In this week's Chapter of Red Ink, I want to explore some of my absolute favorite horror TV series, both past and present. I have mentioned on more than one occasion, that Stranger Things inspired my writing journey, but it is not alone in its creepy influnce upon my creative side. I desperately tried to narrow down the list to a top 10, but I just couldn't bring myself to exclude any of them. So, in no particular order (I randomized the list as I just couldn't bare to rank them), here they are:

1. Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities (2022-present)

Guillermo del Toro is one of my favorite horror directors / screenwriters. I first experienced his mind in Pan's Labyrinth (2006), which is a visual masterpiece in storytelling. His list of movies I consider classics is into the dozens, so I must not digress. When I heard Netlix was producing an anthology of stories with Del Toro set to write and direct, I knew I was in for a treat.

The series explores the grotesque, monstrous, and uncanny with Del Toro's signature gothic aesthetic and love of creatures. Each episode is its own story featuring established horror directors with diverse styles and an ensamble cast that performs superbly. The single season (season 2 has yet to be announced) was critically acclaimed and well loved by horror enthusiests, garnering a 7.0 rating on imdb.com. If you want a quick, one off horror experience that doesn't require an investment in a whole season or series, I suggest trying out an episode or two—Episode 1 in my opinion is the best.

2. Archive 81 (2022)

Archive 81 (2022) is a puzzle box of found footage and cosmic dread that lingers long after the credits roll. The show's single, enigmatic season polarized fans, but remains a fascinating experiment in meta-horror. Like some unearthed relic, it teases with the uncanny feeling that the boundary between its world and ours is disturbingly thin.

The series follows an archivist drawn into an obsessive quest surrounding damaged '90s videotapes, a missing filmmaker, and an ominous apartment building bound to a demonic cult. This isn't the stuff of splashy jump scares – Archive 81 thrives on creeping atmosphere and lingering disquiet. It's horror that seeps under your skin.

3. What We Do in the Shadows (2019-present)

What happens when you drop ancient vampires into the messy absurdity of modern life? That's the question behind the critically adored, deliciously hilarious series that debuted in 2019. It's a mockumentary-style peek into the lives of bumbling vampires, werewolves, and other creatures of the night as they navigate everything from internet trolls to roommate disputes. The show's popularity even spawned a movie spin-off, proving there's plenty of life – or undeath – in this concept.

This is horror that'll have you howling with laughter. It injects fresh blood into dusty vampire tropes, showing that the most terrifying monsters might just be the ones fumbling with Wi-Fi passwords and takeout orders. If you crave a horror fix that's as witty as it is weird, this series is a must-watch.

4. Dark (2017-2020)

Dark (2017-2020) is a twisty, mind-bending mystery show that'll mess with your head. Think of it as a much darker, German version of Stranger Things with a heavy dose of time travel thrown in. It's all about missing kids, the spooky secrets of a small town, and a mystery that stretches across generations. The show ran for three seasons and became a huge international hit, especially with sci-fi and mystery fans.

This isn't your typical horror show. It's slow, atmospheric, and makes you think hard about time, choices, and how the past can twist and haunt the future. If you're up for a challenge and love shows that leave you pondering long after they end, give Dark a try.

5. Marianne (2019)

Forget your typical jump-scare horror flicks. This French show from 2019 is a whole different beast. Think witches, demons, and the way your worst nightmares can screw with your head. It's the kind of slow-burn creepiness that gets under your skin and won't let go, with a freaky visual style to match.

It's not for everyone – this one found a niche crowd of fans who love atmospheric, mind-bending horror. Shows that French filmmakers can do creepy as hell when they want to. Might not change the horror scene, but damn if it won't leave you feeling uneasy for days.

6. Stranger Things (2016-present)

Stranger Things hit Netflix in 2016 and basically took over the world. This show is pure '80s goodness mixed with creepy monsters, spooky government secrets, and kids on bikes saving the day. It's like Steven Spielberg and Stephen King had a brainchild, and it's awesome.

This isn't just a horror show, it's a whole pop culture moment. It brought back the best of '80s fashion and music, made everyone obsessed with synthwave, and got a whole new generation hooked on horror. If you dig creepy small-town vibes, freaky alternate dimensions, and kids with way more guts than sense, Stranger Things is a must-watch.

7. The Haunting of Hill House (2018)

The Haunting of Hill House dropped in 2018 and messed up horror fans in the best way possible. This isn't about cheap scares—it's about the ghosts we carry with us, the scars of a family, and a creepy old mansion that might just be alive. Think less blood and guts and more of that slow, creeping dread that settles in your bones.

Critics loved it, proving that horror based on classic books can be smart and seriously chilling. It showed that even a one-and-done series could leave a mark, and made everyone rethink what kind of stories the horror genre can tell. If you like your scares layered with heartbreak and characters that stick with you long after the credits roll, this one's essential viewing.

8. Penny Dreadful (2014-2016)

Penny Dreadful hit TV screens in 2014 and became an instant obsession for gothic horror fans. Think Dracula, Frankenstein, and all your favorite creepy Victorians thrown together in a dark, twisted London where no one is quite what they seem. This show is all about atmosphere – gorgeous costumes, shadowy streets, and monsters who are more tragic than terrifying.

