With an abundance of fantastic TV shows to binge, it can be fairly intimidating to jump into one that is seasons long. That’s why a majority ofhorrortelevision is perfect, with some of the best able to easily devour from start to finish in just one day. These compelling yet chilling narratives pack everything you could crave from a horror series, from scares and suspense to the supernatural.
Whether you’re in the mood for ghosts, vampires, or even crime, these bite-sized horror TV series are more than enough to keep you satisfied. Here are 10 horror TV series that provide the perfect solution for those seeking a thrilling escape, without the time commitment.
10Behind Her Eyes
Behind Her Eyes
6 Episodes
Netflix’s psychological horror,Behind Her Eyes, is based on the 2017 novel of the same name by Sarah Pinborough. It follows the story of a single mother called Louise, who begins an affair with her boss, David. However, as it progresses, Louise also forms and unlikely friendship with David’s mysterious and odd wife, Adele. As Louise and David’s affair progresses, she begins to learn that there is far more to his marriage to Adele than meets the eye, with viewers being taken onan unsettling journey of psychological and twists and turns, leading up to a truly haunting ending.
The Perfect Amount of Psychological Suspense
On the surface,Behind Her Eyesisn’t your average horror TV show. This six episode whirlwind instead focuses on building up psychological suspense, before it begins to seamlessly incorporate supernatural elements. Because of this, a lot of the supernatural parts of the show aren’t entirely explained, but that’s part of what makes it so effective at being unsettling. A lot of the praise forBehind Her Eyescomes from its shocking ending, which is carefully alluded to throughout the show without giving too much away.
Overall, it’s a fantastic deep dive into obsession, and the lengths that people will go to keep their dark secrets hidden.Stream on Netflix.
9Midnight Mass
Midnight Mass
7 Episodes
Midnight Massis the first of many Mike Flanagan projects on this list, with this masterpiece serving as a love letter to Stephen King’sSalem’s Lot. Set on the isolated community of Crockett Island, the residents' lives are forever changed by the arrival of their charismatic new priest, Father Paul. His arrival marks the beginning of a chain of various strange and miraculous events, which leads the townsfolk to believe that a divine presence is among them. To their horror, there is nothing godly about this presence at all, with the Angel in question being something far more bloodthirsty.
Salem’s Lot for the Next Generation
While Flanagan’s works often have very clear inspirations behind them,they always feel incredibly unique. Flanagan usesMidnight Massto explore faith, guilt, and the consequences of blind devotion. Though the show has very clear horror elements, it also takes its time to showcase the psychological and moral complexities of Crockett Island’s residents.
The remote location provides a deeply atmospheric setting, making the reality of the characters' situation far more terrifying. Even thoughMidnight Massis largely fictional, there still lies so much truth behind it, particularly in regard to religious extremism, bringing viewers a lasting sense of dread.StreamMidnight Masson Netflix.
Watch a clip fromMidnight Masshere.
8The Outsider
The Outsider
Based on Stephen King’s best-selling novel of the same name, The Outsider begins by following an investigation which at first seems like it will be simple and straightforward but things change as it leads into the gruesome murder of a young boy by a seasoned cop. When an insidious supernatural force edges its way into the case, it leads the investigators to question everything they believe in. The character of Holly Gibney from “Mr. Mercedes” is a major character in this series.
10 Episodes
HBO’sThe Outsideris the first entry on this list directly adapted from a novel by master of horror, Stephen King. As with the book of the same name, the show is centered on the gruesome murder of a young boy in the small town of Cherokee City, Georgia. From the offset, the evidence for the crime seems irrefutable, with all fingers pointing to beloved little league coach, Terry Maitland. However, as Detective Ralph Anderson begins to peel back the case into many layers, he uncovers a strange mystery that defies all explanation. It’s then that the show transforms from your average crime watch into a full-blown horror, as the lines begin to blur between reality and the supernatural.
The Best Blend of Crime and Horror
It’s the blending of both the crime and horror genres that makesThe Outsidersuch a clear standout. Compared to other horror TV shows, it is a relatively slow burn, but it needs to be in order to effectively pull off all the major reveals.
