In a perfect world, both audiences and critics would be in love with a particular TV show. However, we sadly don’t live in a perfect world, and the television landscape is littered with numerous shows that are either loved by professional critics but hated by audiences, or loathed by the critics, but are beloved by viewers. Then, there’s a third angle: TV shows are lauded by critics, but, upon watching them, are actually kind of bad.

So, we’re going to take a look at the TV shows that were darlings of the critics, but were actually kind of bad. It’s not that I absolutely hated these shows. I tried to give all of them a chance (and may do so again in the future), but I just simply couldn’t get into these shows.

‘Quantico’ (2015–2018)

Image via ABC

We talk a lot about thrillers on this site, but I think one sub-genre that we don’t talk enough about is terrorism thrillers. These are shows in which the storyline is centered on a terrorist plot in which a law enforcement officer must prevent. 24 was probably the standard-bearer of the sub-genre, and it was a huge hit for Fox. So, in 2015, ABC, which was desperate for dramatic hits at the time, decided to create their own 24-inspired terrorism thriller, Quantico; and, to put it nicely, it was spectacularly mid.

Starring Priyanka Chopra, Quantico follows an FBI rookie who, all of a sudden, becomes the prime suspect in a terrorist attack on New York City’s Grand Central Terminal, and, according to the terrorism thriller textbook, our protagonist must clear her name. Critics loved Chopra’s performance, and the incredibly diverse cast, but the dual timelines made the show hard to follow for the average viewer. After three seasons, Quantico faded into the television purgatory.

‘FBI’ (2018–Present)

Image via CBS

Dick Wolf is no stranger to the crime procedural sub-genre, and he has created some absolute gems, from the genre-transforming Law & Order universe to the criminally underrated New York Undercover. I love Dick Wolf’s work, which pains me to write that FBI, the police procedural that premiered on CBS in 2018, is not among his best despite critical acclaim.

If you’ve watched a Dick Wolf series, you pretty much know how FBI works. Set in its New York City field office, the series follows a unit of FBI special agents as they work to protect the citizens of the city from bad guys. While I agree with the critics that the performances are great, I can’t help that FBI feels eerily like a knock-off version of Law & Order. Everything, from the episode structure to how the characters interact with each other, just seems like Law & Order-like. I wanted FBI to be different, to take more risks, and it just sticks to the tried-and-true, which isn’t bad, but if you want that, just go watch Law & Order.

‘Supergirl’ (2015–2021)

Image via The CW

This is a CW show, so I’m going to be grading this show on a steep curve. Everyone knows that CW superhero shows are hit-or-miss, and for a time, Supergirl seemed like a hit, until it wasn’t. Supergirl follows the cousin of Superman, Kara Zor-El/ Kara Danvers (Melissa Benoist), as she defends National City (what an interesting name for a city) from the bad guys who want to do harm to it.

The first three seasons of Supergirl were pretty good (for a CW show, anyway), and I got into the plot. But afterward, it was all downhill from there. The storyline began to make no sense, and the characters became pretty bland. It’s a shame, because Supergirl could have been among the great superhero shows on the small screen. Instead, it’s another in a line of examples as to why superheroes belong on the big screen, not on TV.

‘Homeland’ (2011–2020)

Image via Showtime

There’s always one show in every list I write that brings me chest pain for criticizing it, mainly because I enjoyed said show during its initial run, but, rewatching it, I can see the flaws more clearly. Here, it’s Homeland, the Showtime espionage thriller that had me in a chokehold in the 2010s, but I can now understand why it’s not seen in such a great light today.

Each season of Homeland is different, but the main plot centers around Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes), a CIA operations agent who embarked on an unauthorized operation in Iraq and, as punishment (I guess), was re-assigned to the agency’s Counterterrorism Center. It’s here where most of the action of the series takes place, and the series has received numerous industry awards and nominations. But, where I have a problem with Homeland is how it constantly misrepresents Muslims. Yes, this was a time in which the War on Terror was at its peak, but it still wasn’t a fair portrayal of the faith, and the criticisms that this show got for its portrayal of Muslims are warranted.

‘Ten Percent’ (2022)

Image via Prime Video

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We normally don’t accommodate comedies with miniseries. While there are a few examples of comedic exploits turning into miniseries (Beef is a great example of this), comedies normally get multiple seasons to pull in an audience. So, it was weird when Ten Percent, a British comedy streamed on Prime Video, only got one season on the series. Then, I rewatched it, and I could see why.

