Outer Banks is one of the most popular Netflix shows of the last few years. So far, there are three seasons of Outer Banks on Netflix. The series premiered on the streamer in April 2020, and we saw the second season in July 2021, followed by season 3 in February 2023. Netflix renewed Outer Banks for season 4 just before the season 3 premiere.

Unfortunately, we’re in for a long wait for Outer Banks season 4. Production started in the summer of 2023, but it was shut down in July 2023 because of the actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, strike. As of the fall of 2023, the actors’ strike continues, which means season 4 is on hold.

While we wait for Outer Banks season 4, we took the opportunity to rank the first three seasons of Outer Banks from worst to best.

I have a confession: I’m a massive Outer Banks fan. I’ve seen all three seasons multiple times, and I don’t think any season is bad. Despite what the critics said about season 3, it actually holds up really well during a full-season binge-watch on Netflix, which I just did again.

Unfortunately, we have to pick one as the worst season. Let’s get the list started with Outer Banks season 3.

Outer Banks season 3 is, unfortunately, the worst of the first three seasons of the series. I take no pleasure ranking the newest season this low, especially with all of the incredible moments, storylines, and overall conclusion to this chapter of the Pogues’ story.

The third season premiered on Netflix in February 2023. It begins immediately after the events of season 2. The Pogues are stuck on a deserted island in the Caribbean, and as we soon learn, there is a very special someone looking for them and the information they have about El Dorado, the City of Gold.

There are so many amazing moments and storylines in Outer Banks season 3. We get the return of John B.’s father, Big John, Ward’s redemption, Rafe melting down the Cross of Santo Domingo like a psycho, the journey to El Dorado, and so many more. We also get the first glimpse of three different Pogue couples: John B and Sarah, Pope and Cleo, and JJ and Kie. It’s just a great end to the first part of the Pogues’ story.

For me, though, there are some problems in season 3. the third season is a little bit more sloppy than the first two seasons. It’s much harder to expand this story and bring it to its conclusion than it was to start the story. Overall, I think the creative team did a great job, but once they committed to a new villain and epic quest in the middle of the jungle, they really had to go for it. Subsequently, it resulted in a lot more of John B and Big John and less of John B and Sarah and John B and the Pogues, and the season suffered for it.

I did enjoy the ending of season 3, though. It was great to bring the Royal Merchant and El Dorado storyline to a close. I’m especially excited to see what they can do in season 4 with the new benefactor and the hunt for Blackbeard’s treasure.