Monsters

1988·Show

·72Episodes in3Seasons·TV-14·

7.3

Episode ratings

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

Set your services

Monsters fingerprint

High energy, striking style, light on feelings.

Energy

Terrifying and tense

Fast from start to finish.

Scare9
Tension8
Adrenaline7

Heart

Emotionally reserved

Nostalgia6
Pathos5
Melancholy4

Humor

Some dark humor and satire

Not a comedy at heart.

Dark Humor6
Satire & Parody5
Absurdist Humor4

World

Everyday modern life, the mind, and mystery

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

World Immersion8
Dialogue Centrality6
Novelty6

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

Intrigue8
Direction7
Acting7

Style

Standout sound design

Sound Centrality8
Cinematography7
Editing7

Energy

High

Terrifying and tense

Fast from start to finish.

Monsters is terrifying, tense, and thrilling.

More shows with high energy Scary shows

All energy traits

Scare9Frightening moments and scares.
Tension8Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
Adrenaline7High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.

Fast Pace7Quick tempo and momentum.
Violence7Physical conflict and intensity.
Spectacle6Scale and set-piece grandeur.

Related traits

Uncanny8Eerie, unsettling strangeness.
Grotesque8Macabre, distorted imagery.

Bleakness7Grim, stark outlooks.
Slow Burn5Gradual build with payoff.

Heart

Low

Emotionally reserved

It keeps its emotions at a distance.

All heart traits

Nostalgia6Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
Pathos5Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
Melancholy4Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
Catharsis4Emotional release and payoff.
Wonder3Awe, discovery, and amazement.

Hopefulness2Optimism and uplifting resolve.
Coming of Age2Personal growth and self-discovery.
Family Dynamics2Relationships and generational ties.
Romance1Love stories and emotional connections.
Wholesome1Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.

Related traits

Bleakness7Grim, stark outlooks.

Character Depth6Rich, complex characterization.

Humor

Medium

Some dark humor and satire

Not a comedy at heart.

Expect some dark humor and satire.

More shows with medium humor

All humor traits

Dark Humor6Humor from taboo or grim topics.
Satire & Parody5Sharp critique and playful imitation.
Absurdist Humor4Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
Situational Comedy3Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.

Wit & Wordplay2Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
Cringe Humor2Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
Physical Comedy1Slapstick and visual gags.

Related traits

Camp & Irony5Stylized exaggeration and wink.

Eccentricity5Oddball tone and quirks.

World

Medium

Everyday modern life, the mind, and mystery

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

Its world is built around everyday modern life, the mind, and mystery. The setting feels lived-in and easy to get lost in.

More shows with medium world Scary shows

All world traits

World Immersion8Depth and sensory richness of setting.
Dialogue Centrality6Stories driven by conversation.
Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.

Rewatchability5Invites repeat viewing.
Ambiguity4Open-endedness and uncertainty.

Related traits

Contemporary Realism8Modern, grounded storytelling.
Psychological8Inner worlds and mind games.
Mystery7Whodunnits and unraveling secrets.

Fantasy6Mythic worlds and magical systems.
Surrealism6Dreamlike, bizarre imagery.

Craft

Medium

Solid, not remarkable

The craft is serviceable rather than remarkable.

More shows with medium craft

All craft traits

Intrigue8Curiosity and investigative pull.
Direction7Vision and command behind the camera.
Acting7Performance craft and presence.
Narrative Structure6Story architecture and form.
Character Depth6Rich, complex characterization.

Complexity6Layered plots and ideas.
Dialogue Quality5Sharp writing and memorable lines.
Non-linear Narrative3Time-shifts and structure play.
Meta Narrative1Stories about storytelling.

Related traits

Fast Pace7Quick tempo and momentum.
Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.

Slow Burn5Gradual build with payoff.

Style

High

Standout sound design

Look and sound: the sound design stand out.

More shows with high style

All style traits

Sound Centrality8Sound design as core element.
Cinematography7Visual composition and camera work.
Editing7Pacing and structure through cuts.

Music Composition7Score and musical identity.
Visual Stylization7Distinctive aesthetic signature.
Music Centrality6Songs central to storytelling.

Related traits

Grotesque8Macabre, distorted imagery.
Spectacle6Scale and set-piece grandeur.

