Are you looking for some spooky tv shows to watch in the run-up to Halloween? Here are 13 of my favourite horror tv shows to get you into the Halloween spirit!
So grab a blanket and some snacks, turn the lights off and prepare to get stuck into some seriously scary tv!
1. The Exorcist (2016-2018)
The Exorcist tv series is a sequel to the exceptional 1973 horror. Season one kicks off with Geena Davis as Angela Rance, a mother whose child has been taken over by a demonic presence. The show is hella creepy and has some pretty unexpected twists and turns as two priests are brought in to help cleanse Rance’s daughter of her demonic affliction.
While I haven’t gotten around to watching all of season 2, I can tell you that season 1 was the perfect horror tv show. The acting, special effects and overall production were top notch.
The show was unfortunately cancelled despite its excellent critical reception. Despite the fact it was axed, I’m excited to watch the second season this Halloween and I’d highly recommend the show to horror fans.
Tomatometer: 89%
2. Castle Rock (2018-)
Die-hard Stephen King fans might have already caught this little gem. Castle Rock is set in the same place that Shawshank Redemption, Cujo and The Shining take place. It’s also the same universe as IT.
While it’s a slow start, the show builds up momentum a few episodes in and each episode will leave you dying to know more.
Stephen King fans will have fun trying to spot the various references throughout the series. For instance, you might recognise Bill Skarsgård from the most recent adaptation of IT.
“Skarsgård isn’t the only performer on Castle Rock to appear in previous King works. Melanie Lynskey was in Rose Red, Frances Conroy was in the recent TV version of The Mist, and, of course, Sissy Spacek was in a little movie called Carrie.” – Dan of Geek
If you’re not usually a fan of Stephen King, there’s more to the show than tropes and references. It’s strong in a lot of ways. Mathew Gilbert, a movie critic for the Boston Globe stated;
‘“Castle Rock” is a giant basket of Easter eggs for King people, but for the rest of us it’s a decent show layered with supernatural secrets waiting to be decoded.’ – Mathew Gilbert
(Hey horror nerds! You can check out the full list of Easter eggs here.)
Tomato Meter: 86%
3. American Horror Story (2011-)
American Horror Story is a horror anthology series by screenwriter, director and producer Ryan Murphy. I’m a huge fan of Murphy, the man behind critically acclaimed shows Pose, American Crime Story, Feud, Nip-tuck and Scream Queens.
If you’re a sensitive soul, AHS probably isn’t for you. It touches on the taboo, a lot and you’d want to have a strong stomach for some of it. As I mentioned in my 31 Days of Horror post – The best thing about AHS, in my opinion, is, you never know what to expect. Nothing is sacred to Ryan Murphy; Murder, torture, necrophilia, rape, mutilation, orgies, incest, serial killers.
Each series of AHS has a totally different vibe. While I loved Freak Show, Coven, Hotel and Roanoke, I wasn’t a huge fan of Asylum or Cult. Freakshow has evil undead clowns, Hotel has vampires and ghosts of famous serial killers, coven has witches, Asylum even has aliens. No matter what season you decide to watch, it’s guaranteed to make for some quality gory Halloween viewing.
Tomato Meter: 77%
4. Stranger Things (2016-)
Set in 1980s Indiana, a kid named Will vanishes without a trace. As his friends, his mother and a local police officer search for him, they start to uncover some very suspect paranormal goings-on (and a government cover-up conspiracy).
Will’s mother will stop at nothing to retrieve her beloved son from the grasps of a hellish parallel universe. Meanwhile, Will’s friends team up with a young girl with supernatural abilities to take on the diabolical monster that’s terrorising their small town.
The bone-chilling production design and an eerie 80s synth soundtrack are captivating and further complimented by a charming cast. Stranger Things is possibly the best Netflix original so far. It’s a unique horror/sci-fi show with a plot that will draw you in and firmly hold your attention throughout both seasons.
Tomatometer: 94%
5. Buffy (1997- 2003)
I can’t be the only one who has to watch the entire series of Buffy The Vampire Slayer every few years, right?
If you’re unfamiliar with the plot, Buffy is a teenage cheerleader who just happens to be “The chosen one”, meaning she’s been chosen by a higher power to slay vampires. Buffy isn’t your average pretty, blonde high-schooler, she was born to hunt and take down the demons that plague Sunnydale.
While I feel Buffy does eventually lose its momentum towards the end, I still cherish every season. The complex but well-developed storyline combined with great acting makes Buffy an unforgettable tv classic.
Tomato Meter: 81%
There’s no trailer so here’s the intro to season one for nostalgia’s sake.
6. The Haunting of Hill House (2018-)
The Haunting of Hill House was released earlier today. As soon as I finished work I watched the first two episodes and I have to say, it’s really good so far. Since I’m not far into the 10 episode long series, I can’t say too much about the show other than I’m really excited to see where it goes.
The movie is based on the 1953 novel by Shirley Jackson. The Netflix series is about a family forced to flee their haunted home after a tragic event. Even long after the Crain family have abandoned the house, the memories of what they experienced continue to haunt them.
The show’s creator Mike Flanagan directed Gerald’s Game and Ouji: Origin of Evil both of which were pretty decent horrors, so if that’s anything to go by this will be one to stick on your Halloween list.
7. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018-)
Fans of all things occult are patiently awaiting the release of Netflix’s adaptation of Sabrina the Teenage Witch. The show isn’t out until the 26th of this month, just in time for Halloween!
The trailer suggests the movie is going to be a lot darker than Melissa Joan Harte’s Sabrina the Teenage Witch. I’m looking forward to seeing what the darker adaptation has to offer. It’ll also be interesting to see Madmen’s Kiernan Shipka as Sabrina Spellman.
This show is by the makers of Riverdale and even though I hate to admit it, I actually love Riverdale. It’s my guilty pleasure. It’s a world where everyone is hot and way too melodramatic but it’s so entertaining and unintentionally hilarious. Hopefully, it won’t be as cheesy as Riverdale but the creators of both shows have hinted at a possible cross-over since both shows are based on comics that take place in the same universe.
You can watch the trailer here…
8. Hannibal (2014-2016)
Those who’ve seen or read Red Dragon will be familiar with the Hannibal story-line. Hannibal Lecter is a vicious cannibalistic serial killer who is so intelligent, he’s managed to infiltrate the FBI and keep them off his scent.
Hannibal gets kicks out of manipulating situations (and people) just to ‘see what will happen’. He takes to special detective Will Graham, an agent who has been brought in to work alongside the FBI. Will has a special gift where he can think like the murderer and solve almost any case. The downside to Will’s gift is his fragile state of mind, leaving him vulnerable to Hannibal’s games.
What makes the show interesting is the blurred lines between reality and dreams, this makes room for lots of imaginative blood-curdling imagery. While I found it to be slightly repetitive at times, overall the production was really good and there’s an intriguing story-line that becomes continuously more intense as the seasons go on.
Yeah, Hannibal is a bit overly theatrical but it gives us lots of imaginative gore, which is just what you need coming up to Halloween.
Tomatometer: 89%
9. Dark (2017-)
Dark is a German language sci-fi thriller by Netflix. At first, the premise is reminiscent of IT and Stranger Things. Kids are vanishing from a small town, the other kids catch wind of something supernatural. Soon buried secrets and hushed conspiracies come to light. Did I know what was going on for the majority of this show? No. Was it still thoroughly enjoyable? Yes.
Dark isn’t just about supernatural occurrences, time-travel and wormholes, it’s also about the fragility of the characters complex and interwoven relationships.
A mystery begins revealing itself, thanks to our persistent protagonist Jonah, and it’s something that’s been unravelling over three generations within a tight-knit community.
This is another unique series by Netflix. While it’s more of a supernatural thriller than a horror, it’s spooky enough for Halloween viewing.
Tomatometer: 87%
10. Preacher (2016)
Jesse Custer was accidentally possessed by a demon named Genisis. He is a murder/heavy drinking preacher who teams up with his ex-girlfriend and a loveable Irish vampire to embark on a journey where he can learn more about his affliction.
If you can get passed Joseph Gilgun’s (This is England) atrocious attempt at an Irish accent, Preacher is lots of fun. The show is based on a comic of the same name, adapted for screen by none other than Seth Rogen, Sam Catlin (a writer for AMC’s Breaking Bad) and Rogen’s childhood friend, Evan Goldberg (director of This is the End, The Interview). As you can imagine, that team is sure to bring us only the most entertaining demon battling action-packed horror tv!
Tomato Meter: 91%
Watch the trailer for Preacher here.
11. Ash vs. Evil Dead (2015)
Maybe you’re already familiar with Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead universe, if not, the Evil Dead is a series of movies based on a bunch of college students who inadvertently release a whole bunch of evil spirits and demons.
Ash vs. Evil Dead is a sequel to the original movies. I don’t think you’d have to be a fan of the original films to enjoy this series. All you need is an open mind because frankly, it’s totally ridiculous. Expect chainsaws, demons and an abundance of blood and gore.
Tomatometer: 99%
Watch the trailer for Ash vs. Evil Dead here.
12. The Walking Dead (2010)
A lot of people have been hating on The Walking Dead lately. But after two mediocre seasons, the first episode of season 9 aired the other night and I have to say, it was pretty damn exciting.
It’s a shame that the more recent seasons have been lacking the excitement of season 1-6 because when The Walking Dead was good, it was really fucking good. TWD is one of those shows where everyone’s life is on the line, so you never know who’s gonna go! There are lots of great characters for you to root for and lots of despicable villains to hate with the added bonus of ZOMBIES.
If you’re into zombie movies and you haven’t already checked it out, it’s definitely one to watch this Halloween!
Tomatometer: 81%
Watch The Walking Dead S1 Trailer here.
13. Channel Zero
Channel Zero is another noteworthy anthology series. Admittedly, I’ve only seen season one but I plan on catching up with it, especially after watching the season three trailer which I’m assuming involves cannibals.
Season one involves a disturbing 1980s children’s show that plagues the mind of child psychologist, Mike Painter, who has recently returned to his hometown. Thirty years ago, five children were murdered in the town, one of which was his twin brother. However, his body was never found. Painter believes his brother’s disappearance has something to do with the ominous children’s show and the murders but it turns out to be something much more sinister.
Tomatometer: 94%
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