11 Best TV Shows Like Bates Motel That You Will Enjoy Watching Update 04/2024

TV Shows Like Bates Motel

Many streaming platforms, websites, and cable channels offer so many TV shows that even the best shows can’t be seen in a reasonable time.

Because not all great series receive the attention and respect they deserve, many go unnoticed or worse yet, into cinematography oblivion

Hence, let’s make sure that Bates Hotel, the critically-lauded creepy rollercoaster, is preserved. It’s a contemporary prequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 film Psycho, which was based on Robert Bloch’s 1959 novel of the same name.

With Freddie Highmore and horror movie legend Vera Farmiga, it tells the story of Norman Bates and his mother Norma Bates in the 1960s.

 Bates Motel Recap

The story begins with the death of Norma’s husband, and then she buys the Seafarer motel in a coastal Oregon town in order to start a new life with Norman. It follows Norman’s mental illness as it worsens over time, and the battles Norma must wage to keep her son safe from the people around him as well as from his own thoughts and actions.

Bates Motel, despite its potential as a tour de force, would never live up to the high expectations placed on it. When the show debuted in 2013, Psycho was looming as a possible plot point and a difficult standard to meet, the writers knew they had their work cut out for them. It’s a common misconception that television is a medium that thrives under pressure.

More than one Better Call Saul, Game of Thrones, or Outlander disappoints and mediocre shows exist for every one that lives up to the established property it’s tied to, or comes close.

There are dozens of failed “Next Great Cable Dramas” for every Boardwalk Empire, which debuted on HBO preordained to be the next Sopranos and eventually managed to stand as a very good show in its own right (while still eternally being seen as a disappointment in some circles). The Bates Motel was not among them.

For those who are sad because they believe that there will never be another show as good as Norma & Norman, we’ve compiled a list of 11 other great shows to soothe your psychological pain while keeping the suspense alive.

The show got better and better over the course of five seasons. Norma’s downward spiral as an operatic tragedy, played against the complicated relationship between him and his troubled mother Norma, became more powerful in Bates Motel with each passing season.

There are numerous subplots and supporting characters to help flesh out the main characters and their world, making Norman’s story even more resonant over the course of so many hours of glorious television.

White Pine Bay, a “Twin Peaks”-esque small town with diners, drug deals gone wrong, town meetings, and an endless supply of barely hidden secrets, is another reason why the expanded canvas has worked. It’s hard to overstate the impact of the infamous Bates mansion and its adjacent motel.

Bates Motel’s true power, on the other hand, is found in the central relationship between the show’s two leads, as embodied by two outstanding performances. Her performance as a character who can be many different things at once is a testament to Vera Farmiga’s skill as an actor. …and the list could go on forever.

For her part, Highmore had the difficult task of portraying one of cinema’s most recognizable characters. Perkins still provides the same nervous energy nearly 50 years later as this newcomer has shown himself to be more than capable of completing the task at hand. Highmore, perhaps even more than Perkins, masters the delicate art of evoking sympathy while also creating fear in the hearts of the viewers.

Even at its most uncomfortable and unhealthy points, the mother-son relationship develops into one that is ultimately satisfying. The majority of the time, it’s all at once. Astonishing climaxes of the previous seasons. Bates Motel is, among other things, a horror show with some truly excellent scares sprinkled throughout the seasons’ episodes. As a result, looking for shows that are willing to play in the same league is a difficult task. Nevertheless, here are a few of the best (as well as where you can see them online):

1. The Haunting of Hill House – Netflix

The Haunting of Hill House

The Bates Motel menu’s centerpiece is unquestionably the first series we must mention. An important horror classic, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, has long been revered. A dissertation on 1950s gender roles, a cruel monkey of the standards imposed on women and the limits of their sanity when under duress. This is how the 10-episode Netflix adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s novel begins.

As the story is retold in the present day, this is a must-see for horror fans everywhere. Hill House’s greatest asset is the web of family drama it spins, which creates a bouquet of tragedy and beauty in its gothic setting. Hill House pays homage to its creator, Vera Farmiga’s unforgettable Norma, by drawing on the enduring power of Mrs. Jackson’s original material and Vera Farmiga’s unforgettable Norma. Visit this page to see a list of other great shows like Haunting of Hill House.

2. Hannibal – Netflix

This show keeps the creepy reimagining train running smoothly and is not for the faint of heart. Dr. Hannibal Lector, a former psychiatrist turned serial killer, is the focus of the series, which is a modern-day retelling of Thomas Harris’ popular books about him. One of the most horrifyingly intriguing fictional characters has been introduced to readers over the course of four novels.

As the creator of cult hits Pushing Daisies and Wonderfalls, Bryan Fuller pitched Hannibal as a seven-season (reworked) epic that would take the franchise’s established characters and tell a unique story for captive audiences old and new, the series has been reworked to six seasons. Even though this series has a lot going for it, its storytelling, stellar cast, and eye-catching visuals are what really make it stand out. Prepare yourself to turn into a Fannibal.

3. Fargo – FX

Fargo

Fargo is without a doubt one of the best examples of ramping up previous success and lofty expectations. When FX announced plans for a miniseries based on one of the Coen brothers’ most well-known films, a film known as much for its quotable dialogue as for its iconic performances, hard-core fans were highly skeptical.

