Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Most Essential Episodes to Watch, Ranked

Buffy the Vampire Slayer celebrated the 26th anniversary of its premiere earlier this year, per Today. Originally debuting as a mid-season replacement on a fledgling network called The WB, expectations of the series — which was set to star an Emmy-winning soap actress with three names and a former coffee company British spokesman — were understandably low. The network had no idea what was coming. Of course, Buffy the Vampire Slayer quickly became a cult hit with its unique combination of horror and heart. A smartly written take on the quintessential damsel in distress in horror movies, Buffy Summers, was whom things that go bump in the night feared.

​ Seven seasons of battling the forces of evil, Buffy the Vampire Slayer became one of the most iconic shows ever. Here are the must-see episodes.