The 49 Best Halloween Shows to Get You in the Spooky Spirit

What makes Halloween so special? Is it the chill in the air? Or the chance to go all out with new costumes? Or maybe the fact that there is finally a valid reason to eat tons of fun-size candy? The answer to all these questions is a resounding yes, of course. But if you really want to get in the spooky spirit, then I highly recommend binge-watching some of the best Halloween shows on Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video and more.

This list includes several options that won’t disappoint, whether you’re looking for a supernatural horror, like Midnight Mass, or a lighthearted feel-good series, like The Good Witch. And if you’re feeling nostalgic—don’t worry. I also have you covered with classics like Goosebumps, The Twilight Zone and Unsolved Mysteries. Keep reading for the 49 best Halloween shows you can stream right now.

• Cast: Jurnee Smollett, Jonathan Majors, Aunjanue Ellis, Courtney B. Vance
• Rating: TV-MA

Inspired by Matt Ruff’s novel of the same name, this groundbreaking series revolves around Atticus Freeman (AKA Tic), who embarks on a mission to find his missing father during the 1950s. Thanks to the expert mashup of different genres, you'll feel like you're watching an old western one moment and a straight horror the next. In his review of the series, VP of news and entertainment Phil Mutz wrote, "This constant shift keeps the show terribly exciting, as the viewer has no idea what to expect next. By the time you reach the season's end, you will truly feel like you have gone on a journey of epic proportions with these characters."

• Cast: Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Aasif Mandvi, Kurt Fuller
• Rating: TV-14

Think X-Files, but a whole lot scarier. This criminally underrated supernatural drama follows a forensic psychologist and a former journalist who team up to investigate a string of supernatural occurrences.

• Cast: Kathy Bates, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters
• Rating: TV-MA

I won’t pretend that every single season of Ryan Murphy’s anthology is perfect, but you can certainly expect a few genuine scares that might keep you up at night. The storylines range from moving into a haunted home to being kidnapped by aliens. And the ever-changing cast typically features big names like Jessica Lange, Angela Bassett and Matt Bomer. 

• Cast: Kiernan Shipka, Ross Lynch, Lucy Davis, Chance Perdomo, Michelle Gomez
• Rating: TV-14

Sabrina the Teenage Witch gets a gets a seriously dark twist in this Netflix series. Set in Greendale, it follows a half-witch, half-mortal named Sabrina Spellman as she tries to navigate life, school and relationships. This proves to be especially challenging when there are evil forces out to destroy her.

• Cast: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin
• Rating: TV-14

It all starts with the sudden disappearance of a boy in a seemingly innocent little town called Hawkins. But upon investigation, it's revealed that there are deadly, sinister forces lurking among the residents. There's mystery, supernatural elements and more than enough '80s pop culture references to keep you invested in the show.

• Cast: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell
• Rating: TV-MA

Based on Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire novels, the series follows Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic Louisiana waitress whose life is turned upside-down when she meets and falls for a vampire named Bill Compton. Simply put, it’s a horror, soap opera and murder mystery rolled into one—complete with a super catchy theme song.

• Cast: Andrew Lincoln, Jon Bernthal, Sarah Wayne Callies, Laurie Holden
• Rating: 18+

Can you imagine trying to navigate a world where hordes of vicious zombies are trying to kill you at almost every turn? Well, that’s the main premise of The Walking Dead, where a group of survivors fight to stay alive after a zombie apocalypse. But to make matters even more complicated, they cross paths with other survivors who aren’t exactly trustworthy.

• Cast: Jaime King, Justin Chu Cary, Christine Lee
• Rating: TV-MA

Speaking of zombie apocalypses, Netflix’s Black Summer also revolves around a group of strangers trying to survive a viral outbreak. Except in this case, their goal is to reunite with their loved ones during the earlier stages of this disaster. Fair warning, this gory drama has plenty of intense moments and jump scares.

• Cast: Deborah Ayorinde, Ashley Thomas, Alison Pill
• Rating: 18+

Set in the 1950s, Them follows a tight-knit Black family who moves into an all-white suburb in Los Angeles. This fresh start quickly turns into a nightmare when they realize there's more to their dream home than meets the eye. The anthology series tackles deep issues like racism in America, and it’s unsettling enough to haunt you long after you finish watching.

