The inventor of Netflix needs a medal. The streaming service has grown its catalog astronomically in recent years. And us avid binge-watchers couldn’t be more pleased.
Netflix’s offerings in the horror TV department are brilliant. I just want to say that Netflix does horror-comedy really well, with shows such as Santa Clarita Diet. But here, we want to talk about the stuff that’s genuinely frightening. The TV shows where you might wait for a friend to come over before you put them on.
To give you a little pro tip, before we begin. There are still ways to watch these Netflix shows even if they aren’t available in your country yet. Now, are you sitting comfortably? Then let’s begin this fright fest…
1. The Haunting of Hill House
Due to a family tragedy, the Crain siblings must return to a house they left behind over 20 years ago. Here, they must face their childhood demons, both literal and metaphorical.
This paranormal horror series is complex and thrilling. And I’m glad to say that it has been renewed for a second season.
2. Z Nation
Survivors of a zombie apocalypse are given a mission to transport the potential savior of the human race to a laboratory on the other side of the country.
The show is fast-paced and inventive in the ways it presents its zombies, and that makes Z Nation much better than The Walking Dead.
3. American Horror Story
AHS is a terrifying anthology series, where each season is set in a different setting with different characters. Its eight seasons have included titles such as Murder House, Asylum and Freak Show.
Creator, Ryan Murphy, really knows how to tap into people’s deepest fears. He even gave Sarah Paulson’s character in AHS Cult, the actor’s real-life phobia. How ingenious is that?
4. Hannibal
An FBI profiler is on the hunt for a serial killer. What he doesn’t know is that he has one right under his nose in the form of forensic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter.
The show is disturbing from the very first episode. Emily Nussbaum at The New Yorker praises “its ability to make us crave something we thought we’d find disgusting.”
5. The Twilight Zone
Rod Serling’s anthology series depicts strange events that lead to moral dilemmas in each episode.
Despite the fact the show came out in the late ’50s, it resonates with modern times. The Twilight Zone won’t give you any jump scares, but instead it’s scary in more of a cerebral way.
6. Slasher
Each season of Slasher follows the reign of terror of a different fictional serial killer. In the most recent season, Slasher: Solstice, a group of neighbors is haunted by a killer called The Druid who sets out to punish them for a misdeed committed the previous year.
What’s interesting about this show is that it combines a violent murder mystery with social commentary.
7. Tokyo Ghoul
A college student becomes a half-ghoul who must eat human flesh for sustenance. The show follows his struggles as he tries to keep his secret hidden.
It’s hard to imagine a cartoon scaring you silly. Yet, Tokyo Ghoul has the gore and intensity of any live-action TV show.