The Twilight Zone: 7 Essential episodes to watch

Today, May 11, is National Twilight Zone Day! The perfect way to celebrate is by binge watching the classic sci-fi anthology. Here I have chosen 7 episodes that are essential to watch during a Twilight Zone binge.

Happy National Twilight Zone Day! Today marks the unofficial holiday to celebrate the classic sci-fi series. For those living under a rock, The Twilight Zone is a sci-fi anthology series that ran from 1959 to 1964 on CBS. It is basically the O.G. of TV sci-fi. With its creepy atmosphere and social criticism, its influence is seen in countless television shows and movies.

Despite its older age, The Twilight Zone still holds up incredibly. The Twilight Zone provides a little something for everyone. It has smart writing, plot twists, and some truly terrifying scenarios. If you have never seen an episode, today is the perfect day to start. If you have, why not binge some classic episodes today?

More from CBS

• Mamie’s plan is advanced on Thanksgiving (Young and the Restless Nov. 22 recap)
• The Young and the Restless recap (Nov. 21): J. Eddie Peck returns as Cole
• Blue Bloods is ending in Fall 2024 but not with a season 15 like we hoped
• FBI: Most Wanted season 5 release date, cast shake up, and everything to know before the premiere in 2024
• Kyle follows his family’s plan on Young and the Restless (Nov. 20 recap)

Here are 7 essential The Twilight Zone episodes:

1. Time Enough at Last (1×08)

“Time Enough at Last” has some of the most iconic imagery of The Twilight Zone and has been referenced multiple times in other media. The episode follows a bookworm who just wants time to read and a nuclear catastrophe that leaves him utterly alone. The famous final scene is absolutely devastating and will stick with viewers for a long time.

2. Eye of the Beholder (2×06)

This episode is an excellent example of The Twilight Zone‘s sharp social commentary. In this episode a woman is recovering from surgery in her final attempt to look “beautiful”.

The woman’s completely bandaged face and the shadowy figures of the doctors and nurses make for an incredibly creepy atmosphere. The episode’s iconic twist ending shows that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.

3. The Invaders (2×15)

“The Invaders” is another famously twisty episode of The Twilight Zone. The episode follows a woman who is being “invaded” by tiny alien men…or so we think. This episode is mostly silent which adds to the overall tension.

4. It’s a Good Life (3×08)

“It’s a Good Life” portrays just how terrifying children can be. In a small town a community does everything to please a young boy, in fear that if they don’t, he will harm them with his powers.

This episode is considered to be one of the best of the series and is another episode heavily referenced in other media.  “It’s a Good Life” shows how terror-inducing massive power can be.

5. To Serve Man (3×24)

“To Serve Man” contains one of The Twilight Zone‘s most memorable lines. When a race of aliens come to earth claiming to be friendly and wanting to help, the U.S. government’s cryptography staff investigate the claims by attempting to decode a book left by the aliens. The book is titled To Serve Man.

The aliens are a bit ridiculous looking, but it does not take away from the overall suspense. “To Serve Man” will leave first-time viewers hungry for more.

6. Nightmare at 20,000 Feet (5×03)

This episode stars William Shatner and takes place during one horrific plane ride. In “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” a man who recently suffered a nervous breakdown (Shatner) claims to see a creature on the wing of a plane. However, when someone else looks out the window, the creature is not seen.

“Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” is one of the scariest episodes of The Twilight Zone.  The cramped setting of the plane makes for a claustrophobic feeling. Like Shatner’s character, the audience feels like they cannot escape the terrifying situation.

7. Living Doll (5×06)

Talking dolls are mostly just creepy rather than cute and this episode shows it. “Living Doll” follows a hotheaded man who struggles to get along with his stepdaughter. His wife gives her daughter a doll named “Talky Tina”, a seemingly innocent doll that states cute phrases.

Next: Are TV episodes becoming too long?

However, “Talky Tina” has some words for the husband and they aren’t very nice. To the stepfather the doll says such terrifying things as: “My name is Talky Tina and I am beginning to hate you”. “Living Doll” is an entertaining episode and one of my favorite “paranormal” Twilight Zone episodes.

The Twilight Zone is currently streaming on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.