While the series was filmed in Britain, the show is actually based on a French series, Dix pour Cent, which is set in a talent agency in London that is thrown into turmoil when the agency’s founder dies unexpectedly. While critics did like the fact that it was pleasant, I had the pleasure of watching the original French show, and once you watch that one, you’ll quickly see that this is a carbon copy of that series. The British version of Ten Percent did little to differentiate itself from its French counterpart, which is jarring because the British are pioneers when it comes to comedy, and it’s usually other countries copying them, not the other way around. Why would they do this? No wonder it was done after just eight episodes.

‘Star Wars Resistance’ (2018–2020)

Image via Lucasfilm

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I’m going to preface this by saying that Star Wars rarely works as a comedy. Especially after the genius grittiness of Andor, Star Wars is at its best when it stays in its space opera roots. So, when I decided to re-watch Star Wars Resistance, I was completely taken aback by the comedic scale of this series, and it just didn’t work for me.

It’s shocking for me to write this because, back during its original run, I liked Star Wars Resistance. I totally get why it has a 92% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes, as the story of Star Wars Resistance did set the stage for bigger adventures that were more kid-friendly. But, this is where it also lost me. I don’t want kid-friendly Star Wars. I want gritty Star Wars, and Resistance just doesn’t do it for me anymore.

‘The Morning Show’ (2019–Present)

I feel like TV morning shows have a cutthroat nature behind those scenes that would be ripped for exploration into a television series. That’s what Jay Carson thought as well when he adapted Brian Stelter‘s 2013 novel, Top of the Morning, into The Morning Show, for Apple TV. Starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, The Morning Show looks at the sad nature of what it’s like behind the scenes of a morning show.

The Morning Show is a textbook example of a “critical darling” series. It was beloved by critics, and was nominated for a number of awards, and most of them rightfully so. The performances of Aniston and Witherspoon were dynamite, and this series accurately hit on a number of topics that many viewers could relate to. Having said that, The Morning Show had one major flaw: it is really boring. It doesn’t matter how good the writing is or how great the performances are, if a show works best as sleep-inducing background noise, it doesn’t work as an entertaining program. The Morning Show could have been among my favorites, but you can’t cook a steak without seasoning and expect it to taste great.

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ (2022–Present)

Image via Prime Video

Oh, I’m pretty sure I’m going to get some hate in the comments for including this show, but let me explain why it should be here, and I’ll let you form your own opinions. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power was critically loved, but it’s incredibly overrated, and I didn’t think the storyline was really well fleshed out, especially in the mess that was the second season.

The Rings of Power was a good idea that had a ton of potential to be one of the best high fantasy shows on television, but its overwrought performances, thin plotline, and questionable accuracy to the J. R. R. Tolkien novels are what weighs this series down. There is a reason why the second season had a lower viewership than the first; fans saw through the smokescreen and saw the series for what it was: an underwhelming fantasy series that was over-hyped by critics.

‘NCIS: Sydney’ (2023–Present)

Image via Paramount+

As much as I’m a huge fan of the Law & Order universe, I am equally a fan of the NCIS franchise. The original NCIS will never be touched, but I have a soft spot in my heart for the spin-offs. They’re not as good in quality as the OG NCIS, but they hold their own and have managed to differentiate themselves from the original as so, they stand on their own two-feet and don’t need assistance from the parent series, except one: NCIS: Sydney.

If you’ve watched NCIS, you don’t need me to explain the plot. It’s the same flavor, except the NCIS agents are now in Instagram-scenic Sydney, Australia catching bad guys this time around. Unlike its siblings, NCIS: Sydney doesn’t offer anything different or exciting than the other spin-offs offered. It doesn’t have enough flavor to justify its existence, and while the action is just as good, you’re better off watching NCIS‘s better spin-offs.

‘Halo’ (2022–2024)

Image via Paramount+

This one is personal. As a fan of the Halo games, I wanted so long to see what a TV series based off of the video game series would be like. I have been on board ever since I learned it was in development in 2013. I waited like a kid on Christmas Eve for this series to drop. So, when it finally did in 2022, I grabbed my popcorn, my Gatorade, and settled in for a night of binge-watching. To say I was disappointed with the finishing product is a tremendous understatement. I was crushed.

