Stock up on the best horror board games for a fun and frightening game night!
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The Best Horror Board Games for Halloween
Updated on Sep. 30, 2024
Thanks to the pandemic, many of us entered our board game era in 2020, ushering in an unofficial resurrection of the classic tabletop activity. There are few indoor activities as fun and social as board games, which is why they’re a party staple when it’s too cold to enjoy the outdoors. Now that the weather is cooling down, horror board games are skyrocketing in popularity. What better way is there to get your spook on and enjoy a little friendly competition at the same time?
Whether you plan on hosting a Halloween board games-themed party or simply want some spooky board games to pull out for family game nights in October, we found the best scary board games to satisfy any ghost or ghoul. Below are our favorite finds, including thinking-intensive strategy board games, board games for kids and everything in between. Move over, Ouija board—there’s a new lineup of spooky games in town!
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Betrayal at The House on The Hill
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Eldritch Horror Board Game
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Don’t Get Stabbed!
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Mysterium
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Hunt A Killer: Death at The Dive Bar
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House of Danger
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The Haunted Mansion: Call of The Spirits
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Ticket to Ride: Ghost Train
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Hocus Pocus: The Game
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Horrified: Universal Monsters
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Campy Creatures
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Betrayal at The House on The Hill
Frequently featured in board game deals on Amazon, Betrayal at The House on The Hill is one of the best cooperative horror board games. Band together with other players to explore the house on the hill and reveal its rooms, monsters and secrets. Each game features a different mansion floor plan and monsters, so even after dozens of plays it still doesn’t feel stale. Because it starts slow and moves faster as the players explore the mansion, playing it feels like starring in a haunted house flick!
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Eldritch Horror Board Game
When it comes to board games for two people, Eldritch Horror is the perfect pick. Play this strategy game solo or with a team of up to eight. Another cooperative board game, the winning goal is simple: hold back the evil forces that threaten humanity. Spend up to four hours gathering clues, globetrotting and working against the greatest threat the world has ever seen. Earth’s survival is in your hands!
For a similar premise, check out the Arkham Horror board game.
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Don’t Get Stabbed!
Ideal for fans of slasher flicks, Don’t Get Stabbed! is more of a card game than it is a board game, making it easy to bring camping or to a party. One player—their identity known to all—plays as the killer, while the remainder are victims. This card-drawing game ends when either all the victims have three Stab Cards or the victims get three cards to spell out “CAR.” As is the slasher movie cannon, if the victims get all three car cards, they escape and win the game.
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Mysterium
Get those scary Halloween costumes ready—Mysterium is best played in groups of up to seven players, making it a good choice for Halloween parties. Instead of escaping monsters or slaying ghouls, the object of the game is to discover a murderer. One player plays as a ghost trying to communicate important clues through “visions.” Everyone else is a medium trying to decipher the clues to put the murderer behind bars.
It’s a lot like Clue, but with an eerie psychic twist that makes it a perfect horror board game for Halloween.
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Hunt A Killer: Death at The Dive Bar
When Wordle is too tame for fans of true crime, break out Hunt A Killer: Death at The Dive Bar instead. The game puts players in the shoes of a detective as they work to unlock the clues of a cold case. Read through ciphers, clues and statements to get to the bottom of Nick Webster’s untimely demise. Handcrafted evidence makes players feel like an authentic gumshoe. Just don’t let the killer get away!
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House of Danger
My husband and I are House of Danger veterans. We’ve been playing for two years, and I still couldn’t tell you all the possible endings of this choose-your-own-adventure game. This cooperative card game plays like the classic choose-your-own-adventure books from the 70s and 80s. Because it’s as simple as drawing a card and reading the text, it’s super easy to set up for family game night.
Each decision you make changes the story along the way. Replay again and again to experience all the different ways you can win (or lose) as each decision unfolds.
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The Haunted Mansion: Call of The Spirits
Welcome, foolish mortals. Disney’s Haunted Mansion attraction inspired this spooky Halloween board game that’s fit for up to six players. In The Haunted Mansion: Call of The Spirits, move through the halls of the titular mansion without becoming one of its permanent residents. Between the creepy game board and glow-in-the-dark ghost pieces, the game doubles as Halloween decorations during a spooky party!
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Ticket to Ride: Ghost Train
Ticket to Ride gets a ghastly makeover in Ticket to Ride: Ghost Train. The goal of Ticket to Ride is simple: Build train routes from one city to another. Whether it’s easy to accomplish is another matter entirely. Ticket to Ride is a staple in my family, and almost every person my husband and I play it with ends up purchasing it for their own collection.
