There’s only one TV show that you need to binge for Halloween this year

Apple TV seems to have at least one new breakout show each year. In 2026, that show is the hilariously creepy Widow's Bay.

The show debuted on Apple's streaming service in late April and has already collected 14 Emmy Awards, including one for Matthew Rhys for outstanding lead actor. Widow's Bay also won the Emmy for best comedy series.

Despite that comedy award, make no mistake: Widow's Bay is full of spookiness and the perfect 10-episode show to binge for the Halloween season. Its comedy undertones merely offset its horror elements, which is why everyone should give it a shot. This isn't a series only for terror-obsessed viewers.

Widow's Bay is must-watch TV—for Halloween and beyond

Widow's Bay blends horror with comedy to create a unique show about a mayor, played by Matthew Rhys, of an island off the coast of New England. He's trying to drum up tourism, but the island's supposed curse comes into play and creates havoc for his plan. That's the basic premise.

However, nothing with this show is straightforward. The jump scares should keep you on the edge of your seat. The creepiness factor heavily comes into play early and often. How much building suspense can you take?

But as the episodes play out, some of those elements fade while the lore and mystery aspects grow. Although it felt a little like the mythology was being added on throughout the show, rather than uncovered, I still appreciated the extensive backstory.

In addition to constant jokes keeping the tension at a bearable level, Widow's Bay shines for its pacing. The 30- to 40-minute episode lengths keep the story moving, not letting scenes linger. The music may heighten the intense moments, but those moments never drone on.

The shorter episodes mean that the total run time is around 6.5 to 7 hours. There's plenty of time to finish it on or before Halloween.

Other Halloween specials and TV shows for the fall

Once you do finish Widow's Bay, you can also dive into other Apple TV offerings. The service is home to Peanuts classics, so it has It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown available. There's also a ton of other Charlie Brown and Snoopy specials that are perfect for rainy days in the fall.

Another excellently timed show to discover might be Small Prophets. This is a British show that Apple recently acquired and brought to its subscribers globally.

The show follows a lonely man trying to continue on after his girlfriend has been missing for seven years. It blends magic and supernatural elements into a humorous look at grief.

Apple TV is one of the most decorated streaming services of 2026, so there are plenty of things to watch beyond the Halloween season. My initial recommendations are Slow Horses, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, and Shrinking.