Halo, the TV series, had tremendous promise, and, to be fair, I wasn’t expecting it to be perfect. Having written that, when you’re sourcing from a beloved video game franchise, you need to give that source material the justice it deserves, and Halo, the TV series, didn’t do that at all. It’s very derivative, the writing is uninspiring, and it’s too plot-driven for a franchise that’s centered on its characters. While the critics gave it hope, I gave up midway through Season 1. Halo, the TV series, is a bad show, and its first impression left a very bad taste in my mouth.

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Halo

Release Date

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2022 – 2024-00-00

Network

Paramount+

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Showrunner

Kyle Killen

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Directors

Jonathan Liebesman, Craig Zisk, Dennie Gordon, Roel Reiné, Debs Paterson

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A two-time Oscar winner with one of the finest filmographies of the 21st century, Emma Stone is one of a kind. After delighting in beloved big hits such as The Amazing Spider-Man, Birdman, and La La Land, Stone turned her attention to Greek writer and director Yorgos Lanthimos, a five-time Oscar nominee in his own right. The pair made magic on their first try, with the period comedy The Favourite earning 10 Academy Award nominations and a Best Actress win for Stone’s co-star, Olivia Colman​​​​​​.

Then came the utterly mesmerizing Poor Things, based on the eponymous 1992 novel by Alasdair Gray, and the slightly underwhelming but certainly ambitious Kind of Kindness, an avant-garde anthology movie featuring Stone alongside another Lanthimos favorite, Jesse Plemons. The latest of the pair’s four collaborations to date arrived in 2025 and proved one of the year’s most exciting sci-fi projects. The science fiction satire Bugonia, a remake of Jang Joon-hwan‘s 2003 South Korean comedy Save the Green Planet!, starred both Stone and Plemons, with the latter kidnapping Stone’s high-powered CEO, convinced she is an alien sent to destroy Earth.

Exploring the power of truth, conspiracy, and class in the modern age, Bugonia takes plenty of big swings, no bigger than its final twist, which many consider to be one of the best in recent cinema. Collider’s Ross Bonaime awarded the movie a strong 8/10 rating in his review, writing, “With Bugonia, Lanthimos elevates an already fantastic concept, making an essential film about the world we live in and just how insane and hopeless it can feel at times.” A year on and Bugonia is still proving popular. At the time of writing, the film is one of the ten most-streamed movies on HBO Max in the world.

How Much Did ‘Bugonia’ Make at the Box Office?

Lanthimos is known for pushing the boundaries of cinema on a relatively low budget. However, with Bugonia​​​​​​, the master of the strange was given his biggest allowance yet, estimated to be between $45 million and $55 million. Sadly, this meant that the film was a box office flop, falling short of its reported budget with a global haul of just $43 million, split between $17 million in domestic revenue and a further $26 million from overseas markets.

Stay tuned to Collider for more streaming updates.

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Release Date

November 7, 2025

Runtime

119 minutes

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Director

Yorgos Lanthimos

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Writers

Will Tracy

Producers

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Andrew Lowe, Ari Aster, Ed Guiney, Emma Stone, Jerry Kyoungboum Ko, Lars Knudsen, Miky Lee, Yorgos Lanthimos, Kasia Malipan, Will Greenfield

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The Punisher has been a difficult character to crack in Marvel Comics adaptations because the notion of a vigilante gunslinger is no longer as novel or as appealing as it was when Frank Castle debuted. Three different actors have portrayed Castle in live-action films, and each portrayal failed, despite the talent of their stars; these films ranged from being completely ignorant of the character’s real-world ramifications to being trapped in a generic revenge-thriller formula. The one spark of hope that fans of the Punisher earned after years of disappointment was in the second season of Netflix’s Daredevil, in which Jon Bernthal’s version of Castle appeared as a nemesis-turned-ally of Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox). While Daredevil suggested that Castle might be best utilized as a supporting character, The Punisher does justice to the source material with a modernized, emotional, and surprisingly timely approach to his complex mythology.

Although the fundamentals of Castle’s backstory were laid out in Daredevil, The Punisher offers a partial origin story through flashbacks that is necessary, given that it wasn’t nailed in any of the previous film interpretations. However, Castle is trapped in the present because he is haunted by the loss of his family, which has caused him to retreat into being a solemn recluse hunting down the criminals that murdered his loved ones. The hardest step Castle has to take is finding a new purpose after vengeance, as he does not feel that justice has been served by his bloodlust. Bernthal gives a damaged, multifaceted performance that highlights Castle’s struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder, and the two-season show delves into the societal evils that shaped his cynical perspective.

