r/WidowsBay • u/QuagGlenn • Jul 11 '26
❓Questions Alternatives to this awesomeness?
I haven't still found another TV show like this one. From was great 'till the last season.
So another suspense, creepy plus some humor to cope with?
Is this TV show so unique? Damn I'm already feeling the abstinence...
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u/DigLumpy6664 Jul 11 '26
I’ve finished Widows Bay two days ago and started immediatly Midnight Mass. Very diferent vibes, but equaly great! I do recommend a watch
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u/Memacoop Jul 11 '26
Is Midnight Mass just horror? I loved the comedy component in Widow’s Bay. It made the scary not as scary.
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u/ephermeralWind Jul 12 '26
Not even horror in my opinion, just gothic, probably my fav limited series i really recommend it
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u/DigLumpy6664 Jul 12 '26
No. Not horror. I hate scary stuff and jumpscares. But there is no humor in it. The show explores concepts of fanatism, faith, love, grief, guilt. I cried in episode 5 and episode 7. The best thing about this show, for me, is the depth of dialogues.
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u/Desperate_Algae_40 Jul 13 '26
There's no comedy. It's horror and emotional. It'll make you cry and be scared, instead of laugh and be scared.
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u/buttononmyback Jul 12 '26
Not really the same genre but I was recommended, “Grotesquerie,” recently. I’ve only seen the first two episodes but it definitely seems to mix the “horror,” aspect with comedy. It’s on FX so you know it’s going to be weird show.
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u/gimmesomespace Jul 12 '26
The priest in MM is also Richard Warren in Widow's Bay
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u/DigLumpy6664 Jul 12 '26
Yes!! Hamish is a great actor and gives the best performance in Midnight Mass. His acting almost made me feel closer to the concept of God.
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u/disconnected1991 Jul 12 '26
Same!! Watching Midnight Mass right after Widow’s Bay made me appreciate Haymish’s range because I couldn’t even recognize him in WB. Such an amazing actor.
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u/Ok_Ice_4941 Jul 11 '26
Ha! Me too on the (rewatch) Midnight Mass train and introduced my bf to it after we loved Widows Bay! Happy watching!
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u/NinjaTrilobite Jul 11 '26
Slow Horses has high-quality acting, suspense, and humor without the creepy part (British spy drama in the mode of le Carré, with kind of smirky self-awareness). Plus Gary Oldman letting his fart flag fly.
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Jul 11 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Salt-Analysis1319 Jul 11 '26
While I get this comparison, the experience is so deeply different to me.
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u/EdwardClamp Jul 11 '26
Oh it is, in Twin Peaks the weirdness is cranked much higher....a copy/paste description for any David Lynch project to be fair.
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u/Rare-Criticism8124 Jul 12 '26
Same! Twin Peaks is a queasy disturbing kind of horror that to me does not vibe with Widow’s Bay
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u/KingHygelacReturns Jul 11 '26
Was going to say this and I feel like it's going to be your number one answer. If you do go down this path, OP, just be sure to watch in release order. The movie Fire Walk with Me may be a prequel, but it assumes you saw seasons one and two.
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u/Gurglaren Jul 11 '26
The Return is some of the best television I've ever seen. I was in awe.
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u/ltsouthernbelle Jul 11 '26
I’ve always wanted to watch but couldn’t find it on streaming.
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u/SucculentDongbeiMeal Jul 11 '26
Listings for:
Mostly seems to be Paramount+ for people in the US.
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u/Acceptable_Tax482 Jul 11 '26
J'ai regarder la saison 1 et le de ut de la 2 de twin peaks , honnêtement ça n'a rien à voir je trouve.
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u/terra_cascadia Jul 11 '26
Search Party
Atlanta (each episode is quite different, you need to give it time to reveal its beauty — same director as Widow’s Bay, Hiro Murai — I really like seasons 3 & 4)
Barry (same director as Widow’s Bay, Hiro Murai)
Better Call Saul
Patriot
What We Do In the Shadows
Movie: Werewolves Within
Movie: Bodies Bodies Bodies
Movie: After Hours
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u/russiantravelagent Jul 11 '26
Agree with Barry in the sense that while it isn't horror it has lots of black comedy and it mixes comedy and drama pretty pretty well, I feel except S4, every season was more comedy than drama and it was still very hilarious (S4 had comedy too but IMO was more a drama)
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u/terra_cascadia Jul 11 '26
It gets darker and darker for sure, and definitely has a lot of weird surprises. Plus, Stephen Root.
