26 Frightful TV Series To Watch With the Lights Off

Whether it's the spooky season or not, it's always the right time to enjoy sitting down with a truly spine-tingling TV series. Whether you want to sit down with the tortured ghosts of an old manor's past or care to join a cannibal for dinner, there's a series just waiting to welcome you into its twisted world. Turn down the lights, get a good blanket to hide under, and immerse yourself in the best horror programming that television has to offer.

1. The Haunting of Hill House (2018)

It’s difficult to talk about modern ghost stories without bringing up The Haunting of Hill House. An adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s classic novel, the TV series took a few creative liberties, none of which diminished the quality of the story. Creator Mike Flanagan brought together an all-star cast headlined by Timothy Hutton, Henry Thomas, and Carla Gugino to frighten and intrigue audiences with an emotional tale of a broken family brought back together by the loss of one of their own. Flanagan tested viewers by hiding the ghosts of Hill House in the background throughout the show, reminding them that they’re never really ever alone.

2. Marianne (2019)

If you can get past it being in French, Marianne is an absolute must-watch. Author Emma Larsimon returns to her hometown and is forced to face an evil that has plagued her since childhood. The basic concept may not be the most original among other supernatural shows and movies, but the way director Samuel Bodin pieces this horrifying tale together is quite wonderful. Especially if you’re looking for something to jolt you every so often with a good scare. Unfortunately, Marianne was canceled after one season, but Bodin was able to work in enough of a self-contained story that you won’t feel too cheated by the conclusion of the final episode.

3. Hannibal (2013-2015)

Hannibal is a stunningly gory look inside the life and work of Hannibal Lecter before he was in the famous mask and straight jacket. Will, a criminal profiler, has been tasked with identifying a unique serial killer. It proves a difficult feat, prompting him to enlist the help of a brilliant psychiatrist, good ‘ole Lecter himself. As the two become consumed by their work, a bizarre dynamic begins to form, one full of tension and terror that eventually allows Lecter to do the consuming.

4. From (2022-Present)

Set in a town that traps anyone who enters, From is a very underappreciated, bone-chilling show. Nightfall in this uncomfortable and mysterious borough unleashes intelligent, shape-shifting creatures from the surrounding forest. What’s worse is they know your name and things about you that no one else could know. If you’ve been following the growing fascination in skinwalkers that sparked in recent years, then definitely give this a watch. Just be prepared to hit that pause button for a break every so often.

5. Brand New Cherry Flavor (2021)

Based on a novel with the same name, Brand New Cherry Flavor is one wild ride. I loved the cast and kept seeing reaction videos to a specific part of the show, so I had to check it out myself. It’s a little bit of every genre rolled up into one: action, horror, and a tad bit of romance. With only eight episodes, it makes a perfect show to binge over the weekend, though you're definitely going to want more.

6. Penny Dreadful (2014-2016)

I have nothing but good things to say about Penny Dreadful. If you’re a fan of the Universal Classic Monsters, you’ll love the way they incorporate almost every one of them into the story. Eva Green is masterful in her portrayal of Vanessa Ives, a woman set on finding her missing friend with the help of all manner of men and beasts at her side. Creator John Logan had a tough task ahead of him to treat each iconic monster with respect, and he did a fantastic job bringing unique depictions of them to the small screen thanks to a well-chosen cast.

7. Black Mirror (2011-Present)

Black Mirror is a sci-fi/horror anthology series that centers around futuristic and dystopian themes. It’s perfect for anyone who can’t commit to watching a whole series. Each episode is a complete story full of twists and turns that will stick with you long after you turn the TV off. Many may leave you weary of the future laid out ahead, so just remember to tell yourself, “It's just a TV show.” For now, at least.

8. Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities (2022)

As a Guillermo del Toro super fan, a horror anthology produced by him is a dream come true. Guillermo curated each tale but gave other directors the freedom to bring each unique nightmare to life. With a star-studded cast, it was a blast to watch some of the actors in a horror setting for the first time. My only complaint is that the second season hasn't been announced yet!

9. Hemlock Grove (2013-2015)

Hemlock Grove was my introduction to Bill Skarsgård, who went on to become this generation’s Pennywise and star as the vampiric Count Orlok in Nosferatu (2024). The talent and gore make this a favorite. The series is three seasons long, but unfortunately, the third season was rushed and not up to par. Do I still think you should watch it? Absolutely. Goofy ending aside, it’s a steamy and horrific tale worth your attention.

10. Servant (2019-2023)

I just recently finished this series and was blown away. This one definitely flew under the radar. It could be due to very poor marketing and being limited to Apple TV+. Still, the lackluster viewership is surprising considering M. Night Shyamalan is the showrunner. Servant tells the story of a family that takes in a young girl to babysit their infant son. When everything seems too good to be true, it often is. Something is wrong with the babysitter and it’s up to the family to find out the truth.

11. Evil (2019-Present)

It’s great to see Mike Colter back on the screen after the success of Luke Cage. His talents are not wasted in this series where he plays a priest in training alongside a forensic psychiatrist and an independent contractor as they use their combined knowledge to try and disprove supernatural happenings. Unfortunately for them, it seems most of their cases are the real deal and they often find themselves face-to-face with spectral threats. Original available on CBS, the show moved to Paramount+ for its second and thrid seasons.

12. Fringe (2008-2013)

All fans of The X-files will absolutely love Fringe. It has a very similar vibe and is full of plenty of sci-fi creatures and moments of body horror to scratch that creepy itch. The series follows work done by the Fringe Division of the FBI as they investigate cases involving everything from the supernatural to inter-dimensional travels. This is a good one, definitely don’t skip it, especially if you want to see Joshua Jackson acting outside the confines of the teenage drama of Felicity. 

