10 Shows Like Hell Motel You Must See

In ‘Hell Motel,’ the story is set in the recently renovated Cold River Motel, the location of a 30-year-old unsolved Satanic Mass Murder. Ten true crime enthusiasts gather for the inaugural weekend of the reopened motel as part of an invitational event hosted by two women. Soon, history shockingly repeats itself when guests are left stranded and systematically murdered in a terrifying spree. Each new murder becomes increasingly gruesome, far surpassing the brutality of the original mass murder. In the slasher drama series created by Aaron Martin and Ian Carpenter, murder becomes ritual, and fear becomes the norm, tormenting the characters and the viewers alike.

The Shudder series features a cast including Paula Brancati, Jim Watson, Shaun Benson, Genevieve DeGraves, and Atticus Mitchell. Additionally, Emmanuel Kabongo, Brynn Godenir, Michelle Nolden, Gray Powell, and Yanna McIntosh appear in important supporting roles. The horror series explores themes such as Satanism, ritualistic killings, claustrophobia, group dynamics, selfishness, and survival. If you have been intrigued by the narrative, these shows similar to ‘Hell Motel’ will pique your interest.

10. Room 104 (2017-2020)

Created by Mark and Jay Duplass, ‘Room 104’ delves into the mysterious occurrences within room 104 of a seemingly ordinary American motel. Each episode unfolds a distinct narrative, encompassing a spectrum of genres from comedic and fantastical to dramatic and horrifying, as various guests pass through the room. The show delves into the human condition through a series of extreme scenarios. Viewers are confronted with challenging questions that lead to nightmarish experiences, which are either terrifying or anxiety-inducing. Akin to ‘Hell Motel,’ it is set in a confined space, which is a major part of the narrative. Both shows blur the line between reality and delusion, forcing characters to make difficult decisions in their struggle for survival. They share numerous thematic connections, exploring elements of killing, secrets, relationships, and fear.

9. Creepshow (2019-)

‘Creepshow’ features a collection of short stories centered on individuals encountering paranormal activities, supernatural phenomena, and terrifying entities. It is inspired by the eponymous film, which was based on the works of Stephen King and Bernie Wrightson. The Greg Nicotero creation delves into the terrifying world of demons, ghosts, vampires, werewolves, zombies, and other entities that are relevant in the horror genre. In ways similar to ‘Hell Motel,’ the show features brutal killings, acts of demented minds, dark themes, and a sense of eerie aesthetics. Both shows comment on human selfishness and explore the unknown in unique ways, while containing body horror and psychological terror that leave the viewers stunned.

8. Inside No. 9 (2014-2024)

Created by Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, ‘Inside No. 9’ is set in a different house each week, all numbered 9. The anthology series blends comedy and horror elements in equal measure, offering compelling narratives. The settings for stories include a stately home hosting a sinister game of sardines, a flat above a shop where opposites meet, a theater dressing room for a supposedly cursed Macbeth production, an apartment where friends discover a priceless relic, and a modern house experiencing a bungled burglary. Analogous to ‘Hell Motel,’ it utilizes contained environments to amplify tension, foster intimacy, and center on dread driven by its characters. Both shows explore the human condition in myriad ways, often offering commentary on the limits of human civility in the face of danger and using killing as a plot device that ties the stories together.

7. The Booth at the End (2011-2012)

In ‘The Booth at the End,’ various characters approach a mysterious individual (Xander Berkeley) sitting in a diner’s corner booth. It is widely believed that this Man possesses the ability to fulfill wishes, contingent upon the successful execution of a designated task he gives to the approaching parties. His single condition is that the people who seek to benefit from his gift must consistently keep him informed of their advancement in the mission. Upon completion of the task, the character’s desire is invariably realized. The Christopher Kubasik creation, like ‘Hell Motel,’ explores human desperation and the lengths people go to in order to get what they want. Both shows utilize a single, seemingly ordinary location as a backdrop for profound moral dilemmas and psychological breakdown, while also featuring a central, secretive entity or force that challenges the characters’ morality.

6. Deadwax (2018)

‘Deadwax’ is a neo-noir series that delves into the obsessive world of vinyl collecting. The plot follows Etta Pryce (Hannah Gross), a vinyl tracker, who is hired by a wealthy collector. Her mission is to hunt down a legendary, rare record. This particular record has a sinister reputation, known to have driven its owners to madness and caused the death of anyone who dared to play it. The Graham Reznick creation is inspired by the first book in ‘The Vinyl Detective’ series called ‘Written in Dead Wax’ by Andrew Cartmel. Analogous to ‘Hell Motel,’ it delves into how obsession and curiosity, particularly when venturing into forbidden territory, can prove fatal. Both shows use a single, enigmatic focal point to create horror, affecting everyone in its vicinity, and emphasize the aesthetics of fear itself.

