If you love scary shows, television has been kind to you this year.
Whether you like psychological thrillers, demonic possession, bizarre and unexplainable mysteries or witches, among other things, there has been a show for you.
Check out nine frightful shows you shouldn’t watch alone!
Falling Water
As someone who has some of the most vivid dreams (nightmares) of anyone I know, Falling Water has been able to set me on edge. Reviewing it would have been its own kind of nightmare, because following along can be difficult, but when you catch on, the moody vibe is chilling. What if your dreaming and waking states were almost seamless? Would you be able to tell the difference? What I love about Falling Water, is I’m not sure I can tell half the time.
Salem
Try watching Salem alone and with the lights off. Salem often delivers some truly horrifying visuals, eerie characters and the constant feel of dread that will easily leave you disturbed.
The Exorcist
I can’t watch The Exorcist before going to bed or I have nightmares. And I know for a fact I’m not alone in that.
Channel Zero: Candle Cove
Channel Zero: Candle Cove came out of nowhere, but it had a very unique atmosphere to it. It made you feel like something was always right around the corner, coming to get you. The scary bit coming from a beloved puppet series from childhood would totally be something from my world of HR Pufnstuf and Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, so it made sense to me. And I’m sorry, but any creature made out of teeth wins for one of the creepiest characters ever. I can’t wait for the next chapter!
Stranger Things
Stranger Things was quite challenging to watch at night. Aside from the nostalgic feel of an old ’80s horror movie, the actual Upside Down was really scary, as were Will’s phone calls to Joyce from the other side. There’s a reason movies use the old phone call trope – it’s eerie and makes your skin crawl!
AHS: My Roanoke Nightmare
American Horror Story may seem like its pushing it in terms of longevity, but the horror anthology series keeps coming up with new ways to scare us. The “meta”/found-footage nature of the latest season, My Roanoke Nightmare, was particularly effective at delivering a new type of horror. And can we talk about the Piggy Man!?
Bates Motel
Bates Motel isn’t scary in the traditional sense, but frightening in a psychological sense. Watching Normal’s mental decline just as Norma was coming into her own as a woman and falling in love with Romero was simply terrifying. Norma had spent her entire life protecting her son and denying he was a threat or violent in anyway, only to have that circle back onto her and culminate in her death. It was both heartbreaking and thrilling to watch. One more to go!
Outcast
Outcast is one show you definitely want to watch with the lights on! And be prepared to watch peeking through your fingers, because this show is made for that. Sure, there are elements of gore, but that’s not the most frightening thing. It’s just downright creepy. Sidney and his army of demons may look and act normal, but they’re anything but. Just ask Reverend Anderson!
Ash vs Evil Dead
The best thing about Ash vs Evil Dead is it’s equal doses of fright and delight. You’ll not only be freaked out, but grossed out and lauging your behind off minutes later. Bruce Campell and friends have made absolutely sure you won’t know what’s coming next, whether the greatest laugh or the biggest scare of the episode. And that’s why you don’t watch alone. Whether grabbing a hand to hold or wanting to chew someone’s ear off after a hilarious scene, you need someone by your side!
