7 Forgotten Horror Shows That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

While horror movies blow audiences’ minds with scary spectacle, horror shows take a different approach, using character dynamics and intimate narratives to create a very different kind of horror. And over the years, we’ve been graced with several great horror shows that rival their big screen counterparts, including some that rank among the greatest TV series of all time. However, even though audiences today continue to celebrate major horror TV landmarks like The Twilight Zone and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, far too many great horror shows have sadly become forgotten. Sometimes this is because the shows were overshadowed by other, more popular series; other times, it’s because they were never very famous to begin with, appreciated solely by a niche but dedicated audience.

But though they may not be as widely remembered as some of their counterparts, these shows still rank among the greatest of their genre, and they’ve had a profound impact on how horror is depicted on television, both in terms of narrative and production. And at least some of them have genuinely gotten better with age, their stories and productions made keener and more fascinating with the passage of time. Here’s our handpicked selection of forgotten horror shows that have aged like fine wine, including both classics and more modern fare.

1

‘Friday the 13th: The Series’ (1987–1990)

Image via Paramount Television

Created by Frank Mancuso Jr. and Larry B. Williams, Friday the 13th: The Series is a horror procedural series that follows cousins Micki and Ryan, who inherit an antiques store. It’s only after selling off many of the antiques that they meet occultist Jack Marshak, who tells them that the items are cursed. The trio must then work together to get the cursed antiques back before they cause irreversible harm. Louise Robey and John D. LeMay star as Micki and Ryan, with Chris Wiggins as Jack Marshak.

Despite the misleading title, Friday the 13th: The Series has no direct connection to the horror movie franchise, though series co-creator Frank Mancuso Jr. also produced five of the Friday the 13th sequels. The show was well-received in its day, airing three seasons in first-run syndication before its abrupt cancellation. Though it’s been largely forgotten since then, the series has had a notable influence on later shows like The X-Files, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and particularly the Syfy series Warehouse 13, which also features a very similar premise and format.

2

‘Masters of Horror’ (2005–2007)

Image Via Showtime

Created by director Mick Garris, Masters of Horror is a Showtime horror anthology series that consists of one-hour standalone horror stories written and directed by acclaimed genre “masters”. The filmmakers involved in the show include legendary auteurs like Don Coscarelli, Stuart Gordon, Tobe Hooper, John Carpenter, Dario Argento, John Landis, Brad Anderson, Tom Holland, Joe Dante, Takashi Miike, Norio Tsuruta, Peter Medak, and others. The show also features several iconic actors in its revolving cast, including Norman Reedus, Henry Thomas, Fairuza Balk, Lori Petty, Sean Patrick Flanery, Robert Englund, Udo Kier, George Wendt, and many more.

Masters of Horror is arguably one of the most ambitious TV anthologies of all time, bringing together an eclectic group of iconic directors to create a series of spine-chilling stories. The best of its episodes are gripping horror films worthy of the silver screen — and they were released theatrically in some international markets. While its critical reception was somewhat mixed, Masters of Horror was quite popular with genre fans in its day, and though it’s not without its flaws, the series is still a very rewarding experience for lovers of horror cinema.

3

‘The Outer Limits’ (1963–1965)

Image via ABC

A classic 1960s anthology series, The Outer Limits was created by Leslie Stevens and broadcast on ABC. Often compared to The Twilight Zone, the show follows chilling stories of science fiction, written by acclaimed screenwriters like Joseph Stefano, Robert Towne, Harlan Ellison, and more. The series featured a revolving cast of guest stars, including notable names like Robert Duvall, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Adam West, and Sally Kellerman, with Vic Perrin as the Narrator.

The original version of The Outer Limits only aired two seasons, but it still developed a loyal cult following during that time and became a highly influential genre favorite. Essentially a more sci-fi-focused and suspense-driven version of The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits has largely been overshadowed by the popularity of its landmark predecessor, but it is a brilliant series in its own right that has had a significant impact on subsequent shows, most notably Star Trek. In 1995, the show was revived for a seven-season run on Showtime.

4

‘Hammer House of Horror’ (1980)

Image via Everett Collection

Created by Hammer Films, Hammer House of Horror is a British horror anthology miniseries that aired on ITV in 1980. Each episode follows a self-contained horror story, exploring various subgenres ranging from supernatural forces and classical monsters to serial killers and cannibals. The show was developed by Roy Skeggs and directed by Alan Gibson, Peter Sasdy, Tom Clegg, and others, with notable cast members including Peter Cushing, Ian McCulloch, Brian Cox, Siân Phillips, Pierce Brosnan, Kathryn Leigh Scott, and more.

