15 Amazing Horror Shows Recommended by Stephen King (2024)

Author Stephen King has been referred to by many as one of the modern masters of the horror genre. King is known for novels such as "The Shining," "Carrie," and "The Shawshank Redemption," in addition to numerous others across genres. Adaptations of King's works have gone on to become iconic films and television series. For these reasons, Stephen King is a trusted source for recommendations for horror media and regularly offers his two cents on horror media being discussed online.

Stephen King is also known for his notorious posting on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Many of King's viral tweets have responded to high-profile political or cultural moments, but the author also blends his love for horror media with his social media habits. Using X, King has rubber-stamped his approval on some horror series, indicating high praise from a true horror icon.

Updated on October 17, 2024 by Lynette Guzman: With many streaming platforms to find great television shows, horror fans have many options. This list was expanded to include more of the best horror shows recommended by Stephen King and updated to follow CBR's current formatting standards.

15 NOS4A2 Blends Surrealism and Horror

The Best Horror Stories Often Imitate Real Life

NOS4A2 is based on a novel penned by Joe Hill, son of the novelist Stephen King. Hill's literary prowess is undeniable, and he stands on his own as a novelist outside his parentage. NOS4A2 follows a young woman with a gift that ties her to a seemingly immortal being who preys on children for their souls. NOS4A2 takes viewers on a journey to take down the evil being and rescue his victims.

• Pennywise, the clown from Stephen King's IT, appears in the background at several points in the series.

Stephen King has praised Hill's novelization and television adaptation of NOS4A2, with King stating on X that the show is "doing something network TV can't or won't do -- showing working-class people doing their jobs and trying their damnedest (sometimes failing) to be decent." King's praise signifies the expertise of NOS4A2 at blending human elements into an otherworldly series to evoke the subtle horrors of everyday life. With so many highly acclaimed horror shows, NOS4A2 lands at the bottom of this list.

NOS4A2

TV-14

Drama

Sci-Fi

Fantasy

It follows Vic McQueen, a young woman with a supernatural ability to find lost things, as she confronts the immortal Charlie Manx, who feeds on children's souls. As Vic uncovers her own powers, she becomes the only one who can stop Manx's twisted world, Christmasland, and save his victims.

Release Date

June 2, 2019

Creator(s)

Joe Hill , Jami O'Brien

Cast

Ashleigh Cummings , Ólafur Darri Ólafsson , Ebon Moss-Bachrach , Virginia Kull , Zachary Quinto

Main Genre

Sci-Fi

Seasons

2

Network

AMC

Streaming Service(s)

Hulu

14 Chapelwaite Expands a Stephen King Short Story

The Salem's Lot Prologue Serves as a Thrilling Period Piece

Based on Stephen King's short story "Jerusalem's Lot," Chapelwaite is a horror series that follows the dark family history of Captain Charles Boone. In King's overview of Chapelwaite on X, he reveals that he wrote the original short story in college. Years later, King decided it would become the prologue to his novel "Salem's Lot." The expansion of King's tale provides more depth to Chapelwaite characters, capturing the Boone family's complicated dynamics.

Set in the 1850s, Chapelwaite is a gothic thriller full of world-building in the town of Preacher's Corners. Critics praise the show for its mysterious atmosphere and visual style. Viewers looking for more shows with supernatural events can turn to Chapelwaite as a perfect show for binge-watching. Chapelwaite's slow-burn plot sets audiences up for creepy and suspenseful moments later in the series.

Chapelwaite

TV-MA

Drama

Mystery

Release Date

August 22, 2021

Creator(s)

Peter Filardi , Jason Filardi

Cast

Adrien Brody , Emily Hampshire , Jennifer Ens , Sirena Gulamgaus , Ian Ho , Genevieve DeGraves , Christopher Heyerdahl , Julian Richings , Glen Lefchak , Charlie Rhindress , Allegra Fulton , Donovan Colan , Eric Peterson , Gord Rand , Hugh Thompson , Michael Hough , Gabrielle Rose , Joanne Boland , Devante Senior , Jennie Raymond , Dean Armstrong , Lily Gao

Main Genre

Drama

Seasons

1

Streaming Service(s)

HBO Max , Apple TV+

Story By

stephen king

Writers

Stephen King

Directors

Stephen King

13 The Passage Combines Drama and Vampire Horror

Fans of the Novel Series Get a Thrilling Post-Apocalyptic Adaptation

Based on a trio of novels by Justin Cronin, The Passage is a vampire horror television series set in a secret medical facility called Project Noah. Scientists experiment on a group of inmates with a deadly virus, turning them into highly infectious vampires who pose an existential crisis to humans. The Passage follows Amy Bellafonte, a young test subject, and Federal Agent Brad Wolgast, who protects the orphan girl throughout the series.

