These Summer-Themed Horror TV Shows Make for the Perfect Binge (2024)

With summertime, for many of us, comes scorching heat. Of course, it's natural to want to spend summer months outdoors—camping, at the beach or pool, hiking. But sometimes the temperatures are so high and uncomfortable that the most appealing place is indoors with a fan or air conditioner. And what better way to cool off than with goosebump-inducing chills from a horror series?

There are so many incredible horror series perfect for summer viewing. Many take place during this season, others are in a warm climate, and some perfectly capture that outdoorsy feel.

Action-adventure and romance films are popular during this season, but there's no reason why horror has to be relegated to the darker, gloomier months. If a show can terrify its viewers in idyllic locations, that can often make it better. Whether viewers are looking for a long horror series that can sustain them throughout the summer months, or provide quick relief during a long weekend, the ideal option exists out there.

15 Them (2021-present)

Them

Where to Watch

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Release Date

April 9, 2021

Cast

Deborah Ayorinde , Ashley Thomas , Shahadi Wright Joseph , Alison Pill

Main Genre

Horror

Them is a historical horror anthology series available on Prime Video. The first season, "Covenant," follows the Emory family. Set in the 1950s, the Emorys are excited about a new start when they move from North Carolina to East Compton. As the first Black family in an all-white neighborhood, they stand out and the other residents aren't exactly welcoming. In fact, their neighbors, and maybe even ghosts, are determined to force them out of town.

Why It's Great

At first glance, the subject matter of this series seems quite heavy, and it is. But horror fans looking for a good thrill can still expect the nerve-racking moments and suspicious cast of characters that any good horror has. With episodes ranging from thirty minutes to an hour, it's the perfect length for summer road trips far and long. And if viewers appreciate the superb acting and top-tier set design but want a new story, season 2 focuses on a brand new set of characters.

14 Bates Motel (2013-2017)

Bates Motel

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Release Date

March 18, 2013

Cast

Vera Farmiga , Freddie Highmore , Max Thieriot , Olivia Cooke , Nestor Carbonell

Main Genre

Horror

Bates Motel is a psychological horror that serves as a prequel to the 1960 film Psycho by Alfred Hitchco*ck. In the series, Norma and Norman Bates are a mother-son duo who move to a coastal Oregon town after the husband and dad of the family's death. Norma purchases a motel and believes it can be the start of a new chapter.

It is, though not in the way either expects. Norma kills a man who assaults her and the Bates decide to cover it up. When a sheriff starts asking questions, they'll do everything they can to keep the investigation's spotlight off them.

Not a Copy & Paste of Hitchco*ck

Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore played Norma and Norman respectively and there couldn't have been two other actors better for these roles. Not only is their chemistry together impeccable, but their individual performances deserve high praise.

Bates Motel doesn't stay in the shadow of its iconic predecessor Psycho. Instead, it makes a name for itself and has its own spooky identity. Although the mood is gloomy in some episodes, viewers who enjoy typical secluded summer settings like camps will like the major set piece of the motel.

13 American Horror Story: 1984 (2019)

American Horror Story

Drama

Horror

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American Horror Story is a Horror Anthology series created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. The franchise has seen stars like Connie Britton, Jessica Lange, Denis O'Hare, Zachary Quinto, Evan Peters, and Dylan McDermott. Each season follows a new premise and spans an array of horror genres like witches, ghosts, serial killers, and more.

Release Date

October 5, 2011

Cast

Sarah Paulson , leslie grossman , Lily Rabe , Jessica Lange

Main Genre

Drama

American Horror Story is a horror anthology series and its ninth season, "1984," takes place during the titular year at a summer camp in California. Over a decade earlier, tragedy struck Camp Redwood when three counselors and all the child campers were murdered.

Now, Brooke Thompson has decided to work as a counselor the year it reopens, unaware of its gruesome past. Brooke may have escaped the Night Stalker once, but if his appearance at the camp is any indication, that may have been fool's luck.

Starting with a Bang

The first episode of "1984" alone packs in so much information that viewers know to strap in for a wild ride. The backstory of Camp Redwood could've been a series in and of itself, but Brooke and her companions' storylines are equally captivating.

