Ghost Hunters set the standard by which all other paranormal reality shows are judged. With exciting and terrifying action each week, the adventures of the ghost-hunting crew made for required viewing for aficionados of the ghostly and mysterious.
Though many people question the very existence of ghosts, the crew from Ghost Hunters were charismatic enough to keep even the most skeptical viewers riveted, and the series still runs to this day. Naturally, the show spawned many imitators, and though some fell to the wayside and were forgotten, others became classics in their own right.
Contents
- 1 Paranormal Caught On Camera (2019-Present)
- 2 The Haunting Of… (2012-2016)
- 3 Help! My House Is Haunted (2018-Present)
- 4 Ghost Asylum (2014-Present)
- 5 Portals To Hell (2019-Present)
- 6 Destination Fear (2019-Present)
- 7 Paranormal Lockdown (2016-Present)
- 8 Kindred Spirits (2016-Present)
- 9 Ghost Nation (2019-Present)
- 10 Ghost Adventures (2008-Present)
Paranormal Caught On Camera (2019-Present)
Stream On Discover Plus
The best reality shows are often the ones with the simplest concepts, and Paranormal Caught on Camera spells it all out in its title. The series showcases bizarre and terrifying footage from around the world and offers commentary from paranormal experts on what is shown.
The show runs the gamut from ghosts, cryptids, and even extraterrestrials, which gives viewers something new to see every episode. Though lacking in the personalities of shows like Ghost Hunters, Paranormal Caught on Camera makes up for it with truly scary footage.
The Haunting Of… (2012-2016)
Stream On Amazon Prime
Though many paranormal fans love the thrill of the hunt in their shows, some series explore the psychology of hauntings. The Haunting of… series seeks to explore the hauntings of minor celebrities and the psychological effect their experiences may have had on their lives.
The Haunting of… is quite different from other paranormal series and that’s what makes it interesting to fans. The addition of celebrities to this reality TV show adds another layer of intrigue and validity to the show and it is interesting to hear their firsthand experiences.
Help! My House Is Haunted (2018-Present)
Stream On Discovery Plus
Paranormal expert Zak Bagans has created many of the most memorable paranormal series on television. Help! My House is Haunted takes the ghost hunting to the U.K. and follows a group of paranormal experts as they investigate hauntings in the homes of regular people.
The show is interesting because it takes place in a different country which offers viewers a chance to experience different types of hauntings. Most paranormal reality shows take place in the U.S. and are therefore tied to U.S. historical events. Help! My House is Haunted gives fans a different spin on the usual ghost hunting formula and the opportunity to experience other locales.
Ghost Asylum (2014-Present)
Stream On Discovery Plus And Fubo
Usually, paranormal reality shows try to keep their scope broad so that they can have longevity and variety. However, Ghost Asylum takes the usual premise of a paranormal reality shows and narrows the focus to include only investigating asylums.
The location of an asylum is already a tried and true cliche within the horror genre and they make perfect fodder for paranormal shows. The show is interesting not only for its specific location but the crew of ghost hunters from Tennessee who bring their own unique flair to the show, and it is their personalities that truly make the show shine.
Portals To Hell (2019-Present)
Stream On Discovery Plus And Fubo
Jack Osbourne has capitalized on his career in reality TV and has starred in many different reality series. Portals to Hell follows Osbourne and another paranormal investigator as they not only seek out hauntings but locations that are often speculated to be entryways to the netherworld.
Despite the over-the-top premise, the show is grounded in much the same structure that other paranormal investigation shows are. However, the added addition of speculation makes the show unique and interesting to viewers who have seen other ghost shows. Usually, ghost hunting shows focus on individual hauntings while Portals to Hell speculates on the origins of the hauntings themselves.
Destination Fear (2019-Present)
Stream On Discovery Plus And Fubo
One of the most important aspects of a paranormal investigation series is the perceived professionalism of its hosts. The viewer must trust that the hosts are in control and truly know the science of ghost hunting before embarking on their adventures. Destination Fear offers a truly unique twist on the concept and puts a three friends in some of the scariest locations totally alone.
The D.I.Y nature of the show is unique and gives it a modern, YouTube-esque feel that conflicts with the usually slick productions of ghost shows. Destination Fear is less about investigation and more about the limits of human endurance in the face of pure terror and viewers are brought along on a terrifying ride.
Paranormal Lockdown (2016-Present)
Stream On Discovery Plus And Fubo
Most paranormal investigations happen over the course of one night and often leave viewers wishing that the investigators had more time to explore the location. Paranormal Lockdown fixes that problem by locking the ghost hunters in a specific location for a period of 72 hours so that they can perform a more thorough and terrifying search.
The element of escape is big for ghost shows and the added layer of a lockdown makes the show all the more scary. The added time gives the investigators the chance to more fully explore the location and get a true feel for the haunting that may or may not be occurring there. Also, the show features an appearance by Lorraine Warren, a legendary paranormal investigator.
Kindred Spirits (2016-Present)
Stream On Discovery Plus And Fubo
While most shows present haunts as malevolent and dangerous spirits, Kindred Spirits approaches the concept from a different angle. The show follows a pair of paranormal researchers who seek to contact the spirits that could be haunting locations, to ascertain their motives and perhaps even end the haunting entirely.
Though not as scary as other shows, Kindred Spirits offers a unique view of paranormal investigation and shows another side to hauntings. While other ghost shows just seek to be scared by a haunted location, the investigators in Kindred Spirits seem as if they legitimately want to help the people who are being haunted through their own unique methods.
Ghost Nation (2019-Present)
Stream On Discovery Plus And Fubo
The crew from TAPS have not only starred in the original Ghost Hunters series but many of its spin-offs as well. Ghost Nation takes the original concept of Ghost Hunters and ups the ante to include more active hauntings and interesting pieces of physical evidence.
Fans of the original Ghost Hunters series will love seeing the old stars once again and they prove why the original show was so popular. Though there are dozens of paranormal reality shows, Ghost Nation stands out because it is a more refined version of the original concept and the stars are experts at their craft.
Ghost Adventures (2008-Present)
Stream On Discovery Plus And Fubo
Few shows in the paranormal reality genre could rival the success of Ghost Hunters but Ghost Adventures comes the closest. The show follows a group of paranormal investigators as they explore some of the most haunted places in the world.
What sets the show apart from others is the personalities of its hosts as well as their more aggressive ghost hunting methods. The crew of Ghost Adventures go into each location with a more offensive approach and the confrontational attitude has resulted in fascinating television.