Stephen King recommends The Passage, though he notes that the flashbacks can fill like filler for viewers. Fans of the show appreciate Agent Wolgast's protective father role he takes on to Amy, as she is positioned as humanity's only hope to avoid a vampire apocalypse. Despite stellar acting by the leads, however, many viewers have critiqued The Passage's over-the-top plot. The Passage only ran for one season on Fox before its cancellation.

The Passage

TV-14

Drama

Action

Adventure

When a botched U.S. government experiment turns a group of death row inmates into highly infectious vampires, an orphan girl might be the only person able to stop the ensuing crisis.

Release Date

January 14, 2019

Cast

Mark-Paul Gosselaar , Saniyya Sidney , Jamie McShane , Caroline Chikezie , Emmanuelle Chriqui

Main Genre

Drama

Seasons

1

Creator

Liz Heldens

See Also

The Steller Cast Behind Kung Fu Pandas Characters Including Angelina Jolie As Tigress

12 La Mante Delivers a New Take on a Classic Crime Premise

Fans of the True Crime Genre Will Enjoy This Creepy TV Series

La Mante is a French horror series that follows a mother and son duo with a complex relationship. In the television show, a young investigator must unwillingly consult with his serial killer mother to solve the murders of a serial killer who is copycatting her crimes. Aptly named, La Mante follows the activities of the serial killer, Jeanne Deber, nicknamed "The Mantis."

The general concept of La Mante may be similar to movies such as The Silence of The Lambs or TV series such as Prodigal Son. In contrast to these types of stories, La Mante puts a unique spin by ramping up the horror and adding a new level of internal tension to the family dynamics. With strong performances and rich storytelling, La Mante is a great watch for viewers to dive into an interesting and macabre plot.

La Mante

TV-14

Drama

Crime

Release Date

September 4, 2017

Creator(s)

Alice Chegaray-Breugnot , Grégoire Demaison , Nicolas Jean

Cast

Carole Bouquet , Fred Testot , Manon Azem , Pascal Demolon

Main Genre

Drama

Seasons

1

Streaming Service(s)

Netflix

Directors

Alexandre Laurent

11 Creepshow Brings Old-School Horror Comics to Life

The Anthology Adaptation Continues the Story of 1982's Creepshow Film

Fans of the George Romero and Stephen King 1982 film will appreciate the Creepshow series reboot, which emulates the same tone of the original anthology. In the show, The Creep tells spooky stories about demons, ghosts, vampires, zombies and more creepy creatures from the infamous Creepshow comic book. Stephen King noted on X that there are plenty of Easter eggs for viewers to find in the series as well.

As an homage to horror comics like Tales from the Crypt, the Creepshow franchise has made its mark in comics, film, television and even a Creepshow board game. Short stories in the Creepshow television series include original stories and adaptations, with two horror stories featured in each episode of the show. Fans love the witty tone and fun ghoulish puppet host that bring a charming element to the anthology.

Creepshow

Horror

Fantasy

Mystery

Release Date

September 26, 2019

Seasons

4

Streaming Service(s)

Prime Video

Story By

stephen king

Writers

Stephen King

Directors

Stephen King

Showrunner

David Bruckner , Stephen King

10 Yellowjackets Is a Critical Streaming Sensation

The Popular Thriller-Drama Offers More Than a Typical Survival Series

Yellowjackets has been one of the most discussed horror series ever since it debuted in 2021. The survival series follows a high school girls' soccer team traveling from New Jersey to Seattle who suddenly become stranded in the Canadian wilderness after a plane crash. The girls are forced to adapt to their new environment in Yellowjackets as they spend months stranded, taking dire measures to survive. The raw and visceral themes imposed by a survival story flawlessly allow space for a horror element to fit into the story.

