From haunted mansions to creepy forests, the world is filled with Eerie ghost stories that will send chills down your spine. With a rich history of paranormal activity, these ghostly encounters are sure to fascinate and terrify you. From vengeful spirits to mischievous entities, the diversity of ghost stories is astounding. Get ready to explore the most terrifying and Eerie ghost stories from around the globe.
11. The La Patasola of Latin America
La Patasola is a ghost story from Latin American folklore about a woman who was cursed by a witch. According to legend, she now roams the forests and mountains, searching for men to seduce and kill.
Her ghost is said to be able to shape-shift into various animals, including a cow and a deer. Many people claim to have seen her ghostly figure, and some have even reported being attacked by her.
2. The Ghosts of the Tower of London
The Tower of London is notorious for its dark history and paranormal activity, with numerous ghost sightings reported over the years. The most famous ghost is that of Anne Boleyn, who was beheaded on the grounds.
Her ghost is said to haunt the chapel, where she is often seen wandering the aisles. Other ghosts, including those of former guards and prisoners, are also said to roam the tower, making it one of the most haunted places in the world.
3. The Curse of the Bermuda Triangle
The Bermuda Triangle is a region in the North Atlantic Ocean where numerous aircraft and ships have mysteriously disappeared. Many believe that the area is cursed, with some attributing the disappearances to paranormal activity.
According to legend, the spirits of those who died in the triangle are trapped, and their presence is responsible for the unexplained phenomena. While there are many theories about the curse, the true cause of the disappearances remains a mystery.
4. The La Llorona of Mexico
La Llorona, or "The Weeping Woman," is a ghost from Mexican folklore who is said to haunt rivers and lakes. According to legend, La Llorona was a woman who drowned her children in a river and then took her own life.
Her ghost is now doomed to roam the waterways, weeping and searching for her children. Many people claim to have seen her ghost, dressed in a long white gown and have heard her eerie cries.
5. The Ghosts of the Stanley Hotel
The Stanley Hotel in Colorado is famous for its ghostly encounters, which inspired Stephen King to write "The Shining."
The hotel has a long history of paranormal activity, with guests and staff reporting strange occurrences such as ghostly children, unexplained noises, and doors opening and closing on their own. The most famous ghost is that of F.O. Stanley, the hotel's original owner, who is said to haunt the lobby and ballroom.
6. The Kuchisake-onna of Japan
Kuchisake-onna, or "The Slit-Mouthed Woman," is a Japanese ghost story about a woman who was brutally disfigured by her husband. According to legend, she now roams the streets, wearing a surgical mask to hide her scars.
If you encounter her, she will ask if you think she is beautiful, and if you say no, she will kill you. If you say yes, she will remove her mask, revealing her grotesque face, and then kill you anyway.
7. The Ghosts of the Amityville Horror
The Amityville Horror is a famous haunted house story from the United States. The house was the site of a horrific mass murder, and many people claim to have experienced terrifying paranormal activity, including moving objects, unexplained noises, and ghostly apparitions.
The most famous ghost is that of a young boy who was murdered in the house, and his spirit is said to haunt the bedrooms.
8. The Bhangarh Fort Ghosts of India
The Bhangarh Fort in India is said to be one of the most haunted places in the country. According to legend, the fort was cursed by a wizard who was angry at the local king. The wizard cast a spell on the fort, causing it to be overrun with malevolent spirits.
Many people claim to have seen ghosts and experienced paranormal activity, including strange noises, unexplained movements, and ghostly apparitions.
9. The White Lady of Willowdale
The White Lady of Willowdale is a ghost story from the United States about a woman who died in a car accident on a rural road. According to legend, her ghost now haunts the road, dressed in a long white gown, and is often seen by drivers.
Some people claim to have seen her ghostly figure walking along the side of the road or standing in the middle of the road, trying to flag down cars.
10. The Ghosts of the Edinburgh Vaults
The Edinburgh Vaults are a network of underground tunnels and chambers in Scotland that date back to the 18th century. The vaults have a dark history, with many people having lived and died there in poverty and squalor.