Netflix’s ‘The Punisher’ Reinvents Frank Castle

Although Daredevil had already indicated it, The Punisher confirms that Bernthal was born to play Castle because he understands the sadness and intensity that cause him to be constantly under strain. Bernthal’s Castle is just as obsessed with vengeance as the character is in most comic book depictions, but his fixation has become an addiction because of how in flux his moral code is; having concluded that anyone guilty of committing crimes similar to those made against his family deserves to be punished, Castle has set himself up on an unquenchable quest for revenge that will never be completed. Since the show picks up after Daredevil Season 2, which itself featured Castle already established as an anti-hero, there is no pleasure or spark within the routine that he has committed himself to. Castle works best as a character when he is grizzled and indigent, and The Punisher draws him out of repetition with a newfound mystery that links to his past.

The Punisher finds a clever way to explore Castle’s history in the military because it introduces the character of Billy Russo, a former member of his Force Recon team, played by Ben Barnes. Russo represents an alternative to Castle who initially seems to be better adjusted because he leads a recovery group for fellow veterans and has found new work as a private contractor; however, this masks an insidious lie that Russo has used to hide his guilt, as he has not been made to suffer as Castle has. That The Punisher is a series, and not a film, gives it more time to take a sincere look at veterans’ issues that Bernthal undoubtedly takes seriously, and it also makes an effort to question gun control tactics during a time in which mass shooting incidents are sadly all too common. In addition to acknowledging why Castle’s fatalistic techniques are ultimately not helpful, The Punisher examines how easy it is for vulnerable young men, especially veterans with mental health issues, to be seduced into joining radical groups that promote violence and hate speech.

‘The Punisher’ Is Marvel at Its Grittiest and Most Psychological

Bernthal has the presence to carry The Punisher on its shoulders, but the show has a surprisingly stacked ensemble that ensures it is more than just a solo adventure. Bernthal has been a longtime friend and collaborator with Ebon Moss-Bachrach, whose role as Ben Grimm in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was predated by his performance in The Punisher as the former NSA analyst David Lieberman, who goes by the codename “Mirco.” Lieberman is a veteran of a different sort who has also been denied the opportunity to connect with his family, which sparks parallels with Castle. It’s compelling to have another hero with a different skill set, and the real-life friendship between Bernthal and Moss-Bachrach makes their onscreen chemistry all the more authentic and adds a healthy amount of humor to an otherwise dark show.

Although many of the Netflix Marvel shows struggled as they went along because they had to connect to one another, The Punisher maintains a degree of quality throughout and justifies the episode count for each season. It even gets a boost of momentum in its second season thanks to the addition of Giorgia Whigham as Amy Bendix, a drifter who becomes a surrogate daughter for Castle. It’s also among the most dynamic streaming shows in terms of action, as the brutal, unglamorized brawls couldn’t be more different than the elegant choreography in Daredevil. It has been exciting to see Bernthal expand upon the character with his most recent appearances in the MCU, but The Punisher remains the most riveting and exhilarating depiction of the character on screen.

You generally consider a trilogy capper to be the cherry on the icing at the top of the cake, if in this scenario the cake is three epic films telling one grand tale. Well, in this baking analogy, this cake is overly sickly sweet, probably store bought and full of chemicals. But you know what, we still love it, and we’ll gorge ourselves silly on it. Anyway, enough of that, let’s talk about saving the world and saying goodbye to Tom Hardy.

Venom: The Last Dance is having, well, its last dance on Netflix in the United States. The movie officially leaves the streaming platform on August 25, which is sure to be a blow to fans who’ve made the movie one of the most popular in the world. The film even made its way to No. 1 all across the world. And whatever you think about the Venom movies, they made some serious money at the box office. The Last Dance earned $478.9 million worldwide, including approximately $139.8 million domestically and $339.2 million internationally.

In Venom: The Last Dance, Hardy returns as Venom, one of Marvel’s greatest and most complex characters, for the final film in the trilogy. Eddie and Venom are on the run. Hunted by both of their worlds and with the net closing in, the duo are forced into a devastating decision that will bring the curtains down on Venom and Eddie’s last dance. Fair to say, though, things get worse when Knull — the ancient creator of the symbiotes — enters the picture. See, his forces need the Codex carried by Eddie and Venom, sending the pair on one final chaotic road trip.

