Supernatural is known for inventive, well-written, and brilliant episodes, and this list proves that even episodes that were technically ‘filler’ were some of the show’s best. Particularly in the first five seasons of Supernatural, there was a very clear story arc involving Sam Winchester, Dean Winchester, Lucifer, and Michael.
Even after the season 5 finale—which was Supernatural’s original ending—though, each season had a clearly defined narrative arc. Throughout the show’s many seasons, there were always episodes that fell outside that core storyline, be they monster-of-the-week episodes or simply hilarious one-offs. Of all the filler episodes from Supernatural’s 15 seasons, these 10 are the best overall.
The Real Ghostbusters
Season 5 was easily one of the most story-dense seasons of the entire show, because this was what the first four seasons had been building to, narratively. Because of that, there were many episodes in this season that were essential to the overarching plot. However, season 5, episode 9, “The Real Ghostbusters,” was not necessarily one of them.
In this episode, Sam and Dean encounter Chuck, the author who has been writing their life story, once again, this time at a Supernatural-themed convention (the Supernatural books, that is). Humorously, this episode sees Sam and Dean needing to team up with another ‘Sam and Dean,’ who are really cosplayers, to stop some terrifying ghost children from killing convention-goers.
This episode is absolutely one of the best fillers, especially because it was a risk that totally paid off. When this episode debuted in 2009, Supernatural was very new to the convention circuit, and this was the show’s first time really poking fun at fans. Thankfully, it came across as affectionate, not mean-spirited, and remains a fan-favorite episode.
What Is And What Should Never Be
Season 2, episode 20, “What Is And What Should Never Be,” is one of the Supernatural episodes considered a masterpiece, but it is also technically a filler episode. In this episode, Dean enters an alternate reality in his mind, through the power of a djinn. In this (much more pleasant) reality, he and his family members never became hunters.
Instead, Dean’s mother is alive and well, as is Sam’s girlfriend, Jessica, who reveals that she and Sam are engaged. Even Dean is married, to a woman named Carmen who doesn’t seem to have a real-life equivalent. Although it would be easy for this episode to come off as funny or a bit goofy, it actually packs an emotional punch.
In fact, Dean’s realization that he’s willing to sacrifice this life he’s craved for so long in order to return to the real world and continue the ‘family business’ of hunting is a profound moment for his character. Although this episode isn’t technically essential to the larger story arc of the show, it is nevertheless one of Supernatural’s best.
The Curious Case Of Dean Winchester
Another season 5 filler episode, “The Curious Case of Dean Winchester” takes its name from a short story (and eventually movie) of a similar title, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Just as that story is about a character who ages unconventionally, in “The Curious Case of Dean Winchester,” Dean rapidly ages after playing a poker game with a witch.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this episode is the performance by Chad Everett, who plays the older Dean Winchester. Somehow, Everett perfectly captures Dean’s mannerisms, intonations, and attitude, so much so that it’s easy to forget he isn’t actually an older Jensen Ackles.
This episode is also a poignant one, as it deals with Bobby’s frustrations around aging and his wheelchair. Likewise, one of the characters in the episode is confronting her own feelings about age and immortality, all of which make this episode an affecting one, yet it still manages to have the Supernatural sense of humor and charm.
Monster Movie
There are several episodes of Supernatural that deviate significantly from the show’s typical style, one of which is season 4, episode 5, “Monster Movie.” The entire episode is done in black-and-white, and, as the title of the episode suggests, it plays with a number of monster movie tropes, especially those pertaining to vampires.
Given that this was season 4 of 15, this is a relatively early example of Supernatural being willing to play with genre and take certain episodes in an entirely different direction, which was quite a risk at the time, particularly considering this was still network television.
Nevertheless, this episode proves that Supernatural had the ability to create solid episodes in myriad genres and styles, including when those episodes weren’t necessarily essential to the larger plot. In fact, “Monster Movie” is perhaps the most separate from that larger narrative on this list, yet it is also hailed as one of Supernatural’s best episodes.
Ghostfacers
Supernatural season 3, episode 13, “Ghostfacers,” is largely considered one of Supernatural’s best episodes. Like “Monster Movie,” this episode was a filler as well as a significant departure from the typical style and structure of Supernatural episodes. Once again, that gamble absolutely paid off.
