Summary
- The 2024 TV season continues an exciting trend of horror shows being some of the best projects on television.
- New seasons of
Evil
and
Chucky
make for great outings, as do premiere seasons of shows like
Dead Boy Detectives
and
Parasyte: The Grey
. - The best horror TV shows of 2024 span all sorts of sub-genres, from gothic romance to comedy.
From Dead Boy Detectives to Chucky, the best horror TV shows of 2024 prove that the genre’s most original and compelling efforts aren’t just contained to the big screen. Although well-established heavy-hitters like The Last of Us have yet to return for their latest outings, there’s no shortage of on-TV scares. In fact, 2024 continues a great 2023 trend in that regard. Despite the dual Hollywood strikes of last year, several big-name horror series left quite the mark. Hits like Mike Flanagan’s latest Netflix series, The Fall of the House of Usher, stole the spotlight.
Although 2024 boasts plenty of returning horror favorites, it also proves that terrifyingly original horror concepts are being green-lit left and right. Long-time genre standbys, like the unanswered question-riddled American Horror Story: Delicate, might have missed the mark, but horror connoisseurs have plenty of other options to check out. Best of all, 2024’s best horror TV shows run the gamut in terms of sub-genre. While there are plenty of pure horror hits, the year’s best also includes horror romances, mysteries, and comedies. Needless to say, some of 2024’s best series are horror shows.
10 Inspector Rishi
Season 1 | March 29, 2024
A Tamil-language horror crime drama, Inspector Rishi was created by J.S. Nandhini. The Amazon Prime Video TV series centers on Rishi Nandhan (Naveen Chandra), an inspector who loses his eyesight during a shootout. In the aftermath of the life-altering conflict, Rishi is transferred to a remote jungle. There, the titular inspector is tasked with solving cases that seem to tie into popular myths. For example, the pilot suggests a forest spirit killed a photographer. While not the best thriller or crime caper, Inspector Rishi treats its mythological subject smartly, making for a great 10-episode watch.
9 The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live
Season 1 | February 25, 2024
The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live
Created by Scott M. Gimple and Danai Gurira, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live is a sequel spin-off series in The Walking Dead television franchise. The series picks up some time after Michonne departs from the original series, as she searches to be reunited with her lover, Rick Grimes. Meanwhile, Rick finds himself amid another war between the living and the dead.
- Cast
- Andrew Lincoln , Danai Gurira , Pollyanna McIntosh , Lesley-Ann Brandt , Terry O’Quinn
- Release Date
- February 25, 2024
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- AMC+
- Franchise(s)
- The Walking Dead
- Writers
- Scott M. Gimple , Danai Gurira
- Showrunner
- Scott M. Gimple
Created by Scott Gimple and stars Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live is the latest spinoff of AMC’s hugely popular post-apocalyptic horror series. Set after The Walking Dead series finale, The Ones Who Live is a love story at its core — one between two fan-favorite characters, Rick Grimes (Lincoln) and the katana-wielding Michonne (Gurira). Across its slim six-episode run, the miniseries delves into the franchise’s past and present, all while being bolstered by the stars’ powerhouse performances and a staggering $13.7 million per episode budget.
8 Dead Boy Detectives
Season 1 | April 25, 2024
Dead Boy Detectives
Based on the DC series, Dead Boy Detectives is a supernatural comedy-mystery series created for Netflix. Two young men from different find one another in death but decide to skip the afterlife and remain among the living with a new purpose – to solve various supernatural mysteries the way only two deceased detectives can.
- Cast
- George Rexstrew , Jayden Revri , Kassius Nelson , Briana Cuoco , Ruth Connell , Yuyu Kitamura , Jenn Lyon
- Release Date
- April 1, 2024
- Seasons
- 1
- Writers
- Steve Yockey
- Showrunner
- Steve Yockey , Beth Schwartz
Netflix’s Dead Boy Detectives is a spinoff of the fan-favorite Sandman series, which the streamer also recently adapted. Much like The Sandman, Dead Boy Detectives does a wonderful job of bringing the pages of Neil Gaiman’s DC Comics series to life. A supernatural detective series that leans into its horror and mystery elements, the show centers on the ghosts of Charles Rowland (Jayden Revri) and Edwin Payne (George Rexstrew). Both characters avoid their afterlife journeys, choosing instead to investigate Earth’s many supernatural crimes. Best of all, Dead Boy Detectives boasts Sandman Easter eggs, which further unify the franchise.
