After making a name for himself with Nip/Tuck (2003) and Glee (2009), Ryan Murphy jumped into the world of horror with American Horror Story (2011). With nothing quite like it on TV, the series became a quick fan favorite among existing horror fans and those craving something a little darker and spookier to put on at night. With each season tackling a different story, and familiar actors playing new characters each time, AHS manages to stay fresh, even after over a decade on the air. More importantly, it pushed Murphy deeper into the genre, a place he seems quite comfortable in.
If Monster: The Ed Gein Story (2025) left you wanting more Ryan Murphy scares, let's revisit the writer/director's genre filmography. Here is every Ryan Murphy horror series, ranked by scariness, and where to find them on Netflix, Hulu, and more.
7. Scream Queens (2015-2016)
Not long after Emma Roberts made her AHS debut in Season 3, Ryan Murphy, alongside frequent collaborators Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, placed her in a starring role in Scream Queens. Here, she plays Chanel Oberlin, a self-centered mean girl who'd feel right at home next to Regina George in Mean Girls (2004). However, when a killer targets her sorority, all hell breaks loose across campus.
Equal parts whodunnit and dark comedy, Scream Queens, in some ways, feels like a less scary version of AHS. It offers a decent enough mystery and pokes fun at slasher tropes, but never gets quite as dark as Murphy's other horror projects, which is why it ranks last on this list. Still, if you're looking for a fun horror comedy that wanders into parody territory, Scream Queen's two seasons should scratch that itch.
6. The Watcher (2022)
From the Monster series to his involvement in American Crime Story (2016), Murphy is no stranger to true crime dramatizations. The Watcher, created by Murphy and Brennan, falls into a similar category. Loosely based on a three-year stalking incident dubbed “The Watcher of Westfield, New Jersey,” the Netflix series follows a married couple's bizarre encounters with an unknown stalker.
Like Scream Queen, the series' mystery will keep (most) viewers intrigued. Instead of campy scares, The Watcher favors suspense, making it a good match for thriller fans who don't mind a little horror tossed in the mix. Really, half the fun here is getting to know the quirky cast of neighbors, which includes some big names like Jennifer Coolidge, Margo Martindale, Richard Kind, and Mia Farrow.
5. Ratched (2020)
In some ways, it feels sacrilegious to place Ratched so low on this list. Filled with brutal depictions of historical psychiatric treatments, like lobotomies and psychological torture, Ratched is most definitely horrific. However, its scares primarily come from its unsettling setting and the grim realities of old asylums, rather than traditional horror tropes. And, technically, it's labeled a thriller.
Although created by Evan Romansky, Murphy developed Ratched, and his trademark style is all over it. From featuring Sarah Paulson in the titular role to the subtle undertone of camp, those who enjoy Murphy's other horror series will like this. Acting as a prequel to One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, anyone who liked the 1975 movie should find something unique here. Even if you didn't, Ratched has enough intrigue to keep fans of psychological thrillers pressing the "next episode" button.
4. Monster (2022-Present)
Like Ratched, Ryan Murphy's Monster series is more disturbing than scary. Each season chronicles a different notorious killer and seeks to explain how the "monster" came to be. Season 1 features Jeffrey Dahmer's life and crimes, while Season 2 chronicles the controversial case and murders of the Menendez Brothers. Most recently, Season 3 provides a glimpse into the quietly horrific world of Ed Gein, who inspired a host of horror movies.
If true crime is your thing, you should find the Monster series just as engaging, but be warned. The series isn't without heavy embellishment, controversial additions, and—I'm just going to say it—exploitation. If that type of thing grinds your gears, consider sticking with true crime docu-series. However, if you don't mind a little fiction, Monster offers engaging stories and stand-out performances. For a lot of people, it's a curiosity watch. But, for the right person, it's also a guilty pleasure.
3. American Horror Stories (2021-Present)
American Horror Stories is a spin-off of American Horror Story. Bad name? Absolutely. Bad show? Well, that depends on who you ask. Although it doesn't have the same tight storytelling as AHS's early seasons, American Horror Stories has a similar appeal when it comes to shock, gore, and dark humor.
Like the flagship series, American Horror Stories is an anthology show, only its story changes from episode to episode, not season to season. This means horror fans have more to sample. If one episode puts you off, just skip to the next without losing the plot. If you like anthology series like Black Mirror (2011) or The Twilight Zone (1959), American Horror Stories offers something similar, if less consistent. That said, its connection to AHS, including crossover storylines and characters, means it's best suited for fans of the original series.
2. Grotesquerie (2024-Present)
One look at Grotesquerie, and you can tell it belongs to Ryan Murphy's TV universe, this time with the help of Jon Robin Baitz and Joe Baken. Surreal, gory, and slightly campy beneath all the darkness, the series sees a detective and a nun work together to solve a set of crimes plaguing their small town. Loaded with religious symbolism and themes, Grotesquerie never lets you forget it has a bigger message among the drama.
Think of it as a wonderfully bizarre mash-up of Seven (1995) and True Detective (2014), sprinkled with a little bit of John Waters for good measure. With a creepy atmosphere and plenty of gore, Grotesquerie is scary enough to warrant the second spot on this list while still appealing to anyone searching for a unique supernatural mystery to binge. No pre-existing Ryan Murphy knowledge necessary.
1. American Horror Story (2011-Present)
When it comes to Ryan Murphy's horror filmography, American Horror Story still reigns as the best. Part of that comes from the show's early seasons, which feature some of the smartest, funnest, and genuinely unsettling stories in modern television. The majority of scares come from graphic content tailor-made to elicit eyebrow raises. AHS likes to push boundaries, and its shock-and-awe formula succeeds a good chunk of time.
The anthology format also offers a refreshing way to consume horror. Instead of season after season of the same meandering story, AHS switches it up, letting fans delve into different themes and topics that interest them. From the haunted rooms of a suburban house to the isolated backwoods of North Carolina, there's a story for everyone to enjoy. However, if you're asking me, Season 2, dubbed Asylum, is undoubtedly the scariest of the lot. You’ve been warned.
