Here’s 22 TV Shows Guaranteed To Get You In The Fall Spirit
Horror films usually get the most love in the fall with big franchises like Scream and Halloween. While we loved them, there’s nothing like getting cozy with a warm cup of cocoa to watch a fall-themed show. From football dramas to twisted mysteries, there’s so many TV series that explore complex themes and will get you in the fall spirit. Pop Culture Planet Contributor Jordan Bohan breaks down all the shows to add to your fall watchlist.
American Horror Story
A true staple among horror fans is the long running anthology series American Horror Story. With an amazing ensemble cast and original storylines, this series has been an FX hit since 2011. Created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, each season brings a new tale of mystery, suspense, and horror. Seasons span from covens of witches to insane asylum patients and even to adaptations of real-life tales like the Roanoke Colony. Fans beware that this show has very adult content and capitalizes on shock value.
American Horror Story is streaming on Hulu, with a new twelveth season titled Delicate dropping September 20.
American Horror Stories
Given the success of American Horror Story, creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk created a spinoff anthology series full of weekly horror titled American Horror Stories. Each episode is a stand alone story diving into more horror, drama, and supernatural forces… some that even connect back to the larger franchise.
American Horror Stories is streaming on Hulu.
Bates Motel
Bates Motel is an original story inspired by the 1960 horror film Psycho. The prequel explores Norman Bates’ complicated relationship with his widowed mother and how his upbringing forged a serial killer. The thriller series ran for five seasons and stars Freddie Highmore and Vera Farmiga. This show is an intense exploration of the serial killer origin story and is true to its source material.
Charmed
Charmed follows a group of sisters who discover their witches. They attempt to live normal lives while simultaneously trying to protect the world from evil. Piper, Prue, Phoebe, and Paige summoned the power of three for eight seasons starting in 1998. In 2021, the show was rebooted for four seasons by The CW, giving Latino audiences a new group of sisters fighting for the greater good in Maggie, Mel, Macy, and Kaela.
The original Charmed is streaming on Peacock and Prime Video, while the reboot is available on Netflix.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a darker adaptation of the Archie Comics characters based on the Archie Horror comic book series. In this reimagined origin story, Sabrina Spellman attempts to reconcile her dual nature of being half mortal and half witch. Evil forces threaten her, as well as her family and friends. The four season series stars Kiernan Shipka alongside Gavin Leatherwood and Ross Lynch. This witchy tale brings you into the world of Greendale and takes you on an adventure of witchcraft, female empowerment, and self-discovery.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is streaming on Netflix.
Criminal Minds: Evolution
From the Criminal Minds world comes the new spin-off series Criminal Minds: Evolution. An elite squad of FBI profilers analyze the country’s most dangerous and twisted criminals. The series includes many of the original cast and expands upon the 16 season original series. This crime solving thriller explores the minds behind the world’s most dangerous criminals and keeps you rooting for the good guys.
Criminal Minds: Evolution is streaming on Paramount+.
The Crowded Room
The Crowded Room is a 10-episode limited series that stars Tom Holland as Danny Sullivan who was arrested after being involved in a New York City shooting in 1979. Told through a series of interviews by Rya Goodwin (Amanda Seyfried), Danny’s story unfolds. Elements of his past are revealed and lead to a life-altering revelation.
The Crowded Room is streaming now on Apple TV+.
Friday Night Lights
The Friday Night Lights franchise launched back in 2004 with a film based on the book Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, and a Dream by H.G. Bissinger. The storylines of the book and film were then expanded in the show. It follows the inner workings of a football obsessed Texas town. Coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler) guides the high school football team through pressure-filled seasons, small town politics, and family struggles. This heartwarming sports drama will fulfill all of your cozy fall watchlist needs.
Friday Night Lights is streaming on Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video.
Ghosts
Led by Rose McIver and Utkarsh Ambudkar, Ghosts follows a couple who inherit a beautiful country mansion that they plan to turn into a bed and breakfast. But when Sam has a near death experience, she develops the ability to see and hear the ghosts in the house.
Over the course of the last two seasons, Sam and Jay continue to find themselves in wacky situations in their haunted B&B, while diving deeper into the ghosts’ backstories. With an addicting humor and stellar ensemble cast, Ghosts is a must watch.
Ghosts is available on CBS and Paramount+, with a third season in the works.
Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girls is one of the most iconic autumn shows out there and was an instant hit when it debuted back in 2000. The series followed Rory Gilmore, a high school bookworm, and her mother Lorelai as they grow up and navigate family, friendship, and relationships. The small New England town of Stars Hollow, CT felt like it was pulled right out of a storybook. The original series aired for seven straight seasons and launched the careers of Alexis Bledel, Milo Ventimiglia, and Melissa McCarthy. Netflix acquired the series back in 2016 where the show was introduced to a new generation of fans. Five months later, Netflix released a four episode limited series that left fans with more questions than answers. This series is a staple in your fall watchlist and will leave you with a caffeine addiction.
