15 Greatest TV Reveals Like The Twilight Zone

You are touring by one other dimension — a dimension not solely of films and TV exhibits however … Properly, truly, simply films and TV exhibits.

For our functions right here, we’re specializing in one of many biggest and most influential tv sequence — “The Twilight Zone.” Hosted by Rod Serling, this anthology zipped with ease between the genres of horror, science fiction, fantasy, and thriller, and popularized tropes and ideas inside every which have impressed writers for many years.

Virtually 70 years after the primary episode of “The Twilight Zone” aired, style anthology sequence are nonetheless the fashion, a lot in order that a number of the hottest entries within the format are nonetheless working right now. From wandering gamblers and killer portraits to monster crabs and White Christmases, we have discovered 15 sequence which can be greater than worthy of the dimension past.

The place to observe: Amazon Prime Video

Greatest episode: Season 1, Episode 2, “Autofac”

In 2017, Channel 4 produced “Philip Ok. Dick’s ‘Electrical Goals.'” It started with a 10-episode first season that tailored varied tales written by the prolific science fiction novelist, whose in depth physique of labor has served as the idea for such movies and tv exhibits as “The Man in Excessive Fort,” “A Scanner Darkly,” “Minority Report,” and, most famously, “Blade Runner.” With such provocative materials to mine from, “Electrical Goals” is a reliably compelling anthology. For “Twilight Zone” followers who love exhausting sci-fi, there is not any higher modern possibility out there.

Our favourite episode of the sequence is Episode 2 (or Episode 8, relying on the place you stream), which is loosely primarily based on Dick’s 1955 novelette “Autofac.” “Ted Lasso” star Juno Temple seems as one of some dozen survivors of a nuclear apocalypse dwelling exterior the ruins of a significant metropolis. What little pure assets and clear air they’ve left are being utilized by a wholly automated manufacturing facility positioned throughout the metropolis, forcing them to search out supply drones and negotiate with factories managing synthetic intelligence. 

Whereas the episode maintains the core concepts, spirit, and setting of Dick’s authentic story, components of it had been up to date to extra precisely replicate the course expertise and automation particularly are presumably headed, as co-developer Ronald D. Moore defined to us in a 2018 interview. “Electrical Goals” was canceled after one season, regardless of optimistic evaluations from critics and audiences.

The place to observe: PLEX

Greatest episode: Season 1, Episode 3, “A View By means of the Window”

Although Henry Rollins remains to be an odd (but weirdly charming) option to primarily fill the position of Rod Serling, 2001’s short-lived sci-fi-horror anthology “Evening Visions” stays one of the crucial underrated exhibits of its form. It maintains the premise-focused storytelling format of “The Twilight Zone,” however makes use of it to inform disturbing, human-oriented horror tales. 

Invoice Pullman performs a United States Military soldier who is named in to assist examine an anomaly within the desert. Positioned in the course of nowhere (and guarded by a seeming drive discipline of static vitality) is a picturesque prairie farmhouse, full with a small however loving household that’s apparently unaware of the navy drive surrounding them. Although it is not probably the most refined or psychologically novel work of science fiction featured on this record, “A View By means of the Window” is tight and entertaining — and options one of the crucial weird and gasp-worthy twists we have ever seen on TV.

The place to observe: fuboTV

Greatest episode: Season 1, Episode 17, “Time of Terror”

So far as sci-fi anthologies have progressed over the previous a number of a long time, a part of the attraction of “The Twilight Zone” is, understandably, its nostalgic tone and elegance. If this rings true for you, you will need to try a number of neglected sequence from a equally bygone period, such because the 1972 NBC present “Ghost Story” (later retitled “Circle of Worry”). Hosted by thespian Sebastian Cabot, “Ghost Story” presents tales very shut in tone to “The Twilight Zone,” such because the mystery-thriller “Time of Terror.” 

Primarily based on the brief story “Touring Companion” by sci-fi author Elizabeth Walter, “Time of Terror” follows one lady’s unsettling experiences after she wakes up in a lodge to find her husband has disappeared. It is a sluggish however delightfully atmospheric burn anchored by fascinating main performances from Patricia Neal of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” fame and “Peter Gunn” himself, Craig Stevens. Regardless of its extremely transient one-season run, “Ghost Story” featured a veritable parade of different modern and future Hollywood stars, together with Jodie Foster (Episode 8, “Home of Evil”), Rip Torn (Episode 11, “Contact of Insanity”), Janet Leigh (Episode 14, “Loss of life’s Hand”), and Martin Sheen (Episode 15, “Darkish Vengeance”).

