The very structure of a television series means that it requires more time than a movie. Then there’s the overwhelming volume of shows available, many with ongoing seasons. In a time when season renewals can be hard to come by, dipping your toes into a brand new series can be daunting, to say the least.

This week’s streaming picks are dedicated to short, airy horror shows that you can binge on quickly. Some are limited series, and some never made it past a single season. All are self-contained and bring horror, whether through scares, laughter, or bloodshed. Often a mixture.

As usual, here’s where you can stream them this week.

For more selections from Stay Home, Watch Horror, click here.

Darkplace by Garth Marenghi – Prime Video, Peacock, Pluto TV

Horror author Garth Marenghi (Matthew Holness) gives viewers a look at the never-before-seen ’80s sci-horror horror series “Darkplace” in this fictionalized show in a show that ridicules the television era. The cast previews episodes with wacky storylines, from raging telekinetic doctors to men giving birth to giant eyeballs, while parodying low-budget production, sound design, special effects, outdated social norms, and more. What we do in the shadows‘ Matthew Berry and Preventco-starred Alice Low in this six-episode series that unfortunately never received a second season. It’s a complete blast.

wolf like me – peacock

Each episode under half an hour, the six-episode “Wolf Like Me” series uses a werewolf to mend broken hearts still reeling from loss. Josh Gad stars as Gary, a single father who struggles to raise his daughter following the death of his wife. His passing emotionally disturbs both. Gary then meets Mary (Isla Fisher), a loner with a tragic past. Or rather, she passes him with his vehicle. Sparks fly and emotional wounds mend, but there’s one pesky little problem that hits every full moon. Series Creator/Director/Writer Abe Forsythe (2019’s little monsters) applies werewolf horror to the romantic comedy formula with Peacock’s “Wolf Like Me,” making it a charming comedy horror you can swallow in one sitting.

You can watch the trailer for “Wolf Like Me” here.

The third day –HBO Max

For fans of Midsommar and a similar folk horror, The third Day followed the separate journeys of a man and a woman to a mysterious island off the coast of Britain. In the first half of the six-episode series, Sam (Jude Law) discovers a group of islanders determined to preserve their way of life at all costs. Their bizarre secrets and rituals force him to confront his trauma, and he finds himself unable to leave. The second half follows Naomie Harris’s Helen, a woman who comes to the island determined to find answers. Instead, she finds herself in a perilous struggle for survival. The third day offers a familiar entry into folk horror, but it’s well executed and full of enchanting mysteries that captivate you anyway.

I don’t agree with this -Netflix

This short 7-episode series premiered on Netflix in February and was the first of the year to explore the coming-of-age narrative through explosive teenagers. Sophia Lillis starred as Sydney, a teenager navigating the trials and tribulations of high school while dealing with the complexities of her family, her budding sexuality, and mysterious superpowers that are just beginning to awaken deep within. from her. As heartfelt as it is bloody, with a fantastic supporting performance from Wyatt Oleff, I don’t agree with this was a cherished and critically worthwhile adaptation of a YA novel.

Dracula -Netflix

If you thought you had had enough of Bram Stoker Dracula, this series shook things up in surprising ways. A very, very loose retelling of the Bram Stoker classic that lasts a bit longer than the others, but its bold swings are worth it. The three-episode feature followed Dracula (Claes Bang) from his origins in Eastern Europe to his battles with Van Helsing’s descendants and beyond. Dolly Wells threatened to steal the whole show as feisty sister Agatha Van Helsing, but the gore certainly helped a lot.