When it comes to the RuPaul’s Drag Race franchise, there have been eleven standard seasons, four All Stars spin-offs, and one Drag Race UK edition. Of course, we are only taking into consideration the shows that RuPaul himself serves as a host, rather than all the international editions (sans Ru) that are now out in the world.
One thing that most fans of Drag Race agree on is that certain seasons were much better than others. However, that is not to say that they didn’t all have highlights. Read below to get to know these great episodes.
15 ALL STARS 1 – “DYNAMIC DRAG DUOS”
The first-ever All Stars season was, to say the least, a rough time for everybody involved. With that said, time has proven that the “Dynamic Drag Duos” episode was the highlight of that season.
It was gut-wrenching to watch BFFs Raven and Jujubee lip syncing against each other (and sobbing) to none other than “Dancing On My Own” by Robyn, making this lip sync one of the most emotional moments in Drag Race history.
14 SEASON 7 – “GLAMAZONIAN AIRWAYS”
In hindsight, it is interesting to see how several of the contestants on Drag Race season 7 have gone on to international superstardom. At the time, however, it certainly felt like the show had missed the mark with casting.
By many standards, season 7’s “Glamazonian Airways” is considered one of the best Rusicals in the entire series, being both funny and quirky. What’s more, because it was that season’s second episode, this was a great opportunity for the queens to show off their potential early on.
13 SEASON 1 – “M.A.C / VIVA GLAM CHALLENGE”
For many years, season 1 of Drag Race was largely regarded as “The Lost Season.” However, one moment that fans of the show never forgot was Ongina winning the “Viva Glam Challenge” and opening up about her HIV status on the runway.
Looking back, it is undeniable that this episode proved that Drag Race could succeed even when tackling sensitive LGBTQ matters.
12 SEASON 11 – “GOOD GOD GIRL, GET OUT”
Season 11 of Drag Race never received the backlash that audiences dedicated to season 7 and All Stars 1, but many fans deemed that season as one of the weakest years in the series.
Still, one can confidently say that the “Good God Girl, Get Out” episode gave us enough new references to make it worthwhile. During the episode, we saw what a dad version of Vanessa Vanjie Mateo looked like, and we got Mercedes Iman Diamond’s hilarious “opulence!” moment.
11 ALL STARS 3 – “THE B*TCHELOR”
Acting challenges on RuPaul’s Drag Race are often tricky, but something about “The B*tchelor” (spoofing The Bachelor) on All Stars 3 worked very well. With the exception of Chi Chi DeVayne’s weak performance next to Shangela and Milk’s nervousness to stand out from Trixie Mattel, every single contestant did a pretty solid job in the challenge.
What’s more, guest judge Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman solidified his presence as a Drag Race fan-favorite. In 2019, the actor was announced as a regular judge in the upcoming Drag Race Canada series.
10 SEASON 10 – “SOCIAL MEDIA KINGS INTO QUEENS”
It can be tough to makeover people who have never done drag before. However, the “Social Media Kings Into Queens” challenge on season 10 worked out well given that these digital influencers wanted nothing more but to do very well on TV.
With internet superstars that included Tyler Oakley, Kingsley, and Frankie Grande, it was Chester See who, at the hands of Miz Cracker, became the iconic Miz Cookie and ended up winning the challenge.
9 SEASON 8 – “KEEPING IT 100”
Fans didn’t love season 7 of Drag Race, so when the first episode of season 8 came along and the cast felt instantly exciting to watch, it certainly felt like a fun and necessary comeback for the franchise as a whole. Oh, and we also got all the past winners back for an iconic photoshoot!
In addition, this episode introduced the 100th queen to be on the show (Derrick Barry) and had a fabulous runway challenge that was based on some of the best past runway themes. All in all, “Keeping It 100” is a fierce episode that stood the test of time.
