Some of the most effective and engagingTV showsin recent years were also so gore-filled that audiences often had to look away in pure terror and disgust. From thrilling sci-fi dystopias to intense psychological horrors, just because a series was packed with gore, murder, and violence did not stop it from being truly great. In many cases, the excessively gruesome nature of these shows added to their appeal as they pushed the limits of what could be depicted and accepted in mainstream television.
Plenty of the mostgruesomely violent TV showswere filled with gory sequences and sinister characters who committed heinous acts. From intense games that saw characters' lives on the line to sinister antiheroes who killed for the sheer thrill of it, in recent years, television has caught up with horror movies to make series that were equal to or even exceeded the most gore-filled cinematic spectacles. Whilegory TV shows will make plenty of viewers want to look away, there’s also a large audience out there who can’t get enough of this type of shocking television.
10Alice In Borderland (2020 - Present)
2 seasons
The Japanese sci-fi thrillerAlice in Borderlandpresents a dystopian world where the residents of mysteriously abandoned Tokyo must compete in deathly games to ensure their survival. Based on the manga series by Haro Aso, this Netflix thriller saw its characters trying to win games to extend their visas or face being obliterated and killed by laser beams shot from the sky. With a consistent death count, the world ofAlice in Borderlandwas a gory nightmare that will have viewers frequently covering their eyesdue to the sheer intensity of what’s being depicted on screen.
From bloody fist fights to gruesome injuries,Alice in Borderlandis unafraid to graphically depict its character’s demise, as it does not hold back in showcasing the dog-eat-dog nature of its world. From characters’ suicides to heads exploding, many of the kill scenes inAlice in Borderlandutilized impressively realistic special effects. While it’s certainly not a series for the faint of heart, the incredible world-building and consistent twists and turns made this one of thebest sci-fi entries on Netflix.
Alice in Borderland
Cast
Alice in Borderland follows a video-game enthusiast and his two friends who find themselves transported to an alternate Tokyo. There, they must participate in perilous games for survival.
9Hannibal (2013 - 2015)
3 seasons
This NBC psychological horror series was based on the character of Dr. Hannibal Lecter from the novels of Thomas Harris, which should provide some insight into the gory nature ofHannibal. Starring Mads Mikkelsen as the titular serial killer most readily associated with Anthony Hopkins’ Oscar-winning performance inThe Silence of the Lambs, Lecter was a forensic scientist, secret killer, and cannibal, working to manipulate the FBI from the inside. WhileHannibalwas known for its beautiful aesthetics and incredibly rich cinematography, viewers should also prepare for some intense gore.
From Dr. Lecter slitting the throats of his victims to literally eating their organs and body parts,Hannibalfeatured plenty of moments that will turn viewers off their dinner. As a truly brilliant and sophisticated character, part of the appeal ofHannibalwas the way the show juxtaposed his shocking inhumanity with a worldly sense of decorum.The dichotomy of how the world perceives Dr. Lecter versus the actual man makesHannibala psychologically rich seriesthat was sadly canceled far too soon after just three delicious seasons.
Hannibal
Created for TV by Bryan Fuller, Hannibal is a TV adaptation/reimagining of Thomas Harris' Red Dragon novel. The show follows the exploits of FBI criminal profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) and psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) and their perpetual game of cat and mouse that unfolds over the series. When a string of murders in Minnesota requires a brilliant mind to crack the case, Will Graham is called in to investigate - but due to the intimate and terrifying nature of the crimes, he is appointed Dr. Lecter to act as his psychiatrist. The truth of Dr. Lecter is that he is Will’s target - but to complicate matters, he’s the only person that can truly understand him.
8Squid Game (2021 - Present)
1 season
The South Korean dystopian sci-fi seriesSquid Gamewas a cultural phenomenon when it first premiered on Netflix in 2021. With a richly imagined world that saw hundreds of contestants partake in a secret competition for the chance to win a ₩45.6 billion prize, althoughSquid Gameused light-hearted children’s games as its inspiration, the actual results were quite gory. As contestants were brutally killed off one by one,Squid Gamebecame far less about winning the prize and more about just making it out alive.
