Myths, lore, ghost stories, and urban legends from all around the United States.

American Legends

Ghosts

Humans have lived on the North American continent for tens of thousands of years, which means that every region of the country is home to places that once were inhabited by others. These include mining towns, farming communities, religious settlements, indigenous villages, and more. They <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/american-ghost-towns/alby-thompson">became deserted</a> for all sorts of reasons, like resource depletion, harsh climate, warfare, or government expropriation.&nbsp;Abandoned settlements like these have a way of getting reputations for being haunted. People exploring these places have reported hearing voices and seeing ghosts, eerie balls of light, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/jersey-devil-sightings/sonja-ska">even cryptids</a>. Here are a few of the most haunted ghost towns in the United States.&nbsp;

The Most Haunted Ghost Towns In The United States

Location

Haunted Ghost Towns

Jim Rowley

Music Videos

It's that time of year. The days are getting shorter. The air is starting to chill. The dead are creeping closer.There's only one way to deal: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/scariest-horror-movies-ever-made">curl up with the scariest movies</a>, the most disturbing TikToks, and the freakiest, nastiest, spookiest horror-themed music videos on the internet. Ever since <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/list-of-michael-jackson-music-video-releases/music-videos">Michael Jackson's Thriller</a> popularized the idea that horror and music videos could co-exist, artists have mashed the two together in terrifyingly effective ways.This list takes a look at some of the best of the best. They run the gamut, from seemingly pastoral <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/scariest-found-footage-movies/ranker-horror">found footage that hints at something much darker</a>, to some of the most blood-soaked imagery in music. So dim the lights, pour a glass of fresh blood, and vote up your favorites.Which ones chill you to the bone? Which ones wouldn't scare a child?&nbsp;

The Spookiest Horror-Themed Music Videos That Will Give You The Creeps

Song

These music videos bring horror to the medium for extra spooky vibes.

Chris Cullari

In the middle of the ocean, no one can hear you scream. 

Out to Sea

Sematary Shift

It's no shock that bodies of water can be terrifying. High swells can take down ships in storms. Ocean creatures can bite or sting swimmers. Giant squids are a thing (do we need to say more?).But there are <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/spooky-lake-tahoe-stories/patrick-thornton">specific lakes</a> and seas that have a reputation for even more menacing reasons. From shipwrecked sailors haunting the decks of ships to drowned brides on their way to their wedding, these bodies of water are rumored to harbor dark histories and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/haunted-lakes-america/christina-chilin">supernatural tales</a>.&nbsp;And some of these pools tend to have a much higher death rate than your run-of-the-mill lake.&nbsp;So what do you think – would you visit any of these creepy seas, lakes, or pools? Or are you content staying on dry land?

The Creepiest Bodies Of Water From Around The World

Emily Mast

Entertainment

Ghost movies often scare up big bucks at the box office, but even as films like The Conjuring and Paranormal Activity spawn sequels and “cinematic universes,” there have been plenty of ghost movies that are just as good that haven't necessarily gotten the attention they deserve.Ghost stories have been with us for about as long as storytelling has existed, and ghostly movies date back to the earliest days of Hollywood. From black-and-white specters of the silver screen to the latest ghost flicks, below is a collection of some of the most underrated ghost movies ever to haunt our screens. Vote up the ghost movies that made you sleep with the lights on…

Underrated Ghost Story Movies That Make Us Want To Leave The Light On

Film

Orrin Grey

Amazing, disgusting, and downright unsettling things discovered in unexpected places. When was the last time you poked around in your own crawlspace? 

