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10 Shows Like Cabinet Of Curiosities For Fans Of Horror Stories

December 5, 2022
Shows like cabinet of curiosities

Each time Guillermo del Toro turns a key in his Cabinet of Curiosities, a new kind of horror and evil is unleashed. But even as we held our breath, we still wanted more. From Alfred Hitchcock Presents to the eerie Tales From The Crypt, we have created a list of the best shows like Cabinet of Curiosities that will keep you curious and spooked. Guillermo del Toro has all but crashed the horror scene with his latest Netflix anthology series Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities. Premiered on 25th October 2022, it was received by raving fans with great reviews just days before Halloween. It features eight stories that give the audience just the right balance of modern horror and the classic traditions of Gothic and Grand Guignol.  

List of Shows Like Cabinet of Curiosities

  1. Midnight Mass
  2. American Horror Stories
  3. Tales From the Crypt
  4. Black Mirror
  5. Masters of Horror
  6. Into The Dark
  7. The Midnight Club
  8. The Haunting of Hill House
  9. Alfred Hitchcock Presents
  10. The Twilight Zone

1. Midnight Mass (2021)

Midnight Mass is a supernatural, horror miniseries the plot of which follows the several supernatural experiences of the inhabitants on an island that has quite uncanny relations to the arrival of a charismatic young priest. Flanagan received great reviews for his use of religious extremism which brings about frightening and ominous mysteries in the events that follow.

Midnight Mass has just the right kind of darkness and intrigue. It really makes you question as the events take place, and Guillermo del Toro is known for the intrigue in his stories as well. If you are looking for horror series like Cabinet of Curiosities, Midnight Mass is surely going to be your best pick.

2. American Horror Story (2011) 

This successful horror drama series has had an 11-season run so far. With each season following a separate bone-chilling story, American Horror Story has created a percentage of cult following. The stories range from a haunted house and the events that follow after a family moves into it to cult terrorism and serial murders. 

This anthology series has its own set of characters and a storyline that follows seasonally. Much like Cabinet of Curiosities, the American Horror Story series follows a diverse tone of horror, from traditional to modern urban legends for the atmosphere. This series will keep you hooked and binging if you are looking for shows similar to Cabinet of Curiosities. 

3. Tales From The Crypt (1989)

What better way to spend the spooky fall season than by diving into the good ol’ horrors? This horror anthology HBO series features John Kassir as a wisecracking corpse, The Cryptkeeper. Each episode follows the host, as he goes through some gruesome tales based on the original EC Comics of the same name by William Gaines and Al Feldstein. Here’s the intro to the show:

One aspect that stands out in Cabinet of Curiosities is the traditional gothic atmosphere, and that understandably leaves fans wanting more of that. This is exactly why Tales From The Crypt is your best bet when you want to watch shows similar to Cabinet of Curiosities. 

Also Read: Shows like The OA

4. Black Mirror (2011)

Every episode in Black Mirror will blow your mind. This dystopian drama is set in a future much more technologically advanced and each episode tells a separate story of doom. The stories are not interconnected, and the series is a great blend of sci-fi and crime. This Emmy-winning series will make you question everything you know as well as your reality.

This series is a little different from Cabinet of Curiosities while being a great example of horror in realism. It is definitely a great choice for horror fanatics who want some tech and sci-fi married into classic horror shows like Cabinet of Curiosities.

5. Masters of Horror (2005)

This horror series was launched to great reviews in 2005, when Garris created and produced the successful anthology series. Each episode is an hour-long story directed by “masters” in the horror genre ranging from Don Coscarelli to Stuart Gordon and  Joe Dante to Takashi Miike.

This series is the closest you are gonna get to Cabinet of Curiosities. Both series feature a host of talented and celebrated horror directors that showcase exactly why they are called the Masters of Horror. If you want a diverse tv series like Cabinet of Curiosities, Masters of Horror is it.

6. Into The Dark (2018) 

Into The Dark is a Hulu series produced by Blumhouse Productions, famed for its horror productions. It is very similar to Cabinet of Curiosities where each eerie episode features its own director and ensemble cast and is centred around a holiday during its month of release like the episode “The Body” is centred around Halloween, and “I’m Just Fucking with You” was around April Fools’ Day.

Watch the trailer to the first episode: 

Much like Cabinet of Curiosities, this series features a host of talented directors behind a range of frightening gothic tales. Into the Dark is a must-watch if you loved the graphic style of horror in shows like Cabinet of Curiosities.

