The Best Horror Shows Streaming Now on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime

Once you start screaming, you'll never stop.

Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) from the series 'The X-Files.'
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  • Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox Television

Some of us like sitting in horror for the long haul. Horror movies are nice, of course, but when you have a series to sink into, you get to explore so many more dark corners.

Ghosts? Demons? Serial killers? There's something out there for everyone.

And if you don't want to wait around for your terror to show up on cable each week, check out these hot offerings on streaming services.

Here are 25 terrifying horror shows to stream now on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.

Netflix

Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities

Guillermo del Toro is one of the most fantastical creators alive today, and his series, Cabinet of Curiosities provides anthological horrors that will delight even the pickiest of genre fans.

Each of the eight episodes are led by different directors, giving every installment a fresh new feeling and unique world and tone. From deadly demons to ghostly apparitions, these sophisticated terrors will stick with you.

Brand New Cherry Flavor

This 8-episode limited series hit Netflix in 2021, but if you missed it, you'll want to make time to double back.

In 90s LA, aspiring director Lisa Nova (Rosa Salazar) sets off on a path of paranormal revenge, which soon spirals out of even her control.

This one is for the viewers who like their horror strange!

The Fall of the House of Usher

If I were to feature every incredible Mike Flanagan horror series available on Netflix, there wouldn't be any room left on the list for anything else.

The Fall of the House of Usher, based on several works by Edgar Allan Poe, is the latest in his catalog. Usher siblings Roderick (Bruce Greenwood) and Madeline (Mary McDonnell) have constructed a wealthy empire off of pharmaceuticals.

But the secrets they've hidden start to tumble into focus as their heirs start dying.

The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and Midnight Mass are great follow-up series to dive into.

Stranger Things

If you haven't been watching this series already, why on Earth not?

This epic story begins with the disappearance of a young boy, Will Byers (Noah Schnapp), as he gets lost in a terrifying, dark dimension.

His mother (Winona Ryder) and the police chief (David Harbour) tirelessly search for him, while his friends face off against dark forces with the help of a psychically gifted little girl, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown).

The Walking Dead

If you haven't seen it already—or you want to settle in for a chilling re-watch—this is one series that will keep you occupied for a long time.

With 11 sprawling seasons under its belt, this terrifying, devastating, and action-packed journey all begins when Sheriff Deputy Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) wakes up from a coma to find himself alone in a world that has been reduced to ruins in the midst of a zombie apocalypse.

Joining up with a group of survivors, the mismatched group must contend with human threats that are just as dangerous as the undead.

*This series is only available with the ad-free plan.

Wynonna Earp

My favorite on this (and any list), Wynonna Earp blends a fast-paced Western with supernatural horror.

The descendant of the legendary lawman Wyatt Earp, Wynonna is the heir of a family curse. Armed with a magic gun, she must send demons back to hell in order to set her bloodline free.

But she's not alone—she has the help of her sister, Waverly (Dominique Provost-Chalkley), Black Badge Division agent Xavier Dolls (Shamier Anderson), and immortal, notorious cowboy Doc Holliday (Tim Rozon).

*This series is only available with the ad-free plan.

Slasher

If you're looking for a bloody watch, then Slasher is the show for you. With three seasons currently on Netflix, this anthology series follows various serial killers.

As the brutality mounts up, victims fight desperately to survive the ordeal.

Daybreak

This short-lived Netflix series premiered in 2019, and was canceled after one 10-episode season. But if you like a mix of post-apocalyptic horror and comedy, then it's still worth giving Daybreak a watch.

As teenage outcast Josh Wheeler (Colin Ford) searches through the ruins of Glendale to find his girlfriend, he teams up with misfit Angelica Green (Alyvia Alyn Lind) and former bully Wesley Fists (Austin Crute)—but none of them are expecting the oddities the run into along the way.

Hulu

Castle Rock

This series is a must-watch for any Stephen King fan.

Combining elements from several of King's beloved stories, this show is set in the fictional Maine town of Castle Rock.

You'll be shaking on the edge of your seat as some of his most iconic characters and themes are brought to life in one place.

The Exorcist

Seeing as the 1973 film was so terrifying it scarred most people for life, it's only right it inspired a television series to wreak havoc on any young minds flipping by.

In the series, three priests are brought in to aid with the disturbing demonic presence plaguing a family and a foster home.

Starring big talent from the likes of Geena Davis, John Cho, and Alan Ruck, this two-season run is one you won't want to miss.

What We Do in the Shadows

For more horror comedy, this series based on the mockumentary movie of the same name is essential viewing.

