Horror when done right is an experience like nothing else. You feel a rise in adrenaline, the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. You’re on-edge, invested in the story and would rather keep the lights on. Then, the story reaches its climax after an unnerving crescendo. It’s almost like hot-sauce, we love it because it’s good pain!
Recently I wanted to share my favorite stories with someone special (you know who you are :D), so I decided to organize them here! The ranking criteria I used were #1: was it scary and #2: was it unique and impactful? There’s also so many good stories it’s important to note even if one is low on this list, it’s still worth a listen just by being here! Without further ado, here’s my updated list of great creepypastas!
#1: Borrasca
Recordings: part 1 part 2
Runtime: 6 hours
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Warnings: SA
Wow, just wow. I’ve never had a story unnerve me like this. It really sticks with you at points, and it’s so satisfying to see the conclusion. The narrative unfolds well over its runtime. It surprised, revolted and disgusted me. I really don’t want to reveal anything else, it’s best to go in blind!
#2: The Thing in the Basement is Getting Better at Mimicking People
Recording: here!
Runtime: 2 hours
Genre: Psychological, Supernatural
Warnings: N/A
I’ve never had a story fuck with my mind like this one. As you can gather from the title, it’s about a cryptic creature that mimics people. What sets this story apart is the way it makes you question what is and isn’t real. It gaslights you, and does a great job of leaving a lot to the imagination, just hinting at the terror underneath.
#3: The Hidden Webpage
Recording: here!
Runtime: 2 hours
Genre: Supernatural
Warnings: N/A
You know when you’re reading a story and hit a moment of unnerve? Stuff feels wrong; a little off. You can tell something’s wrong and you’re trapped, unsure what to do. The Hidden Webpage has so many of those unnerving moments of dread. It’s extremely creative just adjacent to reality it feels almost possible, but otherworldly weird and unknown. While the second half felt like a letdown to me, the beginning was so strong this remains an incredible creepypasta.
#4: Ted the Caver
Recording: here!
Runtime: 2 hours
Genre: Realistic/Supernatural
Warnings: N/A
One of the original creepypastas, Ted the Caver is the most realistic feeling horror story I’ve ever heard. It’s strengths are how immersed you’ll get into the story and how foreboding it is. Be sure to watch the recording, as there are images as well!
#5: Cabin Getaway & Stolen Tongues
Recordings: part 1 part 2
Runtime: 4 hours
Genre: Skinwalker
Warnings: N/A
This is the best pure skinwalker story I’ve heard. It involves the freaky feeling of your spouse being possessed and is just so satisfying.
#6: Infected Town & Infected Town Case Files
Recordings: part 1 part 2
Runtime: ~8 hours
Genre: Supernatural
Warnings: N/A
While tangentially related and in the same universe, these two stories do their own thing and can stand on their own. Infected Town follows the unfurling story of an “Infected Town”, starting as an urban exploration story and delving into cult fuckery. Case Files is a really enjoyable episodic collection of supernatural encounters, like if Supernatural was a creepypasta and actually scary. Infected Town unnerved the heck out of me and Case Files was so interesting!
#7: Tommy Taffy “The Third Parent”
Recording: here!
Runtime: 2 hours
Genre: Supernatural, Metaphorical
Warnings: SA, bad parents
Oh my god where to begin. Tommy Taffy is a terrifying analogy of inter-generational trauma and the pain caused by abusive parents. This one can hit home for people, it really impacted me and does a great job of capturing the consequences of that experience.
#8: The Left Right Game
Recording: here!
Runtime: 6 hours
Genre: Ritual
Warnings: N/A
The Left Right Game is another one extremely high on creativity. A ton of unnerving “oh shit” moments with a unique premise and a compelling journey/story. You venture with others on a hellish road trip! I love how the narrative evolves. There’s characters you’ll love, hate, and love to hate.
#9: Penpal
Recording: here!
Runtime: 2.25 hours
Genre: Realistic
Warnings: N/A
Penpal is from the perspective of someone who was stalked as a child recalling their encounters with the person. It’s chock-full of unnerving moments and just a well-done, emotional story.
#10: The Showers
Recording: here!
Runtime: 3 hours
Genre: Supernatural
Warnings: N/A
This story does a great job exploring the impact of trauma and dysfunctional codependent relationships. The Showers is a terrifying place that our horror-obsessed protagonist learns of and is changed forever. It’s a classic for a reason!
#11: Fleshgait
Recording: here!
