When the iconic The Cabin in the Woods movie came out in 2011, fans of the horror genre thought it'd be another dud that's filled with cheesy one-liners and touchy teens; but everyone was shocked when it was actually a really good movie, filled with comedic relief, scary monsters and an original plot. There's nothing quite like it and it became an instant favorite for poking fun at horror film stereotypes, while making a name for itself.
There doesn't seem to be a sequel in sight, as the ending of the movie made it quite clear; so to fill the void, there are quite a few shows out there that have similarities. Although differences might be apparent, some of the best sci-fi/thriller shows currently out and available have their own monsters, with a strong fan base.
The Outsider (2020)
One of the most recent shows on the list is The Outsider. It's a slow-burner with a stellar cast and an even better storyline that keeps viewers intrigued until the very end of the first season. It starts when small town investigators comes head to head with an unspeakable crime that's been committed by someone very unsuspecting. They must go down the rabbit hole, as the situation may not be what it seems.
This storyline might sound familiar to Stephen King fans, as it was first created on paper and adapted to the screen years later.
Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina (2018)
Based off of the Archie cook book series, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a fresh, new take on Sabrina Spellman and her inner circle. Starring Kiernan Shipka as Sabrina, as her 16th birthday approaches, Sabrina is met with a choice to enter the witch world with her family or to stay in the human world with her friends.
The series is filled with dark humor, magic and creatures that may or may not stick with viewers in their dreams.
Supernatural (2005)
When it comes to the fantasy and horror genres, Supernatural might be one of the longest-running shows to date and for a good reason. This show collected fans throughout the years based on the storyline, cast and spectacular monsters along the way.
Starring actors Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki, two brothers follow their father's footsteps as hunters, fighting off monsters, demons and other creatures wreaking havoc on the earth.
The Walking Dead (2010)
In the horror genre, zombies are a popular topic to portray on screen. They're scary, they were once human and there's something about the apocalypse-era that gains momentum with viewers. When The Walking Dead came out in 2010, it became an instant hit with zombie fans and the comic it was adapted from.
After ten seasons, the show is still running on AMC and has seen its fair share of characters come and go from the mess the world has become.
Hemlock Grove (2013)
Hemlock Grove only made it to three seasons, but its portrayal of small town secrets, shrouded evil and the hidden creatures was entertaining and had a huge following. When a young girl is murdered, Peter Rumancek and Roman Godfrey are named as suspects and thus, go about finding the actual killer who did this heinous crime.
Based in Pennsylvania, it was initially a novel created in 2012 by Brian McGreevy and did well on paper and onscreen.
Stranger Things (2016)
When Stranger Things came out in 2016, it was a refreshing take with a vintage feel. Even though the plot is original, it's been called a mix of The Goonies, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and Firestarter.
To date, it's been one of Netflix's most popular original shows and has a young, amazing cast with a knack for adventure, friendship and creatures lurking in the dark.
American Horror Story (2011)
American Horror Story is known for its loyal cast, fresh ideas for each season and its new take on the horror genre. It's an anthology series that centers on different characters each season, with a change of location and eras, too.
The creepy-crawlers that are in each season are scary, but offer comedic breaks at times. Anything from a haunted hotel to a slasher summer camp has been done in this series and it looks like there's no end in sight for the fun and oftentimes morbid ride.
The Haunting Of Hill House (2018)
Even though The Haunting of Hill House is deemed a mini-series, that doesn't mean creator Mike Flanagan won't be back for more. This is another Netflix Original that gained a huge following for its incredibly scary content and creative storyline.
Flashing between the past and present, the Crain family moves into a mini-mansion to renovate it. What they don't know is that it's a start of a haunting they would've never imagined and the aftermath it caused on their fractured family is devastating.
Ash Vs. Evil Dead (2015)
Based on the iconic Evil Dead films by creator Sami Raimi, Ash Vs. Evil Dead tells a story thirty years after Ash's experience in the woods. As an older and not much wiser man, Ash realizes there an evil plaque that's threatening to wipe out the entire planet and he's mankind's only hope.
Starring the iconic Bruce Campbell as Ash, this show mixes in action, comedy and fantasy. It doesn't quite live up to the original movies, but it's entertaining and involves blood, guts and evil monsters.
Scream Queens (2015)
Scream Queens is a somewhat anthology series that revolves around college characters being terrorized by a a masked killer in various locations such as a hospital and university. It only aired for two seasons, but made an impact in the comedy/horror genre.
Starring Emma Roberts, Jamie Lee Curtis, Keke Palmer and Lea Michele, this show is a fun ride with laughs, jumps and guaranteed vintage slasher scene feels.