Yellowjackets invokes elements of horror and mystery to elevate the show beyond a typical survival series. King himself said on X that Yellowjackets has "sharp characterization and a mordant sense of humor" alongside a great mystery and horrifying moments. As one of the best new horror series on the market, Yellowjackets lands in the top 10 on this list of horror shows recommended by Stephen King. Fans can look forward to a third season of Yellowjackets debuting in 2025.

Yellowjackets

TV-MA

Horror

Mystery

Drama

Release Date

November 14, 2021

Cast

Melanie Lynskey , Juliette Lewis , Sophie Thatcher , Warren Kole , Jasmin Savoy Brown , Tawny Cypress , Steven Krueger , Christina Ricci , Ella Purnell , Sophie Nélisse

Main Genre

Horror

Seasons

2

Cinematographer

Julie Kirkwood, C. Kim Miles, Trevor Forrest, Shasta Spahn

Creator

Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson

Distributor

Showtime Networks

Main Characters

Shauna Shipman, Taissa Turner, Jackie Taylor, Ben Scott, Natalie Scatorccio, Vanessa Palmer, Lottie Matthews

Producer

Ani Arutyunyan, Jonathan Lisco, Ashley Lyle

Production Company

Creative Engine Entertainment, Entertainment One

Sfx Supervisor

Douglas W. Beard

Writers

Ashley Lyle , Bart Nickerson , Katherine Kearns , Liz Phang , Ameni Rozsa , Sarah L. Thompson , Jonathan Lisco , Chantelle Wells , Cameron Brent Johnson

Number of Episodes

10 (Season 2 Count 10 expected)

9 Midnight Mass Is Peak Religious Horror

Director Mike Flanagan Brings Another Stellar Horror Show to Netflix

These days it is impossible to discuss the horror genre without Mike Flanagan's name coming into discussion. Mike Flanagan is a fantastic director known for directing horror films like Oculus. Flanagan has two upcoming film projects, including the Stephen King adaptation Life of Chuck and an Exorcist film revival. A massive source of Flanagan's notoriety comes from his direction in a slew of Netflix horror television series, including the gothic supernatural miniseries called Midnight Mass.

• Midnight Mass has been referenced as a book title in Mike Flanagan's films Gerald's Game and Hush.

Midnight Mass follows a small town that transforms for the worse when a charismatic new priest takes over the local parish and begins preying on the townspeople's divisions. Midnight Mass is beloved by critics and fans alike, and Stephen King was no exception. King wrote on X, "MIDNIGHT MASS, on Netflix: Mike Flanagan has created a dense, beautifully photographed terror tale that climbs to a high pitch of horror by the 7th and last episode," praising the show's stunning visuals as one of the best religious horror works of the past decade.

Midnight Mass

TV-MA

Horror

Drama

Fantasy

The arrival of a charismatic priest brings miracles, mysteries and renewed religious fervour to a dying town.

Release Date

September 24, 2021

Creator(s)

Mike Flanagan

Cast

Kate Siegel , Zach Gilford , Kristin Lehman , Samantha Sloyan

Main Genre

Horror

Seasons

1

Network

Netflix

Streaming Service(s)

Netflix

8 Castle Rock Captivates Audiences With Its Dark Storytelling

Stephen King's Psychological Horror Multiverse Is a Must-Watch Series

Adapted from Stephen King's fictional Maine town of the same name, Castle Rock is a supernatural horror series that is perfect for fans of King's work. Castle Rock follows Henry Deaver, an attorney who returns to Castle Rock to investigate a mystery. The psychological thriller brings suspense and intrigue to viewers with a talented cast, all set in Stephen King's multiverse.

Fans of mystery and thriller genres will enjoy Castle Rock for its thoughtful writing, slow pace and intense moments. As Stephen King shared on X, each episode of Castle Rock improves upon the previous one, though some viewers found the pacing to be too slow. Besides the many Easter eggs from King's work, Castle Rock still pleases audiences with its positive critic reviews and compelling cast of characters.

Castle Rock

TV-MA

Fantasy

Horror

Based on the stories of Stephen King, the series intertwines characters and themes from the fictional town of Castle Rock.

Release Date

July 25, 2018

Creator(s)

Sam Shaw , Dustin Thomason

Cast

Bill Skarsgard , Andre Holland , Lizzy Caplan , Melanie Lynskey

Main Genre

Drama

Seasons

2 Seasons

Streaming Service(s)

Hulu

Characters By

Stephen King

Creator

Producer

Scott Brown, Tamara Isaac, Robin Sweet, Debbie Hayn-Cass

Production Company

Bad Robot, Old Curiosity Shop, Warner Bros.

