America really have a broad selection of horror to choose from: whether it be vampires, werewolves, zombies, witches and ghosts, they got you covered. They also have just the right amount of horror fear for your choosing, either like a small jump scare here and there or full fledge hide behind the pillow from it all. Here are some of the American horror TV-series to watch this spooky season.
Them
Them is a limited anthology series that explores terror in America. The first season centers around a Black family who move from North Carolina to an all-white Los Angeles neighborhood during the period known as The Great Migration. The family’s idyllic home becomes ground zero where malevolent forces, next door and otherworldly, threaten to taunt, ravage and destroy them.
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Brand New Cherry Flavor
Brand New Cherry Flavor — a limited series starring Rosa Salazar, Catherine Keener, Eric Lange, Jeff Ward and Manny Jacinto. A filmmaker heads to Hollywood in the early ‘90s to make her movie but tumbles down a hallucinatory rabbit hole of sex, magic, revenge – and kittens.
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Midnight Mass
An original series from Mike Flanagan, most known for creating The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor. This series is set on a little island, so sleepy it might be dead. The isolated community on Crockett Island experiences miraculous events – and frightening omens – following the arrival of a charismatic, mysterious young priest.
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Two Sentence Horror Stories
Another case of an internet phenomenom that made it into the small screen is the two sentenced horror stories we can find everywhere, especially on Reddit. ”Two Sentence Horror Stories” is an award-winning, original scripted horror anthology series. Each standalone story taps into the expansive world of the horror genre, pressing universal primal fears filtered through the anxieties of a connected and racially diverse generation.
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Swamp Thing
From the DC Universe, based on characters originally written and drawn by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson came Swamp Thing back in 2019 with a good monster series that unfortunately only got the one season. Swamp Thing follows Abby Arcane as she investigates what seems to be a deadly swamp-born virus in a small town in Louisiana but soon discovers that the swamp holds mystical and terrifying secrets. When unexplainable and chilling horrors emerge from the murky marsh, no one is safe. Based on the DC
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What We Do in The Shadows
Based on the New Zealand mockumentary by the same name by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi. The series centres around a camera crew following the lives of three vampires, who’ve lived together for over 100 years, on Staten Island, trying to fit into the modern society.
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Lovecraft Country
Based on the book by the same name, ,inspired by the universe of Lovecraft. A young African-American travels across the U.S. in the 1950s in search of his missing father. From Misha Green, Jordan Peele, and J.J. Abrams,
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American Horror Story
This show has been around for a long time, and has had a deep impact on the other horror shows that have aired for the last decade now. The premise of the show have been different for every season. But the first season is about a family moving to another city to get away from the husband’s infidelity. But they can never truly get away. At least not from the history of the murder house they just moved in to. Now they have reached the tenth season that centres around Aliens.
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Castle Rock
For lovers of Stephen King that needed a clash of characters and places from his universes, look to Castle Rock, the place where stories like “Cujo,” “The Dead Zone,” and “The Body.” They also have the prison from the Shawshank State Prison as well as the characters like Pennywise (the clown from “It”), the name Annie Wilkes (the crazed uber-fan in “Misery”) and more.
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The Walking Dead
With the long running series ending with the 11th season this year, it is perhaps time to take another look at it. And although a show with very uneven seasons, the show truly brought back the zombie craze to the world when it first aired back in 2010.
If there is one thing that I hate, it is a merry Christmas. Overly joyous elves working as slaves for Santa, the amount of money that goes into useless presents and baked good that never tastes as good as it looks. And then, Santa Claus. Good dammit, the amount of therapy leading back to the annual encounters of this creep… gad dammit. It is truly the most terrifying character the world brought to the jolly festivities. And yes, the Grinch is my favorite Christmas movie.
Luckily, it looks like some series got the memo as well. If you’ve never seen a Christmas Special, just have a look to basically every Dr. Who specials there is. But for those that need something more, this is a collection of a horror fueled Christmas. For those looking to hunt the ghost of Christmas past, and stake that devious Krampus Santa, let’s go for a dive to the Christmas specials of TV shows.
