Let’s be honest: real life can get awfully dull at times. That’s why supernatural television programs have always held so much sway over us. They allow us to enter into realms where vampires brood, demons plot, ghosts haunt, and reality itself distorts in bizarre, spooky, or comedic fashions. Whether you’re in the mood for a spine-tingling scare, a quirky laugh, or an epic showdown between good and evil, supernatural TV has never failed to deliver. But which ones have carved their place into legend? Grab your salt, holy water, and maybe a flashlight. Here’s our countdown of the 10 most iconic supernatural shows ever made.
10. Gravity Falls
Who says the paranormal can’t be enjoyable for kids and grown-ups alike? Gravity Falls combines summer fun with an equal serving of mystery, as twins Dipper and Mabel solve the strange happenings in their uncle’s town. From gnomes to time distortions, each episode adds a new and bizarre layer. Half-hearted humor and half-full of laughs, this one shows that “supernatural” also equals laugh-out-loud funny.
9. Misfits
Imagine Skins crossed with superheroes with a whole lot more swearing and grime. A freak storm of lightning imbues a group of juvenile delinquents with superpowers that suit their grimy personalities, and mayhem breaks out. Misfits is witty, flippant, and a fabulously quirky take on superheroes before they became the big mainstream juggernaut they are now.
8. Wellington Paranormal
What do you get when you cast two very polite New Zealand police officers on supernatural crimes? Sheer comedy gold. A spinoff from What We Do in the Shadows, this mockumentary series offers deadpan humor as the police officers handle vampires, demons, and ghosts as if they were just minor nuisances. It’s ridiculous, it’s heartwarming, and it’s not another cop show you’re familiar with.
7. What We Do in the Shadows
And speaking of, the Staten Island vampires win the award for the most absurd blood-suckers on television. From roommate dramas to encounters with the city council, their efforts to assimilate into modern society never fail to amuse. Thanks to sharp writing and irrepressible characters (Colin Robinson, anyone?), this show is proof that the undead can be nothing but hilarious.
6. Stranger Things
Few series have taken hold of the cultural zeitgeist like Stranger Things. Half-’80s nostalgia, half-government cover-up, half-cosmic terror, it presented us with the Demogorgon, the Upside Down, and naturally, Eleven. A love letter to traditional supernatural fare, presented in the guise of friendships and heart.
5. Angel
A vampire tormented by guilt and trying to make amends, running a supernatural detective firm? Absolutely. Angel branched out from Buffy but developed its own personality, with plenty of noir atmosphere, demon-bashing fight scenes, and moral dilemmas and quests for meaning. It’s a show that combined thrilling combat with unexpectedly introspective musing.
4. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
A pop culture giant. Buffy made high school a war zone against vampires, demons, and all the metaphorical monsters teenagers encounter. With its combination of humor, horror, and heart, it raised the bar for supernatural drama and provided fans with one of television’s greatest heroines.
3. Supernatural
Fifteen years. More than 300 episodes. Sam and Dean Winchester’s horror road trip adventure reached cult status. With its mix of frights, laughs, and sentimental brotherly love, Supernatural evolved into one of television’s most dedicated fan bases and became an all-time classic.
2. Twin Peaks
Half murder mystery, half fever dream, Twin Peaks changed the televisual landscape. FBI Agent Dale Cooper’s plunge into the creepy, surreal town is both disturbing and entrancing. With its visions during sleep, mysterious mythology, and indelible characters, Twin Peaks is still the best supernatural curio.
1. The X-Files
The ultimate queen of paranormal television. Mulder and Scully teased us with theories about everything from extraterrestrial life to conspiracies within the government while serving up some of television’s greatest episodes of all time. Mixing monster-of-the-week frights with season-spanning mythology, The X-Files popularized paranoia and left us all hoping to believe.
In the end, these shows prove one thing: when the supernatural collides with good storytelling, the result is unforgettable. So whether you’re here for the scares, the laughs, or the sheer weirdness, there’s always another mystery waiting in the dark.