Summary
In an ever-changingtelevisionlandscape where networks and streaming platforms are slugging it out for attention, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by an ocean of great options. Unlike television shows that span multiple seasons with a single storyline,anthology series present varietyin setting, plot, and characters. This genre of television shows allows directors and producers to explore diverse storylines within a single project.
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Anthology shows may not be a viewer’s first option for a relaxing evening or weekend, but anyone ready to bet on them is assured numerous adventures. Whether hungry for true crime, romance, or horror stories spun differently in multiple seasons, this list boasts some of the best shows in the genre that have graced the screen.
8American Horror Story
Developed by the legendary Ryan Murphy, this anthology show thrives mainly because it showcasesdifferent facets of the horror genreand remains exciting all through. As expected, each season features a new location and period and a diverse cast. There’s no shortage of serial killers and chills. Each season has a moniker, and some of the spookiest ones include Apocalypse (Season 8), Hotel (Season 5), Freak Show (Season 4), and Asylum (Season 2).
Notably, some familiar faces that have appeared on the show include Lady Gaga (15 episodes), Kathy Bates (58 episodes), and Sara Paulson (95 episodes). This is one show tailored for horror enthusiasts. It’s also one of the longest-running shows with eleven seasons released since 2011 and a twelfth on the way.
7Guillermo Del Toro’s Cabinet Of Curiosities
Despite debuting in 2022 on Netflix, this TV show is destined for a spot on the list of all-time great anthology series. A creation of the three-time Academy Award and Emmy award-winning Guillermo del Toro,Cabinet of Curiositiescontains eight chilling tales that blend elegance with terror. One interesting fact about this series is that a different director calls the shots for each episode.
Although the eight episodes that comprise the miniseries present viewers with a distinct tale, all share one thing in common. Del Toro always appears in the intro to expose a new portion of a giant wooden cabinet. Each item removed from the cabinet represents what viewers should expect from that episode.
6The Sinner
Crime anthology show fans won’t want to skipThe Sinnerbecause of its breathtaking scenes championed by Harry Ambrose (Bill Pullman). Pullman plays a detective who, throughout four seasons, works his way through a string of murders. It’s a unique breed of slow-paced action that may not appeal to everyone, but for those who endure, a bonfire awaits.
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What separates this show from many crime drama offerings is that it offers the audience a glance at the murderer from the get-go. So, it’s no longer a typical story of finding the killer, but a nervy journey to uncover the motive behind their action. It’s available for streaming on Netflix now.
5Modern Love
An Amazon Original,Modern Loveis arom-com anthology seriesthat examines several aspects of love. Instead of one plot, viewers enjoy a distinct half-hour story in one episode that is different from the next. The first season premiered in 2019 while the second became available two years later. Conceived from the popularNew York Timescolumn, the show aptly details the highs and lows of romance.
What’s most exciting about this show is that each story is relatable to the audience. As expected, viewers should expect a mix of happy and sorry endings. TV heavyweights like Anne Hathaway and Tina Fey are amongModern Love’scast.
4Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Four decades later after his death, Sir Alfred Hitchcock is still considered one of the most dominant figures in cinematic history.Alfred Hitchcock Presentsran for ten seasons (1955 - (1965) with many episodes that spotlighted themes like crime, horror, drama, and even comedy.
Like Del Toro, Hitchcock made an iconic appearance in every episode’s opening. The anthology series featuredmany suspenseful storiesrevolving around crimes like murder, suicide, and theft. Episodes in the first seven seasons were twenty-five minutes long, but this was expanded to fifty minutes for the last three seasons. The final three seasons were also rebranded asThe Alfred Hitchcock Hour.
3Fargo
Set in different periodsand locations,Fargoexcels in everything a crime thriller series should be. As an anthology show, viewers should expect a fresh action-packed storyline for each of the four chapters. There’s no shortage of guns, violence, and villains. V.M. Varga (Chapter 3) is perhaps the most repulsive antagonist in the entire show with manipulation as his biggest weapon. Aside from being a great villain, many of Chapter 3’s best quotes are credited to him.
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Lester Nygaard’s character’s transformation from a timid insurance sales representative to an assertive figure is one of Chapter 1’s highlights. Despite being a compilation of diverse stories, many ofFargo’scharacters face a similar fate: tragic death. The series also has a rich selection playlist of soundtracks spanning genres like opera, blues rock, and jazz. A fifth chapter is expected, following the renewal announcement
2True Detective
One of the finest crime drama shows to hit the screens, HBO’sTrue Detectivedepicts the complicated lives of law enforcement officers as they tackle grisly crimes. Season 1 was an iconic offering that won awards and drew millions of viewers to the show. Despite touching on controversial themes like religion and masculinity, the duo ofMatthew McConaugheyand Woody Harrelson gave a remarkable performance.
Sadly, Season 2 did not live up to expectations despite having some solid names in the cast. However, Season 3 restored a flair that many can trace back to the season that ignited the rave.
1Love Death + Robots
Five-time Emmy-award-winningLove Death + Robotsis an amazing anthology TV showthat effortlessly blends themes like sci-fi and horror. Each episode is different from the last, and the diverse style of animations and CGI deployed make the series an instant classic. It debuted on Netflix in 2019 with eighteen mind-blowing episodes of varying lengths.
Each episode somehow finds a way to represent one of the themes depicted by the show’s title. With an 8.4/10 rating (at the time of writing) from IMDb and mostly positive reviews on the internet, this highly experimental show is a perfect fit for a weekend TV marathon. Given its huge following, Netflix announced the renewal of the genre-bending series for a fourth volume.