Lost and Found

Weird History

History is just a few inches underfoot, as layers and layers of the past lie in wait for archaeologists to unearth them. The act of digging up antiquity has not only helped scholars piece together details about history, but also turned up disturbing finds that are as fascinating as they are unsettling. Nonetheless, these archaeological discoveries are important for researchers seeking to understand centuries past. Some discoveries confirm long-percolated theories about history, while others raise more questions than answers.Also important to remember is that many of these discoveries were once living, breathing human beings - not sensationalized objects. Their remains often reveal clues about life in the past or what their final moments were like. As such, researchers must balance rigorous scholarship with respect for lost lives.The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/incan-mummy-sacrifices/rachel-souerbry">Incan ice mummies</a>, for example, are the remains of children from the 15th century. Although scientists conduct analyses to find out more about the lives and ends of those they unearth, they also must use the same care they would give any other group of human remains.These archaeological findings reveal mysterious stories about lost temples - and lost lives - and reveal just how messy and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/creepy-history-facts-2021/will-morgan-1">complicated our world has always been</a>.

Disturbing Archaeological Discoveries That Keep Us Up At Night

General

Disturbing Archeological Discoveries That Keep Us Up At Night

Setareh Janda

The creepiest, most unsettling urban legends ever shared—including some that turned out to be 100% true!

Urban Legends

Myths & Legends

Songs often weave tales of love, heartbreak, and adventure. Yet, beneath the surface, some have become entwined with<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-controversial-songs-ever/sean-kelly"> eerie tales</a> and mysterious urban legends. Even long after they've been disproven, these stories sometimes never go away.&nbsp;From alleged backward masking to tales of murder and the occult, these spooky stories continue to cast a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/songs-with-true-crime-connections/patrick-thornton">haunting shadow</a> over familiar tunes, captivating the curious and leaving listeners with chills, all the while blurring the line between fact and fiction.&nbsp;

Spooky Urban Legends Surrounding Popular Songs

Michelle Nati

Hey, what's up? Are you on a quest for a nightmare? Well, look no further.

Creepy People, Places & Things

Pop Culture

Sometimes, a photograph is meant to be unsettling or creepy. Others simply become unnerving with the gift of hindsight. And then there are <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/when-you-see-it-pictures/lauren-slocum">haunting images</a> that leave you feeling uneasy - whether they intend to or not.Throughout history, photos have captured people, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/scary-nature-pictures/erin-maxwell">places, and phenomena</a>. Much of what has been caught in a moment lacks context and explanation, ultimately creating a space for that photo to not sit quite right. It may <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/tags/phobias">play on a phobia,</a> feature a long-forgotten activity that defies modern comprehension, or just raise so many more questions than it could ever hope to answer.Unintentionally haunting <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/rare-historical-photos/larry-taylor">historical photos</a> may actually have that quality magnified because they were taken for completely non-haunting reasons. Understanding those reasons may make them less creepy. Then again, maybe not.

Unintentionally Haunting Historical Photos And What They Reveal About The Past

Melissa Sartore

Shining a flashlight on real places around the world that are really haunted and really spooky.

Hello Is There a Ghost Here?

Supernatural & Paranormal

The world is full of ghostly tales concerning the creation of bridges. These <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/haunted-lakes-america/christina-chilin">ghostly sites</a> are a source of fascination and fear for many, especially those who experienced paranormal activity during a visit to these spooky locales. Some believe these architectural marvels could only be possible through deals with the Devil, creating origin stories that grow and change through generations of retellings.In other places, the prominence of violence or racial injustice in the towns surrounding bridges infused them with that brutality, and people create legends to deal with the reality of that difficult history.Flashing lights, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/craziest-cryptids-by-state/christopher-shultz">cryptic beasts</a> with the powers of men and animals, and wailing ghosts are all waiting at these supernaturally charged bridges around the world.

The Most Haunted Bridges In The World

Jodi Smith

Taking another look at our favorite moments and important scenes in the Harry Potter series.

Magical Scenes

Harry Potter Franchise

Though the Harry Potter franchise is responsible for giving us some of the happiest moments to ever occur in <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/moments-from-classic-fantasy-movies/saim-cheeda?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">the Wizarding World</a>, it also gave us some of the scariest. Here are a few terrifying moments from the franchise to ever happen to <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/golden-trio-details/loren-o_connell?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">the Golden Trio</a>. Please vote up your favorite scary scenes.&nbsp;

Spooky 'Harry Potter' Moments That Seem Right Out Of A Horror Movie

Damon Davis

Messed-up moments and thought-provoking revelations about nostalgic movies we watched a little too young.