This ongoing show follows the day-to-day (or night-to-night) activities of four vampires—Nandor the Relentless (Kayvan Novak), Leslie "Laszlo" Cravensworth (Matt Berry), Nadja of Antipaxos (Natasia Demetriou), and Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch)—and the human familiar Guillermo de la Cruz (Harvey Guillén) as they navigate life on Staten Island.

The X Files

All 11 seasons—original and rebooted—of the hit series are available now on Hulu.

Follow FBI Agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) as they investigate the bizarre and unexplained. Stuck between a believer and a skeptic, will you come out believing in science or the paranormal?

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

An iconic series of the late 90s and early 2000s, this series centers around the titular character of Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar).

Beginning the show as a 16-year-old girl, she is far beyond a typical teen. She is the chosen one—a girl imbued with the power to fight back the forces of evil. Namely, vampires.

Luckily she's settled in at a new school that rests right on top of the Hellmouth...

Angel

If you've already blown through all seven seasons of Buffy, then this spin-off is the next best thing.

Following Buffy's first vampiric love interest, Angel, this series sees the brooding hero move to Los Angeles.

Cursed with a soul and on a mission of redemption, he is a force of good that protects those in the darkness who are victims of supernatural evil.

Wreck

Here's another horror comedy to add to your rotation! In order to find his missing sister, Jamie Walsh (Oscar Kennedy) takes a job on the mega cruise ship the Sacramentum.

Once there, he discovers that the ship is embroiled in a conspiracy more twisted than he could have ever prepared for.

Scream Queens

This campy, black comedy slasher series ran for two absurdly terrifying seasons.

The first season follows a string of killings that pop up on a college campus after a sorority is forced to expand its recruitment beyond the wealthy and elite.

The second takes place in a hospital, where a new serial killer strikes as the group tries to navigate medical cases.

Amazon Prime

Hannibal

Based on characters in Thomas Harris's Hannibal Lecter novels, this beloved psychological thriller series ran for three seasons.

FBI profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) is brought in to investigate a disturbing serial killer case in Minnesota. The dark crimes weigh on Will's mind, leading him to be put under the supervision of forensic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen).

But Lecter has dark and deadly secrets of his own.

American Horror Story

Another long-running series that's hard to have missed, it's a good re-watch—even if you happened to catch it when it premiered.

While each season may feature many of the same actors, the character, setting, and overarching themes change from year to year.

Starting with Murder House and moving through Coven, Freak Show, and beyond, at least one season is bound to tickle your horror fancy.

Them

The new horror series Them hit Amazon Prime in 2021, and while a second season has been confirmed, we don't know yet when it will hit the streaming service.

The first season follows a Black family—the Emorys—during the Second Great Migration. In 1953, they left North Carolina to settle into a home in an all-white neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Their idyllic new start quickly turns to terror as malevolent forces, both human and otherworldly, threaten their very lives.

I Know What You Did Last Summer

Based off of the book and iconic 90s slasher movie of the same name, this series ran for one eight-episode season.

On the night of their high school graduation, a group of teens played a part in a deadly accident. One year later, they find themselves stalked by a mysterious killer.

Teen Wolf

Loosely based on the 80s teen comedy of the same name, this MTV series gives a more serious take on werewolves.

When Scott McCall (Tyler Posey) is bitten by a strange beast in the woods, his entire life changes. As Derek Hale (Tyler Hoechlin) introduces him to a brand new world of life-threatening terrors, his best friend Stiles (Dylan O'Brien) helps him navigate his growing pains.

Grimm

Fairytales meet police procedurals in this spooky six-season drama.

Portland homicide detective Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli) has his entire life turn inside out when he begins seeing strange, disturbing visions.

As he discovers he's the descendant of a long line of hunters, he must now take on the responsibility to fight back against evil supernatural forces.

Bates Motel

Have you ever sat and thought, “I love Psycho so much I wish there was a prequel, but also that it was set in modern day”? Well Bates Motel is here to deliver.

This show follows a teenage Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore) as his mental stability begins to unravel. Moving to a new town with his mother, Norma (Vera Farmiga), their twisted relationship is at the forefront.

Being Human (UK)

Vampire? Check. Werewolf? Check. Ghost? Check. And they're all roommates!

Three supernatural creatures do their best to lead a normal life among the general population, but despite their best efforts, trouble always follows.

There's an American counterpart to the UK show, which is also on Amazon Prime. But I think the original is a better place to start.

Todd and the Book of Pure Evil

Rounding off this list with another horror comedy show, this Canadian series is for all the creepy oddballs out there.

Todd Smith (Alex House) is a metalhead stoner who must find a Satanic spell book in his high school that's causing horrific mayhem. 

Though he's aided by his friends, he is opposed by his evil guidance counselor, Atticus (Chris Leavins).