Every Riverdale Musical Episode, Ranked From Campy Misses to Unforgettable High Notes

If you know 'Riverdale', you know things can get weird, but nothing says "what even is this show anymore?" quite like their tradition of musical episodes. Somehow, singing about murder mysteries, cult drama, and serial killers just works (sometimes). 'Riverdale' has managed to turn musical episodes into an annual event, starting in season two, using them both as elaborate plot devices and not-so-subtle tribute to cult classics. Let's break down the good, the wild, and the just plain baffling from the show's journey through Broadway.

The Origin of the Riverdale Musical Episode

This all started with season two’s 'Carrie' episode, where the writers clearly thought "What if 'Glee', but with buckets of blood and a murderer lurking backstage?" Since then, almost every season has featured a musical episode that wraps itself around a high school play or production, with varying results. Sometimes the songs fit perfectly with the plot or character arcs, and other times the logic feels like, well, they just wanted to have Cheryl sing something dramatic. Still, these episodes have become a beloved (and let’s be honest, sometimes hate-watched) signature of the series.

The High Notes (and the Low)

Here are the most memorable 'Riverdale' musical episodes—where they work, where they get weird, and why fans still talk about them.

• 'Wicked Little Town' (Season 4, Episode 17): This one is all about 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch,' the legendary LGBTQ+ cult classic. Kevin finally gets his shot on stage, even though the faculty has warned against it (they clearly haven’t watched the show before). Naturally, the Hedwig tribute is also the moment when the whole Betty-Archie-Veronica love triangle explodes: Betty and Archie sneak off for a very ill-advised kiss, cheating on their respective partners. Oh, and someone is still leaving creepy videotapes on everyone’s doorstep, but priorities, right?
• 'Big Fun' (Season 3, Episode 16): The gang tackles numbers from 'Heathers: The Musical'—and yes, that means plenty of neon scrunchies and teenage angst. It's the episode where Betty’s rivalry with the Farm (aka that mind-control cult) hits a boiling point, and the music is used to crank up the tension. The real twist? Edgar Evernever, cult leader extraordinaire, finally steps out of the shadows in the audience and is given a face for the first time.
• 'A Night to Remember' (Season 2, Episode 18): The one that started it all. 'Carrie: The Musical' becomes both a school production and a thinly-veiled metaphor for being a traumatized teenager with homicidal tendencies. Some musical numbers happen at rehearsals, others just appear out of nowhere mid-scene, because why not? The bloody conclusion and appearance of the Black Hood make sure you don’t get too comfortable singing along.
• 'American Psychos' (Season 6, Episode 17): By now, the show is off the deep end (Serial Killer Convention, anyone?), but staging a musical based on 'American Psycho' inside said convention is so bizarre it loops back to genius. Kevin is once again front and center, but Betty is the real focus, chasing down the Trash Bag Killer in between musical numbers — because of course she is. There's a full-blown Patrick Bateman song-and-dance. No, seriously.
• 'The Return Of The Pussycats' (Season 5, Episode 15): This one isn’t tied to a single musical, but instead serves as a long-overdue send-off for Josie. The story finally gives closure to Josie's journey (she apparently made it big after 'Katy Keene' flamed out), and stages a heartfelt reunion with Valerie and Melody. Honestly, this could have been a backdoor pilot for another spinoff. It mostly ignores ongoing plotlines, but it delivers on the nostalgia and the power-trio dynamic.
• 'Next To Normal' (Season 6, Episode 18): It’s technically inspired by the Pulitzer-winning musical, but don’t look for an exact plot recreation. Most of the emotion lands thanks to Betty and Alice, as Betty struggles to pull her mom out of her grief spiral. Picture Alice living inside her own Broadway cast album, refusing to accept the loss of Polly. Almost every song is staged in Alice’s mind, with Betty desperately trying to snap her back to reality. Yes, Veronica/Jughead/Tabitha get a number too, but the real heart (and heartbreak) stays with the Cooper women.

Why It Works (And Sometimes Doesn't)

The magic—or occasional chaos—of these musical episodes lies in the way 'Riverdale' uses established pop culture properties to match the show's own blend of dark, melodramatic energy. If you're into seeing your favorite chaos-magnet teens belt showtunes in between solving murders or exposing cults, it's hard to look away. If you’re wondering which episode reigns supreme, good luck—ask five fans, get five different answers.

Which Riverdale musical number has you singing along (or cringing the hardest)? Let me know—I'll be over here, rewatching Cheryl’s Carrie solo, wondering how we all ended up in this timeline.