The 13 episodes that make up Hammer House of Horror may be relatively unknown to international audiences, but they are every bit as entertaining as the studio’s classic horror films. The anthology is considered a cult classic, enjoying a very niche following these days, but even though it might not be that widely known, it’s still a must-watch for horror fans. More modern, gritty, and realistic than the movies that built the house of Hammer, House of Horror is a genuine surprise, even for viewers who may be familiar with the iconic studio’s movies, and it still makes for a satisfying watch over four decades after its original broadcast.

5

‘Monsters’ (1988–1991)

Image via Laurel Entertainment & Tribune Entertainment Company

Created by Richard P. Rubinstein and Mitchell Galin, Monsters is a syndicated horror anthology series that developed out of Rubinstein’s previous show, Tales from the Darkside. Each episode of the anthology follows a horror story focused on a different fantastical monster, ranging from man-eating plants and friendly aliens to sinister animatronics. Like other anthologies, the series stars a revolving cast of guest actors, including iconic stars of its time like Wil Wheaton, Matt LeBlanc, Jerry Stiller, Rob Morrow, Tori Spelling, Tony Shalhoub, and more.

After the success of Tales from the Darkside, Monsters developed out of Rubinstein’s desire to draw greater attention to the make-up and special effects work his company, Laurel Entertainment, did on the previous show. The series was a low-budget production, but its visuals and production design have taken on a more nostalgic quality with the passage of time, making it arguably more interesting for modern audiences than the viewers of its day.

6

‘Constantine’ (2014–2015)

Image via NBC

Developed by Daniel Cerone and David S. Goyer, Constantine is a supernatural detective show inspired by the DC Comics character. Matt Ryan stars as John Constantine, an English exorcist and former con-man, and the series follows his battles against supernatural forces, with help from his old friend Chas (Charles Halford), psychic artist Zed Martin (Angélica Celaya), and angel Manny (Harold Perrineau). The show also features Michael James Shaw, Bailey Tippen, Jeremy Davies, Emmett J. Scanlan, and Jonjo O’Neill in recurring roles.

Essentially a horror procedural loosely adapted from the comics, Constantine only had a single season on NBC, and it was canceled before it even got to air its final episode. However, the show remains a niche fan favorite, and that’s almost entirely due to Matt Ryan’s pitch-perfect performance as John Constantine. Fully realizing the character within the confines of a network show, Ryan’s performance powers the whole series, which is a genuinely well-written and entertaining watch as well. And though the show may have ended far too soon, Ryan’s version of the character was later added to the Arrowverse, appearing in the shows Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow.

7

‘American Gothic’ (1995–1996)

Image via CBS

Created by Shaun Cassidy and executive-produced by Sam Raimi, American Gothic is a horror drama series set in a small South Carolina town ruled by a demonically empowered sheriff. Gary Cole stars as Lucas Buck, the sheriff of Trinity, South Carolina, whose charismatic manner hides his secret life as a murderous rapist. The show revolves around Buck’s attempts to corrupt his biological son Caleb (Lucas Black), opposed by the ghost of Caleb’s sister Merlyn (Sarah Paulson). Paige Turco, Brenda Bakke, Jake Weber, and Nick Searcy star in other lead roles, with Bruce Campbell, Amy Steel, Pat Hingle, Evan Rachel Wood, Veronica Cartwright, and more in guest roles.

Like many now-forgotten shows, American Gothic never really got to grow into itself, as it was canceled by CBS after just one season. However, that one season is one of the most haunting horror shows ever to grace television screens, and the series continues to enjoy a cult following among horror fans. A layered, dark, and moody series with complex, moralistic conflicts and a truly Gothic narrative, American Gothic is easily one of the most underrated shows of the ’90s.

Release Date

1995 – 1998-00-00

Directors

Lou Antonio, Doug Lefler, James Frawley, Michael Lange, Oz Scott, Bruce Seth Green, Elodie Keene, James A. Contner, Jim Charleston, Mel Damski, Michael Katleman, Michael Nankin, Mike Binder, Peter O’Fallon

Writers

Michael R. Perry, Stephen Gaghan, Jeff King, Mitchell Burgess

• 

  Collin Wilcox Paxton

  Uncredited

• 

  Gareth Williams

  Sheriff Lucas Buck

• 

• 

• 
  

•