Story By

Stephen King

Number of Episodes

20 Episodes

7 Dracula Adds a New Take to the Iconic Franchise Canon

The 2020 Vampire Horror Adaptation Is Bloody and Brilliant

It's safe to say that Dracula is one of the most popular works of horror to ever grace the page or the screen. Dracula has become a household name due to Bram Stoker's famous novel and its resulting adaptations being so prevalent for hundreds of years after the original text was penned in the 19th century. The 2020 miniseries crafted by the BBC and Netflix was a popular adaptation of the original canon story.

Dracula remained mostly faithful to the original text but also injected new elements of horror that kept seasoned fans from losing interest in a repetitive story. Dracula also breathes new life into the undead central character by organizing the story in a way that gives him more time to shine while exploring new territory for the franchise.

Dracula (2020)

TV-14

Horror

Action

Drama

Fantasy

Release Date

January 4, 2020

Cast

Claes Bang , Dolly Wells , Morfydd Clark , Lydia West

Main Genre

Horror

Seasons

1

6 Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities Is Rife With Creative Horror Stories

A Highly-Praised Anthology Makes a Top-Tier Series in the Horror Genre

Guillermo del Toro has directed films such as Pan's Labyrinth and The Shape of Water but turned his attention to television to direct a horror anthology series for Netflix. Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities crafts eight modern horror stories that ooze Gothic style and sophistication. Guillermo del Toro himself introduces every story to set the stage for the tale of horror that will follow.

Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities received praise from many critics and reviewers. King's approval of Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities accentuates the visual beauty of the series contributed by del Toro's directorial mastery and undeniable talent for crafting horror stories. With impressive special effects, a fantastic cast and a range of stories with compelling moral lessons, Cabinet of Curiosities rates high among audiences.

Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities

TV-MA

Horror

Mystery

Drama

Bizarre nightmares unfold in eight tales of terror in a visually stunning, spine-tingling horror collection curated by Guillermo del Toro.

Release Date

October 25, 2022

Creator(s)

Guillermo del Toro

Cast

Lize Johnston , Kevin Keppy , Ben Barnes , Peter Weller

Main Genre

Horror

Seasons

1

Network

Netflix

Streaming Service(s)

Netflix

5 Servant Ties in Horror Elements to a Story of Grief

M. Night Shamalan's Psychological Horror Is Creepy and Bingeable

Servant is a psychological horror series that follows a grieving duo of parents who are attempting a new form of therapy with a doll that mimics their deceased child. When the parents hire a nanny to watch over the doll, strange events begin to occur within the home, like the infant coming to life. Servant excels at crafting a psychological horror series that draws on themes of grief and loss.

Stephen King praised Servant on X, saying, "SERVANT, on Apple+: Extremely creepy and totally involving. Two episodes, and I'm hooked." Servant's thematic use of grief as a driving force draws on complex emotional experiences to craft a dynamic plot. With bold psychological elements that shock viewers with a mindblowing story, Servant lands in the top 5 best horror shows on this list of Stephen King recommendations.

Servant

TV-MA

Drama

Horror

Mystery

A Philadelphia couple are in mourning after an unspeakable tragedy creates a rift in their marriage and opens a door for a mysterious force to enter their home.

Release Date

November 28, 2019

Cast

Lauren Ambrose , Toby Kebbell , Nell Tiger Free , Rupert Grint

Creator

Tony Basgallop

Streaming Service(s)

Apple TV+

4 The Outsider Blends Horror and Mystery Flawlessly

The Suspenseful Series Is One of the Best Stephen King Adaptations

Based on a 2018 Stephen King novel of the same name, The Outsider follows a supernatural investigation after a young boy's murder shakes up a town. The psychological thriller pairs a police detective and a Little League coach to investigate the strange events impacting their town. The Outsider was released as a 10-episode limited series in 2020.

With a mixture of true crime and horror, The Outsider keeps viewers intrigued with its slow burn of a mystery. Its visual style brings out superb cinematography that showcases a solid storyline portrayed by an incredible cast. As an adaptation, The Outsider is top-notch with Stephen King sharing his praises on X that the series is one of the best adaptations of his work. Despite such high acclaim from the original author, The Outsider only ran for one season on HBO before being declined for a second season on the network.

