Horror Movies Made Into TV Series

Horror movies so iconic they were expanded into a tv series, scroll the list and find your next binge.

We don't currently have pages for tv series, we may in the future, but you can follow the orange links to read more about the movies that inspired each series.

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Bates Motel (2013–2017) 

Horror • Psychological • Thriller • Prequel

Based on Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece horror film, Psycho (1960), while the series is a prequel to the film, it takes place in the 2010's.

The series ran for an impressive 5 seasons, 50 episodes with a 45min runtime.

Cast features: Vera Farmiga, Freddie Highmore, Max Thieriot, Olivia Cooke, Nestor Carbonell, and others.

Plot Summary: A prequel series showing Norman Bates’ descent into madness and his toxic dependency relationship with his mother.

It: Welcome To Derry (2025-Present)

Horror • Paranormal • Aliens

A prequel series for the IT (2017) movie franchise.

This is a rare occurrence where the original media was a tv series; the franchise began as a miniseries, 'Stephen King's IT' (1990), which was adapted from the horror novelist's book.

Stephen King came up with the idea of a clown only you can see when he was sitting on a plane, and a man dressed as Ronald McDonald boarded the plane and sat next to him, no one on the plane seemed to react or take notice, making King wonder if he was imagining it.

Cast features: Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Matilda Lawler, Amanda Christine, Clara Stack, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Blake Cameron James, Arian S. Cartaya, Peter Outerbridge, Madeleine Stowe, Bill Skarsgård, and others.

Plot Summary: the series takes place in Derry (Maine USA) during the 1960s, chronicling horrifying events after a meteor strike curses the town and the alien creature Pennywise escapes from his space prison (the meteor).

Crystal Lake (2026-Present)

Horror • Slasher • Prequel

This is a prequel to Friday The 13th (1980) and it has yet to air.

Something to look forward to in 2026, we can confirm that filming of the first season has wrapped and it is in post-production; the series will air on the US network Peacock, but there is no release date as of writing.

Linda Cardellini stars as Pamela Voorhees.

Cast features: Linda Cardellini, Danielle Kotch, Callum Vinson, William Catlett, Cameron Scoggins, Christopher Denham, Adrienne King, and others.

Plot Summary: a prequel series based on the Friday the 13th Franchise It will explore the origins of Jason Voorhees and his mother, Pamela, expanding the mythology of Camp Crystal Lake.

Hannibal (2013-2015)

Horror • Serial Killer • Psychological

Inspired by The Silence Of The Lambs (1991) movie franchise, which is based on the Red Dragon novels.

the series stars Mads Mikkelsen, Hugh Dancy, Laurence Fishburne, Caroline Dhavernas, Aaron Abrams, Scott Thompson, and others.

Cast features: Mads Mikkelsen, Hugh Dancy, Caroline Dhavernas, Laurence Fishburne, Gillian Anderson, Scott Thompson, Aaron Abrams, Hettienne Park, Katharine Isabelle, Michael Pitt, Cynthia Nixon, and others.

Plot Summary: Explores Hannibal Lecter’s early relationship with FBI profiler Will Graham; both a gift and a curse, Graham has the extraordinary ability to think like his prey—he sees what they see, feels what they feel. But while Graham is pursuing an especially troubling, cannibalistic murderer, Special Agent Jack Crawford teams him with a highly respected psychiatrist – a man with a taste for the criminal minded – Dr. Hannibal Lecter.

The Exorcist (2016–2018)

Horror • Paranormal • Possession

Based on The Exorcist (1973) movie franchise.

Cast features: Alfonso Herrera, Ben Daniels, Kurt Egyiawan, Hannah Kasulka, Brianne Howey, Li Jun Li, Brianna Hildebrand, Alan Ruck, John Cho, and others.

Plot Summary: A modern continuation following two priests confronting demonic possession. Angela is plagued by increasingly frightening nightmares, her husband is slowly losing his mind, her older daughter spends her time locked in her room and her younger daughter hears strange noises from inside the walls. Two priests are brought together, as all their fates become entangled in a battle against an ancient force of evil.

