Horroranthology series have long been dominating TV, and for good reason, with the best of them consistently delivering delightfully spooky thrills one story at a time. While mostgreat horror TV seriestend to remain somewhat niche in popularity, a glaring exception remains in anthology horror shows. This refers to series that tell entirely new stories every episode or season, functioning as a loose collection of chillers with only perhaps a handful of themes in common.
Whilehorror anthology movieshave already proven themselves as great uses of the genre,TV shows using the same techniques are arguably more famous. The episodic nature of TV storytelling works perfectly for an anthology format, and horror stories don’t have to worry about keeping any survivors around for the next episode with a self-contained narrative. This means that the tension and uncertainty are able to steadily increase over the course of each installment, captivating audiences over and over again.
Tales From the Crypt
Cast
Tales from the Crypt, released in 1989, features the Crypt Keeper as the host, guiding viewers through chilling and entertaining stories inspired by classic E.C. Comics. The anthology encompasses sinister narratives, including a deranged Santa and a couple’s deadly marital vow, blending horror with dark humor.
The originalTales from the Cryptmovie in 1972 is one of thescariest PG movies of all time, managing to remain quite spooky despite the limitations in content.This nearly family-friendly approach to horror storytelling will be further elaborated on in the spin-off TV series, based off of the original EC Comics series of the same name. Every week, the Cryptkeeper would introduce some profane new story with cackling glee, spitting out a few endearing puns based on the premise along the way to the tune of an amazing Danny Elfman soundtrack.
The series also stands out among other horror anthologies for its trademark sense of humor, usually present to some degree in most episodes.
Tales from the Cryptwas a true who’s who of 90s stardom, with high-profile names like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, Christopher Reeve, and Demi Moore all finding themselves in the Crypt at some point or another.It’s easy to see how the show became a household name with its delightfully cheesy set dressing, practical effects, and relative appeal to all age brackets. The series also stands out among other horror anthologies for its trademark sense of humor, usually present to some degree in most episodes.
A modern take on some classic horror creators' work
Creepshow
Creepshow is a Shudder original series that is formatted as a horror anthology. Each episode consists of two twisted tales hosted by the Creep. Like the Creepshow movies before the series, Creepshow pays homage to the EC horror comics of the 1950s, such as The Haunt of Fear, Tales from the Crypt, and The Vault of Horror.
Of course,Tales from the Cryptwasn’t the only film to attempt to recapture the magic of the EC Comics with a horror anthology film that would later become a TV series.1982’sCreepshowwas a dream team-up between Stephen King and George A. Romero ofNight of the Living Deadfame, delivering on a potent promise between two powerhouse horror masters. The film spawned a series of sequels, and eventually a dedicated TV show in the modern era.
TheCreepshowseries is a loving callback to King and Romero’s original work, running a gamut of supernatural horror subjects like demons, zombies, vampires, and werewolvesDripping with charm, eeriness, and deliciously cheesy creep factor,Creepshow’s praises can’t be sung of highly enough.
Channel Zero
Channel Zero is an anthology horror series that is based on the most popular Creepypasta stories, including Candle Love, The No-End House, Search and Rescue Woods, and Hidden Door, to name a few. The series originally aired on Syfy and lasted for four seasons before being canceled by the network.
One remarkable thing about the digital age is the way it has morphed traditional horror storytelling. Thanks to the internet, a new form ofscary stories known as “creepypastas"have emerged, using the digital campfire to prey on the fears of readers and establish a modern folklore.Channel Zerowas a short-lived horror anthology series that aimed to take advantage of this new form of culture, unleashing episodes heavily inspired by such grisly tales.
Rather than have each individual episode be its own story,Channel Zeroallowed itself to be serialized a bit, with each season telling a new overarching story rather than starting from complete scratch each episode.
However, within these seasons, many different horrifying concepts were able to be explored, with premises flexible enough to offer multiple different types of scares.Utilizing the perspective of kids and teenagers,Channel Zerowas able to evoke the uneasy feelings of reading a scary story online.
American Horror Story
American Horror Story is a Horror Anthology series created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. The franchise has seen stars like Connie Britton, Jessica Lange, Denis O’Hare, Zachary Quinto, Evan Peters, and Dylan McDermott. Each season follows a new premise and spans an array of horror genres like witches, ghosts, serial killers, and more.
WhileChannel Zeromay have utilized the format of each season being a distinct story rather than each episode, the idea was popularized in the first place byAmerican Horror Story.A truly groundbreaking and eye-catching piece of media, each season ofAmerican Horror Storypromises some new terrifying supernatural world to get lost in. Subjects ranged from haunted insane asylums to covens of scheming witches to covert alien invasions.
With the weighty name recognition ofGlee’s Ryan Murphy at the helm,American Horror Storyis able to throw around its weight in terms of production value, which only soars higher and higher as the series progresses.Star power like Lady Gaga, Evan Peters, and even Kim Kardashian has kept the series relevant well into the modern day, always ready to unearth some new depraved terror on unsuspecting viewers. Even if some seasons are better than others,American Horror Storyis always entertaining.
Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities
Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities, a horror anthology series, comes from a collection of visionary filmmakers, including and curated by Guillermo del Toro. Eight terrifying tales, both new and adapted from classic writers, are brought to the small screen to challenge modern horror conventions and get some of the works of del Toro to life. Each episode tells a unique tale with a different cast, with the beginning of each one starting with an introduction by del Toro himself. Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities positions itself as anthology series set to give new minds a chance to shine in a crowded medium.
A more recent horror anthology,Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiositiestakes a more auteur approach to episodic horror storytelling.Though the show is only hosted by him,Guillermo del Toro’s filmsare certainly evoked by the eight episodes of this brief self-contained series on Netflix. With an impressive lineup of devious directors, del Toro was able to assemble a truly peculiar lineup of supernatural horror stories.
