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  3. Supernatural: Sam and Dean's 11 most memorable deaths

Supernatural: Sam and Dean's 11 most memorable deaths

Samantha Highfill
By Samantha Highfill Updated September 26, 2022 at 10:15 AM EDT
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Sam and Dean's top deaths

Sam and Dean's Top 10 Deaths
Credit: The CW

When your life is spent hunting the things that go bump in the night, you're always in danger. And for Sam (Jared Padelecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles), that danger brought them face-to-face with death (sometimes literally) multiple times.

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11. Sam struck by lightning (Season 4, Episode 8)

10. Sam Struck by Lightning (Season 4, Episode 8)
Credit: The CW

Sam getting struck by lightning only counts as a death on a technical level, because, otherwise, it's not the most memorable — probably because it was mostly played for laughs.

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10. Dean goes to purgatory (Season 7, Episode 23)

9. DEAN GOES TO PURGATORY (season 7, episode 23)
Credit: The CW

Dean's trip to purgatory would greatly impact him later on, but his actual death was so quick and unexpected that the scene barely gave viewers time to realize what was happening, much less feel something about it.

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9. Sam stabbed by Anna; resurrected by Michael (Season 5, Episode 13)

8. Sam Stabbed by Anna, Resurrected by Michael (Season 5, Episode 13)
Credit: The CW

This death was brief, but still impactful — if only for the panicked look on Dean's face as he watched his brother collapse. This scene also gets points for the Michael-in-John's-body twist.

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8. Sam bitten by vampire; resurrected by Lucifer (Season 13, Episode 21)

Beat the Devil
Credit: Dean Buscher/The CW

A trip to Apocalypse World took a shocking turn when Sam fell victim to a pack of vampires, of all things. After watching Sam have his throat ripped out, a heartbroken Dean was forced to leave his little brother behind. Thankfully, Lucifer (Mark Pellegrino) showed up and brought Sam back to help him win favor with Jack (Alexander Calvert). And the look on Dean's face when he saw his brother again was worth all the heartbreak.

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7. Dean and Sam killed by hunters (Season 5, Episode 16)

7. Dean and Sam Killed by Hunters (Season 5, Episode 16)
Credit: The CW

One of the more violent deaths, Sam and Dean were shot — at close range — in a motel room. In a show that's about the unthinkable, this scenario was so realistic it was horrifying. But, thankfully, the guys returned to the living after a memorable trip to Heaven.

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6. Every time Dean died in "Mystery Spot" (Season 3, Episode 11)

6. Every Time Dean Died in “Mystery Spot” (Season 3, Episode 11)
Credit: The CW

The episode with the most deaths, "Mystery Spot" found Sam stuck in a world where every day ended with Dean dying in some outlandish way. The deaths were mostly played for comedy, but the final one — when Dean was shot by a mugger — also struck a dramatic tone by leaving the viewer to wonder if it would stick.

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5. Dean killed by Lucifer in Sam's body...in the future (Season 5, Episode 4)

5. Dean Killed by Lucifer in Sam's Body ... in the Future (Season 5, Episode 4)
Credit: The CW

In a great scene for both Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki to flex their acting muscles, Dean watched as Lucifer-Sam snapped his neck in the future. Combined with Lucifer's speech about how the scenario was inevitable for Dean, it was about as crushing as anything we'd seen.

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4. Sam stabbed by Jake (Season 2, Episode 21)

4. SAM STABBED BY JAKE (season 2, episode 21)
Credit: The CW

This scene is memorable enough simply for being Sam's first death on the show. But, when you combine it with the moment Dean tried to warn Sam that Jake (Aldis Hodge) was sneaking up behind him (but couldn't), it's downright unforgettable.

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3. Dean stabbed by Metatron (Season 9, Episode 23)

3. DEAN STABBED BY METATRON (season 9, episode 23)
Credit: The CW

Sam arrived just in time to see Metatron (Curtis Armstrong) stab Dean, and, as Sam held his brother, Dean managed to get out some final words: "I'm proud of us." Tissues, please.

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2./1. Dean goes to Hell/Sam goes to Hell (Season 3, Episode 16/Season 5, Episode 22)

1./2. DEAN GOES TO HELL/SAM GOES TO HELL (season 3, episode 16/season 5, episode 22)
Credit: The CW

No true Supernatural fan will forget how they felt when the Hellhounds came calling for Dean in season 3, just as they'll never forget the range of emotions experienced when Sam took hold of Lucifer and willingly jumped in the cage. There aren't enough tears in the world.

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    1 of 11 Sam and Dean's top deaths
    2 of 11 11. Sam struck by lightning (Season 4, Episode 8)
    3 of 11 10. Dean goes to purgatory (Season 7, Episode 23)
    4 of 11 9. Sam stabbed by Anna; resurrected by Michael (Season 5, Episode 13)
    5 of 11 8. Sam bitten by vampire; resurrected by Lucifer (Season 13, Episode 21)
    6 of 11 7. Dean and Sam killed by hunters (Season 5, Episode 16)
    7 of 11 6. Every time Dean died in "Mystery Spot" (Season 3, Episode 11)
    8 of 11 5. Dean killed by Lucifer in Sam's body...in the future (Season 5, Episode 4)
    9 of 11 4. Sam stabbed by Jake (Season 2, Episode 21)
    10 of 11 3. Dean stabbed by Metatron (Season 9, Episode 23)
    11 of 11 2./1. Dean goes to Hell/Sam goes to Hell (Season 3, Episode 16/Season 5, Episode 22)

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