15 Best Paranormal TV Shows You Can’t Watch Alone
Join us on Reddit for the latest Marvel & DC news!
Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, there’s something about the paranormal that sends shivers down your spine. People fear the unknown, and the supernatural is something that either doesn’t really exist or exists outside of our comprehension. Luckily for us paranormal junkies, the genre has been present for almost as long as there is cinema.
If you’re craving a paranormal binge, I’ve got you covered. From documentaries, and reality TV, to live-action series, here are the 15 best paranormal TV shows you absolutely shouldn’t watch alone. I didn’t rank the list in any particular way, but I tried to mix it up and include a bit of something for everyone, regardless of what type of shows you prefer. Enjoy!
Archive 81 (2022)
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery
Synopsis: “When archivist Dan Turner takes a mysterious job restoring a collection of damaged videotapes from 1994, he finds himself reconstructing the work of documentary filmmaker Melody Pendras and her investigation into a dangerous cult. As Dan is drawn into Melody’s story, he becomes convinced he can save her from the terrifying end she met 25 years ago.”
Why you should watch it: I was really sad to hear that Netflix canceled the show after only one season, but I actually enjoyed it a lot. It’s super mysterious and will have you wondering what the hell is going on half the time.
It gets a bit choppy as you approach the finale, but the slow-burn tempo and mystery are outstanding, and, to my liking, the atmosphere creates the horror, not just a plethora of jumpscares.
Watch the trailer here.
Castle Rock (2018-2019)
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Synopsis: “Based on the stories of Stephen King, the series intertwines characters and themes from the fictional town of Castle Rock.”
Why you should watch it: Stephen King is, well, the king of the literary horror genre, and Castle Rock is an adaptation of his many stories that revolve around the town called Castle Rock. The cast is incredible, especially Bill Skarsgård (best-known for his role as Pennywise in It).
Also, the way that stories intertwine seamlessly kind of makes you forget that the two seasons revolve around entirely different storylines. Unfortunately, Castle Rock was also canceled by Hulu, just like Archive 81 was canceled by Netflix.
Watch the trailer here.
Paranormal Witness (2011-)
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Genre: Documentary, Horror, Mystery
Synopsis: “A true horror documentary series which brings to life the stories of people who have lived through paranormal experiences that defy explanation.”
Why you should watch it: As we move through the list, you’ll see that there are several similar documentary shows like this on the list. However, Paranormal Witness might be the best of them all.
Usually, the “true stories” in these paranormal documentaries usually aren’t believable, but Paranormal Witness does a great job of combining real interviews, chilling re-enactments, and great storytelling to really give you a good scare. The “true story” narrative only adds to the creepiness, and I wouldn’t recommend watching Paranormal Witness alone.
Watch a clip from the show here.
Midnight Mass (2021)
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
Synopsis: “The tale of a small, isolated island community whose existing divisions are amplified by the return of a disgraced young man and the arrival of a charismatic priest. When Father Paul’s appearance on Crockett Island coincides with unexplained and seemingly miraculous events, a renewed religious fervor takes hold of the community – but do these miracles come at a price?”
Why you should watch it: Mike Flanagan established himself as one of the best modern horror directors, especially when it comes to TV shows. Midnight Mass will keep you on the edge of your seat because, most of the time, you’ll have no idea who the good guys are and who’s the bad guy. The ending was quite shocking, too, but I’ll refrain from any spoilers.
Watch the trailer here.
Ghost Adventures (2008-)
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Genre: Documentary, History, Reality TV
Synopsis: “Ghost Adventures crew — Zak Bagans, Aaron Goodwin, Billy Tolley, and Jay Wasley — is back to investigate the scariest, most notorious, haunted places in the world. The trio will interview eyewitnesses and historians at each location, arming themselves with the stories of the ghosts they will later provoke and confront during their dusk-to-dawn lockdowns.”
