Horror has remained one of the most fascinating and addicting genres on television. It's no wonder why, between its grotesque monsters, many twists and turns, and incredible acting performances. Over the past decade, several horror shows have made waves in the media, attracting loyal fan bases.

The best of these recent horror shows bring something fresh to the genre, from unique character designs, to impressive VFX, to unconventional settings. For example, the Netflix hit Stranger Things, introduced audiences to the now-iconic "Demogorgon" monster, and Yellowjackets, explored the lingering effects of isolation and trauma on adolescent girls who had been stranded. The true genius of many of these shows, is their usage of horror as a means of highlighting humanity's darkness and weaknesses. Because of this, horror is equally entertaining as it is profound.

10 From (2022-Present)

Created By John Griffin

​​​​​One of the newer horror shows that has come out is the MGM+ series, From. This complex story follows a mysterious town known as the "Township," located in the middle of the United States, where residents are trapped and unable to leave. The various attempt to find a way of escape, while also fending off the horrors that lurk in the nearby forest. From is a unique concept to start with, as the location of the Township is the initial supernatural force that threatens the of the community.

Coupled with the terrifying design of humanoid monsters who attack town at night, From successfully establishes a frightening world that quickly hooks viewers. Beyond this, the stakes are heightened by a series of clever twists and reveals, such as the fact that Tabitha and Jim Matthews, a new family who moved to the Township, are reincarnated from a previous couple in the town. In the end, From is about confronting issues and fears about oneself, since the characters are physically unable to escape.

9 The Haunting Of Hill House (2018)

Created By Mike Flanagan

The Haunting of Hill House premiered on Netflix in 2018, and quickly became a Mike Flanagan horror classic, resulting in multiple seasons, each following a different cast of characters. The show's first season focuses on the Crain family, who move to a new house, only to find that they are being terrorized by a set of supernatural beings. Though the family escapes, the Crain children struggle to move forward while the ghosts of their past still haunt them.

Few ghost stories follow the victims after they have escaped the terrors of their haunting, and The Haunting of Hill House cleverly turns this on its head, as the children are irrevocably affected even into their adulthood. Besides its discussion of psychological effects, the show is realistic in multiple other ways, such as the design of the spirits themselves, who are hidden in the background of several shots. The Haunting of Hill House is a tragedy about the inability to escape childhood demons.

8 Yellowjackets (2021-Present)

Created By Ashley Lyle & Bart Nicholson

Yellowjackets starts out with the familiar story of a group of unlikely survivors who have been stranded in a desolate location, but quickly becomes much more. The hit television show chronicles the lives of an all-girls soccer team whose plane crashes in the Ontario wilderness. However, when their survival instincts challenge their morals, the girls must ask themselves how far they are willing to go. This horror series also follows several leads after their rescue from the horrors of their isolation, demonstrating how trauma manifests differently in their choices as adults.

In the woods, the show isn't afraid to venture into the twisted, with Yellowjackets' cannibalism rituals, murder, and violence occurring between the desperate young girls. However, audiences are still able to sympathize with many characters because of how well they are written, such as Van Palmer, the most violent of the girls who resorts to barbarism out of sheer desperation. The real genius of Yellowjackets stems from its exploration into human instinct if left unchecked for a period of time, even if societal constructs return.

7 Midnight Mass (2021)

Created By Mike Flanagan

Another Mike Flanagan horror hit is Midnight Mass. Midnight Mass perfectly captures the aesthetic feel and central themes of Gothic Horror.

From the eerie appearance of Crockett Island, eccentric residents, and an overbearing sense of religious fervor, Midnight Mass, allows audiences to witness the anxiety that Riley increasingly feels as strange events continue to occur. Its examination of the dangers of religious fanaticism and the effects of blind faith are intriguing for audiences to watch onscreen. Not to mention, supernatural elements, such as Riley's victim haunting him, add to the tension of the show.

6 Evil (2019-2024)

Created By Michelle King & Robert King

The conversation about religious fanaticism is continued in Michelle and Robert King's CBS series, Evil, which is now streaming on Netflix. The four-part show follows a psychologist, an aspirational Catholic priest, and a tech contractor, to find a logical explanation behind the many religious mysteries, possessions, and miracles that are claimed by the Church.

Evil is truly unique in its premise, and its blend between drama and supernatural mystery is engaging for viewers wanting to see something fresh in horror. One of the show's strengths is its contrasting cast of characters, who, although different in life paths, find ways to work together on their investigation. The show also discusses the reasoning behind faith versus science, and the various ways that they intersect. Of course, moments of horror are spattered throughout, from a variety of terrifying demons to antichrist encounters, keeping the audiences on their toes, and adding to the horror element of the show.

