The season of Spooktober has returned yet again, with many celebrating the Halloween season throughout. If there’s one thing that people are looking to keep them occupied during the spooky season, it’s a good spooky film or the perfect Halloween-ish TV show. If you find yourself looking for such a show, then look no further; we’ve rounded up 10 of the most bingeable spooky TV shows that are perfect to watch this Halloween.
Note: This list is not ranked in any particular order. It also focuses specifically on TV shows that both have some sort of dark horror-inspired influences or themes, and are relatively easy to binge for one reason or another – whether it be a shorter number of seasons, anthology-styled production, or simply the way the plot and characters draw you in until the show consumes you!
American Horror Story (2011-Present)
American Horror Story has become a classic over the years, so much so that the opening credits are somewhat iconic (and very artistically pleasing, if I do say so myself). The show is well-known for combining classic horror cliches with captivating characters in scenarios involving ghosts, aliens, asylums, cults, witches, vampires, slashers, and more. It’s an anthology horror series, meaning each season tells its own story, and tends to utilize a largely recurring cast to play fresh characters. This enables viewers the freedom to watch each season as a standalone show, skip the ones that don’t interest them, or simply binge through it all over time.
Personally, I’d recommend starting on everything from Murder House – Hotel (Season 1-5). From there, Roanoke is rather hit or miss with fans due to how different it is from all other seasons; people either tend to love it or hate it, so it can most definitely be skipped if it’s not your thing. From there, I’d say Cult is worth picking back up because Evan Peters and Billie Lourd absolutely nail their roles as twisted siblings with warped political differences, and Sarah Paulson plays the perfect thorn in both of their sides. That and the wacky killer clowns, of course. AHS: 1984 is also a must-watch in my opinion, as it really leans into that fun 80s summer camp slasher horror cliche.
Lastly, Apocalypse is the last season I’d very much recommend, but not until you’ve seen both Murder House and Coven. This is because the story crosses over between these two narratives, but in the future, it brings back many beloved characters and builds upon the tale of the Murder House devil child. After that, I do kind of think that the show fell off a bit, so you may have mixed opinions on the later seasons. However, due to the nature of an anthology series with this many seasons, you can simply pick one or more of them to binge this Halloween, and skip over any content you don’t like.
14: Yellowjackets (2021-Present)
Yellowjackets is a psychological thriller, or in my opinion, it is the psychological thriller. The story follows a girl’s soccer team who find themselves stranded in an unfamiliar wilderness after their plane crashes, with the narrative moving between a past and present timeline. Viewers witness moments of mystery, suspense, and dread in every episode as the gaps between each timeline are uncovered. Yellowjackets features deeply flawed, yet compelling characters with fascinating development across a slow-burning descent into madness in favor of survival.
Yellowjackets is proof that horror doesn’t need to be filled with gory scenes and cliche killer costumes. Instead, it’s a striking psychological horror experience with strong cult-like influences…and nothing else I’ve ever watched quite compares on the same level. The show truly does a brilliant job of brewing a genuine feeling of sickness in your gut as you watch the team do whatever they deem necessary for survival, and it’s sure to live rent-free in your thoughts for a long time after completion. Plus, it hits that spot of being not too long and not too short to binge across Halloween, with a phenomenal three seasons of content to enjoy.
13: MTV Scream (2015-2019)
MTV Scream reimagines the iconic character of Ghostface through a new generation and story, bringing both slasher nostalgia from the original movies and campy teen horror drama. Obviously, there are key differences from the films, but MTV’s take on Scream is still a fun series with decent pacing and a solid cast of characters.
The first two seasons of the show tell a continuous story full of tension and drama, but Season 3 is a bit of an oddball, as it replaces the entire cast and attempts to reboot the series with yet another new story. Despite this, I’ll be honest, while Season 3 was a letdown for the most part, the killer absolutely rocked their role. Scream doesn’t take itself too seriously, has plenty of fun horror elements, and is perfect for a 2-Season Halloween binge (or the complete 3, if you’re looking for more).
12: Hemlock Grove (2013-2015)
It’s been a while since I last watched Hemlock Grove, but even so, it still sticks with me. I can remember being extremely fond of the weirdly compelling characters, and the entire show is full of that gloomy, dark aesthetic that feels perfect for a Halloween binge. The show blends tensions of mystery with supernatural horrors, following the tale of a string of bloody murders across a decaying town.