According to legend, the vaults are haunted by the ghosts of those who lived and died there, and many people claim to have seen strange apparitions and experienced unexplained phenomena.
11. The Vanishing Hitchhiker of Japan
The Vanishing Hitchhiker is a famous Japanese ghost story about a driver who picks up a hitchhiker, only to have her disappear from the car before reaching her destination. This ghost is said to appear on a specific road in Japan, where many drivers have reported encountering her.
According to legend, the ghost is that of a woman who died in a car accident on that road. Her spirit is doomed to repeat the same journey, trying to find her way home.
12. The Ghosts of the Hotel del Coronado
The Hotel del Coronado in California is a famous haunted hotel that has been in operation since the late 19th century. According to legend, the hotel is haunted by the ghost of a former guest who died under mysterious circumstances.
Many people claim to have seen her ghost, dressed in a long white gown, and have experienced strange occurrences such as unexplained noises and moving objects.
13. The Onryo of Japan
The Onryo is a type of Japanese ghost that is said to haunt specific locations, often where a person died in a state of great emotional turmoil.
According to legend, the Onryo is a vengeful spirit that seeks revenge on the living for the injustices it suffered in life. Many people claim to have seen Onryo ghosts, and some have even reported being attacked by them.
14. The Bell Witch of Tennessee
The Bell Witch is a famous ghost story from the United States about a family who was tormented by a malevolent spirit. According to legend, the witch was responsible for physical attacks on the family, including slapping and pinching them.
The witch was also said to have spoken to the family, often cursing and threatening them. Many people claim to have seen the witch's ghost, and some have even reported experiencing strange occurrences.
15. The Ghosts of the Queen Mary
The Queen Mary is a famous ocean liner that is now a hotel and attraction in California. According to legend, the ship is haunted by the ghosts of former passengers and crew members who died on board.
Many people claim to have seen ghostly apparitions, and some have even reported experiencing strange occurrences such as unexplained noises and moving objects.
16. The Duergar of Scottish Folklore
The Duergar is a type of ghost from Scottish folklore that is said to haunt the mountains and forests. According to legend, the Duergar is a small, mischievous spirit that is often seen by travelers.
The Duergar is said to be able to shape-shift into various animals, and is often blamed for strange occurrences such as lost livestock and damaged crops.
17. The Ghosts of the Moundsville Penitentiary
The Moundsville Penitentiary in West Virginia is a famous haunted prison that operated from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. According to legend, the prison is haunted by the ghosts of former inmates and guards who died on the premises.
Many people claim to have seen ghostly apparitions, and some have even reported experiencing strange occurrences such as unexplained noises and moving objects.
18. The La Lechuza of Latin America
La Lechuza is a ghost story from Latin American folklore about a witch who was transformed into an owl. According to legend, La Lechuza now haunts the forests and mountains, searching for victims to cast her spells on. Many people claim to have seen her ghostly figure, and some have even reported being attacked by her.
19. The Ghosts of the Ancient Ram Inn
The Ancient Ram Inn in England is a famous haunted pub that dates back to the 12th century. According to legend, the pub is haunted by the ghosts of former patrons and staff members who died on the premises.
Many people claim to have seen ghostly apparitions, and some have even reported experiencing strange occurrences such as unexplained noises and moving objects.
20. The Yurei of Japan
The Yurei is a type of Japanese ghost that is said to haunt specific locations, often where a person died in a state of great emotional turmoil.
According to legend, the Yurei is a vengeful spirit that seeks revenge on the living for the injustices it suffered in life. Many people claim to have seen Yurei ghosts, and some have even reported being attacked by them.
21. The Ghosts of the Villisca Ax Murder House
The Villisca Ax Murder House in Iowa is a famous haunted house where a horrific mass murder took place in 1912. According to legend, the house is haunted by the ghosts of the victims, including six children and two adults.
Many people claim to have seen ghostly apparitions, and some have even reported experiencing strange occurrences such as unexplained noises and moving objects.