Ash vs Evil Dead (2015–2018)

Horror • Paranormal • Comedy • Splatter  • Action

Based on The Evil Dead (1981) movie franchise, this is a continuation and interestingly, Bruce Campbell reprises his role as Ash, fighting Deadites with humour and gore.

Cast features: Bruce Campbell, Ray Santiago, Dana DeLorenzo, Lucy Lawless, Jill Marie Jones, Arielle Carver-O’Neill, Lee Majors, Ted Raimi, Michelle Hurd, Joel Tobeck, and others.

Plot Summary: Ash has spent the last thirty years avoiding responsibility, maturity, and the terrors of the Evil Dead until a Deadite plague threatens to destroy all of mankind and Ash becomes mankind's only hope.

Chucky (2021–2024)

Horror • Doll • Slasher • Splatter • Comedy

Continuation of the Child’s Play (1988) franchise that follows the killer doll wreaking havoc in new settings.

Cast features: Zackary Arthur, Björgvin Arnarson, Alyvia Alyn Lind, Teo Briones, Brad Dourif, Jennifer Tilly, Fiona Dourif, Devon Sawa, and others.

Plot Summary: after a vintage Chucky doll turns up at a suburban yard sale, an idyllic American town is thrown into chaos as a series of horrifying murders begin to expose the town's hypocrisies and secrets.

Friday The 13th: The Series (1987–1990) 

Horror • Slasher • Paranormal • Spin-off

Loosely tied to Friday the 13th (1980), this is a spin-off focused on cursed antiques rather than Jason Voorhees.

Cast features: Louise Robey, John D. LeMay, Chris Wiggins, Steve Monarque, R.G. Armstrong, and others.

Plot Summary: Two young antique store owners, Micki and Ryan, with the help of their friend Jack, try to recover cursed antiques so they can store them in safety inside the antique store's vault.

Creepshow (2019–2023) 

Horror • Serial Killer • Psychological

Based on the Creepshow (1982) movie franchise, this series is also an Anthology, keeping the comic‑book style of Romero and King’s original.

Cast features: Adrienne Barbeau, Tobin Bell, Giancarlo Esposito, Tricia Helfer, David Arquette, Kid Cudi, Ali Larter, James Remar, Justin Long, DJ Qualls, Keith David, Mark Hamill, and others.

Plot Summary: a young boy's horror comic books come to life in this anthology series of terrifying tales hosted by the silent Creepshow ghoul.

Swamp Thing (2019) 

Horror • Supernatural • Romance

Inspired by Wes Craven’s Swamp Thing (1982), this horror series blending gothic romance and creature horror.

Cast features: Crystal Reed, Virginia Madsen, Andy Bean, Derek Mears, Henderson Wade, Maria Sten, Jeryl Prescott, Will Patton, Jennifer Beals, Kevin Durand, Ian Ziering, and others.

Plot Summary: CDC researcher Abby Arcane investigates what seems to be a deadly swamp-born virus in a small town in Louisiana but she soon discovers that the swamp holds mystical and terrifying secrets. When unexplainable and chilling horrors emerge from the murky marsh, no one is safe.

Damien (2016)

Horror • Paranormal • Spin-off

Based on The Omen (1976) movie franchise, the series follows Damien Thorn as an adult grappling with his Antichrist destiny.

Cast features: Bradley James, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Omid Abtahi, Barbara Hershey, David Meunier, Robin Weigert, Melanie Scrofano, Scott Wilson, and others.

Plot summary: to bring the end to all God's creation Satan's own Son must rule over all nations as prophesied before. Damien Thorn has to accept his destiny as a latter-day Antichrist. Despite his human nature and emotions, his diabolic origin would eventually prevail.

From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series (2014–2016) 

Horror • Vampires • Action • Folklore • Remake

Based on the From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) movie franchise, this series is a remake the franchise while expanding the story and mythology.

