Some genres have clear-cut definitions. Romance means a happy ending (or happy for now). Action guarantees pulse-spiking sequences.Horrorensures viewers will want to sleep with a nightlight on. One genre (is it a genre?) that isn’t so definitive isGothic. When consumerslook up Gothic filmsor series, there seems to be an overlap between them — a clearvibe, if you will — but it’s hard to nail down. Gothic can be found in the aforementioned genres, while others consider it its own category entirely.
Despite this variety, there are key characteristics of Gothic series. 1) Atmosphere: typically, they’re moody, dark, and gloomy. 2) Tropes: unexplained occurrences, mysteries, supernatural creatures. 3) High emotions: dramas, comedies, romances — no matter what it is, the characters are feelingsomethingand the best Gothic series transfer those emotions onto viewers. Here are the best Gothic series you won’t regret watching.
20The Munsters (1964-1966)
The Munsters
The Munstersis not your average family sitcom. The series follows the Munsters, an “average” American family consisting of Frankstein’s monster, vampires, werewolves, dragons, and more. The father, Herman, is the head of the household, but his goofy and immature ways sometimes make viewers wonder if he’s not actually one of the kids. Lily, the mother, is a tad eccentric and often chafes against the expectations of housewives with her own ambitions. The creators of the show took the concept of a typical family TV series that depicts the everyday lives of a family unit, and examined what that’d look like with such unique characters.
Monsters Meet Mundanity
The series leans into its weirdness in the best possible way. Most of the main characters don’t recognize how truly “different” they are, which is both endearing and hilarious. We often don’t see depictions of vampires or Frankenstein battling with mundane issues, butThe Munstersmanages to do so without it feeling dull or conversely, too over-the-top. The dialogue and plot have a satirical tone, but it plays it just right. For viewers who want a Gothic show that doesn’t take itself too seriously, this is the perfect option.Stream on Peacock
19Penny Dreadful (2014-2016)
Penny Dreadful
Penny Dreadfulbrings together some of the most iconic characters from classic Gothic fiction: Dorian Gray, Dr. Jekyll, and Frankenstein, among others. Set in the late-1800s in London, an American named Ethan is hired by two individuals to rescue one of their daughters. He’s not tasked with retrieving the young woman from a friend or a boyfriend, but rather a supernatural creature. Soon, Ethan and his companions find themselves in a vampire nest, seeking advice and guidance from individuals like Victor Frankenstein and generally, way in over their heads.
Perfect for Bookworms
This Gothic series is perfect for classic literature buffs and lovers of horror. It’s beautifully shot, well-acted, and quite creepy. Each character has their own subplots and motivations, and they often clash with each other, ensuring lots of juicy conflict to come. It’s interesting to see which traits of these beloved characters the showrunners embraced and what aspects of their personalities they wanted to change or expand upon. And even with a cast of rich characters who millions recognize, Ethan still holds his own as a dynamic and fleshed-out person.Stream on Paramount+
18Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018-2020)
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
The witchy character of Sabrina Spellman has been with audiences for a long time: the Archie Comics series starting in the ’70s and the sitcomSabrina the Teenage Witchin the mid-90s. Now inChilling Adventures of Sabrina, the character and story embrace more of a supernatural horror element. It follows Sabrina, who is half-witch, half-human, and on her 16th birthday, she must leave behind her human life and wholly step into her witchiness, even with all the dangers it presents.
The Classic Character in a Darker Setting
Those who enjoyed earlier iterations of this character will like to see what changes were made to adapt her to this darker setting. The darkness isn’t just relegated to the spooky backdrops and Halloween-like feel, but certain plot points revolve around assault, murder, and demons. Despite all that heaviness, there’s still plenty of humor (dark and light) to propel viewers through the show.Stream on Netflix
17A Series of Unfortunate Events (2017-2019)
A Series of Unfortunate Eventsis a peculiar black comedy based on a series of novels by Lemony Snicket. The Baudelaire kids consist of Violet, Klaus, and baby Sunny. When their parents are killed in a fire (which also destroyed their house), the siblings are sent to live with their estranged relative, Count Olaf. Right from the start, the circumstances surrounding the fire seem suspicious, but it’s hard to piece together clues when Olaf is subjecting them to hours upon hours of labor. When it becomes clear Olaf is after their family fortune, the children must outrun him and his cronies while pursuing answers.
A Vibrant Cast in a Gloomy World
Some shows toe the line between weird and mainstream, whereasA Series of Unfortunate Eventshops right over that line. Orphaned children is a trope in many shows targeted at younger audiences (some may call it a cliché), but one way to inject more life into such a premise is with colorful characters. Everyone, from Count Olaf to passing characters, breathes so much life into the world. It’s clear from the high production value and spot-on casting that this wasn’t simply a cash-grab to rope in fans of the book. One of thebest Netflix adaptations, the creatorsgotthe story and were able to craft a Gothic show that hooked new and returning fans alike.Stream on Netflix
16Castlevania (2017-2021)
Castlevania
Castlevaniais an adult anime series based on a Japanese video game. In this world, the people of Wallachia are under attack by a vampire who seeks revenge. Dracula’s human wife was killed by humans who believed her to be a witch. To atone for her death, he sends a legion of demons to murder all humans. Trevor Belmont belonged to a family of monster hunters, of which he is the last living member. To prevent even more death, he wrangles a team to fight back against Dracula.
