Every year, as October quickly approaches, there is nothing better than watching hours of horror stories to get into the mood for Halloween. Horror television shows provide a deep dive into characters and the scary things they face that sometimes a two-hour-long movie is not able to. For some time now, horror stories have become more popular and gained much more space on the small screen, and have been terrifying their audience ever since.
The 2010s was a strong year for genre shows, and horror was certainly one of them. Different types of scary stories, plenty of psychological thrillers, and spooky supernatural tales were released almost every week. There was a darker quality to them that wasn't as popular in previous decades and created 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 story arcs are resolved, so it feels like a miniseries overall. The atmosphere, innovative jump scares, and believable (but unbelievably good) performance by the cast, but especially by 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 will do.
8 Supernatural
After 15 seasons of ghost and monster hunting, Supernatural and the Winchester brothers made their mark (and it’s not the mark of Cain). The procedural detective structure combined with a bit of comedy created a feel-good type of show that nonetheless didn't shy away from being scary. However, the highlights of the show are the emotional moments, when some characters die or there's simply sad events: these are the glue that makes the viewer feel like they are a part of this dysfunctional family.
7 Penny Dreadful
Sky
Penny Dreadful is a gothic tale where some of literature’s most famous horror characters, including Mr. Frankenstein, lurk in the dark corners of Victorian London. The show's ending in the third season was a surprise to fans, as it was a decision of creator John Logan and not Showtime, the production company, to end the series. Some say Penny Dreadful is one of the most overlooked series of the 2010s. The acting and scripts (especially the dialogue) were incredibly done, as well as the bloody scenes, which are quite a few. The series only has 27 episodes, so it’s perfect for a binge-watch.
6 The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead brought the post-apocalyptic zombie horror stories to a new level of popularity. The show premiered back in 2010, and it was announced that the eleventh season will be the last. The gore, the atmosphere, and the impossible decisions the group of survivors has to make are the strongest elements of the show. The series gained a spin-off show, Fear The Walking Dead, which is set before the events of the original show. It was also announced that another Walking Dead spin-off series following Daryl and Carol (some of the show's fan-favorite characters) will air in 2023. Videogames and comic books are only a few other products that the show inspired. The Walking Dead was really one of a kind and has been cherished, and will continue to be so, for a very long time.
5 Channel Zero
Channel Zero is a criminally underrated anthology series from Nick Antosca (Brand New Cherry Flavor, A Friend of the Family), with four quick, brilliant seasons to delight true horror fans. The show was based on 'creepypastas', which are scary stories shared on the internet on message boards. The show was on the disturbing side, not shying away from gore, supernatural and dead bodies (including children). Each season of Channel Zero focuses on already existing creepypasta: "Candle Cove" by Kris Straub is the focus of season one, "The No-End House" by Brian Russell in season two, "Butchers Block" by Kerry Hammond in season three, and "The Dream Door" by Charlotte Bywater is the final season.
4 American Horror Story
American Horror Story was a bold bet, a grim horror series that goes for broke as it changes from one story to another each season while retaining the same cast members, but the gamble paid off. The series aired its first season, known by the fans as Murder House, back in 2011. Now, over a decade later, there are 10 seasons (with an 11th in development) and a spin-off series set in the same world. The striking stories are created year after year, even if some are stronger than others (which is expected after so many years). Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk will forever be a 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 for three seasons, but each one was a small miracle — outside Twin Peaks, there had never been a show this aesthetically unique, boldly disturbing, and cinematically experimental that ran on a major network like NBC. The incredible acting, writing, and direction all lend themselves to a show that is one of the strongest horror productions to date. Hannibal felt alive, just as much as the titular cannibal's next victim. Mads Mikkelsen plays the character, and some may say that his portrayal of one of the most famous villains in cinema (and literature) is the best Hannibal yet.
2 The Haunting of Hill House
The first Netflix miniseries by filmmaker Mike Flanagan, 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 shots, emotionally complex characters, and some frightening hidden ghosts, and his fist attempt at television knocked it out of the park, paving the way for equally deep, achingly melancholic projects like Midnight Mass. The show is spectacular to watch, and he heartbreaking moments leave room for the frightening ones. This series prefers to focus on atmosphere and character development and thus has 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 some other ghosts) appear out of nowhere.
1 Bates Motel
NBCUniversal Television Distribution
The series had five seasons but was never critically recognized the way it deserved: Bates Motel is one of the best psychological horror series available to 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 becoming the iconic serial killer. There are a lot of heavy themes about mental health, Freudian issues, and extremely grim subjects that are explicitly shown, so it may not be for everyone. But for those who are a fan of Psycho or just a well-constructed horror thriller, this is a must-watch with phenomenal acting.