15 Best Horror TV Series

To be blunt, American Horror Story's first two seasons, Murder House and Asylum, are absolutely masterful; none of the following seasons come even remotely close. However, even the most disappointing seasons (*cough* Apocalypse *cough*) have the saving grace of AHS's stunning recurring cast list: Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Kathy Bates, Frances Conroy, Lily Rabe and Denis O'Hare, among others.

The premise of Murder House is very straightforward, but it's very well done. Two highlights in an all-round engrossing season are the Sixth Sense-style reveal mid-way, and the remarkably creepy flashbacks to the Montgomery's ownership of the house. Even the scenes with the Rubber Man, which are ridiculous on paper, work. Lead Connie Britton is incredible in Murder House, and it's criminal that she declined becoming a recurring cast member.

By far, American Horror Story's standout season is its second, Asylum. This season strikes the balance perfectly; it's equal parts scary, disturbing and heartfelt, and plays with so many plot elements that you'd think the narrative would be clunky or confused - it isn't. It gives us everything from Ed Gein-inspired serial killers and demonic possession to grotesque Nazi experimentation - it even gets away with throwing aliens into the mix! The season's primary strength is its characters, which are by far the best in the entirety of AHS (you can keep your damn teen witches, Coven). You genuinely come to care about Lana, Kit and Jude. Bloody Face, Dr Arden and possessed Eunice are phenomenal villains.

Both seasons also make great use of famous horror movie themes: Psycho and Bram Stoker's Dracula in Murder House; Candyman and Carrie in Asylum.