7 THEM: The Scare
Season 2 | April 25, 2024
Them
The new story centers on LAPD Homicide Detective Dawn Reeve, who is assigned to a new case: the gruesome murder of a foster home mother that has left even the most hardened detectives shaken. Navigating a tumultuous time in Los Angeles, with a city on the razor’s edge of chaos, Dawn is determined to stop the killer. But as she draws closer to the truth, something ominous and malevolent grips her and her family…
- Cast
- Derek Phillips , Ashley Thomas , Jeremiah Birkett , Shahadi Wright Joseph , Percy Hynes White , Javier Botet , Malcolm Mays , P. J. Byrne , Alison Pill , Deborah Ayorinde , Melody Hurd , Brooke Smith , Ryan Kwanten , Anika Noni Rose , Sophie Guest
- Release Date
- April 9, 2021
- Seasons
- 1
- Writers
- Little Marvin
- Showrunner
- Little Marvin
- Creator(s)
- Little Marvin
While THEM: Covenant made waves back in 2021, the second installment in the horror anthology series, THEM: The Scare, is a huge improvement. There’s no denying that the original outing boasted incredible performances and a haunting visual style, but, unfortunately, it suffered from its blunt, hyper-violent approach that served to undermine the otherwise-sharp social commentary. With a 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, THEM: The Scare provides a discerning look at generational trauma, using horror tropes to augment its point. With memorable performances from Deborah Ayorinde and Pam Grier, The Scare is one of 2024’s best.
6 Evil
Season 4 | May 23, 2024
Evil
Evil is a Paramount+ original that focuses on a priest, clinical psychologist, and a contractor who investigate strange events such as demonic possession as they trace the origins of evil. Created by Michelle King and Robert King, the series tackles the line between science and religion while the team tries to determine if there are any scientific explanations for the supernatural events they experience.
- Cast
- Mike Colter , Brooklyn Shuck , Katja Herbers , Dalya Knapp , Marti Matulis , Maddy Crocco , Kurt Fuller , Michael Emerson , Skylar Gray , Aasif Mandvi , Christine Lahti
- Release Date
- September 26, 2019
- Seasons
- 4
- Writers
- Michelle King
- Directors
- Michelle King
- Showrunner
- Michelle King
The fan-favorite supernatural drama Evil first premiered on CBS in 2019 before jumping to Paramount+ for its subsequent outings. Now in its fourth season, Evil still uses its X-Files-like formula well, pairing skeptical forensic psychologist Dr. Kristen Bouchard (Katja Herbers), with Catholic priest David Acosta (Mike Colter) and equally skeptical tech contractor Ben Shakir (Aasif Mandvi). With a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Evil season 4 returns to end the beloved series on a high note. With delightfully twisted episodic mysteries and a larger narrative that builds thoughtfully, Evil will be missed.
5 Chucky
Season 3, Part 2 | April 10, 2024
Chucky
Chucky is a comedy horror-drama television series from Child’s Play series creator Don Mancini and acts as a continuation of the film franchise. Set three weeks after Cult of Chucky, fourteen-year-old Jake Wheeler finds a Good Guy doll he intends to use for his school art project for Halloween – however, that doll is inhabited by the murderous spirit of Charles Lee Ray, A.K.A. Chucky. Casting suspicion on Jake following his murder spree, Chucky continues doing what he does best – slaying unsuspecting town residents as Jake and his friends try to stop his rampage.
- Cast
- Zackary Arthur , Brad Dourif , Alyvia Alyn Lind , Teo Briones , Björgvin Arnarson , Alex Vincent , Jennifer Tilly , Christine Elise , Billy Boyd
- Release Date
- October 12, 2021
- Seasons
- 3
- Writers
- Don Mancini
- Showrunner
- Don Mancini
Created by Don Mancini, the Chucky TV show is the eighth main installment in the cult classic Chucky-starring Child’s Play franchise. A sequel to 2017’s Cult of Chucky, the show chronicles Chucky’s latest murderous exploits — this time occurring in the town of Hackensack, New Jersey. Although the three-season series might play best with long-time fans of the franchise, there’s no denying that Chucky boasts some of TV’s best dark humor — even if it is often blood-soaked and completely oddball in its approach. The second part of Chucky season 3 continues the show’s best impulses.