Who Starred in ‘Venom: The Last Dance’?

Hardy is joined by Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) as Rex Strickland, Juno Temple (Ted Lasso) as Dr. Teddy Paine, Rhys Ifans (The Amazing Spider-Man) as Martin Moon, Stephen Graham (Adolescence) as Patrick Mulligan, Clark Backo (Letterkenny) as Sadie Christmas, Cristo Fernández (Ted Lasso) as the bartender and Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings) as Knull. Kelly Marcel, who co-wrote the first two movies, made her feature directorial debut with The Last Dance and wrote its screenplay from a story developed alongside Hardy.

Venom: The Last Dance is streaming on Netflix until August 25.

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Release Date

October 25, 2024

Runtime

110 Minutes

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Director

Kelly Marcel

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Portuguese soccer star Quévin Castro died at age 25 after collapsing during a match.

The central midfielder was competing in a friendly preseason match between his team, Real Sport Clube, and rivals Estrela de Amadora at Estádio das Seixas stadium in Malveira, Portugal, on Saturday, August 22, when he collapsed. He was transferred to a local hospital where he was ultimately pronounced dead, per Press Association.

The Lisbon Football Association announced the tragic news in a Facebook post mourning Castro.

“To the family, friends, and the affiliated club [Real Sport Clube], we extend our deepest condolences during this tragic time for Portuguese football,” the organization wrote on Saturday.

His current team, Real Sport Clube, also paid tribute via social media, writing, “Quevin Castro was far more than a player, he was a member of our family, leaving a mark on all those who had the privilege of knowing him, both on and off the pitch.”

“At this time of grief, Real Sport Clube – Futebol, SAD extends its most sincere condolences to the family and all friends of Quevin Castro, expressing its full solidarity and unconditional support,” the club’s statement read. “May the memory of Quevin Castro live on in our hearts. Rest in peace.”

Real Sport Clube’s friendly match against Estrela de Amadora was postponed indefinitely following Castro’s death.

Estrela de Amadora paid its respects to Castro’s teammates and family, sharing the team’s “deepest sorrow for the passing of Quevin Castro, player for [Real Sport Clube].”

“At this moment of profound sadness, Estrela da Amadora extend their most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Quevin Castro, as well as to the entire Real Massama structure,” Estrela de Amadora’s statement read. “Our thoughts are with all those close to him. Rest in peace, Quevin.”

Castro played for several English teams throughout his nine-year soccer career, including a two-year stint with West Bromwich Albion from 2021 to 2023. During his stint with West Brom — whose players are known as the Baggies — he was loaned out to Burton, Notts County and Gateshead.

He later played for Cambridge City and Eastbourne Borough in 2025 and 2026 before returning home to Portugal to sign with Real Sport Clube in June. Tragically, Castro died before he was ever able to play in an official match with Real Sport Clube.

His former team West Bromwich Albion announced plans to honor Castro during the Baggies’ match against Burnley on Sunday, August 23.

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“West Bromwich Albion are devastated to learn of the untimely passing of Quevin Castro, aged just 25,” the team said in a statement. “Albion will pay tribute to Quevin on Sunday, with a period of applause in the 25th minute of the fixture against Burnley. [Coach] James Morrison’s men will also wear black armbands.”

The Baggies went on to offer condolences to Castro’s loved ones, saying, “The thoughts of everyone at Albion are with Quevin’s loved ones at this desperately sad time.”

Notts County Football Club — whom Castro played for on loan in 2022 — said in its own statement that the organization was “shocked and deeply saddened” to hear about the player’s death.

Sony’s war on physical media continues with Crunchyroll. After it announced it would change how it handles its storefront, fans were outraged, claiming the company is making it harder to get physical copies of their favorite shows. Now, a month has passed since the initial announcement, and Sony has not backed down.

Sony’s war on physical media began with PlayStation, when it announced that, by 2028, it would no longer produce physical discs for its games, moving toward all-digital distribution, as it claimed it made more digital sales. This has upset many gamers, and the message started to appear on PlayStation 5 boxes, warning buyers that the company would discontinue disc production. And it’s not just PlayStation, Sony also owns Crunchyroll, and last month it announced that the Crunchyroll Store will be available only to paid subscribers in the Mega and Ultimate Fan tiers, claiming it will create a “new curated experience.” This news also sparked backlash as fans accused Sony of making fans “pay the company more” just to buy merch.

