penny dreadful

noun

, Chiefly British.

, plural penny dreadfuls.

1. a cheap, sensational novel of adventure, crime, or violence; dime novel.

penny-dreadful

noun

1. informal.
   a cheap, often lurid or sensational book or magazine

Word History and Origins

Origin of penny dreadful¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

The film has a cast that includes Two Doors Down star Joy McAvoy and Matt McClure from American horror show Penny Dreadful.

From BBC

But part of it was that normally when you’re dealing with an ensemble cast, which I’ve done a lot of — “Penny Dreadful,” “Shameless,” “Fargo” — often people do the scenes then go off to their trailer.

From Los Angeles Times

No other journey has required as much of her as “Sweeney Todd,” a macabre illustration of a penny dreadful tale about a murderous barber and his accomplice, Mrs. Lovett, who repurposes his victims as her key ingredients.

From New York Times

That a penny dreadful character originally meant just to shock and sicken becomes instead a pitiable victim is a testament to the power of music to make bad guys, if not good, compelling.

From New York Times

On his bedside table were loose matches, unused stationery, a penny dreadful left facedown at the page he had stopped reading.

From Literature