracing Chaos in RivervaleRiverdale invaded an alternate universe in its sixth season, introducing viewers to Rivervale. Despite mockery for its chaotic narrative, the series bravely continued genre and plot experimentation. Turning magical, mysterious, and campy, Season 6 of Riverdale successfully navigated through fantasy, much to the delight of viewers.

Season 5: A Refreshing Time Jump

After a lukewarm response to Season 4, the essence of Riverdale needed reinventing. The solution arrived with a seven-year leap into the future, offering viewers insight into the adult lives of the characters. Full of aliens, hallucinogens, and flashbacks, this intricate mix of eccentric storylines, alongside a delve into Jughead’s personality, established Season 5 as a standout chapter of the series.

Darker Season 2: A Tense, Compelling Narrative

Season 2 of Riverdale shone with a gripping narrative that introduced the sinister Black Hood. The ensuing hunt intertwined thrilling twists and shocking reveals, including links between Betty Cooper and the titular murderer. This captivating follow-up to Season 1 house some of Riverdale’s most exceptional plotlines and dramatic moments.

Season 1: Signature Riverdale

The premiere season of Riverdale in 2017 uniformly drew applause from critics and viewers alike. With a well-crafted recreation of iconic characters and a gripping mystery at its core, the first season of Riverdale was a huge hit that delivered consistently compelling content. The catchy writing, beautiful cinematography, and the central mystery hooked viewers, making it Riverdale’s Lan Magnum Opus and arguably one of the most resonant seasons in television history.