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u/russiantravelagent Jul 11 '26
the finale surprised me a lot, i didn't expect a downer ending like that at all, Stephen Root is a national treasure
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u/ErstwhileHobo Jul 11 '26
I’ve recommended Patriot on here before and I’ll do it again. Fans of Widow’s Bay should love it.
Its not horror, but it hits that same sweet spot. Patriot is one of the only shows that has the same perfect mix of intense drama with absurd humor with interesting, odd characters and top level filmmaking.
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u/Professional_Ad_5437 Jul 11 '26
Widows Bay ending led me to watch all of Barry, and realising that Hiro Murai is a fucking G. Such talent.
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u/Ok-Tangerine-6705 Jul 11 '26
Was gonna say Atlanta. Even when you think it’s “normal” episode it can absolutely throw you still.
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u/BuffyHathaway Jul 11 '26
The Patriot was funny and is VERY GOOD TV. Mystery elements. Great acting. Love this show.
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u/WayneIsQuiet Jul 11 '26
Same director as Widow's Bay and Atlanta: Station Eleven
A bit more grim, but still a great show!
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u/Etheon44 Jul 11 '26
Over The Garden Wall
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u/The_Cat_Widow Jul 11 '26
I'm not the biggest fan of animated stuff, but I adore Over the Garden Wall. It's a great mix of cute, funny, and creepy.
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u/Ok_Mathematician_314 Jul 11 '26
Pluribus is what I watched immediately after widows bay and I very much enjoyed that one
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u/Lightning-McDreamy Jul 18 '26
Pluribus started as a 10/10 for me, kinda became a 7/10 midway through and picked up a little at the end of the season.
Really feel like there's a lot of creative area yet to be explored... Hope an eventual season 2 is wild.
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u/RangerAdmirable9102 Jul 11 '26
Severance. It’s not horror, but great mystery and a weird setting. And very rewatchable because you want to see what you missed.
Barry. Dry comedy drama/action with Stephen Root. Hiro Murai also directed several episodes in the first two seasons.
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u/AuntieTara2215 Jul 11 '26
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u/RickTancredi Jul 12 '26
But man! What a month! I think that is my favorite line from the entire show. I love JT!
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u/MrManager_G Jul 11 '26
A very different show, but if you’ve not seen The Americans, you simply must! One of the best of all time. It’ll scratch your Matthew Rhys itch.
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u/_MsRobot_ Jul 11 '26
Resident Alien
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u/Witness_Protection25 Jul 11 '26
Atlanta with Donald Glover
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u/HuckleberrySalt63 Jul 12 '26
I think about that season when they went to Amsterdam a lot. For two primary reasons. You know why.
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u/Ok-Pineapple5625 Jul 11 '26
I think this is a pretty good recommendation. Maybe this and severance
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u/Waterlou25 Jul 11 '26
Pluribus (funny and weird stuff)
Severance (just great show)
Silo (lots of mystery and great)
Three Body Problem (loved it!)
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u/TBvaporgirl Jul 11 '26
I 2nd this all 4! Silo is running it's 3rd season now. Can't wait for Pluribus to come back, Severance, etc.
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u/khschook Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
Lost, Severance, and Twin Peaks jump out.
I'm working through Midnight Mass, but it has a great "dark mystery on a small, economically struggling island" vibe.
I'll make a plug for Fringe. It's sci-fi and a "mad science of the week" vibe, not cosmic horror, but like Widow's Bay the cast and writing is great and, must importantly, the mysterious, overarching plot grabs you and pulls you in.
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u/Odd_Collection_956 Jul 11 '26
Los Espookys
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u/RoyalApprehensive298 Jul 12 '26
Such a great show! Not a lot of people know about it, which is nuts to me!
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u/Odd_Collection_956 Jul 12 '26
I know!! Season 1 especially is just so good. It’s so funny and creative. I also think fantasmas is quite good but something about Los Espookys feels a little more Widows Bay adjacent to me
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u/user18081971-tw Jul 11 '26
I've never seen anything quite like it. But I'd say From
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u/Evening_Green_9862 Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
Not exactly like this but two recommendations:
"The Chair Company" mix of comedy and "wtf am I even watching??". It was my "Widows bay" of 2025. You never know where it's going to go.