In this episode, the titular ‘Ghostfacers’ return (after two members of the Ghostfacers, Harry and Ed, were introduced in season 1, although they weren’t called Ghostfacers at the time). The team comprises paranormal investigators who are certainly not cut out for the actually dangerous monster hunting that Sam and Dean do.
This becomes apparent (and hilarious) when the Ghostfacers end up working alongside Sam and Dean. Similar to several episodes on this list, “Ghostfacers” has an unconventional approach in that it is filmed in a handheld camera/found footage style, no doubt poking a bit of fun at paranormal shows and movies that are similarly filmed.
Clearly, this episode and the characters in it proved rather popular, as the Ghostfacers have multiple returns to the show after this episode, as late as season 9.
Yellow Fever
Although filler episodes tend to be spaced out in Supernatural seasons, “Yellow Fever” actually follows directly on the heels of “Monster Movie.” In this episode, Dean gets infected with “ghost sickness,” a disease that causes him to experience intense fear—so much so that he could literally be scared to death.
The stakes are therefore high, but this ends up being one of Supernatural’s funniest episodes, especially because Dean becomes afraid of things like tiny dogs chasing him. This is also the iconic episode in which Jensen Ackles performs “Eye of the Tiger,” climbing atop Dean’s beloved car, Baby, in the process.
Baby
Many of the inclusions on this list take place in season 5 or earlier, which are generally considered Supernatural’s best seasons, but season 11, episode 4, “Baby,” is an exception. This episode is artistically beautiful, and it centers on one of the most iconic aspects of the show: Dean’s Impala, ‘Baby.’
The entire episode is shot from within the car, including everything from the boys driving around together to sleeping opposite one another in the seats. “Baby” also contains the scene in which Dean does a full J-turn in the car, which audiences especially love because Ackles himself pulled off the stunt.
Despite being a filler and coming much later in the show, this episode is therefore very meaningful, as it highlights both a major part of the show and proves just how stunning the artistry of Supernatural could be.
Mystery Spot
Season 3, episode 11, “Mystery Spot,” is among the most well-known, beloved episodes of Supernatural for a reason. In the episode, Sam is subjected to watching Dean die over and over again, and each time he does, Sam wakes up, stuck in the same day on loop. Try as he might, and no matter what Dean does differently, Dean dies.
Ultimately, this is revealed to be the work of the Trickster, who is often behind the show’s funniest episodes. “Mystery Spot” certainly is hilarious, and moments from the show, such as Sam’s alarm playing “Heat of the Moment” every morning only to be followed immediately by Dean saying, “Rise and shine, Sammy,” have become favorite moments within the fanbase.
However, “Mystery Spot” is also full of emotional moments, and both Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki deliver stellar performances, particularly in light of the fact that this couldn’t have been easy to film. (Both actors have in fact spoken about Ackles struggling with the scene in which they have to say the same lines at the same time.)
The French Mistake
Yet another unconventional filler episode, season 6, episode 15, “The French Mistake,” is a comedic masterpiece of the show. In this episode, Dean and Sam enter a new alternate reality, this one turning them into actors Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki. Both Ackles and Padalecki are therefore acting as characters, who are acting as themselves, who are acting as characters.
As dizzying as that sentence is, having to act in this episode was undoubtedly much more so, yet it’s pulled off brilliantly. At no point does the episode feel overdone or goofy. Instead, it’s one of the best-acted and funniest episodes of the show, and it stands out as nearly the best of all Supernatural’s filler episodes.
Outside the performances, the writers also had plenty of fun bringing actors like Misha Collins and Genevieve Padalecki (who played brunette Ruby) into the story, the latter proving particularly funny because she played Jared Padalecki’s wife in the episode, just as she is in real life.
Scoobynatural
The single best filler episode of Supernatural is season 13, episode 16, “Scoobynatural.” As the title of the episode suggests, this story sees Sam and Dean jumping into the cartoon show Scooby-Doo. In addition to the impressive animation throughout “Scoobynatural,” this episode manages to hit all the tropes from the actual Scooby-Doo show.
All the funnier is the fact that Dean evidently has a latent Scooby-Doo obsession and is thrilled to be in the show. The episode even ends with Dean recreating the iconic “Scooby-Dooby-Doo!” line that Scooby typically yells in the real show. Because of these little details and the overall genius of “Scoobynatural,” this really is Supernatural’s best filler episode.
- Release Date
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2005 – 2020
- Showrunner
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Eric Kripke
