After the recent online adoration (and mockery) of Morbius, the idea of horror in non-horror contexts has come under fire. After all, the idea of Jared Leto as Morbius drew considerable ridicule and endless memes that quite literally launched Morbius‘ second flop at the box office.
But not every non-traditional horror is deserving of that level of ire. There have been many horror TV shows that were so scary, they may have been too much for their networks. Some fans on Ranker have taken to discussing just which of those shows may have been too scary for TV entirely.
Note: Ranker lists are live and continue to accrue votes, so some rankings may have changed after this publishing.
Hannibal
A show dedicated to serial killers and the infamous cannibal Hannibal Lecter, Hannibal depicts some truly terrible horrors. One episode involves a killer creating make-shift wings out of a victim in the hopes of making a human angel, and it is utterly horrifying.
But the true part of the show that proves to be too scary for TV, Hannibal showcases the slow psychological manipulation of its protagonist by Hannibal. It’s a scary display, as it shows just how easy it can be for a serial killer to manipulate even trained detectives.
Tales from the Darkside
Dedicated to unrelated anthology episodes depicting absolute horror, Tales from the Darkside offered fans unique looks into truly dark worlds, and many of its episodes are still scary today. Many episodes featured adaptations from writers like Stephen King, allowing casual audiences to experience some dark stories.
Some episodes, like “Sorry, Right Number”, relied on suspense to carry the storylines, but others like “I Can’t Help Saying Goodbye” used terrifying situations that certainly gave kids nightmares. Though it was a great show, it may not have been fit for TV.
Supernatural
A cult hit that proved to be an excellent horror TV show, Supernatural was on the air for 15 seasons and explored the lives of Sam and Dean Winchester. The two brothers tackled paranormal creatures like ghosts, demons, and leviathans as they tried to prevent apocalypse after apocalypse.
While the show had high stakes, it also had monster-of-the-week stories that proved to be incredibly heavy and often tragic. With characters routinely being sent to Hell, banished to Purgatory, or outright tortured, parts of the show were certainly too much for primetime TV.
The X-Files
While it’s largely considered a sci-fi show, The X-Files occasionally dabbled in some serious horror. A show that attracted some major actors like Ryan Reynolds and Lucy Liu, X-Files was a major phenomenon that turned its protagonists Mulder and Scully into household names.
The show ran for 11 seasons and relied on large arcs and individual episode monsters to help progress the plot. Episodes like “Chinga” which followed a villainous Chucky-like doll, or “The Host” about a Chernobyl-created cannibalistic creature, managed to elicit sheer horror and certainly shouldn’t have been featured on casual TV.
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
An ongoing show that has managed nine seasons so far, Are You Afraid of the Dark? is about as dedicated to horror as the title would suggest. The show is a live-action series on Nickelodeon based on the premise of teens sitting around a fire at night and sharing stories. As one would expect from kids camping, it often devolves into a fear factor.
The kids explored ghost stories and haunting visuals in episodes like “The Tale Of Apartment 214” and “The Tale Of The Super Specs”. For a show aimed at kids, it was an extraordinarily fun time, but it may have dipped a little too often into horror.
The Walking Dead
While zombie movies often spend more time on the zombies than the people left behind, The Walking Dead takes a different approach. Focusing instead on conflicts between the survivors, The Walking Dead allows characters to grow and change as the apocalypse continues to worsen around them.
The zombies — called Walkers in the show — are grotesque creatures with rotting flesh and an abundance of hunger. The show often dedicates significant time to the gore and brutality of the creatures, which may make it too scary for sensitive audiences. Still, it’s a great show that gives the chance for major and realistic consequences.
The Haunting of Hill House
A miniseries adapted from a popular book, The Haunting of Hill House explores the long-term effects of a paranormal ghost sighting by five children at their childhood home. Now adults, the kids have to come to terms with their experiences, and few truly know how to handle it.
The show lasted 10 episodes but garnered universal praise from critics and fans. While it has earned several spin-off shows, the story of the Crains reshaped popular conceptions of horror by exploring the aftermath of the scenes fans typically see in movies and shows.
The Twilight Zone
Commonly considered one of TV’s best-written shows, The Twilight Zone portrays full stories in bite-sized chunks that left an impact on every viewer. Each story had inventive plots depicting groundbreaking sci-fi concepts or horrifying ideas that traumatized young viewers for years.
Episodes like “The Little People” or “The Obsolete Man” provided twists that really forced fans to sit by for hours after watching, still considering whatever theme they’d witnessed play out. The heavy themes allowed the show to remain in the public consciousness decades after its ending.
Tales from the Crypt
A show that drew talented guest stars like Tim Curry, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Brad Pitt, Tales from the Crypt was an anthology series that lasted seven seasons on HBO. Free from typical TV censorship, thanks to its status on a premium channel, violence and sex was perfectly acceptable in the series.
The show is often incredibly gruesome with episodes like “And All Through The House” involving a wife murdering her husband with a poker stick. Yet, while the premises are often heavy, they still are good TV and really do belong on a premium channel.
American Horror Story
Each season of American Horror Story depicts unique premises with a story that starts and ends within that select season. Exploring themes like circuses, convents, cults, 1984, and asylums, the show covered a wide range of topics that allowed it to appeal to varying audiences.
Though not every season is equally beloved, the show has managed to earn over 100 major awards over the course of its 10 seasons. Excellent acting, great writing, and solid special effects made it a beloved show, but the explicit horror may just have made it too scary for casual audiences.