Runtime: 1 hour
Genre: Supernatural
Warnings: N/A
Fleshgait is one of the best skinwalkery-esque stories ever! It fucks with you in creative ways and is a really terrifying situation! It does have some problematic/outdated language, but otherwise it’s great.
#12: “The Things in The Woods”, A Collection of Scary Stories
Recording: here!
Runtime: 4 hours
Genre: Le Woods
Warnings: N/A
Not much to say. If you enjoy the creepy things in the woods that go bump in the night, this collection is for you!
#13: Accounts From a Lonely Broadcast Station
Recording: here!
Runtime: 5 hours
Genre: Supernatural/Realistic
Warnings: N/A
If Firewatch was a creepypasta. Wonderful experience.
#14: You’re Going to Notice a Woman in your Home, you Must Ignore her
Recording: here!
Runtime: 11 minutes
Genre: Ritual/Supernatural
Warnings: N/A
As the title says, this is a really creepy uncomfortable situation to remind yourself in. It’s creative, unsettling, short & sweet!
#15: The Abstergo Man
Recording: here!
Runtime: 15 minutes
Genre: Supernatural/Light Ritual
Warnings: N/A
The Abstergo man creates a new cryptid creature that felt creepy, inevitable and unique. While true for all of these, listening to the recording is 100% required for this one. The sound effects in this reading MAKES this pasta great.
#16: There is More to Fear at the Border
Recording: here!
Runtime: 25 Minutes
Genre: Realistic
Warnings: Human Trafficking
This story is terrifying because it’s completely realistic and possible. Short and unsettling!
#17: Bedtime
Recording: here!
Runtime: 2 hours
Genre: Supernatural
Warnings: N/A
One of the old goodie classics: getting stalked by a rake-like cryptid since childhood!
#18: The Rake
Recording: here!
Runtime: 9 minutes
Genre: Supernatural
Warnings: N/A
Nothing to say here. A classic original of my favorite lil gremlin!
#19: The Devil Game
Recording: here!
Runtime: 36 minutes
Genre: Ritual
Warnings: N/A
This is one of my favorite ritual creepypastas of all time. While I think 11 Miles is a better ritual, I think The Devil Game is a better story.
#20: 11 Miles
Recording: here!
Runtime: 20 minutes
Genre: Ritual
Warnings: N/A
Hands-Down my favorite ritual creepypasta! Such a wonderful unique premise.
#21: Turn it Off
Recording: here!
Runtime: 45 minutes
Genre: Supernatural
Warnings: N/A
This is another one made by the recording quality. A wonderful camping story with nothing wrong whatsoever!
#22: My Wife Has Been Peeking at me From Around Corners and Behind Furniture
Recording: here!
Runtime: 38 minutes
Genre: Psychological
Warnings: N/A
This is just so unnerving, a great shortie
#23: Picture This
Recording: here!
Runtime: 45 minutes
Genre: Realistic
Warnings: N/A
A fantastic second-person story from one of my og faves: Vincent V. Cava. Capping off with a great twist, it’s an enjoyable story everytime.
#24: Charles Bonnet Syndrome
Recording: here!
Runtime: 35 minutes
Genre: Mental Instability
Warnings: N/A
A wonderfully worrying story about losing your mind 😀
#25: The Gristers
Recording: here!
Runtime: 25 minutes
Genre: Supernatural
Warnings: N/A
A classic cryptid story!
#26: The Crawlspace
Recording: here!
Runtime: 23 minutes
Genre: Supernatural
Warnings: N/A
Ever wanted to travel to a foreign country, rent a suspiciously cheap house that is DEFINITELY not inhabited by anything else? Yeah me neither.
#27: Hunger
Recording: here!
Runtime: 15 minutes
Genre: Body Horror
Warnings: N/A
This is the peak of gorey, body horror adjacent unnerve to me. This one stuck with me. It’s only so low because body horror isn’t my thing, but damn it does it good.
#28: Right on Time
Recording: here!
Runtime: 18 minutes
Genre: Realistic
Warnings: N/A
An actually good Jeff the Killer story? Need I say more???
#29: NoEnd House
Recording: here!
Runtime: 40 minutes
Genre: Supernatural/Ritual
Warnings: N/A
A fun and creative ritual experience! Go through the no end house and earn some money!!!
In Conclusion…
That’s a bunch of em! There’s so many wonderful ones out there. If I didn’t mention one I may have not heard it or forgotten it. What are your favorites? Leave them in the comments and I’d love to listen to them!