4 Joko Anwar’s Nightmares and Daydreams
Season 1 | June 14, 2024
Joko Anwar’s Nightmares and Daydreams (2024)
- Cast
- Asmara Abigail , Ario Bayu , Marissa Anita , Kiki Narendra , Niken Anjani , Faradina Mufti , Nirina Zubir , Fachry Albar
- Release Date
- June 14, 2024
- Seasons
- 1
- Creator(s)
- Joko Anwar
A supernatural horror-meets-sci-fi series by the titular writer-director, Joko Anwar’s Nightmares and Daydreams is a mind-bending anthology series that perfectly fills the Black Mirror void, especially for horror fans. Featuring a massive ensemble cast, Nightmares and Daydreams‘ stories are linked by similar themes and narrative formulas. More often than not, the characters are desperate to protect their lives and loved ones from otherworldly phenomena. For those who love a shared universe, the standalone episodes do boast plenty of connections, making the horror aspects all-the-more haunting.
3 Parasyte: The Grey
Season 1 | April 5, 2024
Parasyte: The Grey
“Parasyte: The Grey” imagines a world where alien parasites begin taking over human hosts, blending horror with psychological drama. The story follows a young man who forms a symbiotic relationship with his alien parasite, leading to a morally complex journey as they confront other parasites threatening humanity. This adaptation adds a unique twist, focusing on the grey areas of survival, identity, and the essence of being human.
- Cast
- Jeon So Nee , Koo Kyo Hwan , Lee Jung Hyun , Kwon Hae Hyo , Kim In Kwon
- Release Date
- April 5, 2024
- Seasons
- 1
- Writers
- Ryu Yong Jae , Yeon Sang Ho
- Directors
- Yeon Sang Ho
- Main Genre
- Sci-Fi
- Creator(s)
- Yeon Sang Ho
The best example of body-snatcher horror on TV in 2024, the Korean-language series Parasyte: The Grey is a great way to fill a Last of Us-shaped void. An adaptation and spinoff of Hitoshi Iwaaki’s manga series, Parasyte sees parasitic creatures invading and feeding on humans. The extraterrestrial parasites are especially terrifying because they can transform their hosts’ heads into all sorts of terrifying things. A huge global hit for Netflix, Parasyte: The Grey may be derivative at times, but it boasts enough scares, excitement, and fun visuals to set itself apart in an overcrowded zombie field.
2 True Detective: Night Country
Season 4 | January 14, 2024
True Detective
In this anthology series, each season follows a different detective or set of detectives as they forced to confront some horrific truths about their town and themselves. No matter the setting and characters, each detective must unravel lies and clues to solve the chilling mysteries around them.
- Cast
- Matthew McConaughey , Woody Harrelson , Colin Farrell , Rachel McAdams , Taylor Kitsch , Mahershala Ali , Carmen Ejogo , Michelle Monaghan , Michael Potts , Ray Fisher , Jodie Foster
- Release Date
- January 12, 2014
- Seasons
- 4
- Network
- HBO Max
- Writers
- Nic Pizzolatto
- Directors
- Cary Fukunaga
- Showrunner
- Nic Pizzolatto
- Where To Watch
- Max
The fourth season of the long-running HBO crime-drama anthology series, True Detective: Night Country is the first to be helmed by writer and showrunner Issa López, who boldly leans into the franchise’s more supernatural elements. While mileage may vary for viewers who prefer the non-supernatural elements of previous True Detective outings, Night Country excels at creating a truly haunting and distinct atmosphere. Bolstered by incredible performances by leads Jodie Foster and Kali Reis, Night Country is must-watch television, and the perfect brand of horror for fans of shows like Twin Peaks.
1 Interview With The Vampire
Season 2 | May 12, 2024
Interview with the Vampire
Based on Anne Rice’s novel series that began in 1976, Interview with the Vampire is a gothic horror fantasy series that explores the life of Louis de Pointe du Lac through an interview with a journalist. Told through flashbacks of Louis’ life during the interview, the series examines Louis’ relationship with the vampire that turned him, Lestat de Lioncourt, and a teenage girl named Claudia, whom he turns. The series is the first of Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe media franchise.
- Cast
- Jacob Anderson , Sam Reid , Eric Bogosian , Bailey Bass
- Release Date
- October 2, 2022
- Seasons
- 2
- Streaming Service(s)
- AMC Plus
- Writers
- Rolin Jones
- Showrunner
- Mark Johnson
Based on Anne Rice’s bestselling novel series The Vampire Chronicles, Interview with the Vampire grafts the classic Gothic romance onto contemporary times. Much like the 1994 film of the same name, the series follows vampires Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson) and Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid), but, refreshingly, the show embraces the source material’s queer characters and storylines. Following in season 1’s footsteps, Interview with the Vampire‘s second outing boasts a near-perfect rating on Rotten Tomatoes, excelling thanks to its beautiful production design and vividly drawn characters.