This version is a little easier than the classic board game, making it a solid choice for kids’ Halloween parties. Just be sure to supply your own Halloween treats for the best experience!
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Hocus Pocus: The Game
There’s no mistaking it—Hocus Pocus is one of the best Halloween movies of all time. What better way to celebrate the creepy holiday than by bringing Winifred, Sarah and Mary Sanderson to your kitchen table? Hocus Pocus: The Game is an easy-to-play cooperative board game for players ages eight and up. Play potion ingredients to the cauldron to stop the Sanderson Sisters from taking control over the children of Salem.
The game is perfect for fans of the movie. It includes most of the film’s favorite characters—even Binx shows up to lend a hand!
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Horrified: Universal Monsters
Take a page from the scariest books that inspired the Universal monsters of yore. Horrified: Universal Monsters has players assume the role of heroes attempting to stop a monster invasion. Rescue a village from not one, not two, but seven horrific villains inspired by the maniacal monsters of the silver screen. This popular game was so well-received that it inspired a spinoff game featuring American monsters!
Campy Creatures
Campy Creatures is a fast-paced card game in which players become mad scientists, commanding classic monsters like vampires, aliens and kaiju to capture unsuspecting mortals. The game’s charm lies in its simple yet strategic gameplay, where anticipating opponents’ moves is key to victory. Each monster has unique abilities, adding depth and excitement to every round. The retro, horror movie-inspired art style enhances its playful, nostalgic feel. Perfect for quick, competitive sessions, Campy Creatures is ideal for players who enjoy a lighthearted twist on horror themes.
What to look for when buying horror board games
Theme and immersion
A strong horror theme is essential for creating a spooky atmosphere. Look for games that feature classic monsters, haunted houses or psychological terror. The more immersive the experience, the better—think visuals, storytelling and sound effects. Popular themes include Cthulhu Mythos, zombie apocalypse and supernatural horror.
Game mechanics and complexity
Horror games range from easy-to-learn family fun to strategy-heavy options for hardcore gamers. Look for mechanics like cooperative gameplay, storytelling or hidden traitor elements to add depth. Dice rolling, deck-building and role-playing can increase tension.
Replayability
The best horror games offer high replayability with multiple endings, randomized events or expansions to keep the gameplay fresh and unpredictable.
Player count and audience
Check the game’s player count: some work well for two players, while others are best for larger groups. Also, some horror games are family-friendly, while others have complex rules or graphic content suited for adults.
Game duration
Horror games can last anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours or more. Consider your group’s attention span and whether a quick session or a long immersive experience is more fitting.
Component quality and art design
High-quality components like miniatures, durable cards and visually striking boards enhance immersion and bring the horror theme to life. Well-designed art and game elements can make the experience more intense and captivating.
Why you should trust us
Emily Way, an experienced shopping editor, has contributed to publications like Taste of Home, Family Handyman and NewsBreak. Her love for mystery novels and passion for video and tabletop gaming guided her in curating this list of top horror board games.
Paul Rankin, Content Updates Editor at Reader’s Digest, updated and contributed research to this article. With previous experience as a commerce editor at Bob Vila and writing shopping guides since 2021, Paul added valuable insight to the selection process.
How we found the best horror board games
To find the best horror board games, we conducted extensive research, played some games ourselves and analyzed reviews and customer feedback. To rank each game, we focused on immersion, gameplay mechanics and overall enjoyment. Each pick was assessed for its ability to create a spooky atmosphere, deliver engaging mechanics and provide a fun, repeatable experience. Our list includes games for quick sessions and epic three-hour sagas, with options ranging from family-friendly to adult-themed choices, ensuring a fit for every audience.
FAQs
What are the best horror board games for Halloween?Â
Some popular horror board games for Halloween include:
- Fury of Dracula: A strategic chase across Europe where players hunt Dracula, blending deduction and Gothic horror.
- Eldritch Horror: A cooperative adventure to stop ancient evils filled with storytelling and tense gameplay.
- Horrified: A family-friendly game where players face classic monsters like Dracula and Frankenstein, offering nostalgic cooperative fun.
- Campy Creatures: A fast-paced card game featuring strategic play and a playful campy horror theme where players control classic monsters.
What should I consider when choosing a horror board game?Â
Start by thinking about the group playing the game—choose a family-friendly option or, if the group prefers, a more intense adult-themed game. Consider the game mechanics you enjoy: cooperative play, strategic planning or deduction. Also, ensure the game accommodates your desired player count.
Are there horror board games suitable for families or younger players?Â
Yes, many horror board games are family-friendly and suitable for younger audiences. Some popular choices include Horrified, Mighty Monsters and Monster Chase, which provide lighter scares and fun gameplay for kids and families.
