best episodes of Cruel Summer poster

Taking place over three summers - 1993, 1994, 1995 - in a small Texas town, a beautiful popular teen, Kate, is abducted and, seemingly unrelated, a girl, Jeanette, goes from being a sweet, awkward outlier to the most popular girl in town and, by ’95, the most despised person in America.

2 Seasons
20 Episodes
Canceled
Drama Mystery
Cast & Characters
episode image A Secret of My Own
8.6/10 (633 votes)

#1 A Secret of My Own

S1:E9

Kate's closely held secrets and fragmented memories of her time in Martin's captivity are brought to the surface.

episode image Hostile Witness
8.4/10 (753 votes)

#2 Hostile Witness

S1:E10

Kate and Jeanette's worlds collide as the court date arrives, finally forcing the two young women to answer the question on everyone's mind, but the answer comes with a price that not everyone can pay.

episode image A Smashing Good Time
7.8/10 (715 votes)

#3 A Smashing Good Time

S1:E2

It’s time for the annual Skylin Garden Club Party! Year after year after year, the residents of Skylin struggle with the truth around what happened to Kate, keeping their secrets buried and maintaining appearances.

episode image Happy Birthday, Jeanette Turner
7.7/10 (843 votes)

#4 Happy Birthday, Jeanette Turner

S1:E1

Taking place over 3 summers in the 90s when a popular teen goes missing, and a seemingly unrelated girl transforms from a sweet and awkward outlier to the most popular girl in town, eventually becoming the most despised person in America.

episode image Endgame
7.7/10 (255 votes)

#5 Endgame

S2:E10

As timelines collide, friendships implode, new evidence emerges, and the shocking truth is revealed...in more ways than one.

episode image Happy Birthday, Kate Wallis
7.6/10 (525 votes)

#6 Happy Birthday, Kate Wallis

S1:E7

Kate struggles with a family secret she’s been holding on to. Joy tries to convince Kate to go on “The Marsha Bailey Show.” Mallory has a birthday surprise.

episode image You Don't Hunt, You Don't Eat
7.4/10 (586 votes)

#7 You Don't Hunt, You Don't Eat

S1:E4

Kate, reeling from the lawsuit, prepares her defense and finds friendship in an unlikely source. The annual Wallis hunting trip becomes the setting for an important first meeting.

episode image An Ocean in Me
7.4/10 (530 votes)

#8 An Ocean in Me

S1:E6

A new deposition threatens Jeanette’s case. A discovery causes Cindy’s suspicions about her own daughter to reach new heights as her relationship with Greg becomes further strained.

episode image Proof
7.4/10 (514 votes)

#9 Proof

S1:E8

On the first day of school, everyone learns that the drama of the summer is anything but over and that some people will pay more for the consequences of Jeanette and Kate's deception than others.

episode image Off with a Bang
7.3/10 (638 votes)

#10 Off with a Bang

S1:E3

Victim or villain? Jeanette continues to add fuel to the fire as her reckless behavior causes her friends and family to question her even more.

episode image As the Carny Gods Intended
7.3/10 (545 votes)

#11 As the Carny Gods Intended

S1:E5

Jeannette and Kate cross paths at the Skylin High takeover of the County Fair, where one is desperate to prove herself and the other to lose herself.

episode image Confess Your Sins
7.2/10 (188 votes)

#12 Confess Your Sins

S2:E8

In summer 1999, new friendships are formed and secrets are kept as the crew approaches senior year at the annual school car wash. In winter 1999, Megan and Isabella push for answers. In summer 2000, Debbie wants to protect her daughter.

episode image The Miseducation of Luke Chambers
7.2/10 (177 votes)

#13 The Miseducation of Luke Chambers

S2:E9

Luke examines all his relationships and worries that the pressures of being a “Chambers man” have changed him.

episode image It's the End of the World
7.1/10 (183 votes)

#14 It's the End of the World

S2:E7

In winter 1999, tensions are high on Y2K. At the New Year's Eve party, a not-so-secret conversation changes the lives of the trio forever. In summer 2000, suspicion falls on Ned after some new evidence from summer 1999 comes to light.

episode image Welcome to Chatham
6.9/10 (330 votes)

#15 Welcome to Chatham

S2:E1

In Summer 1999, small-town computer genius Megan resents the arrival of outgoing and mysterious foreign exchange student Isabella. Little does she know how her life will change by Summer 2000.

episode image Ride or Die
6.9/10 (250 votes)

#16 Ride or Die

S2:E2

In Summer 1999, Isabella grows closer to Luke while struggling to connect with Megan. In Winter 1999, Isabella searches for justice following the disastrous Christmas party.

episode image Bloody Knuckles
6.9/10 (210 votes)

#17 Bloody Knuckles

S2:E3

In Summer 1999, Megan and Isabella bond during an overnight at the Chambers’ cabin. Luke tries to stand up to Brent, but ends up causing more problems for his dad. Suspicions are raised after fingerprints are found on the gun that shot Luke.

episode image Springing a Leak
6.9/10 (206 votes)

#18 Springing a Leak

S2:E4

In Summer 1999, Megan wants to be adventurous and makes fake IDs for the gang. In Winter 1999, a burst pipe leads the Landrys and Isabella to a messy night at the Chambers house. Isabella wants to help but is met with resistance from Megan.

episode image All I Want for Christmas
6.9/10 (193 votes)

#19 All I Want for Christmas

S2:E5

In Summer 1999, Isabella is rocked by a surprise visit from her past. In Winter 1999, Isabella’s concerns for Megan lead her to some surprising news. In Summer 2000, family loyalties are tested.

episode image The Plunge
6.8/10 (190 votes)

#20 The Plunge

S2:E6

In summer 1999, sparks fly at Luke's birthday party. In winter 1999, relationships are tested as Megan becomes more distant from Luke. In summer 2000, Megan obsesses over an interesting letter she received.

Cast & Chracters

character image Megan Landry

Megan Landry

Actor: Sadie Stanley
character image Isabella LaRue

Isabella LaRue

Actor: Lexi Underwood
character image Luke Chambers

Luke Chambers

Actor: Griffin Gluck
character image Parker Tanaka

Parker Tanaka

Actor: Lisa Yamada
character image Sheriff Myers

Sheriff Myers

Actor: Sean Blakemore
character image Debbie Strickland

Debbie Strickland

Actor: KaDee Strickland

The highest rated episode of Cruel Summer is "A Secret of My Own" (S1E9) with a rating of 8.60.

This episode received 633 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "The Plunge" (S2E6) with a rating of 6.80.

This episode received 190 votes.

The highest rated episode is "A Secret of My Own" (S1E9) with a rating of 8.60.

This episode received 633 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Off with a Bang" (S1E3) with a rating of 7.30.

This episode received 638 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Endgame" (S2E10) with a rating of 7.70.

This episode received 255 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "The Plunge" (S2E6) with a rating of 6.80.

This episode received 190 votes.

Name Department Job
Bert V. Royal Production Executive Producer
Jessica Biel Production Executive Producer
Michelle Purple Production Executive Producer

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