The change to the Crunchyroll store began this month, and according to CBR, the anime platform has delisted many products from its online store, including anime, manga, light novels, Blu-ray discs, etc. Users on social media have also noticed the change, upset that a huge amount of physical media has been removed from the store and that the product selection has been reduced. There is still some anime merch to buy, like the Solo Leveling Season 1 Blu-ray and DVD or the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Complete Series Blu-ray, as well as a variety of figures and Funko Pops, clothing, and other collectible items, but to complete the purchase, customers must be paid subscribers.

What Is Crunchyroll?

Image via Crunchyroll

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Crunchyroll is the largest streaming platform for anime content. Founded in 2006, it houses over 2,000 titles. It has over 15 million subscribers, and in 2020, the streaming platform was acquired by Sony from its previous owner, AT&T. Crunchyroll is the place for anime fans if they want to watch some of the biggest titles, like Solo Leveling, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba, and Witch Hat Atelier. But because of licensing agreements, the platform isn’t available in every region, including Japan and other Asian countries. Crunchyroll isn’t the only platform that carries anime. Prime Video carries Studio Ghibli content, as well as other shows like the new Ghost in the Shell series, and Netflix also has its own anime library and is the go-to platform for those who don’t have access to Crunchyroll.

Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

2019 – 2024-00-00

Network

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Fuji TV, Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, BS11, Tochigi TV, Kansai TV, Tokai Television Broadcasting, Fukui TV, Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting, Iwate Menkoi Television, Sendai Television, SAGA TV, TNC, OHK, Ishikawa TV, Kochi Sun Sun Broadcasting, TV Shizuoka, UMK TV Miyazaki, Television Shin Hiroshima System, NST, NBS, Sakuranbo TV, TSK, Ehime Broadcasting, KTS, NIB, Fukushima TV, TOS, AKT, Toyama Television, TV Kumamoto, Okinawa Television Broadcasting

Directors

Hideki Hosokawa, Shinya Shimomura, Akihiko Uda, Takuro Takahashi, Shuji Miyahara, Masaru Takeuchi, Toshiyuki Shirai, Takuya Nonaka, Yuki Ito, Ken Takahashi, Takahiro Majima, Yusuke Shibata

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• 

  Natsuki Hanae

  Tanjiro Kamado (voice)

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  Akari Kito

  Nezuko Kamado (voice)

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Horror literature is not just about frightening stories; it serves as a mirror of humanity’s darkest sides and deepest fears: a fever dream, or a whispered warning from the beyond. The finest works in the genre go beyond mere fright, lingering in our minds and reshaping how we see morality, beauty, and even the safety of our own homes. So it’s no wonder that the masterpieces of horror across the centuries have reshaped literature, culture, and the way we imagine fear itself.

From primal blood thirst and macabre madness to spiritual and psychological collapse, every generation of horror literature has something to add to its explorations of the dark side of humanity. Some of these books are fundamentally connected to their respective time and era, while others are rare works of literature that achieve perfection in horror and have become timeless cultural landmarks, turning fear into pure art. Read on to discover our handpicked selection of horror books that are all 10/10 masterpieces.

1

‘Uzumaki’ (1998–1999)

Image via Shogakukan Inc.

A Japanese horror manga written and illustrated by Junji Ito, Uzumaki revolves around the people of Kurouzu‑cho, a fog‑shrouded coastal town cursed by spirals, where everyone is slowly consumed by the unseen force. Said to hold the secret of the world, the titular pattern infects every corner of life, twisting bodies, minds, and even the landscape itself. As the obsession deepens, ordinary citizens mutate into grotesque spiraling forms, while teenagers Kirie and Shuichi attempt to fight the spell and escape the nightmare.

Hailed as Ito’s magnum opus, Uzumaki redefined horror in manga and earned widespread acclaim when it was first published, landing an Eisner Award nomination for Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material. The ’90s Japanese cult classic transforms a simple shape into a cosmic terror, weaving imagery so grotesque and hypnotic that readers feel trapped in its coils. Celebrated as a horror manga masterpiece, the nightmare of Uzumaki deepens in every chapter, blurring the line between body horror and existential dread.

