10 Supernatural TV Shows That Failed to Thrill

1. Secret Circle (2011-2012)

Secret Circle was a teen drama with a supernatural spin, centered on a group of witches in the quaint town of Chance Harbor. The series' premise might've sounded promising, but it floundered like a vampire in broad daylight. The plot often bordered on the absurd, with storylines getting lost in a labyrinth of cliches and overused tropes.

The cast did their best with what they were given, but even the power of six couldn't save the series from cancellation after its first season. The show only managed to bag a 44% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

2. Kindred: The Embraced (1996)

Kindred: The Embraced was a drama series centered on San Francisco's vampire clans. The show, which came before True Blood or Vampire Diaries, had a unique concept but was a snooze fest in execution. The clunky dialogue and slow pace made the show feel like a never-ending soap opera.

Despite a cast that included the likes of Mark Frankel and C. Thomas Howell, the series was canceled after a single season. Critics were not kind either, with the series earning a paltry 35% on Rotten Tomatoes. Perhaps it was just, you know. Ahead of its time.

3. Witches of East End (2013-2014)

This show promised a bewitching tale of a family of witches living in a quiet seaside town. But what we got instead was a mix of convoluted plotlines, odd character development, and an over-reliance on cheap visual effects. Witches of East End felt more like a soap opera dipped in magic potions than a genuinely thrilling supernatural series.

The show's cancellation after the second season was probably more of a relief than a disappointment to many viewers. Despite its underwhelming 40% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, it did have a small but loyal fan base, making it a kind of guilty pleasure for those who enjoyed its campy charm.

4. Blood Ties (2007)

Blood Ties centered around Vicki Nelson, a former cop turned private investigator, who teams up with a 450-year-old vampire to solve supernatural crimes. While the show had an interesting premise, it turned out to be as thrilling as a vampire with anemia. The plot was too episodic, leaving little room for character development or overarching storylines.

The chemistry between the leads was lukewarm at best, and the cheesy dialogue didn't help either. After two seasons, the show was axed, leaving a small hole in the world of supernatural procedurals that few probably noticed.

5. Hex (2004-2005)

This British drama, described as Britain's answer to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, was a colossal letdown. The series, set in a remote English boarding school, told the story of Cassie, a student who discovers she is descended from witches. The plotline often seemed more interested in showcasing teen angst than delivering genuine scares or thrilling storylines. Despite having Michael Fassbender in its cast, the series failed to create an impact and was canceled after two seasons.

6. Dead of Summer (2016)

Dead of Summer, set in a creepy summer camp, attempted to combine supernatural elements with '80s nostalgia. Unfortunately, the series seemed to have been cursed by a 'boredom spell.' With disjointed storylines that often fell flat, lackluster scares, and a slow pace, the series was a horror in all the wrong ways.

The cast, including Elizabeth Mitchell and Elizabeth Lail, tried to bring some life to the dull script, but even they couldn't revive the dead energy. The audience shared this sentiment, reflected by the 45% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and the show was cancelled after its first season to no one's surprise.

7. Eastwick (2009-2010)

Based on John Updike's novel, Eastwick focused on three women who gained supernatural abilities after a mysterious man moved to their town. Although the plot may sound intriguing, it was executed with the finesse of a zombie ballet. Despite a cast including Rebecca Romijn and Lindsay Price, the characters came across as one-dimensional, and the special effects were more amusing than astounding.

Although the show did manage to bag a People's Choice nomination for 'Favorite New TV Drama,' it was canned after a single season, and the 43% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes served as the final nail in the coffin.

8. Ghost Whisperer (2005-2010)

Starring Jennifer Love Hewitt as Melinda Gordon, a woman who can communicate with the dead, Ghost Whisperer tried to find a sweet spot between supernatural and drama. But, the result was not exciting at all. The plot was repetitive, with Melinda solving a new ghost problem in each episode, and the overarching storylines were weak and underdeveloped. Even Hewitt's charm couldn't save the show from becoming predictable and monotonous. Despite running for five seasons, it couldn't muster more than a 38% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

9. Night Stalker (2005)

A remake of the '70s series of the same name, Night Stalker followed a reporter investigating supernatural occurrences. While the premise was promising, the execution was as lively as a mummy's dance party. The storylines were often unoriginal, the suspense was nonexistent, and the plot holes were so big you could drive a hearse through them. Despite the best efforts of Stuart Townsend and Gabrielle Union, the series failed to engage viewers and was cancelled after one season.

10. Shadowhunters (2016-2019)

Based on Cassandra Clare's popular book series, Shadowhunters followed the journey of Clary Fray, a young woman who discovers she comes from a long line of human-angel hybrids. While the books had a dedicated fanbase, the TV adaptation left viewers confused. The storyline was convoluted, and the characters lacked depth, making it hard for the audience to care about their fate. Despite managing to bag a few Teen Choice Awards, it only achieved a 53% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was cancelled after three seasons.