Are you a lover of horror novels that send shivers down your spine? Then you must be aware that listening to a scary audiobook is a whole different experience altogether! With the help of master narrators, descriptive sound effects, and background music, audiobooks take your imagination to a whole new level. In this blog post, we’ve rounded up the 10 best horror audiobooks that you must listen to if you want an adrenaline rush.
Best Horror Audiobooks – The Classics
These terrifying horror audiobooks bring the greatest horror novels even more depth. Get ready to grip your steering wheel that little bit tighter. A great way to stay awake during long drives!
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
The Exorcist is one of the most terrifying horror novels ever written, and the horror audiobook brings it to life. The gut-wrenching description of Regan’s possession, the disturbing conversations with Pazuzu, and the eerie background music will make you believe in demonic possessions. Find it on Audible here.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Shirley Jackson’s classic horror novel is a heart-wrenching tale of a family that moves into an old mansion. The audiobook version gives the listeners insights into the characters’ fears, the eerie atmosphere, and the unsettling events that occur. Find it on Audible here.
IT by Stephen King (our #1 best horror audiobook ever!)
IT is one of the scariest novels ever written, and the audiobook horror version is not for the faint of heart. The story of a group of children who band together to fight an ancient and evil creature, the narration by Steven Weber makes the hairs on your neck stand up. Hands down one of the best horror audiobooks ever. Find it on Audible here.
The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
This classic novel tells the story of an FBI agent who hunts down a serial killer with the help of another notorious killer, Hannibal Lecter. The audiobook version is frightening, and the narrator Frank Muller’s voice adds an extra layer of creepiness. Thriller. Horror. Whatever you want to call it, it’s incredible. Find it on Audible here.
Best Horror Audiobooks – Contemporary Options
For those looking for great new horror audiobooks from the last decade or so, check these out.
Bird Box by Josh Malerman
Bird Box is a post-apocalyptic horror novel set in a world where the sight of something will make people go mad and commit suicide. The best horror audiobook version is an intense and anxiety-inducing experience. Narrator Cassandra Campbell brings the visceral sense of terror to life. Definitely one of the best horror audiobooks you’re ever likely to hear. Find it on Audible here.
The Girl With All The Gifts by M.R. Carey (our personal pick for best horror audiobooks ever)
This incredible novel takes us to a future where the majority of the population is infected with a fungal disease that turns them into flesh-eating zombies. This zombie audiobook will have you on edge with the descriptive narration and the suspenseful background music. Find it on Audible here.
NOS4A2 by Joe Hill
NOS4A2 is a terrifying novel about a man named Charlie Manx, who drives a Rolls-Royce Wraith with the license plate NOS4A2, kidnapping children and taking them to his Christmasland. The horror audiobook version is terrifying, and the narrator Kate Mulgrew’s voice makes the story even more chilling. Find it on Audible here.
Ghost Story by Peter Straub
Ghost Story is a hair-raising horror novel about a group of elderly men who gather to share ghost stories, only to realize that they might have a shared traumatic past. The audiobook version is atmospheric, and the narrator Buck Schirner takes the story to a whole new level. Find it on Audible here.
World War Z by Max Brooks
World War Z is a gripping horror novel that tells the story of a worldwide zombie outbreak that threatens to destroy humanity. This zombie apocalypse audiobook is nothing short of amazing, with different voice actors narrating distinct stories, and sound effects that make the story even more horrifying. Find it on Audible here.
The Beautiful Thing That Awaits Us All by Laird Barron (best horror audiobook of short stories)
This collection of short stories by the absolute master of horror noir, Laird Barron is a must listen. Ray Porter crushes the delivery, speaking beautiful words with a beautiful voice about horrible things. A great one to dip and an out of during shorter trips in the car. Find its dark beauty on Audible here.
There are endless audiobooks available in the horror genre, but these ten are among the best for getting your heart racing and your palms sweating. The Best Horror Audiobooks can take your favorite stories to new heights, and the right narrator can make all the difference in cultivating terror in your imagination. So, gather your headphones, turn down the lights and press play on any of these audiobooks to take a plunge into the world of terrifying horror audiobooks.
