There’s nothing more delicious than a good ghost story on a dark, candlelit night. Listening to a spooky podcast or humming along to a wistful October melody can set the right mood for cozy sweaters, sleepy cats, and the occasional haunting.

Well-crafted horror and gothic podcasts will leave you wondering if that bump in the night is a up-to-no-good-poltergeist rooting around your fridge for snacks, or if it’s something far more sinister like your great grandmother Gertrude coming back from the grave to make sure you remembered to floss.

Or maybe it’s just the cat (it’s not the cat).

Put on your headphones and enjoy the ride with these 5 creepy kooky spoopy podcasts.

The Magnus Archives

The Magnus Archives is a weekly horror fiction anthology podcast examining what lurks in the archives of the Magnus Institute, an organization dedicated to researching the esoteric and the weird. They recently released a disclaimer saying that while the upcoming season may bizarrely mirror current events, it was the natural progression of the narrative.

Proceed with caution.

Widdershins Stories

Widdershins Stories is a storytelling podcast delving into the darkened pathways of folklore, fairy tales, mythology, legend, and beyond. Each tale is accompanied by a sparse and haunting live composed score, setting the mood for a journey deep into the woods.

Because the podcast isn’t episodic, you can start anywhere. So follow your fancy.

The Memory Palace

The Memory Palace is a storytelling podcast and occasional radio segment created and produced Nate DiMeo in 2008. It was also a finalist for a Peabody Award in 2016.

While this podcast isn’t notoriously spoopy, this episode absolutely is. So recommended listening begins here, but feel free to wander at will.

Alice Isn’t Dead

In Alice Isn’t Dead, a truck driver searches across America for the wife she had long assumed was dead. In the course of her search, she will encounter not-quite-human serial murderers, towns literally lost in time, and a conspiracy that goes way beyond one missing woman.

This podcast is terrifying, so make sure you have your best comfort object and that all the doors are locked.

Pseudopod

The creators of Pseudopod have been crafting spooky goodness for more than a decade. This premier horror podcast is nearing the 700 episode mark, but don’t let that hold you back. They have a new to Pseudopod guide for those feeling quite lost.

This episode is by and large one of the best ones, but there are many, many best ones.

Got a favorite horror podcast we haven’t mentioned or a favorite episode? Let us know in the comments!