5 of the Best Creepy Horror TV Anthologies Streaming For Free
Christine Makepeace
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As horror fans, we have a lot of content to choose from. Between new releases, rewatches, and catching up on things we missed, it’s almost too much. Almost… But that’s where streaming guides and lists come in! As a lover of short-form storytelling and, more specifically, TV anthologies, I feel it’s my duty to add some to your already massive to-watch piles. I’ve compiled a list of fantastic horror anthology TV series currently streaming for free in places like the Roku Channel, Vudu, and Tubi.
Fear Itself (2008)
Where to find it: Vudu, Plex
Tell me more: Debuting on NBC in 2008, Fear Itself was the network TV companion to Showtime’s Masters of Horror. Like MoH, each episode was directed by a seasoned horror director including Brad Anderson (Session 9, The Machinist), Ernest Dickerson (Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight, Juice), and Mary Harron (American Psycho). While many similarities exist between the two series, I’m of the opinion that Fear Itself reigns supreme. There was no shortage of onscreen talent, and entries feature actors like Anna Kendrick (Pitch Perfect), Jesse Plemons (Game Night, Antlers), Brandon Routh (Superman Returns), and Wendell Pierce (The Wire, Selma).
Highest rated episode on IMDb:
- “Family Man” (S1, E3)
- “Eater” (S1, E5)
- “Skin and Bones” (S1, E8)
Episodes I recommend:
“Eater” (S1, E5): Directed by Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator, From Beyond) and starring Elisabeth Moss (Invisible Man), Russell Hornsby (Fences), and Pablo Schreiber (Halo), “Eater” is the story of a rookie cop and a cannibal. While the people-eating isn’t excessive, it’s still an icky story with icky imagery, so proceed with caution. Its effectiveness will vary from viewer to viewer, but it’s definitely one of the TV series’ creepier entries. Moss, unsurprisingly, is fantastic. The strength of this episode is in the cast and atmosphere.
“New Year’s Day” (S1, E6): This is my favorite episode of Fear Itself. And while it may not be the “best,” the story at the center of the Darren Lynn Bousman (Spiral) directed holiday-themed entry makes it unforgettable. Briana Evigan (Sorority Row) wakes up to a post-apocalyptic zombie nightmare and spends the episode runtime trying to piece together the previous night. What we wind up with is a love story with a twist that reveals a very unreliable narrator. Sure, the direction often feels dated, and the budget shows. But its ambition makes me love it more.
Chiller (1995)
Where to find it: Tubi, Roku Channel, Shout Factory TV
Tell me more: Chiller is a five-part British series from the ‘90s. Each episode delivers a spooky story with an unexpected resolution, something truly noteworthy considering the number of anthologies out there! The sets are great, and production value abounds. Fans of British TV will recognize talent both behind and in front of the camera. Chiller is ideal viewing for a lazy afternoon.
Highest rated episode on IMDb:
- “Number Six” (S1, E5)
- “Here Comes the Mirror Man” (S1, E3)
- “Prophecy” (S1, E1)
Episodes I recommend:
“Number Six” (S1, E5): If you’re going to check out one entry from Chiller, “Number Six” is the way to go. It mixes folk horror with police procedural and expertly juggles a large cast. It’s a phenomenal episode and a must for “creepy kid” completionists.
“The Man Who Didn’t Believe in Ghosts” (S1, E4): I love when a skeptic gets confronted with irrefutable proof of ghosts and the afterlife. As is common with the series, this episode has a lot going on and it’ll definitely scratch your “old dark house in the countryside” itch.
Hammer House of Horror (1980)
Where to find it: Tubi, Roku Channel, Pluto, Shout Factory TV
Tell me more: Hammer House of Horror was produced by Hammer Films and offers an eclectic group of 13 horror stories. Much like Chiller, these episodes are intensely watchable and feature recognizable British talent.
