Horror series are a must-watch tradition every Halloween season. Whether you are a seasoned horror fanatic or simply just looking to add a little scare to your spooky season or year-round, in this list, whether it is animation or live-action, viewers are sure to find a fresh new horror series that has something for everyone. From twisted tales to supernatural chills, here are six must-watch horror series.
Grotesquerie
Grotesquerie is a 10-episode horror drama series created by Ryan Murphy, Jon Robin Baitz, and Joe Baken. It is available to stream on Hulu and Disney+. The show centered on Detective Lois Tryon and local nun Sister Megan as they try to find the source of the wicked crimes plaguing their community. The show explores the darker side of human psychology, with each episode having a unique grotesque twist to the story. Grotesquerie is the perfect blend of horror with psychological drama, accompanied by stellar performances, graphic imagery, and haunting visuals; the show is a must-watch. However, the graphic nature of some scenes might be too much for more sensitive viewers.
Where to Watch: HULU
Teacup
Teacup is a perfect pick if you are looking for a new horror show. The series is created by Ian McCulloch and inspired by the novel Stinger, written by Robert R. McCammon. Streaming on Peacock, the horror series blends sci-fi and mystery. In Teacup, a group of neighbors in rural Georgia are forced to put their differences aside and join forces against a mysterious threat. The first two episodes are enough to hook audiences’ attention and hold it until the end. The show pushes its characters to their limits and is not afraid to lean into jump scares, suspense, and body horror, which might be a little jarring for some viewers. Overall, this is truly one of the best new horror series of 2024.
Where to Watch: Peacock
Hysteria!
Hysteria is another new horror thriller series streaming on Peacock. Set in the 1980s, Hysteria dives into the real-life phenomenon of mass panic around Santism, also known as “Satanic Panic,” that swept across the United States. In Hysteria, a popular varsity quarterback mysteriously disappears, prompting all the townsfolk to believe something sinister must be responsible.
Following the disappearance, a struggling high school heavy metal band tries to capitalize on the town’s interest in supernatural activity by building their band’s reputation as a Satanic metal band. However, this leads to the band of outcasts getting caught up in the terrifying rumors, cults, and supernatural occurrences plaguing their small town. Hysteria taps into the eerie tension of urban legends and mass paranoia as it blends horror with a touch of nostalgia.
Where to Watch: Peacock
Parasyte: The Grey
Granted, Parasyte: The Grey came out earlier this year, but it is still a must-watch horror series of 2024. Streaming exclusively on Netflix, the body-snatcher horror series is a Korean drama adaptation of Hitoshi Iwaaki’s popular manga series. The show centers on parasite-like creatures taking over humans, morphing their bodies into horrific and grotesque figures.
The show gives off the vibe of the zombie genre but delivers a fresh and thrilling story packed with scares, stunning visuals, and plenty of suspense. Although only six episodes, it has a high entertainment value that will hold audiences’ attention, making it well worth watching this spooky season.
Where to Watch: Netflix
Dead Boy Detectives
Netflix’s Dead Boy Detectives is a spin-off of Neil Gaiman’s other hit series, The Sandman. The live adaptation beautifully brings Gaiman’s DC Comics characters to life. The supernatural detective series follows the ghost detectives of Charles Rowland, played by Jayden Revri, and Edwin Payne, played by George Rexstrew. The pair choose to avoid the afterlife to solve supernatural mysteries together.
The show is cleverly tied to a larger universe as it is packed with easter eggs from The Sandman, making it an enjoyable watch for fans of the latter series. Dead Boy Detectives does an excellent job of balancing creepy, supernatural elements with dark humor and heartwarming friendship, creating a perfect horror supernatural series that’s as entertaining as it is eerie.
Where to Watch: Netflix
Uzumaki (The First Episode)
Uzumaki, Jung Ito’s iconic horror manga, has a new anime adaptation into a mini-series that brings the terrifying world of spirals and obsession to life. The series’ animation is in a beautiful black-and-white style that tries to stay faithful to its source material and stands out from today’s modern animation styles.
The first episode exceeds expectations, delivering high-quality masterful animation and capturing the haunting and grotesque visuals that make Uzumaki’s storytelling unforgettable. In addition to the fantastic voice acting skills, the episode pulls the audience into Ito’s twisted world of psychological horror. Sadly, the animation quality of the episodes drops after the first episode, so fans are better off only watching the first episode. Uzumaki fans can watch the show Adult Swim or stream it on Hulu or Max.
Where to Watch: MAX, Hulu
Now that you have your must-watch horror TV series list grab some popcorn, turn off the lights, and dive into some suspenseful, spine-tingling entertainment.