Monster-ridden movies and mystery novels will always have their place during October. But if you love a good jump scare, there's one medium of the horror genre that you shouldn't overlook: podcasts.
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They may be your go-to for news breakdowns, sports recaps and celebrity interviews, but podcasts also offer a plethora of creepy tales just waiting to be heard. And we're not just talking about the ever-popular true crime investigation. There are hundreds of horror-based podcasts out there ready to tell you a spine-tingling story that may — or may not — be true.
Much like the spooky lore shared over a campfire, audio storytelling brings that sense of shared suspense and intrigue into the modern era. Whether their fictional tales spread out through multiple episodes that unfold like a soap opera or are one-off stories delivered in a brief, chilling monologue, these podcasts deliver the kind of stories that'll keep you up at night. Deep-diving into supernatural hauntings, urban legends and unsolved mysteries with firsthand accounts and eerie soundscapes, they'll leave you questioning what lurks in the dark.
So, if you're looking to get your horror fix this spooky season, check out these 10 scary story podcasts for some guaranteed chills and thrills. They're a perfect addition to your spooky season entertainment in addition to some enjoyable classic Halloween movies.
The Something Scary Podcast
Credit: Studio71
Apple Podcast Rating: 4.8 stars
What do creepy ghost stories, urban legends and unsavory folktales have in common? They can all be found on The Something Scary Podcast. Hosts Blair and Steffany have created a haven for horror fans who love a good spine-tingling tale. Every Tuesday, they release a new episode that dives deep into supernatural and weird stories from all over the world, such as possessed dolls and underwater monsters.
Drew Blood's Dark Tales
Credit: Chilling Entertainment, LLC, and Studio71
Apple Podcast Rating: 4.8 stars
Drew Blood's Dark Tales is a horror podcast dedicated to writing and producing original fictional stories. These unsettling tales are told in an all-encompassing, full-scale production that immerses you in its world with sound effects, well-crafted production and narration that will make your skin crawl. With a new story released every Friday, Dark Tales isn't just a podcast — it's an experience.
The NoSleep Podcast
Credit: Creative Reason Media, Inc.
Apple Podcast Rating: 4.7 stars
The NoSleep Podcast is undoubtedly one of the most popular horror podcasts out there. Launched in 2011, this award-winning show brings listeners dark tales taken from Reddit's NoSleep forum — real-life accounts of terrifying experiences that'll leave you too afraid to sleep with the lights off. All of these original scary stories are written with the goal of frightening the listener — and some have been so successful that they've been turned into published books.
Scare You To Sleep
Credit: Shelby Scott
Apple Podcast Rating: 4.7 stars
Love a spooky bedtime story? Then give Scare You To Sleep a listen. Host Shelby Scott's soothing voice provides a stark contrast to the horror stories she narrates, weaving tales of all things creepy and supernatural. She also hosts specialized episodes called Guided Nightmares that are made with meditation techniques to help listeners relax — and star in their very own horror story. Listen, if you dare.
Alice Isn't Dead
Credit: Night Vale Presents
Apple Podcast Rating: 4.6 stars
Unlike the horror anthology series we've shown you so far, Alice Isn't Dead is a scripted fiction podcast. It follows the story of a truck driver as she looks for her missing wife and instead comes across some serial murderers that are, well, not quite human. Conspiracies and monsters await in this horror audio drama as the protagonist slowly unravels the mystery of what really happened to her wife.
Otis Jiry's Scary Stories Told in the Dark
Credit: Simply Scary Podcast
Apple Podcast Rating: 4.6 stars
If you were the creepy kid who would stay up at night reading Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, you'd love this podcast. Featuring a plethora of original horror stories, this show has developed a cult following for its storytelling. These tales are compiled from multiple independent and previously published authors and delivered by host Otis Jiry — whose smooth, authoritative voice will keep you hooked from start to finish.
Lore
Credit: Aaron Mahnke
Apple Podcast Rating: 4.6
Blending horror and history, Lore is a bi-weekly podcast that explores the darker side of folklore and delves into some of the most disturbing tales in our past. Host Aaron Mahnke dives deep into the origins of these real-life scary stories that are often creepier than any fictional tale. It's critically acclaimed, has won tons of awards, and was even turned into a book series and a series on Amazon Prime.
Unwell
Credit: HartLife NFP
Apple Podcast Rating: 4.5 stars
This fictional Midwestern gothic mystery is set in the small town of Mt. Absalom, Ohio, and follows the story of Lillian Harper as she moves back home to take care of her estranged mother in a boarding house that's full of secrets. Unwell is a tale crafted with stunning sound design and chilling narration that will make you question what's real and what isn't.
The Black Tapes
Credit: Minnow Beats Whale and Pacific Northwest Stories
Apple Podcast Rating: 4.4 stars
Journalist Alex Reagan is all about finding the truth — even if it takes her to the darkest places imaginable. Produced in a documentary-style format, The Black Tapes follows Alex as she investigates a particularly peculiar subject with a mysterious past and an even murkier present. With ghosts both literal and figurative making haunting appearances, her quest to uncover the answers may come at a hefty price.
Light House
Credit: Bamfer Productions
Apple Podcast Rating: 4.3 stars
It's 1963, and Tara Hollis is ready for a new start in her family's house, Light House. But after moving in, she begins to experience paranormal events that both terrify her and threaten to unravel a dark history full of secrets. If you love mysteries and ghost stories, this scripted fiction podcast will keep you on the edge of your seat.
