Shows like Penny Dreadful

15 picks with a similar feel

What defines Penny Dreadful, going by its Boxlist taste profile: Otherworldly and morally murky: a moving fantasy series, fresh rather than familiar. Best if you like edge over warmth. Its strongest markers on Boxlist are themes of self-destruction, mysteries that are not what they seem and resilience and survival, plus tags such as devil, underground and black magic.

Here are 15 shows with a similar feel, ranked by how closely they match that profile. Treat them as picks to try, not a definitive list.

Based on Penny Dreadful (2014).

  1. 1

    The Fall of the House of Usher (2023)

    TV7.6

    Why it's like Penny Dreadful: Also heightened and dark, with themes of self-destruction and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: gothic horror, supernatural power, horror.

  2. 2

    Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities (2022)

    TV7.6

    Why it's like Penny Dreadful: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem and resilience and survival. Common ground: gothic horror, dark fantasy, horror.

  3. 3

    The Haunting of Hill House (2018)

    TV8.1

    Why it's like Penny Dreadful: Also heightened and dark, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem and resilience and survival. Common ground: supernatural power, thriller, horror.

  4. 4

    The Originals (2013)

    TV8.6Easier to follow

    Why it's like Penny Dreadful: Also heightened and dark, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem and resilience and survival. Common ground: werewolf, vampire, witch.

  5. 5

    Midnight Mass (2021)

    TV7.6Easier to follow

    Why it's like Penny Dreadful: Also heightened and dark, with themes of self-destruction and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: vampire, horror.

  6. 6

    Marianne (2019)

    TV7.7

    Why it's like Penny Dreadful: Also heightened and dark, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem and resilience and survival. Common ground: horror.

  7. 7

    American Horror Stories (2021)

    TV7.9

    Why it's like Penny Dreadful: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem and resilience and survival. Common ground: horror.

  8. 8

    Them (2021)

    TV7.6Faster-paced

    Why it's like Penny Dreadful: Also heightened and dark, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem and resilience and survival. Common ground: thriller, horror.

  9. 9

    American Horror Story (2011)

    TV8.1Easier to follow

    Why it's like Penny Dreadful: Also heightened and dark, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem and resilience and survival. Common ground: horror, supernatural.

  10. 10

    Locke & Key (2020)

    TV8.1Lighter option

    Why it's like Penny Dreadful: Also heightened and dark, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem and resilience and survival. Common ground: supernatural power.

  11. 11

    Supernatural (2005)

    TV8.2Easier to follow

    Why it's like Penny Dreadful: Also heightened and dark, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem and resilience and survival. Common ground: monster, horror, supernatural.

  12. 12

    Mayfair Witches (2023)

    TV7.4

    Why it's like Penny Dreadful: Also heightened and dark, with themes of resilience and survival. Common ground: witch, supernatural.

  13. 13

    The Strain (2014)

    TV7.5Faster-paced

    Why it's like Penny Dreadful: Also heightened and dark, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem and resilience and survival. Common ground: vampire, horror.

  14. 14

    Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018)

    TV8.4Lighter option

    Why it's like Penny Dreadful: Also heightened and dark, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem and resilience and survival. Common ground: black magic, witch.

  15. 15

    Chapelwaite (2021)

    TV7.5Easier to follow

    Why it's like Penny Dreadful: Also heightened and dark, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem and resilience and survival. Common ground: vampire, horror.

Boxlist compares Penny Dreadful with every show in its catalogue on ten taste scores (pace, tone, weight, realism and more), story themes, genres and TMDB keywords, and ranks the closest. Every pick has a TMDB rating of 7.2 or more from at least 150 votes, new releases wait until their ratings settle, and only one title per franchise makes the list. It is an approximation of feel, so treat it as a starting point. Ratings are TMDB audience scores out of 10.

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Questions

What should I watch if I like Penny Dreadful?
Picks with a similar feel include The Fall of the House of Usher, Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities, The Haunting of Hill House and The Originals. Each shares part of Penny Dreadful's taste profile, themes or tags; the full list has 15 shows.
How are these shows like Penny Dreadful chosen?
Boxlist compares Penny Dreadful with every show in its catalogue on ten taste scores (pace, tone, weight, realism and more), story themes, genres and TMDB keywords, and ranks the closest. Every pick has a TMDB rating of 7.2 or more from at least 150 votes, new releases wait until their ratings settle, and only one title per franchise makes the list. It is an approximation of feel, so treat it as a starting point.
Is there a lighter show like Penny Dreadful?
Locke & Key has a similar feel but scores lighter on Boxlist's weightiness scale.

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