Ghosts, demons, aliens, and urban legends have always intrigued and fascinated humanity. We love to gather in the dark and swap scary stories in an attempt to make sense of the unexplained. In the 1990s and 2000s, reality television brought the horror genre to our small screens, shifting the focus from fictional horror stories to documentaries that aimed to prove the existence of the paranormal, extraterrestrial beings, or creatures like Bigfoot. These shows became immensely popular, attracting millions of viewers each week and fueling the amateur ghost hunting craze among the masses.
While paranormal reality television shows received both criticism and devoted fanbases, they managed to captivate a wide range of audiences. They provided an over-the-top atmosphere that teetered on the edge of campiness, while also offering creative and unsettling situations that were hard to forget. With access to the Warner Bros. and Discovery+ libraries, the revamped HBO Max streaming service, now known as Max, features some of the best and most popular pseudo-documentary series about the paranormal. Whether you’re interested in spirits, myths and folklore, cryptozoology, demonic possession, possessed pets, or possessed dolls (shivers), there are plenty of options to cater to every interest.
The concept of paranormal reality television has been around for decades, although it initially appeared as one-off specials. Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, which first aired in 1949, and Unsolved Mysteries in the 1980s can be considered early examples. However, it was Ghostwatch, a fictitious short film presented as a live news broadcast investigating a haunted house, that truly captured the imaginations of viewers when it aired on Halloween night in 1992. The BBC received an overwhelming number of phone calls from terrified viewers who believed the events to be real.
In 2004, the Sci-Fi Channel introduced Ghost Hunters, which can be considered the first paranormal docudrama of its kind. Led by Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, the show followed the investigative duo as they explored haunted locations. Ghost Hunters quickly became a hit, captivating millions of viewers each week and running for eleven seasons until 2016. This success led to various spin-offs and similar shows on channels like the Travel Channel, Discovery Channel, and History Channel. The world became fixated on unexplained phenomena, leading to an abundance of ghost-hunting shows and a dedicated fan base. Networks show no signs of stopping production, as long as audiences continue to tune in.
Ghost Hunters, founded by Hawes and Wilson, stood out among the early paranormal reality shows. They established the Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) in the 1990s after both men had personal encounters with the paranormal. Despite their experiences, they approached investigations as skeptics, eager to debunk paranormal claims. They conducted thorough investigations, relying on their expertise as Roto-Rooter employees and utilizing various equipment to capture audio recordings and video footage. While they never presented dramatic or exaggerated evidence, their show’s familiar style, marked by unexplained sounds and mysterious occurrences just out of frame, became comforting rather than repetitive.
Ghost Adventures took a different path to success. It started as an independent documentary film and later became a series airing on the Travel Channel in 2008. Led by Zak Bagans, the team visited notoriously haunted locations, often employing provocative methods to provoke paranormal activity. While their approach may not appeal to everyone, Ghost Adventures gained popularity for its shamelessly over-the-top spookiness.
A Haunting distinguishes itself from other shows by focusing on everyday people’s experiences with paranormal entities. Each episode features individuals recounting their encounters with ghosts, demons, or other supernatural phenomena. The stories often delve into dark and unsettling territory, exploring psychological torment and physical dangers. The format keeps the show fresh as each episode introduces new storytellers, with some featuring commentary from renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The show combines gripping narratives with dramatic reenactments, making it a captivating watch.
The Dead Files stands out with its duo of Amy Allan, a medium, and Steve DiSchiavi, a retired homicide detective. They conduct separate investigations before comparing their findings in each episode. Steve interviews witnesses during the day, while Amy connects with spirits and senses past occurrences during the night. The legitimacy of their claims is subjective, but the show provides excellent entertainment, especially when every episode begins with Amy’s signature line, “I see dead people.”
Destination Fear introduces fresh faces to the world of supernatural investigations. Paranormal enthusiasts Dakota Laden, his sister Chelsea, and their friends Tanner and Alex visit some of America’s most haunted locations, with a twist. Only one person among them knows the destination, allowing for surprise and genuine reactions. The show offers a unique take on ghost hunting and explores famous haunted sites, including the Winchester Mystery House.
Paranormal reality television has become a normalized part of our entertainment landscape. Audiences continue to enjoy these shows, thanks in part to their enduring fanbases and the continued success of fictional horror franchises like Paranormal Activity and The Conjuring. With offerings that cater to various interests and viewing preferences, these shows continue to captivate and entertain audiences with their exploration of the unexplained and supernatural.
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Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
