9 scary Netflix shows to watch this Halloween

Is there a better time of year to binge watch Netflix shows? It’s getting colder and darker outside and spooky season is well and truly upon us. It’s time to switch your viewing habits to something a little darker. If you’re after some scary horror show to watch on Netflix then look no further because I have 9 spook-tacular shows you’re going to love to binge watch!

American Horror Story

Number of seasons: 9 | Genre: Anthology horror

Of course this was going to be the first mention wasn’t it?! It’s the biggest and most well-known horror TV series to appear on Netflix. If you’ve been hiding under a rock and haven’t seen a single episode then there’s 9 seasons of this for you to binge. It’s not ground breaking stuff by any means. In fact I often describe it as being so bad that it’s good. It’s pretty easy to watch and follow which is why it also weirdly made it onto my list on TV shows to watch when you’re having an off day.

Each series was originally meant to be a self contained mini series as in there was a beginning, middle and end to each series and the next one didn’t follow on. Many of the same actors are used in each series but they play brand new characters. As we’ve got later on into the seasons though some of the characters from past seasons have begun to appear which means you do have to watch them in order now. Season 8, Apocalypse combined characters from many past seasons so I do recommend watching in order.

This is totally down to my personal preference but I found seasons 1-6 to be my favourites and 7 and 8 to be my least favourites to date. I haven’t got around to watching season 9 yet so I can’t comment. Season 10 has been pushed back to 2021 however so unfortunately it’ll now likely not appear on Netflix until 2022. I believe it’s also already been renewed for 3 more seasons too!

The Haunting of Hill House

Number of seasons: 2 | Genre: Supernatural horror

When this premiered back in 2018 I got very excited and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The Haunting of Hill House is a very chilling ghost story that produces plenty of scares but also has a really good storyline to it.

I’ve listed 2 seasons as a follow up series is due for release tomorrow! The Haunting of Bly Manor however will feature a different story and a new set of characters. The second season will feature many of the actors from the first one though but playing different characters. It would appear by this that they’ve gone down a route very similar to American Horror Story which I actually like.

I don’t know about future series even though there have bee rumours but I do like the concept that they’re going for with creating an anthology similar to AHS, using the same actors but telling different stories. Each focusing on a different haunted house. I hope there’s a few more seasons of this to come because I think there’s definitely scope to run with this idea. There has been two years between season 1 and 2 though so I’m guessing they may wait to see what the reception to season 2 is like before any firm decisions are made.

The Fall

Number of seasons: 3 | Genre: Crime/psychological thriller

The Fall first aired all the way back in 2013 and came to an end in 2016. It’s recently been picked up by Netflix though and all 3 seasons of the eerie thriller now feature on the streaming service.

Even though there’s no supernatural goings on here. It’s still sure to creep you out and leave you never wanting to be alone in your own home again! Jamie Dornan is wonderfully creepy and weird and really makes the whole show. If you didn’t see this the first time around then you’ll be glad it went on Netflix.

There are only 17 episodes across the 3 seasons so if you’re anything like us you’ll get through it pretty quick. The show ended in 2016 and at the time the shows creator did hint at a fourth season after a bit of a break. 4 years down the line and everything has gone quiet on that front but Netflix have now created a whole new fan base for the show and it’s popularity has soared once again. So who knows, a fourth season could well happen in the future if Netflix decide to latch on to the shows popularity.

Hannibal

Number of seasons: 3 | Genre: Psychological horror-thriller

Hannibal, if you’d not already guessed is based on the Thomas Harris series of novel (and subsequent films) Red Dragon, Hannibal and Hannibal Rising. It focuses on the relationship between an FBI special investigator and Dr Hannibal Lecter.

Now I will openly say I only ever watched one episode of season 3 then gave up. The show was always very well made and due to the nature of Dr Hannibal Lecter it always had a somewhat classy if slightly pompous feel to it. But it worked it helped cement the idea of Lecter as a highly educated, charming man. Season 3 for me though seemed to step the avant-garde nature of the show up a level and I got the feeling it had become too pompous just for the sake of it. I probably should give season 3 another go in all honesty but they are just my thoughts!

Back to the good stuff though. Season 1 and 2 are simply wonderful. Well produced, excellent acting and seriously disturbing storylines. I was a huge fan of the first two seasons and highly recommend it if you like your crime dramas with a side of cannibalism! It’s easy to see why it was nominated for and won so many awards.

As a side note this is also the second series on the list to feature Gillian Anderson!#

Stranger Things

Number of seasons: 3 | Genre: Science fiction horror

For me Stranger Things is what really cemented Netflix as being more than just a streaming service. This show proved that they could create and release amazing original content on the platform and they’ve been on a roll ever since!