The place to observe: Tubi/The Roku Channel/PLEX

Greatest episode: Season 3, Episode 5, “If You See Sally”

Going again even additional in TV historical past, we’ve ABC’s “One Step Past,” which aired from 1959 to 1961 — it later returned for an additional season in 1978 beneath the title “The Subsequent Step Past.” It was developed by style screenwriter Merwin Gerard for actor, director, and TV character John Newland, who on the time had reached a better profile in Hollywood because of directing spots on “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” and the sequence “Thriller” — each beloved anthologies we’ll speak about additional down. 

As for “One Step Past,” it loved a good run of three seasons, although it clearly by no means reached the identical heights of cultural prevalence as “The Twilight Zone” or “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.” Our favourite episode of the bunch is Season 3, Episode 5, “If You See Sally,” a relatively quieter story a couple of younger lady who runs away from residence after her father accuses her of being chargeable for the loss of life of her youthful brother. Like most “One Step” episodes, this story largely focuses on the human drama at its coronary heart with a subtler supernatural bend paying homage to a basic ghost story.

The place to observe: Pluto TV

Greatest episode: Season 2, Episode 1, “The Portrait”

What in regards to the record of nice sci-fi sequence that would not embody “Past Perception”? It would not exist — we made it up. A complete fabrication. 

One may soundly argue (particularly given the variety of memes he spawned on-line) that the endurance of “Past Perception: Reality of Fiction” needs to be largely attributed to host Jonathan Frakes. The “Star Trek: The Subsequent Era” actor joined the sequence throughout its second season, and was chargeable for dealing with its equally memorable twist to the anthology format. Because the subtitle implies, every story options both an authentic thought or a narrative primarily based on a supposedly “actual” supernatural phenomenon. On the finish of the episode, Frakes recaps every story and divulges whether or not or not they had been “reality or fiction.” Clips of this section have inexplicably gone viral on-line, a lot to Frakes’ amusement. 

Frakes shared one in every of his finest tales in his first outing. “The Portrait” (aired within the Season 2 premiere) tells the story of a painter (James Morrison) who seems to “maintain the ability of life and loss of life in his fingers.” As soon as he completes a portrait of an individual, they mysteriously cross away. Although the painter tries to make use of this horrible energy to alleviate the struggling of others, an sudden customer shatters his sense of objective. The story itself is well-told and intriguing — although Frakes’ impassioned declaration of its “reality or fiction” standing is the spotlight of the episode.

The place to observe: Purchase or lease

Greatest episode: Season 1, Episode 6, “They’re Tearing Down Tim Riley’s Bar”

Whereas hardcore followers of “The Twilight Zone” are absolutely already conscious of the early Seventies sequence “Evening Gallery,” we’re completely satisfied to make it recognized to extra informal fans — particularly if they need the previous sequence leaned a bit additional into the world of horror. Certainly, “Evening Gallery” is a a lot scarier anthology sequence that explores basic horror ideas (often adapting tales from the works of authors like Basil Copper and H.P. Lovecraft), however remains to be hosted by Rod Serling. The sequence is usually considered as a non secular successor to “The Twilight Zone,” no pun supposed. 

Like its predecessor, most “Evening Gallery” episodes are value a attempt if they appear attention-grabbing. If you happen to’re a fan of Steven Spielberg, you must definitely try the pilot episode story “Eyes,” one in every of his earliest directorial efforts. For our half, we’re a fan of the Season 1 episode “They’re Tearing Down Tim Riley’s Bar,” which was written by Serling and directed by “Planet of the Apes” director Don Taylor. It is a easy but emotional story about self-worth and reflection that earned “Evening Gallery” an Emmy nomination in 1971.

