The Horror genre has been a staple of the big screen for almost 129 years. Ever since George Melies' 1896 silent movie brought supernatural elements to theaters, the genre has seen many reinventions, from the age of the Universal Monster, to the Slasher boom of the late 20th century, to today's more introspective and elevated features. Many artists have delved into fear on the silver screen, and in turn have helped shape the industry itself.
However, as television became a mainstay in audiences' homes, the genre slowly crept its way into the format. Here are 7 series that show just why television may be a stronger home for horror than the silver screen:
1. Interview with the Vampire
While there is no shortage of original horror icons that made their start on the big screen, features such as 1994's critically acclaimed Interview with the Vampire, based on Anne Rice's 1976 novel of the same name, have also proven themselves successful. Despite becoming a staple of the vampire movie subgenre, the release and critical panning of the 2002 sequel Queen of the Damned banished any opportunity for future big-screen adaptations of Rice's works. Rice's undead icons would later return on the small screen when AMC acquired the rights to adapt the author's works, beginning with the 1976 novel.
Starring Jacob Anderson as the vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac, AMC's Interview with the Vampire sees him reunite with Eric Bogosian's Daniel Malloy to recount his life as a creature of the night, from his fateful meeting in New Orleans with Sam Reid's Lestat, to his new loves and tragic losses in Paris. While faithful to the core narrative of Rice's novels, AMC's retelling carefully adjusts certain details for not only a more contemporary narrative but to create intriguing new twists that set up the wider world of the author's universe. Seasons 1 and 2 of Interview with a Vampire earned acclaim for their adaptation of the original novel, and season 3 will be diving into the events of The Vampire Lestat, showing that the long-form storytelling of television is the perfect format for long-running franchises.
2. The Fall of the House of Usher
Similarly, classic horror literature has been given new life thanks to the medium of television, most notably through the works of Mike Flanagan. While the director is returning to the works of Stephen King with Carrie, his collaborations with Netflix saw him bring stories by Shirley Jackson,
Henry James and Christopher Pike to screen across The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and The Midnight Club, respectively. In 2023, Flanagan turned his focus to the works of Edgar Allen Poe in The Fall of the House of Usher.
Loosely using the narrative of the eponymous 1839 short story as a framing device, The Fall of the House of Usher explores the final days of the wealthy Usher family, as one by one, each member falls victim to a tragic, often brutal fate due to a bargain made long ago by Bruce Greenwood and Mary McDonnell's Rodrick and Madeline. While not a direct adaptation, each episode focuses on bringing the key elements of its source material to the screen while fitting within the overall narrative. As such, The Fall of the House of Usher, as well as Flanagan's other Netflix collaborations, can provide audiences with a perfect introduction to iconic authors of the horror genre.
3. Channel Zero
While a long-form series can add new life to a beloved and proven classic or the works of a well-known author, it can also be the perfect landscape to give more recent, lesser-known stories the chance to be discovered. As social media and online forums became more prominent, users were able to more easily develop and share their own viral tales that would become known as Creepypastas. From 2016 to 2018, the SyFy channel took on the responsibility of translating these stories to screen in Channel Zero.
Much like fellow horror anthology series American Horror Story, Channel Zero dedicated each of its four seasons to a specific story. The series's complete run saw Candle Cove, The No-End House, Search and Rescue Woods, and Hidden Door brought into live-action. While some may be reluctant to give the series a chance due to its online origins, each season has earned strong critical praise while remaining true to the core essence of each Creepypasta. Though the series was canceled in early 2019, Channel Zero offers viewers a perfect taste of the online terrors that spooked users across the 2010's.
4. Dead Set
Another benefit of horror thriving on television is the opportunity for artists to use the format to add unique twists to familiar tales. Developed by Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker, the 2008 Channel 4 miniseries Dead Set depicted what would happen to the contestants of the iconic reality television show Big Brother in the event of a sudden zombie outbreak. Much like how Brooker's later series Black Mirror would turn its satirical lens to new technological developments and cultural trends, Dead Set has been heralded as a biting critique of reality television.
In the same vein as George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead framing its undead as representations of consumerism, Dead Set's undead can be read as a reflection of the effect reality television has had on audiences. Furthermore, as Dead Set was produced by Channel 4, the miniseries was able to take advantage of having access to the original Big Brother assets, not only featuring appearances from host Davina McCall and series narrator Marcus Bentley, but also utilizing sets designed to capture the aesthetic and iconography of the actual house while releasing in a schedule akin to its inspiration. Even though the same viewing experience can't be replicated on streaming, Dead Set is still a fascinating, unconventional zombie series that could only be as effective as it was as a television show.
5. Torchwood
Similarly to how the television format can offer unique perspectives on the state of the industry, the medium can also allow studios to take beloved properties in new directions without the risks a high-budget theatrical feature may hold. Though Marvel Zombies' undead reimagining of the MCU may be the most recent example of this, the BBC took the Whoniverse in a darker direction with Torchwood. Spinning out from the events of the first two seasons of the 2005 Doctor Who revival, Torchwood followed the titular organization's efforts to tackle alien incursions in Cardiff.
From the outset, Torchwood immediately let it be known that it was not the family affair Doctor Who fans may be used to, thanks to its use of heightened gore and adult themes. However, while there is some novelty to seeing the true horrific results that conversion to a Cyberman can bring, Torchwood arguably excelled when it focused on its own original threats and scenarios, such as the depraved happenings in season 1's "Countrycide," or the harrowing choices made during the "Children of Earth" miniseries. As such, Torchwood was able to add new layers to the franchise that older fans can appreciate.
6. Yellowjackets
One of long-form television's greatest advantages over movies is the ability to prompt discussion week after week, as viewers come together to celebrate their favorite moments from recent episodes or theorize on what happens next. One such series that has generated a strong community built on theories and discussions in recent years is Yellowjackets. The Paramount+ series is split between two timelines, cutting between a high-school football team's ordeal surviving in the Canadian wilderness, and how their adult selves deal with the repercussions in the present.
As the Wilderness storyline has progressed, viewers have witnessed the team grapple with the occult and the darker deeds they had to do to survive, as well as how these decisions have haunted them in the present. As such, many fans have been brought together to form a strong community that celebrates their favorite characters, no matter their deeds, and speculate on what horrors will come next in either timeline, showcasing how even the most terrifying tales can bring people together. Furthermore, as Yellowjackets is currently ongoing with a fourth season in the works, now is the perfect opportunity to catch up on the events of the currently released season so that you can take part in the discussion surrounding the next chapter.
7. Goosebumps
Finally, horror's presence on television has provided many young viewers with an entry point for the genre. Shorter runtimes offer an ideal format to tell bite-sized stories that give a basic introduction to the core elements of the genre. While there are several series that feature this style, including Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids and Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, Goosebumps is perhaps the most recognizable.
Based on the novels of R.L. Stine, most of the episodes of the original Goosebumps series that ran from 1995 to 1998 were focused on individual stories from the author's bibliography. As Stine's book series covered a wide range of subgenres, the TV show introduced many young viewers to the full scope of what the wider horror genre can offer. With the series' shorter runtimes, wide-ranging subject matter, and younger target audience, Goosebumps exemplifies how horror TV shows can act as a perfect introduction for younger viewers to open up their interest in the frightening and fantastical.