Hemlock Grove is creepy, moody, and crawling with feelings of unease or body horror imagery throughout each episode. There are also about thirty episodes total spanning across three seasons, making it a decent length for a solid multi-day Halloween binge-watch.
11: The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
The Haunting of Hill House is nothing short of a masterpiece, telling a story of delicate family drama issues with ghostly terror bleeding through each scene. The cast is phenomenal at portraying characters that feel real and interesting – characters that you come to care deeply for, each with their own personal grievances and traumas linking back to their upbringing in the haunted house.
Most interestingly, the house itself tends to become a character, full of entities that hide in plain sight and keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The series is haunting yet beautiful, and profoundly emotional until the very end, with darkness looming in each frame. The Haunting of Hill House is also just a one-season run, making it the perfect show to binge this Halloween. Trust me, once you start, it’s almost impossible to stop!
10: The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020)
If you loved The Haunting of Hill House, we’re back with one more! The Haunting of Bly Manor is the second entry in the Haunting anthology, retaining many of the same cast members and themes – just in a new setting, with a different story. Bly Manor is particularly gorgeous for its aristic slow-burn atmosphere, showcasing gloomy, dismal visuals to tell a tale of eerie romance and haunting heartbreak.
The storytelling is extraordinary – so much so I’ve personally seen it make a room full of grown adults absolutely weep. Each and every delicate ghostly whisper or moment of lingering dread will pull you deeper into the narrative, which is shaped across generations of love, loss, and dark secrets. Much Like Hill House, the Haunting of Bly Manor is just a few episodes across a single season, setting you up with the perfectly tragic Halloween binge show.
9: Scream Queens (2015-2016)
Scream Queens comes from the creative minds behind American Horror Story and delivers a gloriously fun, over-the-top slasher comedy about a murderous sorority. It’s a short watch with two seasons of content, which already makes it perfect for a Halloween show binge, but there’s so much more to consider, too. First of all, the cast is absolutely stacked (and dare I say reason enough to make the show a brilliant binge-watch), with names such as Jamie Lee Curtis, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Abigail Breslin, Ariana Grande, Nick Jonas, Lea Michele, and Taylor Lautner all bringing very lovable, laughable characters to life.
There are some amazing, quoteable one-liners in every episode, unpredictable chaos, campy slasher elements, and of course…a lot of screams! If you enjoy a side of sass with your scares, then you’ll definitely get a good laugh out of Scream Queen and the iconic Chanels. Plus, the comedy elements make it a bit of a lighter watch, despite the horror and screams, so that definitely helps with the ol’ binge-watch eligibility, too.
8: Squid Game (2021-2025)
Squid Game took the world by storm, and for good reason. The Korean series throws the likes of scary monsters and paranormal entities out the window, because the real horror is found in the characters themselves and the actions they take in deadly survival trials inspired by a children’s game, all for the chance to win a cash prize as the last one standing alive.
Don’t get me wrong, though. Squid Game is full of thriller and horror elements, and it’s downright jarring watching the brutal violence and psychological spiral of the contestants at play. It’s all kinds of messed up and confrontational, exploring the lengths people will go to when both survival and financial gain are at stake. It’s disturbing, gory, and emotional as hell.
You won’t be able to look away throughout each twisted fight for survival, and I can say that without a doubt, if this one ends up being your thing, you’ll find yourself needing to binge all three seasons ASAP. This brutal look at humanity is absolutely perfect for a different twist on the classic Halloween show binge, and will stick with you long after the credits roll.
7: Sweet Home (2020-Present)
Sweet Home is a Korean horror series where a clash of apocalyptic survival meets horrific monsters. In this show, you’ll follow the story of a group of survivors set inside an apartment complex, desperately clinging to their humanity among the terrors that linger outside every door or window.
The creature design is unique and disturbing, and the kills are nothing short of shocking and brutal. The characters are also quite lovable, each with their own quirks, and moments of grief or despair to work through in a very dismal, bloody, and quite frankly, grim world. Altogether, Sweet Home is a great survival horror show, and binge time spanning three seasons. That should be enough to keep you occupied this Halloween…unless?
