Horror exhibits have been a staple of tv. There have been well-known anthology sequence like The Twilight Zone and American Horror Story, comedies like The Addams Family and The Munsters, dramas like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Supernatural, and even cleaning soap operas like Dark Shadows. However, simply because a horror sequence did not final as lengthy or will get a marathon each Halloween or New Year’s does not imply it does not have its followers.
There are fairly a couple of horror anthology sequence that supplied all types of tales throughout their run, from darkish comedies to horrifying thrillers. There are different horror sequence that function recurring characters who cope with the forces of the supernatural, if they are not supernatural beings themselves.
10 Supernatural (1977)
BBC1
Supernatural, to not be confused with the American sequence of the identical title, was a short-lived horror sequence from the BBC. The setting is the “Club of the Damned,” a hellfire membership that requires a real-life ghost story in change for membership. The true horror, nonetheless, is that the membership will kill the storyteller if their story fails to impress.
All types of tales unfold. An actor comes face-to-face with the ghost of his previous love. A countess will get revenge on 4 previous lovers with the assistance of her beastly husband. A murdered girl rises from the grave as her daughter’s doll and punishes the woman’s depraved stepfather. A person should save his good friend after he falls below the spell of a vampire and her ghastly father. Under regular circumstances, the narrator having the ability to share their story would imply they survived the ordeal, however that is hardly ever the case on the planet of the supernatural.
9 Tales of the Unexpected (1979)
ITV
Tales of the Unexpected is a sequence initially primarily based on the works of Roald Dahl. In reality, Dahl served because the sequence’ host for the primary few seasons. By the third season, nonetheless, the sequence had branched out into different works. While thought of a horror sequence, tales with supernatural parts had been often the exception, not the rule. Due to the transition from text-to-television, issues that had been initially implied had been usually proven outright.
One of essentially the most well-known episodes is an adaptation of Dahl’s “The Landlady,” wherein a younger man visits a “Bed and Breakfast” boarding home. The unique brief story leaves the true horror as much as the reader’s creativeness, because the story seems episodic until readers decide up on a remark about bitter almonds. The tv adaptation exhibits the hero’s doom firsthand: the landlady has poisoned him and is about so as to add his mummified stays to her assortment, as she’s accomplished to earlier friends.
8 Thriller (1960)
NBC
Thriller was an American sequence hosted by Boris Karloff, greatest recognized for the taking part in the monster in Frankenstein, in addition to the Grinch himself. Some early episodes had been dramatic crime tales earlier than the sequence settled right into a extra typical horror sequence. Karloff himself even acted in a couple of episodes, along with fairly a couple of notable visitor stars.
In one well-known episode, “The Grim Reaper,” William Shatner performs a person whose mystery-writing aunt has bought a portray of loss of life personified, which is alleged to come back with a lethal curse. One of Karloff’s extra well-known performing roles on the sequence was “The Incredible Doctor Markesan,” includes a younger couple staying with a rich uncle, solely to study the person had died years in the past and that they could be in peril in a destiny worse than loss of life.
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7 Thriller (1973)
ITV
Thriller was additionally the title of a British anthology sequence, showcasing typical horror tales and crime thrillers, usually set in metropolitan London. Despite this, many episodes function American actors and characters, more likely to garner curiosity within the sequence within the U.S.
One of the extra outstanding supernatural tales is “Someone on the Top of the Stairs,” wherein two associates lease a surprisingly low cost room, solely to note one thing unnerving concerning the place and the opposite friends. Deaths and lacking folks could also be linked to the property. The reply lies within the mysterious visitor who lives within the high room.
Another well-known story is “A Coffin for the Bride,” or “Kiss Kiss, Kill Kill,” which sees a modern-day Bluebeard marry and kill girls swimsuit for his or her cash. He then falls in love and decides to go straight, solely to determine on one final job. Little does he know, the woman he loves has a secret regarding his new spouse.
6 Night Gallery (1969)
NBC
Night Gallery was a horror anthology sequence hosted by Rod Serling, serving as one thing of a follow-up to The Twilight Zone. In popular culture, Night Gallery has generally been overshadowed by, if not outright confused with, Serling’s older present. In each episode, Serling would present viewers a portray and inform a narrative referring to it. The tales had no set time, starting from one minute, usually used for comedian sketches, half-hour tales, and plots that took up the entire episode.
