Best Horror TV Series on Shudder To Watch Right Now

For horror fans, finding quality TV shows can be a quest. Often, some of the more popular ones go on for too long and drop quite a bit in quality, like Supernatural and The Walking Dead, while other series are cut short through cancelation like The Exorcist and Outcast.

Sometimes, a fantastic horror series like Tales from the Crypt comes along and due to rights issues, never finds its way to a streaming platform. Shudder, the ever-growing AMC-owned horror streaming service has done a great job curating several horror series of different styles to appeal to a wide variety of horror media viewers. From drag shows to docu-series, here are the best horror-themed TV series to watch on Shudder, ranked.

19 Slasher

1 Season

Slasher‘s presence on Shudder is a little strange. Though the series’ first three seasons remain Netflix exclusives in the United States, the latter two seasons of this horror-themed anthology remain exclusive to Shudder. But that’s no reason to skip out on any seasons of slasher goodness. Originally premiering as a Chiller original in 2016, this long-running horror series follows a new setup and a new killer every season, with oodles of gory kills and cheesy characters for horror fans.

A Killer for Every Season

Shudder is currently home to Slasher: Flesh & Blood and Slasher: Ripper, which takes the legend of Jack the Ripper and turns it on its head as our veiled killer takes out members of the rich elite in the 19th century. While only the fifth season is currently on Shudder, with one to three on Netflix, and four and five on AMC+, the anthology format allows viewers to jump into a single season and enjoy a stand-alone story. “Ripper” is also one of the best seasons in the series, capturing the era with the kind of macabre charm one would want from a historical-based slasher.

18 Deadwax

1 Season

Shudder has grown its reputation among horror fans for offering some great films and shows from the genre. Much of its content makes for great alternatives to the drudgery, stagnating ideas, and declining originality that mainstream horror often suffers from. Shows like Deadwax are perfect examples of how Shudder is often a tonic for horror fans since it features a novel plot and other refreshing traits that set it apart from the usual expectations of horror.

Perfect Record for the Danse Macabre

For starters, the show takes place in the very competitive world of vinyl collecting. It centers on a character named Etta, who works as a rare vinyl tracker. When Etta is commissioned by a wealthy collector to track down a rare vinyl with a frightening reputation, it speaks volumes about her client’s macabre tastes. The reason? The vinyl in question is known to drive its owners to lose their minds and kill anyone who has the nerve to play it. Given this engrossing premise, and some strong performances driving it, Deadwax fared pretty decently with critics.

17 Eli Roth’s History of Horror

3 Seasons

Whether you love or hate his movies, you may be surprised to know that Eli Roth is something of a horror historian. A series primarily meant to document the history of the genre, Eli Roth’s History of Horror sees Roth interviewing numerous legends within the horror community, analyzing popular ideas and concepts strewn throughout the genre’s history, and paying tribute to horror as a whole.

A Lesson in Horror From One of the Genre’s Masters

If you’re new to the horror genre or simply want some different perspectives on some of horror’s greatest films, Eli Roth’s History of Horror is an excellent series that you can quickly binge through. If anything, you’ll be able to get some fantastic horror film recommendations to watch on Shudder once you’re all done.

16 A Discovery of Witches

3 Seasons

A Discovery of Witches is a fantasy series on Shudder that’s well worth your time. We follow Diana Bishop (Teresa Palmer), a historian by day and witch by night. As she discovers a strange manuscript hidden within the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford, she takes it upon herself to fully embrace the world of magic to decipher its numerous secrets. She takes on the assistance of a vampire named Matthew Clairmont (Matthew Goode), despite historical tensions between the two groups, as their newfound discoveries draw the attention of malevolent forces.

A Delightful Mix of Dark Fantasy and Horror

Plenty of dark fantasy elements can be found throughout A Discovery of Witches, and a plethora of behind-the-scenes information exists within a companion “Creator Series.” The series drew praise for its production values and the chemistry between Goode and Palmer, and for telling a conclusive story in as little as 25 episodes.

