Summary
Over the years, television has given horror fans numerous classic series. While movies often enjoy bigger budgets, TV shows have the time and space to develop their stories, characters, and settings in greater depth. The best of the genre brings scares, shocks, and surprises, with each episode being one piece of a greater puzzle.
Some of these shows have become cultural phenomenons, reaching mass audiences and making stars of their cast. Others are cult hits thatgenre fans can’t get enough of. Thesehorror TV showsspan a wide range of styles and tones, but all have left an undeniable mark on the genre. Each series is a genre classic, bringing a unique mix of engaging drama and tense horror to the small screen.
10Tales From The Crypt
A No-Holds-Barred Anthology Series
Hosted by the wise-cracking Cryptkeeper,Tales from the Cryptis a classic anthology horror show that aired on HBO for seven years.Tales from the Cryptpresented a more adult tone than other TV horror shows, with higher levels of sexual content and graphic violence featured in its episodes.
Some of the series' best episodes were “And All Through the House,” “The Ventriloquist’s Dummy,” and “Television Terror.” The show would spawn numerous spin-offs, including a radio show, a cartoon series, and several feature films. The show attracted many notable guest stars, including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Kirk Douglas.Tales from the Cryptwas a cult favorite among horror fans andremains a beloved seriesfrom the early nineties.
9The Walking Dead
The Long-Running Zombie Epic
Based on the popular graphic novel by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore,The Walking Deadhas become a horror institution, with several spin-off series to go along with the main offering.The Walking Deadinitially follows Sheriff Rick Grimes after he wakes from a coma to find the world has fallen apart due to a zombie apocalypse. The show chronicles his attempts to keep his son safe while joining up with a group of survivors. The show soon expands into a large ensemble cast, with numerous parallel storylines and character arcs.
The Walking Deadblends tense human drama withgory zombie action. It became known for killing off beloved characters in shocking fashion, making it must-watch television. The franchise continues with numerous spin-off series, including 8 seasons ofFear the Walking Deadand the more recent,The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.
8Kingdom
A Cult Korean Epic
This brilliant horror epic blends addictive period drama packed with political intrigue and stunning backdrops withgore-drenchedundead action. Set in 17th-century Korea, the show follows the story of Lee Chang, the crown prince of the realm, who discovers a deadly epidemic is spreading through the country, turning people into ravenous monsters.
Kingdommay only be two seasons long, but it has quickly earned a cult following. The show is filled with heart-pounding action and tense drama as characters contend with the living dead and political enemies. This is television on an epic scale and one of the best horror shows ever made.
7Hannibal
A Stylish Origin Story
With outstanding performances from its central cast,Hannibaltells the story of the notorious serial killer and cannibal before his gruesome crimes are discovered. The show follows skilled FBI profiler Will Graham, who seeks the help of renowned psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter after his investigative work begins to take its toll.
Hannibalis a stylish psychological horror series that delves into the mind of a psychopath as he begins to play mind games with those around him. Mads Mikkelsen is great in the titular role, exuding a constant blend of danger and charm. The series would continue for three seasons and win multiple awards, and fans remain vocal in their desire for a fourth season focused on the story fromThe Silence of the Lambs.
6The Haunting Of Hill House
An Eerie Ghost Story
This modern reimagining of the 1959 Shirley Jackson novel of the same name was an instant hit with viewers. Consisting of only a single season, the miniseries follows the story of five siblings whosetraumatic ghostly experiencesin their youths continue to haunt them into adulthood.
The series nails the haunted house atmosphere with shocking twists and chilling scares. Eagle-eyed viewers will also spot ghosts hidden throughout the show in seemingly innocuous scenes.The Haunting of Hill Housewas released to widespread acclaim, with critics praising its complexity, depth, and imagery.
5The X-Files
A Major Television Event
The X-Filesburst onto television screens in the early nineties and made a hugeimpact on popular culture. With genuinely creepy episodes, stars with excellent onscreen chemistry, and an iconic theme song,The X-Fileswas must-watch television. The show revolved around two FBI agents, Mulder and Scully, who investigated paranormal cases that no other agent would touch, from alien abductions and mythological creatures to psychotic killers with supernatural abilities.
With a heavy dose of government conspiracy thrown into the mix, the show was addictive viewing.The X-Filesgrew to become a huge hit and made superstars out of David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. Its cult-like appeal spread as the Internet grew and fans became devoted followers.The X-Filesstands as one of the most successful shows of all time and a landmark in spooky television.
4Stranger Things
A Welcome Return Of Nostalgia
The brilliant sci-fi horrorStranger Thingsbecame a huge hit, making stars of its young cast and revitalizing the trends and music of the 1980s. The show appeals to a wide audience with its terrifying,Dungeons and Dragons-inspired monsters, heartfelt coming-of-age stories, and stylish filmmaking.
Stranger Thingsprimarily revolves around a group of kids who attempt to save their friend from a dangerous world called the Upside Down and from the monster that hunts them. Throw in a secret organization, psychic powers, and a fantastic soundtrack, andStranger Thingshits all the right marks. The show has run for 4 seasons, with the fifth and final season coming in 2025.
3The Last Of Us
A Brilliant Adaptation
Based on the popular video game,The Last of Usbroke new ground for video game adaptions. With its high budget, excellent cast, and jaw-dropping story, the series struck a chord with the public coming out of the pandemic years. The show follows the story of Joel as he protects the last hope of humanity, Ellie, from the post-apocalyptic ruins of America.
At its core,The Last of Usis about two strangers forming a close bond through adversity. The show is full of tragedy, hope, and tense,terrifying action. With season 2 on the verge of release,The Last of Usis set to shock the viewing public once again in 2025.
2Twin Peaks
Bringing Surrealism To Mainstream Television
David Lynch’s classic series is filled with a disturbing undercurrent, where a hidden darkness lurks beneath the surface of the a quiet mountain town.Twin Peaksis a truly unique show, with Lynch’s trademark surrealism running throughout. The show follows FBI Agent Dale Cooper as he investigates the murder of a local girl, Laura Palmer.
Twin Peaksoriginally ran for two seasons and garnered a huge cult following. The show’s central premise of who killed Laura Palmer hooked viewers and made it must-watch television. A third season ofTwin Peaksarrived in 2017 and is set 25 years after the original series.Twin Peaksis a classic that still holds up today. Lynch’s use of nightmarish imagery, offbeat characters, and addictive drama cemented the show’s place in TV history.
1The Twilight Zone
An Influential Classic
This landmark anthology series would spawn feature films, a radio series, and even a theme park attraction. Blending many genres, such as sci-fi, fantasy, and horror, each episode would feature a new strange tale. While the series would return in the 80s and again in the 2000s and 2010s, the original five-season run would make the biggest impact and is still widely considered one of the best genre shows ever made.
The Twilight Zonewould feature some classic horror episodes, such as “Living Doll”(1963), “After Hours”(1960), and “The Masks”(1964). The series helped to popularize science fiction and fantasy and would receive critical praise for its unique stories and moral themes. Its influence can still be seen today in shows such asBlack Mirrorand the work of Jordan Peele, who would also narrate the short-lived 2019Twilight Zonereturn for two seasons.
