It’s rare for a horror series to get pop culture talking the way The Haunting of Bly Manor has. The show takes a neat spin on an established concept, something few other series have accomplished. However, there most certainly have been shows that have excelled in their genres and presentation.
Those who’ve just finished Bly Manor need both a palate cleanser and similar series to follow. To this end, it’s worth checking out things in great contrast -- from horror to even outright comedy. With that in mind, be sure to give the shows on this list a watch to expand your watch list and experience the same kind of entertainment as The Haunting of Bly Manor.
American Horror Story (2011-Present)
Supernatural elements take place in increasingly freakish backdrops, providing scary expositions to stories that can’t be explained. With certain characters making things worse, it’s only a matter of time before everyone is at mortal peril.
This anthology series has its seasons ranked according to the scariest. The stories vary in style and content based on each season’s requirement, as every angle has its own dark concept behind. Due to the seasons’ standalone nature, it’s like getting into an entirely new show once the previous story ends.
Rose Red (2002)
A psychology professor leads a team into the mansion known as Rose Red. Long considered to be a haunted dwelling, the team seeks to uncover the truth behind the paranormal. Unfortunately, the evil entity residing in the house has no intention of letting them leave.
With an ensemble cast, Rose Red manages to retain interest throughout the length of this miniseries. It’s been pretty underrated in the long-run, which is a shame since the many characters bring in unique moments of horror. It follows the tried-and-tested haunted house trope but certainly works.
Santa Clarita Diet (2017-2019)
A couple’s perfect family life is hampered when the wife develops a taste for flesh. This gets increasingly out of hand, leading the pair to realize she’s turning into the undead. Their attempts to satiate her hunger brings more problems than foreseen.
The premise is quirky enough and Santa Clarita Diet deserves special mention for subverting many zombie-related tropes to be its own thing. It’s more funny than scary, but that’s just the combination needed for this very original series to be enjoyed.
The Simpsons (1989-Present)
The town of Springfield is home to hundreds of kooky characters, all of whom have their own brand of crazy adventures. The Simpsons have the craziest of these experiences, with each member bringing in a unique aspect that makes them a perfectly eccentric family.
The series has brought the “Treehouse of Horror” shorts for three decades by now and you can even find these ranked according to the best and scariest. These are non-canon, over-the-top stories that are a hilarious change from the norm. Even the usual series should be given a go due to the highly creative presentation of the episodes.
Ghost Hunters (2004-Present)
The Atlantic Paranormal Society is a team of paranormal investigators who go around the country looking for new haunted places to find. Using their innovative technology, the team uncovers spooky venues that might just possess the paranormal connections they’re looking for.
The presentation of this series is more chilling than anything, although you’ll find many scary episodes with eerie implications as well. The show is presented in the style of a documentary, meaning each dwelling is extensively investigated and every facet of the supposed horror looked into.
Bates Motel (2013-2017)
The death of Norma Bates’ husband motivates her to move to a new place to raise her son, Norman. However, Norman’s dangerous mentality slowly but surely begins to manifest in the worst possible ways, something Norma might not be prepared for.
There are many reasons why Bates Motel works so well as a prequel to Psycho. Mainly, it’s the chemistry between the leads, as the twisted relationship between mother and son is deliciously intriguing. So much so, that even her fated demise makes things better as the timeline moves toward the film’s events.
It (1990)
A demonic entity resurfaces every 27 years to feed on young victims. Since it prefers them fearful and desperate -- as they taste better that way -- the entity causes catastrophic events in order to lure its next victims right where it wants them.
Due to the success of the film series, comparisons are frequently made to the miniseries to see which is better. That’s ultimately meaningless, as the It series is frightening enough on its own to warrant a viewing, an experience that will leave one haunted long after the miniseries is over.
The Addams Family (1964-1966)
A wealthy, aristocratic family clashes against the normal folk in their area. While they remain warm and friendly, their interest in the macabre and the unexplained supernatural things happening around them make for an unsettlingly humorous backdrop.
It’s a classic sitcom that has aged very well, with The Addams Family also spawning several follow-up films and shows. The series has enough comedy-horror for fans of the genre to enjoy and brings a lot of laughs as well to ease the viewer into this setting.
Supernatural (2005-2020)
A mysterious demon kills a mother with two young children. Driven by vengeance, her husband raises their sons as hunters of the supernatural. As their adventures become larger in scale, the brothers eventually have to fight the likes of God himself.
The earlier seasons of Supernatural feature extremely scary monsters that will delight horror fans. The series dives into the fantasy element hard later on, but viewers are guaranteed to be hooked by them. Not to mention the high entertainment value that comes from the likes of villains and heroes like Lucifer and Castiel, respectively.
The Haunting Of Hill House (2018)
In 1992, a family’s temporary move into a mansion keeps getting extended after questionable things begin to happen. In 2018, the remaining members try to move on from the terrible memories of losing their mother. However, the return of several horrors links back to their ill-fated stay in the mansion.
Of course, if you’ve watched Bly Manor all the way through, a viewing of Hill House needs to follow. It doesn’t matter if one’s seen this show already, as the series will feel fresh even if you’re a new fan or not. The show has a lot of nods towards its continuity for viewers to uncover something they haven’t seen before.