GHOSTS

Caricature by James Gillray of Perkins Tractors being administered to a patient.

8 of History’s Greatest Charlatans

One scam was convincing enough to fool George Washington.

These haunted locations from across the U.S. will leave you screaming.

Haunted Locations You Can Visit in All 50 States

For when you need a more immersive haunting experience.

‘The Nightmare’ by Henry Fuseli, circa 1871. Frame has been added.

13 Names for the Sleep Paralysis Demon from Around the World

Take a look at these 13 names from across the world that describe sleep paralysis and the demon once believed to cause it.

9 Facts About the 'Hell House LLC' Horror Movie Franchise

The 2015 low-budget horror flick became a massive word-of-mouth hit, and now has its very own spin-off.

The 25 Best Haunted House Movies of All Time

The haunted house is one of horror’s most time-honored tropes, a dark twisting of the place we call home into a maelstrom of terror and things that go bump in the night.

17 Scary Sayings for 'Ghost' From Across the United States

Familiarize yourself with these spooky slang terms for the spectral from the Dictionary of American Regional English (DARE).

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios.

The Most Terrifying Haunted Attraction in All 50 States

From Knotts Scary Farm to Eastern State Penitentiary, these haunted attractions are worth a visit this Halloween season.

Joan Rivers, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Keanu Reeves have all had ghostly encounters.

8 Famous Figures, Past and Present, Who Claimed to Have Encountered Ghosts

Being rich, famous, or influential has plenty of perks—but escaping the spirit world’s torments isn’t necessarily one of them.

Victor Hugo, Anne Rice, and Thomas Hardy were all believers.

9 Authors Who Believed in Ghosts

Some, like Harriet Beecher Stowe and Victor Hugo, believed they had communicated with spirits directly; others, like Nathaniel Hawthorne and Thomas Hardy, had ghostly encounters they couldn’t explain.

Scientists investigated whether Ouija Boards could speak for those beyond the veil.

8 Victorian Scientists Who Investigated Ghosts

Some 19th-century scientists embraced psychical research, while others tried to debunk the sensational stories.

9 Fake Words That Ended Up in the Dictionary

Ghost words have nothing to do with otherworldly apparitions, but they’re enough to scare the headwords off lexicographers.

A Brief History of the Ouija Board

The Ouija board has terrified countless slumber party children and served as a plot vehicle in a number of Hollywood films. Here’s where it came from.

Carving pumpkins is one of the most famous Halloween traditions.

15 Spooky Halloween Traditions and Their Origins

Love Halloween costumes and spooky decorations? Let’s dig a little deeper and learn the creepy stories behind the holiday's traditions, from carving pumpkins to munching on candy corn.

The United States is host to a number of wild and weird urban legends.

The Spookiest Urban Legend in All 50 States

From classics like the vanishing hitchhiker to creepy cryptids, ghostly vehicles, deadly curses, and some stuff you’ve probably seen on Facebook.

Guided by Voices: 7 Books Supposedly Written by Ghosts

From famous authors to a Roman emperor, these spirits sure had a lot to share.

There are said to be several White Ladies roaming the world.

15 Tales of Women Ghosts

Whether born of folklore or a historical tragedy, each of these ladies has a haunting tale.

These spooky tales will have you thankful you live in modern times.

6 Creepy Victorian Ghost Stories to Read Right Now

These stories need no contrivances to create places that are lonely and old, a place where bad things are kept hushed up instead of dealt with.

The Castle of Magical Dreams in Hong Kong Disneyland.

Why There Are No Ghosts in Hong Kong Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion Ride

Mystic Manor in Hong Kong Disneyland manages to honor the original Haunted Mansion ride while respecting cultural sensitivities at the same time.

There’s a Ghost Hiding in This Illustration—Can You Find It?

Are you able to find the ghost hiding in a field with many white bunny rabbits? We'll give you a minute.

'The Headless Horseman Pursuing Ichabod Crane' by John Quidor (1801–1881).

6 Terrifying Tales of Headless Horsemen

The headless horseman from ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ is just one of several headless horsemen to haunt the globe.

You never know what—or who—you'll encounter in these national parks.

6 Legendary Beings Who Haunt America’s National Parks

The parks offer thrill seekers, ghost hunters, and the brave alike another reason to visit.

Known as the "sea of trees," Japan's Aokigahara forest has a grim history.

15 Eerie Facts About Japan’s Suicide Forest

Some visitors have chosen Japan’s Aokigahara, or ‘suicide forest,’ as the setting for their final moments—walking in with no intention of ever walking out.

Stranger Than Fiction: The Paranormal Researcher Who Inspired Shirley Jackson

Paranormal investigator Nandor Fodor angered spiritualists, earned praise from Sigmund Freud, and influenced one of the most famous ghost stories of all time.

Watch Spooky Footage From a 1932 Séance, Featuring Lady Conan Doyle

If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to attend a séance during the spiritualist movement, this clip will give you an idea.