22. The Cù Sìth of Scottish Folklore
The Cù Sìth is a type of ghost from Scottish folklore that is said to haunt the mountains and forests. According to legend, the Cù Sìth is a large, shaggy dog that is often seen by travelers.
The Cù Sìth is said to be a harbinger of doom, and is often blamed for strange occurrences such as lost livestock and damaged crops.
23. The Ghosts of the Whaley House
The Whaley House in California is a famous haunted house that dates back to the mid-19th century. According to legend, the house is haunted by the ghosts of former residents, including a young girl who died on the premises.
Many people claim to have seen ghostly apparitions, and some have even reported experiencing strange occurrences such as unexplained noises and moving objects.
24. The Pontianak of Southeast Asian Folklore
The Pontianak is a type of ghost from Southeast Asian folklore that is said to haunt the forests and mountains.
According to legend, the Pontianak is a female spirit that died in childbirth, and now seeks revenge on men by seducing and killing them. Many people claim to have seen her ghostly figure, and some have even reported being attacked by her.
25. The Ghosts of the LaLaurie House
The LaLaurie House in Louisiana is a famous haunted house that dates back to the 19th century. According to legend, the house is haunted by the ghosts of slaves who were tortured and killed by the house's former owner, Madame LaLaurie.
Many people claim to have seen ghostly apparitions, and some have even reported experiencing strange occurrences such as unexplained noises and moving objects.
26. The Tsukumogami of Japanese Folklore
The Tsukumogami is a type of Japanese ghost that is said to haunt objects that are over 100 years old. According to legend, the Tsukumogami is a malevolent spirit that seeks revenge on the living for the injustices it suffered in life.
Many people claim to have seen Tsukumogami ghosts, and some have even reported being attacked by them.
27. The Ghosts of the Winchester Mystery House
The Winchester Mystery House in California is a famous haunted house that was built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of the Winchester rifle heir.
According to legend, the house is haunted by the ghosts of people killed by Winchester rifles, and Sarah built the house to confuse and appease these spirits. Many people claim to have seen ghostly apparitions, and some have even reported experiencing strange occurrences such as unexplained noises and moving objects.
28. The Churel of Indian Folklore
The Churel is a type of ghost from Indian folklore that is said to haunt the forests and mountains. According to legend, the Churel is a female spirit that died in childbirth, and now seeks revenge on men by seducing and killing them. Many people claim to have seen her ghostly figure, and some have even reported being attacked by her.
29. The Ghosts of the Raynham Hall
The Raynham Hall in England is a famous haunted house that dates back to the 17th century. According to legend, the house is haunted by the ghost of Lady Dorothy Walpole, who was imprisoned in her room by her husband.
Many people claim to have seen her ghostly figure, and some have even reported experiencing strange occurrences such as unexplained noises and moving objects.
30. The Gashadokuro of Japanese Folklore
The Gashadokuro is a type of Japanese ghost that is said to haunt the forests and mountains. According to legend, the Gashadokuro is a giant, skeletal spirit that roams the countryside, searching for victims to devour.
Many people claim to have seen its ghostly figure, and some have even reported being attacked by it. The Gashadokuro is said to be a harbinger of famine and disease, and is often feared by local villagers.
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Anne Kostick has been Editor-in-Chief since September 2007. Previously, Anne was a principal at Foxpath IND, a publishing, consulting and editorial services company specializing in the transition to and from traditional content publishing and online content management, development and publishing. Her clients included trade book publishers, technology and financial services Web sites, and arts and cultural institutions. Previously, she worked as Licensing and Product Development Director, Senior Acquisitions Editor and Director of Electronic Publishing for Workman Publishing, and as Senior Acquisitions Editor for Harry N. Abrams/Stewart, Tabori & Chang. In the online world she worked as Director of Content Development for Vitaminshoppe.com. Anne has a B.A. in Greek and Latin, with a minor in Theater, from Beloit College. She is the author of several books for children, as well as a definitive collection of jokes.