Originally by Ranker TVList RulesOnly scripted series—no reality shows.
The scariest TV shows manage to provide major frights with excellent drama. Unlike these excellent paranormal reality TV shows, the programs listed here are primarily scripted TV shows. Which TV shows gave you the most scares? Vote for your favorites, vote down any that didn't send you diving under the couch in fear, and feel free to re-rank this list too.
Some of the best scary TV shows are also, not surprisingly, among the greatest TV shows of all time. In addition to being one of the most frightening television shows ever made, The Twilight Zone was also one of the best TV shows ever, period. The same can be said for the likes of The X-Files, Twin Peaks, and The Walking Dead. Anthology series such as American Horror Story and The Terror offer fresh scares each season, and some seasons are scarier than others.
What makes a scary TV show great? A fantastic, compelling storyline and frightening characters, for sure, but don't underestimate the power of some wicked special effects, too. Some shows on this list also qualify as taut psychological thrillers, but it doesn't mean they aren't genuinely terrifying at times.
If you haven't seen some of the scariest TV shows listed here, you might be able to find them quickly. Sadly, some of the shows on this list were canceled way before their time, though some bit the dust with good reason (Cult? Really? Awful, CW, just awful).
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911441American Horror Story
Connie Britton, Dylan McDermottPremiered: 2011
American Horror Story (FX, 2011) is an American anthology horror television series created by... more2
729430Tales from the Crypt
John Kassir, Roy BrocksmithPremiered: 1989
Tales from the Crypt, sometimes titled HBO's Tales from the Crypt, is an American horror... more3
655439The Twilight Zone
Rod Serling, Robert McCordPremiered: 1959
The Twilight Zone is a 1959 American television anthology series created by Rod Serling. It is... more4
663465The Walking Dead
Andrew Lincoln, Jon BernthalPremiered: 2010
The Walking Dead (AMC, 2010) is an American post-apocalyptic horror television series... more5
592396Supernatural
Jared Padalecki, Jensen AcklesPremiered: 2005
Supernatural (The CW, 2005) is an American fantasy horror television series created by Eric... more6
598455Hannibal
Hugh Dancy, Mads MikkelsenPremiered: 2013
Hannibal (NBC, 2013) is an American psychological thriller–horror television series developed... more7
604451The X-Files
David Duchovny, Gillian AndersonPremiered: 1993
The X-Files is an American science fiction horror drama television series created by Chris... more8
374249Are 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.... more9
391302Tales from the Darkside
Paul SparerPremiered: 1983
Tales from the Darkside is an American anthology horror TV series created by George A. Romero;... more10
13345Channel Zero
Paul Schneider, Fiona ShawPremiered: 2016
Channel Zero (Syfy, 2017) is an American horror anthology television series created by Nick... more11
399340Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Alfred Hitchcock, Harry TylerPremiered: 1955
Alfred Hitchcock Presents is an American television anthology series hosted by Alfred... more12
314245Goosebumps
R.L. Stine, Kathryn ShortPremiered: 1995
Goosebumps is a Canadian horror fantasy anthology television series based on R. L. Stine's... more13
227204Bates Motel
Vera Farmiga, Freddie HighmorePremiered: 2013
Bates Motel (A&E, 2013) is an American psychological horror drama television series based on... more14
237182Dexter
Michael C. Hall, Jennifer CarpenterPremiered: 2006
Dexter (Showtime, 2006) is an American crime drama mystery series developed by James Manos... more15
258240Night Gallery
Rod Serling, Gary CollinsPremiered: 1970
Night Gallery is an American anthology series that aired on NBC from 1970 to 1973, featuring... more16
302308The Outer Limits
Bob Johnson, Ben WrightPremiered: 1963
The Outer Limits (ABC, 1963) is an American horror and speculative fiction anthology... more17
354428Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Sarah Michelle Gellar, Alyson HanniganPremiered: 1997
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (The WB, 1997) is an American supernatural drama television series... more18
256330Twin Peaks
Kyle MacLachlan, Russ TamblynPremiered: 1990
Twin Peaks (ABC, 1990) is an American mystery horror drama television series created by Mark... more19
5014The Haunting of Hill House
Michiel Huisman, Carla GuginoPremiered: 2018
The Haunting of Hill House is the first season of the Netflix supernatural anthology... more20
186241Friday the 13th: The Series
Colm Feore, Louise RobeyPremiered: 1987
Friday the 13th: The Series is an American-Canadian horror television series that ran for... more21
6341Stranger Things
Winona Ryder, David HarbourPremiered: 2016
Stranger Things (Netflix, 2016) is an American science fiction-horror web television series... more22
5541Criminal Minds
Shemar Moore, Matthew Gray GublerPremiered: 2005
Criminal Minds (CBS, 2005) is an American police-procedural television program. The series... more23
137136Penny Dreadful
Josh Hartnett, Timothy DaltonPremiered: 2014
Penny Dreadful (Showtime, 2014) is a British-American horror drama television series created... more24
107135So Weird
Cara DeLizia, Mackenzie PhillipsPremiered: 1999
So Weird is an American-Canadian television series that aired on the Disney Channel as a... more25
208285Grimm
David Giuntoli, Silas Weir MitchellPremiered: 2011
Grimm (NBC, 2011) is an American fantasy police procedural drama television series created by... more
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