American Horror Story: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 30 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 1190 Ratings

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8.1

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 1190 Ratings

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American Horror Story

Now Playing: American Horror Story

Season Details & Credits

FX | Season Premiere Date: October 5, 2011

Starring: Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Connie Britton

Summary: After a miscarriage and nearly breaking up, Ben and Vivien Harmon (Dylan McDermott and Connie Britton) move from Boston to Los Angeles with their daughter to start a new life in a house with an eerie past.

Creator: Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk

Genre(s): Horror

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E13. Roanoke
Air Date: September 22, 2016
tbd
S1:E13. Cult
Air Date: September 9, 2017
tbd
S1:E12. Afterbirth
Air Date: December 21, 2011

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Mark A. Perigard

Oct 5, 2011

I loved the pilot, mostly because I could never predict where the story was going, a rarity in prime-time TV. Read full review

Tom Gliatto

Sep 30, 2011

It's funny and moves blindingly fast, barely giving you time to blink or gulp--Dark Shadows for the PlayStation age. [10 Oct 2011, p.39]

Emily Nussbaum

Dec 8, 2011

The show may be ridiculous, but the humiliation and panic feel real. And there's something to be said for surprise. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Matt Roush

Oct 5, 2011

The hot mess of American Horror Story is berserk to a fault, though it does have an unnerving originality compelling us to watch while we cringe, or perhaps smirk. Read full review

Mary McNamara

Oct 5, 2011

American Horror Story is a big ol' brooding, baffling, ridiculous and occasionally compelling mess of a show. Read full review

Linda Stasi

Oct 5, 2011

The scariest thing about American Horror Story, the highly anticipated FX series from the guys who brought you "Glee" and "Nip/Tuck," is that almost everything in the entire show has been cribbed (or crypt-ed, in this case) from every other American horror story. Read full review

Maureen Ryan

Oct 4, 2011

It doesn't work as a character drama and it's tiresome more often than it's freakily scary. Read full review

SEE ALL 30 REVIEWS

User Score

Write a Review

8.1

User Reviews

heartbrave

Oct 6, 2011

This show did a good job at keeping viewers wanting more. Other than the show "Supernatural", this is the only show with a horror theme on basic cable. The Pilot is one of the best I've seen the fall season so far. This show is an example why well written shows and good actors makes forThis show did a good job at keeping viewers wanting more. Other than the show "Supernatural", this is the only show with a horror theme on basic cable. The Pilot is one of the best I've seen the fall season so far. This show is an example why well written shows and good actors makes for great television.… Expand

14 of 18 users found this helpful144

MikeyLiverpool

Oct 20, 2011

Well I love this show, so disjointed sometimes you think your losing the plot or storyline then wham scared half to death by some mad vision. My partner doesn't have nightmare but following the first show they did a full on graphic ripping someones head off and blood all over the place.Well I love this show, so disjointed sometimes you think your losing the plot or storyline then wham scared half to death by some mad vision. My partner doesn't have nightmare but following the first show they did a full on graphic ripping someones head off and blood all over the place. This is one of the best new shows this year, can't wait for the next episode.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Gjmzvs

Oct 20, 2017

It wasn't the best season, but it's so good at all, all the characters had something special and the story it's creative, I'd say it's one of the best season.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

j30

Jan 24, 2012

Overall this is a very good show with a just a few filler episodes. The writing is good and they probably have one of the best casts in a TV right now particularly Evan Peters, Taissa Farmiga, and of course the fantastic Jessica Lange. When Hollywood is putting out more Saw sequels than IOverall this is a very good show with a just a few filler episodes. The writing is good and they probably have one of the best casts in a TV right now particularly Evan Peters, Taissa Farmiga, and of course the fantastic Jessica Lange. When Hollywood is putting out more Saw sequels than I have fingers, it's refreshing to see some good horror shows out there like AHS and The Walking Dead.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

LucaCritics

Mar 28, 2020

American Horror Story Season 1 Review: 8/10
Characters made the story of this first season an amazing one. Really incredible performance of the cast.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

frelling_cute

Oct 6, 2011

I love the atmosphere and the music and performances but this show is going to have to do more than throw weird images at me every week. How about a coherent story? Some type of narrative?
Seems like Murphy just glued a bunch of stuff together.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

erica1993

May 7, 2018

I was a huge fan of american horror story ! BUT THIS ONE SUCKED! I was hoping this one would of been better then the last one but this one was worse ! Dont waste your time watching this crappy show lol
hope for next season is better :)

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

SEE ALL 168 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

65

Series Overview
Season 12

57
- Season 12 Overview
  Air Date: September 20, 2023
Season 11

tbd
- Season 11 Overview
  Air Date: October 19, 2022
Season 10

tbd
- Season 10 Overview
  Air Date: August 25, 2021
Season 9

tbd
- Season 9 Overview
  Air Date: September 18, 2019
Season 8

63
- Season 8 Overview
  Air Date: September 12, 2018
Season 7

66
- Season 7 Overview
  Air Date: September 5, 2017
Season 6

72
- Season 6 Overview
  Air Date: September 14, 2016
Season 5

60
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: October 7, 2015
Season 4

69
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: October 8, 2014
Season 3

71
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: October 9, 2013
Season 2

65
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: October 17, 2012
Season 1

62
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: October 5, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E13. Roanoke
  Air Date: September 22, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E13. Cult
  Air Date: September 9, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E12. Afterbirth
  Air Date: December 21, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E11. Birth
  Air Date: December 14, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E10. Smoldering Children
  Air Date: December 7, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E9. Spooky Little Girl
  Air Date: November 30, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E8. Rubber Man
  Air Date: November 23, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E7. Open House
  Air Date: November 16, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E6. Piggy, Piggy
  Air Date: November 9, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E5. Halloween (2)
  Air Date: November 2, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E4. Halloween (1)
  Air Date: October 26, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E3. Murder House
  Air Date: October 19, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E2. Home Invasion
  Air Date: October 12, 2011
- 8.5
  S1:E1. Pilot
  Air Date: October 5, 2011