This isn’t a list of reality shows. Feel like watching something scary but don’t want to sit through a two hour movie? I’ve got your back. 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. Since it’s National Paranormal Month (ThePhilFactor, copyright pending), I got to thinking about the best paranormal 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 paranormal show. I didn’t see it in it’s first run obviously, but saw it later in re-runs. It premiered in 1959, ran for four seasons, and then returned for two seasons in 2019/2020. I fly fairly regularly 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 ran on network TV from 1993-2002 and spawned two movies in 1998 and 2008, followed by a return to the small screen for single seasons in 2016 and 2018. 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 show? Who heard of one but not the other? The American Gothic I’m referring to ran from 1995-1998. Interestingly, it was written by 1970’s bubble gum pop singer Sean Cassidy.
My sister, Sharon, will love this. She had this poster on her wall.
I didn’t see American Gothic, 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 by the same name.
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. Also the producers never know when to stop putting out new seasons.
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 always watched it, but it always freaked me out.
Kingdom Hospital: Also known as Stephen King’s Kingdom Hospital. In 2004 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: It was a new series in 2016. Season 4 was out in summer 2022 and there will be a season 5… next year when the kids will all be 40 years old and getting divorces. This show set out to capture the aura of those cool, creepy 80’s Stephen King based movies and 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 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.
Be careful when you google “Twin Peaks”, because there is a Hooters type restaurant chain that is also named Twin Peaks. I’ve heard the food is delicious. (Btw, if Hooters and Twin Peaks would give me a backlink, that would be awesome.) Who is thinking “Why does Phil know so much about this Twin Peaks “restaurant?”
So what did I miss? What would you add to my best paranormal shows 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 Wednesday! ~Phil