• Cast: Brad Dourif, Zackary Arthur, Teo Briones, Alyvia Alyn Lind
• Rating: TV-MA

Even if you haven't flown through all seven films of the franchise, this terrifying sequel will give you all the chills. Chucky (a doll who’s possessed by a serial killer) is back at it again with another murder—this time, in the quiet city of Hackensack, New Jersey.

• Cast: Freddie Highmore, Max Thieriot, Olivia Cooke
• Rating: TV-MA

If you really enjoyed Psycho, then consider this prequel series required viewing. Bates Model follows a teenage Norman Bates and his mother, Norma, who purchases a motel following the death of Norman’s dad. It’s quite fascinating to see Norman’s history and how his psyche began to unravel.

• Cast: Paul Schneider, Fiona Shaw, Natalie Brown
• Rating: TV-14

Some of the best horror shows are derived from random myths and scary stories shared across the internet. Inspired by creepypasta, the anthology is well known for its unique storylines and unsettling imagery. It focuses on a different plot each season, from a string of mysterious disappearances to a seemingly harmless tourist attraction. 

• Cast: Kate Siegel, Zach Gilford, Hamish Linklater
• Rating: TV-MA

When a charming young priest goes to an isolated small town on Crockett Island, the community starts to experience several odd, supernatural events. And unfortunately, this leads to a lot of tension and division among the residents. It may be incredibly gory and unsettling, but the series has a lot to say about faith and cultish behaviors.

• Cast: Michiel Huisman, Carla Gugino, Timothy Hutton
• Rating: TV-MA

In 1992, the Crain family moved into Hill House for a quick renovation project. But after extending their stay, they experience a series of terrifying paranormal events that eventually drive them out of the house. Fast-forward 26 years, and each family member is forced to confront the memories that still haunt them.

• Cast: Victoria Pedretti, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Henry Thomas
• Rating: TV-​​MA

It's not as terrifying as the Hill House installment of the anthology series, but it's compelling and creepy enough to keep you on the edge of your seat. The show follows an American woman named Dani, who gets hired by a well-off family to look after their two children in England.  Right when she's settled, she she comes to realize that the family’s manor is haunted.

• Cast: Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder, Steven R. McQueen
• Rating: TV-14

Welcome to Mystic Falls, where vampires roam freely and magical spells abound. The series follows a teenage girl named Elena Gilbert, who gets caught in a love triangle between vampire brothers Stefan and Damon Salvatore. But aside from this main storyline, the series dives into the town's supernatural history, introducing a few nightmare-worthy villains.

• Cast: Joseph Morgan, Daniel Gillies, Claire Holt, Charles Michael Davis
• Rating: TV-14

Allow me to introduce a spin-off of the Vampire Diaries that’s even more entertaining than the original, thanks to a fascinating plot, compelling main characters and, well, less soap opera-y drama. Follow the Mikaelson clan, AKA the world's original vampires, as they try to reclaim New Orleans as their own.

• Cast: Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Mark Sheppard
• Rating: TV-MA

The Winchesters might give the ghostbusters crew a run for their money. In this series, brothers Sam and Dean spend their days investigating paranormal activity and hunting down dangerous creatures, from ghosts and vampires to demons. As a bonus, Dean provides just the right amount of comic relief to balance out the darker moments. 

• Cast: Reeve Carney, Timothy Dalton, Eva Green, Rory Kinnear
• Rating: TV-MA

Iconic literary characters, like Dr. Frankenstein and Dorian Gray, are brought to life in this dark psychological horror. It follows an explorer named Sir Malcolm Murray, who teams up with an unlikely group to rescue his daughter from a dangerous mythical creature in Victorian London. 

• Cast: Radhika Apte, Manav Kaul, Ratnabali Bhattacharjee
• Rating: TV-MA

Set in a fascist India, the story follows a terrorist who goes through an interrogation process at a secret government location. But his presence there leads to a series of disturbing supernatural events, wreaking havoc on all his captors. 

• Cast: Rod Serling
• Rating: TV-PG

Prepare to enter the twilight zone with dozens of stories that deal with aliens, the afterlife, time travel, dystopian societies and more. Serling hosts and narrates the original version of this haunting fantasy series, and each episode offers a moral lesson and some commentary on the nature of humanity. The writing is also phenomenal.

• Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan
• Rating: TV-PG

Consider this a rare case where the show is way better than the work it's based on. (If you've seen the 1992 film, you know what I'm talking about.) The supernatural drama follows Buffy Summers, who discovers that she is chosen by fate to battle vampires. But can she balance this with a normal life? 

