10 Horror TV Shows That Everyone Should Watch At Least Once

Many horror shows are simply too frightening to watch more than once. However, a few stand out as classics—like The Haunting of Hill House and Twin Peaks—and are worth experiencing for any TV enthusiast. While horror has been a part of television for a long time, the genre has often faced challenges and controversy within the medium.

Early horror shows, like Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Twilight Zone, often mixed horror with other genres such as science fiction or mystery. Horror films are known for challenging limits and sometimes causing issues with censorship. Because television used to have stricter rules than movies, horror didn’t become popular on TV right away.

Things really turned around by the early 1990s. Around that time, a hugely popular horror anthology series debuted on television, coinciding with shows like Twin Peaks which started blending psychological thrills into crime dramas. Since then, many memorable horror shows have demonstrated that television can be just as frightening as film.

10. The Walking Dead

While it launched numerous spin-offs, many of which are still running, and perhaps overstayed its welcome by a few seasons, The Walking Dead remains one of the greatest horror shows ever made, imperfections and all.

Beginning with a fantastic pilot episode directed by the acclaimed Frank Darabont, The Walking Dead follows Rick Grimes, a man trying to rebuild his life after a zombie apocalypse. Even years later, the show remains a raw, intense, and heartbreaking story – a true modern horror masterpiece.

9. Ash Vs Evil Dead

Few horror TV shows are as delightfully over-the-top as Ash vs Evil Dead. While it’s arguably the silliest, fans of Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead know that doesn’t detract from its quality. Packed with cartoonish violence and creative energy, just like the original movies, Ash vs Evil Dead is a must-watch for any horror enthusiast.

8. Midnight Mass

Mike Flanagan’s horror series are consistently excellent, but his 2021 miniseries, Midnight Mass, is particularly impressive. The show follows the arrival of a mysterious force on a remote island and explores how it affects the people who live there. Midnight Mass isn’t just a horror story; it’s also a thoughtful exploration of faith and community.

Midnight Mass begins with a deliberate pace, carefully introducing its characters and weaving in compelling, surprising side stories. But when the horror elements fully kick in, the show doesn’t hold back. Although the slow beginning might not grab everyone immediately, the series culminates in a truly unforgettable finale, making it well worth the investment.

7. Buffy the Vampire Slayer

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Many horror shows don’t live up to the promise of their first episodes, but Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a standout exception. Right from the start, with Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy, the show makes it clear it’s going to be a clever and entertaining twist on classic horror themes.

This teenage girl isn’t a helpless victim; she’s a strong, capable heroine who protects her town from supernatural dangers – a refreshing change from typical slasher movie tropes. While Buffy the Vampire Slayer might feel a little dated now, it’s still a worthwhile watch for horror fans.

6. Tales from the Crypt

There are lots of horror anthology shows on TV – shows like The Outer Limits and Slasher could easily be considered among the best. But any list of essential horror shows has to include HBO’s Tales from the Crypt; it’s a true classic of the genre.

Introduced by a goofy and pun-loving host with a fascination for all things spooky and gruesome, Tales from the Crypt managed to draw in many famous actors and filmmakers. The show is a wildly unpredictable collection of stories, mixing real scares with dark humor and over-the-top gore.

5. The X-Files

While often remembered for the connection between Mulder and Scully, The X-Files wasn’t just a horror show. Similar to Stranger Things, it blended many genres—it was a workplace drama, police procedural, mystery, conspiracy thriller, and even a romance—but it still delivered plenty of scares.

Some of the most memorable episodes of The X-Files, like “Home” and “Fluke,” are genuinely frightening – as scary as any top-notch horror film. Many of the show’s standalone monster episodes were also excellent examples of the horror genre. Even when an episode wasn’t particularly scary, the strong connection between Mulder and Scully always made it enjoyable.

4. Supernatural

Though The X-Files pioneered the format, Supernatural combined its weekly monster investigations with the witty, self-deprecating humor of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, resulting in a truly entertaining show. Before the popularity of Stranger Things, Supernatural tapped into 1980s nostalgia, following two brothers who traveled the country hunting demons.

Though the show became increasingly complicated, with countless monsters, fleeting romances, and a sprawling backstory that ultimately led to a battle with God, Supernatural was, at its best, incredibly entertaining horror television.

3. Twin Peaks

Though Supernatural offered a fun approach to horror, Twin Peaks was remarkably unique. It mixed small-town humor with psychological thrills to create a truly original show. The series centers on Agent Dale Cooper, played by Kyle McLachlan, and his investigation into the murder of Laura Palmer in the mysterious town of Twin Peaks.

Twin Peaks was a unique blend of genres – part drama, part quirky comedy, part detective story, and genuinely frightening horror – unlike anything on television at the time. Despite its charming characters, the show never lost its unsettling and terrifying atmosphere, a quality that remains rare even today.

2. The Twilight Zone

There are many other anthology series we could have included. Some, like American Horror Story or Tales from the Dark Side, are specifically horror shows, which sets them apart. However, The Twilight Zone is essential to any list like this because it profoundly influenced every show that followed.

Hosted by acclaimed writer Rod Serling, The Twilight Zone delivered a fresh story each week. These tales combined mystery, science fiction, and fantasy, often with a chilling undercurrent of horror. Serling’s clever use of satire meant that real-world issues were subtly woven into each episode, making the show’s surprising twists truly memorable.

1. The Haunting of Hill House

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Although all of Mike Flanagan’s shows are excellent, The Haunting of Hill House stands out as the most important horror series for fans of the genre. It’s a sweeping, multi-generational story that’s both deeply tragic and genuinely frightening, drawing inspiration from Shirley Jackson’s novel while crafting a unique and original narrative.

The series The Haunting of Hill House centers on the Crane family and their return to a house filled with frightening memories after a devastating loss. Director Mike Flanagan’s work is both beautifully sad and surprisingly humorous, while also being truly scary. Many consider it his best creation, and a standout horror series that rivals the impact and uniqueness of Twin Peaks.

2025-11-13 23:40