In the age of podcasts, horror internet radio shows have captured the attention of the masses. So in this article, our writers will introduce the best horror podcasts that will send chills down your spine. The show names listed also include the genre, release date, and all the details you need to know about the podcast.
Since the early days of radio, horror dramas have captivated listeners. Though radio broadcasts have evolved into podcasts over the years, we remain hooked on horror stories. These horror stories give us goosebumps, draw us to tears, take us to frightening places and experiences, and make the characters all the more intriguing.
With so many horror podcasts out there, it can be hard to find the hidden gems. We’ve handpicked the 10 best horror podcasts worth listening to. With a mix of genres, stories, and narration, there’s sure to be something for everyone.
What is a horror podcast?
Horror podcasts are a genre of podcasts that cover fiction, non-fiction, and reviews of the horror genre, respectively. Accepted as one of the most popular genres among non-fiction and drama podcasts, horror podcasts continue to grow on mainstream platforms.
WithoutYourHead.Com is the longest running podcast in the world. Launched in 2006, WithoutYourHead.Com is a semi-regular weekly series of guest interviews.
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10. An Unexplained Encounter
Renowned as one of the scariest podcasts out there, Unexplained Encounters tells eerie true stories narrated by ominous voices in the dark. Recounting terrifying incidents from encounters with unusual creatures in the dark to paranormal experiences in the wilderness, Unexplained Encounters features some of the most spine-chilling cases from its victims.
| Created by: | Michel Houellebecq |
| First aired on: | 2021 |
| language: | English |
| Available on: | Apple Podcasts |
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9. Moonlit Road
Launched in 2008, “The Moonlit Road” features the rich folklore of the American South and unforgettable legends encountered during the case. With intriguing yet terrifying storytelling and excellent narration, this podcast takes listeners into the imaginary world of restless spirits and paranormal happenings, and can freeze your mind for a while.
| Created by: | Ambrose Bierce |
| First aired on: | 2008 |
| language: | English |
| Available on: | Apple PodcastsSpotify |
8. No Sleep Podcast
Launched on June 13, 2011, NoSleep was originally a Reddit page where users submitted horror stories. The NoSleep Podcast, regularly hosted by David Cummings, contains some of the best brain-chilling and fictional horror stories. In addition to Cummings, regular narrators on the podcast include Jessica McEvoy, Peter Lewis, Nikolle Doolin, Nichole Goodnight, David Ault, Jeff Clement, Erika Sanderson, Addison Peacock, Mike DelGaudio, Atticus Jackson, Dan Zappulla, James Cleveland, Elie Hirschman, Kyle Akers, Alexis Bristowe, Wafiyyah White, Jesse Cornett, Mick Wingert, and Erin Lillis.
| Created by: | David Cummings |
| Episode 1 broadcast date: | June 13, 2011 |
| language: | English |
| Available on: | Apple Podcasts |
7. Alice Is Not Dead
Premiering on March 8, 2016, “Alice Isn’t Dead” is a paranormal horror podcast created by Joseph Fink in collaboration with Night Vale Presents. The SPC award-winning podcast introduces Jasika Nicole as she recounts her experiences on live radio and ends up having some paranormal encounters. With a total of 40 episodes, the podcast has aired two seasons that premiered in 2016 and 2018, respectively.
| Created by: | Joseph Fink |
| Episode 1 broadcast date: | March 8, 2016 |
| language: | English |
| Available on: | Apple Podcasts |
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6. Black Tape
Released on May 21, 2015, The Black Tapes is a mystery horror pseudo-documentary podcast created by Paul Bay and Terry Miles. The podcast is a work of fiction, but is presented as true, with no credited writers or performers. With a total of 30 episodes, the podcast has received critical acclaim for its writing, meticulousness, and production. In a review, The Guardian described the podcast as “a world where mathematics, music theory, unknowns of history, and science are clues to a demonic invasion, or just random events connected only by the imagination.”
| Created by: | Paul Bay and Terry Miles |
| Episode 1 broadcast date: | May 21, 2015 |
| language: | English |
| Available on: | Apple Podcasts |
5. Pseudopods
Launched on August 11, 2006, Pseudopod is a horror podcast featuring short horror stories updated weekly. Distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 License, the horror podcast is a two-time winner of the prestigious Parsec Award and has been nominated six times in a row. It is hosted by Alasdair Stuart and co-edited by Sean M. Garrett and Alex Hofelich.
| Created by: | Escape Artist Inc. |
| Episode 1 broadcast date: | August 11, 2006 |
| language: | English |
| Available on: | Apple Podcasts |
4. Magnus Archive
Magnus Archives is a horror tragedy fiction podcast that debuted on March 24, 2016. The podcast follows the cases at Magnus University, a London-based institution that studies the paranormal. Listed as one of the BBC’s most dramatic podcasts, Magnus Archives has detailed several horror cases in its podcasts. Currently, there are five seasons of the podcast, with the fifth season airing from April 1, 2020 to March 25, 2021.
| Created by: | Jonathan Sims |
| Episode 1 broadcast date: | March 24, 2016 |
| language: | English |
| Available on: | Apple Podcasts |
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3. Tanis
Tanis is a horror mystery pseudo-documentary podcast published by Pacific Northwest Stories. The podcast presents the story of Silver, who investigates to discover the meaning of the word Tanis, which is linked to several organizations, and unravels several conspiracies.
| Created by: | Terry Miles |
| Episode 1 broadcast date: | October 13, 2015 |
| language: | English |
| Available on: | Apple Podcasts |
2. Welcome to Night Vale
Filled with horror and humor, the podcast “Welcome to Night Vale” welcomes listeners into the fictional world of Night Vale. Created in 2012 by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor, the series stars Cecil Baldwin as Cecil Palmer. The series, which has a total of 227 episodes, premiered on June 15, 2012. In 2014 and 2015, the series won six major awards each at the Audioverse Awards.
| Created by: | Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor |
| Episode 1 broadcast date: | June 5, 2012 |
| language: | English |
| Available on: | Apple Podcasts |
1. Campfire Radio Theater
A thrilling audio drama podcast, Campfire Radio Theatre brings listeners back to the nostalgia of the radio era with a vintage twist on modern horror and suspense stories. Created by John Boultentine, the radio theatre features a striking soundscape, captivating performances and thrilling music. In 2023, Campfire Audio Theatre won the American Writing Award for Best Fiction Podcast.
| Created by: | John Valentin |
| First aired on: | 2011 |
| language: | English |
| Available on: | Apple Podcasts |
The last word
In conclusion, it is advisable for the faint of heart to avoid horror podcasts or listen to them under parental supervision. However, if you are an avid fan of horror podcasts, you should listen to the above podcasts at least once in your life. The author has made this list of the best fictional horror podcasts after doing ample research on the genre.
