Buzz
Tired of horror films? Bored of spooky books? Let’s face it—you can’t experience a jump scare through pages! Embrace the digital age and explore some thrilling new content this Halloween. This curated list offers a guide to the most chilling, mind-bending, and fear-inducing channels on YouTube.
Grab your friends and family, dim the lights, open that stash of candy you collected from the neighborhood, and dive into these creators’ dark and eerie storytelling.
10. Scary Mysteries—Exactly What It Sounds Like…
For those who appreciate straightforward content, this channel is a must-watch. It delves into mysteries—specifically, the spine-chilling kind. With bingeable videos ranging from 10 to 20 minutes, it explores UFOs, ghostly encounters, serial killers, and other bizarre, unresolved phenomena.
Starting Point: “5 Terrifying Forests You Should Avoid at All Costs”—Forests have an inherent eeriness. They’ve been the backdrop for countless horror tales and movies, and our ancestors often met grim fates in these ancient woods. Beyond the obvious dangers like wild animals, forests hide darker secrets. This video explores everything from legendary creatures like the Jersey Devil to serial killers and bizarre phenomena like a fifteen-foot-wide barren circle where nothing grows, kicking off your journey into the world’s most chilling mysteries.
Regular Sections/Playlists: “Twisted 2’s”—Episodes focusing on two major mysteries. “Every Town Has a Dark Side”—Podcast series uncovering crimes and enigmas in small-town America. “Strange and Scary Mysteries of the Month”—A monthly compilation of the oddest news stories and reports.
9. Nexpo—ARGs and Chilling Discoveries!
This well-known channel offers in-depth explorations of the internet’s strangest corners. From ARGs (augmented reality games, often horror-themed) and unsettling viral videos to investigations into online predators, this channel goes beyond merely showcasing disturbing content—it strives to make a positive impact. The creator invites you to delve into the dark side of the web. Are you ready to join the journey?
Starting Point: “Mysterious Flyers in Portland, Oregon”—Is this a bizarre prank, an ARG taken too far, or proof of a cult in the Pacific Northwest? This fascinating exploration of a fringe phenomenon will make you question the meaning behind every flyer, poster, or graffiti tag you encounter in your own town.
Regular Sections/Playlists: “Disturbing Things from around the Internet”
8. Nick Crowley—Aleister Would Be Impressed
Similar in style to the previous entry, Nick Crowley delves into the darker corners of the internet. However, Nick focuses more on real-world horrors, such as animal cruelty scams, dangerous online communities, and emerging cults. While Nexpo leaves you questioning reality, Crowley removes all doubt—these events are real, and he presents them in chilling detail.
Starting Point: “The Khamar Daban Incident”—You might know about the Dyatlov Pass incident, but have you heard of Khamar Daban? This arguably more shocking event is expertly covered by Crowley, making it a perfect real-life horror story for Halloween.
Regular Sections/Playlists: “YouTube’s Darkest Channels”
7. Bedtime Stories—Eerie Tales and Haunting Art
If a channel’s description starts with, “WARNING—These stories are NOT for the faint-hearted. Dim the lights, settle into bed, and put on your headphones. It’s time for a spine-chilling bedtime story,” you know you’re in for a treat. This channel lives up to its promise.
From famous paranormal tales to lesser-known stories from around the globe, and even viewer-submitted experiences, Bedtime Stories excels at creating captivating paranormal content. The channel’s striking artwork, paired with the calm, northern-English narration, immerses you like a gripping lecture—until the chilling subject matter leaves you terrified.
Starting Point: “The Flannan Isles Lighthouse Mystery”—Begin with the very first video. This haunting tale from the atmospheric Scottish isles is a perfect example of the channel’s ability to evoke the uncanny.
Regular Sections/Playlists: Weekly uploads
6. Atrocity Guide—Bizarre Internet Stories
If you’re looking for something less horror-focused but equally unsettling, Atrocity Guide is the channel for you. While her content might not scare you outright, it could make you crave lighter fare like ghost or Bigfoot videos afterward.
While the channel’s focus on odd individuals and peculiar groups may not be as terrifying as others on this list, one thing is undeniable—the topics are thoroughly researched, expertly presented, and undeniably strange, real, and unsettling.
Starting Point: “The Strange World of Breatharianism”—The title could have just as easily used words like horrifying, delusional, or baffling. This 50-minute mini-documentary on a dangerous cult is one of the best available online, offering a mix of sadness, concern, and sobering reality.