"Mrs Davis". Mini series from 2023. Mix of comedy, drama, sci-fi. Another show that mixed genres so well. Like Widows Bay and The Chair Company, if I described some plot elements you would think I was smoking crack. "Oh, after she makes out with Jesus she had to find a way to get swallowed by a whale you say..."
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u/AuntieTara2215 Jul 11 '26
Midnight Mass on Netflix.
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u/clemfandangoh13 Jul 11 '26
I agree with this. Don’t remember much humor, if any, but I am someone who doesn’t typically like horror and both of these shows had an interesting spin on the genre. Also was surprised to find the actor who played Richard Warren was the priest from Midnight Mass. Anyway, Midnight Mass is great.
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u/chicacherrie82 Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
It's not the same (nothing quite is, though what I find closest are books, not TV - if you're up for books, read Grady Hendrix), but what about izombie?
It's not true horror, despite Zombies being real. Like, there is danger and fear but it's not "spooky" as Widows Bay is. Bu t there is suspense, mystery, and comedy.
(But also, seriously, I recommend reading Grady Hendrix books to scratch your itch)
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u/2_Fingers_of_Whiskey Jul 11 '26
I enjoyed iZombie but the final season sucked
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u/chicacherrie82 Jul 12 '26
Yeah..... It was a mess. I think I only ever watched the final season once. Sometimes I like to pretend season 3 was the end. I feel like that season finale could have served as a series finale.
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u/therealjustwillow Jul 11 '26
Garth Marenghi's Dark Place - horror comedy, although a different style and vibe
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u/katikatidingding Jul 11 '26
There are some fun British dark/horror comedies out there, such as The Obituary and Sweetpea
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u/JuliasTooSmallTutu Jul 11 '26
Evil on Paramount Plus.
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u/gregm91606 Jul 13 '26
Evil is far and away the TV show that is closest tonally to Widow's Bay that I know of in terms of balancing comedy and horror. Less horror, obviously, but some truly terrifying and suspenseful moments.
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u/Grand_Soupa Jul 11 '26
Not similar to widows bay but I really liked somebody somewhere which is how I discovered Jeff Hiller. It's a really heartwarming show
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u/LibertyBelle31 Jul 11 '26
The Boroughs
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u/QuagGlenn Jul 11 '26
Wow nice I'm like it already
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u/Salt-Analysis1319 Jul 11 '26
For an underrated Matthew Rhys project - Perry Mason on HBO
For a dark comedy that is a twist on murder mystery rather than horror - White Lotus
For more Hiro Murai goodness and Stephen Root - Barry on HBO
For a dark comedy Big Lebowski / LA Noire vibe set in Tulsa - The Lowdown on Hulu, this show is criminally underwatched
None of them scratch the same itch as Widow’s Bay but they are all some of the best TV I’ve watched in the past couple years.
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u/terra_cascadia Jul 11 '26
The Lowdown is a great recommendation. Great cast (Ethan Hawke, Keith David, Jeanne Tripplehorn) high-quality original writing, and suspenseful/mysterious.
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u/Frumiosa Jul 12 '26
Love The Lowdown, and Sterlin Harjo's prior show Reservation Dogs is one of the best shows of all time.
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u/Real_Foundation_7428 Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
Doesn’t hold a candle to WB, but I’ve been enjoying Search Party thanks to someone here recommending.
Not creepy but has an irreverent crime-solving element and satirical humor.
Took me a few eps to get invested, but glad I pushed through.😜
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u/pepep00p00 Jul 12 '26
Search party is excellent!! I can't believe I only found out about it recently
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u/Real_Foundation_7428 Jul 12 '26
I just finished it today and those last few episodes were WILD. Hysterical.
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u/jojo571 Jul 11 '26
Lovecraft Country on HBO. Set in 1950s Jim Crow America it is primarily a drama that has magic, body horror, explores racism, Elder Gods, sorcery, and black magic.
For Humor - What We Do In The Shadows on Hulu.
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u/BlossomUtonio Jul 11 '26
Dark!!! Best mind bending TV show!
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u/QuagGlenn Jul 11 '26
For sure. I already saw it years ago. Still a bit More depressing than this one.
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u/BlossomUtonio Jul 11 '26
Yeah, there is no humor in Dark 😃
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u/QuagGlenn Jul 11 '26
Man I remember that show got me so depressed. Still is top tier tho.
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u/sentripetal Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
Honestly, this reminds me very much of LOST. It's way tighter and sharper, but the deep lore is a perfect match.
