25 Best Horror Podcasts That Will Have You Sleeping With One Eye Open
Consider yourself warned.
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Nowadays, it seems like everyone has something to say. Don't get me wrong—I love an entertaining, gossip-filled podcast as much as the next person. But sometimes, I'm just not in the mood to hear someone ramble on about what they did over the weekend, sorry. Tbh, lately, I've been in the mood to listen to something with more gusto, something more thrilling...more horrifying. Trust me, I know that reality can get scary sometimes, but what better way to combat that than with tales of fictional horror? If you've ended up on this lil corner of the internet, I'm guessing you're looking for the same thing, and luckily, you've come to the right place!
Given true-crime podcasts' popularity, it shouldn't be a surprise that horror podcasts are also a fan-favorite genre. Now, there are hundreds of 'em dedicated to telling stories of the unexplainable—from UFOs and monsters to murders and ghosts (which are *almost* as scary as ghosting). So, to find your next fave scary podcast a bit easier, I went ahead and wrangled up 25 of the best horror podcasts out there. While some are tales of complete fiction, some of these are 100% true stories, which honestly just adds to the fright factor.
I personally don't recommend listening to any of these pods before bed (unless you're freaky like that—if so, go off). Ruining your night and your ability to sleep is totally up to you. Whether you're looking for true crime, zombie stories, or old-fashioned ghost tales, there's something for everyone on this list. So, don't be shy—pick up your phone, grab your headphones, and listen to one of the best horror podcasts...if you dare.
Oh, and shameless plug here, but if you need something a little more lighthearted to help ease your nerves, check out Cosmo's very own podcast, Confessions, when you're officially sketched tf out.
Scary Story Podcast
This collection of original horror tales by Edwin Covarrubias may actually keep you up at night. Whether you're afraid to know what actually hides in the dark or frightened by that one unexplainable happening, each story will have you second-guessing what's fact and what's fiction.
Archive 81
This story may be fictional, but it uses a found footage technique that makes it feel totally real. It tells the story of an audio archivist who is working on a project in a remote bunker where he has to listen to some uh unsettling interview tapes. This is the kind of podcast (that's now a Netflix original) that hooks you right in and has you wildly guessing theories after the first episode.
The Horror of Dolores Roach
This may be an Amazon Prime series now, but before that, it was a podcast (and before that, it was a one-woman play). If Sweeney Todd is your thing, then you're really going to love this. Delores has just been released from 16 years in prison and heads back to her New York City neighborhood to restart her life. But things have changed, and it's proving to be nearly impossible until an old friend helps her set up a massage business. And, well, it doesn't take long before things take a deadly turn.
Limetown
A fictitious show that feels uber-real is just what the scary doctor ordered. In Limetown, Tennessee, over 300 people went missing at a neuroscience research facility, and an American Public Radio investigative reporter is on the case, looking into exactly what happened there.
The Last Podcast on the Left
If there is something spooky to discuss, the guys on The Last Podcast on the Left will chat about it. These best-friend comedians are down to cover everything from cults to demons. It’s delightfully horrifying, and according to Spotify, it’s officially the spookiest podcast out there.
Dark House
For true-crime junkies who also love a good ghost story, Dark House shines the spotlight on America’s most notorious homes. From infamous crime scenes to abandoned mansions, hosts and House Beautiful editors Hadley Mendelsohn and Alyssa Fiorentino unpack the twisted history of a different house in each episode. They research who lived (and died) there and share the creepy stories that suggest their spirits never left. Run, don’t walk.
My Favorite Murder
There’s a pretty solid chance that if you’re perusing a list of spooky podcasts, you already identify as a Murderino. If not, start streaming this Exactly Right podcast right away (yep, correct, they have their own podcast network now), and let Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark tell you all about their very favorite murders.
Dr. Death
You know what's scarier than ghosts and zombies and vampires? A neurosurgeon who brutally botches spinal surgeries, resulting in permanent injuries and even death. The stuff of real-life nightmares, tbh. Oh, and it's even been turned into a Peacock series that you can watch after binging all the episodes of the Wondery podcast.
Small Town Dicks
The premise of Small Town Dicks is so clever. It’s all about crazy crimes that happen in the smallest towns in America. Hosted by Yeardley Smith (the voice of Lisa Simpson, LOL) and identical twin detectives Dan and Dave, every episode features the local detectives who actually worked on each case.
The No Sleep Podcast
If you’re too afraid to listen to true-crime podcasts because they’re all about things that actually happened, you should give The No Sleep Podcast a try. Showrunner David Cummings describes it as telling spooky stories around a virtual campfire. Do you have chills yet?
Lore
Want to hear all about effed-up historical events that prove humans can be total monsters? Of course you do! You're going to want to listen to this indie podcast immediately.
And That’s Why We Drink
If you’ve ever listened to a regular true-crime podcast and wished it included more paranormal sh*t like aliens and ghosts, then And That’s Why We Drink was made for you. Plus, they love boxed wine. We can all relate.
Morbid
You can probably guess by the name of this podcast, but Morbid is about anything and everything creepy. Whether it’s a conspiracy theory or a cold case, if it’s deeply unsettling, they’ll discuss it.
Unwell
The little Midwestern town of Mt. Absalom, Ohio is haunted by dark secrets. After moving to care for her estranged mother, Lillian Harper discovers that the boarding house run by her mom is fraught with suspicious residents. This fiction podcast will give "small-town America" an entirely new meaning.
Let's Not Meet
Sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction. Let's Not Meet tells the stories of people who survived horrific events. Hear about the experiences straight from the people who lived through them in this suspenseful anthology.
Wrong Station
When I browsed through Wrong Station episodes, I felt a chill dart up my spine. No lie—that's how creepy it is. One story follows a closed mill where the lights come on and the temperature drops. When an investigative team is forced to stay there overnight, they realize that someone (or something) is watching them from the woods. Taking inspo from classic 1940s radio horror broadcasts, Wrong Station will definitely stick with you.
Nightlight
A podcast devoted to telling horror stories written by Black authors and performed by Black actors? Hell yes. Vengeful dolls, bloodthirsty vampires, and more creepiness abound in this one.
Alice Isn't Dead
Every episode is an audio diary entry from a long-haul truck driver named Keisha. She records her thoughts as she journeys through the U.S. to try and find out what really happened to her wife, Alice. Along the way, she goes through spooky towns and encounters crazy, out-of-this-world serial murders.
Welcome to Night Vale
This podcast is done like updates from a local radio station set in a fictional desert town called Night Vale. The show really immerses listeners and sets the eerie tone well, with soundbites like local commercials and sheriff announcements. It's hard not to get totally sucked in!
Ghosts in the Burbs
Children's librarian Liz Sower started this podcast about stories that kids wouldn't want to hear. All of the scary stories told here are ones that some of the residents of suburban Wellesley, Massachusetts claim to be true. What's creepier than listening to real ghost stories from real people?
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