When a series kicks off with so many twists and turns, it can be hard to sustain it. But this isn't American Horror Story's first rodeo. By the ninth season, they've mastered how to weave in new plot points and keep viewers hooked until the final episode closes out.

Related: The Best TV Anthology Series of All Time

12 Yellowjackets (2021-present)

Yellowjackets

Thriller

Drama

Horror

Mystery

Where to Watch

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Release Date

November 14, 2021

Cast

Melanie Lynskey , Tawny Cypress , Christina Ricci , Juliette Lewis , Jasmin Savoy Brown , Sophie Thatcher

Main Genre

Drama

So many good horror series suck us into the past and Yellowjackets is no different. In 1996, a girls' high school soccer team from New Jersey travels for a game in Seattle. As they fly over Canada, their plane crashes, leaving the survivors stuck in the wilderness. The girls must learn to survive the elements and potential human threats during their nineteen-month ordeal.

Two Stories for the Price fo One

Yellowjackets features a dual-timeline. Breaking up the harrowing nineties ordeal is a present-day timeline where it's clear the events from the past still impact the survivors. Unlike other shows that employ this framing device, the present timeline isn't a dull distraction from the real story. Reveals and twists keep both sides of the story endlessly engaging. And since the teens were stranded for nearly two years, viewers can experience blazing summers through nippier winters.

11 Swamp Thing (2019)

Swamp Thing

Superhero

Sci-Fi

Where to Watch

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Release Date

2019-00-00

Cast

Crystal Reed , Will Patton , Virginia Madsen , Derek Mears , Jeryl Prescott , Kevin Durand

Main Genre

Superhero

Swamp Thing is a superhero horror series based on the eponymous DC Comics character. Abby Arcane is a doctor who returns to her hometown in Louisiana to investigate a virus many believe originated from the swamp. She grows close to a scientist named Alec Holland and is shaken when he dies. But as Abby learns more about the swamp and comes face-to-face with a creature claiming to be Alec, she realizes this swamp-borne illness is a lot more deadly than anyone thought.

Gone Too Soon

This series never got its due. After the premiere of episode one, it was canceled. The remaining episodes did air, but by then, any and all promotion was nixed. It's a shame because Swamp Thing stands out among other DC properties. The small-town Louisiana setting makes viewers feel like we're watching it in muggy summer no matter the time of year.

10 Brand New Cherry Flavor (2021)

Lisa Nova in Brand New Cherry Flavor is an aspiring filmmaker who comes to none other than Los Angeles to make her first movie. She meets a producer who promises to help her achieve her dream, but he takes advantage of her instead. Lisa is lasered in on revenge and gets wrapped up in a curse to do so. But every bargain has a price and Lisa has interactions with spirits and dark magic that may lead to her demise as well.

Why It's Great

Limited series can be amazing choices for summer viewing, especially when they're as bingeable as Brand New Cherry Flavor. The eight episodes zip by before audiences even know it. In addition, there's a mystifying, dreamlike quality to the show that'd be perfect for those scorching summer days when the heat sucks out all of your energy. Stream on Netflix.

Related: Brand New Cherry Flavor: 8 Most Intense Moments in the Netflix Series

9 Cabinet of Curiosities (2022)

Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities

Horror

Drama

Mystery

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A live-action horror anthology series based on stories from Guillermo del Toro.

Release Date

2022-00-00

Cast

Andrew Lincoln , Crispin Glover , Rupert Grint , Tim Blake Nelson , Peter Weller , F. Murray Abraham

Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities is a horror anthology of eight unique stories for viewers to get lost in. A fan favorite in the series is episode three, The Autopsy. In 1978, a doctor is performing an autopsy on a miner who perished after an explosion. While doing the exam, the body comes back to life and appears to be controlled by an alien parasite. A sheriff and the doctor must figure out how and why the parasites are entering people's bodies.

