9 Top Twilight Zone Replacements

Highlights

The Twilight Zone

has imitators and precursors, offering different variations of spooky and bizarre scenarios for audiences to enjoy.

Out of the Unknown

is a sci-fi rival to

The Twilight Zone

, adapting classic science fiction literature but suffers from lost episodes.

Goosebumps

is a children-friendly alternative to

The Twilight Zone

The Twilight Zone is widely recognized as one of the top anthology shows in television history. Every week, viewers were treated to a perfect blend of horror, humor, and strangeness, with each episode featuring a chilling telephone call from the afterlife, an ordinary man endowed with extraordinary strength, or a living mannequin. These stories not only entertained but also shed light on significant aspects of post-war America.

8. Out Of The Unknown (1965–1971)

Naturally, The Twilight Zone has inspired both imitators and predecessors, catering to a range of tastes. These anthologies vary in their degree of horror, catering to both adult and juvenile audiences, and tapping into modern anxieties surrounding technology's misuse. Rest assured, regardless of the specific brand of frights, there is a series suited for every viewer.

Created by Irene Shubik

49 episodes have been broadcasted, with 20 episodes currently available. The BBC is highly recognized in nerd culture circles for its involvement in producing Doctor Who, a show that has been intermittently aired since 1963. Following Doctor Who's introduction, Out of the Unknown, a competitor to Twilight Zone, emerged two years later. Initially, this show focused more on science fiction storytelling.

As such, Out of the Unknown adapts various classic science fiction literature pieces, including E.M. Forster's 1909 short story "The Machine Stops". However, for its final season, the show veers towards the supernatural. While it offers a great stylistic alternative to The Twilight Zone, it does have one major drawback—over half of its episodes are considered lost media. Although each episode is a standalone story, this issue is likely to leave dedicated viewers craving for more.

7. Goosebumps (1995–1998)

Created by R.L. Stine

Out of the 74 episodes in The Twilight Zone, not all of them are equally suitable for children. Although the show doesn't often reach the level of being exclusively for adults, there are certain episodes that may be more appropriate for a younger audience. While kids will probably find comedic episodes like "The Mighty Casey" enjoyable, they may experience some distress from darker episodes such as "The After Hours."

6. Journey To The Unknown (1968–1969)

Goosebumps delivers a satisfying fright for younger audiences. Drawing inspiration from its namesake book series, the film combines horror and humor flawlessly. Although its tales may not possess the same level of intellectual depth as Serling's works, they uphold The Twilight Zone's legacy of chilling eeriness.

Created by Joan Harrison and Norman Lloyd

The Twilight Zone's eerie opening theme is renowned for its iconic nature, but when it comes to sinister credit sequences, the British horror anthology Journey To The Unknown may have the upper hand. Audience members are taken on a unsettling journey through what appears to be an abandoned amusement park, with eerie whistling adding to the macabre ambiance.

Journey To The Unknown shares many similarities with The Twilight Zone in terms of its subject matter. One of the episodes revolves around a man's love affair with a mannequin from a department store, while another features a woman who possesses the ability to foresee future events. Hammer Film Productions, renowned for their eerie productions, oversaw this series, infusing it with the signature "Hammer Horror" atmosphere. Journey To The Unknown puts a supernatural spin on the classic anthology drama formula, maintaining its unique charm.

5. Tales Of The Unexpected (1979–1988)

Created by Roald Dahl

Author Roald Dahl is widely recognized for his iconic contributions to children's literature, including the renowned works like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Fantastic Mr. Fox. Yet, his fiction aimed towards adult readers, encompassing three enthralling collections of short stories, served as the ideal groundwork for the creation of the anthology series Tales of the Unexpected. Drawing inspiration from the Twilight Zone, this captivating series places a strong emphasis on unexpected plot twists.

