The Best 'This Is Us' Seasons, Ranked

Ranker TV
Updated April 29, 2024 6 items
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666 votes
267 voters

A family drama, This Is Us has been winning fans since its debut in 2016. The show weaves together the lives of the Pearson family through various timelines, offering viewers glimpses into their pasts and futures while showcasing the present day's challenges and triumphs. Each season adds new layers to these characters, making it difficult to pinpoint which are the best This Is Us seasons. Nevertheless, it's worth highlighting some standout seasons that have left lasting impressions on fans. 

Delving into the best seasons of This Is Us means examining how each chapter reveals more about the Pearsons' history. From living through the trials faced by Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and Rebecca (Mandy Moore), to witnessing how different choices impact Kevin (Justin Hartley), Kate (Chrissy Metz), and Randall (Sterling K. Brown), every season adds depth to this multigenerational tale. As each installment unfolds, viewers become more invested in the Pearson clan's journey - a testament to the show's storytelling prowess. 

Some standout examples from This Is Us seasons include Season 2, with its exploration of Jack's untimely death and how it forever shapes his children's lives. Revealing backstory while simultaneously tugging at heartstrings, this season is considered one of the series' most memorable moments. Season 1 introduced audiences to these characters in a compelling fashion, quickly establishing a dedicated fanbase eager for more Pearson-centered drama. Then there's Season 6 that premiered with an plotline centering around Kevin's wedding plans as well as expanding on Randall’s newfound biological family connections. 

Taking a look back at these exceptional seasons serves as a reminder of just how powerful good storytelling can be. Each season of This Is Us adds to what viewers know about its characters' lives and relationships. That makes ranking the best This Is Us seasons a tough task.

  • This Is Us - Season 2
    1
    202 VOTES

    This Is Us - Season 2

    The second season of This Is Us premiered on September 26, 2017, and contains 18 episodes. This season finds Randall and Beth's family growing while, in the past, the Pearsons face a fire.

    This season has several unforgettable episodes including: "A Father's Advice," "Number Three," and "Super Bowl Sunday."

    Memorable moments from Season 2 include:

    • Randall and Beth welcome Deja into their family.
    • Jack runs into a burning building to save his family.
    • Kate and Toby get married.
    202 votes
  • This Is Us - Season 1
    2
    170 VOTES

    This Is Us - Season 1

    The first season of This Is Us premiered on September 20, 2016, and contains 18 episodes. This season introduces viewers to the Pearson family in the present and through flashbacks of the past.

    This season has several unforgettable episodes including: "Pilot," "What Now?," and "Moonshadow."

    Memorable moments from Season 1 include:

    • Kate, Kevin, Randall, and Jack celebrate their 36th birthdays.
    • Randall finds his biological father, William.
    • Randall comforts William as he suffers from terminal cancer.
    170 votes
  • This Is Us - Season 6
    3
    57 VOTES

    This Is Us - Season 6

    The sixth and final season of This Is Us premiered on January 4, 2022. This season wraps up the interwoven story lines of the Pearsons as Rebecca reflects back on her life.

    This season has several unforgettable episodes including: "The Train," "Heart and Soul," and "Saturday in the Park."

    Memorable moments from Season 6 include:

    • Jack takes the young Big Three to their first movie.
    • Rebecca convenes Miguel and her children at Thanksgiving to discuss the next steps for her health.
    • Jack and Rebecca make big style changes to break out of their routine.
    57 votes
  • This Is Us - Season 4
    4
    101 VOTES

    This Is Us - Season 4

    The fourth season of This Is Us premiered on September 24, 2019, and contains 18 episodes. This season finds Toby getting fit while Kevin adjusts to life as a married man.

    This season has several unforgettable episodes including: "Strangers," "So Long, Marianne," and "Strangers: Part Two."

    Memorable moments from Season 4 include:

    • Toby creates a music studio for Jack.
    • Randall reconciles with Rebecca.
    • The Big Three's families grow.
    101 votes
  • This Is Us - Season 3
    5
    115 VOTES

    This Is Us - Season 3

    The third season of This Is Us premiered on September 25, 2018, and contains 18 episodes. This season finds Kate and Toby trying to conceive while, in the past, Jack serves in Vietnam.

    This season has several unforgettable episodes including: "Nine Bucks," "The Beginning Is the End Is the Beginning," and "Her."

    Memorable moments from Season 3 include:

    • Kate gives birth after a difficult labor.
    • Kevin learns about Jack's time in Vietnam.
    • In the past, Rebecca gets in a car accident.
    115 votes
  • This Is Us - Season 5
    6
    91 VOTES

    This Is Us - Season 5

    The second season of This Is Us premiered on October 27, 2020, after originally being scheduled to premiere November 10, 2020. This season continues to follow the lives and connections of the Pearson family through the years and incorporates the global pandemic.

    This season has several unforgettable episodes including: "The Music and the Mirror," "Forty" and "Honestly."

    Memorable moments from Season 5 include:

    • The Big Three, as eighth graders, experience puberty.
    • Cassidy helps Nicky prepare for his first flight in fifty years.
    • Kevin and Madison have their bachelor and bachlorette parties
    91 votes