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- It won't be long until 2023 is here, and that year marks the 30th anniversary of the first season of The X-Files. That show helped usher in a new generation of horror TV shows, few of which ever matched its level of success. However, there are a lot of great horror shows from the 90s that might not have had The X-Files' staying power, and many that some people have still yet to discover. From vampire detective shows and anthologies to comic adaptations and scary animated hits, there is something from the decade for everyone.
Horror as a genre has been spooking television viewers for several decades, ranging from silly comedic sitcoms to terrifying strictly-for-adults fare. Back in the day, lots of shows like The Twilight Zone would be solely anthology tales, showcasing a different chilling story every episode. The television landscape changed, however, as more story-driven shows like Buffy The Vampire Slayer and The X-Files propelled horror into the modern age.
The 90s were ripe with unique and imaginative shows as ideas that required bigger budgets became achievable, and animation could be produced much more quickly and with more resources. This led to many amazing series that horror fans hold near and dear to their heart, but have surprisingly become forgotten by viewers over the years.
UPDATE: 2022/10/15 21:59 EST BY SHAWN S. LEALOS
It won't be long until 2023 is here, and that year marks the 30th anniversary of the first season of The X-Files. That show helped usher in a new generation of horror TV shows, few of which ever matched its level of success. However, there are a lot of great horror shows from the 90s that might not have had The X-Files' staying power, and many that some people have still yet to discover. From vampire detective shows and anthologies to comic adaptations and scary animated hits, there is something from the decade for everyone.
Forever Knight (1992-1996)
Stream now on Prime Video
Forever Knight did something interesting the year before The X-Files hit TV in the 90s. Much like the 70s series Kolchak: The Night Stalker, this was a supernatural detective series. Instead of the reporter searching out monsters, it was a monster working for the police.
Nick Knight worked the graveyard shift on the Toronto police force. However, what his fellow officers didn't know was that he was also an 800-year-old vampire. This allowed the show to switch between him investigating regular crimes and dealing with other supernatural threats.
American Gothic (1995-1996)
Buy now on Prime Video
American Gothic had a lot going for it when it came out in 1995. The show had a great cast and an interesting premise, with Sam Raimi serving as a producer. It also rode the coattails of the very successful The X-Files. However, CBS couldn't get enough eyes on it, and it ended after one season. CBS was to blame, as it showed episodes out of order and confused fans turned away.
Gary Cole starred as the corrupt sheriff of the town of Trinity, South Carolina who will break any law, no matter how depraved, and has supernatural powers allowing him to get away with it. He kills a woman and convinces her husband to take his own life, and then takes their newly orphaned son as his own. However, this boy has powers too, and a battle for control begins. This show was disturbing in the best ways and has since become a cult classic.
Millennium (1996-1999)
Not available to Stream
A lot of people might not remember that The X-Files spawned two spin-offs during its time on the air. One was The Lone Gunmen, which lasted for only 13 episodes. However, the better spin-off was the 1990s horror series Millennium. Lance Henriksen starred as former FBI agent Frank Black, a man who can see into the minds of criminals.
It wasn't until the second season that the supernatural elements seeped in and this became more of a horror series, although it was always dark and disturbing. It lasted three seasons, and there was an X-Files crossover that served as the official finale for Frank's story.
Swamp Thing: The Series (1990-1993)
Buy now on Prime Video
In the 1980s, there were two Swamp Thing movies and more recently, there was an incredibly underrated Swamp Thing series on the now-defunct DC Universe streaming service. However, in between, the 90s presented fans with the forgotten horror series about the DC hero that lasted for three seasons on the USA Network.
The series followed the same basic storyline, with Dick Durock reprising the role he played in the two 80s movies for the series. The series took things more seriously than the movies and received great ratings, despite receiving mixed reviews.
Freaky Stories (1997-1999)
Stream now on Tubi
A blue cockroach and a gassy, slimy maggot were the silly puppet hosts of this beloved Canadian anthology show, which took place in a diner where the stories were told. Each episode contained several short animated tales of urban legends, weird occurrences, and comically bizarre scenarios.