Each episode ofSquid Gamewas filled with intensely gory scenes as, right from the beginning, contestants were brutally killed in the ruthless game of Red Light, Green Light. This only got more intense as the series progressed as the body count grew larger and the characters turned on each other with moments of sinister double-crossing, ruthless attacks, and even cold-blooded murder. It seems the gore didn’t turn off viewers asSquid GameSeason 1 became one of the most-watched shows on Netflix worldwide.
Squid Game
Squid Game is a South Korean series released in 2021 that follows numerous financially struggling participants who are invited to partake in children’s games with deadly outcomes. As they compete, they vie for a substantial cash prize, all while navigating lethal challenges orchestrated by mysterious figures.
7Dexter (2006 - 2013)
8 seasons
As a crime drama starring a blood spatter analysis for the fictional Miami Metro Police Department, it makes sense that Showtime’sDexterwould feature its fair share of bloody gore. However, this becomes far more a certainty with the realization that Dexter Morgan was also a serial killer with a code, killing those he deemed worthy to die. Dexter’s double life meant that no matter what aspect of his fractured existence the series was focusing on, the only certainty was blood, death, and murder.
From the shocking kill patterns of Dexter’s adversaries, such as The Ice Truck Killer or The Trinity Killer,Dexterwas a consistently gory show that saw its title character embrace the sinister impulses of his ‘Dark Passenger.’ WithDexter even breaking the Code of Harryseveral times, this series did not let up for one minute when it came to blood, gore, and violence. Running for eight seasons in its original TV show,Dexterhas become a successful franchisewith the original book series, spin-off sequel TV show, and upcoming prequel series calledDexter: Original Sin.
Dexter
Dexter is a television series following Dexter Morgan, a blood spatter analyst for Miami Metro Police who secretly leads a dual life as a vigilante serial killer. Released in 2006, the show focuses on Dexter’s internal conflict as he hunts down criminals who elude justice within the legal system.
Sam Raimi’sEvil Deadfilm series was one of the goriest horror comedy franchises ever made due to the wild eccentricity and horrific antics of its lead star, Bruce Campbell, playing Ash Williams. With the movies already known for pushing viewers out of their comfort zone with intense depictions of gore, this tradition was continued into the sequel TV seriesAsh vs Evil Dead. Set 30 years from the originalEvil Deadmovie,Ash vs Evil Deadsaw Ash once again face off against Deadites unleashed from the Necronomicon.
Much like the original trilogy ofEvil Deadmovies,Ash vs Evil Deadseamlessly blended horror and comedythat managed to remain simultaneously gory and hilarious. As a highly skilled physical comedian, seeing Campbell face off against all sorts of evil undead creatures was a true delight, and the series perfectly recaptured the spirit of the original films. Packed with splatter-filled set pieces and impressive special effects, it was a real shame that Starz canceledAsh vs Evil Deadafter just three seasons.
Ash vs Evil Dead
Set thirty years after Army of Darkness, Ash vs. Evil Dead is a black comedy/horror series that stars Bruce Campbell back in the role of Ash Williams. Ash has spent the last 30 years avoiding responsibility, maturity, and the terrors of the Evil Dead until a Deadite plague threatens to destroy all of mankind. Forced to come out of his combative retirement, Ash partners with two fellow co-workers at the Value Stop store to face off against the Evil Dead.
11 seasons
The Walking Deadquickly became one of the most popularTV shows of the 2010sas it showcased the viability of the zombie genre on the small screen. With a cast of richly developed characters attempting to survive in a dystopian world,The Walking Deadmixed effective storytelling with heart-racing gore as, at a moment’s notice, a zombie attack could cause characters to be ruthlessly killed off. From the gruesome visuals of the zombies themselves to the vicious practices of the antagonistic human survivors,The Walking Deadwas an emotional rollercoaster throughout its 11-season run.
From the bat-swinging intensity of the villainous Negan to the harrowing brain-eating ruthelessness of the undead,The Walking Deadnever shied away from gruesome depictions of characters’ demise. As a truly draining depiction of how life would be in an apocalyptic landscape, often the most brutal contributors were not the zombies but the humans fending for survival at any cost.The Walking Deadwas filled with shocking deaths, many of which were so gory it was tough to stomach.
