Horrorhas remained one of the most fascinating and addicting genres on television. It’s no wonder why, between its grotesque monsters, many twists and turns, and incredible acting performances. Over the past decade, several horror shows have made waves in the media, attracting loyal fan bases.
The best of these recent horror shows bring something fresh to the genre, from unique character designs, to impressive VFX, to unconventional settings. For example,the Netflix hitStranger Things, introduced audiences to the now-iconic “Demogorgon” monster, andYellowjackets,explored the lingering effects of isolationand trauma on adolescent girls who had been stranded. The true genius of many of these shows, is their usage of horror as a means of highlighting humanity’s darkness and weaknesses. Because of this, horror is equally entertaining as it is profound.
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From is a series revolving around a mysterious American town that ensnares newcomers, forcing its inhabitants to maintain order and find an escape amidst nighttime perils from the surrounding forest. The residents face threats from terrifying creatures emerging after sunset, complicating their struggle for survival.
One of the newer horror shows that has come out is the MGM+ series, From. This complex story follows a mysterious town known as the “Township,” located in the middle of the United States, where residents are trapped and unable to leave. The various members attempt to find a way of escape, while also fending off the horrors that lurk in the nearby forest. From is a unique concept to start with, as the location of the Township is the initial supernatural force that threatens the members of the community.
Coupled with the terrifying design of humanoid monsters who attack town members at night, From successfully establishes a frightening world that quickly hooks viewers. Beyond this, the stakes are heightened by a series of clever twists and reveals, such as the fact thatTabitha and Jim Matthews, a new family who moved to the Township, are reincarnated from a previous couple in the town. In the end, From is about confronting issues and fears about oneself, since the characters are physically unable to escape.
The Haunting of Hill House
The Haunting of Hill House is a 2018 horror drama series that interweaves the past and present narrative of a family grappling with traumatic occurrences from their former residence. The story explores the psychological and supernatural elements of their experiences as they contend with haunting memories and events.
The Haunting of Hill Housepremiered on Netflix in 2018, and quickly became aMike Flanagan horror classic, resulting in multiple seasons, each following a different cast of characters. The show’s first season focuses on the Crain family, who move to a new house, only to find that they are being terrorized by a set of supernatural beings.Though the family escapes, the Crain children struggle to move forward while the ghosts of their past still haunt them.
Few ghost stories follow the victims after they have escaped the terrors of their haunting, andThe Haunting of Hill Housecleverly turns this on its head, asthe children are irrevocably affected even into their adulthood.Besides its discussion of psychological effects, the show is realistic in multiple other ways, such as the design of the spirits themselves, who are hidden in the background of several shots.The Haunting of Hill Houseis a tragedy about the inability to escape childhood demons.
Yellowjackets
Yellowjackets is a television series exploring the survival ordeal of a high school girls' soccer team stranded in the remote wilderness after a plane crash. It interweaves psychological horror and coming-of-age themes, simultaneously depicting their harrowing transformation and its lasting impact on their lives 25 years later.
Yellowjacketsstarts out with the familiar story of a group of unlikely survivors who have been stranded in a desolate location, but quickly becomes much more. The hit television show chronicles the lives of anall-girls soccer team whose plane crashesin the Ontario wilderness. However,when their survival instincts challenge their morals, the girls must ask themselves how far they are willing to go.This horror series also follows several leads after their rescue from the horrors of their isolation, demonstrating how trauma manifests differently in their choices as adults.
In the woods, the show isn’t afraid to venture into the twisted, withYellowjackets’cannibalism rituals, murder, and violence occurring between the desperate young girls. However, audiences are still able to sympathize with many characters because of how well they are written, such as Van Palmer, the most violent of the girls who resorts to barbarism out of sheer desperation.The real genius ofYellowjacketsstems from its exploration into human instinct if left unchecked for a period of time, even if societal constructs return.
