10 Great Horror Anthologies You Need To Watch

Horror anthologies have played a big part in television and film since the genre’s inception, offering a chilling cocktail of fear, suspense, and storytelling variety. 

It must be challenging to condense an entire storyline into a singular segment, but the anthology format lends itself well to gutsy, punchy storytelling that can span multiple themes or be tied together through one overarching narrative. Though any genre can embrace an anthological structure, it’s ideal for horror since the constant change in tone and style can catch the biggest horror purists off guard.

Ghost stories, murder mysteries, gothic horror – the anthology horror flick has covered them all, as have horror TV shows, which have in more recent years proven to be the main home for the format rather than the big screen.

These frightening sagas haven’t just entertained generations for decades, but showcased cautionary tales and what-if scenarios that provoke intense reflection and critical thought. Their influence stretches beyond mere scares, shaping viewers to reconsider how they perceive reality. 

There have been a slew of horror anthologies over the years, but these 10 entries left the biggest impression.

Based on the work of Stephen King, Cat’s Eye stands out for not just being scary, but nerve-wracking.

The first story revolves around a smoker called Dick Morrison, who joins a tobacco-quitting clinic. After becoming a member, he learns the company will torture or mutilate his family if he smokes a single cigarette. With this in mind, it’s unbearable any time Dick feels tempted to light up a cigarette, since the consequences are clear if he gets caught.

In the next segment, a crime boss blackmails a man called Johnny, forcing him to walk around his penthouse ledge. This storyline is vertigo-inducing, since Johnny is sure to end up as a bloody stain on the pavement below if he loses his balance.

In the final chapter, a little troll sneaks into a girl’s bedroom and attempts to steal her life-force. Since the child is unable to defend herself, it’s up to her trusty cat to save the day. Even though the first two stories have comedic elements, the last one is surprisingly emotional, creating a memorable climax that mixes fantasy with nail-biting suspense.

With a tight runtime, tighter pacing, and a diverse range of stories, Cat’s Eye is one underrated anthology worth seeking out.