Cast features: D.J. Cotrona, Zane Holtz, Eiza González, Jesse Garcia, Madison Davenport, Brandon Soo Hoo, Robert Patrick, Wilmer Valderrama, Jake Busey, Esai Morales, Don Johnson, Danny Trejo, and others.

Plot Summary: The horror and crime thriller genres collide in this new original series from Robert Rodriguez, based on his cult grindhouse classic about bank-robbing brothers on the run, a lawman bent on bringing them to justice, the devout family caught in the cross-fire, and an ancient evil eager to feast on them all.

Scream: The TV Series (2015–2019)

Horror • Slasher • Comedy • Spin-off

Based on the Scream (1996) movie franchise, this slasher series as new characters but similar meta‑horror tone.

Cast features Willa Fitzgerald, Bex Taylor-Klaus, Carlson Young, John Karna, Amadeus Serafini, Tracy Middendorf, Santiago Segura, Kiana Ledé, Tom Maden, Connor Weil, and others.

Plot Summary: What starts as a YouTube video going viral, soon leads to problems for the teenagers of Lakewood and serves as the catalyst for a murder that opens up a window to the town's troubled past. Everyone has secrets. Everyone tells lies. Everyone is fair game.

The Mist (2017)

Horror • Paranormal • Psychological • Remake

Based on The Mist (2007) movie and Stephen King’s novel where a small town faces a paranormal fog and the monsters hiding within it.

Cast Features: Morgan Spector, Alyssa Sutherland, Gus Birney, Danica Curcic, Okezie Morro, Luke Cosgrove, Darren Pettie, Russell Posner, Frances Conroy, Isiah Whitlock Jr., and others.

Plot summary: a small town family is torn apart by a brutal crime. As they deal with the fallout an eerie mist rolls in, suddenly cutting them off from the rest of the world, and in some cases, each other.

Poltergeist: The Legacy (1996–1999) 

Horror • Paranormal • spin-off • Witchcraft

Loosely tied to Poltergeist (1982), this series follows a secret society battling paranormal forces.

Cast features: Derek de Lint, Martin Cummins, Helen Shaver, Robbi Chong, Kristin Lehman, Alexandra Purvis, Patrick Fitzgerald, Daniel J. Travanti, and others.

Plot Summary: the adventures of the members of a secret society known as "The Legacy" and their efforts to protect humankind from occult dangers.

I Know What You Did Last Summer (2021-2022)

Horror • Slasher • Mystery • Remake

A modern reimagining of the slasher film I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), the series follows a group of teenagers haunted by a deadly secret after a fatal accident on graduation night. Only lasted 1 season (8 episodes).

Cast features: Madison Iseman, Bill Heck, Brianne Tju, Ezekiel Goodman, Ashley Moore, Sebastian Amoruso, Fiona Rene, Cassie Beck, Brooke Bloom, Sonya Balmores, and others.

Plot Summary: in a town full of secrets, a group of teenagers are stalked by a mysterious killer a year after a fatal accident on their graduation night.

30 Days of Night: Blood Trails (2007)

Horror • Vampires • Prequel

This miniseries is a prequel to the film 30 Days of Night (2007), following a man who uncovers a vampire conspiracy in New Orleans.

Cast features: Andrew Laurich, Geoff Stirling Jr., Trip Hope, Brittney Kara, Tiffany Barrett, Perry Cornelius, Marilyn Johnson, Patrick Logan Pace, and others.

Plot Summary: based on the New Orleans storyline from the original graphic novel by Steve Niles "30 DAYS OF NIGHT." BLOOD TRAILS follows George, a young addict who makes a living seeking covert information for Judith, the weary but wise New Orleans vampire hunter. Ready for change, George plans to score one final job so he can leave town, but finds the road to salvation quickly crumbling when his contacts start turning up dead. Now George must dodge vampires while navigating the harsh underbelly of New Orleans to get his last payday and make it out alive.