Gothic and Emgrossing

Although del Toro's name is highlighted, only two of the episodes are co-written by him. Though they all have del Toro's touch, horror fans will get a taste of various styles and approaches to these Gothic stories. Not every episode occurs during warmer months, but the scares itself will surely cause viewers to break out into a sweat.

8 Archive 81 (2022)

Archive 81

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Archive 81 follows Dan Turner, an archivist and conservator, who is tasked with restoring videotapes that were damaged in a fire. Dan must conduct the research at a secluded research facility. One of the tapes features a young woman named Melody doing a dissertation project on the Visser Apartment Building. Melody's videos become increasingly peculiar and Dan, with his mental health struggles and potential connection to the tragedy, finds it harder to separate work from life.

Another Netflix Casualty

Unlike the other series on this list that may have been based on a film, novel, or comic, Archive 81 was first introduced to the world through a podcast. This unique format carried over to the screen, with the found footage style of Melody's story.

The show was, unfortunately, another victim of Netflix's sometimes baffling cancelation track record. Though it only has one season, the trippy mystery will keep the audience's eyes glued to the screen throughout the long daylight hours of summer.

Related: The 15 All-Time Scariest Moments in Found Footage Horror Movies

7 From Dusk till Dawn: The Series (2014-2016)

From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series (2014)

Where to Watch

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Release Date

March 11, 2014

Cast

D.J. Cotrona , Jesse Garcia , Wilmer Valderrama , Brandon Soo Hoo , Madison Davenport , Jake Busey , Maurice Compte

Main Genre

Horror

From Dusk till Dawn: The Series expands on the universe and characters first presented in the 1996 movie. Brothers Seth and Richie Gecko are wanted by the FBI after a fatal bank robbery in Texas. They plan to flee to Mexico, but Texas Ranger Freddie Gonzalez is in pursuit. Seth and Richie take a family hostage when stealing their RV and end up at a strip club filled with individuals who aren't exactly one hundred percent human.

A Road Trip Like No Other

The criminal Gecko brothers were a highlight in the original film, so it's a treat seeing their personalities and backstories fleshed out in a modern series. Even those who've seen the film more times than they can count will be entertained by the new characters and storyline, as well as the development of the supernatural elements. The desert setting and road trip vibes of From Dusk till Dawn are perfect companions for viewers' own summer adventures.

6 I Know What You Did Last Summer (2021)

I Know What You Did Last Summer is the most recent addition to the horror franchise of the same name that kicked off with a novel and then a popular film in the late nineties. Those familiar with the original story are well aware of the setup: a group of teens who accidentally hit someone with a car, killing them. Instead of calling the police, they dispose of the body and try to move on with their lives. But a year later, a stalker pops up, ensuring they'll never forget what they've done.

I Know What You'll Be Watching This Summer

Although the top-line premise is the same compared to the movie and novel, viewers will get a fresh experience here. New characters and a modern setting give different obstacles to overcome and the scares are delivered in exciting ways. It's not just that the word "summer" appears in the title that makes it a great addition to this list. Tack on the Hawaii backdrop and numerous party scenes and this is perfect warm-weather viewing material. Stream on Prime Video.

5 From (2022 - Present)

From (2022)

Drama

Mystery

Horror

Where to Watch

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Release Date

February 20, 2022

Cast

Harold Perrineau , Catalina Sandino Moreno , Eion Bailey , David Alpay

Main Genre

Drama

A family traveling in an RV automatically conjures memories of a summer vacation road trip. However, that's hopefully the only part of the story people can relate to. The Matthews family in From get lost on the road, but no worries, they enter a town and ask for directions from one of the residents. But his directions take them on a continual loop back into town.

A Town Like No Other

It's evident that no one who enters the town can leave and while trapped, they must keep themselves safe from creatures who plague residents at night. Despite getting renewed for a third season, this series has flown relatively under the radar. The unsafe feeling residents of the town in From have is shared by viewers. It's easy to stay up well into the night watching this show and be too afraid to fall asleep once an episode ends.

4 Midnight Mass (2021)

Midnight Mass

Horror

Drama

Mystery

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An isolated island community experiences miraculous events - and frightening omens - after the arrival of a charismatic, mysterious young priest. Directed by Mike Flanagan.

