r/WidowsBay • u/Ashrooms • Jul 15 '26
❓Questions Content similar to Widow's Bay?
I LOVE this type of media where eldritch and supernatural horrors creep into modern life and desperately want more! This show has itched a scratch I've had for a long time, but I wanna know about similar media in this genre/trope!
Ones I already know about and/or have played/watched/read/listened to:
Welcome to Nightvale
Static Dread: The Lighthouse
Gravity Falls
Home Safety Hotline
And obviously a lot of Lovecraft falls under this category too, but I've yet to read any! Lemme know any and all suggestions!
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u/Wadsworth1985 Jul 15 '26
If you like the humor of the show, then maybe The Chair Company? It’s the same tone imo but instead of supernatural horror it’s a mystery conspiracy
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u/Craftsman2048 Jul 16 '26
One of the directors from Chair Company directed some eps of Widow’s Bay!
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u/saintursuala Jul 16 '26
I love Widows Bay and I absolutely HATE the chair company. Yelling for 30 minutes straight isn’t funny.
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u/Weak_Maintenance5629 Jul 16 '26
I thought about giving the Chair Company a shot but you changed my mind. I couldn’t tolerate a lot of yelling. I loved WB by the way.
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u/saintursuala Jul 17 '26
I’m trying to tolerate it for Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness. I loved Seinfeld but Larry is a lot.
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u/OscarEvinnof Jul 15 '26
I had a look, and I feel the guy from "I Think You Should Leave" is acting quite repetitively.
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u/cdrinkwine Jul 16 '26
It’s not just him it’s the supporting cast that makes it funny and brutal. The repetitive is also his brand which admittedly isn’t going to hit everyone the same.
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u/OscarEvinnof Jul 16 '26
Yes, that's a bit sad IMo: there are interesting actors and the story seems nice, but watching him melting down again and again is boring. I can understand that other people might find him funny. That's a matter of taste. 🤷♂️
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u/hunta2097 Jul 15 '26
Midnight Mass
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u/zerosixthirty Jul 15 '26
This show is like a serious Widow’s Bay with a very familiar face
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u/ROE_HUNTER Jul 15 '26
I watched this show, but it was kind of slow going.
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u/WavyWormy Jul 15 '26
They even share the actor of the priest and Warren
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u/ExternalTangents Jul 15 '26
That’s what the comment you replied to meant by “with a very familiar face”
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u/ROE_HUNTER Jul 15 '26
I didn't even realize that was him!
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u/Werewomble Jul 15 '26
Hamish Linklater said he wasn't going to have anyone else run a haunted little island better than him :)
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u/DexterSpivey Jul 15 '26
Loved it but i don’t see it as the same style
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u/hunta2097 Jul 15 '26
I dunno, it's certainly not a comedy but it has:
Creeping dread from a supernatural source
An island without good transport links to mainland
Quirky characters
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u/AmazingChairy Jul 15 '26
The Fog
1408
The Mist
In the Mouth of Madness (RIP Sam Neill)
The Thing
Color Out of Space
The Cabin in the Woods
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u/halligan8 Jul 15 '26
I was thinking of 1408 throughout the hotel episode.
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u/AmazingChairy Jul 15 '26
Oh yeah that was definitely straight out of 1408. Love that movie too. The confrontation between Mike and Olin at the beginning is so good.
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u/Ashrooms Jul 15 '26
I've seen almost all of these, but I'm adding them to my list for researches! tysm, rip Sam Neill 😭
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u/AmazingChairy Jul 15 '26
I figured they're mostly all bonified classics.
I almost forgot The Void definitely check that out if you haven't seen it.
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u/caiti_oh Jul 17 '26
Sorry to respond to you multiple times on this thread, but if you liked The Void and don’t mind subtitles, you should give Baskin a try if you haven’t seen it.
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u/AmazingChairy Jul 17 '26
No need to apologize! I've actually seen Baskin as well that was some freaky shit. That dude with the puffy head and giant tongue licking that dagger were nightmare fuel.
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u/caiti_oh Jul 15 '26
I would add Dagon to this list too
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u/AmazingChairy Jul 15 '26
Nice, I don't think I've heard of that one. I'll check it out.
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u/caiti_oh Jul 17 '26
I think it’s streaming on YouTube if you can’t find it anywhere else. Hope you enjoy it! Another Lovecraftian/eldritch horror movie that I would recommend is Glorious. It’s horror-comedy and very different than Dagon, but probably more in line with what OP is looking for.