Dialogue Centrality6Stories driven by conversation.
Camp & Irony5Stylized exaggeration and wink.

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightParty VibePartner WatchSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchBinge-FriendlyDrop-in FriendlyPure Escapism

Skip it if

Graphic violence bothers youYou scare easily

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.

Episode ratings

IMDb rating of every episode, one row per season
Season	Episode 1	Episode 2	Episode 3	Episode 4	Episode 5	Episode 6	Episode 7	Episode 8	Episode 9	Episode 10	Episode 11	Episode 12	Episode 13	Episode 14	Episode 15	Episode 16	Episode 17	Episode 18	Episode 19	Episode 20	Episode 21	Episode 22	Episode 23	Episode 24

IMDb rating of every episode, one column per season
Episode
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8
Episode 9
Episode 10
Episode 11
Episode 12
Episode 13
Episode 14
Episode 15
Episode 16
Episode 17
Episode 18
Episode 19
Episode 20
Episode 21
Episode 22
Episode 23
Episode 24

About

You’ll never look at the world the same way again.

Monsters is a syndicated horror anthology series which originally ran from 1988 to 1991 and reran on the Sci-Fi Channel during the 1990s. Similarly to Tales from the Darkside, Monsters shared the same producer, and in some ways succeeded the show. It differed in some respects nonetheless. While Tales sometimes dabbled in stories of science fiction and fantasy, this series was more strictly horror. As the name implies, each episode features a different monster, from the animatronic puppet of a fictional children's television program to mutated, weapon-wielding lab rats.

Anthology Horror SeriesPractical EffectsCreature FeatureEpisodic Horror80s HorrorMonster of the WeekGothic HorrorSuspensefulCampy Undertones

Actors

David McCallum

Boyle / 'The Feverman'

Patrick Garner

Dr. James Burke

John C. Vennema

Timothy Mason

Marilyn Jones

Katherine

Perry Lang

Lenny

Lewis J. Stadlen

Jay Blake

Elaine Bromka

Emerald Blake

MacIntyre Dixon

Dr. Homer Jimmerman

Andrea Thompson

Desiree

Robert Lansing

Ernest Chariot

Jack Koenig

Jack Avery

Page Hannah

Maura Warren

Eugene Byrd

Brad

Tempestt Bledsoe

Dottie

Steve Harper

Paul Nichols

Ed Wheeler

Dad

Marcella Lowery

Mom

Meat Loaf

Dr. Willard Wingite

Franco Harris

Joe

David Brisbin

Dale

Lara Harris

Debbie

Kevin Cutts

Apparition

Kin Shriner

Merrick

Russell Johnson

Jeffrey

Beth Toussaint

Lisa

Wayne Toth

Monster

Tom Mason

Gabe

Irving Metzman

Lester

John Diehl

Miles Magnus

Mary Woronov

Viki

Ruth de Sosa

Barbara

Alex Cord

John Thunston

Laraine Newman

Linda McGuire

Terrence Evans

Mr. Ritzen

Jeff Conaway

Phil

Debbie Lee Carrington

Troll

Mary Cadorette

Sherrie

Jenna Von Oÿ

Amy

Brian Fitzpatrick

Carl

Mary Griffin

Cindy

Frank Gorshin

Ward Ellers

Peggy Cass

June Ellers

Tom Gilroy

Nelson

Elizabeth Franz

Mother

Finn Carter

Sheila

Rich Hall

Dr. Blackman

David L. Lander

James Self

Keith MacKechnie

Robert Self

Eyde Byrde

Velma

Neal Jones

Gary Gregory

Dan Frazer

Sam

Sasha Jenson

Matthew

Tori Spelling

Beverly

Byron Thames

Paul

Ashley Laurence

Jodie

Tom Woodruff Jr.

Herbert

Kent McCord

Tom Solo

Teri Copley

Vanessa Solo

Betty Carvalho

Old Woman

Billy Drago

Richard

Kim Johnston Ulrich

Madeline Wescott

Silvana Gallardo

Sarah McPherson

Erik Holland

Doctor

James Morrison

Steven Rose, Ph.D.

