The horror genre, particularly in a miniseries format, continues to rise in popularity year after year. The best of these produce jaw-dropping and heart-pounding moments that are hard to match with other genres. Rather than a traditional film, where the build-up, middle, and climax have to play out in a brisk feature-length time, in a series, there are no such constraints. This allows creators and directors time to let their storyline develop fully. This freedom allows the intense payoffs of intricate, layered stories, character development, and horrifying elements that make the best of these horror shows so unforgettable.

Though many talented hands go into each and every production, two stand above the rest, with horror stalwarts author Stephen King and filmmaker Mike Flanagan helping create many of the best horror shows of all time. Shows like It and the first part of one of the best horror anthologies, The Haunting of Hill House, are so ingrained in popular culture and deliver some of the most spine-tingling and emotional sequences in all of media. A brilliant horror miniseries can make a minute feel like an hour, and an hour feel like a minute, in a format that is perfectly married with its subject matter.

10 The Stand (1994)

Starring Gary Sinise And Molly Ringwald

The Stand is a miniseries adaption of horror legend Stephen King's 1978 novel, and a great miniseries in its own right. The series is split into four episodes, each with its own title and theme: The Plague (Part 1), The Dreams (Part 2), The Betrayal (Part 3), and The Stand (Part 4), recounting the story of a world decimated by a deadly virus. It features an exceptional cast, including stars like Gary Sinise, Molly Ringwald, and Rob Lowe. The narrative sees survivors side with the 'good' Mother Abagail or the 'evil' Randall Flagg in a contest as old as time .

Director Mick Garris' previously crafted another King adaption, Sleepwalkers, in 1992, so his added experience helped produce an improved and comprehensive work this time. Though The Stand has some visual special effects that may look a little out of place in the modern day, the expansive storyline, unfolding narrative, and authentic performances — from a cast with over 125 credited speaking roles — come together to produce a series that succeeds much more than it falters. The Stand is an impressive attempt at adapting one of King's modern epics.

9 The Fall Of The House of Usher (2023)

Starring Carla Gugino And Bruce Greenwood

Mike Flanagan has established himself as an icon in modern horror productions, producing several critically acclaimed films before creating The Haunting anthology series that became a runaway smash-hit for Netflix. The Fall of the House of Usher is one of his more recent works, a modern reimagining that's fantastic. This adaption of Edgar Allan Poe's eponymous short story has all of Flanagan's award-winning trademarks. The show follows the titular Usher family, their success in business, and the circumstances leading to the horrific deaths of all six of their children in an unflinching eight-part series.

The Fall of the House of Usher is a series that has all the best elements of a horror series, wrapped up in a deep character study of a family broken by external horrors and their own internal issues. It makes more than adequate use of simmering tension, haunting visuals, and heart-pumping jump scares to illicit a visceral reaction in the audience. It's a series that goes further than just surface-level horror, creating intriguing characters and dynamics within a family that make the deaths, mysteries, and terrifying sequences that much more effective.

8 Salem’s Lot (1979)

Starring David Soul And James Mason

Acclaimed filmmaker Tobe Hooper's Salem's Lot is a two-part vampire-based miniseries adapted from King's 1975 horror novel of the same name. It's one of the horror author's most respected works, with a plot that sees a writer return back to his hometown only to find out that the locals have all fallen victim to the deadly and haunting vampire Kurt Barlow. The series has a perfectly unsettling feel, capturing that small-town, isolated atmosphere that makes for one of the best bases for a horror film or series.

The British Film Institute (BFI) listed Hooper (who previously directed The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) as one of the most influential horror filmmakers of all time. With a series like Salem's Lot, it's not hard to see why. It's a great vampire story that continues to influence many other entries in the genre, with haunting visuals, an incredibly memorable antagonist, and a perfectly paced narrative. In the novel, Kurt is a more human figure, so Hooper and screenwriter Paul Monash's decision to turn him into a staggeringly terrifying demon-like creature was a master stroke of genius that created an iconic character.

7 The Outsider (2020)

Starring Ben Mendelsohn And Jason Bateman

Another King adaption, based on his 2018 novel of the same name, The Outsider, is an intricate and gruesome drama that stars Ben Mendelsohn and Jason Bateman. It follows the story of Detective Ralph Anderson (Mendelsohn), who is investigating the brutal assault and murder of a young boy in a small community while he is also dealing with the loss of his son from cancer. Bateman delivers an electrically charged performance as Terry Maitland, the local youth baseball coach who is linked to the murder, with multiple witnesses spotting him covered in blood. However, it isn't what it seems.

The adaption is unique in its coverage of the novel, with the first two episodes covering the entire first half of the novel, then the remaining eight episodes covering the second half.

Though the pacing of the series has been criticized for being a little uneven, with some episodes flying by while others linger on more minor plot points, the quieter moments allow the action to fully capture the viewer's attention. It has a methodical timing, which helps the series build characters and the narrative into a work that is truly fascinating to watch. As the case against Terry is built and starts to falter, the supernatural elements creep in, creating stunning visuals and a truly disturbing and terrifying atmosphere in a series that has many incredible performances and bone-chilling scares.

6 Brand New Cherry Flavor (2021)

Starring Rosa Salazar And Catherine Keener

Brand New Cherry Flavor is a horror drama miniseries created for Netflix by Nick Antosca and Lenore Zion, which is an adaption from Todd Grimson's novel of the same name. It stars Rosa Salazar as aspiring actress Lisa Nova, who goes on a supernatural revenge mission throughout 1990s Los Angeles. On the surface, the premise sounds more like a thrilling drama than a horror. However, what floats beneath the sunny Californian landscape is a work full of shocking sequences and brutal action that cements its status in the horror genre.