15 Chucky

2 Seasons

Chucky is one of the rare instances when a horror mascot’s eclipsing popularity has led to some pretty stellar projects. Although the Child’s Play franchise has seen some stellar highs and genuinely terrible lows, the newest project starring everyone’s favorite killer doll has us trembling in our seats. Serving as a television sequel to Cult of Chucky, Brad Dourif returns once again to voice our titular doll in a series tailor-made for fans of the franchise.

Everyone’s Favorite Murderous Doll Kills It on TV

A fourteen-year-old Jake Wheeler finds himself adopting an innocent-looking Good Guy doll before Halloween, but little does he know that the soul of Charles Lee Ray – a monstrous serial killer – is residing within the doll’s body. Billed as a “coming of rage” story, Chucky takes Chucky’s hilariously heinous antics and gives them a compelling dramatic core. Zackary Arthur plays an incredible lead as Jake Wheeler, and Dourif retains his usual sadistic charm in this ongoing horror series.

14 The Terror

1 Season

The critically acclaimed AMC miniseries The Terror is now streaming on Shudder. Frankly, it’s about time this happened. Based on Dan Simmons’ original 2007 book, this supernatural horror series sees a group of Royal Navy sailors onboard the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror venturing into uncharted territory throughout the Arctic Archipelago. But when the pair of ships become trapped in ice, those onboard must face off against dwindling supplies and growing paranoia as an external force starts to stalk their surroundings.

Snow-Bound Horrors

Praised for its historical accuracy and tense pacing, The Terror promises a lofty thriller story wrapped up in plenty of human drama. You’ll come to love this cast of characters played by Jared Harris (Mad Men), Tobias Menzies (The Crown), Paul Ready (Heart of Stone), and Adam Nagaitis (Chernobyl) among others. In only ten episodes, you’ll feel some genuine chills up your spine.

13 NOS4A2

2 Seasons

NOS4A2 is based on a novel by Joe Hill and brings a creepy holiday-themed horror story only possible from the minds of the King family. Zachary Quinto plays Charlie Manx, an immortal being that feeds off the souls of the children he abducts, after taking them to his otherworldly village, Christmasland.

Successful Adaptation of an Acclaimed Novel

Vic, played by Ashleigh Cummings, can track Manx and remains the only hope to save the children. The show has excellent acting, makeup, and production design, and is by far the strongest adaptation of Joe Hill’s writing. Though the planned season three was canceled, the two released seasons were able to cover the entirety of the novel’s storyline.

12 Cursed Films

2 Seasons

From The Exorcist to The Omen to Twilight Zone: The Movie, Cursed Films goes behind the scenes in some of the most popular horror films and the unfortunate events during their creations. This docu-series brings in actors and crew alike to discuss untimely deaths, uneasy feelings, and bad luck that followed the creation of these films.

Detailing Troubles Behind the Scenes of Beloved Horror Classics

Familiar faces from the horror community light up the screen and an amazing score by Justin Small and Ohad Benchetrit sets the creepy synth-led tone. Currently, ten episodes are available across two seasons, including stories surrounding popular films like The Wizard of Oz, Rosemary’s Baby, Cannibal Holocaust, and Andrei Tarkovsky’s Stalker.

11 The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula

5 Seasons

In The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, horror meets RuPaul’s Drag Race and Survivor in this reality competition show. The series celebrates underground and alternative drag, basing each episode’s competition on four categories: “drag,” “filth,” “horror,” and “glamour.” Each episode highlights performances in special effects, costume design, acting, and live performance.

Pushing the Boundaries of Drag

While the winners and those in the middle of the pack move on through the competition, the bottom-ranked artists are placed in a Survivor-type mini-competition titled “extermination challenges,” which test the contestants both physically and mentally. The winner gets to stay in the competition. The series currently has five seasons available to view, with the show also featuring a bevy of genre powerhouses as guest hosts across each season.

10 The Core

1 Season

A true treat for lovers of horror, The Core is an informative genre special that features interviews with legendary industry insiders. It’s hosted by Mickey Keating and features open and candid conversations about the horror scene, specifically gory horror moments and other famous tropes that have gone down in the annals of the genre’s history as iconic.

