10 TV Shows Like American Horror Story You Should Watch Next
Which isn’t American Horror Story right now, right? But I digress. Ryan Murphy and his team’s Murder House returns with a new season—lucky number 13—and it’s a terrifyingly impressive holiday reunion featuring a huge cast and cast from previous seasons (including Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Emma Roberts, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Gabourey Sidibe, Mena Suvari, Jessica Lange, and many more), some of whom play multiple roles. If that’s not enough spooky seasonal entertainment, here are 10 more gripping horror series to watch right now.
Channel Zero (2016–2018)
Nick Antosca’s series, a mind-bending and occasionally terrifying spin on various online creepypastas, consists of four storylines, each lasting a full season. While the tone is far from childish, the atmosphere evokes “children’s nightmares come to life.” The first season foreshadows I Saw the Television Glow with the story of a half-forgotten TV series linked to the disappearances of several children; in the second, a group of friends finds themselves trapped in a haunted house that opens into a disturbing alternate reality; in the third, a pair of sisters encounter cannibals and a mysterious staircase in the middle of the woods; and in the final, a newlywed couple discovers a mysterious door that opens doors that evoke childhood fears (and a killer clown). It’s all clever and genuinely creepy—existential dread meets memorable visuals, such as a child made entirely of human teeth. There’s even a sort of hidden fifth season on Netflix called “Antosca’sBrand New Cherry Flavor . ” Watch Channel Zero on Shudder and AMC+ , or buy it on Prime Video .
Castle Rock (2018–2019)
Castle Rock was billed as the center of a Stephen King universe, set in his fictional town and incorporating characters and creatures from across his oeuvre. This convoluted, unpredictable premise likely hurt the series more than it helped. In reality, it’s a compelling anthology series that captivates even those who’ve never read King. In the first season, André Holland returns to his hometown at the request of a death row inmate, and delivers a brilliant performance from Sissy Spacek as Ruth Deaver, whose struggle with dementia culminates in “The Queen,” a gorgeous, heartbreaking episode of the series. Season two introduces a young Annie Wilkes (from Misery ) and a disturbing cult, while Bill Skarsgård returns from the first season (and his role as Pennywise in the film). Watch Castle Rock on Hulu andNetflix .
Creepshow (2019–2023)
There’s a good reason I love horror anthologies: if one story or episode isn’t great, there’s always the next. The new “Creepshow,” however, is surprising: it’s consistently good. Sometimes gruesome, sometimes funny, each episode consists of two stories, each in the style of the films the show takes its name from (or “Tales from the Darkside” —something like that). The series is overseen by producer/director/VFX supervisor Greg Nicotero, best known these days for his work on “The Walking Dead.” He got his start with “Creepshow 2,” so there’s a real respect for good old-fashioned practical effects here, too. Watch “Creepshow” on Shudder and AMC+ (or Prime Video for the first season).
Folklore (2018–2022)
The Japanese horror tradition has made its way to the United States, often in the form of remakes of popular Japanese films with American directors and actors. This series is a journey through the horrors of six different Asian countries, each filmed by local directors working for up-and-coming companies. For viewers primarily familiar with Western horror, it will come as a bit of a revelation: these are modern interpretations of traditional folk tales (for example, a South Korean episode features a mondal gwisin, a bachelor spirit so desperate to marry that he will kill until he finds a suitable woman to become his ghost bride); while the characters are relatable, the approaches to horror are unique. Each episode is like a mini-movie, so this isn’t a season-long anthology, but another series for horror fans in a hurry. Watch “Folklore” on HBO Max.
Slasher (2016–2023)
Each season of this series tells the story of a single serial killer and his potential victims, stretching the traditional slasher plot over several hours. During this time, the series manages to truly build out the characters’ lives and backstories, something that films often don’t have the time or are unwilling to do. It works, and each season introduces some compelling characters. It’s also important that the focus is on adults, not the typical teenage victims. The Canadian series has evolved slightly since its inception—the first three seasons are available on Netflix, but the last two ( Flesh & Blood and Ripper ) are exclusive to Shudder. To further confuse matters, the series changed its name and spawned two seasons of Hell Motel . However, each of these is a standalone project, so you can watch it anywhere.Watch Slasher on Netflix and Shudder .
