Some of the most exciting TV shows of all time are horror series, using ghosts and scares to produce dangerously innovative entertainment. Many TV shows take advantage of the medium's longer narrative to deliver some delightful, slow-burn horror stories that wouldn't be possible to fit into a 120-minute feature film. However, many scary series take more noticeable control of their narratives, quickly getting to the point with some heartwarming stories that don't overstay their welcome.
There are several methods by which TV shows find good, fast paces to convey their horror. Horror anthology series have to wrap up each of their narratives in the space of a single episode, typically leading to livelier scares that build to the action quickly. Monster of the Week shows have similar mechanics, with tightly bottled stories delivered alongside an overarching plot that spans multiple episodes. Whatever the case, not every great horror show drags when it comes to pacing.
10
Terrible Penny
3 seasons
A mix of famous public domain characters from the late 19th century at the The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Terrible Penny It's a who's who of famous horror stories. Featuring characters such as Dracula, the Frankenstien Monster and the Wolf Man, the series begins with an eccentric explorer who hires a mysterious psychic woman to help locate his missing daughter. From there, the cast and tangled web of various supernatural forces take over, creating a fantastic period piece that never misses a beat.
Just like the pulp series that gave it its name, Terrible Penny doesn't waste much time springing into action, unleashing the latest horror from beyond the veil with fair impunity. Despite the dizzying number of subplots and character arcs to keep track of, Terrible Penny It never feels overwhelming as it navigates its winding narrative, touching on corners of supernatural folklore from around the world. With an elegant visual identity and airtight itineraries that make the most of every moment, Terrible Penny It's a thrilling ride without a dull moment.
9
Stranger Things
4 seasons (ongoing)
Few TV shows from the streaming era have left as big a cultural impact as Stranger Thingswhose appeal seems to transcend generations, despite the nostalgic 80s setting. The series begins with a group of four young nerdy friends, one of whom disappears into a dangerous parallel reality inhabited by a bloodthirsty monster. At the same time, a girl with psychic powers escapes from a shadowy government facility, meeting up with the three remaining boys and helping them rescue their missing companion.
From humble beginnings, Stranger Things has evolved into an increasingly popular show that combines cosmic horror with young adult coming-of-age storytelling, impressive world-building, and moving drama. Although some seasons of Stranger Things are better than others, each one manages to quickly introduce new horrible threats at a good pace, never leaving a dull moment in the air. Combined with the stellar '80s soundtrack and innovative children's performances, it's no wonder how the series became such a potent pop culture phenomenon.
8
The X-Files
11 seasons
One of the most iconic TV series in general, let alone in the horror subgenre The X-Files needs little introduction. The science fiction masterpiece chronicles the cases of FBI special agents Mulder and Scully, working in the mysterious “X-Files” division dedicated to supposedly paranormal occurrences, usually revolving around aliens. Mulder and Scully have a fantastically tense will-they-won't-they relationship in addition to their fascinating skeptic-believer dynamic.
Many may not consider The X-Files a true horror series, but the scariest episodes speak for themselves, with all kinds of indescribable monsters, the most grotesque of which are often normal people. The monster of the week format keeps the series lean in its pace, without wasting a single moment of screen time like so many modern TV shows tend to do. Despite being a product of the 90s, The X-Files is still one of the most thrilling TV horror journeys anyone can embark on.
7
Black Mirror
6 seasons (ongoing)
While programs like The Twilight Zone may have dominated the horror anthology TV space, the very modern trappings of Black Mirror updated the format with contemporary narrative speed. Originating from the United Kingdom, the hit Netflix franchise presents a new story of technology gone wrong with each episode, with settings ranging from essentially the present day to distant dystopian futures that will hopefully never manifest. While its nature as a collection of disconnected vignettes means there are some real dips in quality, Black MirrorThe best episodes of make the long wait between seasons worth it.
Considering that each episode is responsible for closing an independent story, it's no wonder that Black Mirror generally moves at a fast pace. Although the length of each play has begun to increase to miniature films in more recent seasons, the frightening implications of each horrific technological application introduced make even the bad episodes worth watching just for the discussion of their themes. It's hard to go wrong with picking a random episode of Black Mirror.
6
Kingdom
2 seasons
Much more obscure than other entries on this list, Kingdom deserves much more recognition as a gripping and well-executed fantasy horror series. Based on the webtoon The Realm of the Gods, the South Korean series is set in the Kingdom of Joseon in the late Middle Ages. The show examines a long-running rivalry between two royal families that turns the earth sour when one of them accidentally releases a plague of zombies while trying to resurrect a deceased member of the clan.