Gilmore Girls is streaming on Netflix.
The Haunting of Hill House
The Haunting of Hill House is the modern reimagining of the Shirley Jackson novel. The limited series follows siblings who grew up in what would become the most famous haunted house in the country. Now, as adults they are forced back together to face the ghosts of their past.
The Haunting of Hill House is streaming on Netflix.
The Haunting of Bly Manor
In the second entry into Mike Flanagan’s The Haunting anthology comes The Haunting of Bly Manor. It follows a young au pair (Victoria Pedretti) who is hired by a man to take care of his nephew and niece at the family’s country house after they fall into his care. The au pair begins to see people who may not really be there and suspects that something might be wrong with the children.
The Haunting of Bly Manor is streaming on Netflix.
The Last of Us
Based on the hit video game of the same name, The Last of Us follows the survivors of a deadly fungal outbreak that ravaged the planet. Survivors Joel and Ellie are on a mission to cross a post-apocalyptic United States. Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal star in this HBO hit that took the world by storm in early 2023.
The Last of Us is streaming on Max.
One of Us is Lying
When a high school student mysteriously dies during detention, an unconventional group of friends work to uncover the truth. Based on the book series by Karen M. McManus, the teen drama is full of twists and turns and will keep you guessing as to who the real villain is. The show was cancelled after two seasons, but that shouldn’t deter you from watching this high school thriller that is reminiscent of The Breakfast Club meets Gossip Girl.
One of Us is Lying is streaming on Peacock.
Scream Queens
From the mind of Ryan Murphy comes the tw- season horror comedy Scream Queens. The semi-anthology series centers on characters that are being targeted and terrorized by a serial killer, first at a university and then at a hospital. The satirical comedy slasher series brings together big stars like Emma Roberts, Abigail Breslin, Skyler Samuels, Billie Lourd, Lea Michelle, Ariana Grande, Jamie Lee Curtis, Keke Palmer, Glen Powell, Nick Jonas, Diego Boneta, Nasim Pedrad, Niecy Nash, and John Stamos.
Scream Queens is streaming on Hulu.
School Spirits
School Spirits follows Maddie (Peyton List), a teen girl stuck in the afterlife of her high school while she investigates her own mysterious disappearance. But the closer she gets to the truth, the more lies and secrets she discovers. This hit series took the internet by storm back in March of 2023 as fans trended #RenewSchoolSpirits. Paramount+ is working on a second season.
School Spirits is streaming on Paramount+.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
A Series of Unfortunate Events follows the tragic tale of three orphans as they investigate their parents’ death. The three season series is adapted from the thirteen novel series written by Daniel Handler under the pen name Lemony Snicket. This dark and whimsical mystery is a can’t miss.
A Series of Unfortunate Events is streaming on Netflix.
Stranger Things
Stranger Things took the world by storm when it premiered on Netflix in 2016. The series is the streamers second most watched series behind Squid Game. It follows a group of young friends in 1980s Indiana as they witness supernatural forces and secret government operations. The show launched the careers of Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarazzo, Joe Keery, Natalia Dyer and more while acting alongside Winona Ryder and David Harbour. The show’s fifth and final season is in the works.
Stranger Things is streaming on Netflix.
Tell Me Lies
Based on the novel by Carola Lovering, Tell Me Lies is a twisted modern love story that follows Lucy Albright through her first semester of college where she meets Stephen DeMarco. The two quickly fall into an addictive entanglement that permanently alters their lives and those around them. As their tumultuous and intoxicating relationship unfolds over eight years, secrets are revealed leaving viewers to wonder who is guilty and who has control. This thrilling series will make you reflect upon the young relationships you once had. A second season is in the works.
Tell Me Lies is streaming on Hulu.
Virgin River
Virgin River is based on Robyn Carr’s best-selling 21 novel series. It follows Melinda, who answered an ad to work as a nurse and midwife in a remote Northern California town. She quickly gets intertwined in the small town gossip, politics, and drama. This romantic drama gives you all the mystery and cozy vibes. A fifth season is on the way.
Virgin River is streaming on Netflix.
YOU
The psychological thriller YOU became a huge hit when it premiered on Lifetime in 2018. It was then moved to Netflix. It follows the love obsessed Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) as he becomes smitten with beautiful and smart women. His love quickly grows obsessive and murderous, which leads to a sinister fate for the man’s love interests and the people around them. The fifth and final season of the show is set to come out in 2024.
You is streaming on Netflix.
Young Royals
This Swedish teen drama has stolen the hearts of many with its growing international fan base. Young Royals follows Prince Wilhelm, heir to the Swedish throne, while he adjusts to life at his prestigious new boarding school. Following his heart proves to be more challenging than first expected. This young queer romance will make you laugh, cry, and feel all the feels. Fans are anxiously anticipating the third and final season.
Young Royals is streaming on Netflix.