The series is split into eight parts with a narrative that is, at times, disted and absurd. It's also also bold, innovative, and forever evolving. Brand New Cherry Flavor is watching one young woman's descent into hell, with sequences of vomiting kittens, occult rituals, and vile body horror that all connect and interplay with the narrative as to feel like an important part of the overall tapestry of both the character and the series as a whole. Salazar is completely enthralling as the nightmarish lead, creating many memorable scenes that make the series impossible to turn off.

5 Dead Set (2008)

Starring Jaime Winstone And Andy Nyman

Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker is no stranger to unique horror series with themes of a dystopian world, with his zombie horror series Dead Set being a perfect precursor to the acclaimed anthology series. Composed of only five episodes, it chronicles a zombie outbreak as told from inside the Big Brother reality show. People stay in a house in order to be watched by the public 24/7, unaware of the catastrophe happening right outside. The contestants are unaware of the horrors and chaos beyond their walls, with a horrific climax that the audience has been anticipating from the start.

Though the award-winning Black Mirror is better known, shows like Dead Set definitely deserve their praise for helping shape and elevate concepts while paving the way for Brooker's future works. Using the Big Brother framework and production was an incredibly innovative move that added a dose of realism to the premise. Fantastic performances, an intriguing story, and Brooker's trademark satirical take on society's absurdities create a masterful horror series.

4 The Haunting Of Bly Manor (2020)

Starring Oliver Jackson-Cohen And Amelia Eve

The Haunting Of Bly Manor is Mike Flanagan's second installment in his wildly popular The Haunting anthology series. The show is a loose adaption of Henry James' 1898 novel The Turn of the Screw. The series follows a young American au pair who travels to the UK in order to care for two mysterious children in the titular mansion. However, she doesn't realize knowing the true extent of the horrors the haunted manor contains. The show features many of the same cast as its predecessor, with the likes of Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Amelia Eve, and T'Nia Mille returning in different roles.

Though predominantly a horror, a large part of the series focuses on a romantic plot that provides the backdrop for all the ghostly terrors, and its nonlinear structure creates a deep sense of unease and anxiety. The atmosphere throughout the series is positively chilling, with many haunting sequences like the ghost of the lady in the lake providing one of the scariest and most haunting scenes in recent memory. Though ultimately not as scary or as polished as The Haunting of Hill House, it still stands alone as an incredibly well-produced and effective horror miniseries.

3 It (1990)

Starring Harry Anderson And Dennis Christopher

In yet another adaptation of one of Stephen King's most famous works, It is a two-part psychological drama based on his 1986 novel of the same name. The series takes place over two time periods. The first follows a group of outcast childhood friends when they confront the iconic shape-shifting menace known as Pennywise the Clown. In the second, they must return to Derry when Pennywise resurfaces to terrorize the town once again. Tim Curry gives a once-in-a-lifetime performance as Pennywise, blending childlike wonder and charm with a sadistic and evil side that creates the perfect horror villain.

It is alleged that Tim Curry was so scary and convincing as Pennywise that on set he was avoided by the rest of the cast.

In 1990, It was given a budget of $12 million by the network ABC (double the usual amount for a television production) as they saw the potential in the series. It definitely paid off in a big way. The show is one of the most memorable and popular horror series of all time, with exceptional performances, an expansive storyline, and iconic sequences that have cemented their place in pop culture. The character development and chilling visuals are some of the best in all horror, resulting in a show that truly captures the imagination and genius of the original novel.

2 Midnight Mass (2021)

Starring Kate Siegel And Zach Gilford

Midnight Mass is another one of Flanagan's best Netflix horror shows, one that truly encapsulates all the best aspects of the genre in a perfectly paced supernatural gothic story. It follows the story of former venture capitalist Riley Flynn, who returns home to the remote and mysterious Crockett Island after accidentally killing a woman in a drunk-driving accident. The show weaves together an incredibly intricate narrative about religion, faith, loyalty, and guilt, all while strange and disturbing events start to happen after a seemingly kind but quietly unnerving priest arrives on the island.

Midnight Mass hits all the right notes needed in a horror series, from exceptional performances to the chilling cinematography. At its heart is a compelling story that is easy to switch on and impossible to turn off. The deep psychological examination of all the characters combined with the emotionally raw depictions creates a truly stunning piece of television that, at times, feels more fact than fiction. Its pacing is methodical and deliberate, but the the palpable tension created by the bizarre events and the chemistry between characters means that there's never a second to relax.

1 The Haunting Of Hill House (2018)

Starring Michiel Huisman And Carla Gugino

The Magnum Opus of his career so far, The Haunting of Hill House sees Mike Flanagan deliver not just the best horror mini-series, but one of the best ever horror shows period. Loosely based on Shirley Jackson's 1959 novel of the same name, it explores two alternating plotlines, with five adult siblings reliving their childhood paranormal experiences at Hill House that continue to haunt their lives and then flashbacks of the events that showcase some of the worst horrors imaginable. The show is about family, guilt, grief, and trauma and unravels some of the darkest elements of the human psyche.

The first installment of The Haunting anthology sees Flannigan at his horrifying best, with a superb story, weaving subplots, and truly exceptional performances from all the lead actors. The visuals and editing of the series are truly groundbreaking, creating a new standard and redefining how dramatic works can be shot and presented to the audience. Every aspect of the series, from the writing and directing to the acting, music, and special effects are all spectacular. It all comes together to form a masterpiece of horror television that stands up against the best works of all time.