15 Best TV series About Monsters

Monsters have been a staple of horror and science fiction since the beginning of storytelling.

From vampires to werewolves, from ghosts to aliens, something about these otherworldly creatures captures our imagination and sends shivers down our spine.

Television has long been a medium for exploring the world of monsters, with shows that range from cheesy B-movie romps to dark, complex dramas.

Here, we’ll explore the 15 best TV shows about monsters, covering a range of genres and eras.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a classic of the monster genre, blending horror, comedy, and teenage drama to create an equally thrilling and entertaining show.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a supernatural TV series that aired from 1997 to 2003. It follows the story of Buffy Summers, a teenage girl who discovers she is the chosen one, a Slayer with supernatural strength and abilities tasked with protecting the world from vampires and other demonic forces.

The show was created by Joss Whedon and is known for its witty dialogue, strong female characters, and a blend of horror, comedy, and drama. It explores themes of growing up, friendship, love, and the struggle between good and evil.

Throughout its seven seasons, Buffy and her group of friends, known as the Scooby Gang, face various supernatural threats, including vampires, demons, witches, and even a god.

The show also features a variety of complex and memorable villains, such as Angelus, Spike, and the evil goddess Glory.

Buffy was praised for its strong writing, performances, and character development, with many fans and critics considering it one of the greatest TV shows ever.

It also spawned a spinoff series, Angel, which followed the adventures of Buffy’s love interest and a vampire with a soul, Angel.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer remains a beloved and influential show in the monster TV genre, paving the way for other shows with strong female leads and complex mythologies.

If you ask about the simple plot of the series, it is about Buffy Summers, a high school student who discovers she’s the chosen one, a slayer destined to battle vampires and other supernatural threats. She fights with her friends and allies to save the world from the forces of darkness.

Stranger Things

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Stranger Things isn’t just a show about monsters but a phenomenon in itself. It is a sci-fi/horror TV series created by the Duffer Brothers that premiered on Netflix in 2016 and still going on.

The show is set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, in the 1980s and follows a group of young friends as they uncover supernatural mysteries and fight against dark forces from another dimension.

The show’s first season centers around the disappearance of Will Byers, one of the group’s members, and his friends and family’s subsequent search for him.

Along the way, they encounter a mysterious girl named Eleven, who has telekinetic powers and is being hunted by government agents.

As the series progresses, the story’s scope expands to include a parallel universe known as the Upside Down, a sinister government conspiracy, and an ancient evil known as the Mind Flayer.

The show also features homages to 80s pop culture, including references to movies like E.T., The Goonies, and Alien.

Stranger Things has received critical acclaim for its strong performances, writing, and directing and its nostalgic and immersive atmosphere.

The show has been praised for depicting childhood friendships, handling themes like loss and trauma, and its effective use of horror and suspense.

The show has also become a cultural phenomenon, with its characters and iconic moments becoming internet memes and Halloween costumes. It has spawned a variety of merchandise and even a themed attraction at Universal Studios.

The X-Files

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The X-Files was one of the defining shows of the 1990s, blending conspiracy theories, supernatural creatures, and government cover-ups into a gripping sci-fi drama.

FBI agents Mulder and Scully investigate cases ranging from demonic possession to alien abductions, always leaving viewers guessing what’s really going on.

The Walking Dead

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Zombies are perhaps the most iconic monster of the modern era, and The Walking Dead is the show that put them back on the map.

Based on the comic book series of the same name, the show follows a group of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by the undead. With its mix of gruesome violence and character-driven drama, The Walking Dead is a monster show with a heart.

The Walking Dead is a post-apocalyptic horror TV series that premiered on AMC in 2010. Based on the comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman, the show follows a group of survivors in a world overrun by zombies, or “walkers.”

The show’s early seasons focus on Rick Grimes, a former police officer who awakens from a coma to find that the world as he knew it has ended.

He joins a group of survivors searching for safety and a new home but must also contend with the constant threat of walkers and other humans who have become dangerous in the new world order.

As the series progresses, the survivors face various challenges and threats, including rival groups of survivors, hostile communities, and dangerous new types of walkers.

The show also explores themes of morality, loyalty, and the struggle to maintain humanity in the face of extreme circumstances.

The Walking Dead has been praised for its strong ensemble cast, gruesome and visceral depictions of violence and horror, and exploration of complex character relationships.

The show has also been noted for its willingness to kill off major characters, creating a sense of tension and unpredictability.

Penny Dreadful

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Penny Dreadful is a gothic horror show that draws on classic literary characters like Dracula, Frankenstein, and Dorian Gray.

Set in Victorian London, the show follows a group of characters battling supernatural threats and exploring society’s dark underbelly.

Penny Dreadful stands out in the monster TV genre with its lush visuals, complex characters, and haunting atmosphere.

American Horror Story

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American Horror Story is a horror TV anthology series created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk that premiered in 2011.

Each season tells a self-contained story with a unique setting, characters, and plot, but with recurring actors playing different roles in each season.

The show explores different horror themes each season, from haunted houses to witch covens to circus freak shows.

The show has covered a variety of horror subgenres, including haunted houses, asylums, witches, freak shows, hotels, and cults.

Each season features a blend of horror, drama, and dark comedy and explores themes of trauma, family, power, and the human psyche.

The show has been praised for its strong ensemble cast, including regulars like Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, and Jessica Lange, as well as its inventive storytelling and visually striking cinematography.

It has also been noted for its willingness to push boundaries and challenge audiences with its explicit content and disturbing subject matter.

It has spawned a dedicated fanbase and numerous accolades, including Emmy awards and nominations.

