It’s almost Halloween, which means it’s the perfect time of year to cozy up with some tea, dim the lights, and turn up a spooky podcast.

Lucky for you, I spent the last four days immersed in the world of haunting and unearthly podcasts. There’s ghosts, aliens, unsolved mysteries, true crime and more.

We got something for everyone looking for a Halloween scare!

Read on to discover your next favourite podcast.

Old Gods of Appalachia

Want something southern and spooky? Old Gods of Appalachia is an eldritch horror-anthology podcast set in the darkest mountains in the world. The stories are based on actual disasters and historical events centred in the Appalachian mountains. Listeners really like this podcast, with many dubbing it the best horror podcast around. One reviewer said: “I’ve never been sucked into anything so quickly and so thoroughly as OLD GODS in my life. This has been an amazing experience. I’m in withdraws.” Even though the stories delve into horror, monsters, demons, and more, the voice acting is still super palatable. It’s not cheesy, not stilted, and not melodramatic. They also have some of the best theme music around. Of all the podcasts on this list, this is the one that I wanted to dive into ASAP.

Listen if: You were immersed into the setting and atmosphere of True Detective. Also if you like southern accents and gothic horror.

Limetown

An oldie but a goodie. I’ll be honest, I had to Google whether or not this was fiction. It just feels so much like an actual NPR-style audio documentary — at first. Limetown sets up an intriguing mystery... overnight, an entire town in Tennessee disappeared. The protagonist is American Public Radio reporter Lia Haddock, who revisits the disappearance ten years later. When this horror docudrama first debuted in 2015, Limetown was celebrated as a top-tier radio drama that expertly melds true crime and sci-fi. Tune in for wonderfully evocative and realistic sound design, believably told through creepy field recordings, and filled with suspense.

Listen if: You’re drawn to the comfort of an NPR investigative radio format and are also a fan of The X-Files and all things sci-fi.

Monsters Among Us

A call-in show about the unexplained, cryptozoology, and the paranormal. What could be better? Listeners call into the hotline and share their spooky close encounters with all sorts of creatures: sasquatches, aliens, doppelgängers, and even haunted dolls. Host Derek Hayes’ narration is gruff, spooky, and to the point. The podcast has a loyal following with faithful call-ins and listeners, probably owed to the variety of experiences broadcast on the show. Because the callers are just regular people, the storytelling is authentic and compelling, as they share their most bizarre stories to a voicemail box. And with 12 seasons, there’s no shortage of episodes to tap into. I’m pretty fascinated by time slips and missing time, so that’s what I chose. (PS, the intro is a great example of how music can make or break a listeners’ experience and set the stage for a spooky listening session.)

Listen if: You love stories told around a campfire of unexplained encounters with unexplainable things.

Dreamboy

Night Vale Presents… Dreamboy, a music fiction podcast. This one is less horror and more weird. I’ll just let you read the podcast description: “Set over a few flickering nights in Cleveland, Ohio, this is a story of creatures, human and otherwise, caught in the eternal pornography of the cosmos, told in the blockbuster cinematic style of Spielberg classics.” Well, then! Dreamboy follows Dane, a musician spending the winter in Cleveland. Dane has two goals: keep his job at the Pepper Heights Zoo and not waste his time on Grindr. Described by reviewers as unusual, strange, surreal, one of a kind, captivating, horny, and gay, whats not to love? It also features an incredible musical score, expert sound design, and an engaging story line. Be prepared for the occasional graphic sex scene.

Listen if: You like a short series you can listen to in one day, music, and erotica.

Parkdale Haunt

From Frequency Podcast Network comes Parkdale Haunt, a serialized horror fiction podcast, currently releasing episodes of its anticipated second season. Described on Twitter as a Canadian “something-is-wrong-with-this-house” show, we certainly agree. The show follows Judith as she tries to track down her lifelong best friend, Claire, who abruptly goes missing. She can’t help but blame the strange happenings on this old house in Parkdale, which Claire inherited from a biological family she never met. It’s a show about friendship and identity, trauma, cults, rituals, and… the Toronto real estate market? Easy listening, entertaining, and a plotline that beckons. The voice acting may not be for everyone, but once you get into the flow of the story, you’re golden.