Midnight Mass
Created and directed by Mike Flanagan, Midnight Mass follows the residents of an isolated fishing community whose lives are changed by the sudden appearance of a charismatic new priest, Father Paul Hill (Hamish Linklater). The residents of Crockett Island struggle to eke out a meager living, just barely surviving off the mainland, but the appearance of Hill changes everything. Attendance at the local church is at an all-time high, but cynical ex-con Riley Flynn doesn’t trust the priest, and sets out to uncover his dark secret.
Another Mike Flanagan horror hit isMidnight Mass.The horror miniseriestells the chilling story of Riley Flynn (Zach Gilford), a troubled young man who returns to his small town of Crockett Island, after serving time for killing someone in a drunk driving accident. However,when a charming and powerful priest arrives at the same time, claiming to perform miracles, Riley questions his strange influence on the town.Midnight Massmay only be one season, but its story is potent for those who watch it.Midnight Massperfectly captures the aesthetic feel and central themesof Gothic Horror.
From the eerie appearance of Crockett Island, eccentric residents, and an overbearing sense of religious fervor,Midnight Mass,allows audiences to witness the anxiety that Riley increasingly feels as strange events continue to occur. Its examination of the dangers of religious fanaticism and the effects of blind faith are intriguing for audiences to watch onscreen. Not to mention, supernatural elements, such as Riley’s victim haunting him, add to the tension of the show.
Evil
Evil is a psychological mystery series that follows a skeptical forensic psychologist, Kristen Bouchard, who teams up with a Catholic priest-in-training and a tech expert to investigate purportedly supernatural incidents. The series delves into complex themes of religion, science, and the nature of evil through its deeply layered narrative and character development. The show stars Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, and Aasif Mandvi.
The conversation about religious fanaticism is continued in Michelle and Robert King’s CBS series,Evil,which is now streaming on Netflix.The four-part show follows a psychologist, an aspirational Catholic priest, and a tech contractor, to find a logical explanation behind the many religious mysteries, possessions, and miracles that are claimed by the Church.
Evilis truly unique in its premise, and its blend between drama and supernatural mystery is engaging for viewers wanting to see something fresh in horror.One of the show’s strengths is its contrasting cast of characters, who, although different in life paths, find ways to work together on their investigation.The show also discusses the reasoning behind faith versus science, and the various ways that they intersect. Of course, moments of horror are spattered throughout, from a variety ofterrifying demons to antichrist encounters, keeping the audiences on their toes, and adding to the horror element of the show.
Supernatural
Supernatural is a television series that follows brothers Sam and Dean Winchester, who were raised by their father to hunt and combat supernatural entities after losing their mother to a demonic force. Traversing the American landscape in their ‘67 Chevy Impala, they face numerous paranormal threats.
One of the longest-running horror television shows is also one of the best.Supernaturalbegan in 2005, and tells the story of the Winchester Brothers, Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam (Jared Padalecki), who take up their father’s job of being a “ghost hunter,“fighting all things supernatural, such as monsters, demons, spirits, and gods. The showended in 2020 in a controversial finale.Supernaturalis one of the most famous horror series of the last decade for many reasons.
The Supernatural Finale, What Happened To Sam & Dean, & Why It’s Controversial, Explained
The Supernatural finale brings an end to 15 seasons of monster hunting with a slow, moving, and nostalgic episode focused on the Winchesters.
Each episode of the series features another supernatural being that is sure to entertain audiences, and keeps the subplots of the show fresh. Urban legends and superstitions are often used as inspiration for episodes, drawing on real-life examples to create the demons in the world of the show. However,Supernaturalis also well-loved for its inclusion of comedic and lighthearted moments, which mainly stem from theclose relationship between the Winchester family.After all, it is the chemistry between Sam and Dean which separates the show from other programs of a similar nature.
The Last Of Us
The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic drama series set two decades after a global catastrophe. It follows Joel, a seasoned survivor, who is tasked with escorting Ellie, a teenage girl, across a desolated United States, transforming into a harrowing journey of survival and companionship.