One well-known story, usually thought of the present’s scariest, is “The Caterpillar,” wherein a person makes use of a parasitic bug to eliminate a love rival, just for it to backfire on him. “They’re Tearing Down Tim Riley’s Bar,” which resembles The Twilight Zone episode “The Trouble With Templeton,” incorporates a lonely man assembly up with ghosts from his previous at an previous hang-out, with a surprisingly pleased ending.
5 One Step Beyond (1959)
ABC
One Step Beyond, also referred to as Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond, was a horror sequence specializing in tales of the supernatural. Notably, the sequence claimed every episode was primarily based on recorded occasions, resembling city legends. While the sequence has by no means been launched in its entirety, it has entered the general public area. One of the sequence’ extra well-known examples, “The Sacred Mushroom,” was one in every of its extra unconventional. The episode was offered as a documentary that centered on mushrooms stated to grant psychic talents.
Another well-known episode, “The Burning Girl,” revolves round a younger woman, bullied by native children and her merciless aunt, who has the ability to create fires together with her thoughts. This energy, which reaches its peak when she is attacked earlier than an upcoming Halloween dance. In later years, the story was observed for its uncanny similarities with numerous Stephen King works, notably Carrie and Firestarter. Similarly, the sequence as a complete is typically seen as a precursor to Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction?.
4 Tales from the Darkside (1983)
Paramount Television
Tales from the Darkside is a horror anthology from George A. Romero. Each episode options an unseen narrator who units the stage. The sequence was well-known for its merciless and tragic twist endings, although some tales sometimes had pleased endings.
The sequence was well-known for its Halloween-themed tales, together with the unique pilot, which revolved round a miser’s haunted home. Another well-known story was the Christmas-themed, “Seasons of Belief,” wherein two kids are instructed a narrative a few monster who will be summoned by saying his title. The entire factor seems to be a prank deliberate by their mother and father, however that does not imply the monster is not actual. Another notorious episode is “Inside the Closet,” wherein a school scholar rents a room, solely to study she’s not alone.
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3 Penny Dreadful (2014)
Showtime
Penny Dreadful is a horror drama that will get its title from Nineteenth-century “penny dreadfuls,” low cost publications detailing sensational tales. Taking place in Victorian London, American roadshow artist Ethan Chandler finds himself working for Sir Malcolm Murray and the supernaturally gifted Vanessa Ives. Soon, they may encounter numerous figures from horror and gothic literature, like Frankenstein and his monster and Dorian Grey. As time goes on, this roster will embody Dr. Jekyll, a coven of witches, and even Count Dracula.
After the third season finale, Penny Dreadful discovered its story persevering with as a comic book ebook. The sequence additionally had a quick spin-off, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, set in Los Angeles.
2 iZombie (2015)
The CW
iZombie, or iZOMBIE, is a horror sequence loosely primarily based on the comedian of the identical title and lasted for 5 seasons. Olivia “Liv” Moore is a medical resident who finds herself changing into one of many undead. A brand new food regimen of brains is the one factor preserving her from changing into a extra harmful zombie, spurring Liv to get a job working at a morgue. Upon consuming an individual’s mind, Liv good points entry to the deceased’s recollections. This, in flip, makes her an asset in fixing native murders.
Meanwhile, as increasingly individuals are discovering themselves turning into zombies, the sequence additionally offers with how the zombies are dealt with by the general public at massive, from being stored secret to having their existence revealed on stay tv midway via the sequence. The sequence can also be recognized for its operating gag of Liv utilizing brains in quite a lot of recipes earlier than consuming them, although she’s not above consuming them plain when she’s not in a cooking temper.
1 Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974)
ABC
Kolchak: The Night Stalker stars Carl Kolchak, a reporter who finds himself getting concerned with paranormal and science-fiction instances. However, Kolchak might make it out alive, however he’s hardly ever capable of show something supernatural occurred. The character initially appeared in a sequence of tv motion pictures earlier than being spun-off into his personal sequence. The sequence has additionally been cited as an affect on The X-Files.
Though one thing of a horror-comedy, the monster-of-the-day wasn’t at all times destroyed, and, even once they had been killed, it wasn’t at all times offered as a contented ending. Stories abound over vampires, zombies, and succubi, in addition to extra distinctive concepts like a headless motorcyclist and a youth-stealing Helen of Troy. One well-known episode, “Mr. R.I.N.G.” sees Kolchak cope with a violent, but finally tragic and childlike, robotic. “The Trevi Collection” additionally notably options Lara Parker of Dark Shadows fame, as soon as once more taking part in a witch, who schemes to take over the Fashion (Fashion Sunglasses Here) business.
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