5 Supernatural (2005-2020)

Created By Eric Kripke

One of the longest-running horror television shows is also one of the best. Supernatural began in 2005, and tells the story of the Winchester Brothers, Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam (Jared Padalecki), who take up their father's job of being a "ghost hunter," fighting all things supernatural, such as monsters, demons, spirits, and gods. The show ended in 2020 in a controversial finale. Supernatural is one of the most famous horror series of the last decade for many reasons.

Each episode of the series features another supernatural being that is sure to entertain audiences, and keeps the subplots of the show fresh. Urban legends and superstitions are often used as inspiration for episodes, drawing on real-life examples to create the demons in the world of the show. However, Supernatural is also well-loved for its inclusion of comedic and lighthearted moments, which mainly stem from the close relationship between the Winchester family. After all, it is the chemistry between Sam and Dean which separates the show from other programs of a similar nature.

4 The Last Of Us (2023-Present)

Created By Neil Druckman & Craig Mazin

Neil Druckman and Craig Mazin's adaptation of the iconic video game The Last of Us, quickly shot to success after its release in 2023 on Netflix. This horror show follows Joe (Pedro Pascal), a tough survivor, and Ellie (Bella Ramsey), a young girl with a special gift, who team up to survive in a post-apocalyptic world after the outbreak of a zombie virus. The Last of Us is another successful example of the zombie niche in television and film, but it stands out in a variety of ways.

For example, the show's careful attention to detail regarding the zombies themselves, makes them all the more terrifying. These zombies aren't a supernatural phenomenon, but rather, the result of a fungus infection caused by "cordyceps" altering their appearance. The show also boasts an impressive cast, with recognizable names like Pedro Pascal and Nick Offerman at the helm. However, The Last of Us is impressive mainly due to its well-written stories of human connection enduring against the backdrop of a natural disaster.

3 The Walking Dead (2011-2022)

Created By Frank Darabont

Another equally popular zombie series is Frank Darabont's The Walking Dead. The hit FX series follows Sheriff Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and a group of survivors who navigate a zombie apocalypse together to find a safe home, encountering both human and undead threats along the way. Few zombie designs are as recognizable as the classic "walkers" of The Walking Dead.

The Walking Dead has resulted in multiple spin-offs and sequel series, including The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, Fear The Walking Dead, and The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.

In every episode, walkers threaten the lives of the leads in many ways, and few survivors from the pilot escape without eventually becoming infected themselves. The cast of this zombie series is easily the most memorable parts of the show, with complex relationships and issues bubbling between the characters, such as Michonne (Danai Guirira) and Ricks's romance. In fact, it is the connections and sense of community between the survivors, which proves the show's theme of the importance of companionship in order for human perseverance in times of disaster.

2 Stranger Things (2016-2025)

Created By Matt Duffer & Ross Duffer

The Duffer Brothers' Netflix hit Stranger Things is undoubtedly one of the biggest and most innovative horror series of the decade. Stranger Things tells the story of a group of middle-schoolers in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana in the 1980s. When one of their friends goes missing, the group finds themselves involved in a town-wide mystery. The premise of Stranger Things is uniquely eccentric, playing on the nostalgia of a 1980s sci-fi and a modern psychological thriller.

One of the ways it does so is by establishing a strong sense of setting, from its synth 1980s soundtrack, to period-accurate costuming, viewers feel that they are transported to the world of the show. Stranger Things also masterfully maintains a sense of suspense and mystery, folding back layers of information about the "Upside Down" and its connection to characters like Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). Relationships between several characters in the show are also well-developed, such as Elle and Hopper's unexpected but heartwarming bond.

1 American Horror Story (2011-Present)

Created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, & Halley Feiffer

American Horror Story is the quintessential horror series of the decade, bringing a fresh story with it every season that keeps audiences engaged. This 2010s horror anthology series follows a new cast of characters who must navigate a variety of harrowing and dangerous supernatural scenarios. From haunted houses, to poorly-run asylums, to mysterious hotels run by vampiric hosts, American Horror Story brings a compelling season that audiences cannot take their eyes off of.

Ryan Murphy's horror show also does not shy from the grotesque, committing fully to gore, twisted nightmares, and disgusting displays of humanity's abuse. Over the years, the show has also gained an impressive cast of both regulars (such as Evan Peters and Sarah Paulson), and also featured star guests on American Horror Story, like Lady Gaga. Ultimately, it is the shock value of American Horror Story that allows it to stand out with each new season, bringing new lessons about humanity's weaknesses and fears.