All streaming services have a catalog of horror TV shows, andHBO Maxhas a lot of variety in this area. For years, HBO has been home to some ofthe best TV shows of all timeacross different genres, with titles likeThe Sopranos,Game of Thrones, and more. In 2020, HBO joined the world of streaming with its platform, HBO Max.
The platform has most of HBO’s catalog of movies and TV shows, though some can also be found on other services. Like most streamers,HBO Maxalso produces its own TV shows, further adding to its already impressive catalog. Of course,HBO Max has a list of horror TV shows, with titles from various subgenres, and some are worth watching at least once.
Falling Skies
Cast
When Earth is invaded by extraterrestrials, humanity loses the battle against the alien attackers. Picking up after the defeat of the human race, Falling Skies tells the story of a former college professor (Noah Wyle) who becomes the leader of the Second Massachusetts, a group of soldiers and civilians who are struggling to fight against the occupying force.
Falling Skiesis a sci-fi horror TV show created by Robert Rodat and executive-produced by Steven Spielberg.Falling Skiestakes place six months after the Earth was invaded by aliens, who destroyed all the world’s militaries and killed over 90% of the world’s population. The survivors aren’t safe, either, as the invaders keep killing those they find.
The aliens use mechanical attack drones called “mechs”, controlled by six-legged beings called “Skitters”, with a species known as the Overlords being the engineers and masterminds behind the invasion. Starring inFalling Skiesis Noah Wyle as Tom Mason, the leader of a group of survivors fighting against the alien invaders.
Falling Skiesis a good mix of sci-fi, horror, fantasy, and drama, showing a post-apocalyptic world and an alien invasion without an apparent motive. Thanks to this,Falling Skiesexplores themes like family, grief, resilience, humanity, and survival, and it’s a great watch for those into sci-fi and horror.
Urban Legend
Urban Legend is a nightmarish anthology series released under the creative direction of horror master Eli Roth. The series delves into classic urban legends, presenting chilling tales of lurking psychopaths, murderous mysteries, and creepy creatures that exploit deeply embedded fears to unsettle viewers.
Not to be confused with the movie of the same name.Urban Legendisan anthology horror TV series produced by Eli Roth, and it’s formed by different stories based on urban legends – from organ thieves who steal their date’s organs to someone living in the walls of a house.Urban Legendwas only around for one season, so it’s an easy watch.
Urban Legend’s strength is giving a cinematic twist to urban legends, even if the stories themselves don’t offer anything new, as most of these legends are well-known. However,Urban Legendsucceeds in building suspense and delivering graphic horror and jumpscares in most of its episodes, but it also has some big flaws.
Some viewers have found the stories inUrban Legendto be predictable, inconsistent, with too many plot holes, and even “cheesy”, but I would argue that all this will depend on each viewer’s experience with the show and the horror genre, in general.
30 Coins
30 Coins is a Spanish horror series created by Álex de la Iglesia. The show follows Father Vergara, an exorcist, boxer, and ex-convict, who is exiled to a remote village in Spain. As terrifying paranormal phenomena unfold, a local veterinarian and the town’s mayor seek out Vergara’s help, uncovering a conspiracy related to a set of ancient coins that hold diabolical power. The series intricately weaves supernatural elements with intense drama.
30 Coinsis a Spanish mystery horror TV show created by Álex de la Iglesia.30 Coinsfollows Father Manuel Vergara (Eduard Fernández), an exorcist and ex-convictliving in the small town of Pedraza, in Spain. When paranormal events begin to happen around town, Father Vergara teams up with Paco (Miguel Ángel Silvestre) and Elena (Megan Montaner) to figure out a mystery related to a coin.
The coin is one of the 30 pieces of silver paid to Judas Iscariot for betraying Jesus, and this drags Father Vergara, Paco, and Elena into a conspiracy involving the Holy See. Thanks to this,30 Coinsbrings together horror, religious themes, sci-fi, and even dark comedy in a multi-layered story.
One of30 Coins’ biggest strengths is its visuals, which are accompanied by a complex and layered story, compelling characters, and an intriguing story.
30 Coinsaddresses topics like demonology and mythology, with well-developed charactersbattling their own demons while also dealing with the supernatural. One of30 Coins’ biggest strengths is its visuals, which are accompanied by a complex and layered story, compelling characters, and an intriguing story.
The Outsider
Based on Stephen King’s novel, this crime drama series follows a detective and an unconventional investigator as they confront a malevolent supernatural entity infiltrating a child murder investigation, leading them to challenge their perceptions of reality and justice.
