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.
We haven’t caught a wink since 1991—here’s why.
By DeAnna Janes
They say the original owner's troubled spirit still wanders the halls, haunting all those who enter.
Could this old burial ground be the most haunted place in Savannah?
By Orrin Grey
Her body may be buried in the family tomb, but Eliza's troubled spirit never left her stately home.
These first-person paranormal encounters will have you sleeping with the lights on.
Some say when Emily's lover stood her up, she flung herself off the bridge to her death.
She wears a white gown, with piercing eyes as blue as ice.
By Gary Sweeney
Be nice to the new girl, or she might come back to haunt you.
Some report the phantom sounds of musket fire, others the pungent smell of blood.
You do not want to find yourself alone in one of these ghost towns.
Did this ancient German castle inspire Mary Shelley's famous horror novel?
By Orrin Grey
Atop a hill in Dublin is an abandoned building, where men once made pacts with the Devil.
What started out as a harmless game turns into something much more sinister.
Don’t make any plans for tomorrow—you’re in for a restless night.
For the founders of the Stanley hotel, the music hasn't stopped ... even in death.
By Eric Olsen
"Sometimes I wish I never set foot in that hospital."
By Tim Nealon
This ruined castle in Sao Paulo was once a luxurious mansion ... until it became the site of a grisly murder mystery.
By Orrin Grey
Say goodbye to a good night’s sleep.
In 1892, young Kate Morgan checked into the Hotel del Coronado. Little did she know, her spirit would never leave.
By Ashley Hall