Every American Horror Story Season you need to watch before the next chapter drops

Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk's American Horror Story is one of the TV shows that fans wait for to return with new chapters and chilling tales. Each season features a largely different story, with a change in characters, setting, and types of horror.

This means that one season might focus on a haunted house, another deals with an asylum, witches, a freak show, or a mysterious hotel. While the characters also keep changing, there are actors who return in new roles.

And now, fans are waiting for American Horror Story Season 13, which is presented as an "Avengers" type crossover, as Murphy said (via The Hollywood Reporter):

"Everybody thinks it’s a Coven season and it’s not. It’s all the seasons. Sarah Paulson is playing six or seven roles. Jessica Lange is playing all four of her iconic characters. Evan Peters is playing five characters…"

The creator of AHS continued:

"It is like the Avengers. They all come together to defeat the ultimate evil."

Season 13 will bring back key figures from previous chapters to face the ultimate evil. This also means fans may want to revisit some of the earlier seasons to catch up on the characters and horror before diving into the new season.

So, explore the list below!

A look at every American Horror Story season fans can rewatch before Season 13 arrives

With so many characters and storylines returning, Season 13 could bring back plenty of familiar faces and references from the past. For fans who want to refresh their memory before watching, the earlier seasons are worth revisiting.

Here’s a look at the American Horror Story seasons that could be useful to rewatch before Season 13:

1) Asylum (Season 2)

Asylum is the second chapter of the FX TV series in which the story takes place mainly in the 1960s inside Briarcliff Manor, a disturbing mental institution. Instead of traditional horror, it focuses on psychological trauma, mistreatment inside institutions, demonic possession, and a serial killer called Bloody Face.

Season 2 also features supernatural twists that viewers may not expect. Jessica Lange plays Sister Jude, a strict and complicated nun running Briarcliff, while Sarah Paulson plays Lana Winters, a journalist determined to uncover what is happening there.

Evan Peters plays Kit Walker, one of the patients. And as Murphy said, all three cast members are returning for American Horror Story Season 13.

2) Murder House (Season 1)

Murder House is the first season of American Horror Story and the one that introduced viewers to the show's style. It follows a troubled family that moves into a Los Angeles mansion, only to discover that the house has a violent past and is filled with ghosts who have their own unfinished stories.

The family also gets caught up in secrets and the mysterious Rubber Man, which adds to the troubles and horror. The season features Connie Britton, Dylan McDermott, Jessica Lange, Taissa Farmiga, and Evan Peters in important roles.

3) Coven (Season 3)

As the name suggests, Coven is about a group of witches living and studying at Miss Robichaux’s Academy in New Orleans. They have magical abilities and also face tension between them.

It also has a very different feel from the darker Asylum, mixing supernatural horror with New Orleans culture, Southern Gothic elements, and plenty of humor. Jessica Lange plays Fiona Goode, the powerful Supreme of the coven, and is joined by Sarah Paulson, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts, and Taissa Farmiga.

4) Apocalypse (Season 8)

Apocalypse is the eighth season of American Horror Story and is important because it ties together storylines from Murder House and Coven and also makes reference to other chapters of the FX show.

The story is set around the time of an end-of-the-world event, with witches, the Antichrist, and people trying to survive in a bunker. The season is full of connections that long-time viewers will recognise due to the return of familiar characters and actors.

5) Freak Show (Season 4)

This season of American Horror Story is set in 1952 in Florida. It centers around a group of carnival performers who are shunned and abused by society due to their disabilities. When a terrifying killer known as Twisty the Clown starts taking people out, their lives are even more at risk.

Jessica Lange plays Elsa Mars, the ambitious woman trying to keep the funfair afloat. Sarah Paulson plays conjoined twins. The season also stars Kathy Bates, Evan Peters, and Michael Chiklis.