Rather than outright narratives, which are already countless and continue to expand, let’s review more sincere explorations of the supernatural. And perhaps a few that are just good fun.
Nothing here would please the slightest skeptic, because simply opening up to the discussion is beyond the comfort zone. Still, there is a larger audience for these shows than some might think. The paranormal, cryptozoology and the like are fascinating and entertaining, and they certainly invite plenty of travel. Consequently, many shows that dare to ponder such things ultimately reveal plenty of compelling facts about new cultures, settings, and even nature.
Ancient Aliens
Quite possibly the silliest among its peers, this can be a surprisingly entertaining show. The trick is that the show asks strange questions, which most couldn’t imagine. But it certainly delves into ancient cultures, which are interesting in their own right.
History’s oldest civilizations are brimming with intriguing beliefs, traditions and mysteries. Relating them to the titular entities isn’t even necessary to enjoy tales of the past. But the show’s wild theories are actually part of its appeal.
MonsterQuest
This is a unique show that thrives on documenting nature in its pursuit of the paranormal. As such, it is unexpectedly informative, as the titular quests reveal quite a lot about very real creatures. In fact, it often seeks out natural animals that may explain some of the stranger encounters.
Given this approach, there is far more empirical evidence here than usual, making it far more accessible for the uninitiated. The show travels to remote, interesting areas and also unfolds with a pleasing pace. Anyone who enjoys typical nature shows can dip their toe in supernatural water here, and still have a decent time.
Beyond Belief: Fact Or Fiction
Host Jonathan Frakes, who just recently reprised his classic Star Trek role, is perfectly suited for this anthology show. The premise is quite unusual, recounting multiple bizarre tales through re-enactments, one of which is allegedly true. The show invites its viewers to guess which stories were false, which allows a great deal of narrative freedom.
Although the performances leave something to be desired, as all re-enactments do, the show has an immersive appeal akin to a Telltale game. Most satisfying of all, is when a particularly unconvincing story is proposed to be true. It might just have you researching for answers.
Destination Truth
This is yet another show that flaunts its age, but remains charming nonetheless. Truly a product of its time, the camerawork is dramatic, and the pacing is absolutely frenetic. Few shows about the strange move this quickly, usually bogged down by endless interviews or re-enactments.
Instead, this series features a lead with a constant sense of humor, who uncovers a wealth of information in twenty minutes flat. The show isn’t opposed to EVP sessions, and pursues countless cryptids for explanations. The show can be gladly skeptical at times, and the crew will traverse literally any terrain. It’s an unusual blend of attitudes and concepts, but more accessible for it.
Sightings
An unexpectedly comprehensive show about the paranormal, it was willing to traverse all areas with great detail. The show later released lengthy specials that covered ghosts, extraterrestrials, and ESP. The series took itself very seriously, and studied strange phenomena with welcome objectivity.
Rather than pose its own answers, it would establish interviews and background information about any given subject, and let those involved explain themselves. This attitude feels more like reporting rather than mere theorizing, which remains frustratingly rare.
Ghost Adventures
One of the most popular and highest rated ghost-hunting shows of all time, the likable crew and extensive technologies keep things interesting. Although the show can occasionally dip into moods of reality television, it always travels far and aims for credibility.
The crew has great chemistry, and is willing to indulge an enjoyable sense of humor from time to time. Viewers open to these investigations should be pleased by the balance of interviews and evidence. The latter of which can offer up compelling audio and footage for anyone’s scrutiny.
Unsolved Mysteries
There are few shows so hung up on interviews and re-enactments, but these stories are simply always fascinating. Its topics wander from utterly human mysteries, to the wildest of paranormal encounters. The show has covered everything from murder to the Bermuda Triangle. For example, the highest rated episode on IMDb involves both an arsonist and the famous Kecksburg incident.
The show boasts another great host in the field, and the titular mysteries are described with breezy pacing. With multiple topics per episode, this is a quick way to digest vast quantities of chilling intrigue. It’s a great bridge between today’s obsession with true crime, and discussing the supernatural. Keep an eye out for the comeback on July 1, 2020.
Paranormal Witness
This show was miraculously able to transform re-enactments, the worst trait of anything regarding the paranormal, into genuine entertainment. In fact, it’s the most appealing part of the show, as interviewed subjects retell their horrific encounters. Most of the episodes regard ghostly entities, but a handful reach farther than that.
Almost every episode boasts studio-quality direction, and features convincing effects long absent from such shows. Fans of the terrifying Conjuring universe will be ecstatic. In fact, the Perron family themselves are interviewed for the episode, “The Real Conjuring”. It's a shame the show has been absent for years, despite high IMDb ratings.
Mysterious World
There could perhaps be no better host than famed author Arthur C. Clarke himself, to establish legitimacy. He was academically successful, a clever futurist who was most famous for ideas regarding the communications satellite.
This series covered a number of topics that others have, but carries a distinct personality with a welcome emphasis on outright science. However, it was also open to straightforward mysteries outside the supernatural. There is a profound sense of intelligent curiosity throughout the series, which was followed by two lengthier explorations of natural wonder and abnormalities alike.
In Search Of...
This show was hosted by Leonard Nimoy, best known as Spock from the original Star Trek series. It is one of the earliest and most influential series regarding anything paranormal, stunningly thorough and also open to natural mysteries. It was creative, revolutionary, and still holds up better than many of those who followed.
It is wisely objective, but entertains bold theories, and commits entire episodes to a single subject. Possibly more than any other, this show is brimming with facts about a wide variety of science and cultures, in addition to its supernatural intrigue.