Neil Druckman and Craig Mazin’s adaptation of theiconic video gameThe Last of Us, quickly shot to success after its release in 2023 on Netflix.This horror show follows Joe (Pedro Pascal), a tough survivor, and Ellie (Bella Ramsey), a young girl with a special gift, who team up to survive in a post-apocalyptic world after the outbreak of a zombie virus.The Last of Usis another successful example of the zombie niche in television and film, but it stands out in a variety of ways.
For example, the show’s careful attention to detail regarding the zombies themselves, makes them all the more terrifying. These zombies aren’t a supernatural phenomenon, but rather, the result ofa fungus infection caused by “cordyceps"altering their appearance. The show also boasts an impressive cast, with recognizable names like Pedro Pascal and Nick Offerman at the helm. However,The Last of Usis impressive mainly due to its well-written stories of human connection enduring against the backdrop of a natural disaster.
The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead is a television series that premiered on July 09, 2025. It follows Sheriff’s deputy Rick Grimes, who awakens from a coma to find a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. He embarks on a journey to locate his family, encountering various survivors amidst the chaos.
Another equally popular zombie series is Frank Darabont’sThe Walking Dead.The hit FX series follows SheriffRick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and a group of survivorswho navigate a zombie apocalypse together to find a safe home, encountering both human and undead threats along the way. Few zombie designs are as recognizable as the classic “walkers” ofThe Walking Dead.
The Walking Deadhas resulted in multiple spin-offs and sequel series, includingThe Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, Fear The Walking Dead,andThe Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.
In every episode, walkers threaten the lives of the leads in many ways, and fewsurvivors from the pilotescape without eventually becoming infected themselves. The cast of this zombie series is easily the most memorable parts of the show, with complex relationships and issues bubbling between the characters, such as Michonne (Danai Guirira) and Ricks’s romance. In fact,it is the connections and sense of community between the survivors, which proves the show’s theme of the importance of companionshipin order for human perseverance in times of disaster.
Stranger Things
Stranger Things, released in 2013, follows Oona, an anthropology graduate, who returns to her late mother’s seaside cottage in southern England. Her presence unsettles Mani, a cautious squatter living on the property. The film explores their evolving relationship amidst the backdrop of impending change and emotional discovery.
The Duffer Brothers’ Netflix hitStranger Thingsis undoubtedly one of the biggest and most innovative horror series of the decade.Stranger Thingstells the story of a group of middle-schoolers in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana in the 1980s. When one of their friends goes missing, the group finds themselves involved in a town-wide mystery. The premise ofStranger Thingsis uniquely eccentric, playing on the nostalgia of a1980s sci-fiand a modern psychological thriller.
One of the ways it does so is by establishing a strong sense of setting, from its synth 1980s soundtrack, to period-accurate costuming, viewers feel that they are transported to the world of the show.Stranger Thingsalso masterfully maintains a sense of suspense and mystery, folding back layers of information about the “Upside Down” and its connection to characters like Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). Relationships between several characters in the show are also well-developed, such as Elle and Hopper’s unexpected but heartwarming bond.
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.
American Horror Storyis the quintessential horror series of the decade, bringing a fresh story with it every season that keeps audiences engaged. This2010s horror anthology seriesfollows a new cast of characters who must navigate a variety of harrowing and dangerous supernatural scenarios. From haunted houses, to poorly-run asylums, to mysterious hotels run by vampiric hosts,American Horror Storybrings a compelling season that audiences cannot take their eyes off of.
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Ryan Murphy’shorrorshow also does not shy from the grotesque, committing fully to gore, twisted nightmares, and disgusting displays of humanity’s abuse. Over the years, the show has also gained an impressive cast of both regulars (such as Evan Peters and Sarah Paulson), and also featuredstar guests onAmerican Horror Story,like Lady Gaga. Ultimately, it is the shock value ofAmerican Horror Storythat allows it to stand out with each new season, bringing new lessons about humanity’s weaknesses and fears.