It’s also one of the best adaptations of King’s works, which are often polarizing, despite the fact that creator Richard Price has been vocal about the creative liberties transforming the story for the screen. Ben Mendelsohn really stands out in his role as Ralph Anderson, as does Cynthia Erivo’s portrayal of Holly Gibney, a detective who has appeared in various King novels.Stream on Max.
7Salem’s Lot (1979)
2 Episodes
Though technically a made-for-TV horror film,Salem’s Lot(1979) is a perfect horror miniseries to binge in a day.Another Stephen King adaptation, the story follows writer Ben Mears, who returns to his hometown of Jerusalem’s Lot to write a novel. As he confronts his inner demons on his return, he encounters a real one; a malevolent vampire, Kurt Barlow. Sooner than later, Barlow’s vampiric influence begins to take a strong hold on the town, leading a small group of residents to attempt to bring an end to his reign.
Stephen King’s Vampire Tale Still Holds Up
Salem’s Lot(1979) is one of the most iconic horror TV shows ever made, influencing countless filmmakers after it and spawning various parodies across popular media. It solidified its place in horror history thanks to its perfect use of suspense, as well as its eerie atmosphere.
One moment that stands out in particular features a young Ralphie Glick ominously floating outside a window with glowing yellow eyes, quickly becoming a scene which has haunted viewers all over the world ever since. While it’s the most dated entry on this list,Salem’s Lot(1979) is worth a watch due to its everlasting feeling of impending doom, as well as its beautiful homages to works before it such asNosferatu.RentSalem’s Loton Apple TV.
Related:26 Best Horror TV Series on Netflix to Watch Right Now
11 Episodes
Themis a horror anthology series on Amazon Prime Video that explores different manifestations of terror experienced by Black families in America. The first season of the show is set in the 1950s, during the Second Great Migration, as the Emory family settle into an all-white neighborhood in Los Angeles, California. As they attempt to build a new life for themselves, they face vicious racism and malevolent supernatural forces. Currently, only one season exists of the show, with the second set to release in 2024, focusing on a different story and following a similar structure to American Horror Story.
A Polarizing Watch
In the realm of horror, not many shows or movies exist that feature black stories at the center. This helps to setThemapart from other shows like it instantly, as it uses the genre to explore racial trauma and social injustice in a way like no other, creating a thought-provoking viewing experience.
However, it’s important to note thatThemhas been met with some criticism since its release, with some stating that the show is exploitative and distressing in nature, which is important to keep in mind when giving it a watch. Nevertheless,Themisn’t afraid to show the darker aspects of American history and society, with fantastic performances from the cast that emphasize the sheer injustice of it all.Stream on Prime Video.
5Dracula (2020)
3 Episodes
Dracula(2020) is one of the shortest viewing experiences on this list, with just three episodes to binge through. This adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic novel completely reimagines the iconic vampire tale, even placing the Count in a modern setting towards the end. The first episode is closer to what many audiences are familiar with, showing Dracula’s encounter with Jonathan Harker before it begins to take more creative liberties with the story. Eventually, Dracula ends up 123 years into the future, leading him to explore a world like no other.
A Unique Spin on Bram Stoker’s Classic
Rather than presenting as a full-blown horror,Dracula(2020) relies a lot on dark humor, which instantly separates it from other adaptations of the novel. The unique changes to the source material take viewers down an unsuspecting journey of twists and turns, while also managing to capture the Gothic essence that makes it so great.
Additionally, it also pays homage to other Dracula adaptations and vampire-based media, including the Hammer and Universal films, and evenBuffy the Vampire Slayer. Even Stephen King has spoken out about the show, describing it as a smart, involving and terrific reinvention ofDracula.Stream on Netflix.
4The Haunting of Bly Manor
The Haunting of Bly Manor
9 Episodes
Mike Flanagan’s second entry on this list isThe Haunting of Bly Manor, which is loosely based on a variation of works by famed novelist, Henry James. Primarily, the story is taken from James’The Turn of the Screw, focusing on an American au pair called Dani, who moves into the remote Bly Manor in England to look after two orphans, Miles and Flora Wingrave. As Dani quickly settles into her new role, she notices strange behavior from the two siblings, which prompts her to uncover darker secrets within the house’s walls that tragically change her life forever.