• Cast: David Boreanaz, Alexis Denisof, J. August Richards, Amy Acker
• Rating: TV-14

It’s Angel’s time to shine in this Buffy spin-off, which follows the vampire as he becomes a private detective in L.A. Meanwhile, Angel struggles to overcome his own demonic nature as he goes up against evil demons. If you loved Buffy, it’s worth noting that this series has an even darker tone—but it’s just

• Cast: Hugh Dancy, Mads Mikkelsen, Laurence Fishburne, Aaron Abrams
• Rating: TV-MA

Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a forensic psychiatrist who leads a double life as a murderous cannibal, develops a fascinating relationship with Will Graham, the skilled criminal profiler he gets assigned to. However, as Will's investigation techniques continue to take a toll on his psyche, Hannibal seems determined to break him down completely. 

• Cast: Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter
• Rating: TV-MA

As far as everyone is concerned, Dexter Morgan is an upstanding citizen and skilled blood pattern analyst who works with the police. But what they don’t know is that he secretly hunts and kills those who’ve murdered innocent people. Hall delivers a great performance as the compelling, psychopathic serial killer. And of course, there’s a lot of blood.

• Cast: Eduard Fernández, Miguel Ángel Silvestre, Megan Montaner, Macarena Gómez
• Rating: TV-MA

The Spanish series follows a former convict and exorcist named Father Vergara, who investigates a series of paranormal activities in his small town with the help of the mayor and the town's veterinarian. And the wildest part? These strange events seem to be connected to a coin that he owns.

• Cast: Victoire Du Bois, Lucie Boujenah, Tiphaine Daviot
• Rating: TV-MA

Emma, a successful horror writer, moves to her hometown when she’s plagued by an evil spirit in her dreams. When she relocates, she discovers that this spirit is real, turning her world upside down.

• Cast: Catherine Bell, Bailee Madison, James Denton
• Rating: TV-PG

If you’re not into jump scares or intense, bloody dramas, then you don’t want to sleep on Good Witch. Inspired by the TV films, this feel-good series follows Cassie Nightingale, a widowed, kind-hearted witch who lives in a small town with her teenage daughter, Grace. But when a new family moves in next door, they become suspicious of the mother-daughter duo. 

• Cast: ​​Victoria Diamond, William Romain, Sydney Wade
• Rating: TV-PG

If you need another family-friendly option that’s spooky and inventive, Creeped Out tells a series of stories that are all connected to "The Curious," a mysterious figure who appears in each episode to collect scary tales. And as a bonus, each episode has a moral lesson.

• Cast: Katie McGrath, Brandon Jay McLaren, Steve Byers
• Rating: TV-MA

Fans of the Scream franchise are in for a real treat, since each season follows a group of people trying to uncover the identity of a masked killer who’s targeting victims. The first season, for instance, revolves around a mysterious “executioner” who terrorizes a small Canadian town.

• Cast: Sarah Paulson, Finn Wittrock, Judy Davis
• Rating: TV-MA

In this riveting prequel to One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, viewers get some insight on Mildred Ratched’s backstory as she takes on a nursing job at a psychiatric hospital. On the surface, she’s a model employee, but it turns out her motives are much darker than everyone realizes.

• Cast: Emma Roberts, Jamie Lee Curtis, Lea Michele, Abigail Breslin, Billie Lourd
• Rating: TV-14

It’s all the proof we need that comedy and horror truly do go together. From the executive producers of American Horror Story comes this unique anthology, where the members of a college sorority, Kappa Kappa Tau, are terrorized by a serial killer who dresses up as the school's Red Devil mascot.

• Cast: Adepero Oduye, Adria Arjona, Bill Camp
• Rating: TV-MA

Is there a fine line between man and monster? This series will certainly make you think so. Based on Nathan Ballingrud’s short story collection, North American Lake Monsters: Stories, Monsterland follows broken people as they encounter mythical creatures and go to great lengths to fix their own problems.

• Cast: Jesse Plemons, Cristin Milioti, Jimmi Simpson
• Rating: TV-MA

If you’re into thought-provoking shows that tackle themes like morality and society’s relationship with advanced technology, then Black Mirror is for you. The British anthology essentially holds a mirror up to modern society, revealing its flaws in the most intriguing ways, from a growing obsession with online validation to the invasion of privacy.

