List RulesThe horror television series that have historically favored blood-pumping excitement over slow creeping horror.
The best horror TV shows ever aired are some of the most harrowing series to watch on television, but which are the most exciting horror TV shows of all time? Determining which horror TV series is the most exciting isn't an easy task given the plethora of options available, but this list might make it just a bit easier. These days, with the use of digital streaming, more and more shows people have forgotten are being rewatched, checked out for the first time, or even remade into new classics for new generations to enjoy, but which of these frightening horror shows is the most thrilling of them all?
Would something newer like American Horror Story land higher on the list than a classic horror anthology series like the original Twilight Zone? For a series to be truly, horrifyingly exciting, it has to be the kind that makes you sleep with a night light on or scream at the screen for a character to stay out of a room while you're perched on the edge of your seat, so keep that in mind while looking through the most exciting horror shows of all time. The only way to find out which is the best is to vote up your favorite horror series below, but remember, this list is all about fear! Which series is more exciting and frightening than the one below it?
Don't forget to add your favorite exciting horror show to the list if it's missing and vote for the shows that know how to keep your nerves on edge below!
1
16469Lucifer
Tom Ellis, Lauren GermanPremiered: 2015
Lucifer (Fox, 2016) is an American fantasy police procedural comedy-drama television series... more2
8349The Haunting of Hill House
Michiel Huisman, Carla GuginoPremiered: 2018
The Haunting of Hill House is the first season of the Netflix supernatural anthology... more3
7245The X-Files
David Duchovny, Gillian AndersonPremiered: 1993
The X-Files is an American science fiction horror drama television series created by Chris... more4
6650American Horror Story
Connie Britton, Dylan McDermottPremiered: 2011
American Horror Story (FX, 2011) is an American anthology horror television series created by... more5
5642The Twilight Zone
Rod Serling, Robert McCordPremiered: 1959
The Twilight Zone is a 1959 American television anthology series created by Rod Serling. It is... more6
4938Tales from the Crypt
John Kassir, Roy BrocksmithPremiered: 1989
Tales from the Crypt, sometimes titled HBO's Tales from the Crypt, is an American horror... more7
6254Supernatural
Jared Padalecki, Jensen AcklesPremiered: 2005
Supernatural (The CW, 2005) is an American fantasy horror television series created by Eric... more8
5547Stranger Things
Winona Ryder, David HarbourPremiered: 2016
Stranger Things (Netflix, 2016) is an American science fiction-horror web television series... more9
4334Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Alfred Hitchcock, Harry TylerPremiered: 1955
Alfred Hitchcock Presents is an American television anthology series hosted by Alfred... more10
4134Hannibal
Hugh Dancy, Mads MikkelsenPremiered: 2013
Hannibal (NBC, 2013) is an American psychological thriller–horror television series developed... more11
3123Penny Dreadful
Josh Hartnett, Timothy DaltonPremiered: 2014
Penny Dreadful (Showtime, 2014) is a British-American horror drama television series created... more12
5048It
Tim Curry, Seth GreenPremiered: 1990
It is a 1990 psychological horror/drama miniseries based on Stephen King's novel of the same... more13
3428Channel Zero
Paul Schneider, Fiona ShawPremiered: 2016
Channel Zero (Syfy, 2017) is an American horror anthology television series created by Nick... more14
3229Tales from the Darkside
Paul SparerPremiered: 1983
Tales from the Darkside is an American anthology horror TV series created by George A. Romero;... more15
3735Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Sarah Michelle Gellar, Alyson HanniganPremiered: 1997
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (The WB, 1997) is an American supernatural drama television series... more16
3127Masters of Horror
Jessica Lowndes, Holly Marie CombsPremiered: 2005
Masters of Horror is an American anthology style television series created by director Mick... more17
3330Twin Peaks
Kyle MacLachlan, Russ TamblynPremiered: 1990
Twin Peaks (ABC, 1990) is an American mystery horror drama television series created by Mark... more18
2926Bates Motel
Vera Farmiga, Freddie HighmorePremiered: 2013
Bates Motel (A&E, 2013) is an American psychological horror drama television series based on... more19
2727The Stand
Gary Sinise, Molly RingwaldPremiered: 1994
The Stand (ABC, 1994) is an American horror miniseries directed by Mick Garris, and based on... more20
2930Are You Afraid of the Dark?
Ross Hull, Raine Pare-CoullPremiered: 1991
Are You Afraid of the Dark? is a Canadian horror fantasy-themed anthology television series.... more21
2121Millennium
Lance Henriksen, Megan GallagherPremiered: 1996
Millennium is an American television series created by Chris Carter, creator of The X-Files,... more22
2832Ash vs Evil Dead
Bruce Campbell, Ray SantiagoPremiered: 2015
Ash vs Evil Dead (Starz, 2015) is an American comedy horror television series developed by Sam... more23
3543The Walking Dead
Andrew Lincoln, Jon BernthalPremiered: 2010
The Walking Dead (AMC, 2010) is an American post-apocalyptic horror television series... more24
2125iZombie
Rose McIver, Malcolm GoodwinPremiered: 2015
iZombie (The CW, 2015) is an American television series developed by Rob Thomas and Diane... more25
2430Goosebumps
R.L. Stine, Kathryn ShortPremiered: 1995
Goosebumps is a Canadian horror fantasy anthology television series based on R. L. Stine's... more