Adrienne Barbeau

Fiona Flynn

Brandon Bluhm

Ian

Eddie Velez

Belphamelech

Chris Noth

The Devil

Deborah Strang

Xantipe Finch

Glynis Barber

Dr. Jarris

William Prince

Dr. Collin

Brian Brophy

Dr. Starr

Linda Blair

Lia

Rob Morrow

Vito

Maria Tucci

Mamma

John Bolger

William, Charles Poole

Gary Roberts

Clifford

Imogene Coca

The Old Woman

Darren McGavin

Hubert

Beeson Carroll

Roger Darcy

Laurie Kennedy

Lucille Clay

Marc McClure

Nash

Lydia Cornell

Portia

Rachel Bay Jones

Allison

Kaye Ballard

Faye Ingram

Mitchell Whitfield

Matt

Olivia Brown

Jewel

Ren Woods

Cora

Henry Brown

Vance

Fred Pinkard

Mr. Brownell

Soupy Sales

Howard Filby

Bobo Lewis

George Hall

Richard Edson

Jack Bateman

Gina Gershon

Ann

Fritz Weaver

Mr. Hallet

Richard Moll

Arcturus

Louis Mustillo

Guy from the Morgue

Eddie Deezen

Demon #2

Michael J. Anderson

Household God, Holly

George D. Wallace

Robert Ross

Curt Lowens

Dr. Morton / The Reaper

Barbara Billingsley

Sheila

Melba Moore

Angela Lyle

Frankie Faison

Jack Lyle

Byron Minns

The Mandrake Root

Leif Garrett

Dr. Miner

Valerie Wildman

Jacqueline

Patrick Breen

Danny

Sarah Trigger

Edwina

Lili Taylor

Jamie Neal

Steve Buscemi

John Dennis

Jodie Markell

Sue Weatherby

Sara Driver

Mom (voice)

Robert Oliveri

Roy Barton

Rockets Redglare

Swlabr (voice)

Danielle Ferland

Barbie Barton

Kate McGregor-Stewart

Mrs. Barton

Raphael Sbarge

Alex

Sarah Buxton

Megan

Amy Stiller

Anya

Robert Clohessy

Stanley

Jerry Stiller

Victor

Anne Meara

Greta

Karen Shallo

Agnes Peabody

Robert Krantz

Lewis

Orson Bean

Dr. Hubbard

Bob Larkin

Jack Withers

Barry Nelson

Dr. Vernon Rathmore

John Scott Clough

Alex Kritz

Calvin Levels

Luchinski

Rick Goldman

Watson

Jan Munroe

Janson

Troy Donahue

Dr. Thomas Becker

Belle Avery

Paula

Peter White

Paul

Judy Geeson

Anna

Philip Abbott

Oliver

S.A. Griffin

Satan's Minion

Abe Vigoda

Dolan

Brad Greenquist

Kirby

Kim Greist

Sarah / Mandy

Carlos Lauchu

The Beast, The Alien

Sharon Sharth

Carmen

Annie Corley

Angie

Carol Lynley

Dr. Elizabeth Porter

Victor Raider-Wexler

Dr. Robert Winston

Kathleen McCall

Gina

Marvin Kaplan

Murray Van Pelt

Colin Penman

Murray's Monster

Joe Flaherty

Sherwin

Miriam Flynn

Luann

Teresa Ganzel

Debbie

Karen Sillas

Ellen

Robert Kerbeck

Peter

Maxwell Caulfield

Timothy Danforth

Robert Weil

Neighbor (voice), The Boss (voice)

