The iconic anthology series “The Twilight Zone,” created by Rod Serling, has enthralled audiences since its original run from 1959 to 1964. From the plethora of episodes that challenged viewers’ perceptions of reality, here are the 11 best ‘Twilight Zone’ episodes from the original series according to IMDb user ratings:

1.”Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” (Season 5, Episode 3) – Airing in October 1963, this episode tells the story of a man who sees a gremlin on the wing of a plane. William Shatner’s portrayal of Bob Wilson is both chilling and captivating.

2.”Time Enough at Last” (Season 1, Episode 8) – Featuring Burgess Meredith as Henry Bemis, an avid reader who faces a post-apocalyptic world where there’s finally time to read without interruptions – or so he thinks.

3.”The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” (Season 1, Episode 22) – A classic allegory about paranoia and suspicion in a suburban neighborhood that turns chaotic as residents suspect an alien invasion.

4.”Eye of the Beholder” (Season 2, Episode 6) – This episode offers a stunning narrative twist with its commentary on beauty norms as we follow a woman undergoing surgery to look like everyone else in her conformist society.

5.”To Serve Man” (Season 3, Episode 24) – A story with one of the most memorable plot twists in TV history, centered around a seemingly benevolent alien race and their book ‘To Serve Man.’

6.”It’s a Good Life” (Season 3, Episode 8) – Displaying Billy Mumy’s performance as young Anthony Fremont who holds an entire town hostage with his god-like powers.

7.”Living Doll” (Season 5, Episode 6)- Featuring one of television’s most infamous evil dolls “Talky Tina,” this episode is sure to leave an everlasting eerie impression on its viewers.

8.”The Invaders” (Season 2, Episode 15) – Almost entirely free of dialogue, the episode focuses on a woman discovering tiny alien invaders in her isolated farmhouse.

9.”Walking Distance” (Season 1, Episode 5) – A poignant journey about Martin Sloan who finds himself transported back into his childhood.

10.”A Stop at Willoughby” (Season 1, Episode 30) – Exploring themes of escape and yearning for simpler times, as Gart Williams dreams about a peaceful town named Willoughby.

11.”The After Hours” (Season 1, Episode 34) – Marsha White looks for a gold thimble in a department store and discovers she might not be who she thinks she is. It’s a surreal narrative that explores identity and reality.

These episodes are not only pivotal entries in television history but also exemplify the enduring legacy of “The Twilight Zone.” The show’s clever storytelling and moral lessons remain relevant and continue to provoke thought and curiosity amongst new generations of viewers.