By – Brian Teasley

“There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. But if you think you’re in control, think again. From haunted signals to murderous screens, televisions themselves have taken over. These are their stories, beamed straight into your brain through the magic of technology. Go ahead, change the channel—we dare you.”

Televisions have always been a little creepy. Think about it: here’s this glowing box that screams at you, shows you worlds you’ll never visit, and somehow convinces you that everything outside your living room is either on fire or worth buying in three easy payments of $19.95. TVs were originally hailed as miraculous portals into other dimensions, but as soon as the glow faded, the paranoia set in.

What else might these strange, glowing rectangles be capable of? Could they influence us, hypnotize us, or—worse—hurt us? By the time subliminal messaging scares hit in the 1960s and 70s, the idea that TVs might secretly be manipulating us was firmly planted in the cultural psyche. Whether it was delivering ghostly images from the beyond or melting our brains with invisible signals, televisions quickly became the perfect villains for speculative fiction.

They’re ubiquitous. They’re in every home. And they seem to know more about us than we’re comfortable admitting. Let’s dive into a chronological list of films and TV shows that made screens the enemy—and blurred the line between entertainment and menace.

The Chronological List of Evil TVs

1. Murder by Television (1935)

Even before most people owned a TV, they were already afraid of them. This sci-fi thriller involves the mysterious murder of an inventor of a revolutionary television system. It’s clunky and slow by today’s standards, but it sets the stage for future fears about how new technologies might turn against us.

2. Dead of Night (1945)

This British anthology film includes a chilling story about a haunted mirror. While it’s not strictly about a TV, the mirror’s reflection becomes a tool for manipulation and horror, serving as a precursor to later screen-based tales of terror.

3. The Twonky (1953)

A comedic but unsettling story about a television set that comes to life and starts controlling its owner’s life. It’s less about murder and more about how TVs might dominate and disrupt our daily routines—an eerily prescient fear.

4. The Twilight Zone – “Static” (1961)

This episode revolves around a man who discovers an antique radio that broadcasts shows from the past. Though it’s a radio, the theme of media as a time-bending device lays the groundwork for the eerie power attributed to televisions.

5. The Outer Limits – “The Galaxy Being” (1963)

In this sci-fi classic, experimental radio waves bring an alien to Earth. The idea of signals as dangerous or transformative forces would later appear in stories involving TVs.

6. The Twilight Zone – “What’s in the Box” (1964)

A man’s television begins showing him his darkest secrets and future crimes, making him unravel as he realizes the screen knows too much. It’s a quintessential example of televisions as omniscient and malevolent.

7. Poltergeist (1982)

Arguably the most iconic haunted TV story of all time. The family’s television becomes a portal for malevolent spirits, delivering the eerie phrase: “They’re here.” This cemented TVs as supernatural gateways in the cultural imagination.

8. Videodrome (1983)

David Cronenberg’s body horror masterpiece features a mysterious TV broadcast that physically and mentally alters its viewers. It’s a visceral critique of media consumption and how it warps our reality—literally.

9. Nightmares – “The Bishop of Battle” (1983)

A segment of this anthology horror film sees a teenager sucked into a video game. Though it’s more about gaming, the screen’s ability to trap and distort reality reflects broader fears about televisions.

10. TerrorVision (1986)

This campy sci-fi horror involves a satellite dish that turns a suburban family’s TV into a portal for an alien monster. It’s ridiculous and over-the-top, but it drives home the idea that TVs might bring chaos into your home.

11. Demons 2 (1986)

In this Italian horror sequel, demons emerge from a television broadcast and terrorize an apartment complex. The TV becomes a literal doorway to destruction.

12. The Video Dead (1987)

A low-budget cult classic where a haunted television unleashes zombies into the real world. It’s silly, gory, and a perfect example of 1980s horror embracing absurd premises.

13. They Live (1988)

While the TV itself isn’t the direct villain, this satirical sci-fi film critiques how media spreads subliminal messages. Roddy Piper’s discovery of hidden “Obey” commands remains one of the most iconic screen-based reveals.

14. Stay Tuned (1992)

A dark comedy where a couple gets sucked into a hellish TV universe controlled by a demonic network. Each channel offers surreal and often violent horrors, making the television a weaponized trap.

15. Ghostwatch (1992)

This BBC mockumentary convinced audiences they were watching a real paranormal investigation. The TV itself becomes an accomplice in blurring reality and fiction, creating mass hysteria when it aired.

16. Benny’s Video (1992)

Michael Haneke’s psychological drama critiques how violent media, particularly on screens, influences behavior. It’s not supernatural but deeply unsettling in its exploration of how we consume and mimic what we see.

17. Ringu (1998)

The cursed videotape is the star, but the television becomes the ultimate horror device. Watching Sadako crawl out of the screen transformed TVs into agents of death.

18. The Ring (2002)

The American adaptation of Ringu made Samara’s terrifying crawl out of the TV a global phenomenon, solidifying the screen as a literal doorway to doom.

19. The Signal (2007)

A mysterious broadcast through TVs and radios turns people into homicidal maniacs. It’s a brutal depiction of how easily technology can sow chaos and violence.

20. Branded (2012)

A dystopian satire where advertisements and TV screens physically manifest as monstrous beings, critiquing the overwhelming influence of consumer media.

21. Black Mirror – “White Bear” (2013)

Screens are central to this dystopian punishment loop, where a woman’s torment is broadcast for public entertainment. The TV becomes a tool of voyeuristic cruelty.

22. Channel Zero: Candle Cove (2016)

A sinister children’s TV show ties into gruesome murders, blending nostalgia with terror. The TV’s influence is an eerie metaphor for how media shapes our memories and fears.

Why We Love (And Fear) Killer TVs

Why do televisions make such great glowing  maniacal villains? It’s simple: they’re always watching. They’re omnipresent, glowing in the corner of every room, quietly shaping our lives in ways we barely notice. Whether they’re hypnotizing us with subliminal messages, haunting us with spectral broadcasts, or straight-up spewing out demons, TVs embody the fear of losing control—to the screens, the signals, and the unseen forces behind them.

So the next time you settle in for a binge session, maybe take a moment to wonder: who’s really watching who? And if the screen flickers just a little too much, maybe leave it off. Or don’t. After all, it’s just a TV. What’s the worst that could happen? Run to the light Caroline, run to the light!