Netflix’s Horror Series Is So Good, You Can Start From Any Episode

While every episode of Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities is worth watching, the beauty of Netflix’s horror anthology show is that viewers can watch them in any order they like. From Shudder’s Creepshow to the consistently twisty American Horror Story, there are a lot of good horror anthology shows of the 2020s.

As such, it is easy for Netflix’s one-season wonder, Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities, to get lost in the mix. One of the most underrated anthology shows ever, each episode of Cabinet of Curiosities saw the titular director introduce a new tale of terror by a different director.

Every Episode Of Netflix’s Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities Is Self-Contained

With contributors like The Empty Man director David Prior, Twiligh‘s Cathrine Hardwicke, and Mandy’s Panos Cosmatos, Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities ran the gamut in terms of tone. Two episodes are heightened, cartoonish, and gorily satirical, while another one is haunting, elegiac, and tragically moving.

The best thing about the series is that its episodes are all standalone stories, meaning viewers don’t need to watch them in any particular order. While one could start with episode 1, “Lot 36,” viewers could just as easily start with the series finale and work backward.

Netflix’s Horror Anthology Is A Modern Masterpiece

In an era of mystery box shows where TV plotting can quickly become incredibly dense and complex, there is something undeniably satisfying about the episodic nature of a classic anthology show. As great as shows like Yellowjackets, Fallout, and From might be, it can be hard for casual viewers to get into them.

Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities Breaks With A Recent Horror Anthology Trend

Meanwhile, this Netflix hit’s decision to bring back the classic episodic format also highlights a shift in the prevailing style of horror anthology shows in the last few years. From the ‘80s until the 2010s, most horror anthologies like Tales from the Crypt, Tales from the Darkside, Monsters, Masters of Horror, Fear Itself, and both Twilight Zone reboots had self-contained single episodes.

However, from the 2010s onward, single-season anthologies like American Horror Story, Slasher, and Mike Flanagan’s Haunting series became more common. That is, until Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities came along and brought back the former style, reminding viewers how fun it can be.

Although the shows listed above are tremendously fun, there is gleeful creative freedom to the self-contained single-episode anthology format that no other structure can replicate. Shows like Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities perfectly capture the feeling of hearing a creepy story without needing too much setup or exposition.