7. The Midnight Club (2022) 

Now this is a club you do not wanna be a part of! This horror mystery thriller is based on the 1994 novel by Christopher Pike and follows 8 terminally ill young adults who enrol at the hospice centre, Brightcliffe Home outside of Seattle. Every night they meet at midnight to tell each other horror stories and make a pact that the first one to die will reach out to the others from beyond the grave.

This series is an interesting take on the horror genre. It is not as typical as they usually come and, that’s exactly why it’s a great fit for anyone looking for unusual horror tv shows like Cabinet of Curiosities.

Also Read: Shows like Bates Motel

8. The Haunting of Hill House (2018) 

Based on the Shirley Jackson novel of the same name, this supernatural horror series is the first in The Haunting anthology series. It tells the story in a non-linear timeline as it goes back and forth between 5 adult siblings and their paranormal experiences at the Hill House that haunt them to date, and the flashbacks that show the events that led them to flee the mansion in 1992.

This series feels like a true horror story, in the sense that there are no petty jumpscares or cheap tricks pulled to scare the audience. Instead, there is a sense of dread that follows you throughout and it’s awful because you know the events are inevitable but don’t know when it is to come. If you want to enjoy real horror like Cabinet of Curiosities, you cannot go wrong with this pick.

9. Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955)

There is no way to avoid the “Master of Suspense” when you’re looking for a good spook. This 10-season series has the horror, mystery, drama, crime – everything it takes for Hitchcock to brew magic on screen. It is a series of short stories covering unrelated tales of crime, murders, thefts and others. 

If you want to take a break from the supernatural, this nostalgic old piece will keep you glued to the edge of your seat. While it may be quite different, there is no doubt you will love Alfred Hitchcock Presents if you are looking for thrilling shows like Cabinet of Curiosities. 

10. The Twilight Zone (1959)

This is the show that started it all, the blueprint of horror tv shows, admired by del Toro himself. This classic horror series centres around characters in extraordinary situations. Born from Serling’s own experiences of war, the characters are shown having entered an unusual “twilight zone” while experiencing disturbing events, often ending with an ironic moral lesson. Here’s a clip of the iconic opening sequence :

Serling’s vision is so well translated in this series that it is extremely difficult to give this one a pass. If you are a true horror fanatic and love shows like Cabinet of Curiosities, this series is definitely for you. 

Honourable Mentions 

Here are a few series like Cabinet of Curiosities that didn’t make the list, but you should definitely check them out as well: 

  1. Two Sentence Horror Stories
  2. Channel Zero 
  3. Are You Afraid of the Dark?
  4. Amazing Stories
  5. The Haunting of Bly Manor
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When Lost aired over a decade ago, its successful narrative created a pop culture impact and changed the landscape of television. If you are a fan and want to watch shows like Lost then you can have a look at this list we made just for you.

Lost

The hugely successful television series Lost aired in 2004. The premise, as we know, deals with a group of people surviving a commercial passenger plane crash on a remote island. The show masterfully explores supernatural and sci-fi elements on this mysterious south Pacific island. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTu8iDynwNc

The use of cliffhangers at the end of each episode of Lost kept the viewers on the edge of their seats, desperately craving for the next episode to come. Even though it's a large ensemble cast, most of the characters receive a justifiable personal arch. Lost was inspired by the movie Castaway and became one of the most expensive pilots to be shot at the time! Lost continues to be appreciated for its originality in storytelling and dynamic character arcs. 

List of TV Shows Like Lost

  1. The Leftovers
  2. Manifest
  3. Lost Room
  4. Twin Peaks
  5. The Prisoners
  6. Battlestar Galactica
  7. The New People
  8. Flight 29 Down
  9. Fringe
  10. Alcatraz
  11. Under the Dome
  12. Dark

1. The Leftovers (2014)

IMDB ratings: 8.3/10

Cast: Carrie Coon, Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman and Margaret Qualley

Creator: Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta

The director of Lost, Damon Lindel also created a supernatural drama series called The Leftovers. The show begins 3 years after an unexplainable global event called ‘Sudden Departure’  where almost 2 per cent of the population, nearly 140 million people, disappear. The Leftovers isn't about WHY people are gone, it's about how the ones who remain dealt with their loss, people often try to comfort themselves with dreams, angels, gods, or even death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLT3YUALJno&t=8s

The Leftovers will leave you with so many questions but beyond words, you have to feel it and savour its unanswered questions to find peace. The Leftovers is an incredible television series that starts incredibly well but loses its way by the series's end. I have to say though, Carrie Coon has brilliant moments in the end. The Leftovers is so weird, fragmented and nonsensical at times that it reminds me of Lost. If you are looking for shows like Lost, I recommend that you give The Leftovers a try.