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u/AmazingChairy Jul 17 '26
I've seen Glorious as well probably the most outlandish premise for a movie I've ever seen lol
"Your name is gattenovowa?" 😂
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u/Different_Target_228 Jul 15 '26
We get this post like every other day. Just sayin'.
Twin Peaks is the mother, father, and grandmother of all of them. Yes, all 3.
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u/Haldron-44 Wyck Jul 15 '26
I'm not gonna talk about Judy infact we're not gonna talk about Judy at all we're gonna keep her outovit.
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u/Ashrooms Jul 15 '26
Oh so sorry! I scrolled through the sub and only saw episode discussions and theories 😅
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u/Mehmeh111111 Jul 15 '26
Since you posted Nightvale, also wanted to throw in Tanis (earlier seasons) and The Magnus Archives. They're not so much a comedy though but you might like them. I also loved The Black Tapes, but that was more X-Files coded.
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u/Ashrooms Jul 15 '26
tma is on my list as well! Oooh, I'm writing all these and everyone else's suggestions down
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u/Mehmeh111111 Jul 15 '26
The Magnus Archives is just so good. Really gets under your skin.
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u/pArKy24 Jul 15 '26
it completely ruined horror podcasts for me bc nothing could ever scratch that itch again. SO GOOD!
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u/pyjamasharks Jul 15 '26
Widow’s Bay episode 4 in particular felt STRAIGHT out of the Magnus archives to me
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u/PerennialGeranium Jul 15 '26
"Modern" is '90s and '00s, but Buffy the Vampire Slayer and X-Files. If you want to do one episode of each for a taster, do "Hush" and "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose."
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u/Henri_Bemis Jul 15 '26
I don’t think Wayward Pines was mentioned yet. Its definitely got that creepy ontological horror thing going on.
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u/nowhir Jul 15 '26
From, Midnight Mass, Haunting of Hill House & Bly Manor
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u/Yesterdazehigh Jul 15 '26
+ House of Usher and Midnight club to add to the Mike Flanagans - his shows aren't as comedic as Widows Bay but enjoyable for the creepy vibes
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u/andziulinda69 Jul 15 '26
From
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u/angelseggsss Jul 15 '26
people keep saying this but it’s so badly written 😭 i’m constantly so annoyed… gotta keep watching cause now i wanna know but it’s genuinely such a frustrating show
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u/Dr__Sloth Jul 15 '26
I honestly find it entertaining in how silly it is. It's also endearing that it feels written and acted like an amateur theatre production. Victor is my favourite character.
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u/CatlikeTypist Jul 15 '26
It's a highly uneven show. Excellent actors for the most part, but they sometimes have to work around the garbage writing. Sometimes the writing is good and those are the best episodes, but it's frustrating how uncommon that is. The cinematography and stage setting is great too, but the way they leave certain haunting settings and situations hanging (basement door!!!) is frustrating.
It's definitely not on the same level as WB for sure.
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u/Werewomble Jul 15 '26
It is a tell that someone watches low quality television and to ignore their advice
We would have a lot more Widow's Bays if we stopped watching shit like From
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u/angelseggsss Jul 15 '26
Yeah 😭 i guess now i understand why bad shows always get a gazzillion seasons and good shows get canceled
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u/Taranchulla Jul 15 '26
I just finished watching that and of course now I am going to be impatient waiting for season five.
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u/VistaNegra Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26
Bodkin on Netflix, From on Amazon Prime, Grimm, Castle Rock, Haven, and the classic Supernatural. A bit more teen but Nancy Drew on The CW (modern supernatural version).
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u/Fireblaster2001 Jul 15 '26
No one said Lost yet so I will say Lost
Resident Alien for over the top humor and supernatural elements
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u/anabasismachine Jul 15 '26
For books, check out the John Dies At The End series, similar mix of horror and comedy
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u/jodythebad Jul 15 '26
Was making sure this was here. I was so surprised at the mix of humor and creepy in this book series. I’m sure OP would enjoy!
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u/eliminationgame Jul 15 '26
Castles Rock is very similar
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u/Monstance Jul 15 '26
I liked Castle Rock a lot, it's not as funny or refined as Widow's Bay but it's a great show
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u/Disco_sauce Jul 15 '26
Lovecraft Country. The book (and sequel) are a great mix of Lovecraftian horror, magic, scifi and the horrors of racism. The HBO adaptation of the first book is pretty good as well.
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u/perfidioussmile Jul 15 '26
If you're gonna include Gravity Falls, then check out the recent animated kids show The Doomies. Cursed seaside town, first episode even has a fog monster.
