The 25+ Best Gothic Shows, Ranked

Penny Dreadful serves as a smorgasbord of gothic delights, intertwining iconic characters like Dracula, Dorian Gray, and Victor Frankenstein into a dark and decadent tapestry. In this macabre tale, Eva Green delivers a stellar performance as the enigmatic Vanessa Ives, whose haunting past unfurls amidst London's murky, gas-lit streets. As the series progresses, Penny Dreadful feeds our penchant for the morbid and the macabre, leaving us utterly bewitched.

The Haunting of Hill House has secured its place as an immensely popular gothic drama, captivating audiences with its eerie atmosphere and complex characters. The talented ensemble cast, including Victoria Pedretti and Oliver Jackson-Cohen, gives life to the various members of the tormented Crain family. The show excels in blending supernatural elements, psychological horror, and poignant family relationships, stitched together in a fabric of mystery and dread.

The Terror masterfully blends historical fiction with supernatural horror, drawing its chilling inspiration from the ill-fated Franklin Expedition. The show is anchored by its remarkable cast, including Jared Harris, Tobias Menzies, and Ciarán Hinds, as they portray the doomed crew braving treacherous conditions and a malevolent force stalking their every move. Marrying gothic sensibilities with Arctic isolation, The Terror chills us to the bone.

Salem transports us to a spooky reimagining of the 17th-century witch trials, against a canvas of malevolence, the macabre, and the supernatural. The captivating cast, including Janet Montgomery and Shane West, breathes life into the dark themes of deceit, possession, and forbidden desire. Salem bewitches viewers, coaxing us to peer deeper into the shadows and discover the terrifying secrets lying in wait.

The Haunting of Bly Manor, a follow-up to the smashing success of Hill House, spins a chilling web of ghostly apparitions and debilitating heartache. Victoria Pedretti returns, this time as the American au pair sent to look after two orphaned children on a sprawling English estate. Drawing on a rich literary backdrop, Bly Manor's gothic allure lies in its spine-tingling resonance with our deep-seated fears of loss, love, and the unknown.

Edgar Allan Poe's original story has a significant impact on pop culture that sets a high bar for other shows aiming to encapsulate the essence of gothic drama. Mike Flanagan's adaptation masterfully explores themes of fear, isolation, and madness, all key elements in classic gothic literature. 

"The Fall of the House of Usher" is a chilling gothic drama that delves into the realms of mystery and psychological horror. The plot is an eerie tale revolving around the gloomy, decaying Usher mansion and its peculiar inhabitants - Roderick and Madeline Usher, played by notable actors whose performances intensify the sense of impending doom. Roderick's acute hypersensitivity and Madeline's mysterious illness create a stifling atmosphere of dread that permeates every scene.

Kolchak: The Night Stalker, a cult classic from the 70s, pairs investigative journalism with the paranormal, unveiling a variety of supernatural and monstrous adversaries. Darren McGavin exudes charisma and resilience as Carl Kolchak, the titular character who seeks truths hidden in the shadows. This TV gem leaves a lasting impression, as it taps into our fascination with darkness and unknown forces lurking just out of sight.

The Crow: Stairway to Heaven, a late 90s gem, follows the story of Eric Draven, portrayed with enigmatic intensity by Mark Dacascos. Brought back to life after his untimely demise, Draven engages in a quest for justice and redemption, his otherworldly powers imbuing the show with a unique flavor of gothic vengeance. The series balances the sinister with the tender, entrancing us with a masterful blend of darkness and light.

Midnight Mass is a spellbinding narrative of an isolated island community, fraught with supernatural tension, simmering beneath the surface. The intricate, character-driven tale showcases the talents of Kate Siegel and Zach Gilford, unearthing the inherent horror embedded within fear, faith, and the search for redemption. It earns its stripes as a modern gothic drama, leaving viewers haunted long after the credits roll.

Dark, the German Netflix series, easily ropes in viewers with its unique fusion of time-travel and gothic elements. The labyrinthine narrative unearths the disturbing secrets that plague the small town of Winden, while a stellar cast, including Louis Hofmann and Maja Schöne, pull us deeper into a world of doppelgängers, hidden family ties, and malicious plans. Dark’s descent into chaos makes for a thrilling gothic adventure.

The Essex Serpent, based on the novel of the same name, marries gothic intrigue with Victorian authenticity, carrying the audience away to a time and place of legends, wonders, and whispered fears. Tom Hiddleston and Claire Danes navigate a friendship defined by the mysterious happenings surrounding the titular creature, evoking both the beauty and the darkness that lie within the human heart.

The Rig catches the zeitgeist of gothic storytelling with its ominous premise, set on a remote offshore oil rig plagued by an enigmatic threat. The series is anchored by a captivating ensemble cast, whose characters tread the line between sanity and madness as they unravel the malevolent mysteries surrounding them. The Rig offers a claustrophobic, tense atmosphere steeped in gothic horror.

Castle Rock takes inspiration from the literary genius of Stephen King, weaving together elements of his most chilling works - a grim tapestry of haunted towns, eerie occurrences, and deeply flawed characters. The series flaunts an impressive cast, such as André Holland and Sissy Spacek, who pull us through the crevices of Castle Rock, Maine, revealing an unnerving gothic underbelly that simultaneously fascinates and terrifies.

