It’s the best time of the year: the nominees for the 2026 FANGORIA Chainsaw Awards have been announced, celebrating the best of the best in horror. While we mostly focus on films here at FANGORIA, there’s nothing better than bingeing a good, terrifying TV show that keeps you hooked right until the very end — hence, our category for Best Series.
Last year’s award went to HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us, starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. But who will take home the crown this year? Before you vote, check out all the nominees for Best Series here.
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Alien: Earth
Sydney Chandler & Alex Lawther in ALIEN: EARTH (Credit: FX) As the first-ever TV series set in the world of Ridley Scott’s Alien, this show from Legion creator Noah Hawley certainly had a lot to live up to. Set two years before the events of the Sigourney Weaver-led original, Alien: Earth expanded the world we all know and love, bringing in not only new monsters for its cats to fight, but also new ethical dilemmas that make us question what we hold dear about science-fiction.
Starring Sydney Chandler, Timothy Olyphant, and Alex Lawther, the series has already been renewed for a second season, so now’s the time to show your love for it before we get some more!
The Creep Tapes
Mark Duplass in THE CREEP TAPES (Credit: Shudder) Much like Alien: Earth, The Creep Tapes is also the first TV installment in its franchise — but this one’s got its original star. Mark Duplass returned seven years after making Creep 2 to co-create the Shudder series with Patrick Brice, in which he stars as notorious serial killer Peachfuzz, who records his victims as he torments and then kills them.
Much like the original Creep films, this found-footage series is unlike anything else, becoming a cult classic right alongside its feature-length siblings, with a highly anticipated third season coming later this year.
Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen
SOMETHING VERY BAD IS GOING TO HAPPEN (Credit: Netflix) While Stranger Things may have wrapped up for good, the Duffer Brothers continue to work behind the scenes at Netflix, producing some of their most popular horror shows. One of those is Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, starring Camilla Morrone as a woman plagued by awful premonitions in the week leading up to her dream wedding.
Created by Haley Z. Boston, the series (which also stars Adam DiMarco) went viral shortly after it premiered, and remains one of the platform’s most successful shows of the year, even earning Morrone an Astra nomination for Best Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie.
The Vampire Lestat
THE VAMPIRE LESTAT (Credit: Sophie Giraud/AMC) Previously known as Interview With the Vampire, the raunchy, rowdy AMC series based on Anne Rice’s novel kicked into full gear this season, turning Sam Reid’s titular vampire into a sexy, Bowie-inspired rock star. (Complete with all the tantrums that come with it.) The beloved series brings to life two star-crossed characters that many claim were never properly adapted on screen (sorry, Tom Cruise), as well as bringing new fans to a much-beloved story.
Also starring Jacob Anderson, Jennifer Ehle, and Delainey Hayles, The Vampire Lestat is all guts, all glitter, no glory, taking over the world as it becomes the latest focus of our collective vampire obsession.
Widow's Bay
Matthew Rhys and Stephen Root in WIDOW'S BAY (Credit: Apple TV+) Of course we nominated Widow’s Bay for Best Series — it is the next Martha’s Vineyard, after all! This series starring Matthew Rhys as the mayor of a haunted island town took the internet by storm this spring, making audiences laugh, cry, and scream in equal measure as it slowly uncovered the mysteries of its titular town.
Also starring Kate O’Flynn, Stephen Root, and Dale Dickey, Widow’s Bay turns Parks & Rec into a horror movie — and if you haven’t seen it, now’s the time to catch up while you’re lounging around on summer vacation!
