WhenSupernatural launched in 2005, few expected it to last more than a season or two. Instead, the Winchester brothers carried on for 15 years, turning a modest CW drama into one of the best must-watch fantasy shows ever. By the time the series wrapped in 2020, it had outlasted network shake-ups, shifting trends, and even its own near-death cancellations.
In the years since, plenty of shows have tried to follow in its footsteps. Some leaned on the same monster-hunting DNA, others built sprawling mythologies or teased apocalyptic stakes. A handful even attracted passionate fanbases that mirrored the earlySupernatural fandom. But sustaining that mix of weekly thrills, emotional weight, and long-term storytelling proved far harder than anyone realized.
These are the 10 shows that, for a moment, looked like they might become the nextSupernatural. Some nearly pulled it off, some became horror shows that were canceled way too soon, but most didn’t make it past their first battle.
Scream: The TV Series (2015–2019)
When MTV announced a serialized version ofScream, it seemed like a bold move. Horror was gaining traction on television, and the idea of stretching a masked-killer mystery across a full season promised the kind of week-to-week buzz thatSupernatural thrived on. It leaned into teen drama and online culture, becoming one of the best Screams in the franchise.
The first season found an audience, and the reimagined “Brandon James” mask gave the franchise room to carve out its own lore. For a while, it looked like the gamble would pay off, but when a messy reboot after season two fractured the fanbase, the energy was gone.
The Messengers (2015)
WhenThe Messengers premiered on The CW, it was clear the network hoped to find its next long-running supernatural hit. The premise was bold: a group of strangers is struck down by a mysterious blast, only to rise again with strange abilities and a shared destiny tied to the apocalypse. On paper, it had all the ingredients of a breakout series.
Except viewers never fully connected with the characters, and the premise felt too familiar. Ratings slipped almost immediately, and before the season had even finished airing, cancellation was certain. Instead of stepping intoSupernatural’s shoes, the show became one of CW’s most underwhelming shows.
The Secret Circle (2011–2012)
AfterThe Vampire Diaries took off, The CW looked to expand its supernatural universe with another L.J. Smith adaptation.The Secret Circle centered on a teenage girl who learns she’s part of a long-hidden coven, caught between budding romance, dangerous power, and the weight of inherited magic. It showed promise, but Warner Bros. wouldn’t commit.
One season later, it was over. For many viewers, its cancellation stung, and three fan campaignswere launched—we can’t even forgive The CW for canceling its best Vampire Diaries replacement. The last few episodes had set up promises that were really interesting for a potential season 2, but it wasn’t given enough time to find its footing.
Being Human (U.S.) (2011–2014)
Syfy’s remake ofBeing Human faced long odds from the start. Fans of the original British series doubted it could measure up, yet the U.S. version quickly became one of Syfy’s best original shows. The show followed a vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost sharing a house while trying to balance their supernatural natures with very human struggles.
Over four seasons, the series developed a steady following, with a female audience as high as 52%—a first for SyFy—but it never quite broke into the mainstream. Without blockbuster ratings, Syfy chose to bring it to a close rather than let it fade away.
Penny Dreadful (2014–2016)
WhenPenny Dreadful premiered, it felt like Showtime was giving horror fans a lavish version of the genre. The series pulled together literary legends like Frankenstein’s monster, Dracula, and Dorian Gray, weaving them into a gothic tale of terror and temptation. With striking visuals and powerhouse performances, Penny Dreadful became Eva Green’s underrated horror masterpiece.
Despite the critical acclaim and a fiercely loyal audience,Penny Dreadful never crossed into mainstream popularity. After three seasons, it ended abruptly, catching many fans off guard. The sudden finale left viewers wanting more, but it also cemented the show’s reputation as a rare, atmospheric experiment. It did spawn a spin-off, but even that was canceled after one season.
Constantine (2014)
NBC’sConstantine had the kind of premise that seemed tailor-made for long-term success. Based on DC’sHellblazercomics, it followed John Constantine, a jaded exorcist and occult detective brought to life with sharp wit and edge by Matt Ryan. His performance quickly won over both comic readers and newcomers, and early episodes hinted at a darker mythology waiting to unfold.
Unfortunately, network restrictions kept it from fully embracing its source material, and ratings slipped too quickly After a single season, it was canceled, though Ryan’s version of the character lived on in other DC projects. Ultimately,Constantine was a missed opportunity, but at least a new Keanu Reeves movie from Blumhouse is in development.
Sleepy Hollow (2013–2017)
WhenSleepy Hollow debuted, it felt like Fox had struck gold. The show reimagined Ichabod Crane as a soldier from the Revolutionary War who awakens in modern times to battle otherworldly threats. His unlikely partnership with detective Abbie Mills gave the series both emotional grounding and a sharp procedural hook. The buzz was immediate.
But the decline came just as quickly. As the mythology grew more tangled, storylines drifted, and behind-the-scenes tensions disrupted the balance that made the show work. Fans noticed when Abbie’s role was reduced, and by the Sleepy Hollow season 4 ending, much of the excitement had vanished.
The Exorcist (2016–2018)
TurningThe Exorcist into a TV series sounded like a gamble, but Fox managed to deliver a smart and chilling continuation of the classic film. Instead of recycling the original story, it became one of the most underrated horror shows ever made, expanding the universe with new characters and layered mysteries while still honoring the source material.
The problem was expanding its reach. Airing on Friday nights, the series struggled to draw a broad audience, and even a strong second season couldn’t turn things around. After two years, it was canceled. Though short-lived,The Exorcist stands as a rare horror reboot that worked creatively, and for many fans, its cancellation still feels like a loss.
Grimm (2011–2017)
WhenGrimm premiered on NBC, it didn’t make a huge splash, but it steadily grew into one of the network’s most dependable genre shows. The series followed Nick Burkhardt, a homicide detective who discovers he’s descended from a line of guardians tasked with policing creatures from myth and folklore.
Across six seasons,Grimm developed a loyal audience and wrapped up with a proper finale, something many shows in this space never get. While it never became the kind of pop culture forceSupernatural was, it proved that a supernatural procedural could last when it stuck to its strengths.Looking back, it may not have been the next big thing, but rumors of a Grimm reboot movie have circulated for years.
The Winchesters (2022–2023)
ASupernatural prequel always felt inevitable, and whenThe Winchesters arrived, it carried the weight of big expectations. Centered on John and Mary, the series promised to dive into the family history that shaped Sam and Dean’s lives. With Jensen Ackles narrating and serving as executive producer, it had a direct link to the original.
The series showed flashes of potential, blending a love story with familiar battles against demons and hidden forces, but it never pulled in the kind of audience needed to survive on The CW. Despite vocal fan support, too many things went wrong with The Winchesters, and the network ended it after just one season.