• Cast: Eion Bailey, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Harold Perrineau
• Rating: TV-MA

Can you imagine visiting a town that traps every single person that enters? That's what happens in this terrifying sci-fi horror. And as you can imagine, chaos ensues as everyone in the town fights to stay alive and escape.

• Cast: Adam Nagaitis, Sebastian Armesto, Jared Harris
• Rating: 16+

Inspired by the real-life events of Captain John Franklin and his 1840s expedition to the Arctic, The Terror follows the Royal Navy's dark voyage into uncharted territory, where they’re forced to brave harsh weather conditions after the ships freeze and become trapped in the ice. All the suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat.

• Cast: Courteney Cox, Greg Kinnear, Sherilyn Fenn, Gus Birney, Dylan Gage
• Rating: TV-MA

Pat Phelps, a famous writer, moves to a small-town home that has a rather disturbing history. But as he and his wife get settled in, Pat is the only one who suspects that there’s more to their new house than meets the eye—and it’s not having the best effect on the rest of the family.

• Cast: Elaine Cassidy, Christopher Gorham, Katie Cassidy
• Rating: 13+

Harper’s Island follows a group of family and friends who travel to an isolated island for a destination wedding. Unbeknownst to them, the island has a dark history, and there’s a killer among them. Add this to your list if you’re down for a compelling whodunit.

• Cast: Nick Frost, Malcolm McDowell, Samson Kayo
• Rating: 16+

There’s been an uptick in paranormal activity in London—but Gus, Elton and Astrid are on the case. In this Prime Video original, the trio spend their time tracking supernatural occurrences and sharing them on YouTube. But along the way, they uncover a massive, terrifying conspiracy.

• Cast: Alfonso Herrera, Ben Daniels, Hannah Kasulka
• Rating: TV-14

The series acts as a sequel to the original 1973 film, where two priests try to help a family that’s dealing with a demonic presence in their home. In case you're skeptical, the series definitely lives up to the classic film (and deserved way more than two seasons), thanks to the genuine scares and solid storytelling.

• Cast: Robert Stack
• Rating: TV-14

Put your detective skills to the test with this throwback series, which breaks down a series of unsolved cases that deal with murder, missing persons, UFO sightings, ghosts and more. The fact that these events actually occurred makes this series all the more fascinating.

• Cast: Matt Berry, Kayvan Novak, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillen
• Rating: TV-MA

Sink your teeth into this mockumentary-style series, which centers on three vampires—Nandor, Laszlo and Nadja—as they attempt to navigate the modern world. Not only does the show boast a charming cast and stellar writing, but it also strikes the perfect balance between laugh-out-loud humor and high-intensity horror.

• Cast: Mamoudou Athie, Dina Shihabi, Evan Jonigkeit, Julia Chan
• Rating: TV-MA

An archivist takes on a seemingly regular job that involves restoring the damaged videotapes of a filmmaker’s documentary project. But the job turns into a literal nightmare when he uncovers a mystery that involves a sinister cult.

• Cast: Dominic Cooper, Joseph Gilgun, Ruth Negga
• Rating: TV-MA

Jesse Custer isn’t your typical preacher. The Texas native has a criminal past and the ability to make anyone obey his orders—thanks to his merge with a mysterious creature named Genesis. But why was he chosen for this new gift, and what exactly is his purpose? With his newfound powers, Jesse embarks on a quest with his ex-girlfriend and a vampire to get some answers.

• Cast: Claes Bang, Dolly Wells, John Heffernan
• Rating: TV-14

Set in 1897 Transylvania, the series depicts Count Dracula’s most gory crimes, including his battles with Van Helsing's descendants. Although it's not 100 percent faithful to Bram Stoker's original gothic horror, Dracula sheds new light on the vampire’s vulnerabilities and incorporates more modern themes. 

• Cast: Kim Dickens, Cliff Curtis, Frank Dillane
• Rating: TV-MA

This spin-off of The Walking Dead takes place during the earlier stages of the zombie apocalypse in the west coast, while Rick is in a coma. It revolves around two families who must band together to survive the onset of the apocalypse in L.A. And while it’s not the same as TWD, it offers more than enough suspense.

• Cast: Kellita Smith, Keith Allan, Russell Hodgkinson
• Rating: TV-MA

Three years after the spread of a deadly zombie virus, a team of survivors work together to transport a man who survived the disease from New York to California, hoping he is the key to finding a cure. But their journey across the country proves to be quite the challenge.