Streaming Sci Fi TV: Tracking down sci fi and fantasy shows of interest on the streaming services. Note that streaming availability can change with little to no notice.
Halloween is a week away and you may be wanting to binge some horror-themed television shows over the coming days to prepare yourself for the Trick-or-Treat festivities. Following is a list of ten (plus) shows that are currently available across the streaming services that should satisfy your need for some frights during the spooky season. Note that the episodes listed indicate what is available for streaming, not necessarily the total number of episodes produced for the show. If the show is streaming on more than one service, I indicate the free option first.
The Twilight Zone
(Paramount+, 5 Seasons Totaling 156 Episodes): This classic anthology had its share of sci fi and supernatural elements, but it worked in horror as a prevalent theme throughout much of its run. You can do a google search for the scariest TZ episodes and that should keep you plenty busy over the coming days with creepy tales delivering a Rod Serling twist. This show used to be widely available across the streaming services, but Paramount has been reining in the properties it owns lately and now you have to pony up the subscription price of its service to watch the show (interestingly, though, they do not have the ’80s or early ’00s Twilight Zone revivals available). There is plenty more to watch on that service, so it may just be worth it.
Thriller
(The Roku Channel, 1 Season Totaling 30 Episodes): This Boris Karloff-led anthology focused more on suspense and the supernatural, but it knew how to deliver its scares as well. Sadly, it has been mostly forgotten these days and only the one season is currently available for streaming. But it should be a fun watch this time of year and it pairs up well with The Twilight Zone.
The Outer Limits
(The Roku Channel, 2 Season Totaling 49 Episodes): While this classic anthology had a focus on science fiction tales, it brought in some frights with the many monsters that were central to the episodes. Sure, the ’60s sfx and makeup turn this into somewhat of a cheesy affair, but it is still a ton of fun to watch these episodes and you just might find that they stir up more scares than you expect. This one is also streaming for free on demand at Pluto TV.
The Addams Family/The Munsters
(Tubi TV, 2 Seasons Totaling 64 Episodes / Peacock, 2 Seasons Totaling 70 Episodes): Looking for some humor to go with your Halloween partying, then turn on either or both of these classic horror comedies. Whether you are looking for the traditional monster characters of The Munsters or the ghoulie family antics of The Addams Family, both shows have stood the test of time and offer plenty of hours of fun, especially at this time of year. The Addams Family is also streaming for free at Tubi TV and Amazon’s FreeVee.
Dark Shadows
(FreeVee, 12 Seasons Totaling 1,225 Episodes): One of the all-time horror classics, this horror-themed soap opera has over a thousand episodes of vampires, werewolves, witches, ghosts, and more and even throws in some interesting time travel twists. You are best off starting with the second season when Barnabas Collins was introduced, and be warned that this is a pretty cheesy production. But despite the many gaffs common from live television at that time, the show also delivered some good, scary stories. This one is also streaming for free at Tubi TV and Pluto TV has a Dark Shadows channel.
Kolchak: The Night Stalker
(NBC.com, 1 Season Totaling 20 Episodes): Speaking of cheesy, this series definitely falls into that category as well with its ’70s television production values, but when it was at its best it delivered some standout horror tales. Sadly, the first two movies–The Night Stalker and The Night Strangler–are not part of the streaming package, but the series had some good episodes and it also had some significant impact on shows that would follow (such as the next entry on this list). It is a quick watch at only twenties episodes, but there are plenty of monsters and spooks to keep you entertained.
The X-Files
(FreeVee, 11 Seasons Totaling (218 Episodes): This Chris Carter series arrived in 1993 and made television scary again. Its basic premise was rooted in the paranormal with some sci fi elements, but horror themes were prevalent as well and this show delivered plenty of creepy episodes. Note that the first season is a pretty cheesy affair as the show was finding its way, and diminishing returns set in beyond the sixth season. But The X-Files has plenty of worthwhile scary episodes to choose from across its eleven season run (though not so much the two revival seasons). This one is also available for streaming at Hulu.
Eerie, Indiana
(The Roku Channel, 1 Season Totaling 19 Episodes): This fun little series has mostly been forgotten, but this time of year might be a good time to revisit it since it is streaming for free. It is sort of a YA blend of The X-Files with plenty of witty humor as teenager Marshall Teller investigates all the strange things happening in the odd little town he recently moved to. It’s a ton of fun and if you like this there was a revival series titled Eerie, Indiana: The Other Dimension that carries on the story of the strange town. The original is also streaming for free at Amazon’s FreeVee.
Buffy, the Vampire Slayer/Angel
(The Roku Channel, 7 Seasons Totaling 144 Episodes / The Roku Channel, 5 Seasons Totaling 110 Episodes): If you are looking for many hours of horror-streaming fun over the coming week, then this Joss Whedon classic and its spin-off have you covered. Buffy at the Scooby Gang face off against plenty of vampires and demons and other supernatural threats across that show’s seven seasons. And Angel follows the reluctant vampire of the title as he deals with supernatural menaces along with his own demons across five seasons. Both shows bring lots of frights along with plenty of witty fun, and you might be able to make your way through a best-of list of both in the days leading up to Halloween. Both of these are also streaming at Hulu.
Courage the Cowardly Dog
(HBO Max, 4 Seasons Totaling 52 Episodes): I had to add this animated entry to my list, because it is a particular favorite of mine. Courage is a kindly though cowardly dog taken in by an elderly couple after his parents were sent into outer space by a demented veterinarian. His life should be a simple one living on a small farm near the town of Nowhere, but instead he regularly encounters monsters, aliens, ghosts, and other scary creatures in this quirky cartoon that often borders on the absurd. The award-winning show is a ton of fun and should do a good job of getting you in the mood for Trick or Treat. This one is also available on Boomerang’s streaming service.
CancelledSciFi.com: Keep up with the status updates of all the currently airing sci fi and fantasy shows with our Cancellation Watch posts. And be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for breaking news and updates.
SciFiTVSite.com: Follow our Sci Fi TV Schedule for all the currently airing and upcoming sci fi and fantasy television shows, and you can see the premieres for all the upcoming genre entries at this link.