13. American Horror Story (2011-Present)

Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story has been a long-time favorite of mine. The earlier seasons of the series are perfect television. Each season tells its own story while using the same actors from previous seasons in new roles. There are so many seasons that almost any element of horror you can think of has been covered. It ranges from possessed nuns to rich vampires and even manages to sprinkle in a bit of a freak show. Any way you slice it, it’s always a fun and spooky watch.

14. Creepshow (2019-Present)

If you’re a fan of the classic horror anthology film Creepshow and its sequel, this series is a must-watch. This reboot has several different directors who draw from the existing works by Stephen King, Joe Hill, and other horror authors. Full of grotesque creatures and melting flesh, this series isn’t for the faint of heart. If you're squeamish, proceed with caution, as each season is full of gruesome, grotesque, and gory horror sure to keep you fidgeting in your seat! 

15. The Strain (2014-2017)

The creatures in The Strain share a striking resemblance with the vampires featured in Blade II which makes sense, considering they’re both from the mind of Guillermo del Toro. He strikes gold again with this series surrounding the spread of an ancient virus that gives its host vampiric qualities. Guillermo had said he wanted to make the show very clinical to give it a “real world” feel, and really make it feel like a viral epidemic spreading across the globe. Though much of the series takes place in New York, The Strain does a great job of eradicating hope for the salvation of humanity.

16. The Terror (2018-2019)

Each season of this series is inspired by a different historical mystery. If you’re a history buff, The Terror will pique your interest. The acting is superb along with some gorgeous cinematography making for top-tier entertainment. The first season is perfect for binging and once you get hooked you won’t want to stop until you finish it all.

17. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003) 

Sarah Michelle Gellar was born to play Buffy. She’s no ordinary high schooler, she’s a slayer and has been granted incredible powers to help her rid the world of vampire scum. Although she’s a killing machine, this doesn’t stop her from having the usual teenage problems. She’s got plenty of time to have a crush between cramming stakes into the chests of bloodsucking demons. If you’re new to the series, consider yourself lucky. You can binge without the cliffhangers that plagued us in the late 90s.

18. Channel Zero (2016-2018)

As you can see from the image above, this horror anthology contains some frightening characters. The series is made up of four self-contained seasons oozing with some seriously spooky stories. I’m a huge fan of practical makeup effects and Channel Zero knows how to do it right. I find people in makeup to be far scarier than CGI monsters and was truly unsettled by the Tooth Fairy you may have seen popping up when the series was running. If you feel the same way, add this one to your list. 

19. Yellowjackets (2022-Present)

Yellowjackets is an impressive feat for horror TV, as it has been nominated for over 50 awards during its run. It’s a brilliant story that follows a girl's soccer team that survives a plane crash in the remote wilderness. The setting bounces back and forth between the girls being stranded and the girls as adults in the present day still dealing with the repercussions of what they had to do to survive. Just when you think you have everything figured out, there’s a curveball that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

20. Archive 81 (2022) 

Archive 81 is based on an analog horror podcast of the same name. A man takes on the task of looking through a collection of tapes that follow a woman’s investigation into a secret cult. This is a slow burn and requires your undivided attention, so make sure you’re seated with your eyes and ears forward or you just might miss the most subtle elements of horror. 

21. The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020)

The Haunting of Bly Manor is one of Mike Flanagan’s less scary works. It still contains moments of terror, but they’re nothing in comparison to those of The Haunting of Hill House. However, as is expected of Flanagan's work at this point, Bly Manor has an impeccable cast and a gorgeous set design. I was drooling over that kitchen! It has major themes surrounding love and loss, as Flanagan's work often does. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to do a bit of screaming and crying.

22. The Mist (2017)

In 2007, The Mist was introduced to us on the silver screen. Ten years later, in 2017, came the TV show that remained loyal to its source material. A small town and its residents have been shrouded in a thick mist that harbors grotesque creatures from another world. As the residents try to rally together, they quickly discover that the real monsters aren’t in the mist, it's the people trapped inside. With only 10 episodes, it makes for a quick and satisfying watch.

23. Grimm (2011-2017)

If you’ve ever thought that police dramas could use a dash of Grimm's Fairy Tales, then I have the perfect show for you! This series follows a homicide detective who discovers he is, in fact, a guardian known as a Grimm charged with keeping humanity safe from dangerous mythological creatures. There’s a great balance of the supernatural and a normal police drama that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

24. The Returned (2015)

A small town is turned on its head as a group of its residents who have been dead for several years are suddenly alive and well. They haven’t aged and can’t remember their fates, but they do their best to settle back in. All is well until a string of murders begins resembling victims of a serial killer from the past. This series was cut short after a single season, but if you want more you could check out the French version that it’s based on or even the book!

25. Scream Queens (2015-2016) 

Scream Queens is the most comedic show on this list with an ensemble cast including the queen of slasher films herself, Jamie Lee Curtis. Taking place at a sorority, a murderous psychopath donning a red devil mask has targeted the girls as they try to expose his identity. This series, created by American Horror Story creator Ryan Murphy, is truly hilarious with so many great one-liners and amusing antics. With only two seasons, you’ll be able to solve the mystery in no time.

26. Bates Motel (2013-2017) 

Bates Motel is a modern-day riveting prequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 film Psycho that gives us an in-depth analysis of the relationship between the mother and son duo. This is a true psychological thriller complete with brutal murders and betrayal all shot on a beautiful set.

There’s a reason this was the longest-running original scripted drama series in A&E history. Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore command your attention with their incredible award-winning performances that chill you straight to the bone.