1) The Twilight Zone
There’s one show that’s been mentioned numerous times throughout this list – and there’s a very good reason for that. Though it wasn’t the first horror anthology show out there and there have been many more stylish and flashier ones since then, The Twilight Zone is – and possibly will always be – the king of anthology television. With its mix of big ideas, science fiction and straight-up scares, it’s a series that perfectly encapsulates all that horror anthology series can offer.
From the eerie intro to Rod Serling’s opening and closing narration, The Twilight Zone sends a chill down your spine and gives you a lot of food for thought as well. Despite being seeped in Cold War paranoia and the other issues of the time, Twilight Zone remains as smart and scary as it’s ever been. Sure, the make-up and effects might be dated now, but the show’s knack for psychological horror still packs a punch all these years later.
All of the series listed here are terrific, terrifying entertainment, but if you watch just one anthology show, make sure your next stop is this one.