Top 10 Most Disturbing Cults on Television

“The Path” (2016-18)
Hulu’s “The Path” may be far from perfect, but it is downright addictive. It focuses on the unsettling Meyerist movement. They try to sell it as this idyllic, wellness-focused society, but it’s seriously messed up. Jessica Goldberg’s 2016 drama follows Eddie Lane, a man feeling disconnected from his faith. The scary part is how normal this secret society seems at first glance. But as the show progresses, you uncover the rotten core behind its shiny facade and see how members turn toxic in their quest for spirituality. The leaders are basically damaged control freaks using religion to trap others in their twisted world. And the fear of being ostracized keeps members stuck. Remember their bizarre rituals? They really crank up this movement’s creep factor.

“3 Body Problem” (2024-)
When you’ve got a group of humans teaming up with aliens to invade humanity, things can’t get much more disturbing than that. That’s exactly the goal of the bizarre group created by Ye Wenjie and Mike Evans. Netflix’s mind-bending sci-fi series, based on Liu Cixin’s award-winning novel is a chilling reminder of how far someone can go when they lose faith in humanity. After the horrors she faced in China, it’s quite understandable why a young Ye Wenjie became nihilistic. But believing alien invasion was the only solution to humanity's problems? That’s truly out of this world. And she isn’t alone - there’s a whole crew of underground disillusioned zealots willing to go any length for their cause. We’re talking about committing murders, targeting scientists and sabotaging Earth’s defenses.

“True Detective” (2014-)
HBO’s critically acclaimed detective series has unearthed some spine-chilling discoveries, but the unnamed cult arguably takes the prize as the darkest of them all. Season one is hands-down one of the best shows to ever hit television, thanks to its gripping murder mystery centered around a sinister cult. The Tuttles and their fellow cult members are a powerful family with deep connections that manages to perpetrate their evil unnoticed for decades. These seemingly upstanding individuals, like Reverend Tuttle, use religion to mask their malevolence, worshiping figures like Carcosa and the Yellow King, which further lead to the abuse and death of countless victims by ritualistic sacrifice. But thanks to the relentless investigations of Marty and Rust, the atrocities of this generational cult are finally brought to light. Who can forget that eerie videotape and Carcosa labyrinth? Like the detectives, we still can’t shake off the horrors.

“American Horror Story: Cult” (2017-)
Sometimes horror isn’t about the supernatural- sometimes it’s a chilling reflection of the present day. And that’s what makes Kai’s cult in AHS: Cult so unsettling. The seventh season of Ryan Murphy’s horror anthology might have been a bit polarizing and a bit over-the-top, but it struck a chord with many viewers. Evan Peters absolutely nailed the role as Kai Anderson, embodying pure derangement. Kai started off as an internet troll before becoming something even worse - a small-time political cult leader hell-bent on unleashing chaos. This unhinged puppet master manipulates his followers’ deepest fears to turn them into his personal attack squad. They spread terror through brutal murders and attacks. And the creepiest part of the FIT cult? Clowns. Kai’s use of clowns took creepy to a whole new level.

“Fallout” (2024-)
“Fallout” has always been this weird, gritty trip into a screwed-up future. But has it taken a darker turn with a cult located in what seems to be the most civilized vault? Amazon Prime’s series is one phenomenal video-game adaptation that follows Lucy’s adventures through an unforgiving wasteland to find her father. She ends up in Vault 4, seemingly a safe haven compared to the others, but the folks here are definitely not like the others. Turns out they worship the 200+ year old Moldaver, believing she will bring them salvation. Their religious rituals in this Flame Mother’s honor and appearance make them seem even more bizarre. Sure, they may not be harming anyone (that we know of), but these mutated dwellers are still unsettling. We certainly can’t blame Lucy for freaking out.

“The Following” (2013-15)
Kevin Williamson’s “The Following” may be disturbingly dark but it’s also undeniably gripping. It’s one show that sticks with you thanks to its in-depth look into a terrifying cult of serial killers. At its core is Ryan Hardy who’s determined to recapture serial killer Joe Carroll. This creepy English lecturer is as obsessed with the works of Edgar Allan Poe as he is with brutally killing his victims. But it gets even more unhinged! After being sent to prison, this notorious serial killer manages to build a whole cult of psychopaths both inside and outside the prison walls. With his manipulative charms and resources, “The Followers” become his loyal pawn. They’re willing to go any lengths - including sacrificing their lives - to prove their devotion to him.

“Marvel’s Runaways” (2017-19)
Fleeing from one’s parents after discovering their dark cult practices is definitely not your typical teenage escapade. But that’s the wild situation our young heroes find themselves in Hulu’s “Marvel Runaways”. Based on Marvel Comics of the same name, this show has been a blast for fans and newcomers alike. On the run, this young crew must do everything to stop their supervillain parents. These villains, meanwhile, pretend to be upstanding citizens with their fancy church of Gibborim. But guess what? The church is secretly linked to a sinister cult-like organization known as the Pride that worships Jonah in exchange for generous donations. Being a member means doing some awful stuff like sacrificing innocent lives. But even members aren’t safe. Cross Jonah and you’re, of course, eliminated.

“Yellowjackets” (2021-)
If you were stranded in the wilderness starving, freezing and with no hope of rescue, what would you do? It’s a devastating scenario that no one wants to imagine facing. But for the New Jersey high school girls soccer team in Showtime’s hit series, this nightmare became a chilling reality after their plane crashed. Their response? Forming a terrifying cult led by the Antler Queen in which they gave into their dark cravings and baser instincts. We’re talking about hunting down their own friends like savages and other unspeakable hunger-satiating acts. Cult practices don’t get any uglier than this. It’s no surprise that even after they’re rescued, the experience leaves them scarred for life. Being in a cult can be bad, but getting out and forgetting the trauma is even tougher.

“The Leftovers” (2014-17)
In the aftermath of the unexplained departure of loved ones, some of those who are left behind seek reassurance through the most provocative actions. That’s the world of “The Leftovers''. This binge-worthy existential drama is surely not an easy watch, especially with its dive into dark cults. The cult known as the Guilty Remnant intensifies the overall sense of unease and dread throughout the series. These troubled individuals in white robes are all about making everyone miserable. Initially, they seem like just troublemakers making a point, but quickly evolve into a vicious group. As grim reminders of the departure, this cult stops at nothing to make sure everyone is just as lost and scared as they are.

“Orphan Black” (2013-17)
“Orphan Black” isn’t just about clones; it also delves into the scary side of science and cult-like organizations. Through its five-season run, this dark sci-fi series kept viewers on the edge with its wild ride through a world where science and conspiracy collide. The Neolutions scientific movement and the Proletheans religious group are at the heart of this conspiracy involving illegal clones. And our heroine, Sarah, must escape the clutches of these dark organizations after witnessing her doppelganger’s death. Though the group’s ideologies contrast against each other, they’re undeniably unnerving forces in their own right. The Neolutions believe in evolving humans through cloning, while their opposition, the radical Protheans see clones as abominations to be wiped off. Evil clones, murder, gene manipulation, clone worship: these organizations are as bizarre as they are vicious.