The show continues to evolve with each season, taking on new themes and exploring new facets of horror and the human experience.

While the show can be hit or miss in terms of quality, it’s always full of inventive monsters and twisted storylines that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

The Strain

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The Strain is a vampire show with a twist, focusing on a parasitic strain of vampires that turn their victims into zombie-like creatures.

Set in New York City, the show follows a team of scientists and vampire hunters as they try to stop the spread of the disease and uncover the truth behind the creatures’ origins.

With its fast-paced action and gross-out moments, The Strain is a fun, pulpy monster show.

Supernatural

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Supernatural follows the lives of two brothers, Sam, and Dean Winchester, who hunt magical creatures and demons across the United States.

The show has been on the air since 2005 and has gained a large following due to its blend of horror, action, and comedy.

The show’s early seasons focused heavily on the brothers’ relationships with each other and their complicated family history.

As the show progressed, the plot expanded to include a broader range of supernatural creatures and villains, such as angels, demons, witches, and even gods.

One of the standout elements of the show is its clever use of pop culture references and humor.

The show is known for its meta-humor, with characters referencing other TV shows, movies, and even the actors who play them. This has helped to make the show a fan favorite and has contributed to its longevity.

Another strength of this show is its ensemble cast, which features a range of recurring characters who add depth and complexity to the show’s world.

This includes characters like the angel Castiel, the demon Crowley, and the hunter Bobby Singer, among others.

Grimm

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Grimm is a police procedural with a supernatural twist, following detective Nick Burkhardt as he discovers he’s a descendent of the Grimm Brothers and has the ability to see and fight against supernatural creatures known as Wesen.

Set in Portland, Oregon, the show has a unique blend of police drama and fairy tale mythology, making it a standout in the monster TV genre.

Hannibal

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Hannibal is a psychological horror show focusing on the relationship between FBI profiler Will Graham and the infamous cannibalistic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter.

The show is a psychological thriller TV series created by Bryan Fuller that aired on NBC from 2013 to 2015. It is based on the characters and universe of Thomas Harris’s novels, particularly the character of Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist, and cannibalistic serial killer.

The show follows FBI special investigator Will Graham, who has an uncanny ability to empathize with serial killers and recreate their thought patterns.

FBI agent Jack Crawford recruits him to work on cases with him and soon finds himself working closely with Hannibal Lecter, who serves as his psychiatrist and confidant.

As the series progresses, Hannibal’s true nature is slowly revealed, as is the extent of his influence over Will’s fragile psyche. The show also features a variety of grotesque and disturbing murders, as well as a complex web of relationships between the characters.

It has been praised for its stylish and cinematic visuals, haunting and evocative score, and strong performances, particularly by Mads Mikkelsen as Hannibal and Hugh Dancy as Will.

The show also explores themes of identity, morality, and the nature of evil and challenges viewers with its complex and often disturbing subject matter.

While the show doesn’t feature traditional monsters, it explores the darker side of human nature and the monstrous things people can do.

With its stunning visuals and complex characters, Hannibal is a must-watch for horror fans.

True Blood

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True Blood is a vampire show set in the fictional town of Bon Temps, Louisiana. The show explores themes of love, sex, and politics through the lens of the vampire community, who have recently “come out of the coffin” and revealed their existence to the world.

With its campy humor and sexy vampires, True Blood is a guilty pleasure for monster TV fans.

The Munsters

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The Munsters is a classic monster sitcom from the 1960s featuring a family of monsters who live in suburban America.

The show has a goofy, lighthearted tone and a lovable cast of characters, including Frankenstein’s monster, a vampire, a werewolf, and their normal human niece.

While the show is definitely dated, it’s still a fun and charming watch for fans of classic monster movies.

Fringe

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Fringe is a sci-fi show that explores parallel universes and alternate timelines, often featuring monsters and otherworldly creatures.

It is sci-fi series that premiered in 2008 and ran for 5 seasons. The show was created by J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci.

It followed the story of an FBI agent named Olivia Dunham and her team as they investigated a series of unexplained phenomena that defy the laws of science.

At the heart of the series is the concept of “fringe” science, which refers to scientific concepts and theories that are considered unconventional or even impossible.

Throughout the show, Dunham and her team encounter a range of bizarre and otherworldly phenomena, including shape-shifters, telekinetic abilities, and parallel universes.

One of the standout elements of this series is its complex and intricately plotted storyline. The show is known for its intricate mythology and the way it weaves together different plot threads over the course of its five seasons.

The show also features a range of compelling and well-developed characters, including Walter Bishop, a brilliant but eccentric scientist, and Peter Bishop, Walter’s estranged son, who becomes an integral part of the team.

The show also stands out for its unique blend of science fiction, horror, and procedural drama.

While the show’s overarching plot is rooted in science fiction, it also includes elements of horror and suspense and procedural elements as the team works to solve the cases they encounter.

Overall, the show is a smart and engaging science fiction series that delivers a compelling mix of science, horror, and drama.

Its complex mythology and well-drawn characters make it a must-watch for fans of the genre, and its exploration of the fringes of science and reality is sure to leave viewers questioning the limits of what is possible.

The show follows a team of FBI agents investigating bizarre phenomena and trying to save the world from catastrophic events. Fringe stands out in the monster TV genre with its complex mythology and strong performances.

Ash vs. Evil Dead

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Ash vs Evil Dead continues the Evil Dead movie franchise, featuring Bruce Campbell as the iconic Ash Williams.

The show follows Ash as he battles demonic forces and tries to save the world from an ancient evil.

With its mix of comedy, gore, and over-the-top action, Ash vs Evil Dead is a wild and fun ride for horror fans.

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