The Best Kind of Love Story
The Haunting of Bly Manorhas everything you could want from a Gothic ghost story. Around every corner is a story of love, whether it’s between friends, family, or lovers. There are no cheap jump scares hidden inside, with each scare masterfully built up to create complete dread in the viewer.
Every character feels fully fleshed out, even the ones with less screen time, which helps to make a lot of the underlying themes of grief, love, and obsession feel all the more devastating. It’s so much more than the average horror TV show, with viewers more likely to have a broken heart than any anxieties about turning the lights off at night.Stream on Netflix.
Watch a clip fromThe Haunting of Bly Manorhere.
3The Fall of the House of Usher
The Fall of the House of Usher
8 Episodes
The Fall of the House of Usheris Mike Flanagan’s latest Netflix originals, blending multiple works by Edgar Allan Poe to create a GothicSuccession. As the title suggests, the show is primarily focused on the Usher family, helmed by siblings Roderick and Madeline, who have created an empire from their corrupt pharmaceutical company. The rest of the family is built up of Roderick’s six children, and their own respective families. Roderick is already known as a villain to some, so when his children begin miraculously dying one by one, he begins to reveal his darkest secrets to the attorney who has hunted him for years.
A Fantastic Ensemble
One of the first things to notice aboutThe Fall of the House of Usher, as with most Mike Flanagan projects, is the stacked cast. This time featuring the likes of Mark Hamill and Bruce Greenwood, Flanagan brings back most of his main collaborators to create a group of some of the most toxic and unsettling people on the planet.
Given its business-like setting, it feels significantly different in tone to Flanagan’s other works, yet it still manages to capture everything that fans love about Edgar Allan Poe’s gruesome tales and poems. It beautifully critiques greed and the hunger for power, forcing viewers to question how much they’d sacrifice to have it all.Stream on Netflix.
Related:5 Spine-Tingling Ghost Stories That Would Be Perfect For Season 3 of The Haunting Anthology
2IT (1990)
Over two decades before Bill Skarsgård took on the role of Pennywise the Dancing Clown, Tim Curry traumatized audiences with his portrayal in the horror miniseriesIT(1990). The film is based on one of the most popular novels by Stephen King, and follows a group of childhood friends called the Losers Club who live in the fictional town of Derry. When kids start to mysteriously vanish, the Losers discover that a malevolent entity known as Pennywise is behind it all, resurfacing every 27 years to prey and feed on their fears.
The Best Pennywise to Date
Tim Curry’s portrayal of Pennywise is perhaps the most iconic, helping to maintain its relevancy decades later, even with new adaptations. While compared to the 2017 film, the scares are relatively tame, Pennywise is still creepy enough to create a lasting impact on viewers.
The second half where the Losers return as adults is often criticized, but that’s primarily down to the same issues that occur within King’s novel, especially in regard to the ending. The coming-of-age elements in the first half are definitely what helps it to stand out, with the bond between the Losers as kids feeling real and authentic, making it a must-watch for those who loved this about the 2017 version.
1The Haunting of Hill House
The Haunting of Hill House
The Haunting of Hill Houseis truly Mike Flanagan’s masterpiece, and also potentially the best horror TV show ever made. While it’s based on the novel of the same name by Shirley Jackson, you won’t find many similarities between the two. Where Jackson’s novel is focused on four individuals who arrive at Hill House to investigate the supernatural, the show explores the dynamics of a dysfunctional family that is haunted by grief. Throughout the show, it flips between two timelines, one set in the past that shows what the family endured in Hill House, and another set in the present that focuses on how it plagued their lives in different ways.
A Masterpiece of Horror
Even though the haunted house genre existed long beforeThe Haunting of Hill House, it truly feels as though it invented it, or at least set a precedent for how these stories should be told on screen. Like Jackson’s novel, Flanagan looks at the idea of ghosts and the supernatural from a more psychological lens, that truly taps into the core of the audience’s being.
As withThe Haunting of Bly Manor, this show will leave viewers absolutely devastated,though it is significantly more terrifying. The amount of passion and dedication that went into this project is absolutely magnetic, as Flanagan uses the Crain siblings to navigate the various stages of grief, with beautiful writing that perfectly captures the unconditional love that exists within families.Stream on Netflix.
