If you’re a fan of horror books and spine-tingling stories about the paranormal, then you’re in for a treat. We’ve rounded up 10 of the most unsettling and unforgettable reads that have defined the horror genre. It’s also inevitable that most of the books on this list were written by the king of horror himself, Stephen King. So, grab a blanket, turn off the lights, and prepare to be scared in the best possible way!
1. The Haunting of Hill House – Shirley Jackson
In this chilling tale, four seekers arrive at the notorious Hill House—a structure with a sinister reputation. Dr. Montague, an occult scholar; his spirited assistant, Theodora; Eleanor, a fragile young woman with a haunted past; and Luke, the destined heir—all find themselves drawn into the house’s dark embrace. What begins as a quest for paranormal evidence soon turns into a battle for one’s very soul.
2. The Shining – Stephen King
Imagine a remote hotel shrouded in isolation and mystery. Jack Torrance’s fresh start as the caretaker at the Overlook Hotel seems like the perfect opportunity to reconnect with his family and hone his writing. However, as winter’s harsh grip tightens, the hotel’s ominous secrets come to life. The real terror, though, lies in the eyes of young Danny Torrance, whose unique abilities reveal the dark forces lurking within. This novel is a cornerstone of thriller novels and remains a timeless study of madness and the supernatural.
3. It – Stephen King
Welcome to Derry, Maine—a seemingly ordinary town with a disturbingly extraordinary secret. In this sprawling narrative, seven children first encounter a malevolent force that haunts their every waking moment. Decades later, as adults, they are irresistibly drawn back to Derry to face the unspeakable evil that has never truly left. With a blend of coming-of-age drama and relentless horror, this novel perfectly captures the terror of confronting one’s deepest fears.
4. Salem’s Lot – Stephen King
In Salem’s Lot, the quiet charm of a small town masks a legacy of evil. A man and a young boy, still haunted by memories of their past, find themselves compelled to return for one final confrontation with the supernatural menace that lingers among the weathered clapboard houses. This eerie narrative expertly weaves elements of isolation and dread, making it one of the standout scary novels of its time.
5. Dracula – Bram Stoker
No list of horror classics would be complete without Bram Stoker’s vampire horror masterpiece. When Jonathan Harker travels to Transylvania to assist Count Dracula with a peculiar real estate transaction, he stumbles upon a nightmare that soon spills over into England. With eerie shipwrecks, mysterious puncture wounds, and an asylum filled with frantic tales, Dracula remains a timeless exploration of both horror and forbidden desire.
6. Pet Sematary – Stephen King
This unsettling story follows the Creed family as they settle into an idyllic home in rural Maine—only to discover that the nearby woods harbor a terrifying secret. When the natural order is upended by an ancient and malevolent force, the Creeds learn a brutal lesson: sometimes, dead is better. This novel is a haunting meditation on grief and the dark side of human nature, securing its spot among the best horror books of modern times.
7. House of Leaves – Mark Z. Danielewski
A seemingly ordinary house on Ash Tree Lane soon reveals its impossible secret: it’s bigger on the inside than the outside. As a young family grapples with this disorienting reality, strange sounds, hidden spaces, and an ever-growing abyss begin to unnerve them. This experimental narrative pushes the boundaries of horror, inviting readers to question the nature of reality itself, all while delivering a truly immersive experience.
8. The Omen – David Seltzer
In this unsettling prophecy, Jeremy Thorn and his wife Katherine are blessed—or cursed—with a beautiful boy destined to fulfill a horrifying fate. As the dark forces around this child begin to stir, the narrative builds an atmosphere of dread that is impossible to ignore. The Omen remains one of the most gripping and controversial entries in the genre of supernatural horror.
9. The Amityville Horror – Jay Anson
Based on a true story, this terrifying account details the Lutz family’s brief and harrowing stay in a house tainted by a gruesome past. The sinister energy, following a series of inexplicable events, forces the family to flee in just 28 days. The narrative is as shocking as it is suspenseful, offering a glimpse into the inexplicable world of real-life hauntings.
10. The Exorcist – William Peter Blatty
Admit it or not, The Exorcist, a horrifying case of demonic possession, is the first horror story that comes to mind. When divorced mother Chris MacNeil begins noticing disturbing changes in her daughter Regan—spasms, violent outbursts, and bizarre behavior—she turns to experts in exorcism. With the help of troubled priest Damien Karras and Father Merrin, they confront a malevolent force that challenges both faith and sanity. This chilling tale has defined the modern exorcism narrative and remains a seminal work in horror literature.
