The horror genre might have been most successful in the sphere of movies, but it has also been a consistent presence in other forms of media, too. Some of the most overlooked entries into the horror genre come in the form of TV shows, whose episodic format can offer interesting and refreshing approaches to terrifyingly macabre stories. Many of the best horror TV shows aren’t just scary, but innovative in ways that help shape the future of the genre or of TV shows in general. Though they don’t always get the recognition they deserve, some horror shows were truly ahead of their time.
When a show is able to innovate the genre in an unexpected way, or toy with the boundaries of what typically constitutes horror, it can prove hugely influential. While some shows have their groundbreaking aspects praised and credited for their influence on the genre, others still pass swiftly into obscurity. Being ahead of one’s time isn’t always a recipe for instant success, leading to many great and innovative horror shows to be criminally overlooked.
1) Hannibal
Though Hannibal ending on an annoying cliffhanger left a sour taste in the mouths of some fans, it was undeniably a show ahead of its time. Adapting elements of several Thomas Harris novels, the show largely focused on the relationship between the titular serial killer and FBI agent Will Graham. Its dedication to long-form storytelling rather than a more simplistic episodic format was innovative, especially within the horror genre, and led many to consider Hannibal a show ahead of its time.
2) Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Buffy the Vampire Slayer has become a legendary part of horror TV history, and rightfully so. The horror TV show’s use of terrifying monsters and villains saw it employ a monster-of-the-week format alongside longer narrative arcs, as well as blending supernatural elements with simpler teen drama. Buffy‘s blend of narrative elements and genres later came to define other successful shows such as Supernatural and Smallville, both of which owe the long-running success of their formats to the groundbreaking Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
3) Penny Dreadful
An often underrated and overlooked entry into the horror TV genre, Penny Dreadful proved to be innovative in a brilliantly unoriginal way. Revisiting the roots of the genre and compiling a cast of characters from gothic horror fiction, Penny Dreadful was able to take the familiar and make it feel fresh. Despite helping to revive the gothic horror genre in modern TV, Penny Dreadful never quite earned the recognition it deserved for its innovative use of various pieces of source material until after its run had ended.
4) Brimstone
Though few are likely to remember Brimstone, it was undoubtedly a horror show well ahead of its time. It followed a dead police detective who is revived by the Devil and tasked with delivering 113 souls to Hell in exchange for his own. Having been canceled partway through its first season, it was never given the chance to develop as it deserved, but its blend of supernatural horror, action, and drama marked it as a precursor to the likes of Supernatural and The Bondsman, with the latter also seemingly borrowing ideas on a conceptual level.
5) Harper’s Island
Harper’s Island is largely remembered as an underrated horror TV show canceled too soon. The show’s horror-mystery format made for gripping viewing, but it was canceled following the end of its first season. However, the plan was for Harper’s Island to develop into an anthology series, with each season following a new cast of characters and a new story. This has seen many consider it the precursor to the wildly successful American Horror Story, with Harper’s Island seemingly a show well ahead of its time.
6) Twin Peaks
Though Twin Peaks‘ approach to the genre isn’t as overt as many others, its a horror TV show that has haunted audiences for years thanks to its relentlessly creepy and unsettling atmosphere. The often mind-bending and incredibly unique show is considered by many as a masterpiece of David Lynch’s career, with its central mysteries and slow-burning horror drawing a dedicated following. Though it wasn’t as appreciated as it deserved upon its initial run, Twin Peaks‘ consistent cult following has marked it as a show well ahead of its time.
7) The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone is a rare example of a show that was both massively successful upon airing and incredibly influential even decades after its run. The show’s blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror, combined with its anthology format and renowned plot twists all contribute to its massive success and continued popularity. It stands out as perhaps the most innovative show in the history of horror TV, with its stories lingering in the minds of viewers even decades after they aired.
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