Great Heroes and a Greater Villain
Adult anime series aren’t often the ones that get the most buzz online. For viewers who like seeing unfiltered violence, bloodshed, adult language, and heavier topics, this Gothic show is for you. Besides the more mature tone, the animation style itself is crisp and clear. There’s also great character development — this isn’t simply a mindless show where heads are getting chopped off. We get to follow not just the “good guys” fighting for justice, but also the villain, whom some viewers will even get to understand, if not like.Stream on Netflix
Related:21 Best Horror TV Series on Netflix to Watch Right Now
15What We Do in the Shadows (2019-2024)
What We Do in the Shadows
What We Do in the Shadowsis one of the most unique mockumentaries around. This comedy-horror centers on the lives of three vampire friends: Nandor, Nadja, and Laslzo. They live together in Staten Island, New York, and existing in the modern world often brings up loads of problems. Of course, it’s not just mortals and their trivial matters that give drama and tension to the storyline, but other supernatural beings, like Nandor’s family, who often questions his loyalty.
From Horror to Humor
With few exceptions, many Gothic series and films don’t take advantage of the absurdity that’s inherent to the genre itself.What We Do in the Shadowstakes all of the tropes, myths, and lore we have about vampires and other creatures and twists them from horror to humor. Theshow’s mockumentary angle, of course, brings a new way to dissect these genre conventions, and with the tight and smart writing, it all blends together perfectly. The show derived its premise from a 2014 film with the same title. Instead of needlessly drawing out a 90-minute plot into a series, the showrunners expanded upon it in ways that felt natural and made sense.Stream on Hulu
14Sleepy Hollow (2013-2017)
Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollowis a supernatural drama based onThe Legend of Sleepy Hollowby Washington Irving. In 1781, a man named Ichabod Crane is in battle with a horseman whom he manages to decapitate, but is killed himself. However, both men awaken in 2013, still in the town of Sleepy Hollow. The Horseman kills a local sheriff, yet Ichabod is arrested for the crime. Ichabod must convince law enforcement of his innocence and prevent the Horseman from gaining more power, which can lead to an apocalypse.
Gothic Aesthetic in a Police Procedural
This Gothic show is often overshadowed by another adaptation of Irvin’s short story, the 1999 film directed by Tim Burton. However, the show is pretty good in its own right. It doesn’t rely on the supernatural setting of 1781 Sleepy Hollow that Irving expertly crafted. Instead, it brings those characters into the 21st Century. The best adaptations aren’t regurgitations of the same story, but they see how they can take the heart of the story and explore it in a new light. It still has that Gothic vibe, yes, but also touches of a police procedural/crime, horror, action, and drama.Stream on Hulu
13The Essex Serpent (2022)
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Mythical creatures. Victorian era. Mysterious occurrences. Romance.The Essex Serpenthas all that and more. This Gothic period piece, based on a novel by Sarah Perry, follows a woman named Cora Seaborne, who is finally out of her marriage to her abusive husband following his death. She hears about a serpent in Essex linked to the disappearance of a young woman, and she’s drawn to investigate. Most people dismiss her claims of the existence of a mythical creature, so when tragic events happen, they believe she is attracting the misfortune.
Electric Chemistry Between Claire Danes and Tom Hiddleston
Talented actors Claire Danes and Tom Hiddleston star in the project, and the chemistry between the two leads is electric. There’s that familiar push-and-pull between them at first, common inmany enemies-to-lovers romanceson-screen. Because of the era the story is set, it’s filled to the brim with witch hysteria and conspiracy theories, and, at times, even viewers won’t know if Cora is right or if she is as mad as the townfolk believe her to be. Though the show is a bit more slow-paced than other mysteries on the list, it’s just as dynamic.Stream on Apple TV+
12The Fall of the House of Usher (2023)
The Fall of the House of Usher
The Fall of the House of Usheris a Gothic horror miniseries taking inspiration from various Edgar Allen Poe works. This broad-scope series spans 1953 to 2023, and covers the highs and lows of the Usher family. Roderick Usher owns a pharmaceutical company that hasn’t always engaged in the best practices to amass its fortune. Though a corrupt big pharma CEO isn’t an individual many would have sympathy for, learning about the death of his six children may give viewers pause. After the death of his sixth child, Roderick decides to unveil all the dirty secrets behind his company.
Corruption and Curses
As mentioned, an unlikable protagonist can be hard for many to get invested in. Yet the show does so with the immense amount of grief this man has endured. Emotional manipulation? Perhaps. Either way, just like the attorney Roderick chooses to come clean to, audiences will be rapt with uncovering the tapestry of secrets, betrayal, and crime behind the company and family. With Gothic elements like a mysterious woman who transforms into a raven, this show hardly has a dull moment.Stream on Netflix
11Dark Shadows (1966-1971)
Dark Shadows
After spending 200 years trapped in a coffin, a vampire escapes and returns to his family mansion in Collinsport, Maine.
The Collins are a wealthy family living in Collinsport, Maine. They are cloaked in mystery, but a young woman named Victoria Winters may be able to break through the shroud. She was hired to be their governess, a decision that caused friction among the family. At the start, no one quite knows the reason she was chosen. But Victoria has secrets of her own. She believes answers to her past may come when in close proximity to the Collins family.
Moody and Tense, But Also Loads of Fun
Dark Shadowsnails the creepy, melancholic tone present in many Gothic series. While the estate is a principal setting, the small town of Collinsport is equally vivid despite the show being black-and-white. People warn Victoria about the Collins and from her first night there, she has disturbing experiences. This soap opera is moody and tense while also being loads of fun. There are supernatural creatures present in the show, the most beloved being Barnabas Collins, one of themost iconic vampiresin TV and film history.Stream on Tubi