Why you should watch it: Ghost Adventures is a classic in the “paranormal investigators” genre and one of the first reality TV shows to take on the investigating format. Some episodes are silly, but there are some that genuinely scared me dead.
The concept of investigating the “most haunted” places in the world throughout history will surely give you the creeps, even if just for the backstory that comes with the spot, like old prisons, houses, hotels, pubs, mines, etc. The fact that the show is still running in 2022 tells you how popular it was (and is).
Watch one full episode here.
The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)
IMDb Rating: 9.1/10
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Synopsis: “The Twilight Zone is a place that exists at any moment of time, of space or of mind….but always when you least expect it. When you find yourself in this realm of unlimited possibility, be careful what you say or do.
The right decisions may help you find your way back out… sometimes with greater happiness and wealth. The wrong decisions often lead to madness and death, or an eternity trapped in this dimension.”
Why you should watch it: The Twilight Zone is an absolute classic. It’s an anthology series that includes all kinds of horror and mystery, from ghost and paranormal encounters to aliens and sasquatches. The anthology series is still one of the best-rated TV shows of all time.
Paramount+ recently created a remake of the series with Jordan Peele as the narrator (trailer), but it didn’t garner as much success as the original.
Watch a clip from the original pilot here.
My Haunted House (2013-)
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Genre: Horror
Synopsis: “The shocking eyewitness accounts of terrified people whose dream homes have become nightmares are brought to life in vivid, blood-curdling style.”
Why you should watch it: This series is kind of a mix between live-action and documentary. Every episode consists of a person telling their allegedly true paranormal experience, mixed with scary reenactments.
I mean, it’s almost obvious that the stories are somewhat scripted, but it still gave me a few good scares. My Haunted House is not as popular as some other shows on this list, but it’s worth a watch if you’re into paranormal stuff.
Watch the trailer for one of the episodes here.
Supernatural (2005-2020)
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Synopsis: “Two brothers follow their father’s footsteps as hunters, fighting evil supernatural beings of many kinds, including monsters, demons, and gods that roam the Earth.”
Why you should watch it: Supernatural is one of the most iconic TV shows about the paranormal ever created. Sam and Dean Winchester are icons, and the show has millions of fans for a reason.
I, for one, was heartbroken when it finally ended in 2020. It totals 327 episodes, so it’s a lot to digest, but if you decide to start watching Supernatural right now, I promise it’ll be worth every minute of your time.
Watch the trailer here.
The Outsider (2020)
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Genre: Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Synopsis: “The Outsider begins with a seemingly-straightforward investigation into the gruesome murder of a young boy. But when an insidious supernatural force edges its way into the case, it leads a seasoned cop and an unorthodox investigator to question everything in which they believe.”
Why you should watch it: The Outsider is another Stephen King adaptation on the list, but it really captivated me when I watched it. The ending was a bit odd, and they left room for the story to continue in Season 2, but HBO canceled the show right after the first season ended.
Still, it’s certainly worth your time, especially if you dig the paranormal – and Stephen King. The book is much better than the TV series (as it usually is in the horror genre), but The Outsider will give you some nice scares, even if it’s not your typical paranormal ghost story.
Watch the trailer here.
The Haunted (2009-)
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Genre: Documentary, Horror
Synopsis: “Chronicles true, chilling, and terrifying stories of animals and their owners who are experiencing the unexplainable.”
Why you should watch it: Has your dog ever started growling at the wall for no reason? Or your cat staring at one point on the wall right above your shoulder? It’s said that animals are more sensitive to paranormal occurrences, and that is exactly the premise of this documentary series, produced by Animal Planet.
The stories are allegedly true, so if your pet loves to creep you out with things like that, it might be worth a watch. Who knows? Maybe they sense something in your house too…
Watch the trailer here.
Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina (2018-2020)
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Synopsis: “Reimagines the origin and adventures of “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch” as a dark coming-of-age story that traffics in horror, the occult, and witchcraft. Tonally in the vein of “Rosemary’s Baby” and “The Exorcist,” this adaptation finds Sabrina Spellman wrestling to reconcile her dual nature–half-witch, half-mortal–while standing against the evil forces that threaten her, her family, and the daylight world humans inhabit.”
