There’s nothing I enjoy more than being on the edge of my seat. I’m not talking horror or gore. I’m talking pure, can’t take your eyes off the screen, I can’t believe this is happening suspense. With the news that the early 90’s classic Twin Peaks would be returning next year with eighteen new episodes I began re-watching seasons 1 & 2 from 1990 and 1991. I also got to thinking about the best suspense TV shows I’ve watched. I’ve watched 8 of the 10 on the list and included the two others on reputation. This is a very subjective list, so if you have other suggestions I’d love to hear them.
Twilight Zone: This may be the original classic suspense show. I didn’t see it in it’s first run, but saw it later in re-runs. I fly fairly regularly for my job and I’m always tempted to yell ‘There’s a man on the wing!” If you get the reference, in the comments tell me what actor screamed it.
The X-Files: A 90’s classic that returned to the small screen for a limited run earlier this year. It was great in it’s time and improved as it grew in popularity. Not every episode was the perfect cocktail of suspense and disbelief, but it was often enough to make my list.
American Gothic: Maybe I just like this because I have the painting on a tie. Which is more famous, the painting or the movie? Who heard of one but not the other? I didn’t see this show, but loved the title and heard others give it high praise. You win 50 points to spend in The Phil Factor gift shop if you can tell me, without looking it up, what artist did the famous painting.
LOST: Apparently I’m stuck in the 90’s. For one glorious season LOST was awesomely suspenseful and mysterious. Then the writers all seemed to lose their minds.
The Walking Dead: There’s just so many. So many zombies. Just the tiniest scratch. Any moment you could become one of them. Your group is getting picked off one by one. There could be one or one hundred around any corner. You just never know.
American Horror Story: I haven’t watched this one. Yet. I plan to, but no one else in my family wants to see it, so I have to find some time to watch when no one is around. That’s the best time to watch scary stuff anyway, right?
In Search Of… Leonard Nimoy rest in peace. This was a late 70’s-early 80’s show that was part documentary, part reality show where they tried to debunk paranormal phenomena. As a kid I wanted to watch but it always freaked me out.
Kingdom Hospital: Also known as Stephen King’s Kingdom Hospital. This was a one season series that was based on a Danish show. Look it up on Netflix or Hulu. Completely creepy, suspenseful and weird. I loved it.
Stranger Things: Check this one out on Netflix. It was a new series for 2016. It’s only 8 episodes but a season 2 has been ordered. This show set out to capture the aura of those cool, creepy 80’s Stephen King based movies and it succeeded brilliantly.
Twin Peaks: As I said, I recently began re-watching the original series and it stands the test of time. It’s still awesomely creepy and weird. If you were a fan of the show and want to see a funny, hour-long spoof featuring many of the actors and actresses from the original look up the show Psych on Netflix and find the Dual Spires episode in the 2010/5th season of the show. After you do that, go back and watch the entire Psych series from season 1. It’s brilliantly funny with a little suspense.
So what did I miss? What would you add to the list and what would you take away? Please give opinions and suggestions. I’d love some good, new or old shows to watch. Have a great Tuesday! ~Phil
Wasn’t it Shatner? I like many of your choices. Mysterious and spooky beats slash and sick any day.
Yes it was William Shatner!
In the UK growing up we had some really weird shit on TV that was scary as hell disguised as entertainment: https://gluestickmum.wordpress.com/2014/08/14/hiding-behind-the-sofa/ Turns out we should have been mostly scared of Rolf Harris and Jimmy Saville though. Truly terrifying!
I’ll check those out! I love British TV.
Shatner was in two episodes of TZ.
The TZ movie did a good job with that episode as well.
I loved Stranger Things and can’t wait for the series next year.
Lynn 😀
Me too! I was so disappointed there wasn’t more. Have you heard when the second season might start?
I’ve never saw any of these
I don’t know why
I think the movie and painting
Are less popular than your tie.
Too funny!
Stranger Things was so good – for the 80s vibe alone. Tried to rewatch Twin Peaks in anticipation of new season but lost interest. I say ‘rewatch’, I never fully saw the first run – it was what all the cool kids watched and I was never cool enough! I did read Laura Palmer’s diary though 🙂 Have you seen Orphan Black? More sci-fi than creepy, unless clones scare you. And Being Human is a very British show about a ghost, vampire and werewolf who live together – first seasons were pretty good. Westworld is my new Lost.
So funny that we were both commenting on each other’s posts at the same time! We must have a psychic connection!
As for Stranger Things, back in the 80’s I would have fit right in with that group of kids. Funny coincidence is that when I wrote my book The Sneaker Tree three years ago I was trying to capture the same 80’s vibe and my book has a group of kids like that. I think Stranger Things stole from my book!
Sue for royalties!! 😉 I never thought to mention Most Haunted until you commented on my post – but yes, if it’s available check it out, if only for laughs. They did do a season in the US, remember they went to Salem and the Queen Mary (think that’s right) at least.
Hey Haylee! I’m going to go do this in about a half hour: http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-york/gravity-hill-ny/
I can’t view the link!! 😔
I like many of those. I like creepy tv, but not blood and gore tv, which is what AHS became after a few seasons. Murder House was the best one, in my opinion.
American Gothic was that thing we just watched with the Silver Bells Killer, yeah? That was pretty good.
Love X Files, Twilight Zone, and Twin Peaks. LOVE.
The painting is by Grant Wood, no cheating necessary.
You MUST watch American Horror Story. I can’t wait to get home from work each Thursday so watch the latest season. Also, have you heard of Tales Of The Unexpected. It’s a British show?
This episode really freaked me out when I was a kid https://youtu.be/sIjnecvezEg
I’ll check it out
I’m not a big fan of scary/creepy , but Twilight Zone, X-Files, and Twin Peaks get full points from me!
You missed DARK SHADOWS, THRILLER, and ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS.
There are others but they don’t come to mind right now.
American Horror Story is a must watch! Oh my god i have watched 5 seasons of it and it is just out of this world! Each season is just brilliant. Its definitely creepy but good creepy meaning that you would want to watch the rest cause its just so fascinating! i cant wait to watch the 6th season on Netflix when it comes out!