Dark Movies We Watched as Kids

A good kids' movie knows how to appeal to both adults and children alike, but when you pair the otherworldly nature of stop-motion with a slightly creepy story or subtext, the result is often pure nightmare fuel. Here are a few examples of when stop-motion movies raised the creepy bar to the next level. Please vote up the moments that took chill to chilling.&nbsp;

Creepy Moments From Stop-Motion Kiddie Movies That Would Perfectly Fit Into Any Horror Film

Unsettling Images

History

There are images from the past that capture our eyes and our imaginations in ways we can't quite explain. They're enthralling and really speak to us - so much so that we go back and look at them over and over.&nbsp;The more you <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/unintentionally-creepy-photos-stories-history/melissa-sartore">look at a photo</a>, especially one from history, the more you're likely to see. These <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/unsettling-historical-photos/brenden-donnelly">historical images </a>were somewhat disturbing when we first saw them, but we couldn't look away. Now that we've spent more time gazing at them, we have to admit that we're even more shaken than we were at first. The details, the stories behind them, the context from which they came - all of this just makes them even more troubling. &nbsp;

11 Historic Photos That Get More Disturbing The Longer We Look At Them - And Why

Lists for people who grumble, "I hate the holidays."

Bah, Humbug

Holidays

Christmas can be absolutely terrifying for children.On Christmas Eve, parents often blame their child's inability to fall asleep&nbsp;on the anticipatory&nbsp;excitement they experience while waiting to begin a fun-filled Christmas morning. However, the truth is that there is a dark side of Christmas, and it's worse than anything you'll encounter on Halloween.&nbsp;Despite what Hallmark has led you to believe, the history of Christmas is filled with <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-10-most-terrifying-christmas-figures/molly-mahan" target="_blank">terrifying figures</a>. Even modern Christmas traditions, such as&nbsp;watching <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/scary-christmas-movies/anncasano" target="_blank">holiday-themed movies</a>, can prove unnerving to a child. Consider the&nbsp;time-tested film&nbsp;Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, which features&nbsp;a terrifying&nbsp;carnivorous snow monster as the primary antagonist.The horrifying truth about Christmas is that the holiday does more than just remind children to be grateful and kind; it teaches them that tiny recon elves are real, other dimensions exist, and the whole holiday is basically a massive re-working of the Pagan Yuletide festival.&nbsp;Here's a list of all the horrendous things you didn't know about popular Christmas traditions.&nbsp;

All The Reasons Christmas Is Actually A Far More Horrifying Holiday Than Halloween

12 Ways Christmas Is a Way Darker Holiday Than You Realize

Matthew Lavelle

Whoa Facts

Whether we're gathering around a campfire to recount ghost stories, spreading rumors about a local haunted house, or retelling the spine-chilling saga of a<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/cemetery-urban-legends/sonja-ska"> vanishing hitchhiker</a>, humans have been sharing tales of horror and mystery within our cultures for centuries.These narratives have become integral to our collective imagination, often exposing the fears and anxieties of generations. While the medium may have evolved with the rise of technology, the essence of urban legends remains rooted in our deep-seated fascination with the unknown.In recent years, a new form of digital folklore has emerged: internet urban legends, commonly known as "creepypastas." Often started on horror-based forums, creepypastas are scary stories that have been cut and pasted around the internet so often, they take on lives of their own. Unlike the stories swapped during summer camps or whispered among friends at sleepovers, these collaborative stories can go viral in a matter of seconds, exposing new horrors to every corner of the internet.In honor of the digital revolution, let's skip the campfire and gather around the flickering lights of our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/evil-internet-movies/mike-mcgranaghan">computer screens</a> as we dive deep into some of the internet's most terrifying creepypastas.