Listen if: You live in Toronto and want to be spooked out about what goes on behind closed doors next time you’re on your nighttime walk.

The Horror! (Old Time Radio)

Want to listen to some old timey radio? The Horror! from Relic Radio is a great option for those nostalgic for weird and peculiar horror tales. It’s a well-curated weekly presentation of vintage programming that should excite history and radio nerds alike. The Horror! is the closest you can get to time travel, and it’s practically a must-listen for twentieth century entertainment lovers. We love that Relic Radio is dedicated to preserve the archives of radio plays that may otherwise be lost to the depths of time. Modern audiences may be surprised to see how dark these spooky tales can go. There’s something about listening to radio horror originally aired to an audience in 1942 that hits different.

Listen if: You pine for a time pre-Internet where families would turn off all the lights, light some candles, and gather around the kitchen radio. You’re also a sucker for old horror movies.

If I Go Missing the Witches Did It

This podcast stars Gabourey Sidibe (Precious, American Horror Story, Empire) as Jenna, a Black writer who vanishes without a trace while visiting Westchester one summer. The fictional podcast follows Elise, a white podcast host with a saviour complex, who decides to investigate her disappearance. A set of voice memos serves as the only clue. A show about white saviours, true crime, and witchcraft, that also unravels themes of race and class? Sign us up. Writer Pia Wilson knew what she was doing with this one. If you’re somehow not sold yet, listen to the trailer. It’s so fun.

Listen if: You're a good witch!

Strange Phenomenon

For the truth-seekers out there, Strange Phenomenon is a paranormal documentary podcast featuring expert and eyewitness interviews that delve into events and anomalies that appear to be beyond the realm of conventional scientific understanding. Unlike other podcasts on this list, there is no fiction to be found here. This is a facts-based, yet open-minded approach to paranormal storytelling. Originally shared in our weekly newsletter, Michal recommended this podcast because the storytelling is straightforward—there are no alien fakeouts and no reports of weird occurrences that turned out to be something else—it’s more of an examination of what we know and why we don’t know more.

Listen if: You don’t want fiction podcasts, you want the truth, dammit!

Full Body Chills

For the scaredy cats, Full Body Chills is a good one to listen to when you want something a little silly and a little hokey. It reminded me of listening to Are You Afraid of the Dark? as a kid, or ghost stories that you’d make up around a campfire to spook your friends. Maybe I have a high tolerance for horror, but this one didn’t knock a tick off me. Season one seems to be the crowd favourite, with seasons two and three being less well-received. For that reason, I’d recommend you start in the back catalogue. The first episode is below.

Listen if: You don’t want to miss out on all the spooky Halloween podcast fun, but you’re also a ‘fraidy cat. This one shouldn’t hurt too much.

Into The Dark

Here’s a nonfiction podcast for all you witches and wannabe witches out there. Into the Dark features friendly interviews with practitioners and scholars of witchcraft and the occult arts. Plus, they answer listener questions on all things occult, which tend to be super fun. Hosted by Cooper B. Wilhelm, this show had a 23-episode run on RadioFreeBrooklyn.com, and it totally gives me early DIY podcasting vibes though it was released in 2016. The first few episodes explore tarot cards, ouija boards, sex magic, and spellcraft… FUN! I like the laid back and approachable attitude of this show — it’s not gatekeeper-y — and the guests are passionate and open to sharing.

Listen if: You dabble in tarot and other witchy things, and you want to hear from other practitioners of the occult arts.