2. Manifest  (2018) 

IMDB ratings: 7.1/10

Cast: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas and J.R. Ramirez 

Creator: Jeff Rake


The Manifest is a supernatural drama show about a bunch of people who discover that they lost 5 years of their lives when they landed in New York after their aeroplane faced severe turbulence. All the people on the plane were presumed to be dead. Now, these people have to find a way to adjust themselves to a new life around their loved ones. Mild spoiler! They learn their loved ones and the rest of society is not as they left it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1hNAIzkQWY

I found that the show’s premise was very intriguing and the actors give a very convincing performance. The narrative details of the show, however, in my opinion, are a bit sloppy and inconsistent. The writers surely have room for improvement but their concept is incredibly thrilling. Every episode of Manifest keeps you on your toes. Manifest has completed 3 seasons up until now and continues to be on air. Manifest is a pretty good choice if you want to watch TV shows like Lost.

3. Lost Room (2006)

IMDB ratings: 8.1/10

Cast: Peter Krause, Julianna Margulies and Peter Jacobson

Creator: Christopher Leone, Laura Harkcom

This lesser-known show The Lost Room is an American Sci-fi television miniseries which only had 3 episodes of 90 mins each and no follow-up seasons. The show was based on a very unique idea where the room in question (known as the ‘Lost Room’) and the objects in the said room had supernatural powers. This strange room is set in a 1960s motel along the iconic U.S. Route 66. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfWrECLnFYU

One day the protagonist (Peter Krause) Joe Miller’s daughter disappears inside the room. Joe, with the help of objects present in the room, tries to find his daughter Anna (Elle Fanning). The story of Lost Room was intensely engaging. I found the direction and the actor’s performances to be absolutely brilliant. It baffles me that the creators did not return to make another short season within the same concept. If you have been searching for TV series like Lost then I can assure you that Lost Room will be worth a watch.

4. Twins Peaks (1990) 

IMDB ratings: 8.8/10

Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn and David Lynch

Creator: David Lynch

David Lynch, the well-known director of weird and captivating films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet created an iconic show called Twin Peaks. It is a hauntingly eccentric show about the investigation of the mysterious murder of a small-town homecoming queen named Laura Palmer. Believe me, as odd as the show may seem at first, you will grow to love it, after all, it is considered to be one of the best mystery shows ever created. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwn9ou_nf-I

With the mysteries, the supernatural elements and the list of bizarre characters, Twin Peaks has it all. In my opinion, the cinematography of the show was truly ahead of its time. Kyle’s Dale Cooper was especially entertaining. Twin Peaks’ experimental formula of the satirical soap opera is extremely unsettling yet rewarding to watch, I must warn you, it’s not for the faint-hearted!  If you are in search of TV shows like Lost then Twin Peaks won’t disappoint you.

The Prisoners (1967)

IMDB ratings: 8.5/10

Cast: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat and Geroge Markstien

Creator: Patrick McGoohan


The Prisoner centres around an unnamed British agent (Patrick McGoohan) who tries to flee his country after abruptly quitting his high-ranking government job. He is abducted and held captive in a strange ‘sea-side’ village that is isolated from the rest of the world. This village is a highly secure and monitored place filled with weird technology. There are only 17 episodes to this late 60s show but it manages to bring up such surreal surprises, it's sure to leave a great impact on the viewer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JrNr85fPms

The Prisoner’s unique concept influenced many popular shows including Lost. The creators of Lost even cited the show. I was very impressed by how ahead of its time The Prisoners proves to be. If you want to watch more shows similar to Lost the Prisoners should definitely be on your list.

6. Battlestar Galactica (2004)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Katee Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos and Tricia Helfer 

Creator: Glen A. Larson

The 2004 Battlestar Galactica is a reboot of the original 1978 miniseries of the same name. Do not be mistaken by the title, the show is not related to Star Trek.  Battlestar Galactica is set in the 7th millennium AD and follows Cylons, the robot enemy of humanity that resurfaces to destroy the 12 colonies of Mankind. Only a few survive and are able to escape on ships led by a powerful warship called Battlestar Galactica. Mankind struggles to fight the Cylons and work their own political agendas and disputes while finding their long-lost 13th colony Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnYsf2Yv8i8

The show is a dark, intense and gritty socio-political commentary with EPIC cinematic value. The script is especially clever and as a huge fan of sci-fi shows, this show ticks the boxes in all the right categories. When the show was released, it blew the viewers and critics away. As far as an obsessive and gripping story goes, Battlestar Galactica is one of the most similar to shows like Lost. 