Each story began with the narrator saying "This is a true story, it happened to a friend of a friend of mine..." which helped to embrace the unreliable narrator feel that the series was going for. On top of being creepy and surreal, it was very darkly funny.
Eerie, Indiana (1991-1992)
Stream now on Roku
An early-90s shortly-lived series that was aimed at older kids and teens, Eerie, Indiana took place in a small town with a population of 16,661. With the number of the beast in there, it is clear that there is a reference to something sinister afoot.
The series featured the typical traits of a small town but where something felt ominous, with every episode containing a new mystery, along with continuing storylines through the seasons. Weird happenings such as paranormal activities, urban legends, and creepy beings lurked throughout the town, and it also referenced old monster movie tropes. The show was not without a sense of humor and also broke the fourth wall on occasion. It even had several episodes directed by Joe Dante of Gremlins fame.
Tales From The Crypt (1989-1996)
Not available to Stream
This horror anthology series brought some real R-rated horror to television in the early 90s, as each episode had viewers greeted by The Cryptkeeper, a ghoulish reanimated corpse that gleefully told tales of horror. The show was based on the 1950s comics series by EC Comics, giving it more of an adult and modern take.
The fact that the show was produced by HBO allowed it to be as gratuitous as it wanted, with graphic violence and nudity featured throughout. Tales from the Crypt featured tons of well-known actors in very memorable episodes too.
Tales From The Cryptkeeper (1993-1999)
Stream now on Prime Video
The animated spinoff of sorts went with a name change to differ the series (as to keep the very adult one separate) and featured a very toned-down offering of horror tales similar to its counterpart. The Cryptkeeper was animated this time around and was able to move about in his castle, acting more light-hearted but still remaining sinister and looking to teach a dark lesson through his stories.
In the book Tales from the Crypt: The Official Archives, it was also revealed that the show had even hired a child psychologist to review scripts in case anything was too horrific for children. The show was revived in the late 90s as New Tales From The Cryptkeeper as well.
The Outer Limits (1995-2002)
Stream now on Roku
The 90s reboot of the 60s anthology show, The Outer Limits (1995) revived the classic mystery/sci-fi/horror tales that the original made so famous decades prior. Although the effects look dated now, the revamped intro, including the foreboding voice and music, was amazing at the time, as it added to the overall eeriness.
For fans of the original, it's definitely worth checking out to see what the difference in time periods brings to the new stories, and overall, horror fans will find much to love here.
Nightmare Café (1992)
Not available to Stream
This very short series ran for only six episodes, which is surprising seeing as how it was created by Wes Craven and starred his frequent collaborator Robert Englund (known by many as the original Freddy Krueger). Based around a strange café that mysteriously appears in locations with a cast of strange characters, including Englund as the owner, it takes on a world of its own when random strangers enter its doors.
The show explored themes of morals, destiny, and second chances, giving characters the ability to enter portals to different dimensions and time periods, and even places that are out of this world. What happens appears to be up to the café, as it seems to have a life of its own, and things don't always go as planned.
Poltergeist: The Legacy (1996-1999)
Stream now on Roku
Some fans of the Poltergeist series of films might not even know this television series existed at all. The only thing that connects the two is the Poltergeist name, as the series is centered around a society known as the Legacy (who study and protect others from supernatural and occult dangers).
While the film series centers around a central family, and several psychics and shamans helping them with the paranormal activity, the series has an unrelated team of investigators, doctors, priests, and more. Throughout the show, they work together to solve these ghostly matters before they can harm and possess other innocent people. It's easy to see how some horror fans could have easily missed this one altogether.
Beetlejuice (1989-1991)
Not available to Stream
Tim Burton's classic 1988 film of the same name wowed audiences with its imaginative effects, otherworldly comedy, and memorable performances. It wasn't totally aimed at kids but was more or less suitable for them to watch, which led to ABC developing it into a children's cartoon (with the help from Burton to make it authentic).
Danny Elfman's quirky and whimsical theme song scored the show's intro, as the series focused more on Beetlejuice himself, as he and Lydia go on wild adventures through the unique worlds of the living and dead. Fans of modern shows like Rick & Morty would be able to see how a show like this could influence cartoons for years to come.