Moonlighting Episode Ratings Heatmap
1985 · 5 Seasons · 66 Episodes · Overall Score: 8.8/10 (66 rated)
Season 2 holds the highest collective average score across the series.
Season 2 Details →Lowest score variance (σ = 0.32), maintaining an average of 8.8.
Complete Episode Rating Matrix
Interactive score chart by season and episode number. Darker green indicates higher ratings; amber and red denote lower reception.
| Episode | Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3 | Season 4 | Season 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ep 1 | 7.5 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 9.0 |
| Ep 2 | 8.8 | 9.0 | 6.3 | 9.0 | 9.3 |
| Ep 3 | 8.8 | 9.3 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 9.0 |
| Ep 4 | 9.0 | 8.7 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.3 |
| Ep 5 | 9.0 | 9.3 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.3 |
| Ep 6 | 8.8 | 9.3 | 4.5 | 9.0 | 9.3 |
| Ep 7 | – | 9.3 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| Ep 8 | – | 10.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.8 |
| Ep 9 | – | 10.0 | 5.0 | 8.5 | 9.0 |
| Ep 10 | – | 8.7 | 8.0 | 8.5 | 9.0 |
| Ep 11 | – | 10.0 | 7.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| Ep 12 | – | 10.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 |
| Ep 13 | – | 10.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 9.3 |
| Ep 14 | – | 10.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | – |
| Ep 15 | – | 10.0 | 8.0 | – | – |
| Ep 16 | – | 10.0 | – | – | – |
| Ep 17 | – | 10.0 | – | – | – |
| Ep 18 | – | 10.0 | – | – | – |
| Season Avg | 8.7 | 9.6 | 7.7 | 8.8 | 9.0 |
Ratings Analysis & Trajectory
Across 5 seasons and 66 episodes, Moonlighting has earned an overall series rating of 8.8 out of 10. The series displays remarkable consistency across its narrative arc, maintaining reliable ratings from premiere to conclusion.
The single highest-rated hour of television in the series is Season 2, Episode 8 ("Portrait of Maddie"), rated at an extraordinary 10.0/10 with 2 ratings. Conversely, the lowest-rated installment is Season 3, Episode 6 ("Big Man on Mulberry Street"), landing at 4.5/10.
The most precipitous single-episode shift occurred in Season 3 between Episode 5 ("All Creatures Great and ... Not So Great", 9) and Episode 6 ("Big Man on Mulberry Street", 4.5), a swing of 4.5 points.
Top 10 Highest Rated Episodes of Moonlighting
| Rank | Episode | Title | Score | Votes | Air Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Season 2, Ep 8 | Portrait of Maddie | 10.0 | 2 | Nov 26, 1985 |
| #2 | Season 2, Ep 9 | Atlas Belched | 10.0 | 2 | Dec 10, 1985 |
| #3 | Season 2, Ep 11 | The Bride of Tupperman | 10.0 | 2 | Jan 14, 1986 |
| #4 | Season 2, Ep 12 | North by North Dipesto | 10.0 | 2 | Jan 21, 1986 |
| #5 | Season 2, Ep 13 | In God We Strongly Suspect | 10.0 | 2 | Feb 11, 1986 |
| #6 | Season 2, Ep 14 | Every Daughter's Father Is a Virgin | 10.0 | 2 | Feb 18, 1986 |
| #7 | Season 2, Ep 15 | Witness for the Execution | 10.0 | 2 | Mar 11, 1986 |
| #8 | Season 2, Ep 16 | Sleep Talkin' Guy | 10.0 | 2 | Apr 1, 1986 |
| #9 | Season 2, Ep 17 | Funeral for a Door Nail | 10.0 | 2 | Apr 29, 1986 |
| #10 | Season 2, Ep 18 | Camille | 10.0 | 2 | May 13, 1986 |