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5 shows that are basically horror movies (and perfect for Halloween)

By Reed Gaudens

Sarah Paulson as Wilhemina Venable. American Horror Story Apocalypse (2011). Photo: FX Networks
Sarah Paulson as Wilhemina Venable. American Horror Story Apocalypse (2011). Photo: FX Networks /
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If you’re not into watching horror movies on Halloween, shows like The Haunting of Hill House, Riverdale, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer offer the same chills and thrills.

Every October, watching horror movies is a reflex. Let’s face it: Once you age out of trick or treating, there are few ways to treat yourself on Halloween. But sometimes marathoning the same handful of standbys can get more stale than week-old candy corn. These days, when you want more trick for your treat, TV shows with a touch of horror are the way to go.

There’s something to spook everyone on TV, from hooded serial killers to haunted mansions to messy witches who live for drama. With shows this scary good, who needs horror movies?

Here are five TV shows that are basically horror movies.

Riverdale — “Chapter Twenty-Eight: There Will Be Blood” — Image Number: RVD215b_0166.jpg — Pictured (L-R): Tiera Skovbye as Polly, Lili Reinhart as Betty and Lochlyn Munro as Hal — Photo: Katie Yu/The CW — © 2018 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Riverdale — “Chapter Twenty-Eight: There Will Be Blood” — Image Number: RVD215b_0166.jpg — Pictured (L-R): Tiera Skovbye as Polly, Lili Reinhart as Betty and Lochlyn Munro as Hal — Photo: Katie Yu/The CW — © 2018 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved. /

5. Riverdale

You wouldn’t expect the teen drama reboot of the classic Archie Comics characters to feature scares to give horror movies a run for their money, but this a whole new Riverdale. While high school is a horror movie in its own right, Archie and his friends deal with serial killer parents, deadly maple syrup drug covers, creepy cults, and never-ending gang violence. These aren’t the comforting tales you grew up with.

In the first season of Riverdale, the gang investigates the murder of Jason Blossom, and in the second season, the town endures the murderous wrath of the Black Hood. The current third season traces the mysterious entity known as the Gargoyle King, and Bughead’s detective work unearths a bone-chilling jump scare and terrifying imagery. Of course the camp-centric sense of humor keeps the mood light, but Riverdale without a doubt rivals the best horror movies.

Similar scares: Chilling Adventures of Sabrina comes from the creator of Riverdale and takes a horror twist on the coming-of-age tale of teenage witch Sabrina Spellman. Catch the first season on Netflix when it premieres on Oct. 26.

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