False Positive Tips: Best Genre TV Shows –

Here’s a list of some recommendations for some of my favorite pulp tales of the surreal, fantastic, and macabre in live-action TV series format.

There’s a list for Best Animated TV Series and another for Best Anthology TV series.

Favorite Genre/ Pulp TV Series

In no particular order.

WARNING: Some of these trailers contain SPOILERS.

Still On the Air:

Locke & Key (2020–)

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Stranger Things (2016–)

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Ozark (2019–)

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The Mandalorian (2019–)

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Completed Series…

Hannibal (2013–2015)

If you happened to watch Bryan Fuller’s other show, Dead Like Me, Hannibal delivers the most awesomely meta crossover ever.

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Fringe (2008–2013)

Do yourself a favor, skip Season 1: Episodes 9 and 12.

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The Haunting of Hill House (2018)

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Brand New Cherry Flavor (2021)

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Game of Thrones (2011–2019)

Yes. I’m the one who liked the entire series. It had pacing issues at the end, but I appreciated the payoffs.

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The Magicians (2015–2020)

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Partial Series…

Carnivále (2003–2005)

Canceled after 2 seasons.

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Firefly (2002)

Canceled during the first season, but the movie finishes the story: Serenity (2005). Skip the opening series title theme song.

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Penny Dreadful (2014–2016)

Watch seasons 1–2. Skip s3 and pretend it doesn’t exist.

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Supernatural (2005–2020)

Watch seasons 1–5. Skip the rest or find a best-of list of episodes to guide your viewing.

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Castlerock (2018–2019)

Watch season 2. Skip the first season.

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American Horror Story (2011–)

Watch season 1 & maybe, Season 9. Skip the rest.

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If the List Kept Going, Maybe…

Ash vs Evil Dead (2015–2018)

Angel (1999–2004)

Fargo (2014–)

The Orville (2017–)

Dollhouse (2009–2010)

Babylon 5 (1993–1998)

Continuum (2012–2015)

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994)

Watch seasons 3–7 and skip s1 & 2. Or find a best-of list of episodes to guide your viewing.

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What are some of your favorite science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, crime, or sword & sorcery TV series?

False Positive Tips: Best Genre Animated Movies –

Here’s a list of some recommendations for some of my favorite pulp tales of the surreal, fantastic, and macabre in animated movie format.

Favorite Genre/ Pulp Animated Films

In no particular order.

WARNING: Some of these trailers contain SPOILERS.

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ParaNorman (2012)

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Coraline (2009)

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Spirited Away (2001)

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Akira (1988)

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Watership Down (1978)

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The Iron Giant (1999)

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The Incredibles (2004)

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Tekkonkinkreet (2007)

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Do you like superhero stuff? I recommend checking out the DC animated films.

Don’t confuse the DC Animated Universe movies with The DC Universe Animated Original Movies, or, with the DC Animated Movie Universe films—a multiverse, indeed. (Somebody at HBOmax needs to better organize these awesome collections.)

Let me clear things up, because they all have worthwhile animation to explore…

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000 – Part of DCAU)

The DC Animated Universe (DCAU), also called Timmverse or Diniverse, titles continue the Batman: The Animated Series shared continuity in animated shorts, TV series, and movies. 10 series and at least 6 movies.

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Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (2010 – Part of DCUOM)

The DC Universe Animated Original Movies (Let’s go with, DCUOM) usually offer stand-alone stories inspired by popular DC works. The DC Showcase shorts also fall under this umbrella.

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Constantine: City of Demons (2018 – Part of DCAMU)

The DC Animated Movie Universe (DCAMU) is made up of 16 films in a shared universe mostly based on DC’s The New 52 continuity. SIXTEEN movies in a shared universe with an overarching story. This is pretty great.

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More Favorite Animated Movies…

Blood: The Last Vampire (2000)

Perfect Blue (1997)

Monster House (2006)

The Black Cauldron (1985)

The Secret of NIMH (1982)

The Last Unicorn (1982)

Princess Mononoke (1997)

Avatar (2009)

Robot Carnival (1987)

Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

Ghost in the Shell (1996)

Cowboy Bebop (2001)

How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

Ninja Scroll (1993)

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What are some of your favorite science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, crime, or sword & sorcery animated film titles?

My anime education is sorely lacking—what do you recommend?

False Positive Tips:

Best Final Girls Movies –

WARNING: SPOILERS. The very nature of the list includes spoilers.   

Let’s not split hairs about what defines a ‘final girl’ and instead focus on all the awesome movies with great characters and performances that this trope brings to mind.  

Here are some of my favorite Final Girls from some of my favorite horror movies.

WARNING: Some of these trailers contain SPOILERS.

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Top 13 Classic Final Girl Films of the  20th Century

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13. Julie James – I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)

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12. Ginny Field – Friday the 13th, Part II (1981)

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11. Jamie Lloyd – Halloween IV: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)

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10. Alice Hardy – Friday the 13th (1980)

Not sure why Jason is in the thumbnail.

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9. Kristen Parker –  A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)

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8. Sidney Prescott – Scream (1996)

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7. Kirsty Cotton – Hellraiser (1987)

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6. Jess Bradford – Black Christmas (1974)

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5. Francine Parker – Dawn of the Dead (1978)

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4. Sarah Connor – The Terminator (1984)

3. Nancy Thompson – A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

2. Laurie Strode – Halloween (1978)

1. Ellen Ripley – Alien (1979)

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Top 13 Final Girl Movies of the  21st Century

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13. Abra Stone – Doctor Sleep (2019)

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12. Thomison – The Witch (2015)

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11. Deena Johnson – Fear Street Trilogy (2021)

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10. Ashley – Better Watch Out (2016)

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9. Dana Polk – The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

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8. Jay Height – It Follows (2015)

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7. Anna Peterson – The Guest (2004)

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6. Needy Lesnicky – Jennifer’s Body (2009)

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5. Michelle – 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

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4. Emma Ward – No One Lives (2012)

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3. Grace Le Domas – Ready or Not (2019)

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2. Clear Rivers – Final Destination (2000)

This is my favorite overall slasher franchise. I recommend watching all parts.

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1. Erin Harson – You’re Next (2011)

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More Favorite Final Girls in Film…

Noriko Nakagawa – Battle Royale (2000)

Rachel Keller – The Ring (2002)

Rocky – Don’t Breathe (2016)

Max Cartwright – The Final Girls (2015)

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Did I miss your favorite final girl film?

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