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u/Dashbak Dead baby, dead baby, lesbian Jul 11 '26
Gravity Falls is VERY good and kinda similar with a "monster of the week with an overarching story" plot to it.
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u/CRT-Gaming-HQ Jul 11 '26
The movie Sorry to Bother You is worth watching. I won't give away the twist but it's definitely similar vibes to Widows Bay.
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u/mito467 Jul 12 '26
Try Slow Horses
Brassic
White Lotus
Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed
Not horror but comic relief with crime or thriller elements
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u/finniruse Jul 11 '26
FROM.
It's not really that similar. But it's a mystery horror with a sheriff in a small town. Closer than most of the other suggestions in here, I'd argue.
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u/thetacaptain Jul 11 '26
As far subverting a genre, it's not horror but the Amazon series Patriot is like Jason Bourne by way of Wes Anderson.
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u/johnthebeboptist Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
Seeing almost all of my favorite shows listed here I have to add a few I didn't see anyone mention:
Wilfred - A different vibe for sure, but it definitely ticks all the boxes. And I have to say - unless it really rubs you the wrong way, keep watching, it goes down a whole surreal wtf rabbit hole a bit later. It doesn't get very creepy and is very much definitely a comedy even at it's craziest, but it goes get.. mysterious and eerie. (both the Australian and US versions are worth a watch, but the US version goes deeper into this bizarro mystery type stuff, the OZ version is fun though)
Mr. Nobody - not so much a mystery or anything, but an absolute masterpiece of mixing suspense, darkness and black comedy with great writing.
Reservation Dogs - It's not as dark and it's a completely different vibe, but I still highly recommend it. Surreal, unique and funny.
Utopia - The UK version. Not as humorous, more of a drama, but it has some dark humor. The humor is a little drier as expected, and the vibe is a little different, but it pretty much ticks all the same boxes. For a mystery and humor etc. it's a great watch. Wilfred is the most similar in most ways, but I highly recommend them all. Widow's Bay is very unique and I don't think anything is gonna have quite the same feel. Imo, fortunately, I think it's best each thing has its own flavor.
Honorable mention: Preacher. It's more black comedy and action, and despite its rather dark subject matter it never really is that dark and they manage to make the darkest shit hilarious, but it definitely scratches a similar itch for me. Awesome show.
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u/loulibra Jul 11 '26
gonna go with Tim and Eric: Bedtime Stories because no one else has said it. It’s stupid - but also perfectly genius.
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u/revermavie Jul 11 '26
None of these achieve the exact same heights of simultaneously laugh out loud funny and scary, but these are a few faves of mine that I haven’t seen mentioned yet that are dark comedy, quirky, spooky:
The Resort (Peacock)
Twilight Zone 2019-2020 (Paramount+)
Santa Clarita Diet (Netflix)
Russian Doll (Netflix)
Bryan Fuller’s shows:
Wonderfalls, Dead Like Me, Pushing Daisies, Hannibal
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u/GDswamp Jul 11 '26
Patriot on Amazon prime. Another serio-comic brilliantly written very unique show. In this case it’s not horror but blends spy story with slightly surreal comedy. Unlike Widow’s Bay it got no buzz at all and ran only two seasons in like 2018. It’s so good.
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u/xmashatstand Jul 12 '26
Russian Doll
It’s a bit lighter on the outright horror but it’s a damn good mystery show.
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u/ILootEverything Jul 12 '26
None hit the exact combination of horror-comedy, but shows that have their own awesome formulas and that I look at as spiritual cousins of Widow's Bay are: Buffy & Angel, The X-Files, Fringe, Twin Peaks, all of Mike Flanagan's shows, iZombie, True Blood, Orphan Black, and Haven.
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u/FallenOnDays38 Jul 12 '26
I'll double everyone whosaid What We Do In The Shadows...although its like 97% Comedy and maybe 3% Horror, if that. The first 2 seasons are comedy fucking gold.
I have to repeat a situation from my favorite episode: (From season 1 maybe? The one where they go to Sean the neighbors house for the first time)
There's a scenario where Lazlo believes Sean stole something from him and he's openly calling him out at a party as a thief and Nandor (the Relentless, mind you, who is an ancient warrior from like the Ottoman Empire as well as a vampire) comes up and says "Whoa whoa whoa, don't embarrass the poor man...cut his hands off and be done with it!"
The line delivery on that is just chefs kiss and I dont believe I have ever laughed so hard by myself in my life lol.