Scream Queens (2015–2016)
This isn’t an anthology, but rather another dose of Ryan Murphy’s wackiness, more of an outright satire—though, like American Horror Story , the line between comedy and horror is always a bit thin. It features an all-star cast: Emma Roberts, Ariana Grande, Billie Lourd, and Abigail Breslin as fraternity sisters facing off against a menacing and downright cruel dean (Jamie Lee Curtis) and a serial killer who dresses up as their school’s mascot, the Red Devil—all set against the bizarre events of 1995. Watch Scream Queens on Hulu.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018–2020)
This series might be more suited to fans of American Horror Story: Coven , but the overall tone fits well with the rest of the AHS saga: silly and creepy until it hits you in the gut with real terror and unexpected gore. In this dark take on the Archie character, the creepy Sabrina Spellman (Kiernan Shipka) is an old-school witch who lives in a house reminiscent of the Addams Family (and the family from Practical Magic , for that matter): two witch aunts (played by Miranda Otto and Lucy Davis), along with their warlock cousin (Chance Perdomo) and their faithful familiar, Salem the cat, live their witchy lives away from prying eyes. Early in the series, Sabrina is forced to choose between signing her name in Satan’s book and becoming a real witch, or staying in high school with her human friends. Instead, she refuses to make a choice. Cannibalism, human sacrifice, and bloody rituals are rampant.Watch Chilling Adventures of Sabrina onNetflix .
Hannibal (2013–2015)
Another series that’s not an anthology, but still perfectly suits the tone. Bryan Fuller, creator of Pushing Daisies , is the showrunner for this unusual take on Thomas Harris’s Hannibal Lecter novels. Fuller has gone back to the source material, re-adapting the first Lecter novel with a visual flair unmatched in television—there’s a Grand Guignol style reminiscent of American Horror Story , as well as a pervasive, all-consuming queer theme that permeates every frame of the series; the deeper, sexual relationship between the Doctor (Mads Mikkelsen) and profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) adds a brilliant subtext as they hunt serial killers together. The series ended a little early, but it’s such a cult classic that talk of a revival continues more than a decade later. Watch Hannibal on Prime Video andNetflix .
Room 104 (2017–2020)
One of the most eclectic series of the last decade wasn’t afraid to tell a wide variety of stories across genres over its four seasons. Room 104 features comedy, drama, sci-fi, and horror all unfolding within its clever, budget-friendly setting—a single, boring-looking motel room that could be literally anywhere. The atmosphere ranges from sweet to disturbing and apocalyptic (at least in a couple of episodes), with an impressive list of guest stars: Tony Todd, Michael Shannon, Judy Greer, Brian Tyree Henry, Mahershala Ali, Cobie Smulders, Dave Bautista, and Harvey Guillén are just a few of the names who have made their mark on the guest list. It’s an anthology series, comprised of standalone episodes, though there are common threads that remind us we’re literally in the same room every time. Almost any season of American Horror Story could take place on this show, albeit condensed into just over 30 minutes. Watch Room 104 on HBO Max .
Terror (2018 – )
Each season of The Terror is unique, but they all share the idea that real life is far, far more terrifying than the supernatural events unfolding in the background. The first season, based on Dan Simmons’ novel, tells the true story of two ships, the Erebus and the Terror, searching for the Northwest Passage before becoming stranded in an ice field; starvation, madness, and possibly monsters ensue. The second season takes us to California during World War II to depict the internment of innocent Japanese families—with plenty of folkloric tropes thrown in. In the most recent season, based on Victor LaValle’s novel, Dan Stevens plays a man who is committed against his will to a mental hospital for 72 hours. Watch The Terror on AMC+ and Shudder .