2

‘The Shining’ (1977)

Image via Vintage

Stephen King’s third published novel, The Shining tells the story of Jack Torrance, a struggling writer and recovering alcoholic who accepts a job as a caretaker at a heritage hotel in the Colorado Rockies. He moves there in the off-season with his wife, Wendy, and son, Danny, who possesses a unique psychic ability, unbeknownst to his parents, that helps him see the unseen supernatural forces present in the hotel. When the family gets trapped inside during a snowstorm, Jack starts getting terrifying visions that take a toll on his sanity, leaving Wendy and Danny in danger.

The Shining was King’s first hardcover bestseller and went on to become a massive literary and cultural phenomenon. Drawing from his personal experiences, the author depicts the terrifying realities of abuse, addiction, and psychological collapse through the lens of the supernatural. Celebrated as one of King’s greatest horror masterpieces, The Shining was the first work that changed his status from a rising name to a master of the genre.

3

‘The Haunting of Hill House’ (1959)

Image via Viking Press

A gothic horror novel by Shirley Jackson, The Haunting of Hill House is one of the most influential haunted house stories of modern literature. The story follows an occult scholar who invites a few people to the titular, isolated mansion to investigate supernatural occurrences. As eerie events begin unfolding at the mansion, it significantly impacts a fragile, traumatized woman in the group, pushing her down a psychological spiral. In 1960, the novel was a finalist for the National Book Award.

Since its first publication, The Haunting of Hill House has been celebrated as one of the greatest haunted house stories ever written and a high point in 20th-century psychological Gothic horror. The story’s real terror comes not from external elements but from within its characters, as the house turns into a dreadful entity in itself. The novel cemented Jackson’s reputation for chilling fiction and has since been adapted into films, plays, radio shows, and a loosely adapted streaming hit.

4

‘Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ (1886)

Image via Suzeteo Enterprises

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Robert Louis Stevenson’s gothic horror novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is easily one of the most famous pieces of 19th-century English literature. A respected London doctor, Henry Jekyll, develops a formula that can split the morally opposed aspects of his personality into separate identities. His friend and lawyer, Gabriel Utterson, begins investigating a series of strange occurrences connecting Henry and a murderous criminal named Edward Hyde. Through Utterson’s investigation, the reader is exposed to the spine-chilling, horrifying mystery of the two men.

Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a defining work of Gothic horror fiction that gave rise to the titular metaphor to symbolize contrasting identities and personalities. Narrated as a chilling Victorian mystery, the novel examines humanity’s perpetual struggle with the duality of our nature and is a masterpiece of psychological terror. The original story and the core concept have since been adapted into every possible medium and storytelling style, including parodies and spoofs, even though no major adaptation has been faithful to the original narrative.

5

‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ (1890)

Image via Wordsworth

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A Gothic horror and philosophical masterpiece by Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray is his first and only completed novel and revolves around the titular character, a wealthy young man in Victorian England and the muse of his artist friend, Basil Hallward, who pictures him as a flawless example of male beauty. After meeting Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian is quickly taken in by the aristocrat’s hedonistic outlook toward beauty and self-fulfillment, which pushes Dorian to make a deal with the Devil, resulting in gruesome consequences.

With themes of vanity, morality, and spiritual decay, the novel is hailed as a masterpiece of psychological and philosophical horror and one of Wilde’s finest works. When it was first published, The Picture of Dorian Gray attracted extensive controversy and criticism, and it was largely ignored until the 1980s. Now, however, it’s considered a classic of Gothic literature in particular and English literature in general. The Picture of Dorian Gray has since been adapted for film and stage, with the most notable example being the 2009 film starring Ben Barnes.

6

‘Dracula’ (1897)

Image via Archibald Constable and Company

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A vampire novel that spawned a whole new generation of vampire horror literature, Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a literary landmark that has remained at the heights of its genre throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. The epistolary novel largely follows an English solicitor named Jonathan Harker, who visits the titular nobleman in Transylvania for business. Count Dracula soon reveals his true nature and moves to England, plaguing the coastal town of Whitby and terrorizing Harker’s fiancée, Mina. Harker then joins a group led by Dutch scholar Abraham Van Helsing to hunt and kill the Count.

With Dracula, Bram Stoker created a monster that has become an icon of vampire horror and remains a significant artifact of Victorian history studied for what it reveals about race, religion, gender, and sexuality in the context of that era. Drawing from ancient folklore and history, the novel drives terror not through violent actions but through the slow, invisible corruption that the dreaded monster instills in his victim’s mind. One of the most seminal works of Gothic horror fiction and an influential piece of British literature, Dracula has almost single-handedly defined the depiction of vampires in modern pop culture.

