Once Upon a Time brought a world of fairytales to life, airing from 2011 to 2018 on ABC. The series had characters like Snow White, Robin Hood, and Captain Hook dealing with life in the real world while battling villains from other worlds that continued to threaten their happy endings.
Because of the show’s popularity, we decided to look at all seven seasons and see how they stack up. Rather than ranking them ourselves, however, we’re turning to the Tomatometer ratings on Rotten Tomatoes.
These scores are based on the positive and negative reviews of critics. While they’re what we’ll be using to rank the seasons, we’ll also be noting the audience scores, which are based on the opinions of regular viewers.
With the logistics out of the way, it’s time to head back to the enchanted town of Storybrooke; Here is see how every season of Once Upon a Time ranks according to the reviews aggregated by Rotten Tomatoes.
Full Series (80%)
To start things off, we thought we’d focus in on the series as a whole, which received a strong 80% Tomatometer score.
Though the main plot of each season varied, every one intertwined the tales of various characters from the Disney universe, literature, folklore, and fairytales. While everyone involved in the story was important, the daughter of Prince Charming and Snow White, Emma Swan, could be considered the series’ main character for the first six seasons.
The wit, romance, complexity, and emotion of the drama had Once Upon a Time attracting a solid fanbase from the start.
Season 7 (43%)
Unfortunately, the best isn’t always saved for last. The final, and only rotten season of Once Upon a Time brought in a 43% critic score and a similarly low 48% audience score. This likely had to do with Season 7’s new angle.
The last episode of Season 6 was set up like a series finale. It could have been the end, but it wasn’t, and that’s when Season 7 walked in.
This season had only a few select characters from the earlier seasons returning as main characters, with Emma Swan herself making scarce appearances. It also jumped forward several years, with an adult Henry (now played by Andre J. West) meeting a daughter he doesn’t remember having. She shows up at his door because the fairytale characters need saving; they are under a new curse in Seattle, where they have once again forgotten their past.
Though the season’s freshness was fun, as a whole, it felt like an unnecessary tack-on to many.
Season 4 (62%)
The fourth season of Once Upon a Time was overall well-received, taking in a 62% critic score and an 81% audience score.
This Season’s 24 episodes were split in half, with the first section focusing on a Frozen-based story and the second half having Ursula, Cruella De Vil, and Maleficent searching out their happy endings by tracking down the rumored Author.
Many critics felt that the Frozen subplot simply existed as a marketing scheme, however, the layered tales and overall magic was still appreciated.
Season 1 (80%)
The debut season of Once Upon a Time immersed viewers in the enchanting town of Storybrooke, Maine, where a group of fairytale characters had forgotten who they were and why they were there. The only person who can break this curse is the aforementioned Emma Swan.
The problem? She doesn’t know that her parents are fairytale characters and isn’t ready to believe in magic. She is still, however, forced to confront her past and her future after the son she gave up for adoption shows up on her doorstep.
The beautiful visuals, strong cast, and interesting story had viewers raving. This scored the season an 80% Tomatometer score and an 88% audience score.
Season 3 (86%)
Like the earlier discussed Season 4, Season 3 split the episodes into two halves. The first part of the season had the heroes adventuring through the dark magic of Neverland in an attempt to rescue Henry from an evil Peter Pan. After ending up back in Storybrooke, the gang is forced to figure out the memories that have been stollen for them as well as the looming threat of the Wicked With of the West.
The twists, character development, acting, and interesting plots were admired. Additionally, new characters like Ariel and Tinker Bell added to the fun. This had Season 3 earning an 86% Tomatometer score and an 85% audience score.
Season 6 (89%)
The final season to have Emma Swan lead the story saw the resident of Storybrooke dealing with threats from the Evil Queen side of Regina’s personality as well as Mr. Hyde. This has everyone preparing for the quickly approaching Finale Battle, which was prophesied years before.
Season 6 earned an 89% critic score and a 78% audience score with the entertainment factor reaching new heights. With the plots growing even thicker and characters like Aladdin, Lady Tremaine, and Tiger Lily joining the already compelling cast, the season ended with a lot of love.
Season 2 (100%)
The first of two seasons to receive a perfect critic rating is Season 2. It also received an 89% audience score.
Soon after the people of Storybrooke have their memories restored, the heroes are forced to journey back into the Enchanted Forest. Though all they truly want is to return home, they are required to confront Regina’s evil mother, Cora, and the unpredictable pirate known as Captain Hook. Things get even crazier when a stranger stumbles into Storybrooke and Emma’s ex-lover turns out to be intertwined with the fairytale world.
Season 5 (100%)
Topping off the list is the perfectly rated Season 5, which also received a 75% audience score.
The first part of the season had the characters journeying to Camelot in an attempt to track down Merlin after Emma becoming the new Dark One. The heroes are later forced to journey to the underworld of Hades in order to save Hook, who has also fallen toward the evil side.
The emotions, depth, energy, plot twists, and fresh environments left critics impressed. Additionally, it was refreshing to see a show remain so entertaining five seasons in. It, quite literally, hadn’t lost its magic.
