15 Horror Shows That Aren’t Scary, But Are Still Good

If you like the idea of horror but hate actually being scared, you’re not alone. Sometimes you just want the spooky atmosphere, the supernatural creatures, and the dark aesthetic without the jump scares that make you spill your drink all over the couch.

Fortunately, there’s a whole category of “horror-lite” shows that are more fun than frightening. They have all the hallmarks of what makes something a horror story, without making the viewer the one who’s scared. These are our top choices of that style of show, although they are all not suitable for children.

What We Do in the Shadows

This mockumentary about ancient vampires sharing a flat in modern-day Wellington is considered one of the best horror comedies ever. It’s praised for being smarter and funnier than your typical vampire story, focusing on the mundane problems of immortal life.

Santa Clarita Diet

Drew Barrymore plays a suburban mom who becomes a zombie, and things get messy. This satirical series is definitely gory, with plenty of spilled organs, but it’s played for laughs instead of screams. It’s more of a dark comedy.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

This classic ’90s teen drama used vampires and demons as clever metaphors for the real horrors of growing up. While some early episodes had a stronger horror vibe, the show quickly evolved into an action-adventure with a lot of heart.

iZombie

Often called a hidden gem, this series is a fun mix of comedy, crime-fiction, and horror. A medical resident-turned-zombie solves crimes by eating victims’ brains and absorbing their memories. It keeps the supernatural themes without being too gruesome.

Supernatural

This long-running show follows two brothers hunting ghosts, demons, and other paranormal beings. While it definitely has its creepy moments, it’s more of a supernatural adventure than a pure horror show, often exploring folklore without being relentlessly frightening.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Based on a dark comic book series, this is not the ’90s sitcom you remember. Running from 2018 to 2020, it’s a coming-of-age story that leans into witchcraft and genuine horror elements for a much spookier take on the teenage witch.

Ash vs Evil Dead

This series, which premiered on Halloween 2015, brought back Bruce Campbell to reprise his iconic role as Ash Williams from the 1981 cult classic film. It’s a perfect blend of over-the-top horror and slapstick comedy for fans of the original.

Pushing Daisies

This fantastical detective series is a true dark comedy gem with zero jump scares. It follows a pie-maker named Ned who can bring the dead back to life with a touch, a gift he uses to solve murders.

Teen Wolf

Loosely based on the campy 1985 movie, this MTV series was a much darker and more dramatic take. It ran for six seasons from 2011 to 2017, focusing on a teen werewolf defending his town from supernatural threats.

Lucifer

Based on characters from DC Comics, this fantasy series is structured like a police procedural. The Devil himself leaves Hell, moves to L.A., and starts helping the police solve crimes. It premiered in 2016 and found new life on Netflix.

Wednesday

This 2022 Netflix hit is a perfect example of comedy horror. While it deals with monsters and mystery at a strange boarding school, it uses tense situations rather than gore, making it spooky but not terrifying for most viewers.

Stranger Things

This massive hit, first released in 2016, is a love letter to the ’80s. The creators blended investigative drama with supernatural horror, creating a show that’s as much about friendship and nostalgia as it is about monsters from another dimension.

Twin Peaks

Premiering way back in 1990, David Lynch’s masterpiece is more surreal and mysterious than outright scary. An FBI agent’s investigation into a teen’s murder uncovers the deeply strange and unsettling secrets of a small town.

Good Omens

Based on the beloved 1990 novel, this comedy series stars Michael Sheen as an angel and David Tennant as a demon. The two unlikely friends team up to stop the apocalypse. The first season was released on Amazon in 2019.

Vampire Diaries

This supernatural teen drama was a smash hit for The CW when it premiered in 2009. Based on a book series, it focused on romance, angst, and small-town secrets, making the vampires more dramatic than horrifying.