3 Tales From The Crypt Episodes Are Actually Still Scary Decades On

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It’s a real shame that *Tales from the Crypt* is fading from public memory. Currently, the only way to watch it is by buying the DVDs. Hopefully, the rights issues can be resolved soon, as it’s essential viewing for any horror enthusiast. When it comes to horror anthology series, *Tales from the Crypt* is just as iconic as *The Twilight Zone*. While it’s primarily a horror show, it also includes comedy and even touches on science fiction. Mostly, though, it’s a classic introduction to the horror genre, and these three episodes demonstrate that perfectly—even decades after the show originally aired on HBO before *The Sopranos*.

Even episodes with comedic moments were considered for this list. However, the truly frightening episodes prioritized scares over humor. Episodes that narrowly missed inclusion were “Collection Completed” from Season 1, “The Ventriloquist’s Dummy” from Season 2, “Top Billing” from Season 3, and “Forever Ambergris” from Season 5.

3) “And All Through the House” (Season 1, Episode 2)

Many fans consider the second episode of *Crypt*, “And All Through the House,” to be one of the series’ strongest. It’s notably darker in tone than the first episode, “The Man Who Was Death.”

This story is relentlessly suspenseful from beginning to end. It opens with a seemingly normal scene – a mother comforting her anxious daughter about Santa – before taking a shockingly dark turn when she murders her husband. As she desperately tries to hide the evidence, a Santa-suited escapee from a mental institution attacks her with the same axe. She’s trapped – unable to call for help without exposing her own crime, but facing a life-or-death struggle. The story culminates in a powerfully unsettling final scene that leaves a lasting impression and reinforces the feeling that anything can happen.

2) “The New Arrival” (Season 4, Episode 7)

In “The New Arrival,” David Warner, known for his roles in *Tron* and *The Omen*, gives a fantastic performance as Dr. Alan Goetz, a conceited radio psychologist. He’s convinced he can fix any child’s behavior, and he’s about to face a real challenge. When Dr. Goetz finds out his show is about to be canceled, he desperately needs a ratings boost. He gets a call from Nora, who says her daughter, Felicity, has been struggling with behavioral problems for a long time, and Dr. Goetz sees this as a chance to do a live, on-location consultation.

Zelda Rubinstein, famous for her distinctive high-pitched voice and small size—as seen in *Poltergeist*—plays Nora in this episode. Dr. Goetz and his team initially suspect Nora is simply pretending to be a child, making up the story of Felicity and creating the sounds of a child upstairs in her dusty old house. However, they are completely mistaken. Felicity is indeed real, though she’s far from a typical little girl.

1) “Television Terror” (Season 2, Episode 16)

The scariest episode of *Crypt*, “Television Terror,” is brilliantly paced, creating a truly suspenseful experience. A clever casting choice adds to its impact: Morton Downey Jr., a forerunner to personalities like Jerry Springer, plays the main character, Horton Rivers.

Horton Rivers is designed to be unlikeable – and for most of the episode, he is. He’s arrogant, his show is terrible, he’s rude to everyone, and he’s a complete fraud. But when he enters a haunted house, we suddenly find ourselves wanting him to escape. He’s driven by getting good footage, though, and pushes deeper inside. Because we understand his motivation, the growing sense of dread feels genuinely scary. Without giving away the ending, this is a relentlessly intense episode that flies by in just 23 minutes.

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2025-10-19 16:41