6: Stranger Things (2016-Present)
Stranger Things is one of the biggest show names on Netflix, featuring doses of nostalgia, nerd culture, and sci-fi supernatural horror all wrapped up with a spooky little bow. The cast has done an amazing job at building interesting characters with heart-warming dynamics, from nerdy childhood best-friends to unlikely work pals, rock-n-roll loving DND enthusiasts, and even some who wield supernatural abilities.
Look, there’s a reason Stranger Things rose to such popularity – it really is an amazing roller coaster ride that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat in some moments, laughing at the character dynamics in others, or bawling your eyes out at several key intervals. The show has a lot of heart and is full of really fun nerd culture references, too.
But, most importantly…Stranger Things Season 5 is right around the corner! What better time to rewatch all of the series before the final season drops in November 2025? Or, if you’re yet to start Stranger Things for the first time, this is also the perfect excuse! Why not dive in and binge it across Halloween?
5: Monster (2022-2025)
The Monster series is an anthology show inspired by the lives Monster series is an anthology show inspired by the lives and despicable crimes of some of the most notorious killers in history. Previous seasons have covered Jeffrey Dahmer (Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story) and the Menendez brothers (Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story), and Season 3 has recently dropped with a tale covering the incredibly disturbed individual, Ed Gein (Monster: The Ed Gein Story).
Considering this Ed Gein season dropped fresh on October 3, it’s lining up perfectly for a Halloween binge – especially for those who have already checked off other entries on this list. However, you can pick and choose the order in which you watch each entry, as is the beauty of an anthology.
Monster is dark, twisted, and psychologically disturbing. It shines light on what makes these killers tick, provides insight into their background, upbringing, and contributing factors that led to such brutal crimes. In a lot of ways, the show is very fascinating and thought-provoking, too, shining a very eerie light on some of the contributing factors, influences, and struggles that ultimately lead up to these horrific acts.
4: Wednesday (2022-Present)
It’s not exactly a straight-up horror, but Netflix’s Wednesday most certainly fits right into the spooky season! A reimagining from the brain of none other than Tim Burton, the series is a modern but dark and spooky take on the gothic Addams Family – specifically the iconic daughter character, Wednesday. In this series, Wednesday finds herself attending Nevermore, a school for supernatural beings of all sorts.
There’s more going on here than simply befriending werewolves, vampires, and gorgons, though. In her time at the Academy, Wednesday uncovers chilling secrets and conspiracies that lead her on a dark and dangerous path. The show is moody, witty, and has fun, spooky vibes, meaning it’s a great pick for Halloween!
3: Archive 81 (2022)
Archive 81 is a slow-burning haunt that combines found-footage horror elements with psychological terror. The plot follows a video archivist who is hired to restore a collection of damaged tapes. Through the restoration of these tapes, he discovers a dark mystery of a disturbed cult, missing people, and even a dark entity.
It’s a dark and gloomy atmosphere full of subtle mystery and a creepy atmosphere. Though the story is a slow-burn when it comes to pacing, the show does a great job of building suspense and unease to keep you watching.
2: The Fall of the House of Usher (2023)
The Fall of the House of Usher is yet another one of Mike Flanagan’s brilliant works, adapting some of Edgar Allan Poe’s most notable, haunting tales. A family full of power unravels as their empire crumbles in this gothic drama show, full of supernatural horror. Each episode is influenced by a different Edgar Allen Poe story, yet they remain tied together through themes of tragedy, sorrow, and revenge.
Viewers will find that The Fall of the House of Usher is a thought-provoking rollercoaster ride, and it’s rather fascinating how every gloomy subplot ties into the larger story regarding the family. The visuals are dark and beautiful too, full of that eerie gothic charm. Everything about that sounds like a perfect Halloween watch, if you ask me!
1: Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities (2022)
Cabinet of Curiosities is a horror anthology crafted from the brain of Guillermo del Toro. The series features a collection of eight tales that dive into the bizarre and the macabre. Every episode features a different actor and various horror aesthetics, so you can expect to come across everything from nightmare-ish gothic visuals to morbidly beautiful cosmic horror.
Cabinet of Curiosities is a clash of the beautiful and the creepy, with each episode feeling more like its own short artistic horror film. Viewers can be prepared to encounter touches of del Toro’s love for monsters, too, which makes this eerie show perfect for a spooky-season binge-watch.