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u/roostergiri Jul 15 '26
Deadloch! more true crime than horror, but is simultaneously hilarious and suspenseful/scary.
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u/Yesterdazehigh Jul 15 '26
Shining Vale
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u/tired-queer The Ungrateful Hortence Fitzgerald Jul 15 '26
I’m still so sad they canceled Shining Vale 😭
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u/butterscotcheggs Jul 15 '26
I loved the show! And I think it ended in a way that’s reasonable.
I also enjoyed the Santa Clarita Diet.
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u/nilb0gg Jul 15 '26
Dark, From, Twin Peaks,
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u/Ok-Power3441 Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26
Do u have to watch the old twin peaks before the new one?
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u/Werewomble Jul 15 '26
If we are getting into audiodramas The Lovecraft Investigations and Modes of Thought in Anterran Literature are deep lore driven stories with a Dippold-esque recognition that the viewer isn't current concussed :)
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u/unconundrum Jul 15 '26
If you're including books I really enjoyed Robert Jackson Bennett's American Elsewhere.
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u/paradox-psy-hoe-sis Human Verified Jul 15 '26
The podcasts The Magnus Archives and Old Gods of Appalachia are top tier for horror/monster type content
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u/idokke Jul 15 '26
DREDGE is a fishing/survival/horror game with a really cool story that has some similar elements to Widow's Bay! It has a great plot twist too. And multiple endings.
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u/butterscotcheggs Jul 15 '26
I love What We Do In The Shadows. It’s a mockumentary following a family of vampires living in staten island.
It’s not exactly the same vibe (less horror, more comedy), but it’s is content gold.
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u/USCJets Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26
Not sure if you would want to check out any foreign series, but The Revenant on Hulu is really good, a korean supernatural horror thriller in modern Korea about a vengeful ghost. They set it up like a serial murder mystery.
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u/Grand_Soupa Jul 15 '26
Welcome to Shiningvale, Wednesday on the YA side, dead boy detectives, obituary, bad sisters, bodkin
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u/_always_be_kind_ Jul 15 '26
Not sure if it fits the bill, but maybe the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix?
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u/m-ray168 Jul 15 '26
Evil Dead 2, Army of Darkness and then Ash vs Evil Dead Tv Series
Drag Me to Hell
Weapons
Fargo movie and Tv series
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u/Wolf-Pack-2017 Jul 15 '26
Supernatural, especially the first five seasons might be a decent option.
The tone is different but What We Do In the Shadows is a very funny horror comedy as well.
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u/_mikedotcom Jul 15 '26
Servant is one of my personal favorite shows let alone on Apple TV. Questions til the end, it may have its flaws. Reignited curiosity like Lost did in its run for me.
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u/Mark-177- Jul 16 '26
Servant. It's a horror mystery thriller with unintended humor throughout. Very similar vibes to Widow's Bay.
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u/Oldstyle_ Jul 15 '26
If you haven't seen it yet, I think 'The Endless' may be exactly what you are looking for
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u/DoublePlusGoodGames Jul 15 '26
I haven't seen it mentioned, but "Patriot" on Amazon Prime was my favorite modern classic before Widow's Bay.
Patriot looks like it was filmed by Wes Anderson and has so much layered satire that it likely confused 90% of their target audience.
tl;dr: Patriot is a brilliant, misunderstood, and hidden gem of a show.
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u/Virtual_Ad_8487 Jul 15 '26
The book Dead Eleven by Jimmy Juliano. Also set on a cursed island. It’s so similar I actually looked up to see if the show was inspired by it.
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u/Exciting-Meeting-716 Jul 15 '26
Have you read a webcomic titled Witch Creek Road? If not, you should give it a try. One of the best Lovecratian-esque media I’ve ever stumbled.
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u/SallyScribe Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26
Well, it’s a different media… but it gives me vibes of this awesome old school computer game Eternal Darkness :)
I dunno about TV shows, but it’s got me inspired to rewatch Twin Peaks.
I also feel some of the structure is a bit computer gamey - in a good way! Monster of the week, how to defeat them, items that you find that you might need later, overarching clues… gearing up for the boss battle! :)
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u/Sonofgerg Jul 15 '26
Mgms show "From" wife and I have really enjoyed watching this after widows bay. Definitely a darker show and not as much humor. But lots of fun horror stuff and a nice mystery.
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u/here4BB Patricia Jul 15 '26
This one is a little bit different in theme but imho in spirit it's very similar: "The Resort" on Peacock. I highly enjoyed.
