From 1989 until 1996, horror anthology series, Tales from the Crypt scared and entertained audiences with its macabre mix of tantalising tales and spellbinding stories. Taking inspiration from various twisted tales plucked from the pages of EC Comics, the show offered up a creepy collection of horror instalments filled with blood, gore, and adult content.
Due to the success of the series, Tales from the Crypt ran for seven seasons, clocking up 93 episodes. Along the way it was backed by some incredible talent, including filmmakers such as Richard Donner, Fred Dekker, and Robert Zemeckis, as well as actors including Demi Moore, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Christopher Reeve.
If you’ve never watched Tales from the Crypt then you’ve missed out on a gem of a show, but don’t worry there’s still time to hop on board! And if you can’t manage all 93 episodes, then be sure to take a look at the best – such as the selection offered up below.
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And All Through the House (1989) – Season One, Episode Two
First up, in the festive-themed episode, And All Through the House, it’s Christmas time and a greedy housewife decides to bump off her latest husband. After bludgeoning him to death with a poker, she sets about attempting to hide the body.
But her carefully laid out plan is interrupted when an escaped mental patient dressed as Santa Claus turns up at her house with a killing spree in mind. Can she outwit the would-be killer and get away with murder? Not likely!
Robert Zemeckis directs, while Mary Ellen Trainor and Larry Drake star.
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Four-sided Triangle (1990) – Season Two, Episode Nine
In Four-sided Triangle, a fugitive on the run from the police ends up on a farm where she is abused by the farm owners. One day, the young woman hits her head and becomes convinced a scarecrow is her lover.
Tom Holland is on directing duties for this one, while Patricia Arquette stars.
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Abra Cadaver (1991) – Season Three, Episode Four
In Abra Cadaver, two brothers with promising medical careers find their lives going in different directions when one is injured in an accident. But while one brother becomes a successful surgeon, the other has revenge on his mind.
Tony Goldwyn and Beau Bridges star. Stephen Hopkins directs.
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Top Billing (1991) – Season Three, Episode Five
Jon Lovitz, John Astin, and Bruce Boxleitner star in this next tale of terror, which revolves around a struggling actor with murder in mind. Todd Holland directs.
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Split Second (1991) – Season Three, Episode Eleven
In Split Second a beautiful barmaid and a wealthy manager of a lumber company tie the knot. Problem is, she’s up for a good time and he gets jealous.
So, when she starts seducing a lumberjack, things take a terrible turn. Could this union soon split?
Russell Mulcahy directs, while Michelle Johnson, Brion James, and Billy Wirth star.
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Yellow (1991) – Season Three, Episode Fourteen
Set during the events of World War I, this period piece focuses on a cowardly Lieutenant whose actions result in several deaths. The night before his execution, his father the General suggests a way out, but only if his son faces death head on.
Robert Zemeckis directs this slightly longer instalment of Tales from the Crypt, while the cast includes Kirk Douglas, Eric Douglas, and Lance Henriksen.
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The New Arrival (1992) – Season Four, Episode Seven
David Warner and Zelda Rubinstein star in this next episode, which focuses on a child psychologist who discovers his radio show is on the verge of cancellation. Keen to boost ratings, he embarks on a troubling plan which involves a strange woman and her disturbed daughter.
Peter Medak directs.
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None But the Lonely Heart (1992) – Season Four, Episode One
In None But the Lonely Heart, a career criminal regularly marries rich, elderly widows, before killing them off to steal their fortunes. But as he embarks on one last kill, it seems as if someone is aware of his plan.
Tom Hanks directs, while the cast includes Treat Williams, Frances Sternhagen, and Henry Gibson.
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What’s Cookin’ – Season Four, Episode Six
Next up is What’s Cookin’, a story about a mysterious restaurant janitor who supplies the restaurant with delicious steaks, which become a hit with customers. But when the owners discover the origin of the steaks, a moral dilemma comes into play.
Gilbert Adler directs. The cast includes Christopher Reeve, Bess Armstrong, Judd Nelson, and Meat Loaf.
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Split Personality (1992) – Season Four, Episode Eleven
Joel Silver directs this next episode, which stars Joe Pesci as small-time swindler, Vic Stetson. In Split Personality, Vic finds himself crossing paths with a set of reclusive twins with a vast fortune.
Keen to get every last dime out of them, Vic concocts a plan to wed them both. But he soon discovers all is not what it seems.
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Death of Some Salesman (1993) – Season Five, Episode One
In Death of Some Salesman, a conniving salesman attempts to sell expensive burial plots to the Brackett family. But what the salesman is unaware of, is the Brackett family don’t take kindly to his kind.
Gilbert Adler directs, while Tim Curry pulls triple duties playing all three members of the Brackett family.
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People Who Live in Brass Hearses (1993) – Season Five, Episode Five
And finally, Bill Paxton, Brad Dourif, and Michael Lerner star in this twisted tale about an ex-con and his mentally challenged brother who set out to get revenge on an ice cream man. Russell Mulcahy directs.
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Thank you for stopping by It’s A Stampede! to read this post about Tales from the Crypt. For more posts be sure to check out the recommended reads below.
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