Chatting with Ghouls, Ghosts and Nightmare Makers

With plenty of stylized demonstrations to show us the inner workings of classic gore scenes like head explosions, this one will surely draw the interest of horror fans with a taste for the macabre. Filmmakers, SFX specialists, and others examine aspects of horror like techniques for gore, and the psychology of horror, to help shine a light on this beloved franchise from an insider’s POV. A thoroughly enjoyable inside look, you won’t want to miss this one if you’re a true fan of horror.

9 Deadhouse Dark

1 Season

Now a Shudder original, Deadhouse Dark is a great example of how closely related fiction and reality can become in certain sub-genres of horror. The show takes the form of a miniseries comprising six shorts. While each episode has a semi-anthological format, the main character links them all together. The show has been well received and carries a distinctively uncomfortable edge to it since it deals with a shadowy part of the internet that most ordinary people are rightly warned to stay away from.

Terrors from the Dark Web

While it seemingly follows standalone episodes, what does tie things together is a woman who receives a ‘mystery box’ from the dark web. As she goes through it, their nefarious purpose is soon drawn out. Given how dependent the world has become on mobile phones and being online, the show provides a frightening picture of just how dangerous online spaces can be.

8 Creepshow

4 Seasons

Inspired by the 1982 horror anthology film directed by George A. Romero and written by Stephen King, Creepshow follows suit and each episode is split into two different segments of horrific tales. Showrunner Greg Nicotero has released three seasons thus far, bringing in excellent acting talent throughout the series, including horror legends like Barbara Crampton, Keith David, Ted Raimi, Adrienne Barbeau, and Kiefer Sutherland.

Shudder’s Premiere Horror Anthology TV Series

Many of the stories are from great horror writers as well, like Stephen King, Joe Hill, Josh Malerman, and Joe R. Lansdale. In true ’80s fashion, mostly practical special effects are used, and much of the camera work is done in the same film style that made the original film so great. Creepshow offers a light, cheesy, fun experience that doesn’t require too much thought or energy to get invested in.

7 Channel Zero

4 Seasons

Channel Zero originally premiered on SYFY, but after its cancelation, it was moved over as a Shudder exclusive. Much like American Horror Story, each season tells a different tale, usually diving deep into psychological horror, while still having plenty of gross-out moments and amazing practical special effects.

The Creepiest of Creepypastas

All four seasons are engaging and creepy, and each boasts great performances from underrated actors, like Paul Schneider (Parks & Rec), John Carroll Lynch (Zodiac), Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner) and Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator). All four seasons’ storylines are based on popular Creepypasta posts, and though officially canceled, there are hopes that Shudder will restart the series in the coming years.

6 The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs

5 Seasons

’80s and ’90s horror kids rejoiced as Shudder re-branded MonsterVision, a late-night TNT show where fun, eccentric, and forward host Joe Bob Briggs would feature two horror films, taking breaks during movies to talk facts and introduce special guests. The Last Drive-in with Joe Bob Briggs is a very similar construct, offering five seasons and a handful of holiday specials, breaking down both classic and underseen horror movies from The Texas Chain Saw Massacre to Tetsuo: The Iron Man. This time though, The Last Drive-In brings in knowledgeable and bubbly Darcy the Mail Girl (Diana Prince) to help steer the ship and communicate with horror fans during the show.

Full of Nostalgia

The Last Drive-In has had a plethora of amazing guests from the horror world, including Jeffrey Combs, Eli Roth, Adam Green, Bruce Campbell, and Lloyd Kaufman. If you’re a horror fan who loves both the films and all the background work that goes into them, this show hits all the bases. A sixth season has recently been announced, with additional episodes debuting in March 2024 alongside numerous specials to coincide with the holidays.

5 Preacher

4 Seasons

Based on the fan-favorite comic book series of the same name, Preacher offered up four seasons of chaos and horror. The show follows a preacher with a criminal past, played by Dominic Cooper, who gains the power to connect with a mysterious entity that sends him on the path to find God. He is accompanied by his ex-girlfriend Tulip (Ruth Negga) and an Irish vampire named Cassidy (Joe Gilgun).