Subjects range from alien parasites to extradimensional witches and eldritch horrors from beyond the scope of human imagination unleashed by disturbing paintings. The stories vary in quality wildly, perhaps more so than any horror anthology series listed yet, but they always nevertheless leave an impact with their creativity and striking creature design.Guillermo del Toro has certainly proven his eye as a curator of uniquely macabre and gothic horror shorts.
Monsters
Monsters is a horror anthology series that aired from 1988 to 1991, featuring standalone episodes centered around different terrifying creatures and supernatural occurrences. Each episode introduces a unique set of characters who encounter various monsters, ranging from mythical beings to scientific experiments gone awry, providing a mix of horror, suspense, and dark humor.
If there’s one horror anthology series that certainly can be said to have lived up to its title, it’s the seldom-known showMonsters.True to its name,Monsterswas a monster-of-the-week series that unleashed some terrifying new villain on its viewers every week, with only a handful of exceptions. Produced by Richard P. Rubinstein ofTales from the Darksidefame, the series had a prestigious pedigree despite its relative obscurity.
The series was also infamous for being an early stop in the careers of actors who would become famous later, such as Matt LeBlanc and David Spade.
The best thing aboutMonsterswas its impressive practical effects and makeup, courtesy of acclaimed special effects guru Dick Smith, who stretched the series' limited budget beyond human imagination.The show was keen to show off his creations, from the monstrous family that introduced every episode to the nightmarish beasts that would be unleashed within them.The series was also infamous for being an early stop in the careers of actors who would become famous later, such as Matt LeBlanc and David Spade.
4Are You Afraid Of The Dark?
Stays spooky despite being aimed at kids
It’s rare thathorror shows are directly aimed at children, taking on the difficult task of being scary but not overtly so, and all while eschewing more intense imagery or themes unsuitable for younger viewers. Yet this is exactly the realm thatAre You Afraid of the Dark?is able to thrive in, terrifying generations of kids.The original series was a relic of the 90s, but the title has been brought back from the grave with a 2019 reboot.
The show uses the framing device of a club of kids who call themselves “The Midnight Society” gathering to tell scary stories around a campfire, relating them to the viewer at the same time. While the original series was a strict anthology, the reboot elaborates a bit more on the lives of the Midnight Society themselves, with each season elaborating on a new frame story surrounding the morbid tales.From killer clowns to haunted dolls and vampire neighbors,Are You Afraid of the Dark?balances on the razor’s edge between terrifying and child-appropriate.
Tales From the Darkside
Tales From the Darkside is an anthology horror series created by George A. Romero, presenting individual short stories with plot twists. It explores themes of horror, science fiction, and fantasy, occasionally incorporating black comedy or lighter elements, offering a diverse range of chilling narratives.
Though producer Richard P. Rubinstein did great work withMonsters, Tales from the Darksidewas arguably his true magnum opus.Giving George A. Romero another shot at horror anthology madness beyond theCreepshowfilm,Tales from the Darksidewas born out of Romero’s desire to continue the efforts of the film despite the intellectual property falling outside his grasp. Yet as a result,Tales from the Darksidewas arguably scarier than the officialCreepshowseries.
Tales From The Darkside: The Movie’s Cast & Characters
Tales From The Darkside: The Movie is a cult anthology horror from 1990, and here’s a breakdown of the film’s main cast and characters.
The show featured episodes penned by some truly talented voices in horror, including Romero himself, Stephen King, and Clive Barker ofHellraiserfame.Many of these episodes were actually adaptations of pre-existing short stories, making the series a valuable showcase of more obscure literary horror that might have otherwise been overlooked. For the sheer richness in quality of the writing,Tales from the Darksideis still a venerated classic.
Black Mirror
Black Mirror is a dystopian anthology series that explores the unsettling and profound impact of modern technology on society. Premiering in 2011, it examines various scenarios where technological advancements intersect with human nature, creating thought-provoking narratives about contemporary and future issues.
While many horror anthology shows thrive in the pulp speculative fiction of the past,Black Mirroris a distinctly modern take on the popular format.The Netflix original series' name comes from the image of a powered-off smartphone, examining how the advancement of technology can inflict all sorts of previously unimaginable horrors on the human race. Theepisodes ofBlack Mirrorrange from taking place in a far-off future to an alarmingly possible modern day.
Some episodes ofBlack Mirrorread as eerie warnings, whereas others simply exist as delightfully ghoulish thought experiments all in good fun.Whatever the case, the series is seldom boring, with hoardes of creative hypothetical gadgets and gizmos to terrify with existential dread. Progress always comes at a cost, andBlack Mirroris still so beloved because it’s able to examine the price tag more closely.
The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone is an anthology series that debuted in 1959, featuring a collection of standalone episodes encompassing drama, psychological thriller, fantasy, science fiction, suspense, and horror. Known for its macabre or unexpected twists, each story is distinct, exploring various speculative themes and human experiences.
It’s fair to say that the very format of the horror anthology series wouldn’t exist today if it weren’t forThe Twilight Zone.From the jarring theme music to Rod Serling’s stoic narration, it’s remarkable just how wellThe Twilight Zonehas managed to remain in the pop culture zeitgeist despite originally airing as long ago as 1959.There’s a good reason why the series is still so ubiquitous today despite being decades old.
For one, the episodes ofThe Twilight Zoneare relentlessly creative, with spooky premises that continue to capture the imagination and even remain famous in pop culture to this day. From gremlins perched on the wings of aircraft to bratty children with godlike powers, the black-and-white cinematography of the series only helps contribute to the eerie atmosphere each story was able to blanket its viewers in. Thehorrorgenre as a whole still owes a lot toThe Twilight Zone.
