Horror is a difficult genre to sustain across multiple episodes and because of this, there really aren’t that many good ones. A movie can build dread for 90 minutes and release it at the end. A series has to keep resetting that tension week after week without burning through its premise (and audience).
I left out the obvious ones that you know, like Twilight Zone, Tales From The Crypt, The Walking Dead etc…These are the series that didn’t seem to get enough love from horror fans and are worth checking out. I’ll try not to spoil any and since trailers these days seem to do just that, I wont post trailers to any that are worth going in cold.
Monsterland (Hulu)
An anthology series, so the quality varies wildly depending on the episode. Overall, the series premise explores the idea that human beings are often the true monsters…so it’s not necessarily about your usual zombies, slashers, vampires etc… While the stories are fairly original and interesting, some episodes suffer from just being mediocre. I think part of why most of the series felt disappointing was because episode one set the bar so high. "Port Fourchon, LA" does just that. Kaitlyn Dever delivers a performance that is genuinely real and disturbing in the best possible way, and the episode builds to a place that will stick with you long after it's over. Watch it. Then proceed based on your own tolerance for its inconsistency from one episode to the next.
The trailer is actually great…
Kingdom (Netflix)
Korean samurai zombie series. Yes, really. And yes, it works, really well.
Fair warning: the first two episodes are rough enough that you might be tempted to give up. I did for a while. Episode three is where it clicks, and from that point forward it doesn't let up for its two full seasons (plus feature-length origin story). Korean filmmakers have a tendency to lean into comic relief characters in ways that can feel jarring if you're not expecting it, but push through. Samurai, zombies, and a lot of gore. The payoff is worth it.
Another great trailer to check out…
30 Coins (HBO)
30 Coins a religious horror series from Spanish director Álex de la Iglesia, and it comes out swinging right from the first episode. Some of the most genuinely frightening scenes you'll see on television, and season one builds a mythology that feels fresh and unnerving throughout. The series follows a priest who is exiled to a remote Spanish village, where unexplainable, demonic phenomena plagues the town.
Season two’s plot seemed to lose its focus and I gave up after a couple episodes. What made season 1 so great, just wasn’t there for me which was genuinely frustrating. Watch season one regardless. It’s REALLY that good. If you continue into season two, manage your expectations.
Sweet Home (Netflix)
Its logline should be enough to grab your attention: As humans turn into savage monsters and the world plunges into terror, a handful of survivors fight for their lives — and to hold on to their humanity. I really liked season 1, but was slightly hit or miss episode to episode. BUT…when it hit, it really hit. One of the great suspenseful elevator scenes in recent television history, which you’ll want to watch a few time. The monsters were fun, frightening, imaginative and over the top, but unfortunately it’s almost all CGI, which can be a turnoff for me. That said, once you get past that, there's real imagination in the monster designs and many of them (there are a lot) are genuinely bonkers…in the best possible way. It’s fun, and worth checking out. One caveat, like 30 Coins, season 2 just fell apart for me and I only lasted 2 episodes. What made season fun seemed to disappear, it felt more like a spin off than a continuation…which is too bad.
Midnight Mass (Netflix)
This one is pretty mainstream, but I don't know a single person who actually watched it, which is baffling. Mike Flanagan's best work in my opinion.
It's a slow burn, but well done in that it still holds your attention. Once it gets going you're completely hooked. Original premise, strong cast, genuinely good screenplay. The kind of series that reminds you what the genre can do when someone takes it seriously. If you don’t know what it’s about, go in knowing only this: The arrival of a charismatic young priest brings glorious miracles, ominous mysteries and renewed religious fervor to a dying town desperate to believe. Enjoy.
Alien: Earth (Hulu)
Here’s another mainstream choice, which not enough horror fans watched. Maybe it’s a Disney thing, I don’t know. Full disclosure: I'm a sucker for anything from the Alien franchise. All of them. Yes, even the ones you probably didn’t like. It's my favorite horror franchise. I’m also a big Timothy Olyphant fan (Deadwood, Justified), so I went into this one thinking I’d love it, no matter what. And yes, of course I loved it. But even with that bias, I think too many horror fans skipped it.
So here we are, there’s Aliens and corporate greed as usual, but this time it's not just an alien on a ship. There's a Peter Pan subplot, a creepy sheep and more species of life from other worlds. If that combination doesn't make you at least curious, I don't know what to tell you. The first few episodes took some time to find their footing, but the middle and late episodes are genuinely great…like, really great. I’m very much looking forward to season two, because yes…I’ll enjoy it…because…Alien.
The Terror, Season 1 (AMC)
Is it horror? Is it mystery? Honestly part of the appeal is that it's hard to categorize. Based on the Dan Simmons novel about the doomed Franklin Expedition, two Royal Navy ships trapped in Arctic ice in the 1840s with something hunting the crew in the dark. Exceptional production design, strong cast, and an atmosphere of dread that builds slowly and pays off. The seasons are stand alone stories, season 2 was just OK. Season 3 which premiered in May 2026 to positive but somewhat mixed reviews (said to be better then season 2, but not as great as season 1). It’s on my watch list, but I haven’t gotten there yet.
The Strain (FX)
Guillermo Del Toro doing Del Toro things, this time with vampires. Not enough horror fans caught this one during its run and it never got the attention it deserved. Based on the novel trilogy Del Toro co-wrote with Chuck Hogan, it takes the vampire mythology in a genuinely different direction, treating it more like a parasitic infection than a supernatural curse. Gross, inventive, and very much its own thing.
Check it out, especially if you like Del Toro’s work, it’s available to stream on Hulu (as of now). It lasted 4 seasons (which is a lot for any series not named The Walking Dead or American Horror Story), and was enjoyable throughout. We covered his early film The Devil’s Backbone in a previous article, which you should also add to your watch list if you’ve never seen it.
True Detective, Season 4 (HBO)
Another anthology series, each season is its own story and classified in the “true-crime” genre.
BUT…season 4 is a bit different. I really didn’t know much about it going in…Is it horror? Is it true crime? That's part of what makes it work. You genuinely don't know where it's going while you're watching, and the atmosphere does more heavy lifting than most dedicated horror series manage. Set in a remote Alaskan town in the dead of winter, Jodie Foster is excellent, and director Issa López brings us something completely different from the previous seasons. I highlighted her in a previous article for her amazing The Tigers Are Not Afraid and she’s already attached to True Detective season 5. Honestly, I’m looking forward to whatever she does next.
Archive 81 (Netflix)
Not sure why this one didn't get more love. It’s a supernatural mystery. Sort of a “found footage” story, but this one is mind-bending and original. It’s the kind of show that you’ll keep thinking about long after it’s over. It was cancelled after one season, which was genuinely disappointing, though in hindsight maybe ending on a high note beats the alternative of running too long and losing what made it work (like 30 Coins and Sweet Home). It’s 100% worth watching and I’m planning on watching it again.
Horror fans, did we miss any? Drop a comment below and let us know what your favorites are.
About The Author
Mike Meyerson is the founder of FEELING CREATIVE?, and has been a horror nut ever since Alien and The Exorcist gave him nightmares as a boy (and yes, Alien is his favorite). Currently located in NY’s Hudson Valley Region, is always looking to build the network, find a new cool trail to hike and a new horror movie (or series) to watch.
Read Mike’s other articles - HERE.
