# What is the best classic anthology TV series of the Twilight Zone era?

> Before streaming, a single half hour could hold a complete twist-ending story. These series built that craft, a few spooky, a few stagey, all of them influential.

*By YPB Team · Published October 31, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/what-is-the-best-classic-anthology-tv-series-of-the-twilight-zone-era*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Alfred Hitchcock Presents** — score 1000/1000
   Suspense and crime anthology (1955–1962) introduced by Alfred Hitchcock's droll on-screen monologues.
2. **The Wednesday Play** — score 757/1000
   BBC drama anthology (1964–1970) that aired landmark plays such as Cathy Come Home.
3. **Zane Grey Theatre** — score 524/1000
   CBS western anthology (1956–1961) hosted by Dick Powell.
4. **The Twilight Zone** — score 524/1000
   Rod Serling's CBS science-fiction and fantasy anthology (1959–1964), famous for its twist endings and social allegory.
5. **Play for Today** — score 524/1000
   BBC drama anthology (1970–1984) that succeeded The Wednesday Play with plays by writers such as Dennis Potter and Mike Leigh.
6. **Studio One** — score 454/1000
   Long-running CBS live drama anthology (1948–1958) that premiered Reginald Rose's Twelve Angry Men.
7. **The Outer Limits** — score 454/1000
   ABC science-fiction anthology (1963–1965) known for its moody visuals and memorable monsters.
8. **Climax!** — score 454/1000
   CBS live anthology (1954–1958) that aired the first screen adaptation of Casino Royale.
9. **Science Fiction Theatre** — score 454/1000
   Syndicated anthology (1955–1957) hosted by Truman Bradley, presenting stories grounded in real science.
10. **Thriller** — score 454/1000
   NBC suspense and horror anthology (1960–1962) hosted by Boris Karloff.
11. **General Electric Theater** — score 454/1000
   CBS drama anthology (1953–1962) hosted by Ronald Reagan from 1954.
12. **Playhouse 90** — score 372/1000
   CBS live drama anthology (1956–1960) whose 90-minute plays included Requiem for a Heavyweight and Judgment at Nuremberg.
13. **Kraft Suspense Theatre** — score 372/1000
   NBC crime and suspense anthology (1963–1965) sponsored by Kraft.
14. **Love, American Style** — score 273/1000
   ABC romantic comedy anthology (1969–1974) of short vignettes about love.
15. **Tales of Tomorrow** — score 272/1000
   Early live ABC science-fiction anthology (1951–1953) adapting stories by genre writers.
16. **Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre** — score 272/1000
   NBC drama and comedy anthology (1963–1967) hosted by Bob Hope.
17. **Goodyear Television Playhouse** — score 272/1000
   NBC live drama anthology (1951–1957) that alternated weeks with The Philco Television Playhouse.
18. **Night Gallery** — score 272/1000
   Rod Serling's NBC horror anthology (1970–1973), with each tale introduced by a painting in an eerie gallery.
19. **Suspense** — score 272/1000
   CBS thriller anthology (1949–1954) adapted from the long-running radio program.
20. **Way Out** — score 0/1000
   Short-lived 1961 CBS horror anthology hosted by Roald Dahl.
21. **Armchair Theatre** — score 0/1000
   British ITV drama anthology (1956–1974) known for contemporary plays produced by Sydney Newman.

Tags: 60s, tv shows, classics, 50s, anthology