There's no arguing that American Horror Story is one of the greatest horror series in television history. With its anthology format, each installment introduces a fresh, terrifying concept that never fails to captivate and surprise its audience. While Ryan Murphy, alongside his longtime collaborator Brad Falchuk, certainly struck gold with the series, he's far from the only creative talent producing standout horror content.
When you're talking about creatives who have contributed tremendously to the horror genre, especially for TV, Mike Flanagan's name should definitely be one of the first names brought up. He has delivered some of the most critically acclaimed horror series in recent years through his previous deal with Netflix alone. Some people might even consider most of Flanagan's Netflix shows to be better than American Horror Story. That's all thanks to his unique ability to blend haunting supernatural elements with deeply emotional stories, resulting in a more immersive and thought-provoking viewing experience.
I personally would agree. Although I’m a huge fan of AHS, there's just something about Flanagan's work that hits differently. His shows aren't just about scaring you; they're about making you feel something deep within your core. And that, to me, is what truly sets his work apart.
Here are four of Mike Flanagan's horror shows that, quite frankly, are better than AHS.
Midnight Mass (2021)
- Cast: Kate Siegel, Zach Gilford, Kristin Lehman, Samantha Sloyan, Igby Rigney, Rahul Kohli, Annarah Cymone, Annabeth Gish, Alex Essoe
- Where to watch: Netflix
After serving four years in prison for causing a fatal drunk-driving accident, a young man named Riley Flynn returns to his small, isolated hometown on Crockett Island, seeking a fresh start. His return coincides with the arrival of a mysterious young priest, Father Paul, who starts to reignite the town's fading faith. However, as Father Paul’s influence grows, strange and supernatural events begin to unfold, leading to unsettling changes in the community.
The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020)
- Cast: Victoria Pedretti, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Amelia Eve, T'Nia Miller, Rahul Kohli, Tahirah Sharif
- Where to watch: Netflix
Dani is excited to begin her new job after being hired as an au pair for two orphaned children. She arrives at Bly Manor, a remote estate in England where the children live. However, shortly after her arrival, she starts to experience strange and unnerving events, including encounters with the spirits of former residents who seem to be trapped within the manor. This leads her to look into the manor’s tragic past, where she uncovers a web of dark secrets.
The Fall of the House of Usher (2023)
- Cast: Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Mary McDonnell, Henry Thomas, Kate Siegel, Rahul Kohli, Samantha Sloyan
- Where to watch: Netflix
Roderick and Madeline Usher are two siblings who have built a successful pharmaceutical company together, but they didn't achieve this massive success on their own. As their bloodline starts mysteriously dying off one by one, their empire begins to unravel, revealing the dark and sinister ties that helped them rise to power.
The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
- Cast: Michiel Huisman, Carla Gugino, Henry Thomas, Elizabeth Reaser, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Kate Siegel, Victoria Pedretti
- Where to watch: Netflix
The Haunting of Hill House tells the story of the Crain family, a family who once lived in the infamous Hill House, a mansion steeped in dark secrets and supernatural terror. The narrative alternates between the past, when the family resided in the house, and the present, as the now-adult Crain children grapple with the emotional and psychological scars of their experiences. As they reunite, the siblings are forced to confront their shared past, uncovering long-buried truths about the horrors they faced in the house while realizing that the ghosts of Hill House continue to haunt them.