The detectives in the classic story "Lamb To The Slaughter" are faced with the challenge of solving a seemingly impossible (and delicious) murder. Meanwhile, "The Landlady" sheds light on the perils of renting rooms in unfamiliar houses. These two stories were also adapted in Alfred Hitchcock Presents, although Tales of the Unexpected presents a more contemporary production style.

4. Night Gallery (1970–1973)

Created by Rod Serling

The Twilight Zone is a beloved series with 43 episodes. However, its creator, Rod Serling, was not keen on dealing with the production management for Night Gallery, a 1970s series similar to Twilight Zone that he hosted. Serling had limited control over the supernatural-themed Night Gallery, which led to his resentment towards certain aspects of the show. Nevertheless, some of his scripts were used as the foundation for episodes.

3. Black Mirror

Instead of having each episode as a standalone story, Night Gallery episodes typically included multiple stories per installment along with connecting commentary from Serling. Although the series is generally considered to be less influential than The Twilight Zone, it still manages to captivate viewers and send chills down their spines.

Created by Charlie Brooker

Black Mirror, a British anthology series, consists of 28 thought-provoking episodes. Despite criticisms of its excessive focus on the perceived downsides of technology, the show presents a plethora of compelling ideas and uncannily prophetic concepts. It delves into topics ranging from unconventional retribution for child killers to satirical depictions of modern reality television, tapping into the fears and concerns of our era and transforming them into captivating stories that explore moral dilemmas.

Black Mirror is not only a series that pushes the boundaries of storytelling but also a pioneer in terms of form. Just like how The Twilight Zone experimented with silent comedy through Buster Keaton's "Once Upon A Time," Black Mirror, under Brooker's helm, explores new storytelling techniques in its interactive installment "Bandersnatch" (2018). While some may criticize the show's excessive focus on high-tech gadgets, it also fearlessly utilizes technology to pave the way for innovative narratives.

2. The Outer Limits (1963–1965)

Created by Leslie Stevens

There are 49 episodes in total. Pop culture rivalries exist across the board, and some of the most notable ones include Pepsi versus Coke, Nintendo versus Sega, and The Twilight Zone versus The Outer Limits. The debate between fans of these anthology shows about which one is superior is ongoing, but ultimately irrelevant. This is because both shows provide ample amounts of eerie fascination for genre enthusiasts.

The Outer Limits distinguishes itself from The Twilight Zone through its unique format and style. With episodes lasting fifty minutes and a heavier focus on science fiction, it sets itself apart from Rod Serling's series. Notable episodes, such as "Demon With a Glass Hand" (written by renowned sci-fi author Harlan Ellison) in 1964 and "The Zanti Misfits" in 1963, have received high acclaim. However, viewers have the freedom to choose where they want to start watching. Additionally, a successful reboot in the 1990s garnered praise from viewers, and ongoing efforts are being made to revive The Outer Limits for television. While it is difficult to determine if The Outer Limits surpasses Serling's show, it certainly offers a compelling alternative in a similar genre.

1. Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955–1965)

Created by Alfred Hitchcock

With 361 episodes, Alfred Hitchcock is known for his groundbreaking contributions to the horror genre, particularly his iconic work on Psycho. His storytelling techniques remain highly regarded and studied even today. Given this impressive legacy, it comes as no surprise that Alfred Hitchcock Presents serves as a compelling alternative to The Twilight Zone. While primarily focused on crime and suspense narratives, this series occasionally incorporates elements of fantasy, adding to its allure.

Episodes of Hitchcock's series that evoke strong Twilight Zone vibes include "Human Interest Story", a tale of alien invasion, "One More Mile To Go", a grounded version of "The Hitch-Hiker", and "Into Thin Air", where a woman's mother mysteriously disappears from a hotel. The suspenseful "Bang! You're Dead" showcases Hitchcock's exceptional talent for creating tension, while "The Man From The South" teams up Steve McQueen and Peter Lorre to deliver an unforgettable story about the perils of gambling. Although it may not delve into the supernatural, Alfred Hitchcock Presents still offers a fair share of hair-raising moments.