Box of Nightmares: Horror Anthology TV Shows
by mike_sean | created - 25 Mar 2011 | updated - 24 Oct 2014 | PublicTelevision shows in which each episode was a different short story, typically from the horror, supernatural, or suspense genre.
Related list:
Fragments of Fear: Horror Anthology Films
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1. The Twilight Zone (1959–1964)
TV-PG | 51 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Ordinary people find themselves in extraordinarily astounding situations, which they each try to solve in a remarkable manner.
Stars: Rod Serling, Robert McCord, Jay Overholts, James Turley
Votes: 92,970
2. Lights Out (1946–1952)
30 min | Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi
"Lights Out" was a US narrated horror short story series.
Stars: Frank Gallop, Jack La Rue, Mercer McLeod, Leslie Nielsen
Votes: 204
3. Suspense (1949–1954)
25 min | Drama, Horror, Mystery
Live plays featuring people who were in dangerous and threatening situations.
Stars: Rex Marshall, Robert Emhardt, Robert H. Harris, John Baragrey
Votes: 357
4. Inner Sanctum (1954)
27 min | Horror, Mystery
"Inner Sanctum" was a hosted horror and mystery anthology series hosted by Paul McGrath, and later by House Jameson as "Your Host".
Stars: Paul McGrath, House Jameson, Warren Stevens, Edward Binns
Votes: 65
5. Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955–1962)
TV-14 | 25 min | Drama, Mystery
Series of unrelated short stories covering elements of crime, horror, drama, and comedy about people of different backgrounds committing murders, suicides, thefts, and other sorts of crime caused by certain motivations, perceived or not.
Stars: Alfred Hitchcock, Harry Tyler, John Williams, Patricia Hitchcock
Votes: 19,310
6. Panic! (1957– )
30 min | Thriller
A short-lived anthology series narrated by Westbrook Van Voorhis. Each episode tells its own thriller story and featured its own unique cast.
Stars: Westbrook Van Voorhis, Bill Erwin, Norman Alden, Robert Anderson
Votes: 61
7. The Veil (1958)
25 min | Horror, Mystery
An anthology of horror stories hosted by actor Boris Karloff.
Stars: Boris Karloff, Robert Hardy, Harry Bartell, Ron Hagerthy
Votes: 538
8. One Step Beyond (1959–1961)
Approved | 25 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
"One Step Beyond" was a collection of tales about paranormal events, horrifying folklore, and the world of the unknown.
Stars: John Newland, Robert Douglas, Olan Soule, Will J. White
Votes: 1,877
9. 13 Demon Street (1959–1960)
30 min | Crime, Drama, Fantasy
"13 Demon Street" was a horror anthology series, set at decaying 13 Demon Street where the host, an unnerving Lon Chaney Jr., opened and closed each episode.
Stars: Lon Chaney Jr., Charles Nolte, Lorri Scott, Alan Blair
Votes: 94
10. Thriller (1960–1962)
TV-PG | 50 min | Crime, Drama, Horror
Experience the complete series of the show that was hailed as the most frightening ever created for television--now available for the first time.
Stars: Boris Karloff, Richard Peel, Henry Daniell, Lillian O'Malley
Votes: 1,660
11. Great Ghost Tales (1961)
30 min | Drama, Horror, Mystery
The last regularly scheduled television series to be broadcast live in the U.S. was hosted by Frank Gallop, and featured dramatizations of ghost stories and other tales of the supernatural,... See full summary »
Stars: Frank Gallop, Robert Duvall, Lee Grant, Walter Matthau
Votes: 54
12. Tales of Mystery (1961–1963)
30 min | Fantasy
Supernatural drama series adapted from the short stories of Algernon Blackwood.
Stars: John Laurie, Ann Castle, Michael Aldridge, John Wood
Votes: 19
13. 'Way Out (1961)
25 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
"'Way Out" was a drama in the macabre genre was broadcast each week hosted by Roald Dahl.
Stars: Roald Dahl, Paul Tremaine, Richard Morse, George Turner
Votes: 191
14. The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962–1965)
TV-14 | 50 min | Crime, Drama, Horror
"The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" was a continuation of the dramatic anthology series Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) hosted by the Master of Suspense and Mystery.
Stars: Alfred Hitchcock, Hinton Pope, Jimmy Joyce, Lew Brown
Votes: 5,146
15. The Outer Limits (1963–1965)
TV-PG | 51 min | Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi
An anthology series of insightful science fiction tales.
Stars: Bob Johnson, Ben Wright, William Douglas, Robert Culp
Votes: 9,289
16. Out of the Unknown (1965–1971)
60 min | Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi
A classic anthology science fiction series which features adaptations of stories by famous authors including Isaac Asimov, J.G. Ballard, Frederik Pohl and John Wyndham.