Release Date

September 24, 2021

Cast

Kate Siegel , Zach Gilford , Rahul Kohli , Samantha Sloyan , Kristin Lehman

Midnight Mass introduces us to Riley Flynn, a man who spent time in prison after killing a woman due to driving drunk. Now he has to rebuild his life from the ground up and return to his hometown, the seaside town of Crockett Island, to do just that. And he's not the only new arrival. A young priest comes into town and his energy is magnetic. He injects life and hope into the struggling town, causing many to ignore the supernatural events also occurring.

A Smart Horror

Rather than relying on cheap jump scares, Midnight Mass capitalizes on its isolated, beachy setting and creates an unsettling sense of dread. The characters, and viewers, know something sinister is afoot, but can never quite pinpoint who or what it is.

Thanks to a large town of people, the audience receives several possibilities of who the big bad truly is. From the episode title to the number of episodes itself, everything about Midnight Mass screams intentionality and nuance, which many horror fans will appreciate.

3 Dead of Summer (2016)

Sleepaway camp is something out of many kids' dreams. But in Dead of Summer, it's our main characters' worst nightmare. Camp Stillwater is just reopening and Amy Hughes is one of several camp counselors hired to ensure everything runs smoothly. And with her fellow counselors alongside her, it appears that fun, love, and adventure won't be relegated simply to the campers. But it doesn't take long before a feeling crawls underneath Amy's skin that something just isn't right.

A Dramatic Teen Horror

Dead of Summer toys with the supernatural. It's unclear at times whether the peculiar things happening are by the hands of a tangible person or something otherworldly. As is typical Freeform fashion, teenage angst is at the forefront of this series.

Romance and drama come in no short supply. And the summer camp setting contributes to the trapped feeling the characters experience throughout. The plot twists veer into ridiculous territory now and then, but it also ensures viewers are relentlessly entertained. Buy on Apple TV.

Related: Best Horror Movies Involving Summer Camps, Ranked

2 The Terror: Infamy (2019)

The Terror

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Release Date

March 26, 2018

Cast

George Takei , Naoko Mori , Miki Ishikawa

Main Genre

Horror

The Terror is a supernatural horror anthology and though the entire series is great viewing, season two, "Infamy," is optimal for summertime viewing. It takes place during World War II and starts on Terminal Island in L.A. where many residents have died under mysterious circ*mstances.

Chester is a Japanese-American man who finds out his girlfriend is pregnant shortly before he and others of Japanese descent are arrested after the Pearl Harbor attacks. At the internment camps, prisoners are terrorized by a shapeshifting creature.

A Slower-Paced Horror

The supernatural creature is based on the Japanese folklore of the bakemono. The folklore elements give the series a feel like we're sitting around a campfire sharing ghost stories. Some viewers want to plow through content during leisurely summer months, while others want to take this free time to marinate in the content they consume. "Infamy" is perfect for the latter, with its dense storytelling and layered subplots, you'll want to take your time with this.

1 True Blood (2008-2014)

true blood

Drama

Horror

Mystery

Where to Watch

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Release Date

September 7, 2008

Cast

Anna Paquin , Stephen Moyer , Alexander Skarsgard , Sam Trammell , Ryan Kwanten , Kristin Bauer van Straten , Nelsan Ellis , Carrie Preston

Main Genre

Drama

True Blood is a popular vampire show based on a series of novels. In this world, a product was invented that allowed vampires to survive in daylight and integrate into society. However, people still struggle to accept these supernatural beings. Sookie Stackhouse is a waitress with telepathic abilities who starts investigating a string of murders. Sookie grows close to a vampire who's nearly two centuries old as she battles normal townspeople and bloodsuckers in an attempt for answers.

Why It's Great

This was one of HBO's most beloved shows, spawning seven seasons. The Louisiana setting adds charm to the series, almost becoming its own character. Outdoors and nightlife are major tenets of the show, which is often on viewers' minds during summertime. But no matter what time of year someone discovers Sookie and the ensemble cast, they'll stay for the campy humor and swoony romance.