Top 20 Horror TV Shows 2026

The best horror TV shows 2026 ranked by the community. Horror series work differently from horror films – they have more time to build atmosphere, establish characters and let threats grow slowly. The series that rank highest use exactly that advantage: they do not just frighten, they stay with you. Filter by streaming service or short runtime for more compact formats.

How are the series charts created?

Rankings are based on real user ratings. The more votes a show receives, the more stable its chart position. When you rate shows yourself, your personal recommendations improve too.

Filter series by genre, status and streaming service:

* Data for Germany, Feb 2026. Might be outdated/incomplete.

Reset

Series Charts: Top 20

4. Hannibal

★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8/10 stars)

Both a gift and a curse, Will Graham has the extraordinary ability to think like his prey—he sees what they see, feels what they feel. But while Graham is pursuing an especially troubling, cannibalistic murderer, Special Agent Jack Crawford teams him with a highly respected psychiatrist – a man with... more

7. Grimm

★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8/10 stars)

After Portland homicide detective Nick Burkhardt discovers he's descended from an elite line of criminal profilers known as "Grimms," he increasingly finds his responsibilities as a detective at odds with his new responsibilities as a Grimm. more

10. Buffy: Im Bann der Dämonen

★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8/10 stars)
Available on: Disney+ (May change. Report errors)

In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer. Buffy Summers is The Chosen One, the one girl in all the world with the strength and skill to fight the vampires. With the help of her close friends, Wil... more

13. iZombie

★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8/10 stars)

When over-achieving medical resident Liv Moore attends a party that turns into a zombie feeding frenzy, she ends up joining the ranks of the living dead. Determined to pass as human despite her pale appearance and newly listless demeanor, Liv forms a plan to resist her drive to consume fresh human b... more

15. Penny Dreadful

★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8/10 stars)

Penny Dreadful is a frightening psychological thriller that weaves together the monsters of classic stories. The explorer Sir Malcolm Murray, American gunslinger Ethan Chandler, Miss Vanessa Ives and others unite to combat supernatural threats in Victorian London. They encounter some of literature's... more

Why these charts are worth it

Horror TV shows work differently from horror films. The longer runtime forces the genre to deliver more than shock moments – they must sustain atmosphere, character and threat across multiple episodes. The strongest horror series treat that as an advantage: they build slowly, let the danger grow and give characters time before putting them at risk. That is the difference between cheap fright entertainment and series that actually stay with you.

The genre is broader than its reputation: supernatural horror, psychological horror, creature feature series, gothic drama, folk horror and socially critical horror series that use their monsters as metaphor all fall under the label. What tends to rank highest in the community are series with more than one layer. Use the runtime filter to find horror series with short episodes – a format that works particularly well for late-night viewing.

Discover related charts

Beyond horror TV shows, fans of the genre often appreciate thriller or mystery series for their similarly dark and tense atmosphere.

FAQ

What are the best Horror TV Shows?

The top Horror TV Shows are ranked by real community votes. The more ratings a show has, the more stable its position.

Where can I stream Horror TV Shows?

Use the streaming filter to see which Horror TV Shows are available on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max and more.

How are the Horror TV Shows rankings created?

Rankings are based on real user ratings. The more votes a series receives, the more stable its chart position.

TV-Shows 2026 - Impressum | Data Protection
Update cookies preferences