Stars: John Gabriel, Charles 'Bud' Tingwell, Erik Chitty, Peter Copley
Votes: 174
17. Mystery and Imagination (1966–1970)
75 min | Drama, Horror, Mystery
"Mystery and Imagination" was a UK hosted horror anthology series running from 1966 until 1970 with host David Buck as "Richard Beckett". who was a romantic young Victorian adventurer always had a tale to tell.
Stars: David Buck, Mark Moss, Freddie Jones, Robert Hunter
Votes: 111
18. Armchair Thriller (1978–1981)
25 min | Crime, Drama, Horror
Suspense and mystery-themed anthology series.
Stars: Frank Duncan, James Bolam, Maria Aitken, Zena Walker
Votes: 254
19. Journey to the Unknown (1968– )
60 min | Drama, Horror, Mystery
"Journey to the Unknown" was a British anthology series about everyday people finding themselves put into unusual circumstances...many of them supernatural in nature.
Stars: Vera Miles, Brandon De Wilde, Carol Lynley, Stefanie Powers
Votes: 265
20. Menace (1970–1973)
75 min | Thriller
This is a series of thrillers designed to keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
Stars: David Wood, John Wentworth, Sheila Hancock, Anne Kristen
Votes: 23
21. Night Gallery (1969–1973)
TV-PG | 50 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Rod Serling presents tales of horror illustrated in various paintings.
Stars: Rod Serling, Larry Watson, Joanna Pettet, Matt Pelto
Votes: 6,170
22. Shadows of Fear (1970–1973)
60 min | Horror, Thriller
Anthology series in which characters find themselves in weird and scary situations. Not evoked by the supernatural but by other people.
Stars: Ray Smith, Michael Craig, Ian Bannen, Sheila Hancock
Votes: 117
23. Circle of Fear (1972–1973)
60 min | Drama, Horror, Mystery
An anthology of suspense dramas concentrating on individuals confronted with supernatural occurrences.
Stars: Sebastian Cabot, Sheila Larken, Meg Foster, Don 'Red' Barry
Votes: 547
24. The Evil Touch (1973–1974)
30 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
"The Evil Touch" was an anthology horror, science fiction and mystery series hosted by Anthony Quayle between 1973-74..
Stars: Anthony Quayle, Darren McGavin, Jack Thompson, Leslie Nielsen
Votes: 121
25. Leap in the Dark (1973–1980)
45 min | Fantasy, Horror, Thriller
Anthology series of supernatural tales.
Stars: Colin Wilson, Linda Blandford, Gordon Snell, Anita Gregory
Votes: 38
26. Thriller (1973–1976)
TV-14 | 65 min | Crime, Drama, Fantasy
"Thriller" was an anthology series of self-contained episodes, with genres ranging from murder mystery to suspense to psychological and supernatural horror.
Stars: Donna Mills, Gary Collins, Derek Francis, Michael Jayston
Votes: 973
27. Shadows (1975–1978)
30 min | Family, Horror
Anthology series of scary stories for children.
Stars: Neville Barber, Gwyneth Strong, George Waring, Jenny Agutter
Votes: 120
28. Beasts (1976)
60 min | Drama, Horror, Mystery
An anthology series concerning bestial horror, created by Nigel Kneale.
Stars: Pamela Moiseiwitsch, Martin Shaw, Jane Wymark, Patrick Magee
Votes: 278
29. Supernatural (1977)
50 min | Horror
Chilling anthology series where membership to the secret society, The Club of the Damned, is granted through telling horror stories.
Stars: Andre Van Gyseghem, Billie Whitelaw, Ian Hendry, Charles Kay
Votes: 166
30. Tales of the Unexpected (1979–1988)
TV-14 | 25 min | Comedy, Drama, Horror
Short dramas each with a twist of some kind; across the first four seasons most of these are from short stories by Roald Dahl.
Stars: Roald Dahl, Andrew Ray, Forbes Collins, Richard Johnson
Votes: 2,493
31. Hammer House of Horror (1980)
TV-14 | 54 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
This British anthology series, which was produced by England's leading exporters of horror films, told tales of haunted houses, demons, ghosts, and other supernatural wonders.
Stars: Peter Cushing, Denholm Elliott, Anna Calder-Marshall, Kathryn Leigh Scott
Votes: 2,277
32. Darkroom (1981–1982)
60 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
"Darkroom" was a hosted horror/thriller anthology series hosted by James Coburn.
Stars: James Coburn, Helen Hunt, David Carradine, Billy Crystal
Votes: 345
33. West Country Tales (1982–1983)
25 min | Horror
West Country Tales was an early 1980s supernatural drama series based on real-life experiences sent in by viewers in response to a BBC appeal. Of the hundreds of letters received, 13 stories were selected and turned into TV scripts.
