For fans of horror anxious to supplement their intake, look no further than podcasts. These bite-sized audio works are plentiful and accessible on any smartphone, tablet, or computer. Podcasts aren't only for education, either; many excellent podcasts exist that revive the old radio drama tradition. It turns out horror is the perfect genre for audio storytelling.
Whether you want to know more about horror movies, listen to experts hash out their views about new releases, or engage with an original scary story, there's a podcast for you. Read below to learn more about the varied horror podcasts ready for you to stream right now.
The Magnus Archives
Magnus Archives is a pioneering horror podcast framed as an audio archive related to the paranormal. Jonathan Sims hosts as the head archivist of the Magnus Institute, a fictional organization that investigates supernatural occurrences across England.
Jonathan Sims narrates each tale with his brisk, dramatic British accent. Sims reads statements made by various people who have sought assistance from the Magnus Archives over the years. Since it debuted in 2016, over 150 episodes -- averaging about 25 minutes each -- have been released.
Last Podcast On The Left
Hosted by comedian Ben Kissel, Last Podcast on the Left is a weekly podcast that delves into both real and imagined terror. Kissel dives into the unknown with a coterie of close friends, and the results are hilarious.
Topics explored by Kissel and company include serial killers, conspiracy theories, ghosts, and Internet creepypastas. Since it debuted in 2011, Last Podcast on the Left has become exclusive to Spotify.
Darkest Night
Darkest Night is horror audio drama at its best. The podcast revolves around a special research center developing a memory recall procedure for the dead called Project Cyclops. It involves both reenactments from actors and narrative voiceover from none other than Lee Pace.
In each episode, researchers use a grotesque procedure that allows them to glimpse into the final moments before the death of various subjects. As the podcast progresses, listeners come to understand all of the research is connected to a dark, nefarious overarching plot.
The Evolution Of Horror
The Evolution of Horror is a straight-forward podcast that navigates the history of horror and its many subgenres. Host and film journalist Mike Muncer publishes an episode every week. Muncer is joined each episode by a different guest who is an expert in some aspect of horror.
The Evolution of Horror focuses on particular films, styles, and directors. The podcast also investigates -- as the title implies -- the chronological evolution of horror, from the occult to the slashers to everything else.
Limetown
Taking queues from popular investigative journalist podcasts like Serial, Limetown is a fictionalized account of a terrible accident in a small Tennessee town. A reporter named Lia Haddock tries to figure out what happened to over 300 people who disappeared from the eponymous city, a self-contained research facility.
As Lia approaches the truth, numerous forces come out of the woodwork to undermine her efforts. The results are engrossing and nightmarish.
Jump Scare
Jump Scare is a weekly horror movie review podcast hosted by Betty B Deadly and Shad Youngblood. The duo dives into classics like The Fog to recent gems like 2020's The Invisible Man. They also explore genres and television.
Betty B Deadly and Shad Youngblood also dig into tropes, such as found footage films. If you're looking for a fresh perspective on both older and newer horror, this is the podcast for you.
The White Vault
The White Vault is another top-notch fictionalized horror podcast. It follows a team of researchers working at a remote station in the Arctic. The team is based on Svalbard, Norway. While exploring the area, they find a lot more than archaeologic treasures.
Events escalate as a blizzard moves in. The podcast is framed as a found footage narrative, and it involves scripted audio acting and impressive special effects.
Horror Queers
Horror Queers examines horror with a queer lens. Hosts Joe Lipsett and Trace Thurman look past mainstream interpretations to find deeper meanings and LGBTQ relevancy.
Lipsett and Thurman feature queer horror films, but they also highlight well-known films filtered through their unique interpretation. They span decades and styles with their choices.
The NoSleep Podcast
The NoSleep Podcast started as a forum for original scary stories. Showrunner David Cummings brought the best stories from the subreddit to life via the podcast, which debuted on June 13, 2011. This long-standing anthology podcast is going strong to this day.
Each episode runs one hour. Guests over its run include Elijah Wood and Kate Siegal. Authors whose work is featured in the podcast have gone on to publish their own works.
Scream, Queen!
Scream, Queen is a hilarious and insightful horror commentary podcast hosted by two people of color, Drea Washington and queer poet Tommy Pico. Considering the genre consists of mostly white actors, writers, and directors, Washington and Pico look at horror from an outsider's perspective.
Washington and Pico shine a light on their favorite characters, themes, and films while generating plenty of laughs. This is the pop-culture horror podcast for people who hate pop culture.