Top 10 TV Shows That Are Perfect for Spooky Season
#10: “Twin Peaks” (1990-91, 2017)
With a rushing waterfall, a plethora of green pines, and humble slices of pie, Twin Peaks looks like an idyllic small town. That perception is quickly dashed when the body of Laura Palmer washes up on shore. This isn’t the only way that creators David Lynch and Mark Frost deceive their audience. “Twin Peaks” lures us in with a seemingly routine murder mystery. As the story unfolds, we’re immersed in an experience far more supernatural and surreal. You might not always understand what’s going on - and the 2017 revival arguably only raises more questions. Even at its most head-scratching, though, “Twin Peaks” overflows with an arresting atmosphere. You don’t need to know what’s in the coffee. You just need to know it’s damn fine coffee.
#9: “Gravity Falls” (2012-16)
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This Disney series is tailor made for that time of year when summer transitions to fall. “Gravity Falls” finds Dipper and Mabel Pines arriving at their great-uncle’s Oregon tourist trap for the summer, but every day feels more like Halloween. In addition to unraveling an overarching mystery, the Pines must overcome zombies, ghosts, and pretty much every other paranormal entity you can think of - as well as a few you probably haven’t thought of like a Larry King wax sculpture. The show even has a summer variation of Halloween called Summerween, making us wonder why jack-o’-melons haven’t caught on. With clues and sight gags worked into every episode, “Gravity Falls” demands multiple rewatches with the spooky season providing an appropriate backdrop to do so.
#8: “Over the Garden Wall” (2014)
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From its opening song, this Emmy-winning miniseries submerges us in everything autumn, as if we’ve been thrown into a pile of leaves. At the same time, “Over the Garden Wall” slowly sneaks up on us with its Halloween atmosphere. Each episode introduces another eerie element, from a dark forest, to skeletons wearing pumpkin heads, to a bug-eyed auntie voiced by Tim Curry. Like “Wizard of Oz,” the lovable central characters get us through the show’s grimmer moments. It’s creepy yet strangely comforting, much like a night out trick-or-treating. Clocking in at under two hours, “Garden Wall” is an easy binge with rewatch value. Why Max removed it from their library after August 31, 2023 is beyond us, but there are other routes to the Unknown.
#7: “Hannibal” (2013-15)
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If you annually revisit “Silence of the Lambs,” “Hannibal” should be on the menu as well. This series borrows more from Thomas Harris’ other novels, most notably “Red Dragon” and “Hannibal Rising.” However, it’s far from a straightforward adaptation with creator Bryan Fuller leaving a distinct signature. Instead of being confined to a cell, Hannibal is out in the open. Hannibal presents himself as an asset to the FBI, although he’s cooking something devious behind the scenes. As beautifully demented as the imagery is, “Hannibal” is just as much a mind game with Dr. Lecter finding an archrival/kindred spirit in Will Graham. We know Hannibal is evil, but Graham could be swayed either way. Both characters are equally unpredictable, making for an unnerving dynamic.
#6: “Penny Dreadful” (2014-16)
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Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” these are just some of the chilling tales that call to us every Halloween. “Penny Dreadful” assembles figures from various legendary horror stories, providing a modern spin without ever feeling gimmicky. It’s kind of like “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” or that Hugh Jackman “Van Helsing” movie, except… you know, delivers on its full potential. With a Victorian-era backdrop, every costume, makeup effect, and set piece oozes a gothic ambiance. “Penny Dreadful” isn’t style over substance, however. There’s an involving story carried by convincing performances from Eva Green, Josh Hartnett, and a monster mash of character actors who appear right at home. It’s certainly worth more than a penny for your thoughts.
#5: “The Haunting of Hill House” (2018)
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Mike Flanagan is among the few directors we can unequivocally call a master of modern horror. In addition to spine-chilling original shows like “Midnight Mass,” Flanagan has breathed new life into classic works like Shirley Jackson’s “The Haunting of Hill House.” Flanagan reimagines Jackson’s gothic novel as a contemporary family drama while maintaining the intoxicating dread that made the source material such a page-turner. Sometimes, the horror stems from what we don’t see. Other times, it’s hiding in plain sight. Flanagan also isn’t afraid to go unleashed, delivering some truly disturbing imagery without coming off as manipulative. Every scare feels earned with compelling characters and an involving ghost story. It’s a miniseries that’ll have you lying awake at night for more than one reason.
#4: “The Addams Family” (1964-66)
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If you’ve seen “Wednesday” and the countless TikTok videos, why not go back to the beginning? Based on Charles Addams’ comic strip, this 1964 series is remembered for its dark humor and gleefully grim production values. While those aspects have aged splendidly, “The Addams Family” holds up in ways you might not expect. Much of the comedy stems from how the macabre Addams work off “everyday folks.” In many respects, this reflected 1960s counterculture, which in turn can be applied to today’s counterculture. There’s something oddly relatable and even progressive about a family that’s constantly questioning social norms, turning the tables on tradition. Perhaps that’s why we keep coming back to these characters decades later. No matter what the era, though, they remain altogether ooky.
#3: “American Horror Story” (2011-)
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Anthology shows were essentially six feet under until “American Horror Story” resurrected the concept. Instead of a different story each week, almost every season functions as a standalone entity while still remaining connected to an overarching universe. This makes leeway for an assortment of ominous locales, from a haunted house, to an alarming asylum, to a freaky carnival. The rotating roster of settings and characters also opens the door to various subgenres, including slasher flicks, found footage, and dark satire. While some seasons are admittedly stronger than others, every incarnation brings a level of curiosity. You never know what you’re going to get, although you can usually anticipate a few familiar faces, be it breakout stars like Evan Peters or living legends like Jessica Lange.
#2: “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)
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You wouldn’t expect an obscure 1992 movie to inspire an iconic TV series, especially one centered on a vampire slayer. Yet, “Buffy” is full of surprises. Part of its crossover appeal is rooted in the show’s ability to juggle different tones and genres without feeling inconsistent. The pop culture-savvy comedy is cleverly balanced with the coming-of-age drama. At its core, though, “Buffy” remains grounded in horror. In some cases, the horror stems from the creatures that go bump in the night. The show also delves into real-world horrors such as the loss of a loved one. The circumstances are fantastical and the dialogue is colorful, but “Buffy” tells a human story about self-discovery, which often entails facing demons (both internal and literal). Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Mindhunter” (2017-19) True Crime Is Where the Real Monsters Reside “Stranger Things” (2016-) Peak 80s Horror “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” (1990-2000; 2019-22) Your Favorite Childhood Horror Anthology “Goosebumps” (1995-98) Your Other Favorite Childhood Horror Anthology “The Munsters” (1964-66) A Monster Mash for the Whole Family
#1: “The Twilight Zone” (1959-64)
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Over 60 years after it first aired, it’s amazing and kind of eerie how prevalent “The Twilight Zone” remains. We’re not just talking about its lasting presence in pop culture with numerous episodes and lines still being referenced to this day. Creator Rod Serling sought to tackle real-world issues under the guise of sci-fi and fantasy, demonstrating how the door to the Twilight Zone might be closer than we think. Many of the topics that were on Serling’s mind haven’t lost their significance. Beyond the commentary, it’s the timeless storytelling that’s made the series endure for generations. “The Twilight Zone” inspired revivals and spiritual successors like Serling’s “Night Gallery,” but nothing has been able to top the impact, atmosphere, or all-around quality of the original.
