American Horror Story Murder House Site

The first season of American Horror Story , retroactively titled , premiered on FX on October 5, 2011. Created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, the season follows the Harmon family as they move into a restored Los Angeles mansion that is inhabited by the spirits of its former deceased residents.

Watch a deep dive into the complex history and development of the season that launched the franchise: AHS Murder House Deep Dive: A Complex History Skyler Gaetano YouTube• Sep 27, 2025

Although not initially marketed as such, Murder House established the show's tradition of reinventing itself each season. American Horror Story Murder House

Characters and the house itself reappear in later installments, most notably in Season 8 (Apocalypse) and the spin-off American Horror Stories .

While the mansion itself has no history of gruesome crimes, the show's lore was inspired by the Black Dahlia murder and the Bailey Mansion in Connecticut. The first season of American Horror Story ,

The house is a "psychic sponge" that traps the souls of anyone who dies on the property.

The season received generally positive reviews, earning a 72% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a weighted score of 65 on Metacritic . Characters and the house itself reappear in later

Critics praised its "giddy gross-outs" and "captivating style," though some found it "over the top". It is widely credited with revitalizing the horror genre on television alongside shows like The Walking Dead . Legacy & Connections