The Hitchhiker 1983
“He takes you places you don't want to visit alone.”
What is The Hitchhiker?
The Hitchhiker is a mystery horror anthology television series that premiered in 1983. Created by Lewis Chesler, Riff Markowitz, and Richard Rothstein, the program served as the first original drama series produced for HBO.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1983
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 85
- Runtime
- 30 minutes
- First aired
- Nov 23, 1983
- Last aired
- Feb 22, 1991
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- CA, US
- Networks
- HBO, USA Network
- Genres
- Drama, Crime
- Updated
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 85 episodes and an average 30-minute runtime.
Trailer
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Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
The Hitchhiker is a mystery horror anthology television series that premiered in 1983. Created by Lewis Chesler, Riff Markowitz, and Richard Rothstein, the program served as the first original drama series produced for HBO. The show is also known as Deadly Nightmares in the United Kingdom and Le Voyageur in France. The series aired on HBO, First Choice, and NTV in Canada from 1983 to 1987 before moving to the USA Network from 1989 to 1991. Each episode features a young hitchhiker who introduces and closes the stories, a framing device similar to the work of Rod Serling or Alfred Hitchcock. While some episodes incorporate supernatural elements, most plot twists are driven by the darker aspects of the human spirit. The series earned eight ACE Awards and became a high-ranking program on pay television during its run. Notable cast members appearing in the anthology include Page Fletcher, Nicholas Campbell, Vincent Grass, and Kirstie Alley. The show continued its broadcast history through 1997.
Should you watch it?
“A mysterious hitchhiker introduces individuals to frightening and supernatural encounters in this anthology series.”
- unique anthology format
- atmospheric storytelling
- contains frightening themes
Watch it if you enjoy supernatural anthology series featuring self-contained stories.
The series features frightening and supernatural themes that may not be suitable for all viewers.
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Cast
Episode guide
Spoiler-Safe Browsing Progress
Season 1 · 26 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide & lore primer →- E1 Shattered Vows Mytharc Nov 23, 1983
- E2 When Morning Comes Core Nov 30, 1983
- E3 Split Decision Core Dec 14, 1983
- E4 Lovesounds Core Nov 13, 1984
- E5 Remembering Melody Core Nov 27, 1984
- E6 Face To Face Core Dec 4, 1984
- E7 And If We Dream Core Jan 15, 1985
- E8 Petty Thieves Core Jan 29, 1985
- E9 Videodate Core Feb 16, 1985
- E10 A Time For Rifles Core Mar 2, 1985
- E11 Man at the Window Core Mar 12, 1985
- E12 Hired Help Core Mar 26, 1985
- E13 Murderous Feelings Core Apr 9, 1985
- E14 Nightshift Core Oct 15, 1985
- E15 Out of the Night Core Oct 29, 1985
- E16 The Killer Core Nov 12, 1985
- E17 W.G.O.D. Core Nov 26, 1985
- E18 Man's Best Friend Core Dec 10, 1985
- E19 Ghostwriter Core Jan 7, 1986
- E20 O.D. Feelin' Core Jan 28, 1986
- E21 Dead Man's Curve Core Feb 11, 1986
- E22 The Curse Core Feb 25, 1986
- E23 True Believer Core Mar 11, 1986
- E24 Last Scene Core Mar 25, 1986
- E25 Man of Her Dreams Mytharc Apr 8, 1986
- E26 One Last Prayer Mytharc Apr 22, 1986
Season 2 · 13 episodes
- E1 Perfect Order Mytharc Feb 17, 1987
- E2 Minuteman Core Feb 24, 1987
- E3 Dead Heat Core Mar 3, 1987
- E4 Why Are You Here? Core Mar 10, 1987
- E5 Homebodies Core Mar 17, 1987
- E6 Doctor's Orders Core Mar 24, 1987
- E7 The Legendary Billy B. Core Mar 31, 1987
- E8 In the Name of Love Core Apr 7, 1987
- E9 Made For Each Other Core Apr 14, 1987
- E10 Joker Core Apr 21, 1987
- E11 Best Shot Core Apr 28, 1987
- E12 Secret Ingredient Mytharc May 5, 1987
- E13 Cabin Fever Mytharc May 12, 1987
Season 3 · 26 episodes
- E1 The Martyr Mytharc Apr 22, 1989
- E2 In Living Color Core Apr 29, 1989
- E3 Dark Wishes Core Jul 1, 1989
- E4 Garter Belt Core Jul 7, 1989
- E5 Shadow Puppets Core Jul 8, 1989
- E6 Renaissance Core Jul 14, 1989
- E7 The Miracle of Alice Ames Core Jul 15, 1989
- E8 3615 Code-Liz Core Jul 21, 1989
- E9 Her Finest Hour Core Jul 22, 1989
- E10 Together Forever Core Jul 28, 1989
- E11 Phantom Zone Core Aug 4, 1989
- E12 Spinning Wheel Core Aug 5, 1989
- E13 Square Deal Core Aug 11, 1989
- E14 Part of Me Core Aug 12, 1989
- E15 Fashion Exchange Core Aug 18, 1989
- E16 Hootch Core Sep 16, 1989
- E17 Coach Core Sep 30, 1989
- E18 The Verdict Core Nov 4, 1989
- E19 Hit & Run Core Nov 10, 1989
- E20 Studio 3X Core Nov 11, 1989
- E21 Striptease Core Nov 17, 1989
- E22 Cruelest Cut Core Nov 18, 1989
- E23 Dying Generation Mytharc Nov 24, 1989
- E24 My Enemy Core Nov 25, 1989
- E25 Power Play Mytharc Dec 9, 1989
- E26 Pawns Mytharc Dec 16, 1989
Season 4 · 20 episodes
- E1 Fading Away Mytharc Sep 21, 1990
- E2 Tough Guys Don't Whine Core Sep 28, 1990
- E3 Riding the Nightmare Core Oct 5, 1990
- E4 Strate Shooter Core Oct 12, 1990
- E5 Hard Rhyme Core Oct 19, 1990
- E6 Toxic Shock Core Oct 26, 1990
- E7 New Dawn Core Nov 2, 1990
- E8 A Function of Control Core Nov 9, 1990
- E9 Trust Me Core Nov 16, 1990
- E10 Windows Core Nov 23, 1990
- E11 Working Girl Core Nov 30, 1990
- E12 White Slaves Core Dec 7, 1990
- E13 Tourist Trap Core Dec 14, 1990
- E14 Homecoming Core Jan 11, 1991
- E15 Living a Lie Core Jan 18, 1991
- E16 Made In Paris Core Jan 25, 1991
- E17 A Whole New You Core Feb 1, 1991
- E18 Offspring Core Feb 8, 1991
- E19 Secrets Mytharc Feb 15, 1991
- E20 New Blood Mytharc Feb 22, 1991
Frequently asked questions
What is the premise of the series?
A young hitchhiker introduces characters who face frightening or supernatural incidents.
What genre is the show?
It is a moody anthology series.
Are the episodes connected?
The episodes are linked by the presence of a hitchhiker who introduces the characters.
What kind of stories are told?
Each episode features a different story involving frightening or supernatural events.
Is this a horror show?
The series focuses on frightening and supernatural incidents.
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