Mike Flanagan has dominated the horror TV genre over the past decade, lending his talents to some of the most rewatchable shows of all time. Through his longtime deal with Netflix, Flanagan has crafted several miniseries audiences can’t stop rewatching. They reveal new secrets and Easter eggs with every successive viewing. However, there are a few series that stand out as the height of Flanagan’s eye for horror visuals and understanding of deeply emotional storytelling.
It’s exciting to think about Flanagan’s upcoming movies and TV shows, which will expand into new territory. Flanagan’s planned adaptation of Stephen King’s iconic book series The Dark Tower will be a multi-season project worthy of the dark fantasy story. This will be a bit of a departure for Flanagan, who has primarily made miniseries and films. Flanagan has traditionally preferred to tell contained narratives with definitive endings.
Flanagan’s partnership with Netflix ended in 2022 when he and his collaborator, Trevor Macy, shifted to Prime Video, opening new doors for Flanagan’s horror universe and adaptations of classic supernatural stories. Shows like Netflix’s Below prove that the streamer won’t suffer too much without Flanagan, but it’s safe to say he’ll be missed. Each one of his television projects further cements him as a once-in-a-generation talent.
6
The Midnight Club (2022)
Probably Flanagan’s least popular series and one that flew relatively under the radar compared to his biggest projects, The Midnight Club is still a great watch for anyone who enjoys his shows. Following a group of teens who bond while telling each other horror stories in hospice care, The Midnight Club has a poignant premise and isn’t afraid to tug at the audience’s heartstrings throughout the episodes. In typical Flanagan fashion, The Midnight Club relies on the chemistry of its ensemble cast.
The Midnight Club is by no means a bad show, but it has tough competition within the Flanagan universe. Centering on younger characters and using horror as an exploration of the pangs of adolescence and the very real grief the characters grapple with, The Midnight Club is a complex piece of television. However, it can feel disappointing to watch The Midnight Club and the slightly less serious horror tales within the series after the iconic TV shows that came before it.
5
Carrie (2026–)
Flanagan’s most recent series and adaptation of King’s work, Carrie, had big shoes to fill and high expectations to live up to from the beginning. The 2026 TV series gives Carrie a modern update, distancing itself from the classic 1976 film while still paying tribute to the emotional core of the story. Starring Summer H. Howell as Carrie and Samantha Sloyan as Margaret, Carrie’s mother, the pair anchor the series with incredible performances.
In many ways, the new Carrie series is a great expansion of King’s novel and is a worthy addition to Flanagan’s incredible catalog of work. Time will tell how well Carrie will hold up compared to Flanagan’s other series, which have kept a tight hold on their place in the culture conversation. This take on Carrie comes at a poignant time, as the teenage landscape has changed a lot since the novel’s publication. However, Carrie is a little less thrilling than fans of Flanagan might have hoped.
4
The Fall Of The House Of Usher (2023)
Though The Fall of the House of Usher isn’t quite as good as its predecessors in the Haunting anthology series, it’s one of the most fun additions to Flanagan’s catalog of work. Based on the Edgar Allan Poe story of the same name, it’s clear that the creative team and cast were having the time of their lives crafting the unique and gruesome ways the members of the Usher family meet their end. Ghoulish, mysterious, and unafraid to lean into the shock factor of the over-the-top deaths, The Fall of the House of Usher is a wild ride.
Poe’s original text of The Fall of the House of Usher inspired The Shining, creating another connection between King and Flanagan, and demonstrating why it was vital that Flanagan took on the story to adapt. Carla Gugino, one of Flanagan’s frequent collaborators, is delightfully chilling throughout the series, anchoring the story when it gets a little off the rails. It’s a cutting examination of the way the ultra-wealthy exploit others, but the metaphor can feel a touch heavy-handed.
3
The Haunting Of Bly Manor (2020)
The highly anticipated follow-up to The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, has a lot in common with the groundbreaking show that came before it, while distinguishing itself as totally unique. It was a challenge for Bly Manor to live up to the hype around the show after Hill House became so synonymous with Flanagan and the horror genre. However, Bly Manor effectively moved away from the tone and structure of Hill House, even if this meant that it wasn’t as entrenched in the horror genre.
One of the best parts of The Haunting of Bly Manor is the central romance between Dani and Jamie, played by Victoria Pedretti and Amelia Eve. Bly Manor is by far the most romantic series Flanagan has ever created, as the horror elements and overarching narrative are deeply intertwined with Dani and Jamie’s relationship. While audiences who come to Flanagan for his body horror and terrifying moments might find The Haunting of Bly Manor a little disappointing, it’s by far the most moving of his projects.
2
The Haunting Of Hill House (2018)
In many ways, Flanagan wouldn’t have the reputation and name recognition he does today without The Haunting of Hill House. Loosely based on the novel by Shirley Jackson, the series was one of Flanagan’s first series for Netflix and quickly catapulted him to fame. Though Flanagan has evolved as a filmmaker in the years since The Haunting of Hill House premiered, it’s fun to return to the show as a clear example of his voice and skills. The Haunting of Hill House is just as emotionally resonant today as it was in 2018.
It’s in The Haunting of Hill House that audiences were first introduced to many of the actors who have become frequent collaborators with Flanagan, appearing in many of his limited series. Of course, there are plenty of creepy, chilling moments throughout The Haunting of Hill House, but the series has proven to have crossover appeal with audiences who don’t typically go for horror. This is because the show is carefully paced and relies on its relationships to appeal to the viewer, not just the gorgeous visuals.
1
Midnight Mass (2021)
Overflowing with atmospheric tension, vivid characters, and an epic struggle between good and evil, Midnight Mass builds its thrills and scares brilliantly throughout its tight seven-episode run. Hamish Linklater is at his best in Midnight Mass as Father Paul Hill, one of the most charismatic and terrifying characters in Flanagan’s oeuvre. It’s in Midnight Mass that Flanagan perfects his voice and vision as a writer and director.
Notably, Midnight Mass is one of Flanagan’s few TV shows that isn’t an adaptation, but an original story and concept. It’s easy to watch Midnight Mass twice or more, as the series only grows more complex and satisfying, even when you know the twist. The influence of Midnight Mass can be felt to this day, with many popular recent series also set against the backdrop of a mysterious island harboring a dark secret. Mike Flanagan pulls no punches in Midnight Mass, drawing the audience in and making them connect deeply with the characters, only to shock and horrify in the best possible way.
- Birthdate
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May 20, 1978
- Birthplace
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Salem, Massachusetts, United States
- Height
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6 feet 0 inches
- Professions
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Filmmaker, Director, Screenwriter, Producer, Editor