Highest rated episode on IMDb:
- “The Silent Scream” (S1, E7)
- “The Two Faces of Evil” (S1, E12)
- “The House That Bled to Death” (S1, E5)
Episodes I recommend:
“Guardian of the Abyss” S1 E10: The episode opens at an estate sale and if you can believe it, it only gets better from there. This one’s folky, ritualistic, and reminded me a lot of The Wicker Man. Its super-satisfying wrap-up “reveal” makes this entry a standout.
“The Mark of Satan” S1 E13: These episodes really are a smorgasbord of horror tropes. Considering its title, I’m happy to report there’s no shortage of the devil. But here, it manifests as an “evil virus” that causes people to drill into their skulls. This entry is full of paranoia and features an unreliable narrator, numerology, and a baby.
Monsters (1988-1990)
Where to find it: Roku Channel
Tell me more: I distinctly remember Monsters rerunning on the Sci-Fi Channel in the ‘90s; its opening is burned into my brain. It originally aired for three seasons, but the Roku Channel only has the first. Each episode is a who’s who of both horror mainstays and TV regulars. Without commercials, each entry runs 21 minutes. They’re definitely worth checking out if you like weird creatures and make-up legend Dick Smith.
Highest rated episode on IMDb:
- “The Match Game” (S1, E18)
- “Mannikins of Horror” (S1, E22)
- “Glim-Glim” (S1, E13)
Episodes I recommend:
“Glim-Glim” (S1, E13): A blob-like alien named Glim-Glim befriends a pre-Blossom Jenna von Oÿ after accidentally unleashing a plague on earth. The survivors assume the alien’s intentions are nefarious, but the young girl isn’t so sure. With a setup like that, I anticipated this one being a bleak and frustrating look at humanity. I didn’t expect to spend the end credits crying. I would die for Glim-Glim.
“Pillow Talk” (S1, E10): Genre goddess Mary Woronov (Night of the Comet) stars alongside John Diehl (Stargate) in this super-efficient and wildly satisfying tale of a troubled writer. I don’t usually love stories about storytellers, but this one comes with a twist that made me giddy. Penned by David Odell, writer for The Muppet Show as well as The Dark Crystal and 1984’s Supergirl, this entry is a standout.
50 States of Fright (2020)
Where to find it: Roku Channel
Tell me more: Remember Quibi? Well, this was the platform’s short-lived anthology that aimed to tackle all 50 states. They only made it to nine, and those episodes were split into two- or three-part entries that ran five to ten minutes each. Quibi’s whole thing was generating digestible, mobile-friendly content. While I think there are more successful Quibi projects, this one shouldn’t be written off. Each segment is stuffed with talent, including Ming-Na Wen (The Mandalorian), Karen Allen (Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark), and Taissa Farmiga (The Final Girls, The Nun), and that’s just in front of the camera. Sam Raimi acted as executive producer and directed the entry for Michigan.
For episode numbering and consistency, it’s worth noting that the Roku Channel doesn’t break the series into 2 seasons.
Highest rated episode on IMDb:
- “Almost There (Iowa)” (S2, E1, E2, & E3)
- “The Golden Arm (Michagan)” (S1, E1, E2, & E3)
- “Grey Cloud Island (Minnesota)” (S1, E9, E10, & E11)
Episodes I recommend:
“13 Steps to Hell (Washington)” (S,2 E4 & E5): This entry from director Lee Cronin (The Hole in the Ground) and writer Sarah Conradt-Kroehler (the upcoming Mothers’ Instinct) does an amazing job with limited sets and time. An unidentified narrator, played by Rory Culkin (Scream 4), recounts a local legend and a family’s brush with hell.
“Red Rum (Colorado)” (S2 E6, E7, & E8): I have no chill when it comes to this entry that just so happens to feature queen Christina Ricci. In it, we follow a group of ghost-chasing pals during their stay at the infamous Stanley Hotel. But it’s not just meta Shining gags. Directed by Daniel Goldhaber and written by Isa Mazzei, the visionary team behind Cam, “Red Rum” dabbles in what I like to call “influencer horror,” and the pair again demonstrate their proficiency in the genre.
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