Every year, as October quickly approaches, there’s nothing better than watching horror stories for hours on end to get in the mood for Halloween. Horror TV shows offer a deep dive into characters and the scary things they face that sometimes a two-hour movie can’t. For some time now, horror stories have become more popular and have taken up a lot more space on the small screen, and they’ve been terrifying their audience ever since.
The 2010s were a strong year for genre shows, and horror was certainly one of them. Almost every week, various kinds of scary stories, numerous psychological thrillers and spooky supernatural stories were released. They had a darker quality that wasn’t as popular in previous decades and set a new foundation for upcoming scary shows. Here are some of the best horror shows of the 2010s.
9 Marianne
Marianne is a French Netflix show that will haunt your dreams. The series was canceled after one season, but the main storylines have been resolved, so it feels like a miniseries overall. The atmosphere, innovative jump scares and believable (but incredibly good) acting from the cast, but especially from actress Mireille Herbstmeyer, make this show one of a kind. The story is truly terrifying and knows when to use gore, or when a simple camera trick is enough.
8 supernatural
After 15 seasons of ghost and monster hunting, supernatural and the Winchester brothers left their mark (and it’s not Cain’s mark). The procedural detective structure combined with a touch of comedy made for a feel-good-like show that was nevertheless scary. However, the highlights of the show are the emotional moments, when some characters die or there are just sad events: these are the glue that makes the viewer feel like part of this dysfunctional family.
7 Penny Terrible
Sky
Penny Terrible is a gothic tale that features some of literature’s most famous horror characters, including Mr. Frankenstein, lurking in the dark corners of Victorian London. The show’s end in the third season was a surprise for fans, because it was a decision by creator John Logan and not Showtime, the production company, to end the series. some say Penny Terrible is one of the most overlooked series of the 2010s. The acting and scripts (especially the dialogues) were incredibly done, as were the gory scenes, and there are quite a few. The series only has 27 episodes, so it’s perfect for a binge-watch.
6 The living Dead
The living Dead took the post-apocalyptic zombie horror stories to a new level of popularity. The show premiered in 2010, and it was announced that the 11th season will be its last. The blood, the atmosphere and the impossible decisions that the group of survivors must make are the strongest elements of the show. The series got a spin-off show, Fear of the Walking Dead, set before the events of the original show. It was also announced that another Walking Dead spin-off series that follows Daryl and Carol (some of the show’s favorite characters) will air in 2023. Video games and comic books are just a few other products that inspired the show. The living Dead was truly one of a kind and has been cherished, and will remain so, for a very long time.
5 Channel Zero
Channel Zero is a criminally underrated anthology series by Nick Antosca (Brand new cherry flavor, a family friend), featuring four fast-paced, brilliant seasons to delight true horror fans. The show was based on “creepypastas,” scary stories shared on message boards across the internet. The show was on the disturbing side, didn’t shy away from gore, supernatural and dead bodies (including children). Every season of Channel Zero focuses on pre-existing creepypasta: Kris Straub’s “Candle Cove” is the focus of season one, Brian Russell’s “The No-End House” in season two, Kerry Hammond’s “Butchers Block” in season three, and “The Dream Door” Charlotte Bywater’s final season.
4 American horror story
American horror story was a daring gamble, a grim horror series that goes broke as it changes from one story to the next every season while retaining the same cast members, but the gamble paid off. The series aired its first season, known to fans as Murder House, in 2011. Now, more than a decade later, there are 11 seasons and a spin-off series set in the same world. The standout stories are created year after year, even though some are stronger than others (which is expected after so many years). Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk will forever be part of the evolution of horror stories on television.
3 Hannibal
The artistic masterpiece that is Hannibal tells the story of Hannibal Lecter, the infamous fictional cannibal from The Silence of the Lambs, Manhunter, and more. The show only lasted three seasons, but each one was a little miracle – outside Twin PeaksThere’s never been a show so aesthetically unique, brutally disturbing, and cinematically experimental, running on a major network like NBC. The incredible acting, writing and directing all lend themselves to a show that is one of the strongest horror productions to date. Hannibal felt alive, as good as the titular cannibal’s next victim. Mads Mikkelsen plays the character, and some might say his portrayal of one of the most famous villains in cinema (and literature) is the best. Hannibal yet.
2 The Haunting of Hill House
Filmmaker Mike Flanagan’s First Netflix Miniseries, The Haunting of Hill House is considered one of the best recent horror stories and one of the best horror series on Netflix as a whole. Flanagan is a master of intricate long range shots, emotionally complex characters and some terrifying hidden ghosts, and his first foray at television knocked it out of the park, paving the way for equally deep, painfully melancholic projects like Midnight Mass. The show is spectacular to watch, and the heartbreaking moments leave room for the terrifying. This series prefers to focus on atmosphere and character development, so there are few jump scares, but they are well thought out, and it’s almost impossible not to jump on the chair when the Bent-Neck Lady (and a few other ghosts) emerge from nowhere. .
1 Bates Motel
NBC Universal Television Distribution
The series had five seasons, but was never critically recognized as it deserved: Bates Motel is one of the best psychological horror series you can watch today. The phenomenal acting, writing and overall creative decisions really create a unique tone that makes it impossible to stop watching the journey of the young Norman bates who become the iconic serial killer. There are many heavy topics about mental health, Freudian issues and extremely grim subjects on display explicitly so it may not be for everyone. But for those who are fans of psychosis or just a well-constructed horror thriller, this is a must-see with phenomenal acting.