It’s hard to believe but it’s been just over 15 years since Buffy Summers moved to Sunnydale and became the latest in a long long line of Slayers, protecting our word from vampires, demons and various very bad dudes.

The show, born of a mediocre 1992 movie, made a star of Sarah Michelle Gellar, gave Joss Whedon a career to die for and us seven seasons of awesome entertainment.

In a salute to the Scooby Gang and the foes they vanquished, here’s our Top 15 Buffy Episodes, Ever! IN ORDER (dun dun dunh!)

Feel free to disagree. Violently. Or add your own.




15. Passion
Season 2 Episode 17



Angelus kills Giles' girlfriend. The Angelus arc is a fan fave and this episode showed us just how evil the billowy-coated king of pain could be.





14. Prophecy Girl
Season 1 Episode 12



At the end of the first season, Buffy closes the Hellmouth and defeats The Master. Way to get a second season Slayer!






13. Angel
Season 1 Episode 7



Buffy discovers she is in love with a vampire when her first kiss with Angel unleashes his fangs. And Angel’s sire, the delicious Darla, dies for the first, but not last, time.






12. Smashed
Season 6 Episode 9



The earth moves for Buffy and Spike as a building collapses around them. Sure, Angel is the love of Buffy’s life, but you can’t help but root for the platinum haired vampire with a chip on his shoulder and a chip in his head.






11. The Wish
Season 3 Episode 9



Stung by seeing Xander and Willow kiss, Cordelia wishes that Buffy had never arrived in Sunnydale. This episode marks the first appearance of wacky former demon Anya, who grants Cordelia’s wish. Willow transforms into a psychotic vampire and mayhem ensures.






10. Band Candy
Season 3 Episode 6



It can’t be about the Big Bad all the time. Giles and Joyce behave like immature teenagers and make out under the influence of cursed candy. In fact, they do the big bad.





9. The Gift
Season 5 Episode 22



Buffy sacrifices herself to save the world. What more could you want from the Slayer?





8. Doppelgangland
Season 3 Episode 16



Willow gets her fang back on when we visit the alternate reality from “The Wish”, where vampires rule a Buffy-free Sunnydale.






7. Once More With Feeling
Season 6 Episode 7



The Scooby Gang sing! Probably the most famous of all Buffy episodes.





6. Grave
Season 6 Episode 22



Willow, literally transformed by grief for her dead lover Tara, tries to destroy the world. Thankfully Dark Willow, with those freaky black eyes, does not succeed but is fun watching her try. And added bonus – Spike gets his soul back.





5. Conversations With Dead People
Season 7 Episode 7



Buffy, Willow and Dawn are visited by dead people from their pasts. In another brilliant departure from the normal format, this episode takes place in real time and none of the main characters interact with each other.





4. Innocence
Season 2 Episode 14



Buffy and angel make love for the first time, giving Angel a moment of true happiness. Unfortunately this breaks the curse, restoring Angel to his former soul-free self – the very bad Angelus.




3. Becoming Part II
Season 2 Episode 22



Buffy battles Angelus to prevent him from opening the vortex to Hell as Willow awakes from a coma and struggles to restore Angel’s soul. Willow succeeds but it is too late for the star-crossed lovers. Buffy kills Angel sending him through the open vortex and into Hell.








2. The Body
Season 5 Episode 16



“Mom, mom, mommy?” Buffy finds her mom dead on the couch. That Joyce died in such a quotidian fashion was more shocking than they dozens of dramatic deaths that preceded it. It broke our hearts.







1. Hush
Season 4 Episode 10



The Gentlemen come to Sunnydale and steal the town’s voices as they hunt for seven hearts. For a show known for its witty banter, this episode distinguishes itself with barely a line of dialogue giving fans a serious case of the creeps and Joss Whedon and the show’s only Emmy nomination for writing.