The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead is a television series that premiered on August 02, 2025. It follows Sheriff’s deputy Rick Grimes, who awakens from a coma to find a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. He embarks on a journey to locate his family, encountering various survivors amidst the chaos.
4Game Of Thrones (2011 - 2019)
The HBO fantasy seriesGame of Throneswas one of the defining series of the 2010s, as its exploration of the political circumstances of the Seven Kingdoms, incredible ensemble cast, and impressive worldbuilding made it a worthy adaptation of George R. R. Martin’sA Song of Ice and Firebook series. With an epic narrative and countless vastly complex overlapping stories, it was no surprise thatGame of Throneswas a hit with critics and viewers alike. However, one aspect viewers would need to prepare themselves for was a serious amount of gore and violence.
With a medieval-like setting, the fantasy world ofGame of Throneswas incredibly ruthless, as beloved characters often received gruesome deaths, and it was not unusual to witness throats being slit. From the blood-soaked horror of the Red Wedding massacre to Ramsay Snow’s horrific torturing of Theon Greyjoy,Game of Throneshad plenty of moments that would make viewers want to cover their eyes. With Westeros as truly a brutal and violent place,Game of Throneswas gory from start to finish.
Game Of Thrones
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
Before gaining worldwide notoriety as the creator ofBlack Mirror,the British comedian Charlie Brooker embraced gore in his satirical zombie seriesDead Set. This five-episode miniseries was set during a fictional series of the reality showBig Brotherand showcased the consequences of a zombie apocalypse that the contestants originally thought was part of the show. This clever and unique premise offered Brooker the opportunity to comment on the vapid ridiculousness of celebrity culture while also paying homage to classic zombie series like George A. Romero’sLiving Dead.
WhileDead Setwas filled with Brooker’s unique brand of tongue-in-cheek satirical humor, it also boasted its fair share of gore. From depicting the real-lifeBig Brotherpresenter Davina McCall as a bloodthirsty zombie to showcasing the barren wasteland of a dystopian society,Dead Setwas as bleak and richly imagined as the best zombie-based shows. A truly accomplished debut for Brooker in the world of narrative television, it’s no surprise he had such huge success years later with the similarly bleakBlack Mirror.
2Preacher (2016 - 2019)
4 seasons
The supernatural seriesPreacherwas based on an ultraviolet comic book series by Garth Ennis, so it should come as no surprise that the show was also particularly gory. Telling the story of a hard-drinking, chain-smoking preacher named Jesse Custer on a mission to confront God, Preacher was a series populated with eccentric characters, such as Jesse’s trigger-happy girlfriend Tulip, or the profane Irish vampire Cassidy. Packed with gore and bloodshed,Preacherwas not for the faint of heart, as its extreme violence often pushed viewers out of their comfort zone.
Preacher
Preacher follows Jesse Custer, a Texas preacher, on his quest to confront the divine for abandoning humanity. Aided by Cassidy, a vampire, and Tulip, a gun-toting Texan, he wields the power of Genesis, a potent force born from an angel and a demon, to challenge celestial authority.
1The Boys (2019 - Present)
The Boysis a satirical look at the superhero genre that sharply targets contemporary politics and society. In a world populated by superpowered heroes called Supes,The Boysensured viewers were prepared for gore from its opening scene, which began with Hughie Campbell’s (Jack Quaid) girlfriend accidentally torn apart by the superspeed of A-Train (Jessie T. Usher). Gory and violent from the very start,The Boysnever let up its extreme use of violence and has remained one of the most divisive television series since the very beginning.
From the murderous, genocidal tendencies of Homelander (Antony Starr) to the no-nonsense practices of Billy Butcher (Karl Urban), the only thing viewers can count on from one episode ofThe Boysto the next is excessive violence and gore. While the more profane aspects ofThe Boysmay turn some viewers off, the clever writing and satirical bite of the series ensure it never feels entirely mindless.The Boysknows how to use gore to add to its storytelling effectively, and for this reason, it has become a beloved favorite among viewers.
The Boys
The Boys is a gritty and subversive take on the superhero genre, focusing on a group of vigilantes who confront powerful superheroes abusing their abilities, exploring themes of corruption and moral ambiguity in a world where heroes are not always what they seem.