Supernatural
The of Supernatural this year is the most bitersweet thing that has happened for a long time. It is sad because of all the memories and that it was the first show that showcased all the paranormal stuff I was into that I saw. The writers of Supernatural must be as damaged of Santa as I was. They have only one episode featuring Christmas heavily, but also some episodes were the time is around Christmas times.
A Very Supernatural Christmas: Episode 8 – Season 3
The episode was written with the intent of being “the most violent Christmas special in the history of television”. In any case, it certainly had a lot of blood and gore.
Synopsis
The narrative follows series protagonists Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) as they confront a pair of pagan gods who annually take human sacrifices. And they also give some great flashbacks to how their little dysfunctional family celebrated Christmas when they were young.
Not a true Christmas special, but does feature a Christmas scene with Crowley. So no complains here.
Synopsis
Now that he has Sam in the cage with him, Lucifer offers Sam a way out but it comes with a steep price. Dean and Castiel look into the angel smiting that might have killed Amara.
Doesn’t really have a Christmas plot but does include Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree in the soundtrack and a Christmas decorations.
Synopsis
Dean and Sam get help from their friend Garth to get some information regarding what Micheal is planning. They split up to find weapons that will work against the Archangel.
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The X-Files
The X-Files gave some great Christmas episodes, with some great quotable lines. Like Sculder wanting to take hostages in “How the Ghosts Stole Christmas”. The now vintage 90’s style gives an extra nostalgic touch of how the Christmases looked when you were a kid, or at least younger and more exited about it.
How the Ghosts Stole Christmas: Episode 6 – Season 6
The episode is a “Monster-of-the-Week” story, unconnected to the series’ wider mythology. And those episodes were some of the best one in my opinion.
Synopsis
It is Christmas Eve and Mulder makes Scully to come to a house that is supposedly haunted. They do a stakeout of the house. Two lovers allegedly killed each other in a lovers pact almost a century ago.
A bit calmer episode than many here, the focus is on how awesome Gillian Anderson is.
Synopsis
Scully and her mother visit her brother Bill and his wife Tara, who is expecting, around Christmas time. Scully answers the phone, and the person on the other line, who sounds just like her dead sister Melissa, tells her that someone needs her help. Scully traces the call to a nearby home in San Diego where local police are investigating the suicide of a woman, Roberta Sim. Kresge, the lead detective on the case, tells Scully that it was impossible for Roberta to have dialed, as she died before the telephone call was made.
“Sein und Zeit” was written as the first part of a two-part arc that would eventually reveal what had happened to Samantha Mulder.
Synopsis
Fox Mulder asks to be a part of the investigation looking for a little girl, Amber Lynn LaPierre, who disappeared from her home in Sacramento, California. Mulder’s superior, Walter Skinner, initially denies his request, noting that the investigation is not an X-file, but simply a missing persons case. Mulder, however, convinces Skinner to allow him to investigate.
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American Horror Story
This is what I picture whenever I was told by mom Santa was coming and I had to sit on his lap. No thank you, never again. American Horror Story seems to have understood that when the Santa here is a murderous killer from solitary cell.
It is Christmas at the asylum, but everyone is too busy with celebration. A serial killer with an obsession for Christmas and Santa Claus is taken out from solitary. He did some truly crazy things last Christmas, and intends to do it again.
The Twilight Zone
How many more proof do we need before banning Santa Claus? A hashtag #bansanta is something we must get trending.
The Night of the Meek: Episode 11 – Season 2
A kind of sad and creepy story about a tragic department store Santa Claus that have a dream of becoming the real one.
Synopsis
After a derelict Santa Claus is fired on Christmas Eve, he finds a mysterious bag that gives out presents. With this bag he sets out to fulfill his one wish – to see the less fortunate inherit the bounties of Christmas.
Black Mirror
No Santa here, thank God, but Black Mirror is also extremely scary, not necessarily in jump scares, but the awful twists that exposes humans as they really are- awful!
Supposedly a bot romantic, but I was team Spike, so go away Angel! Although, Joss Whedon know how to bring a little Christmas miracle.
