"American Horror Story" is one of those television shows that are so perfectly executed (pun intended) every single time that it keeps you coming back for more, even if you have to wait a few months for the next season, or even the theme of the next season. At first, the seasons did not have subheadings, but over time fans gave the first incarnation the title "Murder House", and then followed "Asylum", "Coven", "Freak Show", and "Hotel". The world is still waiting on bated breath on what the next season will be about. What we know so far is the premiere date is September 14th, the story will take place in the present but have flashbacks to the past, and the theme has to do with children. We've seen all of this in past seasons, so we'll see where Ryan Murphy decides to take us next.
Until then, here are four shows all on Netflix right now that you can watch before AHS begins, during AHS or any time at all!
*I have seen the first three shows in their entirety, and only the first season all the way through of the fourth show*
1. "Stranger Things" (1 Season, 8 episodes, 53 minutes each)
"Stranger Things" is a Netflix original that premiered a couple of days ago on July 15th. It stars Winona Ryder as a mother frantic to find her missing son and David Harbour as the small town sheriff with his own tragic past. It is meant to be an homage to old 80s Spielberg movies, but I would like to broaden that and say that it is like an episode of the Twilight Zone written by Stephen King, with James Cameron doing special effects and Spielberg placing a couple of random things in the story to make it more interesting. It definitely scares you and I would dare say keeps the darkness more consistent than AHS. It also let's you figure everything out on your own without a lot of exposition. My brothers and I are never home together until late at night, but we watched the entire season in one sitting because it was that good.
Grade: A-
2. "Slasher" (1 season, 8 episodes, 45 minutes each)
A Canadian B-version of AHS, "Slasher" is probably the best filler for true AHS fans. It is set up as an anthology series as well, but lacks some of the intense gore and true horror offered by AHS. It concerns the story of Sarah, a woman who moves back into her parents' old house with her husband. The town is riddled with lies, deceit and a killer copycatting off of the same moniker that killed Sarah's parents: the Executioner. Less horror and more mystery, this is definitely a show you should watch with your friends so you can guess who the killer is.
Grade: A
3. "Hemlock Grove" (3 seasons, 33 episodes total, 43 minutes each)
This was by far my favorite television show out of the lineup. If you were into Twilight when you were younger (or still obsessed with it like I am), then you will LOVE "Hemlock Grove". I really don't want to give too much away just because I love it so much and everyone should watch it, but the mythical creatures that run rampant in this show are the upir (eastern European version of the vampire but much more terrifying), werewolves and demons. It is a wild ride that also includes strong elements of friendship, family and doing what is right no matter what.
Grade: A
4. "The Twilight Zone" (Seasons 1, 2, 3, 5, 30-36 episodes per season, 25 minutes each episode)
The mother of all modern anthology/horror/mystery/suspense films and television shows, you can't go wrong with 1959's "The Twilight Zone". Created by the ever brilliant and handsome Rod Serling, "The Twilight Zone" ran for five seasons during its first production, and has had many reimaginings since then. I don't think I have to write much here because everyone in the world has seen at least one episode of this show. I highly recommend having marathons of this at one time, it's so much fun.
Grade: A++++++++++++++
Hope you check out these shows, happy watching!
