Horror TV Shows to Binge on this Summer

Summer is upon us and if you're like me and don't do the whole "fun in the sun" thing then TV binge watching is probably on your summer to do list. As a serial binge watcher I find that some shows really benefit from a binge watch, rather than a forced weekly view. So, I figured instead of gorging yourself on Walking Dead reruns, there are several great horror shows that deserves a binge view when you are wanting to avoid the sun.

The Addams Family - Do I really need to explain why you need to binge watch The Addams Family? How can you not love a completely devoted family that just so happens to love the darker things in life. From Uncle Fester's adventures, witnessing Lurch's range of emotions to the episode where Morticia and Gomez meet for the first time, it is a great trip down memory lane with America's first Gothic Family. You can catch up with the kooky and spooky family on Hulu.com.

iZombie - As horror fans we are starting to feel the zombie burn....out. The Walking Dead is such a massive juggernaut in horror tv it feels any other zombie show will pale in comparison (yes, pun intended). Based off the Vertigo comic, iZombie tells the story of Liv Moore (that pun is possibly intended), who is on the fast track to success as a doctor, until she attends a boat party, gets scratched and wakes up in a body bag with the realization that she is a zombie. Now with being part of the living put on hold, Liv changes paths from the ER to the morgue in order to have access to brains. But brain access comes with a price in having the ability to have vision of those she has eaten, which in turn helps her solve crimes. I will admit I went into it with a bit of an "eye roll" because it's the CW and well although they gave us Arrow...well it's the CW. After watching the first episode and the second episode onto the third and so on I really felt in Liv's world, the crimes are not CSI level, but you really don't want them to be. A lot of the show is Liv and her charm and how she deals with an ex-fiancee, a morgue boss, solving crimes and just trying to live as the undead. It is light and fun, which is a nice departure from the Ricktatorship we are all used to. You can jump on the slab with current episodes at CWTV.com and Hulu.com

Bates Motel - When the notion of a prequel to Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho being made and that it would be set in present day, there were a lot of grumbles from horror fans (me included) that wondered how this could possibly work. With the 3rd season wrapped up it's safe to say that the folks at A&E are getting it right. They have cleverly and successfully wove the complicated and at times intimate relationship of Norman Bates and his mother and set it in a town that is far from idealic. Throughout the seasons Norman's mental stability is always in question, which really provides the suspense and overall tone of the show. I will tell you there is a slow burn buildup, which is why this show really benefits from a binge watch. You can check in to the Bates Motel on Netflix.

Hannibal - If you haven't been following any type of social media then you have probably missed the raving reviews and the undying praise of this horror show. I am the first to admit I was skeptical when I first heard about this, but like Bates Motel I gave it a view and it was love from the end of episode one. I have to hand it to NBC and Bryan Fuller they know how to put together a stylish, Gothic, suspense fulled show that revolves around a cannibal. The Walking Dead really made horror shows have to step up in terms of gore shown on screen. The beauty of Hannibal is the horror is not gore for the sake of gore, it perfectly fits into the story and at times a true form of art. The dynamic between Hannibal and Will has spawned a thousand fanfics and rightfully so, this to me is one of the best horror television shows out there and it's worth every bite. The third season starts on June 4th and you can dine with Hannibal on Amazon Prime.

Darknet - I know technically this wouldn't be considered a television series, but it is to good not to mention. Darknet intertwines varying horror tales from a cheating spouse, a guy trying to get to work, a woman who maybe being stalked and more all with a central component, the website Darknet. This show reminded me of how much I still miss watching Tales from the Crypt and Tales from the Darkside on television. I really enjoyed this series way more than I thought I would, which is always fun to find those hidden jewels in horror and with only 6 episodes with a running time of about 25 minutes it is quite easy to polish it off in an afternoon. You can log on to Darknet at Netflix.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer - If you've watched every episode or have never seen a single one then summertime is the best time to catch up on The Chosen One. In every generation there is a chosen one to battle the forces of evil and our Chosen One is Buffy Summers. Even after all these years Buffy is still the kick ass girl we all want to be! She has fought creatures from A to Z and everything in between and faced challenges we all have faced in one way or another. A lot of credit can be given to Joss Whedon, who helped hone one of the best female horror tv characters of all time and she deserves a binge watch all year long! You can have a stake in Buffy over on Netflix and Hulu.com.

Grimm - Nick Burkhart is a Seattle police detective who also happens to be a Grimm, which means Nick has the ability to see creatures, known as Wesen that are hidden by the human eye. Told of his past by his dying aunt, Nick inherits her trailer, which holds the mythology and ways of death for a variety of Wesen that Nick encounters though out the seasons. As Nick tries to keep everyone safe and his secret under wraps things get really complicated and he is forced to make some life changing decisions. Grimm has taken a nice progression in terms of setting up the characters and mythology. This is a rare show that has been a solid series throughout and can be unveiled on Hulu.

Witches of East End - I already know what you are going to say, but sometimes a horror fan needs a little soap opera style drama that only Lifetime can provide. Adapted from the Melissa de la Cruz's books, The Witches of East End tells the story of Joanne and her daughters Freya and Ingrid, who are powerful witches, but the daughters may not know that and as Joanna tries desperately to keep that secret from them all foes from the past appear and secrets are revealed. I originally started watching this because it had Madchen Amick in it, who plays Wendy, Joanna's sister, but I stuck around because it was interesting with the combination of current and past lives, plus as we know in horror nothing is ever really dead. It only lasted 2 seasons, which makes it a nice length for a binge watch. The witches are casting spells on Netflix.

Honorable Mention Horror TV

Already watched the above recommendations? Or those not what you are looking for, then to save you the pain of a writeup here are some TV shows that also worth a binge view.