Fargo is both a 1996 movie and a four-season FX TV show, and here is every season of Fargo and the movie ranked. Both the movie and the TV series are critically acclaimed, with FX’s Fargo revitalizing interest in the already popular movie after its 2014 premiere. Each Fargo season and movie tells and entirely different story with entirely different characters, meaning that there is much debate surrounding which season or movie is the best.
1996’s Fargo movie follows a kidnapping gone wrong as an accidental murder causes a police investigation to have to sort through a massive web of seemingly unrelated crimes. Fargo was a critical and financial success, putting the Coen brothers’ names on the maps as serious film directors. Since right after the film’s premiere, various creatives have been trying to make a spin-off show, with a canceled Fargo TV pilot being produced in 1997. However, FX’s Fargo TV show finally got off the ground in 2014, with the series having four seasons by 2023 with a fifth one in production. So, here are all five Fargo stories ranked from worst to best.
5 Fargo Season 4
Even though Fargo season 4 is at the bottom of the ranking, it is a sign of how good the series is. Fargo season 4 is far from a bad show; in fact, it’s really good. However, compared to the masterful movie and the other Fargo seasons, it’s a little weaker. Unlike previous seasons, Fargo season 4 is a period-piece mobster story, taking place in 1950s Kansas City, Missouri. The season follows two feuding crime families, one led by Chris Rock’s Loy Cannon and the other led by Jason Schwartzman’s Josto Fadda. While Fargo season 4 does have a good cast, it does feel a little weaker than its predecessors.
Fargo season 4’s biggest strength is its ambition, with the new setting and tone making it a wild departure from the other Fargo stories. However, the mobster story does have some pacing issues, causing Fargo season 4 to drag at points. In an attempt to stand out from its predecessors, Fargo season 4 does lose a lot of its charm, with the story of two rival crime families feeling a little clichéd and unoriginal. Fargo season 4 is far from bad, with it excelling over many other TV shows. However, previous seasons of FX’s Fargo set such a high bar that season 4 just couldn’t clear.
4 Fargo Season 3
2017’s Fargo season 3 comes in right above season 4, with the season telling a much more conventional Fargo story. FX’s Fargo season 3 takes place in the early 2010s, with the season following couple Ray Stussy and Nikki Swango who accidentally murder someone while robbing Ray’s brother. The cast of Fargo season 3 has some massive talent, including Ewan McGregor, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Carrie Coon, former Coen brothers collaborater Michael Stuhlbarg, and more.
Fargo season 3’s complicated crime web makes the season constantly engaging, with the tension never letting down. The season perfectly captures the tone of the original Fargo movies as well as the previous two seasons, making it perfectly fitting on the title even if Fargo, North Dakota doesn’t actually appear in the season. Ewan McGregor has given great TV performances before, but his dual role as Ray and Emmit Stussy carries Fargo season 3, showing off the actor’s capabilities and the season’s superb writing. Fargo season 3 is excellent, only falling under the other Fargo stories because of how fantastic they are.
3 Fargo Season 1
The first season of FX’s Fargo was a fantastic way to kick off the series, breathing new life into the original film from decades prior. Fargo season 1 is very similar to the original film’s story, with the season telling a tale of hitmen, a disgruntled businessman, and a police officer playing a dangerous but humorous game of cat and mouse. Fargo season 1 takes place in Bemidji, Minnesota from 2006 to 2007, perfectly recapturing the tone and feel of the original movie. In every way, Fargo season 1 is a fantastic follow-up to the Coen brother’s original film, and there are so many reasons to love it.
Fargo season 1’s mysterious storytelling and wonderful cinematography weave a narrative that is constantly asking and answering questions, engaging the audience throughout the entirety of the season’s run. The ensemble cast of Fargo season 1 may be the show’s best, with the season featuring Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Freeman, Bob Odenkirk, Joey King, Julie Ann Emery, Glenn Howerton, Stephen Root, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, and so many other fantastic actors. Some of these beloved characters even return in future seasons, even though its an anthology. Fargo season 1 is a wild ride from beginning to end, with the season easily being one of the show’s strongest.
2 Fargo Season 2
Although every season of Fargo is great, Fargo season 2 is by far the series’ best. Fargo season 2 is a prequel to season 1, following Peggy Blumquist (played by Kirsten Dunst) and Ed Blumquist (played by Jesse Plemmons) as they attempt to cover up the hit-and-run and subsequent murder of Rye Gerhardt (played by Kieran Culkin). Fargo season 2 also has a really strong cast, featuring Patrick Wilson, Ted Danson, Nick Offerman, and several other talented actors in supporting roles.
The best part of Fargo season 2 is these characters, with each one being well-developed and backed up by stellar performances from their respective actors. Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemmons, who are now married in real life, have fantastic chemistry, making the entirety of Fargo season 2 a joy to watch. Fargo season 2 elevates all the humor and tension of the first season, acting as a masterclass in television storytelling. Fargo season 5 is in the works, and while it will probably be great, it will be hard to ever pass the quality that is present in Fargo season 2.
1 Fargo
FX’s Fargo TV show is a great follow-up, but none of the show’s four seasons are as good as the original 1996 movie Fargo. Fargo is often considered one of the Coen brothers’ best films, with the film featuring so many fantastic moments, characters, and one-liners. Fargo may be one of the best dark comedies ever, flipping from hilarious scenes to the horrifying iconic wood-chipper scene. Being a film, the Fargo movie is a fundamentally different experience from the TV show. However, Fargo tells an even better story in only a fraction of the time that each season does, making it the best piece of Fargo media ever.