10 Greatest Anthology TV Shows Of All Time, Ranked

Although most television series follow a single story over the course of several seasons, there are some shows called anthologies that change up the plot from episode to episode or season to season, and these can be some of the most successful series to date. Anthologies may not be the most popular form of television, but they certainly stand out for their distinct format and ever-changing stories. In fact, some of the most popular and lauded television series from the past to now are anthology series.

The following list offers ten of the best anthology television series to ever appear on-screen. This is a particularly diverse bunch of shows that range in release date, genre, and form. Though they each have the anthology structure in common, each show offers their own unique take on the concept, and more than that, their own important story. Whether it’s a silly comedy, a gruesome horror, or peek into true crime, each of these anthology series is popular in its own right and for good reason. For those interested in diving into anthologies, this is the ultimate place to start.

10 Love, Death, & Robots

One of the most recent and best anthology series is Netflix’s original animated series Love, Death, & Robots. First released in 2019, the series is an animated, mutli-genre epic with a self-contained story every episode. Some of these stories include alternate histories and realities, futuristic explorations into space and the unknown, and sentient yogurt with plans for world domination. Love, Death, & Robots spans several genres including science fiction, fantasy, and horror, which is one reason why it is so essential. Additionally, the series stands out for being animated yet serious in tone and mature in content. With famous director David Fincher as a producer, this is a particularly enjoyable anthology series.

9 The Outer Limits

A much older yet still extraordinary example of an anthology series is 1963’s The Outer Limits. Often compared to another supremely popular anthology on this list, this series presents a science fiction story in every episode. Though it only ran for two years upon its first release, The Outer Limits was rebooted in the 1990s and there have been talks of rebooting it again in the past few years. What makes this show stand out from other anthology series is its age. Though not the oldest anthology on this list, The Outer Limits is definitely one that inspired many anthologies and sci-fi series to come.

8 Alfred Hitchcock Presents

With Alfred Hitchcock in its name, this series must be a knockout. Afred Hitchock Presents is a 1955 anthology series that ran for an incredible seven seasons. Also known as The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, each episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents presented a new mystery, typical of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. While the show succeeded due to its intelligent storytelling and intriguing plots, the use of famous movie director Alfred Hitchcock is also a strong element of the show’s success. When Hitchcock would introduce each episode, it was a guarantee that the following story would be as gripping as one of his own films.

7 American Crime Story

A more recent and popular anthology series is Ryan Murphy’s American Crime Story. Notably, this series focuses on a single continuous story every season, and more than that, the story is a nonfiction one, accounting major American crimes. The first season followed the infamous O.J. Simpson murder case, the second was about the assassination of fashion designer Gianni Versace, and the third and most recent season covered the scandal between Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. Overall, American Crime Story has been well-received for its deep dives into important true-crime stories and its outstanding acting and ensemble casts. It has certainly made a mark for anthology series in recent years.

6 Tales From The Crypt

Another long-running and incredible anthology series is HBO’s Tales from the Crypt. Created in 1989, the series is a horror anthology with a new terrifying tale to tell in each episode, hosted by the creepy Cryptkeeper. With seven seasons under its belt and several spin-off and revival attempts, Tales from the Crypt is definitely a staple of anthology series. Each episode offered an entertaining yet spooky horror story that hooked audiences and kept them coming back each week. Plus, the inclusion of celebrity guest appearances like Christopher Reeve and Tom Hanks added another spectacle to the already tantalizing series.

5 True Detective

Yet another anthology series that deals in ever-changing seasons is HBO’s True Detective. The crime drama follows a new detective or set of detectives each season and the intense crime they must solve. For example, the first season, which aired in 2014, follows Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson as they track down a Louisiana serial killer over the span of 17 years. The following two seasons included actors like Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams, Vince Vaughn, and Mahershala Ali. Unlike other anthologies that may be more campy and playful, True Detective offers scary moments, and a grittier, darker version of anthologies.

4 American Horror Story

One of the most long-running and commercially successful anthology series to appear on this list is American Horror Story. Another Ryan Murphy TV show, the series is a horror anthology depicting a different horrifying setting and scenario each season. In particular, American Horror Story’s seasons provide themes such as Asylum, Coven, Freak Show, and Apocalypse. This series stands out for its graphic nature and intense horror themes, along with its inclusion of diverse cast members and standout performances. Some of its most popular stars include Sarah Paulson, Kathy Bates, and Lady Gaga. So far, American Horror Story has 11 seasons and a 12 is currently underway.

3 Inside No. 9

Departing from American anthologies, a highly popular and well-loved British anthology series in Inside No. 9. Running from 2014 to the present day, the series is a black comedy that offers a new self-contained story each episode, all of which star the show’s writers and creators, Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton. Inside No. 9 has been lauded by critics and audiences for its consistent entertainment value, impressive creativity, and top-notch comedy. The minute detail that sets this series apart though is its use of the number nine. Every episode includes the number 9 at some point, and this is what connects every episode, apart from Shearsmith and Pemberton.

2 Black Mirror

Black Mirror is an unforgettable anthology series that just released its sixth season in 2023. The British series is a sci-fi anthology that presents unique technology-based stories every episode. Black Mirror is not only impressive for its creative storytelling, but also for its ability to tackle important issues through a sci-fi lens. The series often critiques society’s use of social media and technology, and more than that, imagines the worst case scenarios that could occur in our imagined future. With a variety of iconic episodes like “Shut Up and Dance” and “Hang the DJ,” Black Mirror has set the stage for modern sci-fi and anthology series.

1 The Twilight Zone

The most pivotal anthology series of all is The Twilight Zone. Beginning in 1959, each episode had a different sci-fi, fantasy, or supernatural story to tell. Tying them all together was the idea that the episode’s main character or characters would be experiencing strange events that indicated they were in “the twilight zone.” Furthermore, The Twilight Zone stands out because of its use of unexpected twists at the end of every episode. Essentially, this series set the stage for all anthologies to come, and confirmed the format of anthologies that audiences often see today. In this way, The Twilight Zone is the most significant and best anthology to date.