8 SEASON 3 – “JOCKS IN FROCKS”
In many ways, season 3 of RuPaul’s Drag Race elevated the entire series to new heights. One of the signs that things had changed forever was the makeover challenge that took place during the “Jocks in Frocks” episode.
The season 3 makeover challenge gave us Raja’s first-ever lip-sync and Carmen Carrera’s second elimination. Overall, “Jocks in Frocks” encapsulates how rough-around-the-edges season 3 still felt, while still delivering on glamour, humor, and heart.
7 SEASON 2 – “THE SNATCH GAME”
Season 2 of Drag Race gave us the first-ever Snatch Game. Given how important this challenge has become to the franchise, we have to recognize this episode as the best of that season.
All in all, the first Snatch Game ever is worth the watch for impersonations such as Pandora Boxx’s brilliant Carol Channing, Jessica Wild’s cuckoo RuPaul, and Tatianna’s solid Britney Spears.
6 ALL STARS 4 – “LALAPARUZA”
On All Stars 4, RuPaul challenged the eliminated queens to come back and fight for a spot back on the competition, which meant that any of the queens still in the competition could have lost their spot.
Besides the great lip-sync between Monique Heart and Latrice Royale that brought back the latter to the competition, we have to stan this episode for the back-bending lip-sync between Naomi Smalls and Gia Gunn to RuPaul’s “Adrenaline.”
5 SEASON 9 – “GRAND FINALE”
It was a bummer that Shea Coulee didn’t take the crown after slaying throughout the entire season 9 of Drag Race. With that said, the “Grand Finale” of season 9 introduced the Lip Sync For The Crown format and gave us the iconic rose petals lip sync from Sasha Velour, who ended up victorious that year.
Sasha Velour’s “So Emotional” lip-sync is not only the best season 9 episode, but it was also parodied by none other than Kate McKinnon during a recent episode of Saturday Night Live, which proves its impact on pop culture overall.
4 SEASON 4 – “SNATCH GAME”
When you have Chad Michaels doing Cher, Sharon Needles impersonating Michelle Visage, and Willam spoofing Jessica Simpson, it doesn’t get any better. Season 4 had several great episodes, but this Snatch Game is one of the funniest, most bizarre, and most eventful episodes of all time.
What’s more, this episode gave us yet another lovable side of Latrice Royale, who respectfully (but firmly) critiqued Jiggly Caliente, Phi Phi O’Hara, and Kenya Michaels’ raunchy behavior during the Snatch Game.
3 SEASON 5 – “RUPAUL ROAST”
Watching the contestants try to do stand-up comedy in front of a live audience is always fantastic, as this is something drag queens really have to do in their careers.
What is really iconic about the “RuPaul Roast” episode, however, was Roxxxy Andrews’ wig-under-a-wig lip sync reveal. Then, Roxxxy shocked us yet again breaking down on the runway, revealing that her mother had left her as a child at a bus stop.
2 SEASON 6 – “SNATCH GAME”
It was during season 6’s Snatch Game that we got Adore Delano’s Anna Nicole Smith, BenDeLaCreme Maggie Smith, and Bianca Del Rio’s Judge Judy – three of the best Snatch Game characters ever.
While it is always upsetting to see a fan-favorite walk out of the workroom, this “Snatch Game” episode is also remembered as the first time the iconic, meme-ready, and catch-phrase machine Gia Gunn had to sashay away.
1 ALL STARS 2 – “REVENGE OF THE QUEENS”
It’s tough to compete with All Stars 2, and the “Revenge of the Queens” episode served everything that was so incredible about that season.
The episode started with Phi Phi O’Hara putting her foot in her mouth as she heavily criticized Alyssa Edwards who was just behind the workroom mirror. Then, we got the queens doing stand-up comedy with then-guest judge Ross Mathews helping out.
To top things off, Tatianna and Alyssa Edwards lip synced to Rihanna’s “Shut Up And Drive” for a chance to return to the competition – giving a performance so fierce that they were both brought back.
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