Regular Sections/Playlists: Uploads every few months
5. Being Scared—Stormy Nights and Terrifying Tales
Sometimes, it’s important to revisit tradition. Long before mini-documentaries, deep dives, and viral memes became the norm, people gathered to share scary stories. Often, these tales were told on dark, stormy nights, with the howling wind and rain setting the perfect backdrop for spine-chilling narratives.
Many of us recall swapping urban legends around campfires, exploring abandoned buildings on a dare, or staying up late at sleepovers. This channel perfectly recreates that experience, pairing eerie stories with atmospheric sound effects like rain, wind, and thunder.
You’ll listen to one story. The sound of rain fills your ears. Then you notice your bedroom window’s blind is open. Didn’t you close it earlier?
Nope.
Alright, just a few more stories…
Starting Point: Anywhere. Press play, relax, and prepare to be terrified.
Regular Sections/Playlists: “Scary Stories for a Rainy Night”
4. In Praise of Shadows—Exploring the World of Horror Media
If you’re not in the mood for outright scares, why not dive into the history of horror? This channel provides an insightful look at horror movies, comics, and other media that have terrified audiences for decades. Its in-depth exploration of 20th-century horror comics is a standout feature. But don’t get too comfortable—while the analysis is fascinating, the accompanying artwork is often so eerie it might send you checking under your bed.
Starting Point: “Homunculus: What Does It Mean to Be Human?”—A deep dive into one of the most shocking and thought-provoking manga ever created. Equal parts mind-bending and stomach-churning.
Regular Sections/Playlists: “Anatomy of a Franchise” “Why You Should Watch…” And don’t miss the three-part series on Horror Comics
3. Lazy Masquerade—The Ultimate Hub for the Macabre and Unsettling
This channel combines the best elements of the others without sacrificing quality. If you’re planning a binge session, go all in with Lazy Masquerade. From mini-documentaries on gruesome crimes and unexplained phenomena to list videos and narrated scary stories, this channel has it all.
It also shines a spotlight on Southeast Asia, a region often overlooked in Western media. And trust me, the stories from this part of the world are both fascinating and terrifying.
Snuggle up on your sofa and start watching—just make sure the lights are off. As Lazy always says, “The best things happen in the dark…”
Starting Point: “3 Creepy ‘Region Locked’ Mysteries, FINALLY UNLOCKED”—Lazy uncovers three bizarre tales from the Far East that you’ve likely never encountered.
Regular Sections/Playlists: “Photos with Creepy Backstories” “Folklore and Urban Legends” “USA Horror Road Trip” And countless others…
Here’s to a spooky binge-watching session!
2. The Paranormal Scholar—Exploring Strange and Supernatural Phenomena
Finally, a channel with expertise—well, kind of. Outside of YouTube, Laura and Erik Rowton aim to connect underground enthusiasts, paranormal investigators, and the often rigid academic world. Their documentary, “In Search of the Dead,” even includes interviews with scholars.
Their YouTube channel focuses on cataloging and exploring paranormal events and stories. Laura Rowton’s soothing narration guides viewers through various “Top X” lists covering a wide range of Fortean topics—from historical encounters with the devil to unsettling “men in black” stories that are far creepier than a handshake from Tommy Lee Jones.
Starting Point: “5 Terrifying Wartime Monster Sightings”—This list introduces a unique perspective: soldiers encountering cryptids. Are their accounts more credible due to their respected roles in society? Or does the high-stress, life-threatening nature of their experiences make their testimonies less reliable? Regardless, these stories are captivating.
Regular Sections/Playlists: “Unexplained Mysteries” “Deities, Demons, and the Devil”
1. Rusty West—Lost in the Wild
Fans of the “Missing 411” phenomenon will adore this channel. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the theories about the unusually high number of disappearances in U.S. national parks, Rusty West’s smooth, captivating voice—reminiscent of polished mahogany and sweet molasses—will draw you in. Just be warned: these stories might make you reconsider your next wilderness adventure.
This channel offers a mix of tragic, baffling, and eerie tales of hikers vanishing without a trace, along with viewer-submitted stories of strange encounters and supernatural experiences. It’s a treasure trove of chilling content perfect for hours of exploration.
Starting Point: “3½ Hours of Strange National Park Disappearances”—Don’t let the length intimidate you. This feature-length video is perfect for dipping in and out of, enjoying with a cup of cocoa and popcorn, or even falling asleep to Rusty’s calming voice as he recounts unsolved mysteries.
Regular Sections/Playlists: Various compilation videos “10 More Strangest National Park Disappearances” series “Case Studies”—A collection of videos diving deeper into individual cases.