Synopsis
It is Christmas in Sunnydale and Angel is haunted with dreams of the people he murdered over the years as Angelus. When Buffy starts getting dragged into his memory-nightmares, experiencing Angel’s dreams also, they realize something unnatural is happening. Visions of his past victims, appear to him and try to get him to kill Buffy, saying that he will be released from the pain if he does so.
Inside No. 9
Inside No. 9 is a British black comedy anthology TV series. Each 30-minute episode is a self-contained story with new characters and a new setting. Aside from the writers, each episode has a new cast, allowing Inside No. 9 to attract a number of well-known actors. The stories are linked only by the number 9 in some way and a brass hare statue that is in the background of all episodes.
Now, hear me out. No matter how much marketing Coca Cola does for the Santa Claus image, the image of Krampus will not be erased. #santaiscancelled
Synopsis
A director talks about his old horror film. It’s Austria, Krampusnacht, December 1977. The Devonshires arrive at the alpine chalet for a holiday. The caretaker, Klaus, tells them about a local legend of Krampus, the Devil of Christmas.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Not the biggest fan of the new installment of Sabrina, but nonetheless, they have winter solstice, witches, magic and a lot of candles. A creepy Christmas it is!
This works as a more stand alone special than a normal “monster of the week”, or as a part of a bigger arch.
Synopsis
As the winter solstice approaches, Sabrina orchestrates an emotional seance with serious consequences, and Susie’s merry plans turn menacing.
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The Addams Family
So this is from the original series from 1960’s. There are also several reboots with a Christmas episode in on of those. But for those feeling the vintage vibes, this is from the first sit-com adaption of the comic strip.
Christmas With the Addams Family: Episode 15 – Season 2
This picture is the only picture of a Santa get up I approve of.
Synopsis
Not wanting the children to be disappointed after hearing once again from Mr. Thompson that there’s no such thing as Santa Claus, each member of the family dresses up as him to prove to Wednesday and Pugsley that he’s real.
Tales From the Crypt
Ho, ho, ho, kiddies! Just your old pal the Crypt Keeper having a little holiday fun. – The Crypt Keeper
On Christmas Eve, a mother controls the anxiety of her little daughter Carrie Ann for Santa Claus and puts her to bed. Then she comes to the living room and kills her husband, hitting his head with a fireplace poker, expecting to receive his life insurance and stay with her lover. While she is dumping his body on the yard, the dangerous patient of a mental institution dressed like Santa Claus attacks her but she succeeds to escape and lock the door. However, she is unable to call the police since the body of her husband is in the front yard. Out of the blue, Carrie calls her mother with an unexpected guest.
Grimm
Grimm got some Christmas episodes as well. As they are deeply into their Germanic stories, they explore some of the pagan and scary part of old Germanic folklore.
The Grimm Who Stole Christmas: Episode 7 – Season 4
Nick and Hank are called to investigate a bizarre string of home invasions that lead to an even stranger Wesen phenomenon. Monroe has a very special Christmas surprise in store for Rosalee. Meanwhile, Trubel comes to a life changing realization that will affect everyone.
Let Your Hair Down: Episode 7 – Season 1
Although not strictly a Christmas episode, the episode is set during Christmas times.
Synopsis
A mysterious homicide deep in the woods leads to Nick (David Giuntoli) and Hank (Russell Hornsby) reopening a long-aborted missing persons case. When Nick suspects this abducted person might be a feral creature, he asks Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell) to help remind this wild child of her human nature.
See all Krampus/santarelated posts in this posts. Now, I’m going to lock the door. I think this post brougth up some bad memories and bad mojo. Stay safe and don’t seek santa when he comes!
Synopsis
An “anti-santa claus” character from Austrian folklore begins to stalk and kidnap the juvenile delinquents during the holidays with more than a lump of coal on it’s mind; Monroe learns of why Rosalee is uncomfortable about the holiday decorations.
An online magazine about the paranormal, haunted and macabre. We collect the ghost stories from all around the world as well as review horror and gothic media.