It’s bizarre and has a great deal of 80’s nostalgia which definitely gives it a Stephen King vibe which I absolutely love. There are currently 3 seasons available on Netflix so there’s a decent amount to binge. There could be a bit of a wait for season 4 though. Filming came to a halt due to the coronavirus pandemic and only resumed again at the end of September. Providing there’s no more disruption to filming to earliest we’re likely to see season 4 is summer 2021.

Save for later!

Black Mirror

Number of seasons: 5 | Genre: Dystopian science fiction

If a dystopian future is what terrifies you then Black Mirror is the one for you. Packed with scenarios that could well happen in the not too distant future (and maybe one or two that may have already happened. You’ll know what I mean when you watch National Anthem in season 1) Black Mirror is a dark look at our future. Don’t get me wrong there are a few nicer episodes but for the most part it’s pretty bleak! Each episode stands alone so there’s no need to worry about watching anything in order.

Black Mirror started out on Channel 4 but was swiftly picked up by Netflix for season 3 where it has flourished. There’s been 3 seasons on Netflix as well as the film Bandersnatch which is an interactive film. Personally I prefer the series to the film though. While I appreciated the interactive nature of the film, I feel overall that the the individual episodes are actually more enjoyable. All 5 seasons are available on Netflix.

Black Mirror hasn’t been renewed for a sixth season yet but given the popularity of the show it wouldn’t be a surprise if something was released in the future. Given the somewhat bleak nature of society right now Charlie Brooker, the shows creator, has hinted that he isn’t keen to create anything portraying a society on its knees.

Whitechapel

Number of seasons: 4 | Genre: Drama

Whitechapel is a crime drama series that first appeared on the BBC in 2009 and ended in 2013. It focuses on detectives in the Whitechapel district of London. Now we all know what the most famous crime case to come out of Whitechapel is don’t we? Jack the Ripper!

There are 4 seasons of Whitechapel and each season focuses on a famous murder case or crime from the past but brings it into modern day. Season 1 is Jack the Ripper, season 2 is The Kray Twins, season 3 is the Ratcliff Highway Murders and the Thames Torso Murders and season 4 focuses on 3 different crimes ranging from a witch hunt to cannibalism.

While there’s no supernatural element to this show, I do like the historical side of it. There aren’t many episodes to a season so it would have been nice to see a few more seasons tackling some other famous cases. It still has quite a dark feeling to it and who doesn’t love a crime drama on a dark night?!

Sadly the show finished in 2013 and was never recommissioned.

Ratched

Number of seasons: 1 | Genre: Psychological thriller

One of the latest shows to land on Netflix, Ratched tells the back story of Nurse Mildred Ratched from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Don’t worry if you’ve never seen the film though, you don’t really need to have to enjoy to series. Plus it’s easy to find an overview of the film if you’d like a bit of background.

Ratched was developed by Ryan Murphy who is also the creator of American Horror Story. It definitely has the same kind of feel to it as AHS and is beautifully shot but it’s not quite as twisted as AHS.

I found Ratched really enjoyable although it’s hard not to make comparisons to AHS given that it also stars several of the same actors. For comparison I felt like Ratched was slower paced but had a better storyline than AHS which tends to focus a little more of the scare elements than the story.

The good news is there is definitely going to be a second season of Ratched as Netflix ordered two seasons upfront. However due to the pandemic who knows when season two will happen. There could be a little bit of wait for it.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Number of seasons: 2 | Genre: Supernatural horror

Hands up who remembers Sabrina the Teenage Witch? I do and I loved that show growing up. I even collected the magazine they released! Well that show was based on the Archie comic series of the same name. It was light hearted, funny and child friendly. In 2014 Archie Horror (under Archie Comics) published a new series titled Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and is a darker take on the setting and characters from Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Four year later in 2018, Netflix released the show based on these darker comics. Kid friendly this is not.

This series explores horror and witchcraft in a coming of age story. Don’t worry though Salem the cat still features in the show, although he doesn’t talk!

There are only two seasons of the show but there are 28 episodes altogether so it’s a decent amount to binge watch. The show was cancelled by Netflix in 2020 and no reason provided. Season one and two and both split into two parts so on the streaming service you’ll see it categorised as part 1, part 2 and part 3. Part 4 (the final half of season too and the end of the show) is yet to stream. It’s supposed to be airing this year but no date has been given yet.

Do you have any spooky Netflix recommendations? Leave them in the comments!

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