The Most Popular Internet Urban Legends

Sonja Ska

The US is full of countless <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/craziest-hauntings/harrison-tenpas">ghost stories</a> and reports of paranormal encounters. From ghosts dating back to colonial days to ghosts from the Golden Age of Hollywood, stories can be found in all corners of the country.Here are some of the most <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-poltergeist-hauntings/diana-price">well-known haunts</a> that are still quite active to this day. Read on and see which ones you want to add to your bucket list of spooky places to visit next.

The Most Famous Ghosts In The United States

Christina Chilin

Every country has its own legends and lore surrounding ghosts. Some stories go back centuries, like the Bingen Poltergeist in Germany, which originated in 858 CE. Other tales are relatively new, such as the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-poltergeist-hauntings/diana-price">Enfield Poltergeist in England</a> - a story that made headlines in the late 1970s.Regardless of the century or country, the world is filled with countless ghost stories, but some are arguably more famous than others. This list looks into some of the most famous ghosts across the globe and digs into the folklore that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-ghosts-united-states/christina-chilin">made them famous</a>.While some of these ghosts don’t necessarily have a home, more than a few on this list reside at locations anyone can visit.

The Most Famous Ghosts From Around The World

Patrick Thornton

Few things tickle the imagination quite like a good mystery, and few things are more mysterious than a town that just up and vanishes. Therefore, it's no wonder that disappearing towns haunt our folklore and our history.The American West is full of once-prosperous ghost towns that have dried up and disappeared, leaving behind only empty buildings to mark their former grandeur. While we generally know what happened to most of these, that's not always the case - like, for example, the famous lost colony of Roanoke.Nor are such vanishing towns limited to real-life examples. Fiction gives us everything from the fabled Brigadoon, which comes and goes, to places like Silent Hill, itself based on the real-world town of Centralia, PA, where coal fires still burn underground. Our fascination with such places often leads to situations in which we may be confident that a town was once in a place, even if it wasn't.Enter these uncanny stories of disappearing towns that may (or may not) be true. Some are creepypastas or works of clear fiction, while others have more nebulous origins. Some are even firsthand accounts from folks who claim to have visited places that no longer exist. Whatever the case may be, these stories of vanishing hamlets are certainly strange and are sure to keep you wondering.

'Vanishing' Towns That May (Or May Not) Have Really Existed

Creepy lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for lists and rankings in all categories

Creepy lists on Ranker

What's happening in the next realm? Lists about fictional depictions and real experiences real people have really had with the paranormal.

Paranormal Activity

Ranking the best reality & competition shows and exploring the attention-starved monsters we create and feed when we watch them participate. 

Escape to Reality

Spellbook

What is the greatest paranormal reality show of all time? That's up to your votes to decide! Paranormal reality TV shows are all the rage, and with so many different <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-paranormal-reality-ghost-shows/ranker-tv" target="_blank">ghost hunting programs</a> to choose from, how can viewers decide which one is truly the best? A great paranormal reality TV show draws everyone in with promises of frightful adventures and proof of activity in other realms or planes of existence, but not all of them can deliver. This list includes some of the most notable, greatest paranormal investigation shows ever - but it's not complete, so feel free to add your favorites if any are missing. And don't forget to vote!Paranormal reality television shows often involve teams of investigators going &quot;hunting&quot; for ghosts. Viewers are taken to locations that are notoriously haunted and then shown footage of the teams spending spooky hours trying to capture images, or sounds of ghosts in the area. Some of the best examples of this kind of program include the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-ghost-adventures-episodes/reference" target="_blank">Travel Channel's Ghost Adventures</a>, Ghost Hunters on Syfy, and A&amp;E's Paranormal State.Many of today's biggest and greatest paranormal reality shows of all time owe their success to older, classic programs that paved the way. Shows like Unsolved Mysteries and Sightings offered viewers a look at the unexplained, including paranormal activity, ghosts, orbs, UFOs, and even aliens. And really, when Robert Stack is telling you something is creepy in his *crazy creepy* voice, who doesn't get a little spooked?Love reality shows, but hate the paranormal angle? Check out these lists of the best <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-cooking-competition-shows/tvs-frank" target="_blank">cooking competition TV shows,</a> <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-reality-competition/ryanwitalison" target="_blank">reality competition shows</a> and <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-reality-dramas/tvs-frank" target="_blank">reality dramas</a>, and <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-reality-medical-shows/tvs-frank" target="_blank">medical shows.</a>And finally, if you love to be scared, check out this list of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/the-12-most-convincing-real-life-ghost-stories/wavy-gravey" target="_blank">12 most convincing real-life ghost stories</a>&nbsp;and this list of the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-paranormal-television-tv-shows-and-series/reference" target="_blank">best paranormal shows</a>.