5. Castle Rock (2018-2019)

Created by Sam Shaw and Dustin Thomason, ‘Castle Rock’ mainly revolves around Henry Deaver (Andre Holland), a death row attorney compelled to return to his Maine hometown. His return is followed by the actions of a cryptic inmate (Bill Skarsgard) at Shawshank prison who specifically requests Deaver as his legal counsel. This central narrative branches into several intriguing subplots. These include the unexpected demise of a notable Castle Rock resident, the presence of a disturbed individual exhibiting telepathic powers, and unsettling revelations uncovered by Henry as he delves into his own past, particularly his unexplained disappearance as a child.

Despite not being based on a single book, the series is inspired by the works of Stephen King. Like ‘Hell Motel,’ it delves into the supernatural and psychological, showing characters haunted by both their past and external forces. Both shows embody Stephen King’s central themes, such as guilt, malevolent settings, psychological deterioration, and the supernatural as a reflection of internal suffering.

4. Channel Zero (2016–2018)

‘Channel Zero,’ created by Nick Antosca, is based on a phenomenon called ‘Creepypasta Stories,’ which are user-generated horror tales often shared online. The inaugural season delves into the story of Mike Painter (Paul Schneider), a child psychologist, as he returns to his hometown to unravel the mystery behind his twin brother’s disappearance. The subsequent season shifts focus to Margot Sleator (Amy Forsyth) and her friends, who venture into a notorious haunted house attraction featuring six increasingly terrifying rooms.

The third installment centers on Alice, a young woman with schizophrenia, who relocates with her sister to a city plagued by a wave of disappearances. Finally, the concluding season follows newlyweds Jillian and Tom, who stumble upon an enigmatic blue door in their basement. Similar to ‘Hell Motel,’ the plot frequently revolves around a small group or community grappling with peculiar events and a sinister, supernatural entity. Both shows use spooky, enclosed spaces to mess with reality, trapping characters in their own heads, filled with guilt, fear, and suspicion.

3. The Twilight Zone (2019-2020)

A reboot of the eponymous television show, ‘The Twilight Zone,’ explores topics such as supernatural occurrences, racism, social issues, media misinformation, alien invasions, and immigration. The Simon Kinberg, Jordan Peele, and Marco Ramirez creation is a mindbending exploration of several stories in the form of an anthology. Every episode kicks off with a fresh tale and new faces, all unfolding in the famously mysterious Twilight Zone, a place where the deepest desires come true, but at a steep price. It’s crawling with monsters, and the ones who enter always learn a valuable lesson.

The only familiar face seen is the narrator, who appears at the start and end of each episode to share some thoughts on the story. Akin to ‘Hell Motel,’ it deals with the mystery of the unknown and takes the characters to hitherto unimagined places. Both narratives explore the intricacies of human decisions, along with the resulting regrets and secrets that lead to unsettling or disastrous outcomes.

2. Two Sentence Horror Stories (2019-2022)

‘Two Sentence Horror Stories’ is an anthology series that draws inspiration from the viral online phenomenon of two-sentence horror stories. Each episode features a different horror narrative, beginning with the first sentence of a two-sentence horror story and culminating in the chilling revelation of the second sentence. The series uses concise yet impactful premises to delve into various horror subgenres and explore broader social and cultural themes relevant to contemporary society. The Vera Miao creation, like ‘Hell Motel,’ deals with the complexities of the human mind and the consequences of it. Both shows portray the transformation of internal or societal pressures into literal nightmares, while also exploring characters in dangerous situations where survival becomes essential.

1. American Horror Stories (2021-)

Created by Brad Falchuk and Ryan Murphy, ‘American Horror Stories’ follows several stories with diverse themes and ideas. Each installment features contradictory characters, and every episode presents a self-contained horror narrative. The premise of each episode places characters in difficult situations where decision-making becomes highly complex. The show blends modern and historical backdrops, featuring haunted houses, demonic rituals, internet curses, urban legends, and slasher killers. Like ‘Hell Motel,’ the series uses horror as a moral reckoning, with characters paying for their flaws through psychological or physical torment. Both shows focus on the mental attributes of horror and don’t rely on the commonly used tropes of jump scares or loud moments for the sake of entertainment alone.