This is high-brow horror with a cult following. It proves that period dramas can be sexy, scary, and pack a serious emotional punch. If you ever wanted to see classic horror characters get messy, morally gray makeovers, Penny Dreadful is the deliciously dark treat you've been craving.

9. American Horror Story (2011-present)

American Horror Story kicked off in 2011, and it's been a wild ride ever since. This show is like a fever dream of every horror trope imaginable – haunted houses, freaky asylums, witchy covens, you name it. Each season dives into a different flavor of crazy, with big-name actors hamming it up and a style that's pure campy spectacle.

It's not for fans of subtle scares. AHS is about gore, melodrama, and the occasional killer clown. It's the kind of show that got a whole lot of people who usually hate horror hooked on the genre. Love it or hate it, American Horror Story changed the game, showing that horror can be flashy, silly, and still a hell of a lot of fun.

10. Twin Peaks (1990-1991, 2017)

Twin Peaks hit TVs back in 1990 and basically warped the minds of anyone who watched it. It starts like a normal murder mystery – dead homecoming queen, small-town secrets, all that good stuff. But then things get seriously weird. Talking logs, dancing dwarves, dreams that might be prophecies...this show takes a sharp turn into the bizarre, and it's freakin' amazing.

It's a cult classic for a reason. Twin Peaks showed that TV could be as strange and beautiful as an art film, and it made everyone obsessed with the dark underbelly of small-town America. Even the 2017 revival was a trippy masterpiece. If you like your mysteries with a side of the supernatural, a dash of dark humor, and characters you'll never forget, Twin Peaks is a must-watch. Just promise you'll try the cherry pie.

11. Tales from the Crypt (1989-1996)

Rember Tales from the Crypt? That 1989 hit that brought all the gruesome, cheesy goodness of those old horror comics to life. Hosted by that cackling Cryptkeeper puppet, each episode was a twisted little tale of murder, revenge, and just plain bad luck. Think buckets of blood, goofy puns, and endings that'll make you grin and groan at the same time.

This show was a staple for horror fans growing up. It's pure nostalgia, the kind of spooky fun that's perfect for a late-night binge. Tales from the Crypt showed that horror could be over-the-top, a little silly, and still deliver the chills. And who doesn't love a good, rotting corpse with a wicked sense of humor?.

12. Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955-1965)

Alfred Hitchcock Presents—that show gave everyone a touch of the creeps back in the '50s and '60s. Each episode was a twisted little tale introduced by Hitchcock himself, all dark humor and suspense that kept you guessing to the very end. Think less monsters and more about the evil people might hide inside.

Hitchcock was a household name, and this show brought his brand of spooky to the masses. It proved that smart, suspenseful stories could be just as chilling—if not more so—than anything gory. If you love mysteries with a side of psychological terror and a killer twist, check this classic out.

13. Buffy the Vampire Slayer / Angel (1997-2003 / 1999-2004)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer hit screens in 1997 and changed the game. Sure, it was about vampires, demons, and all that good stuff, but Buffy was a teenage girl who could seriously kick butt. Funny, action-packed, and surprisingly deep, the show flipped horror on its head. And who wouldn't want one of those stylish leather jackets?

It was a massive hit, proving horror could be smart, funny, and perfect for teen drama. Buffy even got her tortured vampire boyfriend his own spinoff, Angel, which was a darker, grittier ride. Love it or hate it, the Buffyverse was a whole cultural moment, launching careers and setting the stage for a ton of supernatural shows that followed.

14. The X-Files (1993-2018)

The X-Files landed in 1993 and basically took over the world (and my dorm hallways). Two FBI agents – strait-laced Scully and believer Mulder – digging into freaky cases the government wants hidden. Think aliens, monsters, creepy small towns, the whole spooky nine yards. It was the perfect blend of sci-fi, horror, and straight-up weirdness.

This show was HUGE. It captured that whole '90s UFO craze perfectly, had everyone hanging on that "I Want to Believe" poster, and arguing about whether aliens are real. They even brought it back a few times because fans couldn't get enough! If you love a good mystery, characters you basically live with, and spooky stories that can make you laugh out loud a second later, The X-Files is where it's at.

15. The Twilight Zone (1959-1964, with various revivals)

The Twilight Zone...even if you've never watched an episode, you know that theme music. This show is where sci-fi, horror, and that weird feeling that something's not quite right all come together. Each story is its own mind trip, with twist endings that stick with you long after it's over.

This show is legendary. The whole idea of "entering the Twilight Zone" became a thing for a reason. It showed that horror could make you think just as much as it makes you jump. If you like the mind-bending, the unexpected, and stories with a little something to say, The Twilight Zone is a classic for a reason.

16. The Walking Dead (2010-2022)

The Walking Dead premiered in 2010 and turned into a monster of its own. This show brought zombies back in a big way, showing how brutal and messy surviving the apocalypse really would be. It wasn't just about walkers, though – this show was about how far you'd go for your people, and how easy it is to become the real monster when the world falls apart.

This show doesn't pull punches. It's brutal, it's gory, and it doesn't shy away from the dark side of humanity. The Walking Dead isn't afraid to kill off your favorite characters or show how desperate people can become when the world ends. That gritty, relentless bleakness is part of what makes it so compelling.

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