And if that’s the case, you can rest easy knowing that this brilliant adaptation aims much higher than anyone could have imagined.

Fargo is excellent television, with four seasons that can stand alone. It has the same small-town suspense flavor as our favorite Bates Motel show, Fargo.

4. Penny Dreadful – Showtime

To begin, this program is vastly underrated. Why? Due to the fact that Eva Green’s portrayal on the Showtime drama made the word “fearless” feel quaint when used in reference to strong female characters. Most major awards failed to notice this series, which should be resting peacefully on its pile of honors.

Gore, big characters, and self-awarely beautiful dialogue abound in this jam-packed show. In this film, horror is treated as an art form, with the most macabre scenes being styled after tasteful Romantic paintings of mutilated cadavers. With a nod to the horror films of the late 1800s and early 1900s, like Dracula and Frankenstein, it knows how to have a good time.

5. American Horror Story – FX

American Horror Story

With Bates Motel as a backdrop, this is probably the most formulaic show on television. The long-running American Horror Story on FX, on the other hand, is made of a blacker, crazier material than our hero. Compared to other freak out shows, this one is a unique beast.

From season to season, it retains a similar vibe and some of its players, but everything else varies. Every season has its own set of nightmares, whether it’s a family dealing with a haunted house or a coven of New Orleans witches vying for control.

You may want to reach for American Horror Story instead of Bates Motel to get your sweat glands working if Bates Motel ends up tasting bland. See our selection of the best shows that are similar to AHS right here.

6. Dark – Netflix

Moving away from the family-centered drama, this show aims to be a darker version of Netflix’s Stranger Things.

There are so many paradoxes and logic kinks in this German horror powerhouse that trying to keep track of them all can give you a headache, but at least the audience will have something to watch while they suffer intellectually. For those who can’t get enough adrenaline rush, watching this show is like trying to solve a sudoku puzzle while riding a roller coaster.

7. Breaking Bad – Netflix

Breaking Bad (2008–2013)

Despite our best efforts, anyone who enjoyed Bates Motel will enjoy this show. Family endangerment is a recurring theme in both shows, and the main characters in both portray it superbly.

It’s a miracle that Breaking Bad has been successful in creating five seasons of gripping action drama filled with crime, drugs, and unforgettable moments. It’s easy to see why audiences and critics alike regard this film’s tail as one of the best to appear on screen. Find out why it’s so important to you.

8. Ozark – Netflix

Keeping the mood similar to the Bates’, this antihero drama stars and is produced by Mr. Jason Bateman, the main actor.

For the benefit of his family, Marty Byrde becomes embroiled in criminal activities and must figure out how to escape the situation. In the end, Byrde’s shady life becomes a family affair that puts everyone in danger, thanks to a little help from Walter White from Breaking Bad.

Like Bates Motel, Ozark’s best features are the plot’s depth and the characters’ depth of character development. Unlike other antihero dramas, this one isn’t meant to be a well-produced Hollywood production. Bates Motel is a real-life setting, unlike Mad Men or Dexter, which have glossy sheens.

As a result, it can become chaotic and even brutal at times. After the first few episodes, you’ll understand what we mean. You seem to really enjoy it? See what other shows are similar to Ozark on our list.

9. Big Little Lies – HBO

Big Little Lies

Those who binge-watched Bates Motel in a matter of days and fell in love with Norma Bates will find some solace in this show, which may bring back some fond memories. Written by David E. Kelley, Big Little Lies is based on Liane Moriarty’s novel of the same name.

When a new mother shows up at the upscale Otter Bay first-day-of-school orientation in Monterey, California’s wealthy coast-side city, things get interesting.

While the characters’ unhappiness is depicted visually, this well-written drama elevates itself above the level of a light beach read to the level of a fine and delicate work of art. We’ve compiled a list of the best shows that you might enjoy if you liked Big Little Lies.

10. The Handmaid’s Tale – Hulu

It’s creepy, complex, and well-written all at once. This gripping drama gives the impression that the future it depicts is a reality. The show is based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Margaret Atwood. A desperate woman named Offred (Elisabeth Moss) is central to the story, and she’s trapped in an altered version of America.

As a result of these two factors, fertility rates plummeted. After that, voters elected conservative extremists to office. A woman’s bank account was shut down, and all political power was snatched from her, effectively making her a slave.

An ominous-sounding tale is made frightfully real by Elisabeth Moss’ outstanding performance, and it’s all the more frightening for it. Like Handmaid’s Tale? Here’s a list of the best shows similar to it you can check out.

11. Sharp Objects – HBO

Lastly, a creepy and terrifying journey through the secrets of an otherwise sleepy town, seen through the eyes of a traumatized local girl. Unsettling to an extreme, but in a good way. In the series, we see Camille, who has no desire to go back to her long-forgotten hometown.

As a result of an editorial recommendation from her editor, she reluctantly revisits her own past while investigating the disappearance of two local teenage girls.

It’s the perfect follow-up to the Bates family misadventures because of Camille’s complicated relationship with her mother and the unnerving suspense of the show. If you’re a fan of Sharp Objects, take a look at our list of similar shows to see what else you might enjoy.