Over the years, I’ve come to the conclusion that the anthology concept works better on television than in cinema. And not just because a series would offer you way more stories, but really because the small screen is so perfect for get-in-get-out horror. There’s no dragging things out, like we see in so many movies. Plus, you can pick and choose what you want to watch from a TV anthology, and view them in an order to your liking. Hence this selection I’ve curated for Halloween.
If you don’t have time to watch a whole movie, or you need some in-between entertainment during that stressful, last week of October, then might I suggest these ten tales from TV land? A few are more seasonable than others, yet they all capture the Halloween spirit.
Tales of the Unexpected
“Death in the Morning” (1982)
After moving into her new husband’s (Moray Watson) country estate, Karen (Cherie Lunghi) suspects someone there means to do her harm—maybe even kill her.
As an unspoken rule, Tales of the Unexpected (1979–1988) steered clear of supernatural scenarios and kept to more grounded threats. Y’know, revenge killings, murder plots, gaslighting—the usual and very human stuff. Yet for its Halloween-aired episode in 1982, this British anthology weaved a proper story of the occult, although that element isn’t observable in the beginning of “Death in the Morning.” Slowly but surely does this Rebecca-esque episode reveal itself to have a touch of the uncanny. Folk horror as well, if that helps sweeten the pot.
Watch: Tubi
Tales from the Darkside
“The Cutty Black Sow” (1988)
When his great-grandmother dies on Halloween, a child (Huckleberry Fox) fights to protect her soul from the Cutty Black Sow.
Before shuttering, and before its successor Monsters took over, Tales from the Darkside (1983–1988), delivered one of its best episodes. Fan-favorites “Trick or Treat” and “Halloween Candy” are joined by “The Cutty Black Sow,” more proof of the show’s penchant for holiday horror. This immersive adaptation of Thomas F. Monteleone’s short story boasts some of the most potent atmosphere in all of Darkside. And although the ending is abrupt, it’s also genuinely surprising.
Watch: Dailymotion
The Twilight Zone
“The Shadow Man” (1985)
In exchange for being allowed to stay underneath his bed, an entity called the Shadow Man protects a teenager (Jeff Calhoun) from his bullies.
The ’80s return of The Twilight Zone (1985–1989) doesn’t get much love or acclaim, at least when compared to the original series. Yet, Joe Dante and Rockne S. O’Bannon’s episode “The Shadow Man” is rather fantastic. Those eighteen minutes are soaking in creepiness and dread; “The Shadow Man” stands alone in the revival by aiming for scares and tension. And after waiting for the other shoe to finally drop, this story does so with the heaviest thud. The conclusion here is just about perfect.
Watch: YouTube
Grimm’s Fairy Tale Classics
“The Old Woman in the Woods” (1988)
To pay back the magical owl who saved her, a servant girl enters a wicked witch’s house of horrors to complete a special task. And apart from the monsters that await her, the girl cannot say a single word while on her journey.
The anime anthology Grimm Masterpiece Theater (1987–1989) was adapted into English as Grimm’s Fairy Tale Classics, and one of my favorite episodes, “The Old Woman in the Woods” was also issued as part of a VHS compilation called The Grimm Brothers’ Scary Fairy Tales. As a kid, this story terrified me, and as an adult, it’s easy to see why; the episode has a witch, goblins and nightmarish imagery. If you weren’t able to buy the series on Blu-ray—they’re out of print now and tend to be costly on eBay—someone on YouTube kindly shared that release (as well as upscaled them).
Watch: YouTube
The Ray Bradbury Theater
“The Emissary” (1988)
A family dog will do anything to alleviate a sick boy’s (Keram Malicki-Sánchez) pain.
Few authors capture autumn like Ray Bradbury did. And this episode of The Ray Bradbury Theater (1985–1992), one directed by Sturla Gunnarsson, does a good job of living up to the prolific author’s vision of fall. On first watch, you’re never quite sure when the horror aspect is supposed to appear, but once it does, it’s unmistakable. The other lead role, the teacher who befriends Keram Malicki-Sánchez’s protagonist, is played by Helen Shaver.
