The Twilight Zone

Rod Serling’sThe Twilight Zoneis just one of a form . It ’s a practical , philosophical journey into the twisted and the unknown . Despite dating back over 6 decades , it still shines as a groundbreaking and clearly inventive TV series . While anthology - style tv set shows without recurring eccentric or plots were pretty mutual in the early twenty-four hours of video , and are still watch occasionally today , few have replicated the consistent vision Rod Sterling was able-bodied to uphold .

While there have been several endeavour to capture the flavour of the originalTwilight Zoneover the years , include multiple official reboots , none have on the button retroflex what made it special . Though they ’re few and far between , theredoexist a fistful of shows likeThe Twilight Zoneover the years and decades that hold in some overlap - or at least should scratch the urge ofTwilight Zonefans .

10Tales From The Crypt (1989-1996)

As fans are mindful , The Twilight Zonemainly resides in the realm between horror , sci - fi , suspense and universal weirdness . Those who favour the more scary face of the show - ie , something in the vein of " Nightmare at 20,000 human foot " will for certain appreciate this morbid revulsion show on HBO . During its run in the early ninety , fan were treated to a mess of creative premises rife with creepy plots and things that go bump in the night . LikeThe Twilight Zone , each of the 93 episode is ego - contained and offer a creative tarradiddle with thrill and unexpected twists .

9Black Mirror (2011-present)

Charlie Brooker’sBlack Mirrorstresses psychological elements and sci - fi flair to convey socially relevant content . Aside from vague cross - cite , each installment incorporate a standalone assumption and setting . Brooker even cite the direct influence of Serling ’s show , as he seek to create an anthology revolving around contemporary and often controversial publication through a fantasy crystalline lens . Rather than leaning hard on the obscure , though , this show center around a dystopian world eerily similar to ours , where the excesses of technology have produced negative results for humanity .

8Thriller (1960-1962)

like to how Rod Serling emphatically kicks offThe Twilight Zonewith his memorable intros , horror caption Boris Karloff serves as the fitting host for this spooky , suspensive TV series .

Despite its abbreviated run of only 2 seasons , Thrillerwas chock - full of atmosphere and nuance during its stint in the early sixty . ab initio starting as more of a criminal offence - suspense show in the mineral vein of Hitchcock , the later episode get down to embellish the scene with some more darkly - colour mediaeval horror . The series even includes acting great such as William Shatner , Leslie Nielsen , and Mary Tyler Moore , who impart to the richness of this unique plan . With element of mystery , crime , and spooky undertones , Thrillershould definitely attract to Serling rooter looking for shows likeThe Twilight Zone .

7Are You Afraid Of The Dark? (1992-2000)

Nickelodeon’sAre You Afraid of the Dark?proved to bea surprisingly inventive and think of romp for many . It certainly leaned in the direction of horror tropes , with topics ranging from ghosts and demons to aliens and curses . Yet , themes of paranormal phenomenon and otherworldly component are normally used creatively . There are some very bizarre , Twilight Zone - esque assumption like an anthropomorphic figurer virus and Gilbert Gottfried suffice as a disk jockey for a radio station from the hereafter .

6Darkroom (1981)

For those who thinkThrillerisn’t obscure enough , there is this little - known anthology from the other ' 80s , host by James Coburn . The show draws more comparing to another Serling project known asNight Gallery , but nonetheless offers some twisted conception and creepy preferences in each of its 7 episode . Though each episode is ego - contained , a central paper exists as a spooky , desolate family , which the audience is led through in each first appearance . The tautness rises as the tv camera ’s brought up to a darkroom in a crawl space beneath the steps , at which point the 60 - moment episode consist of 2 or 3 unique story commences .

5Amazing Stories (1985-1987)

give the track record of Steven Spielberg , who frankly need no debut , it should n’t be surprising that a sci - fi series helmed by the iconic manager is so entertaining . This show actually be in 2 forms - the classic from the mid-1980s , and a flashier forward-looking rendition made for Apple TV+ , which began early 2020 .

The show captivates its TV audience with telling visuals and challenging storylines . Plots include a downtrodden protagonist gaining a " magnetic " personality after a shooting star shower and a false indistinguishability with a mummy . Despite never quite take aim off in the paygrade , Amazing Storiesreceived a whopping 12 Emmy nominations and won 5 , making it one of the most critically successful shows likeThe Twilight Zone . Further demonstrating its theatrical quality , it was even depart to be the original nursing home for the ' 87 filmBatteries Not let in .

4The Outer Limits (1963-1965)

This sci - fi anthology comes with both an old and a more modern rendition . Yet , while both versions have their devotee , the classic from the mid-60s is the one forTwilight Zonefans to watch . As it fall out , The Outer Limitsoccupies a position on TV Guide ’s " 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time " with " The Zanti Misfits , " which features foreign malefactor put up on Earth . There ’s no shortage of imaginative and memorable tripper into these eery sci - fi worlds . Writing credits let in renowned science fiction writer Harlan Ellison andPsycho ’s screenwriter Joseph Stefano . Those who appreciateThe Twilight Zone ’s straight - up sci - fi runaway should find much to love here .

3Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955-1965)

As most fans know , The Twilight Zoneisn’t all about the paranormal and mind - deform concepts . The show also holds an grasp for cagy crime capers and nuanced , suspensive game . For those that privilege this facial expression of the show , directing icon Alfred Hitchcock produced this anthology of crime and mystery . While it still pitch bout of Graeco-Roman Hitchcock kick , this program - along with the lengthierAlfred Hitchcock Hour- punctuate tricky tales of suspense and lurid twists . In fact , the show was constitute by the Writers Guild of America as one of the " 101 Best - Written TV Series . "

It would stand to intellect that fans of Serling ’s classic anthology would be drawn toward another like projection of his . Being at least marginally younger than its older sibling , Night Gallerypresents the majestic , perverted worlds of Serling in splendid colour , with script still mostly originating from the man himself .

Still , while this show offers alike self - contain journey into trippy musical theme , it brings with it more of a horror and macabre bent . An example of a standout episode is the pilot , which boast a painting that seemingly changes and displays real ghostly happening . For the most part , this atmospheric romp proudly carries the torch and spirit of show likeThe Twilight Zoneinto the 70s .

1Electric Dreams (2017)

Much like the author behindThe Twilight Zone , scientific discipline fiction author Philip K. Dick had a knack for painting some distorted , mind - bending vista - often coaxing his fan to mull the nature of reality and lifeitself . In fact , he was the mind behind tally likeMinority Report , Total Recall , andBlade Runner .

Yet , he ’s also crafted a slew of equally inventive unforesightful stories . Electric Dreamsdraws upon this rich pool of depicted object for its episodes and dresses it up with sleek visuals to kicking . Concepts rank from bubble urban center dystopias to characters ( literally ) live dual life . Despite its circumscribed run of 10 50 - moment episodes , each of the standalone tarradiddle represent a plentiful sci - fi setting and some fascinate excited narratives .

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twilight-zone-featured

Scary TV - Tales From the Crypt

Aaron Paul and Anjana Vasan

Three men meet in an episode of Thriller

Are You Afraid of the Dark’s title card

The title image from Darkroom (1981)

The opening credits from The Outer Limits

Carl and Barrett in the Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode “Man with a Problem”

Rod Serling in Night Gallery

Anna Paquin in Electric Dreams

The Twilight Zone