Horror is a difficult genre to get right on television. The conventions of the genre don’t really lend themselves to long-form storytelling. Which makes it all the more impressive when a series gets it right. Here are ten horror shows that are sure to give you chills.
- The Haunting of Hill House- This single-season horror story is a slow burn, but that’s what makes it so tense. This series takes a deep dive into its characters’ states of mind and really stands out as a psychological drama as it does a horror story.
- American Horror Story- This anthology series uses a rotating cast to tell a different type of horror story each season. The first couple of seasons are strong enough you’ll be hooked before you get to the more mediocre ones. The best part is if you’re not feeling a story you can just skip ahead to the next season without really missing anything.
- Castle Rock- What if you took all of Stephen King’s stories and just mashed them all together in one fictional location? Well, it turns out you get a pretty good show. Really well developed fleshed out characters in this one to go along with that ever-present sense of unease this show gives you.
- The Strain- Maybe not the best show to watch during a pandemic but basically his show is about a communicable disease that basically makes you a vampire. This is a Guillermo Del Toro project so you know its good.
- Hannibal- So good. You wouldn’t think anybody could pull of Hannibal Lecter after Anthony Hopkins but Mads Mikkelsen does, and I dare say he does it better. This show is one of my top ten all-time favorites.
- Kingdom– A South Korean show with a cool premise. Modern-day zombie stories have been done to death; but zombies in 16th century Korea, that’s new. And pretty awesome.
- Goosebumps– For millennials, this was a staple of Saturday morning television. And you know what? If you go back and watch these, they actually hold up and are still creepy enough to give you a few chills. Let the nostalgia wash over you.
- Stan against Evil- Remember Dr. Cox from scrubs? Well, here he’s a grumpy widowed retired sheriff who has to face off against ludicrous demons who want to kill him and his replacement. If you want comedy horror, this is your jam.
- Ash vs Evil Dead- A continuation of the Evil Dead franchise. Comically gory. Bruce Campbell is as funny as ever here. And Lucy Lawless is scary. If you like demons and the men who kill them with their chainsaw hand this is for you.
- Stranger Things- Perhaps this should be listed as science fiction, but I think the monsters are frightening enough and the overall vibe creepy enough to put it in the horror category. Fantastic plot, great cast, and cool ideas. This show is a love letter to the ’80s. One that will get you hooked from the start.