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 . "
2Night Gallery (1970-1973)
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 .