Stars: Keith Barron, Jack Watson, Brian Jennings, Gillian Miles
Votes: 57
34. The Hitchhiker (1983–1991)
TV-MA | 26 min | Drama, Horror, Mystery
A young hitchhiker introduces characters who are about to experience a frightening and sometimes supernatural incident of some kind in this moody anthology series.
Stars: Page Fletcher, Nicholas Campbell, Vincent Grass, Kirstie Alley
Votes: 1,857
35. Shades of Darkness (1983–1986)
60 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
"Shades of Darkness" was a anthology of short mysterious dramas, each with a supernatural twist.
Stars: Norma West, Annette Wilkie-Miller, Francesca Annis, Eileen Atkins
Votes: 330
36. Tales from the Darkside (1983–1988)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
"Tales from the Darkside" was a horror anthology series where the viewer is taken through ghost stories, science fiction adventures, and creepy, unexplained events.
Stars: Paul Sparer, Catherine Battistone, John Marzilli, Karen Shallo
Votes: 6,936
37. Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985–1989)
TV-PG | 22 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Updated remakes of classic stories from Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962), originally produced by the Master of Suspense. His original opening bits are colorized for re-use here.
Stars: Bernard Behrens, Cynthia Belliveau, David B. Nichols, Kathleen Quinlan
Votes: 3,245
38. Amazing Stories (1985–1987)
TV-PG | 30 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Truly amazing, fantastical, funny, and odd, and sometimes scary, sad, and endearing stories are portrayed. Many famous actors, actresses, and directors made guest appearances.
Stars: Charles Durning, Douglas Seale, Sharon Spelman, Louis Giambalvo
Votes: 6,410
39. The Ray Bradbury Theater (1985–1992)
TV-14 | 23 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
"The Ray Bradbury Theater" was a Canadian-produced anthology series scripted by famed science-fiction author Ray Bradbury. Many of the teleplays were based upon Bradbury's novels and short stories.
Stars: Ray Bradbury, Michael Copeman, Frank Whitten, Desmond Kelly
Votes: 1,698
40. The Twilight Zone (1985–1989)
TV-PG | 45 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
A collection of tales which range from comic to tragic, but often have a wicked sense of humor and an unexpected twist.
Stars: Robin Ward, Charles Aidman, Richard Mulligan, William Atherton
Votes: 12,238
41. Worlds Beyond (1986)
25 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
"Worlds Beyond" was a half-hour supernatural anthology series adapted from real cases of the Society for Psychical Research.
Stars: Darren McGavin, Paul Freeman, Nancy Travis, Judi Bowker
Votes: 51
42. Freddy's Nightmares (1988–1990)
TV-14 | 45 min | Horror, Thriller
"Freddy's Nightmares" was a 1988 horror anthology series with "Freddy", the dream serial killer, hosting stories set in Springwood, USA.
Stars: Robert Englund, Mary Crosby, Todd Allen, Sandahl Bergman
Votes: 3,463
43. Monsters (1988–1990)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
A horror anthology about a family of monsters watching a different horror story every week on their TV. Each tale is separate, often cautionary with occasional dark humor and irony and features various deadly creatures.
Stars: John Bolger, Pamela Dean Kelly, Michael J. Anderson, Carlos Lauchu
Votes: 1,998
44. Tales from the Crypt (1989–1996)
TV-MA | 25 min | Comedy, Crime, Fantasy
"Tales from the Crypt" was a 1989 horror story anthology series based on the gruesome E.C. comic books of the 1950s presented by the legendary "Crypt Keeper", a sinister ghoul obsessed with gallows humor and horrific puns.
Stars: John Kassir, Roy Brocksmith, Miguel Ferrer, Cam Clarke
Votes: 27,028
45. Are You Afraid of the Dark? (1990–2000)
TV-14 | 30 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
A group of teenagers meet in the woods, and tell scary stories.
Stars: Ross Hull, Daniel DeSanto, Raine Pare-Coull, Jodie Resther
Votes: 16,161
46. The Hidden Room (1991–1993)
TV-14 | 30 min | Drama, Horror, Thriller
This half-hour anthology show usually featured a woman in hardship, musing about might-have-beens, or fighting for her life, such as a woman being visited by the ghost of the child she ... See full summary »
Stars: Mimi Kuzyk, Yannick Bisson, Don Francks, Ashleigh Ann Wood
Votes: 131
47. Chiller (1995– )
Not Rated | 60 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
A British horror/fantasy anthology series where each story involves, to some extent, the supernatural and features lead actors from UK television.
Stars: Nigel Havers, Phyllis Logan, Kevin McNally, John Simm
Votes: 327
48. Goosebumps (1995–1998)
TV-PG | 22 min | Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
"Goosebumps" was a series of scary anthology stories based on the children's books by R.L. Stine. Series one was hosted by R.L. Stine for twelve episodes.