Divine Retribution

While canceled after its fourth season due to ratings and changes to the production company behind the series, Preacher developed a cult following and is still rated highly. This is thanks to a dark comedic edge and an eccentric cast that interjects comedy into an offbeat superhero-horror-sci-fi series that defies logic in multiple ways. Still, with the various elements, Preacher juggles them all well, meaning one can be laughing one moment only to be faced with a bit of shocking gore; the perfect mix for horror fans.

4 Hannibal

3 Seasons

Carrying on the legacy of The Silence of the Lambs and its subsequent sequels, Hannibal delivered a masterfully crafted three-season series that builds on the Dr. Hannibal Lecter character. The series explores the complex relationship between FBI criminal profiler Will Graham and Dr. Hannibal Lecter as they navigate several high-profile serial cases. Will’s sanity slips and Dr. Hannibal offers help and manipulation in equal measure.

Everyone’s Favorite Cannibal Doctor

A heavy leaning into criminal psychology, punctuated by shocking images of serial killers ‘work,’ made Hannibal a hit among fans of both true crime and horror. The series also introduced many to the talents of Mads Mikkelsen, who gave a hypnotic and disturbing portrayal of Dr. Hannibal Lecter and included fan favorites like Gillian Anderson and Laurence Fishburne in supporting roles.

3 Stan Against Evil

3 Seasons

While Ash Vs The Evil Dead never made its way to Shudder, Stan Against Evil is another piece of horror comedy that largely goes underappreciated. The show takes place in a New Hampshire town haunted by all sorts of malicious creatures and spirits with a hatred for authority and a desire to cause chaos. It then comes down to a curmudgeonly and seasoned sheriff, Stan Miller, and a rookie, Evie Barrett, to protect the town from various otherworldly threats.

A Throwback Horror-Comedy Series

There is no denying that John C. McGinley’s portrayal of Stan pushes much of the humor and drama of Stan Against Evil, and the show can be enjoyed just by seeing the grizzled policeman navigate the horrors from beyond. However, the show also found itself a solid fan base for the three seasons for its nostalgia that touched on a lot of the more over-the-top horror of the ’80s, never taking itself too seriously, choked full of gore, and boasting some cool creature designs. For those who did like Ash Vs The Evil Dead, Stan Against Evil really is the perfect companion piece.

2 Behind the Monsters

1 Season

Giving viewers an insight into beloved creatures and killers in horror, Behind the Monsters looked at various iconic figures and broke down everything from their original conception to their legacy in the genre. Each episode of the docuseries tackles a ‘different’ monster, offering deep dives into their origins across six episodes.

How to Make a Monster

Behind the Monsters offers plenty of insight behind six different icons of the genre; Michael Meyers, Candyman, Chucky, Freddy Kreuger, Jason Vorhees, and Pinhead. In addition, the docuseries wonderfully explores the continued legacy of each with talking-head interviews of some of horror’s most prominent figures and up-and-comers. The series was praised, even for ‘die-hards’ of each franchise, as Behind the Monsters brought up new stories and insights with each episode, perfect for the horror nerd who wants to know everything about their favorite slasher.

1 Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live

1 Season

The Walking Dead is a cultural phenomenon, with the award-winning comics being spun into an original TV series spanning over a decade, running from 2010 to 2022, with multiple spin-offs on screen, video games, and comics. Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live is the latest spinoff from the hit show, focusing on Rick Grimes and Michonne as they navigate the post-apocalyptic world controlled by the Civic Republic Army.

The Newest Entry in the Popular Zombie Franchise

Out of all the spin-offs from The Walking Dead, bringing back Rick and Michonne as a couple certainly had fans abuzz. Thankfully, Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live proved to be one of the best the franchise has offered, calling back to the earlier seasons and giving the fan-favorite duo a new storyline. Of course, the draw here is Andrew Lincoln as Rick and Danai Gurira as Michonne romance, but the show does not forget its blood-soaked roots with the series still pushing the horror of a world overrun by the undead, and, even worse, power-hungry survivors.