Chapelwaite immerses viewers in a chilling tale of vampires and supernatural horror, set against the backdrop of a dark and mysterious New England village. Adapted from Stephen King's short story, Jerusalem's Lot, the series boasts compelling performances by Adrien Brody and Emily Hampshire. Chapelwaite masterfully delves into themes of family, legacy, and forbidden knowledge befitting a classic gothic drama.

Shining Girls, a time-bending thriller, showcases Elisabeth Moss’s exceptional talent as she portrays a newspaper reporter hunting her own would-be killer. The show delves into a world of twisted timelines and sinister intrigue, creating a haunting tapestry interwoven by darkness and violence. Elements of suspense and intrigue firmly root Shining Girls in the pantheon of great gothic dramas.

Servant from M. Night Shyamalan is an exercise in atmospheric tension and psychological horror, revolving around a disquieting nanny and a grieving family. The cast, featuring Lauren Ambrose and Toby Kebbell, navigate a claustrophobic household where the lines between the real and the surreal blur, and a sinister undercurrent courses through each moment. Delving into themes of loss, obsession, and the uncanny, Servant ensnares the viewer in its gothic web of unease, leaving us with an uneasiness that lingers long after each episode's eerie conclusion.

Locke & Key masterfully blends gothic intrigue with fantastical elements, centered on a family that discovers magical keys within their ancestral home. Led by a strong cast, including Darby Stanchfield and Connor Jessup, the series captivates us with its mysterious narrative and supernatural undertones, deftly exploring the delicate balance between darkness and wonder.

Them, an unsettling piece of horror television, delves into the harrowing experience of a Black family moving into an all-white neighborhood during the 1950s. Gothic hallmarks of dread, malice, and the supernatural are interwoven with piercing social commentary, culminating in a chilling portrait of human prejudice and division. As the plot unfolds, Them grasps our deepest fears and refuses to let them go.

Great Expectations, a literary classic, morphs seamlessly into a captivating gothic drama, thanks to the recent BBC adaptation. The show unravels an engrossing tale of love, social mobility, and long-buried secrets, with a stellar cast comprised of Ray Winstone, David Suchet, and Gillian Anderson. Drenched in atmosphere, tension, and splendid storytelling, Great Expectations is a showcase of the gothic genre's timeless allure.

Ratched, a prequel to One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, delves into the origin story of the infamous Nurse Ratched. Sarah Paulson breathes new life into the iconic character, fully embracing the series' dark and disturbing atmosphere. With its evocative period setting and exploration of psychological horror, Ratched secures its place among the ranks of memorable gothic dramas.

Katla captures our imagination with a unique fusion of volcanic landscapes and supernatural phenomena. Set in Iceland, after the eruption of the titular volcano, this Nordic drama follows a tight-knit community grappling with the mysterious beings that emerge from the ash. Katla's poetic and visceral imagery, combined with its haunting themes, situates it firmly within the realm of gothic storytelling.

Outer Range pushes the boundaries of conventional gothic drama, incorporating themes of frontier life, existential ponderings, and the unknown. Centered on a Wyoming rancher, played by Josh Brolin, the series deftly incorporates sinister forces lurking on the fringes of the characters' lives - a haunting reminder of the darker aspects of human nature that permeate our existence.

Diving into a dark and mysterious world, “The Burning Girls” presents an intoxicating blend of gothic drama with elements of mystery and thriller. Set in the quaint yet eerie town of Chapel Croft, this gripping series revolves around Reverend Jack Brooks and her teenage daughter Flo who relocate to escape from their traumatic past. 

V.C. Andrews’ Dawn is another epic entry into Lifetime's adaptations of V.C. Andrews' novels, this one the first of the Cutler series. Dawn Culter (Brec Bassinger), may be from humble and hopeful origins, but as she reunites with a family she never knew she also becomes swept up into their secrets and dark mysteries. This four-part miniseries stars Fran Drescher as Agnes Morris, in her first return to the small screen after thirty years. 

Somewhere Boy, a compelling Channel 4 drama series set in South Wales and starring Lewis Gribben, tells the story of a teenager named Danny, who has been isolated from the world by his father after his mother's tragic death. As Danny unravels the truth behind his father's claims of monsters and confronts his reality, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

Flowers in the Attic: The Origin takes a dip into the twisted world of the Dollanganger family, unearthing the sinister secrets that lie at the heart of their seemingly idyllic lives. The series delves into themes of sibling rivalry and isolation while keeping viewers on edge with its suspenseful storytelling. The Origin adeptly taps into the gothic vibe of V.C. Andrews's original novel.

American Gothic, a 90s classic, revives the terror and secrecy of a small New England town plagued by a mysterious murderer. The ensemble cast, featuring Sarah Paulson and Gary Cole, delivers a powerful emotional punch, as they navigate the blood-soaked tapestry of their lives. As secrets unravel and tensions boil, American Gothic dazzles viewers with a unique blend of horror, mystery, and family drama.

Jane Eyre, a captivating adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's classic novel, follows the resilient and passionate young orphan, Jane Eyre, as she navigates the complexities of love, moral principles, and social status. With its evocative storytelling and strong performances, this version captures the essence of the timeless coming-of-age tale, set amidst the dramatic backdrop of Victorian England.

The Girl In The Woods invites us on a harrowing journey of survival and mystery, as we follow a group of friends confronting the supernatural beings lurking in the nearby forest. With its eerie setting and engaging performances, the series engrosses viewers in a menacing, otherworldly dimension, carving out a unique space in the landscape of gothic dramas.