Ranking Mike Flanagan’s Netflix Series

Updated on August 20th, 2026

September marks the beginning of fall, and it is the perfect time to watch some spooky series. Mike Flanagan is an American filmmaker known for horror. Some movies he has directed are Hush (2016), Gerald’s Game (2017), and Doctor Sleep (2019), but the focus of this post will be on ranking his five spooky Netflix series. With that said, let us dive in!

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#5 Midnight Mass

Midnight Mass released in 2021, and there are 7 episodes in the series. The series follows an isolated community on Crockett Island that experiences miraculous events and frightening omens after the arrival of a charismatic priest.

The premise of the series seemed interesting, and I did like the setting of the remote island. However, I found the plot completely predictable. The big reveals were not impactful because I already expected them. As far as the acting, I found the acting good, and I do not have any complaints in that regard. Ultimately, I was let down by the story, which makes Midnight Mass the worst Mike Flanagan series.

#4 The Haunting of Bly Manor

The Haunting of Bly Manor released in 2020 with 9 episodes. The series follows an American nanny who is tasked with caring for two children after the tragic death of their au pair. However, once the nanny arrives at Bly Manor, she begins experiencing strange occurrences, and the dark history of the estate begins to unravel.

The Haunting of Bly Manor is inspired by The Turn of the Screw by Henry James. I have read the book, and the series does have some similarities, especially with the characters and basic plot. In the book, there is a woman who becomes a governess for Flora and Miles at Bly Manor. Mrs. Grose is also a prominent character in the book who takes on the role of Hannah Grose in the series. However, there are more characters in the series and different events that happen.

That said, the series is slow to start. Around the second half, the story picks up. There are some creepy scenes, but I found The Haunting of Hill House creepier. I also found the storyline of The Haunting of Bly Manor convoluted and hard to follow. Despite the slow and confusing plot, I found the acting great, but The Haunting of Hill House is better.

#3 The Fall of the House of Usher

The Fall of the House of Usher released in 2023 with 8 episodes. The series follows the Usher family and siblings Roderick and Madeline, who made a fortune as head of the controversial Fortunato Pharmaceuticals. However, the secrets of the Ushers come to light when heirs to the Usher dynasty start dying under mysterious circumstances.

The Fall of the House of Usher is inspired by the tales and poems of Edgar Allan Poe, including The Fall of the House of Usher, The Raven, Masque of the Red Death, Murder in the Rue Morgue, The Black Cat, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Gold-Bug, and The Pit and the Pendulum. I have read a handful of these stories, and I can definitely see the inspiration in the series. I found the storyline intriguing and at times dark, and the acting was great. The Fall of the House of Usher is not the best series by Mike Flanagan, but it is worth watching.

#2 The Midnight Club

The Midnight Club released in 2022 with 10 episodes. The story follows 8 terminally ill teenagers who reside at Brightcliffe Hospice. The group comes together every night at midnight to tell each other stories. They also make a pact that whoever dies next will contact the rest of the Midnight Club from the beyond.

The series is based on books by Christopher Pike, including The Midnight Club, but I have not read any of his work. However, I did enjoy The Midnight Club series and the different stories the teens told. I also found some of the scenes creepy. The Midnight Club is different from Mike Flanagan’s other series because it is more of a teen horror compared to The Fall of the House of Usher, for example, which is darker. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the series and would recommend watching it.

#1 The Haunting of Hill House

The Haunting of Hill House released in 2018 with 10 episodes. The series follows a fractured family who comes together after a tragedy. They are finally forced to confront the haunting of their old home, Hill House, and the terrifying events that drove them from it.

The Netflix series is inspired by The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, which I have read. The Haunting of Hill House is by far the best Mike Flanagan series, but the plot of the series is completely different from Shirley Jackson’s book. Some of the family members in the series share names with characters in the book, but beyond that, the storyline is different. Hill House has both a creepy atmosphere in the series and in the book, but the Netflix series is more disturbing. I would highly recommend watching the series if you are up for a scare.

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Have you watched any of Mike Flanagan’s Netflix series?