The idea of zombies in a medieval fantasy setting is quite new, and the story's events unfold at a pace as terrifyingly fast as the undead creatures that inhabit it. Unlike the staggering corpses of The Walking Dead, KingdomZombies are fast, voracious and absolutely bloodthirsty, creating a constant threat that drives the action like a pressure cooker. Also boasting a fascinating and varied cast of memorable characters, it's a shame that Kingdom has remained in development limbo since its second season.
5
The Haunting of Hill House
1 season
The visionary horror miniseries that put genius showrunner and director Mike Flanagan on the map, The Haunting of Hill House is a refined horror experience unlike any other. Based on the novel of the same name by Shirley Jackson, the limited series explores two parallel stories that go back and forth in time, showing how a group of brothers grew up with their parents in a haunted house and how the events of their childhood occurred. to terrorize them into their adult lives. Of all Mike Flanagan's work, The Haunting of Hill House may just be the strongest.
Although the series takes time to establish the history of the titular house and its former inhabitants, Flanagan has a knack for letting viewers feel comfortable long enough not to be suspicious of the next abrupt leap. But don't be fooled, The Haunting of Hill House is far from a collection of cheap photos, with a very real sense of dread that builds upon the interpersonal drama that complements the mansion's many ghosts and ghouls. With just one season, each episode of the series is meticulously crafted to move the story forward at a welcome pace.
4
Mariana
1 season
For every great horror show produced by Netflix, there is another series full of potential that is unfortunately canceled by the streaming giant. Mariana was one of those casualties of the platform, disappointing fans with its fast-paced horror sensibilities. The French-language series follows a famous horror writer whose inspiration becomes all too real when a malicious presence from her nightmares begins to haunt her life, not to mention her own characters, previously considered fictional.
Just because Mariana was canceled prematurely doesn't mean the series isn't worth watching. Filled to the brim with deliberate scares from the start, Mariana Pays homage to many famous horror films and even more obscure anime series with impressive proficiency, yet maintaining its own twisted brand of French folk horror. Fueled with adrenaline and hair-raising realizations, MarianaThe cancellation of is one of Netflix's biggest missed opportunities in the horror space.
3
The Exorcist
2 seasons
Not to be confused with innovator Exorcist film series, the 2016 show is a brilliant expansion of the supernatural possession story that started it all. Taking place decades after the first film, The Exorcist The series revolves around two priests forced to fight demonic forces that threaten a family and a foster home. Although the two main characters take on a variety of new cases, they eventually come across the frightening possession of Regan MacNiel years ago.
Demonic possession provides some of the most chilling imagery of any horror subgenre, and The Exorcist it certainly delivers on this promise. The incredible performances sell the terror of the hellish invasion, doing enough to pay homage to the original film while still bursting with its unique narrative. Although it unfortunately only lasted 2 seasons, The Exorcist is capable of providing a lot of emotion in such a short time, especially for those who like the film series.
2
Channel Zero
4 seasons
The Internet has had a profound effect on folklore, with the popular creepypastas, or copy-and-paste scary stories, serving as a new form of chilling tale to be shared around the digital campfire. An underrated horror anthology series from SyFy, Channel Zero channels this new form of spooky story into a true art form. Technically it is not a true anthology, each of the Channel ZeroThe four seasons tell a new horror story with unique settings and characters.
The ideas captured in each season are wonderfully unique, from children's programming that causes unnerving disappearances to multidimensional cannibals. As such, the series is quick to tell stories, knowing that it doesn't have the benefit of waiting for the next season to finish producing its various seeds of mystery. Pepper in some incredible creature designs and special effects for a mid-budget horror show, and Channel Zero It's not an experience to miss.
1
Ash vs Dead Evil
3 seasons
Continuing the legacy of evil Dead films, Ash vs Evil Dead brought back Bruce Campbell's beloved Ash Williams after decades of radio silence aside from an occasional cameo. Picking up years later with an older, rougher Ash, the Deadites are once again released into the world when the hardware sales agent makes a stoned mistake. Choosing new undead hunters Pablo and Kelly, Ash is tasked with stopping the mysterious Ruby from enacting her unholy plans with the Necronomicon.
Filled to the brim with action, comedy and daring practical effects, the dull moments never remain. Ash against the evil dead. The story progresses quite significantly in each episode, with nothing really feeling like filler other than the odd extended sequence of slapstick blood. No other TV show truly captures the campy, campy fun of Ash against the evil dead, making it a breakneck pace horror series that stands out in a category of its own, even a few years after its cancellation.