Stars: R.L. Stine, Kathryn Short, Cody Jones, Scott Wickware
Votes: 15,210
49. Twisted Tales (1996–1998)
Comedy, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Bryan Brown introduces stories of the bizarre and the supernatural. Sometimes serious, often comical, but always with a twist at the end of the story.
Stars: Rachel Ward, Geoffrey Rush, Kimberley Davies, Brittany Byrnes
Votes: 96
50. Ghost Stories (I) (1997–1998)
30 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
"Ghost Stories" was a supernatural anthology series, hosted by Rip Torn, with each story featuring a different chilling tale.
Stars: Rip Torn, Emilie Jo Tisdale, Megan Gallacher, John Knox
Votes: 276
51. The Hunger (1997–2000)
R | 24 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
"The Hunger" was a horror anthology series where the hosts Terence Stamp (in season 1) and David Bowie (in season 2) eccentrically introduce each of the steamy, erotic and often supernatural tales of power, sex, lust, and driving urges.
Stars: Terence Stamp, David Bowie, Richard Jutras, Kim Feeney
Votes: 1,134
52. Dark Realm (2000– )
48 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
"Dark Realm" was a hosted horror anthology series, with each tale featuring an eerie and terrifying story from the darkest realm.
Stars: Eric Roberts, Margot Steinberg, Lysette Anthony, Gary Hudson
Votes: 89
53. Urban Gothic (2000–2021)
30 min | Horror
Behind the facade of London's shiny dockside developments, its designer boutiques and coffee bars lie forgotten dark corners and darker secrets. It's a city where anything can happen and being young and pretty won't always save you.
Stars: Ania Sowinski, Kelle Spry, William Mannering, Terrence Hardiman
Votes: 212
54. Night Visions (2001–2002)
TV-14 | 43 min | Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
"Night Visions" was a hosted anthology series similar to "The Twilight Zone" - some tales are supernatural, others are just commentaries on twisted human nature. Each hour show is made up of two half-hour stories aired back-to-back.
Stars: Henry Rollins, Emily Holmes, Dion Luther, Ty Olsson
Votes: 1,047
55. The Nightmare Room (2001–2002)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Drama, Family, Fantasy
"The Nightmare Room" was a hosted horror anthology series centered on teens facing supernatural threats, many based on the books by R.L. Stine.
Stars: James Avery, Keiko Agena, Kyle Gibson, Michael Galeota
Votes: 579
56. Nightmare Cafe (1992)
60 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
"Nightmare Cafe" - Frank Nolan and Fay Peronivic find themselves in a mysterious all-night café following a brush with death, but they soon learn that they did, in fact, die, and have been brought back to life by the café.
Stars: Jack Coleman, Lindsay Frost, Robert Englund, Bobby Slayton
Votes: 514
57. The Twilight Zone (2002–2003)
TV-14 | 43 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
This second revival of The Twilight Zone (1959) presents tales of suspense, fantasy, science fiction and horror.
Stars: Forest Whitaker, June B. Wilde, Chris Shields, Tangi Miller
Votes: 6,621
58. Spine Chillers (2003– )
30 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
Anthology series of black comedies, which sets out to deliver excellent stories with a darkly comic twist. A second installment aired under the title, Twisted Tales.
Stars: Mackenzie Crook, Bruce Mackinnon, Emma Pierson, Tim Plester
Votes: 75
59. Masters of Horror (2005–2007)
TV-MA | 1,531 min | Horror
Anchor Bay's collection, which has amassed some of the best horror film anthologies.
Stars: Karen Elizabeth Austin, J. Winston Carroll, Miho Ninagawa, Anthony Harrison
Votes: 13,266
60. Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King (2006)
TV-14 | 48 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
A television mini-series adaptation of Nightmares and Dreamscapes, Stephen King's collection of short horror stories.
Stars: Robert Mammone, Kodi Smit-McPhee, William H. Macy, Ron Livingston
Votes: 5,515
61. Fear Itself (2008–2009)
TV-14 | 43 min | Horror
A television series broken down into 13 separate 60-minute films from premiere horror writers and directors.
Stars: Margherita Donato, Valerie White, Elisabeth Moss, Eric Roberts
Votes: 4,706
62. Nite Tales: The Series (2009– )
30 min | Horror
Stars: Flavor Flav, Camilla Romestrand, Brigitte Nielsen, Danny Glover
Votes: 89
63. Darknet (2013–2014)
30 min | Horror, Thriller
A macabre web site called Darknet links the tales in this chilling anthology series whose protagonists face a range of unnamable horrors.
Stars: Michelle Alexander, Carlyn Burchell, Miles Carney, Samantha Weinstein
Votes: 2,408
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