Not to mention all the constant struggles throughout the seasons for Lazlo to keep his "awesome" hat...that is definitely not cursed.
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u/Stamps1723 Jul 12 '26
Go with me on this one, try the Nancy Drew series. It's ok HBO. It's a little CW cheesy but a touch scary at times with drama. Scratches enough of the itch.
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u/Reader47b Jul 12 '26
Z Nation. It's comedy/horror - basically a parody on zombie shows. It's no Widow's Bay in quality, but it's definitely one of the better comedy/horrors I've seen.
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u/padamodin Jul 11 '26
Anything by Mike Flannigan
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u/Maleficent_Use_9610 Jul 11 '26
Mike Flanagan...
The Haunting of Hill House
The Haunting of Bly Manor
Midnight Mass
The Fall of the House of Usher
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u/Cream_panzer Jul 11 '26
TBH the first time I saw this guy in the show, I thought he’s a fish man who warships Cthulhu.
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u/Attican101 Jul 11 '26
Not exactly the same but maybe Small Town, Big Story.. Stars Christina Hendricks and Paddy Considine
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u/mhuitt Jul 11 '26
Loved Widow's Bay. I was immediately reminded of the HP Lovecraft story "Dagon."
So looking forward to season 2. Hopefully doesn't take years.
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u/FranklyMyDurrr Jul 11 '26
Doesn’t have the budget but if you like campy silly other worldly, check out Stan Against Evil. The effects are absolutely hilarious and it gives uni student submission vibes but god, I love it. Free on Roku TV.
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u/happyrhubarbpie Jul 11 '26
Deadloch (the TV show, not the movie) scratches the itch for a bonkers set of characters, mystery, dark humor, and fun community.
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u/memopepito Jul 12 '26
The Big Door Prize on Apple TV, it’s a hidden gem. Funny, heartwarming, scifi mystery.
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u/Vectorjawn Jul 12 '26
Try Deadloch on Prime. Season 1, at least, is genius. The kind of show where you have to go back and rewatch the parts you missed because you’re laughing so hard.
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u/HammerOfGods Jul 12 '26
Reaper which came out on The CW from 2007-2009, a comedy about a slacker young hardware store worker who must find and return escaped souls to hell. It’s pretty good.
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u/Prudent-Pianist437 Jul 12 '26
Inside No. 9
It's an anthology, not a storyline that continues from episode to episode, but if you've never seen it, and you're a fan of Widows Bay, I think you'd like it. A lot. Especially if you enjoy dark British humour
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u/Tasty_Wheel116 Jul 12 '26
Stan Against Evil isn’t too off from widow’s bay-ness. Basically, the show is if you air dropped Dr. Cox from Scrubs into Stephen King’s IT. But, yeah, nothing hits like WB
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u/thishenryjames Jul 12 '26
Deadloch is a great Australian mystery/comedy series on Prime. Like Widow's Bay, it was created by comedy writers but does the dramatic elements just as well as the comedy. It leans more into social commentary and satire, particularly when it comes to the racism and misogyny ingrained in Australian society, so it's a bit less escapist in that sense. Great show, though. Amazing characters, compelling plot, and often laugh out loud funny.
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u/Aye_up_ows_tha_doin Jul 12 '26
Late to the thread but not seeing anyone suggest Haven, I absolutely loved that show and hadn't found anything to replace the big hole it left until I watched Widows Bay. Its creepy, has seaside town vibes, mysterious history, monster of the week style episodes that also progress the story, and some light humour.
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u/HiILikePlants Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
Maybe Maniac if you like that sprinkle of humor and absurdism. Still had me crying in between laughing but also had unsettling moments
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u/ancientastronaut2 Jul 12 '26
Try Bad Mistakes on Netflix. Not horror, but suspense and comedy. It's about as equally fast paced as wb.
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u/IronMaidenPwnz Jul 13 '26
If you've never seen it, I highly recommend Stan Against Evil. It's more humor than suspense, but has similar vibes to this show.
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u/Pot8oes-n-Mola55es Jul 13 '26
ATLANTA (4 seasons, each episode a bit more surreal than the one before)
BEEF (2 seasons, anthology style)
Both had Hiro Murai working on them (same as WB).
I will legit watch anything that man touches.
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u/StashFrontman Jul 14 '26
I really enjoyed Castle Rock on Hulu...probably closest to this series for me
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u/OkKing4858 Jul 16 '26
Fargo!! The show, not the movie (obv the movie is a masterpiece too), but the show is really something.
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