7

‘Frankenstein’ (1818)

Image via Oxford University Press USA

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Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, better known as simply Frankenstein, is not just the first novel by an English novelist but is also considered the first true science fiction horror book. The story follows Dr. Victor Frankenstein, an obsessive young scientist who conducts an unconventional experiment and creates a sapient creature from various parts of dead bodies. Frankenstein’s ambitious endeavors lead to disturbing and shocking results, escalating into tragedy and revenge.

Ever since it was first published, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus has profoundly influenced horror storytelling in art, literature, theater, and later cinema, with the name “Frankenstein” becoming synonymous with freakish monsters. Thought-provoking and deeply unsettling in its exploration of unbridled ambition and the dangerous consequences of playing God, Frankenstein’s horror is deeply rooted in the social, political, and cultural anxieties of the era. With elements of Gothic fiction and the Romantic movement, the novel is one of the most iconic works in English literature and a foundational piece of the genre.

8

‘The Exorcist’ (1971)

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A novel better known for its film adaptation, The Exorcist is William Peter Blatty’s most acclaimed and successful novel and is inspired by a real-life incident that supposedly occurred in 1949. The story narrates how Regan, a 12-year-old girl and daughter of a famous actress, gets possessed by a demon, and two Roman Catholic priests attempt to exorcise it. In 1973, Blatty adapted the novel into a supernatural horror thriller directed by William Friedkin, which earned Blatty an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

The Exorcist redefined supernatural horror in contemporary literature by combining deep psychological realism and grounded subjects like theological controversies and human grief with paranormal terror. It is not just frightening but also drives a deeply unsettling feeling that lingers beyond the final chapter. While the book was a bestseller, it only garnered widespread attention after the film’s release, which itself became a benchmark for horror cinema, turning The Exorcist into both a literary and cinematic franchise.

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Release Date

December 26, 1973

Runtime

122 minutes

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Writers

William Peter Blatty

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Producers

Noel Marshall

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Many of Us default to a tee and jeans on the daily, but Ellen Pompeo opted for a coordinated style that’s comfier, classier and much more versatile. Her black lounge set is what rich moms wear for dinner, travel and beyond, and we found the look on sale for only $15. Run!

The Grey’s Anatomy star turned up to a West Hollywood sushi restaurant for a low-key dinner with a friend, and her outfit appeared effortlessly put together. It was comprised of a black tank, straight-leg pants, easy slides and a woven crossbody slung over her shoulder. We’re copying her sleek, expensive style from now through April!

Get the Afitne Two-Piece Lounge Set for $15 (was $27) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

This Afitne Two-Piece Lounge Set nails the same celeb vibe with its flowy sleeveless top paired with tailored-looking lounge pants. We’re also big fans of the size-inclusive fit, which comes in XS through XXL options and two inseam lengths. If you ask Us, this Amazon find combines relaxed and sophisticated elements for a wear-everywhere appeal we can’t wait to copy.

Related: Before You Splurge on Free People, See These 17 Boho-Chic Staples on Amazon

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Like you, we’re also obsessed with Free People’s boho-chic aesthetic. In fact, we love the style so much, we can occasionally justify a $200 dress . . . even if we get grief from our significant other. Since discovering Amazon’s Free People-like selection, however, we’re not even tempted by the label. These 17 chic summery […]

Not only does the set have elevated, star potential, but it also feels ultra comfortable. In fact, the set’s dreamy fabric is stretchy, light as air and silky soft. One happy shopper said it’s “so comfortable, good quality and extremely flattering despite my bumps.” You can thank the black hue for that slimming hack.

It’s also the kind of outfit that travels well. “I hate nothing more than being uncomfortable on a long flight, but I don’t want to look like I’m on my way to the gym or to bed,” another reviewer wrote. “This looks cute and is comfortable to wear.”

Whether you’re grabbing sushi in West Hollywood or running errands on a Tuesday, this two-piece set makes you appear rich, classy and Pompeo-polished. We love the outfit worn solo for late summer, then with a cardigan come fall. Black is optional, but not if you want the full Pompeo effect. At only $15, we’re snagging a few!

Get the Afitne Two-Piece Lounge Set for $15 (was $27) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more chic two-piece sets, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.