Watch: Prime Video
Tales from the Crypt
“Television Terror” (1990)
A tabloid news reporter (Morton Downey Jr.) gets more than he bargained for when he investigates a supposedly haunted house.
In retrospect, the amount of times Tales from the Crypt (1989–1996) sincerely attempted to frighten us can be counted on one hand. This classic and influential anthology, however, did excel in other areas: production value, star power, and perhaps most of all, dark humor. “Television Terror“, a haunter tailor-made for that pioneer of trash TV, has all those aforementioned ingredients and then some. No top-ten ranking of Crypt episodes, not to mention your Halloween watchlist, is complete without this one.
Watch: YouTube
Night Visions
“Bitter Harvest” (2001)
Shane’s (Brendan Fletcher) actions cost an older neighbor (Jack Palance) his arms, and now he anticipates revenge from this Mr. Jennings, a man said to be the son of a witch.
The short-lived, FOX-aired anthology Night Visions (2001–2002) slipped through the cracks for a good number of years, after appearing and disappearing on cable networks like the Sci Fi Channel and Chiller. However, the darndest thing happened this year; the series showed up on Plex, then Tubi. So why not relive, or watch for the first time, these 26 episodes, including one of the best and meanest: “Bitter Harvest.” Director Philip Sgriccia and writer Julie Siege turned in a chilling, nasty piece of folk horror that takes the long way, but nevertheless, the story reaches its disturbing destination.
Watch: Tubi
Fear Itself
“Eater” (2008)
A dying, understaffed police station hosts a unique inmate, a Cajun cannibal (Stephen R. Hart), and it’s up to one rookie officer (Elisabeth Moss) to stop him once he escapes.
While the unofficial third season of Masters of Horror, Fear Itself (2008), has two Halloween episodes (“The Spirit Box” and “The Circle”), “Eater” is more entertaining. It’s also a straightforward story that feasts on its own atmosphere rather than logic. Funnily enough, this episode is actually the third adaptation of Peter Crowther’s short story of the same name; it was used for the British anthology show Urban Gothic, and it was adapted as a short film by the Duffers (Stranger Things). Personally speaking, Fear Itself’s take is my favorite of the three.
Watch: Tubi
R. L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series
“I’m Not Martin” (2014)
Sean (Sean Giambrone) is set to have his tonsils removed on Halloween, but a name mix-up could lead to his foot being amputated.
Don’t feel bad if you’ve never heard of The Haunting Hour (2010–2014), but you’d be remiss to not watch it now. Especially with your kids. This anthology offers thrills with little ones in mind, yet it also pushed the envelope enough for curious grown-ups. And despite R. L. Stine’s name being attached, only a small amount of his stories from the two anthology books, Nightmare Hour and The Haunting Hour: Chills in the Dead of Night, were adapted. Most episodes are original and exclusive to the TV show. “I’m Not Martin” is one of those Stine-based entries, and for the most part, it’s faithful. It does, however, dial up the sense of terror and slightly alter the ending. Oh, did I mention this was the only episode Stine was wary about adapting? In his mind it was too scary. If you’re afraid of going under the knife, then you’d probably agree.
Watch (in English): The Internet Archive
Inside No. 9
“Dead Line” (2018)
A live broadcast of “Inside No. 9” goes haywire inside a haunted television studio.
One of the finest anthologies to ever grace TV is Inside No. 9 (2014–2024). And after seeing an episode like “Dead Line,” it’s easy to understand why Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith’s series remains so venerated and beloved. Taking a page out of Ghostwatch’s book, this memorable Halloween special played a wonderful trick on those viewers who tuned in live and didn’t realize the technical difficulties were staged and all part of a greater, different plot. The execution is as brilliant as it is effective.
Watch: BritBox
Tales from the Paulside 
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