30 Days of Night: Dust to Dust (2008)

Horror • Vampires • Sequel

This miniseries is also based on the film 30 Days Of Night (2007), but is set after the events of the film, following a woman whose sister is turned into a vampire.

Cast features Shawnee Smith, Christopher Stapleton, Ted Raimi, Ken Foree, Mimi Michaels, Christopher Allen Nelson, Andrew Laurich, and others.

Plot Summary: Sara Maguire is a nurse at a prison. When she and three guards are transferring George, a convicted murderer, the group is attacked by a vampire. The prisoner escapes while the vampire manages to kill the guards and slit Sara's throat. Sara manages to escape while bleeding, realizing that she is turning into a vampire. Sara's brother Nick, an ex-cop, hears of the attack at the prison, and goes out looking for her, initially assuming that the escaped prisoner is responsible.

Tremors: The Series  (2003)

Horror • Monster • Action • Western • Sequel

Based on the Tremors (1990) movie franchise, this series picks up after the 3rd film in the franchise. Burt Gummer returns to defend Perfection Valley from Graboids, Shriekers, and Ass‑Blasters. Interestingly, a pilot episode reboot with Kevin Bacon was filmed in 2018, but the series wasn't picked up.

Cast features Michael Gross, Victor Browne, Gladise Jimenez, Marcia Strassman, Lela Lee, Dean Norris, J.D. Walsh, and others.

Plot Summary: small town notices weird deaths in the desert. There are giant worms under the sand. They can hear the location of people through the vibration of their movement. Finally they blow them up with dynamite.

Wolf Creek (2016-2017)

Horror • Slasher • Thriller • Sequel

Based on the movie Wolf Creek (2005), this series continues the story past the sequel.

Cast features John Jarratt, Lucy Fry, Dustin Clare, Matt Levett, Andrew Ryan, Deborah Mailman, Miranda Tapsell, Jessica Tovey, Jake Ryan, Tess Haubrich, and others.

Plot summary: In season 1, a teenage girl survives Mick Taylor’s massacre of her family and sets out to hunt him down, and in season 2, it follows different tourists in the outback who cross paths with Mick.

Plot Summary: an anthology series which centers on different characters being targeted by crazed serial killer Mick Taylor in the Australian outback.

Blade: The Series (2006)

Horror • Vampires • Fantasy • Action • Sequel

This series is based on the Blade (1998) movie franchise, and continues the story after the 2nd sequel, without Wesley Snipes in the lead role.

Cast features Sticky Fingaz, Jill Wagner, Neil Jackson, Jessica Gower, Nelson Lee, Larry Poindexter, and others.

Plot Summary: the adventures of the half human/vampire hunter Blade, as he battles the powerful House of Chthon in Detroit. He forms an uneasy alliance with Krista Starr, a military veteran investigating her twin brother’s murder, who becomes entangled in the vampire underworld after being turned herself.

A reboot of this series has been in development since 2019, but the Pandemic seems to have stalled talks.

The Dead Zone (2002–2007)

Supernatural • Fantasy • Thriller

Based on Stephen King’s novel and The Dead Zone (1983) movie.

Cast features Anthony Michael Hall, Nicole de Boer, Chris Bruno, John L. Adams, Sean Patrick Flanery, David Ogden Stiers, and others.

Plot Summary: Johnny Smith, a schoolteacher who awakens from a six‑year coma with psychic abilities that allow him to see the past and future through physical contact. Struggling to rebuild his life, Johnny uses his visions to help solve crimes, prevent disasters, and confront moral dilemmas—while also facing the chilling prophecy that he may be destined to stop a dangerous politician, Greg Stillson, from triggering an apocalyptic future.

Sleepy Hollow (2013–2017)

Horror • Romance • Fantasy

Inspired by The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and the Tim Burton film Sleepy Hollow (1999); this series mixes horror, fantasy, and police procedural.

Cast features Tom Mison, Nicole Beharie, Lyndie Greenwood, Orlando Jones, Katia Winter, John Noble, Zach Appelman, Jeremy Davies, Janina Gavankar, and others.