7. The New People (1969)

IMDB ratings: 7.3/10

Cast: David Moses, Zooey hall and Tiffany Boiling

Creator: Larry Gordon Aaron Spelling

The New People is an American Tv series that aired only for 1 season and is focused on a couple of college students who survive a plane crash. The incident takes place while they were returning from a trip to Southeast Asia, their plane crashes on an island in the south of the Pacific ocean. 

By now this show must already be sounding a lot like Lost to you, and it surely is. The remaining group of people discover an unusual truth about the island: there’s an above-ground unused nuclear test site filled with supplies for the survivors. If you want to see more plane survival stories like Lost then The New People should definitely be on your list.

8. Flight 29 Down (2005)

IMDB ratings: 7.2/10

Cast: Allen Alvarado, Halle Hirsh and Corbin Bleu

Creator:  Stan Rowgow D. J. MacHale

The show Flight 29 Down is a drama series about a group of pre-teens/teens who are stranded on a South Pacific island after their plane crashes in a tropical storm while they were flying from an eco-adventure camping trip in Palau. The show is in many ways a younger version of the Adult-centred show Lost but sans the supernatural elements. I’d say that the show draws inspiration from the show The New People.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLeG0w3kL8k

Flight 29 Down uses the technique of a video diary as a plot device for the viewers to keep up with the story of these children. It was very engaging to watch young intelligent characters finding their way on the island. The first two seasons of the show are quite engaging but I seemed to lose interest in its 3rd and final season. Regardless, Flight 29 Down is a really good series to watch if you want to see TV shows like Lost.

9. Fringe (2008)

IMDB ratings: 8.4/10

Cast: Anna Torv, John Noble and Joshua Jackson

Creator: J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci

Fringe is a popular Sci-fi crime drama television series. It may seem like a standard procedural drama at first, but the show actually explores the parallel universe, alternate versions of people filled with crazy scientific experiments. I personally had a great time watching this show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29bSzbqZ3xE

Fringe is actually inspired by shows like Lost, The X-files and The Twilight Zone. The 3 main characters of the show work with a special division called Fringe. There are so many brilliant twists and turns in Fringe that in my opinion, the show is at the top of its category. If you are searching for TV series like Lost, I strongly recommend you watch Fringe. 

10. Alcatraz (2012)

IMDB ratings: 6.9/10

Cast: Sarah Jones, George Garcia and Jonny Coyne 

Creator: Elizabeth Sarnoff, Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt

This American fiction show is based on the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary built on Alcatraz island in San Francisco Bay. The prison is now closed but once kept some of the most dangerous criminals of America. The show takes the liberty to make a show around the conspiracies of the place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V514ACIGp_k

In the interesting premise we see that under unknown circumstances, 256 inmates and 46 guards of the prison disappear without a trace. Later the disappeared ones start to appear one by one without ageing a day and resume their criminal activities with no realisation of disappearance. A special government unit is dedicated to finding and putting those criminals back in prison. If you are looking for mystery shows similar to Lost, try watching Alcatraz. 

11. Under the Dome (2013)

IMDB ratings: 6.5/10

Cast: Alexander Koch and Rachelle Lefevre

Creator: Stephen King

Based on a novel written by the sci-fi legend Stephen King, Under the Dome tells the story of the residents of the fictional small town called Chester's Mill, when a huge, transparent and indestructible dome suddenly cuts them off from the rest of the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Y5YeYrqUk

Now the trapped residents try to find a way to discover the truth, origin and purpose of these domes. This journey forces them into situations where they learn more about each other than they ever knew. Under the Dome may not be on the top of this list but it’s quite a decent watch if you’re looking for mystery shows similar to Lost. 

12. Dark (2017)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari and Gina Stiebitz

Creator: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese

The German-language Netflix series Dark is an interesting blend of Science fiction and Mystery. Truly a compelling and mind-bending story to watch. At the beginning of Dark, many children suspiciously start disappearing in the German town of Winden. The dark past of generational mysteries of 4 families living in the town namely, Kahnwald, Nielsen, Doppler, and Tiedemann is brought to light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrwycJ08PSA

After the discovery of a wormhole, the lives of the families intertwine more than one can imagine. I believe every element of the show is top-notch, especially Dark’s cinematography, which is a TRUE masterpiece. If you are looking for TV series similar to Lost then the intense and gripping story of Dark is sure to keep you engrossed.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few TV shows like Lost that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Carnivale
  2. Yellowjackets
  3. Game of Thrones
  4. Black Mirror
  5. Flashforward
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