Do you love horror movies? Whether you’re into psychological thrillers, supernatural hauntings, or historical horror, the American Archive of Public Broadcasting’s newly launched Bumps in the Night Collection has something to pair with your favorite fright flicks.
So curl up with a blanket, maybe turn a light on… and dive into these eerie, real-life programs from public media history.
👽 If You Liked Invasion of the Bodysnatchers
Watch: PBS LateNight: “Abducted by Aliens” Bob and Betty Luca; Larry Fawcett (UFO Investigator)
In this eerie and unforgettable episode, Dennis Wholey interviews Bob and Betty Luca about their alleged alien abductions, joined by UFO researcher Larry Fawcett. Viewers call in live with questions, adding to the suspense and mystery.
👿 If You Liked The Conjuring
Watch: PBS LateNight: Ed & Lorraine Warren (Demonologists)
Dennis Wholey interviews famed demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren about their real-life cases—some of which inspired The Conjuring, Amityville Horror, and others.
🧟 If You Liked 28 Days Later
Watch: Science Friday: Hour 2
Explore the science behind pandemics, viruses, and the real-world fears that inspired films like 28 Days Later. This episode dives into infectious disease research and public health preparedness.
👻 If You Liked The Exorcist
Watch: PBS LateNight: William Peter Blatty on “The Exorcist” and “Legion”
Host Dennis Wholey and callers question author William Peter Blatty about his books The Exorcist and Legion, and his personal experiences with spirits and paranormal activity.
🦇 If You Liked Dracula
Watch: The Past is Prologue: Dracula
Historian David Donald discusses Vlad the Impaler, the historical figure who inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and the real-life horrors behind the legend.
⚡ If You Liked Frankenstein
Watch: Pantechnicon: Radu Florescu
Radu Florescu, historian and Dracula scholar, discusses the origins of Gothic horror and the scientific anxieties that shaped Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
🔪 If You Liked From Hell
Watch: The Past is Prologue: Jack the Ripper
Guest Beverly Smith explores the mystery of Jack the Ripper, the infamous serial killer whose crimes still haunt London’s history.
🦈 If You Liked Jaws
Watch: Spectrum: Myths and Man-Eaters
Recorded at the Marine Biology Laboratory of the University of Miami, this episode investigates the habits and myths surrounding sharks—and why they’ve terrified generations.
🎥 If You Liked Hitchcock Films
Watch: Focus: Alfred Hitchcock
A deep dive into the mind of the master of suspense, this episode explores Hitchcock’s storytelling techniques and his influence on psychological thrillers.
😱 If You Liked Nightmare on Elm Street
Watch: After Nine: Halloween – Who’s Scarier…Dracula or Freddie Kruger?
Professor Gerald Sweeney of the University of Akron compares classic horror literature with modern formulaic horror films, asking what truly scares us.
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