The place to observe: Purchase or lease

Greatest episode: Season 2, Episode 16, “Tv Terror”

When it comes to sheer manufacturing worth, it is exhausting to beat HBO’s “Tales from the Crypt.” The hardcore horror anthology sequence usually options horrifically efficient sensible results — most memorably within the depiction of its ghoulish puppet host, The Cryptkeeper (voiced by John Kassir). These belongings had been employed in some gleefully violent and unabashedly unhinged episodes of “Tales from the Crypt,” lots of which often invited the viewers to not take them too severely. 

Season 2, Episode 16, “Tv Terror” has endured as one of many sequence’ most participating entries. Set on the set of a documentary tv sequence about haunted environments, it feels slyly meta at instances, and Morton Downey Jr. is an ideal love-to-hate crypt-protagonist. Although the M. Evening Shyamalan reboot was canceled, we’re hoping we’ve not seen the final of The Cryptkeeper but.

The place to observe: Amazon Prime Video

Greatest episode: Season 5, Episode 1, “The Story of the Lifeless Man’s Float”

If you happen to’re searching for a scare you may share with the entire household, look no additional than Nickelodeon’s anthology sequence “Are You Afraid of the Darkish?” The format of the sequence frames its creepy all-aged tales round a bunch of children who name themselves the Midnight Society and spend their evenings swapping tales round a hearth. Among the many rotating forged of younger actors are Daniel DeSanto and Rachel Blanchard, who went on to function in “Imply Women” and “The Summer season I Turned Fairly” respectively. 

The pair had been removed from the one future stars to look on the sequence. Memorable visitor stars from particular person episodes embody Hayden Christensen (Season 6, Episode 13, “The Story of Bigfoot Ridge”), Melissa Joan Hart (Season 2, Episode 8, “The Story of the Frozen Ghost”), Ryan Gosling (Season 5, Episode 3, “The Story of Station 109.1”), and even the late and legendary comedian Gilbert Gottfried. Actor and filmmaker Jay Baruchel additionally seems in Season 5, Episode 1, “The Story of the Lifeless Man’s Float,” which is well one of many scariest episodes of kids’s TV ever produced.

The place to observe: Pluto TV

Greatest episode: Season 2, Episode 5, “Demon with a Glass Hand”

As top-of-the-line anthology TV sequence ever, “The Outer Limits” stands shoulder to shoulder with “The Twilight Zone” by way of high quality. The truth is, there are absolutely those that favor the previous over the latter, with its exhausting sci-fi slant and total darker sense of dramatic irony. 

Whereas Season 1, Episode 3, “The Architects of Worry” arguably boasts the sequence’ strongest twist, we might put Season 2, Episode 5, “Demon with a Glass Hand” up as a really shut second. Written by Harlan Ellison, one of the crucial influential science fiction authors in historical past, the episode follows a mysterious man (Robert Culp) who is distributed a millennium again in time to forestall an invasion of aliens from the long run. All he has to information him in his quest is a wierd glass hand lacking three fingers that include essential components of his reminiscence. 

Up to now, comparisons have been made between “Demon with a Glass Hand” and James Cameron’s “The Terminator,” particularly after Ellison efficiently gained credit score within the latter movie when he threatened to sue. In fact, Ellison was involved about similarities between “The Terminator” and one other nice episode he wrote for “The Outer Limits” — the Season 2 premiere “Soldier.”

The place to observe: Xumo

Greatest episode: Season 1, Episode 37, “The Grim Reaper”

No matter any of those different anthologies may need, there’s one factor they lack that “Thriller” flaunts proudly — Boris Karloff. The “Frankenstein” star served because the host of the 1960 NBC sequence all through its two-season run, presenting horror tales that differed from opponents for his or her gothic model and exceptionally bleak subject material — its theatrical theme music and introduction are additionally delightfully spooky in a manner few different sequence can examine to. If you happen to respect a sure flare for the dramatic, “Thriller” is a creepily cozy good time. 

The primary season finale — Season 1, Episode 37, “The Grim Reaper” — has an identical trope to the “Past Perception” episode “The Portrait,” with the plot regarding a supposedly killer portray. 5 years earlier than he would seem for the primary time on “Star Trek,” William Shatner stars reverse Natalie Schafer as one in every of a number of individuals whose lives are modified perpetually by the grim portrait.

