The paranormal subgenre dates all the way back to the work of gothic fiction writers such as Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, and Henry James. Be it a monster created by a human, a vampire prince falling for a woman who resembles his dead wife, or a governess hired to take care of two orphans in an estate with unimaginable secrets, these are foundational texts of the paranormal: supernatural, spooky stories featuring events that resist a scientific explanation. Over the years, the genre has shifted in form and storytelling, inspired by cultural moments and the newfound horrors of modernity.
The paranormal genre is perfectly suited to podcasts, given how its ties to myths and legends are rooted in oral storytelling. In the same way that a campfire tale can give you goosebumps, the best paranormal podcasts are as much about performance and structure as the story itself. Some, like the gothic fiction of old, are purely imagined, while others offer a window into the unseen and unexplained pockets of our own reality.
Paranormal Fiction Podcasts
With a packed cast of acclaimed performers and a heart-stopping supernatural tale, this Audible Original podcast transports listeners to a deadly winter world where danger awaits. In an unspecified near future, a comet has hit the Earth, leaving a sunless, frozen landscape and few survivors. And where darkness resides, vampires appear. If you're ready to enter the dark unknown, pop in your earbuds for the most immersive experience, and get lost in an apocalyptic story of survival and resistance directed and written by Pacific Rim writer Travis Beacham.
Archive 81 is truly fascinating, both in story and format. Utilizing the found footage technique, the horror podcast is the story of Dan, an archivist tasked with restoring a series of tapes created years ago by a woman named Melody Pendras. Of course, while he listens to the tapes, creepy stuff begins to happen. The popularity of this inventive paranormal podcast led to a Netflix adaptation of the same name.
Immerse yourself in QCODE's spooky Ghost Tape, a paranormal fiction podcast following the story of Tessa Dixon, the granddaughter of an army vet who recently passed away. (Oh, and his cause of death was mysterious, to say the least.) At the very center of this enigmatic listen is the titular “Ghost Tape,” an audiotape of her grandfather's that harbors deep secrets which just might relate to his demise. This gripping audio piece is co-created by leading horror creatives Nia DaCosta (Candyman) and Aron Eli Coleite (Netflix's adaptation of Locke & Key).
One thing we refuse to leave unexplained: the audio quality of a podcast, especially for a category as immersive as paranormal fiction. Have no doubts about the sound innovations of Beyond Strange Lands, an action-packed, thrilling audio drama where mysterious disappearances plague a singular family. It will take Fiona Peters and her son, Ethan, to find an explanation. This 12-episode series is a collaboration between Australia’s Screen Queensland and Audible Originals.
Paranormal Nonfiction Podcasts
The award-winning, critically acclaimed podcast Lore exposes the dark side of history, examining macabre folklore with intriguing insight and perspective. Featuring standalone episodes, this podcast can be perused by your own particular eerie interests, whether mysterious creatures, strange places, or unexplained tragic events. Choose from the pod's archive of 200+ episodes, or peruse its World of Lore audiobook series. Created by Aaron Mahnke, Lore has a streaming adaptation on Prime Video as well.
In And That’s Why We Drink, Christine Schiefer and Em Schulz offer a comedy podcast where true crime and the paranormal meet. Laughter and scares won't be missing from this listen—grab your favorite beverage to enjoy alongside our hilarious hosts. Between chilling ghost stories and horrifying true crime tales, Christine and Em blend the very best of reality and legend, humor and horror.
If you're a big fan of true crime cold cases and intriguing happenings, you probably already love Unsolved Mysteries. From the creators of the fan-favorite TV series, each episode shines a light on the haunting happenings that keep us up at night. Join host Steve French as he delves into mysteries from bizarre paranormal encounters to brutal killings that continue to confound investigators. Whether you love the original show, the recent reboot, or are totally new to the series, this podcast offers a window into the world’s many secrets—and the creeping realization that it’s impossible to uncover them all.
Join Nikki and Kalai in Creepy Conversations, a podcast where you'll get to enjoy a wide variety of topics, ranging from Asian horror stories to scary mythical creatures to conspiracy theories and beyond. These humor-infused conversations are genuine and informal, giving the impression of sitting back with a few paranormal-knowledgeable pals. Peppered in between truly frightening, inexplicable tales is just the right amount of levity and heart.
Ghost Town is a podcast sure to delight any fan of unexplained occurrences. Jason Horton and Rebecca Leib explore tales of paranormal experiences and stories related to strange historical and cultural events that you might have missed—like the 1985 methane explosion that changed LA's infrastructure and laws. There’s never a dull moment on this listen. With great care for each topic, Jason and Rebecca shine a light on bizarre stories sure to instantly intrigue any listener.
Blending fiction with nonfiction, Radio Rental dazzles us with impressive horrors rooted in reality. In this podcast, you’ll hear a diverse catalog of interesting stories, ranging from true crime cases to phenomenal paranormal activity. Radio Rental is the name of the show's setting, a delightfully nostalgic 1980s video rental store. This blast-from-the-past store is run by an eccentric shopkeeper named Terry Carnation, played by Rainn Wilson. Yep, you read that right—Dwight Schrute himself is going to be narrating some spooky tales for you. Does it get any better than that?
If you're going to experience frightening incidents that blur the line between the real and the paranormal, it's best to do it with your best friend by your side. In Two Girls One Ghost, best friends Corinne Vien and Sabrina Deana-Roga recount spooky stories of cryptids, haunted houses, visits from dead relatives and more in a surprisingly comforting setting. If you have fond memories of swapping ghostly tales by the glow of a flashlight at a slumber party, this is the listen for you. Of course, there might be a few jump scares along the way, but laughter is never far behind.
One hard fact—there isn't a lot of diversity or representation when it comes to the creators, directors, and hosts of paranormal podcasts. Sapphire Sandalo, a pansexual Filipino American podcaster, animator, and director, is on a mission to change. Stories with Sapphire shares a wide and fascinating spectrum of personal experiences with the paranormal through interviews, stories, and even poetry. This podcast is a must-listen for anyone seeking a different perspective on the paranormal and tales of how it affects all types of people from around the globe.
If you’re fascinated by all things outer space or just way out there, be sure to listen to this podcast. In Mysterious Universe, hosts Aaron Wright and Benjamin Grundy investigate the latest in UFOS, extraterrestrials, weird science, alternative history, cryptozoology, poltergeists, telepathy, and all kinds of extraordinary tales that mess with your mind. Find out for yourself what's reality, what's myth, and what's wide open to possibilities.
Unless you’re particularly brave, it’s probably best not to listen to Ghost Maps by HANTU alone. This podcast follows a mysterious narrator who shares supernatural stories—inspired by true tales submitted by real people—set in Singapore and throughout Southeast Asia. With frightening and entertaining tales paired up with impressive jump scares, this podcast’s incredible soundscape makes you feel right up-close to the spooky action.
One of the best haunted pods of all time, Spooked features true-life supernatural stories, told firsthand by people who can barely believe it happened themselves. From podcast host extraordinaire Glynn Washington, of Snap Judgment and Heaven's Gate renown, this exquisitely told, sublimely scary series recently dropped its seventh season—just in time to get in the Halloween spirit.