The Burned Photo

Based on a popular 18-part Reddit thread, this suspense-filled thriller tells the story of Felicia and Kira, two women whose lives become intertwined when they discover they’re being terrorized by the same multi-generational curse. As I write this, it’s currently charting in the top Apple Charts. Fun fact: The first drafts of The Burned Photo were written in a North Hollywood coffee shop in 2014, and were later posted to r/nosleep, where the story lingered and haunted readers for years. Proof that publishing your writing on the Internet can pay off!

Listen if: You’ve ever read a story on r/nosleep... I see you.

Spooked

Real stories from real people. Spooked features true-life supernatural stories, told firsthand by people who can barely believe it happened themselves. Most of the recollections are believable enough and not over the top ridiculous. The authentic quality of the storyteller’s experience makes it easy to suspend your disbelief and go along for the ride. The stories are streamlined and well-edited. There’s not too much filler, and the music and sound effects add a nice bit of interest to the stories. The variety of weirdness will keep you hooked. I kept thinking… you really can’t write this stuff. Reviewers agree that listeners should start at season one. From Snap Judgment, this podcast is currently releasing its sixth season.

Listen if: You like first person storytelling that’s edited and accented by SFX and music.

Suspect

Alright, here’s one true crime investigative podcast for you fanatics. I am medium on these types of podcasts, for ethical considerations, but I know that listeners go bananas for a new true crime series. So: In Suspect, journalists investigate the unsolved murder of Arpana Jinaga, who was killed the night of a Halloween party at her apartment complex in 2008. It is hosted by Matthew Shaer and Eric Benson (Over My Dead Body) who return to the scene of the crime to uncover what happened, and speak to witnesses who are still haunted by the party. Partygoers are the main suspects, and are often identified by their costumes. (Was it the guy in the devil mask?) It’s got forensic evidence, witness testimony, DNA, and even a psychic.

Listen if: You listen to all of Wondery’s true crime series and like ‘em.

Folxlore

A horror podcast written by queers, for queers, Folxlore is an anthology series that offers stories of queer peple living literally and figuratively between two worlds. Episodes are unsettling, and though they often delve into issues related to queerphobia, they avoid damaging stereotypes often portrayed in pop culture. The series deals with themes of first romance, hate crime trauma, and queer parenthood. There’s an immersive quality to the stories, almost like you’re there witnessing the horror as it unfolds.

Listen if: You like poetry, horror, rhythmic storytelling, and queer art.

Family Ghosts

Every family has ghosts. In this documentary-style podcast, producers investigate the truth behind a story that’s been haunting a family for generations: Grandmothers who smuggled jewels, uncles who led double lives, and they even tracked down a stolen corpse. There’s a flavour of true crime here, but their real goal is to unpack the burden carried by family members who carry the weight of these stories — people who are haunted by their shadowy ancestors. Secrets and myths loom in every family, and sometimes when you learn about your past, your present becomes more clear.

Listen if: You’re into genealogy, family histories, and hidden secret lives.

The NoSleep Podcast

A spin off from the subreddit r/nosleep, this podcast features original stories that are animated by voice actors, sound effects, and chilling scores. It’s one of the longest running podcasts of its kind, having been around since 2011. If you’re simply not into fictional spooky stories that can sometimes be a bit much, you probably won’t like it. It’s kind of like listening to a tour guide usher you through a haunted house; the tales may be far from plausible, but it’s kind of fun. As with any popular anthology in its 16th season, there are hundreds of hours of stories, and some are stronger than others. Not sure where to start? Check out this helpful list from the creators. I chose a Halloween episode from 2014… because why not? It’s practically vintage.

Listen if: You’re a horror fiction skeptic and want to see what all the hype is about.

Thank you to producer Michal Stein, who has been sharing spooky podcast recommendations during the month of October in our weekly newsletter, Vocal Fridays. There, she recommended Strange Phenomenon, If I Go Missing the Witches Did It, and The Burned Photo. If you’re not subscribed to our newsletter yet, please do! It’s a lot of fun.

16 Spooky Podcasts for Halloween