Plot Summary: Ichabod Crane is resurrected and pulled two and a half centuries through time to unravel a mystery that dates all the way back to the founding fathers.

Dracula (2013–2014)

Horror • Romance • Vampire

1 season series inspired by the classic novel and countless film adaptations, starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers.

Cast features Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Jessica De Gouw, Thomas Kretschmann, Victoria Smurfit, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Nonso Anozie, Katie McGrath, Robert Bathurst, Ben Miles, and others.

Plot Summary: dracula travels to London, with dark plans for revenge against those who ruined his life centuries earlier. However, his plan is complicated when he falls in love with a woman who seems to be a reincarnation of his dead wife.

The Shining (1997)

Horror • Paranormal • Psychological

Technically a miniseries (3 episodes), adapted directly from Stephen King’s novel and The Shining (1980). This miniseries stays truer to the source, but doesn't have as good of a cast as the film, or the budget. The miniseries was filmed at the real Stanley Hotel which inspired the novel. The film version leans more into psychological horror whereas the miniseries leans more into the paranormal.

Cast features Steven Weber, Rebecca De Mornay, Courtland Mead, Wil Horneff, Melvin Van Peebles, Pat Hingle, and others.

Plot Summary: a recovering alcoholic must wrestle with demons within and without when he and his family move into a haunted hotel as caretakers.

Dracula (2020)

Horror • Fantasy • Vampire • Psychological

This miniseries (3 episodes) reinvents this classic story with a modern finish and wasn't inspired by Dracula (1992) or any other film adaptations. The first two episodes are very scary and were highly praised, with the third episode not being as well-loved. Van Helsing in this version is a nun. Episode 2 feels very similar to The Last Voyage Of The Demeter (2023).

Cast features Claes Bang, Dolly Wells, John Heffernan, Morfydd Clark, Lydia West, Joanna Scanlan, Mark Gatiss, Sacha Dhawan, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Clive Russell, and others.

Plot Summary: In 1897 Transylvania, the blood-drinking Count rises, terrorizing those trapped in his castle, and those trapped aboard a doomed shipped headed for London.

Alien Earth (2025-Present)

Horror • Aliens • Robots • Psychological

Based off of the Alien (1979) franchise, this

Cast features Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther, Essie Davis, Samuel Blenkin, Babou Ceesay, Adarsh Gourav, Erana James, Lily Newmark, Jonathan Ajayi, David Rysdahl, Diêm Camille, and others.

Plot summary: When a mysterious space vessel crash-lands on Earth, a young woman and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet's greatest threat.

The Creep Tapes (2024-Present)

Horror • Serial Killer • Found Footage • Psychological

Based on the 'Creep' (2014) franchise with Mark duplass reprising his iconic role.

Cast features Mark Duplass, Josh Fadem, Josh Ruben, Krisha Fairchild, Tai Leclaire, Mike Luciano, David Nordstrom, David Dastmalchian, Scott Pitts, John Craven, and others.

Plot summary: A secluded serial killer lures videographers into his world with the promise of a paid job documenting his life. Unfortunately, as the tape rolls, the killer's questionable intentions surface with his increasingly odd behavior and the victims will learn they may have made a deadly mistake.

Swamp Thing (1990-1993)

Horror • Supernatural • Action

Based on the 'Swamp Thing' (1982) movie and comic book series.

Cast features Dick Durock, Mark Lindsay Chapman, Carrell Myers, Scott Garrison, Kari Wührer, Kevin Quigley, and others.

Plot summary: When an attempt on Dr. Alec Holland's life leaves him consumed by deadly chemicals and fire, the swamps of Louisiana transform him into a superhuman creature hell-bent on ridding the swamp--and the world--of the evil that men do.

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We hope you found some tv series you didn't know existed, now stop scrolling and watch some horror.

We will be keeping this blog post up-to-date, so bookmark it if you will want to return and find more Horror Movies Made Into Tv Series.