Horror television comes in many forms like murderers and maniacs, but the most frightening viewing always seems to come from the otherworldly kind of creatures. Not everyone loves a good scare, but if you do, there is plenty of good TV that will set your teeth a-chattering in no time.
Demons, witches, ghosts, and other supernatural monsters tantalize us even if we have to close our eyes as they wreak havoc on our heroes.
Many of these shows are still currently on the air thrilling us at every turn, but some have been canceled ending their stories far too soon. Thankfully, most are available to watch on streaming services giving a whole new audience a chance to shake in their boots.
Here are 23 supernatural shows that are guaranteed to keep you up all night! Happy viewing!
American Horror Story
There are plenty of horrific humans on American Horror Story to give you nightmares for weeks. Add in the monsters, ghosts, witches, and other terrifying creatures roaming through the show’s past six seasons, and you’ll never sleep again. Currently airing on FX with past seasons available on Netflix.
Ash vs. Evil Dead
Ash adds a dose of comedy to his horrific adventures, but when you’re constantly battling monsters that want to eat you alive, laughter may be the only medicine to keep you sane. Ash vs. Evil Dead is available to stream on Netflix.
Castle Rock
Castle Rock is one of those quietly creepy shows that gets under your skin and doesn’t let go. Although not full of terrifying monsters, it has The Kid who is frightening in his own right. Whatever supernatural powers this kid possesses is sending the residents of this small Maine town into a frenzy, but what he is and why he’s there is still a mystery. Castle Rock can be seen on Hulu.
Channel Zero
Spooky Internet urban legends (aka creepypastas) are brought to life in this horrific anthology series. If there’s one thing to make you scream in fear, imagine a kid made out of human teeth (see above). That image alone should give you nightmares, but the stories told on Channel Zero will send your fear factor into overdrive. Channel Zero airs on Syfy, and past seasons are available on Amazon Video.
Constantine
Constantine is on a quest to find all the supernatural terrors plaguing this world and send them back to where they belong. It’s not an easy road, and he carries a heavy burden, but he’s determined to keep the evil from overtaking us all. Based on the DC Comics Hellblazer, Constantine can be seen on Amazon Prime.
Doctor Who
Here’s another guy who travels the world to save it from supernatural terrors. Quirky and funny, but at times downright scary, Doctor Who battles monsters that will have you screaming for days. The show airs on BBC America and past seasons can be seen on Amazon Prime.
Grimm
The world is full of supernatural creatures that seem to have converged on Portland where Nick Burkhardt is trying to live a normal life. But when you’re a Grimm, you’re underlying duty is to battle these monsters to help make the world a better place. Grimm aired on NBC for six seasons and can be watched on Amazon Prime.
Les Revenants
There are two versions of Les Revenants (The Returned), a French version which aired on Sundance, and the American version which aired on A&E. While the American version will definitely creep you out, the French version will scare you silly. The residents of a small French town are aghast when the dead return. These aren’t flesh-eating zombies making their way back to the living, but people who died and come back alive and normal. But things aren’t normal as strange things start happening that put the residents on edge. Could the scariest kid on television, Victor, be to blame? Les Revenants is available to stream on Netflix.
Millennium
One of the all-time freak out shows ever stars Lance Hendrickson as Frank Black, the mysterious and morose former FBI agent who has the uncanny ability to see into the minds of criminals. But Black is a magnet for the supernatural and as the end of the world draws near (back in the 90s people thought the world was going to end at the millennium), he has to face some of the most powerful demonic forces known to mankind — including perhaps the devil herself. Unfortunately, Millennium is only available on DVD, but if it’s available at your local library, it’s worth checking out.
Outcast
Rome, West Virginia is the place you DO NOT want to visit. Outcast follows Kyle Barnes who has been plagued by demonic possessions his entire life. When he teams up with local evangelist, Reverend Anderson to battle the demons who’ve made their home in his town, they both realize they’ve bitten off more than they can chew. Outcast is available to watch on the Cinemax Channel or on Amazon Video.
Penny Dreadful
Literary monsters come to life in this horror series set in Victorian London. Sir Malcolm teams up with clairvoyant, Vanessa Ives, to battle supernatural creatures who have kidnapped his daughter. Frankenstein’s monster, Dracula, Dorian Gray and others all make an appearance as either friend or foe. Penny Dreadful is available to stream on Netflix.