Paranormal State

The 70+ Best Ghost Hunter Shows

TV Program

The 70+ Best Ghost Hunter Shows, Ranked By Fans

Ranker Community

WTF Pics You've Gotta See

Photos

These are the scariest GIFs in internet history. Some of them are scenes from movies, while others are pictures that have been manipulated, while others are just imagery from the minds of horrible sickos, but around this time of year they all start coming out to play a little more often than you're used to and they end up making you turn on the lights and falling asleep to a loud, monster-sound-drowning episode of Arrested Development. From the sick people over at reddit.com/r/creepy, to 4Chan's /x/ board, to sites like creepypasta.com, they're busy spreading the scary all over the internet, so if you run into any of these creepy GIFs, after going through this list, you'll be prepared.These should fill all of your scary GIF needs, and you can copy/paste them onto your desktop directly from here to start your very own creepy GIF collection to freak out your friends during the non-Halloween holiday season.

GIFs So Terrifying, They Will Keep You Up All Night

Scary GIFs | 29 Creepy GIFs That Will Terrify You

Brian Gilmore

Lists of strange discoveries and real mysteries that have perplexed the world.

Dark & Curious Cases

Real life resurrection stories tell the tale of real people who came back from the dead. These are far more than people who were legally dead on an operating table; these are dead people who rose from the crypt to go on living.How often are living people declared dead? More often than you'd think (or want to know about)! People brought back from the dead - presumably to deliver the Good Word - have been documented in history and medical books for hundreds of years. These are some of the more spectacular examples of people beating death. Enjoy this bone-chilling list of notable cases of <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/people-alive-in-grave/jacob-shelton?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">people who were buried alive</a> or <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/tv-characters-brought-back-to-life-because-fans-got-pissed/evan-lambert?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">brought back to life</a> - true accounts of real-life resurrection stories and incidents of ﻿<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazarus_syndrome">Lazarus</a>&nbsp;syndrome.

12 Amazing Real-Life Resurrection Stories

Real Life Resurrection Stories: Buried Alive & Back from the Dead

Carly Kiel

Creepy, terrifying, and nausea-inducing pics and vids that will skeeve you out and give you nightmares.

Warning: Look Away

Graveyard Shift

You remember them (even if you don&#39;t want to): the scariest characters and images from your childhood. These sometimes unassuming things haunted your dreams and thoughts within minutes of being introduced to them.

If you&#39;ve ever blocked some frightening image from your conscious or subconscious because you just couldn&#39;t bear the thought of it coming back to haunt your dreams for yet another night, ready the plastic bedsheets because this list of scary memories from your childhood is bringing all the best of the worst characters right back at you (with pictures!). From a seemingly innocuous toilet that grows fangs whenever you try to take a leak to Pennywise the Clown, a character that single-handedly ended the careers of hundreds of birthday clowns in the 1990s.

These scary childhood horrors include some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/creepiest-characters-on-television">creepiest characters on TV</a> and the <a href="/list/the-13-scariest-internet-memes-of-all-time/danielle-dauenhauer">scariest memes on the internet</a>. Carry on if you dare.