Ferdy Mayne

Old Man

David Sage

Lawyer

Geno Silva

Guard

Juliet Mills

Cara Raymond

Tony Fields

Sebastian

Ahmad Rashād

Sgt. Kenner

Antone Pagán

Corp. Torres

Glenn Kubota

Lieutenant

Ray Mancini

Zombie

Julie Brown

Wendy

Kevin Nealon

Louis

David Spade

Teddy

Peggy Rea

Babs

Wil Wheaton

Kevin

Matt LeBlanc

Tommy

Al Mancini

Mr. D'Onofrio

John O'Leary

Mr. Innes

Karen Valentine

Victoria

John Schiappa

Hunk

Doug McKeon

Lt. Eric Tyler

Carrington Garland

Lt. Maureen Knox

Christine Dunford

Laura Daniel

Charlotte Booker

Helen

Linda Thorson

Jessica

Tom McDermott

Thomas

Mason Adams

Doctor

Dan Butler

David

Ed Lauter

Malcolm

Carole Shelley

Lorna

Farley Granger

Doctor

Deborah Van Valkenburgh

Deborah Levitt

Priscilla Shanks

Laura D'Angelo

Richard Clarke

Howard

John Saxon

Ben O'Connell

Lisa Waltz

Catherine O'Connell

Christian LeBlanc

John O'Connell

Denise Gentile

Woman in the Room

Tony Shalhoub

Officer Mancini

John Christopher Jones

Officer Pankhurst

Clifton James

Inspector

Ken Costigan

Armless Homeless Man

Tony Spiridakis

Hercules Valvalotus

Wendy Makkena

Maggie Price

Luis Guzmán

Luis

Rick Aviles

Mr. Vega

Debbie Harry

Dr. Moss

Tony Devon

Duke

Morton Downey, Jr.

Ray Bright

Laura Branigan

Amanda Smith-Jones

Julie Wilson

Cassandra

Richard Belzer

Buzz Hunkle

Shelley Berman

Leo Tandoski

Geraldine Leer

Vicki

David Leary

Billy Mariner

Ed Marinaro

Martin Lander

David Spielberg

Tom Reardon

Tina Louise

Mysterious Woman (voice)

Dennis Christopher

Laurence Bauer

William Lanteau

Tom Hart

Pam Grier

Matilde

Tracey Walter

Ed, the Janitor

Philip Anglim

Mack

Eddie Bracken

J.J. 'Freddy' Fredericks

Carla Herd

Dolores

Tom Noonan

Howard Mitla

Alice Playten

Violet Mitla

Richard B. Shull

Radio Announcer (voice)

Anne Byrne

Game Contestant (voice)

Crew

Directed by:

Ernest Farino, Bette Gordon, Jeffrey Wolf

Written by:

Edithe Swensen, Peg Haller, Bob Schneider

Produced by:

Michael Gornick

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Monsters

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Monsters legally?

Prime

The Roku

Plex

Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads

Fawesome

Tubi TV

Howdy

Monsters is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Plex, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, and Fawesome. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Monsters worth watching?

GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 71/100 (IMDb 7.3). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Monsters rated?

TV-14ViolenceDisturbing imagery

It's rated TV-14 in the United States. Content advisories: violence and disturbing imagery.

How many seasons does Monsters have?

3 seasons

It has 3 seasons with 72 episodes.

When did Monsters air?

S1S2S3

It ran from 1988 to 1991 and has ended.

What language is Monsters in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

What tropes does Monsters use?

Fantastic RacismTally Marks on the Prison WallImperfect RitualEverything's Deader with ZombiesBolivian Army EndingHow We Got HereNightmare RetardantLate to the RealizationCerebus Call-BackToo Dumb to LiveLaser-Guided KarmaDid I Mention It's Christmas?and 41 more

TV Tropes lists 53 storytelling tropes for Monsters, including Fantastic Racism, Tally Marks on the Prison Wall, Imperfect Ritual.

Monsters

Where to watch

Monsters fingerprint

⚡Energy

❤️Heart

🎭Humor

🌍World

🛠️Craft

🎨Style

⚡Energy

All energy traits

Related traits

❤️Heart

All heart traits

Related traits

🎭Humor

All humor traits

Related traits

🌍World

All world traits

Related traits

🛠️Craft

All craft traits

Related traits

🎨Style

All style traits

Related traits

Who it's for

Skip it if

Find more like it

Episode ratings

About

Actors

Crew

Related Movies and Shows

🧬Overall

👻Scare

😬Tension

🧠Psychological

🗡️Violence

🧟Grotesque

🔊Sound Centrality

🏙️Contemporary Realism

🌍World Immersion

Shows

Movies

Sequels and Prequels

Media

Questions about Monsters

Where can I stream Monsters legally?

Is Monsters worth watching?

What is Monsters rated?

How many seasons does Monsters have?

When did Monsters air?

What language is Monsters in?

What tropes does Monsters use?

Energy

Heart

Humor

World

Craft

Style

Energy

Heart

Humor

World

Craft

Style

Overall

Scare

Tension

Psychological

Violence

Grotesque

Sound Centrality

Contemporary Realism

World Immersion