Stranger Things
The 80s were a scary time (think about the hair), and for Joyce Byers and the residents of Hawkins, Indiana, it’s a nightmare. The town is plagued by supernatural occurrences after Joyce’s son goes missing and another world, only a rip in a wall away from ours, hides something terrifying. Stranger Things is an original Netflix series and is going into its third season.
Supernatural
The Winchester brothers never wanted to be part of the “family business” but for 13 seasons, Sam and Dean have gone to hell and back to save the world. They’ve battled demons, ghosts, werewolves, vampires, and all sorts of otherworldy creatures but never seem to catch a break even when they’ve teamed up with angels. The early seasons are the scariest, but every one of Sam and Dean’s adventures are worth watching — with the lights on, of course! Supernatural airs on The CW and past seasons can be found on Netflix.
The Exorcist
Demonic possession is one of the scariest things to befall any human being, but when your job is to cast that evil out, it’s downright horrifying. The series is a sequel to the 1973 movie starring Linda Blair and follows Father Tomas and Father Marcus Keane as they battle to save the souls of the possessed. But there’s a bigger demon at play, and it wants to play with them sending them on a nightmarish journey across the country. The Exorcist can be seen on Hulu.
The Strain
Viruses make you sick, but on The Strain, the virus going around is turning everyone into a vampire, and not of the romantic persuasion. Dr. Ephraim Goodweather is tasked with stopping the virus before it’s too late, but the odds are against him especially when he has to battle the ancient and terrifying vampire of them all, The Master. The Strain can be seen on Amazon Video.
The Terror
Polar bears are cute from afar, but the one that’s stalking the men of the HMS Terror and the HMS Erebus is not the kind you’d want to come across. Based on the 2009 novel by Dan Simmons, The Terror will strike fear in you from beginning to end not only because of the supernatural monster that’s come for a feeding but the very real terror the men must face from being stuck in the Arctic ice. The Terror airs on AMC and can also be found on Amazon Video.
True Blood
Not all vampires are created equal, and while the vamps in Bon Temps, Louisana have literally “come out of the coffin” to integrate with human society, it doesn’t mean they’re all about to become your best friends. Just ask Sookie. True Blood is available too watch on HBO Now and Amazon Video.
The Walking Dead
The zombie apocalypse is upon us, and these things are hungry. Rick Grimes and his group of survivors must navigate a new world to find safety and survive the monsters that want to eat them alive. The Walking Dead airs on AMC with past seasons available for streaming on Netflix.
The X-Files
FBI agents Mulder and Scully are tasked with investigating the X-Files: unsolved cases that may involve things not of this world. Scully may try to explain away the odd occurrences but Mulder is a firm believer. The duo face some of the most frightening monsters ever to be seen on television including the Soul Eater, the Bark Creatures, Chinga, Eve, and our all-time favorite, Tooms. The X-Files can be seen on Hulu.
Kolchak: The Night Stalker
Covering the news takes on a whole new meaning for Kolchak when he discovers that supernatural creatures may be behind mysterious crimes. He shows no fear when facing these foes even when they’re the most horrifying things he’s ever come across. Kolchak: The Night Stalker might seem a bit cheesy, but back in the 1974-1975 television season, this was some scary stuff. Kolchak: The Night Stalker is available for viewing on Amazon Video.
Salem
The Salem witch trials are explored in this supernatural drama. While the witches might night have been real back in the 17th century, they are certainly alive and well in this show’s world, and the most powerful witch in the small town has one big ball of evil planned. Salem can be streamed on Netflix
Night Gallery
Rod Serling of The Twilight Zone fame hosted this series which ran from 1969 to 1973. Each week the stories would explore various supernatural horrors which were either adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft classics or stories penned by Serling himself. The Night Gallery can be seen on Hulu.
Twin Peaks
When homecoming queen, Laura Palmer is murdered in Twin Peaks, Washington, FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper is sent to investigate. Nothing is as it seems, and Cooper is quickly drawn into a nightmare of epic proportions. Twin Peaks is a quietly creepy show until Bob arrives and the nightmares truly begin. Twin Peaks can be seen on Hulu.
