Anthology Shows That Nearly Reached Masterpiece Status

Since the early days of television the anthology format has been one of the small screen's most beloved storytelling modes. It may not be prolific, but when a strong anthology arrives it feels worth celebrating. Some series come tantalizingly close to masterpiece status yet retain a few flaws, and those near-misses still often outshine the average show.

Shudder's Creepshow continues the spirit of the 1982 cult classic with a spooky, inventive approach that honors its source while feeling entirely its own. The series offers the occasional tale that misses the mark, but mostly delivers memorable episodes bolstered by excellent actors such as Kiefer Sutherland, Justin Long, and Giancarlo Esposito.

It balances wit, intelligence, and scares while never taking itself too seriously. Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities showcases the filmmaker's mastery of dark fantasy and the high production values that helped earn him three Academy Awards.

anthology, anthology format, creepshow, shudder, cabinet of, guillermo del, kiefer sutherland, giancarlo esposito, justin long, dark fantasy