The place to observe: Netflix

Greatest episode: Season 3, Episode 2, “Unhealthy Travelling”

The style anthology format has prevailed effectively into the twenty first century, with the speedy development of expertise each inspiring and making technically potential really wonderful home windows into potential futures. Netflix just about has this market cornered, partially by the animated anthology sequence “Love Loss of life + Robots.” The tales advised on “Love Loss of life + Robots” range vastly by way of style, tone, and — most excitingly — animation model, just like exhibits like “The Boys Presents: Diabolical” and “Star Wars: Visions.” 

The sequence was created by Tim Miller and is govt produced by each him and famend movie director David Fincher. Fincher lent his thoughts to the Season 3 episode “Unhealthy Travelling,” a deeply psychological thriller through which a bunch of mutinous pirates are compelled to make not possible selections when a grotesque monster boards their ship throughout a storm.

The place to observe: BritBox

Greatest episode: Season 5, Episode 4, “Quarantine”

For our readers who aren’t too eager on the concept of continually reshuffling characters each episode, we wished to incorporate one non-anthology sequence that also captures the nostalgic spirit and sense of journey that “The Twilight Zone” has to supply. Our choice is “Purple Dwarf,” a British sci-fi comedy in regards to the final dwelling human in area (performed by Craig Charles).

We selected “Purple Dwarf” over different sci-fi-horror dramas as a result of every episode stands fully by itself, with the comedian backdrop permitting for a wider vary of ideas to be explored with out strict regard to continuity or world constructing. Our favourite is the Season 5 episode “Quarantine,” which prominently options Chris Barrie’s wonderful work because the ghostly hologram Arnold Rimmer.

The place to observe: BritBox

Greatest episode: Season 2, Episode 2, “The 12 Days of Christine”

If the concept of a British comedy sounded enjoyable to you, think about additionally testing the anthology sequence “Inside No. 9.” This system was created by Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton, who — although not hosts or presenters — each seem within the sequence as varied characters. 

Virtually each episode of “Inside No. 9” is dependable for laughs, because the writing group steers their weird premises into unpredictable and amusingly uncomfortable locations. Nevertheless, we might additionally wish to level your consideration towards the Season 2 episode “The 12 Days of Christine” — whereas being the present’s least humorous episode, it is also its best-told story, with a novel construction that manages to artfully conceal its sharp twists and turns.

The place to observe: Tubi

Greatest episode: Season 5, Episode 15, “Man from the South”

Paradoxically, the sequence named for and produced and hosted by the grasp of horror himself is not all that scary (surprisingly, it owes its existence to one in every of Hitchcock’s few flops). As an alternative, “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” tells largely grounded tales throughout the crime and psychological thriller style, exploring the darkish depths of humanity by tales of suspense. For instance, one of many sequence’ finest episodes — Season 5, Episode 15, “Man from the South” — stars Hollywood icon Steve McQueen as a gambler locked in a contest of luck that might injure him vastly. 

The sequence resulted in 1965, except for a spin-off most viewers doubtless missed and a short-lived revival 20 years later. Nonetheless, its legacy as one of many biggest TV exhibits of all time stays, not least of all as a result of it introduced Hitchcock’s unparalleled cinematic sensibilities to the small display screen.

The place to observe: Netflix

Greatest episode: “White Christmas” (Season 2 Christmas Particular)

Clearly, we’ve to incorporate what many think about to be probably the most worthy modern successor to “The Twilight Zone” — Netflix’s viral, culturally pervasive, and sometimes predictive anthology sequence “Black Mirror.” Since debuting in 2011, this system has persistently delivered high-quality science fiction drama and horror, even arguably out-doing not less than one episode of “The Twilight Zone.”

If you have not but seen “Black Mirror,” a stable entry level is the Season 2 Christmas particular “White Christmas,” which was written by sequence creator Charlie Brooker and stars Jon Hamm. It is not a cheery vacation watch, however a gripping psychological thriller that may be loved any day of the yr. 

However, like each entry on this record, “Black Mirror” presents a big selection of thrilling and thought-provoking tales that may take the viewer someplace psychologically and emotionally they by no means thought they might go, usually in lower than an hour. Maybe that is why “The Twilight Zone” and the anthology format at giant nonetheless show efficient all these a long time later — in an period of “lengthy films” and binge-watching, these exhibits invite us to recollect a time when a single episode may take us to a different dimension fully.