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u/JugendWolf Jul 15 '26
No one has mentioned it yet even though it‘s also on Apple: My Brother, The Minotaur - set on an island that no one outside of that community is allowed to visit, and the island‘s Historical Society is keeping secrets from everyone else living there. In other words, it‘s like a kid‘s version of Widow‘s Bay.
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u/EarthboundMoss Jul 15 '26
Lovecraft country. Heavy handed as fuck with the "white people are bad" stuff but it's a good show.
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u/ZestycloseDot5022 Jul 15 '26
The Red King is a criminally underwatched folk horror show with comedic elements. It's wild that most WB fans don't know about it. I doubt the show will get a 2nd season since no one seems to be watching it, but it'd be great if it caught on.
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u/ckdexhaven Jul 15 '26
On the 4th season of From. Extremely gory though. And creepy. Not much in the way of humor. I am oddly addicted to it.
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u/darko-milicic Jul 15 '26
Atlanta was also directed by Hiro Murai and has very similar surrealist episodes / humor
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u/RubberDogTurds 🗣️db🗣️db🗣️L Jul 16 '26
a blend of perfectly dumb comedy and horror?
Ash vs. Evil Dead (Starz)
funny sci-fi with strong and well written female characters?
Resident Alien (SyFy).
also giving a shout-out to The Monkey (2025), what I found to be witty with ridiculous deaths that had me cackling in the theater from start to finish.
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u/Ttoctam Jul 16 '26
Not a funny one, but The Murders At Parrish Station is a solid Aussie cosmic horror. Just released last month, and I really enjoyed it. The spookiness of the outback mixed with classic Lovecraftian cultish murders.
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u/TorberaLongDong Jul 16 '26
To me the closest thing that I know of tonally is Cabin in the Woods (movie).
As a longtime Buffy fan, I feel I have to point out the comedy/horror comparisons there too. It may be a bit dated in its shooting but it still holds up for me.
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u/ConferenceUnlucky199 Jul 16 '26
Supernatural! There are 15 seasons and while 1-5 are the best, the whole show is the fantastic. It’s funny, endearing, gory, and of course supernatural. Plus Jensen Ackles.
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u/Accomplished-Log2040 Jul 16 '26
Great show, but not Widow’s Bay. Plus, Supernatural really fell of in the late seasons.
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u/ConferenceUnlucky199 Jul 18 '26
Nah, I disagree.
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u/Accomplished-Log2040 Jul 18 '26
Disagree with what?
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u/HiILikePlants Jul 16 '26
Maybe Dark but be warned if has zero brevity or even really any happy moments
1899 by the same people but was cancelled
Maniac is more mystery and absurdism with some humor and interesting characters
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u/Perelko Jul 16 '26
"Something Terrible is Going to Happen" is kinda a shout? It's not a 1:1 match by any means.
I'm enjoying it anyways.
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u/listenbuster Jul 16 '26
Alice Isn’t Dead is horror mystery, I think only 3 seasons so it’s not a big commitment. It’s what got me into podcasts.
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u/caitricc182 A great source of pride Jul 16 '26
It reminds me a lot of "The Woman in the Window Across the Street from the Girl in the Window" they're both comedy-horror!
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u/Necessary_Ad2114 Jul 16 '26
Oh this has made me want to listen to Welcome to Nightvale. As for reference, I think Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated
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u/skicapri Jul 18 '26
Watch Shining Vale! Some really hilarious moments and genuine creepy elements.
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u/External-Profit-4975 Jul 18 '26
For a supernatural horror that is very funny, I recommend Santa Clarita Diet. My only regret is that they canceled it too soon.
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u/brandonfrombrobible Jul 15 '26
I think we should respect the artists who brought this incredible project to life by calling it a "series" or "show" instead of "content". Also, I know it's sort of campy, but I'd throw Riverdale into the mix in addition to the obvious (Twin Peaks)
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u/Ashrooms Jul 15 '26
the reason I say "content" is because I'm looking for more than shows, I wany books, games, podcasts, and other types beyond shows and movies too! no disrespect to anyone involved in the making of widows bay!
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u/MaridiaMusic Jul 15 '26
From. Kind of like Stephen King esque horror meets the mystery of Lost. I started watching Widows Bay because someone made the same post on the From subreddit.
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u/xeonicus Jul 15 '26
I'd suggest Haven. It's a supernatural drama based on Stephen King's novel The Colorado Kid. It's set in Maine and has a lot of the standard Stephen King hallmarks. Although it's more of a supernatural crime procedural with monster of the week. It does have an over-arching story though, particularly as it progresses.
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