Whether you’re a skeptic or a true believer, there’s something intriguing about the things that go bump in the night. Some of the most iconic movies feature paranormal happenings or unexplained abilities. Those interested in the paranormal are fascinated by ghosts, ghouls, demons, aliens and more—the paranormal encompasses anything easily dismissed as incompatible with the rules of known science. Yet the questions remain.
From paranormal kids films like the notable Goosebumps series, Casper the Friendly Ghost, and Beetlejuice to more mature options like The Conjuring, Midsommar, and Paranormal Activity, the paranormal is often explored in a range of horror movies and other media like books, comics, and podcasts.
But the realm of the paranormal is not limited to fiction only. There are entire swaths of paranormal researchers and lifelong searchers. From real-life accounts of hauntings and demon possession to a myriad of documentary-style ghost-hunting tv shows, we are drawn to the paranormal in search of answers. But will we ever find them?
If you’re a paranormal junkie or just curious about what could be out there, here are some intriguing places to start:
And once you’ve finished with these, explore the stories below for a fascinating deep dive into all things paranormal.
Care to step inside?
By Aliza Polkes
This mystery may never be solved.
This is the story of my great-great-grandparents, and how their love endured—even in death.
By Gary Sweeney
Since the dawn of civilization we’ve gathered our dead and placed them in burial plots. So it’s no surprise that the living speak of lingering spirits at these hallowed sites.
A deadly beauty, the Aokigahara forest is a notorious location for those seeking suicide.
A beautiful wonder with a dark history.
As we await Season 7 of "American Horror Story", we’re filling the void with books similar to each freaky season of the show.
In the 1700s, a ruthless pirate on the high seas took mercy on a mother and her newborn child. Thus, the legend of Ocean Born Mary came to be.
By Gary Sweeney
Come for the peaches, stay for the paranormal activity.
These real-life encounters are out of this world.
By Jacob Greers
On October 23, The Lineup editors took a trip to Preston, Connecticut for a night inside one of the most haunted inns in New England: Captain Grant's 1754.
A malicious spirit resides in an old home in New Orleans' French Quarter.
Can you endure eight hours of torture and terror?
By DeAnna Janes