Why you should watch it: This Netflix series is nothing like the Sabrina the Teenage Witch comedy ceres from the late 90s, even though it revolves around the same characters and is based on the same comics. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is dark, gritty, and although a bit soapy at times – it can get really scary.
There are witches, demons, ghosts, ghouls, and so much more that will not only entertain you but scare you just as much.
Watch the trailer here.
American Horror Story (2011-)
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Genre: Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi
Synopsis: “Physical and psychological horrors affect a decomposing family, workers, and residents of an insane asylum, a coven of witches, a cast of circus freaks, the employees and guests at a struggling hotel, a family who moved into a mysterious farmhouse, the members of a small suburb in Michigan, the surviving members of the Apocalypse and the counselors of a creepy summer camp in this haunting anthology series, focusing on the themes of infidelity, sanity, oppression, discrimination, addiction, and exploitation.”
Why you should watch it: AHS is an absolute bomb and a classic horror series you should definitely watch if you haven’t already. It’s an anthology series, where every season stands for itself, although the cast returns and plays different characters.
From a haunted house and an insane asylum to an 80s-style slasher, there is something for everybody here – including a whole lot of paranormal.
Watch the Season 1 trailer here.
A Haunting (2005-)
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Genre: Documentary, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Synopsis: “An American paranormal anthology previewing stories told by the victims. Victims tell their terrifying encounters with the paranormal. This show contains narration, frightening re-enactments, and religious content.”
Why you should watch it: Again, A Haunting is one of those classic paranormal docuseries where the alleged victim tells their story of a haunting they’ve experienced, paired up with reenactments and narration.
However, A Haunting is actually quite well-made, and regardless of what you believe to be the truth, you’ll likely get scared. It’s an anthology series, and every episode stands for itself, but it’s airing for almost 20 years now, witnessing to the show’s everlasting popularity.
Watch the trailer here.
Stranger Things (2016-)
IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Synopsis: “In a small town where everyone knows everyone, a peculiar incident starts a chain of events that leads to a child’s disappearance, which begins to tear at the fabric of an otherwise peaceful community.
Dark government agencies and seemingly malevolent supernatural forces converge on the town, while a few of the locals begin to understand that more is going on than meets the eye.”
Why you should watch it: It’s not often that a horror show enters mainstream popularity – but Stranger Things took the world by storm, and it’s only becoming more popular, especially after the epic Season 4.
Now, it’s not your classic paranormal ghost story, but there are tons of paranormal, supernatural elements that will make you jump out of your set at times. The reason why Stranger Things work for such a wide audience is that there’s a lot of humor, joy, love, and friendship involved, so it’s not all dark all the time.
It’s one of my favorite contemporary shows (and also one of my favorites all-time) with a killer soundtrack and even better storytelling. Every season brings something new to the table. It’s a must-watch for everyone, not just paranormal junkies like us.
Watch the trailer here.
The Haunting Of Hill House (2018)
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Synopsis: “Explores a group of siblings who, as children, grew up in what would go on to become the most famous haunted house in the country. Now adults and forced back together in the face of tragedy, the family must finally confront the ghosts of their past, some of which still lurk in their minds while others may actually be stalking the shadows of Hill House.”
Why you should watch it: Last but not least, The Haunting of Hill House is another project from Mike Flanagan that rocked the paranormal genre. The story is incredibly intriguing and somewhat heartbreaking.
The 8.6 IMDb rating tells you all you need to know. It’s by far my favorite show on this list, and I’ve watched it three times so far, picking up on new, awesome details every time. There’s another similar mini-series from Flanagan called The Haunting of Bly Manor, but it’s not as great as Hill House. I recommend this one to every horror lover out there!
Watch the trailer here.
Liked this article? Join us on Reddit for the latest Marvel & DC news!