The Outsider (2020)

TV-MA

When an insidious supernatural force edges its way into a seemingly straightforward investigation into the gruesome murder of a young boy, it leads a seasoned cop and an unorthodox investigator to question everything they believe in.

Release Date

January 12, 2020

Cast

Jason Bateman , Bill Camp , Ben Mendelsohn , Jeremy Bobb

Main Genre

Thriller

Creator

Richard Price

3 From Terrifies Viewers With Its Premise and Visuals

The Science-Fiction Horror Series Creates a Haunting Atmosphere

From is one of the most disturbing series on television, combining science-fiction horror with a mystery to create a unique kind of terror that chills the hearts of viewers. The 2022 series follows the secretive residents of a small town where the people cannot leave, and the woods surrounding the town are home to horrifying creatures that hunt at night. From has a third season debuting in 2024, and fans are eagerly waiting for the next part of this story.

Stephen King spoke about From on X, saying, "FROM: I'm three episodes in. Wonderful concept, beautifully handled. Is it possible these people are dead and don't know it? The spike through the head...holy cow." The concept of the residents being trapped in the town allows internal conflict to turn into its own unique kind of horror. This choice also complements the classic horror elements found in the monsters living in the woods, making From a compelling choice for horror fans.

7

10

From

TV-MA

Horror

Drama

Mystery

In a nightmarish town that traps all who enter, residents struggle to survive while uncovering the town's dark secrets. As they seek a way out, they must contend with terrifying creatures that emerge at night, threatening their lives and sanity. The Matthews family, new arrivals, must quickly adapt to survive the horrors within the town.

Release Date

February 20, 2022

Cast

Harold Perrineau , Catalina Sandino Moreno , Eion Bailey , David Alpay , Elizabeth Saunders , Shaun Majumder , Scott McCord , Ricky He , Chloe Van Landschoot , Pegah Ghafoori , Corteon Moore , Hannah Cheramy , Simon Webster , Avery Konrad , Paul Zinno

Main Genre

Drama

Seasons

3

Creator(s)

John Griffin

Writers

John Griffin , Jeff Pinkner

Streaming Service(s)

MGM+

Directors

Jack Bender , Brad Turner

2 Dark Blends Science Fiction and Horror

A German Netflix Series Explores Dark and Complex Time Travel

Dark is widely regarded as one of the best series of the 21st century. The German-language series blends elements of science fiction, crime and horror to craft one of the best original series Netflix has ever created. Dark follows four families whose lives are forever impacted when children start going missing in a small German town. Dark grows more complex as time travel becomes involved in a conspiracy involving a wormhole.

No stranger to science fiction series tinged with horror, Stephen King praised Dark on X, stating, "DARK (Netflix) is dark and complex...and...well...very German. Terrific show..." King's praise of Dark reinforces the overwhelming critical praise for the iconic series. Dark is a multi-genre phenomenon that takes viewers on a whirling genre throughout time and befuddles the heart as well as the mind.

Dark

TV-MA

Drama

Crime

Mystery

Sci-Fi

Thriller

Release Date

December 1, 2017

Cast

Louis Hofmann , Karoline Eichhorn , Maja Schöne , Jordis Triebel

Main Genre

Drama

Seasons

3

1 Marianne Brings Terrifying Creatures From Page to Screen

The Short-Lived Horror Series Impresses Stephen King

Netflix's horror series Marianne is a French language series with an abundance of terrifying scares. Marianne follows a young horror novelist who discovers the characters and events she writes in her stories actually exist in the real world. Marianne is undeniably terrifying while embracing the power of creativity in its unique style that brings viewers a classic horror experience, which is why the series lands the top spot on this list.

Stephen King laid some heavy praise on the series while posting on X, indicating that fans of his work would enjoy the series as well. Marianne blends highly personable characters with truly horrifying moments and wraps up the story with a fantastic overall premise. Unfortunately, Marianne was canceled after one season on Netflix, but viewers who have a subscription can watch the brief glimpse into its horror.

Marianne

TV-MA

Horror

Drama

Mystery

Release Date

September 13, 2019

Cast

Victoire Du Bois , Ralph Amoussou

Main Genre

Horror

Seasons

1