The Outsiderisa psychological horror crime drama based on Stephen King’s 2018 novel of the same name.The Outsiderintroduces the audience to Ralph Anderson (Bill Mendelsohn), a detective and recovering alcoholic struggling with the death of his young son. Anderson is assigned to the case of Terry Maitland (Jason Bateman), a baseball coach arrested for the murder of a young boy.
Anderson is joined by Holly Gibney (Cynthia Erivo), a brilliant private detective with incredible observational skills and memory. Despite its good critical reception and 91% critics' score onRotten Tomatoes,The Outsiderwasn’t picked up for a second season, but that makes it easier to watch.
The Outsider’s biggest hook is the mystery Anderson and Holly have to solve, which leads to some shocking reveals.The Outsiderbrings together horror, drama, crime, mystery, and even supernatural elements, and succeeds in building suspense and a sense of dread.The cherry on top is the performances of the main cast, particularly those of Mendelsohn and Erivo.
Lovecraft Country
Lovecraft Country follows Atticus Freeman as he embarks on a 1950s road trip across Jim Crow America with his friend Letitia and Uncle George. Searching for his missing father, they confront racial discrimination and supernatural horrors reminiscent of H.P. Lovecraft’s fiction.
Lovecraft Countryis a black horror historical fantasy TV show based on the 2016 novel by Matt Ruff.Lovecraft Countrytells the story of Atticus “Tic” Freeman (Jonathan Majors), who served in the Korean War. Back home, Tic reunites with his friend Letitia (Jurnee Smollett) and his Uncle George (Courtney B. Vance).
Together, they go on a road trip across 1950s Jim Crow America to find Tic’s father.Not only do they come across the terrors of racism, but also those of terrifying monstersin the horrifying style of those by H.P. Lovecraft.Lovecraft Countrywas a critical success, but it was canceled after just one season.
Lovecraft Countryhas been praised for its blend of horror, sci-fi, and social commentary, as well as for the performances of its main cast. The addition of Lovecraftian horrors makes the show stand out from many othergreat sci-fi horror TV shows, and it’s also through them thatLovecraft Countryexplores serious themes like racism, murder, and discrimination.
true blood
True Blood is a horror/fantasy drama series created by Alan Ball and starring Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, and Alexander Skarsgård. The series follows the life of Sookie Stackhouse, a waitress with telepathic powers that lives in a fictional town in Louisiana. In this town, a new synthetic “drug” has allowed vampires to escape their coffins and roam amongst the living.
One of HBO’s best and most popular horrorTV showsisTrue Blood. Based on the book seriesThe Southern Vampire Mysteries, by Charlaine Harris,True Bloodis set two years after the invention of a synthetic blood product has allowed vampires to “come out” and become part of society.True Bloodfollows Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), a telepathic young woman living in a rural town.
True Bloodbrings together horror, drama, and the exploration of social issues like acceptance, prejudice, and discrimination.
Sookie meets Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer), a 174-year-old vampire with whom she falls in love. Although vampires are now part of society, they struggle for equal rights and to be accepted, as anti-vampire organizations begin to surface. Thanks to this,True Bloodbrings together horror, drama, and the exploration of social issues like acceptance, prejudice, and discrimination.
Although it’s not a perfect show (and its final episode is widely regarded amongthe most controversial finalesever),True Bloodis engaging and entertaining, and its biggest hook is its concept of humans and vampires freely coexisting, along with the issues this creates.
The Last Of Us
The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic drama series set two decades after a global catastrophe. It follows Joel, a seasoned survivor, who is tasked with escorting Ellie, a teenage girl, across a desolated United States, transforming into a harrowing journey of survival and companionship.
One of HBO’s best horror TV shows is also one of its best shows ever. Based on the video game franchise of the same name,The Last of Usisa post-apocalyptic drama TV series set many years after society’s collapse following a mass fungal infection. This turned the infected into zombie-like creatures, forcing the rest to take extreme measures to survive.
The first two seasons follow Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) as they travel across the United States, fighting for their survival.The Last of Ushas succeeded thanks to its narrative and visual quality, world-building, complex characters, strong performances, and its loyalty to the video game.
The Last of Ushas a 93% rating onRotten Tomatoes.
The Last of Usblends horror, sci-fi, and drama in a way that will appeal even to those not into the horror genre.The Last of Usis surprisingly deep and emotional, too, making it stand out from most horror shows and contributing to its success.
