20 Best Horror Board Games to Play this Halloween
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It can be difficult to find ideas for fun things to do on Halloween, especially as an adult. Once you outgrow trick-or-treating, the holiday just doesn’t feel the same. That’s why we’ve come up with this list of horror board games that can be played on any occasion—whether it’s a date, a family night, or a raucous party. Some of our game choices are truly scary, while others are merely spooky fun. Many of them are cooperative, which means you have to work together to defeat the evil forces at work, but others let you compete to win out against your friends and family. Between macabre trivia, Disney villainy, and Lovecraftian mayhem, there’s a little something for everyone. You might also find that these games can be played at any time of year, Halloween or not. So this year, once the trick-or-treating dies down, settle in for a board game night that will leave you laughing… or screaming.
Mysterium
In Mysterium, you and up to six other players take on the roles of psychic investigators investigating a horrible murder that was committed thirty years ago on the grounds of an old house, Warwick Manor. One player takes on the role of the ghost of the murder victim and communicates with the other players through visions in the form of impressionistic images. All the players must work together to find out the weapon, location, and identity of the murderer. This game has options for playing with two people, making it perfect for a spooky date night at home. Those who love to play and want more variation can also buy the expansions or the spin-off game, Mysterium Park.
Horrified
In Horrified, the classic movie horror villains of Universal Studios—Frankenstein, Dracula, the Bride of Frankenstein, the Wolfman, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon—attack your village, and it’s up to you to defend it. Two to five players face the monsters using different strategies and tactics, depending on their chosen characters, and work together to save the villagers and destroy the monsters—before the monsters destroy them. Universal monster fans can also check out popular board game versions of Jaws and Jurrasic Park.
Betrayal at House on the Hill
In Betrayal at House on the Hill, three to six players build a haunted mansion tile by tile. With each room, new horrors are discovered, and the players must work together to survive. Where does the betrayal come in? At some point in the game, the house turns one player against the others. This is an immersive game with up to fifty scenarios, so it has excellent replay value, though fans who play often will appreciate the Widow’s Walk Expansion. It also contains many typical horror elements, including evil, frightening imagery, so it’s not for the faint of heart. Those looking for something more family friendly can try Scooby-Doo! Betrayal at Haunted Mansion.
House of Danger
Fans of the Choose Your Own Adventure book series will enjoy the nostalgia of House of Danger. One or more players become psychic investigators searching for the missing owner of Marsden Manor—a high-tech modern house riddled with secrets. Utilizing your psychic senses, you must risk your life to find out the truth, making a series of tough choices along the way. Played out in five chapters, the game has a limited replay value. But never fear! The sequel, War with the Evil Power Master, will give fans more to look forward to.
One Night Ultimate Werewolf
If you’re looking for Halloween party ideas, One Night Ultimate Werewolf may just be the perfect thing—though it’s just as much fun at any time of year. The game is similar to the party game Werewolf (also known as Mafia) though it only plays out in one round and without a narrator. Each player, of a recommended five to ten players total, gets randomly assigned a character from the local village. Each character has certain abilities, but they have the same goal: find the werewolves hidden amongst them. A compatible phone app (this bit is required), guides players through the game with atmospheric music and plenty of twists and turns. Fans of the game will enjoy mixing it up with one of many expansions.
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Don’t Get Stabbed
In the adult party game Don’t Get Stabbed, one player takes on the role of a killer from a slasher film and turns on all the rest. The killer wins the game by killing the rest of the players. The rest of the players win by escaping. This card game is for three to five players and plays fast, with plenty of replay value. There is some advantage to the killer, so be sure to take turns. Fans may like The Unseen, a party game for up to twenty players where players avoid being brainwashed by a cult, from the same creator.
Alice Cooper’s Horror Box
Fans well-versed in the world of horror will love Horror Box, a hilarious adult party game. The gameplay is similar to popular games like Cards Against Humanity or Apples to Apples, but with a horror twist. Expansions can be added to the base game deck to add particular horror themes, like aliens, the supernatural, slasher films, or iconic characters.
Salem 1692
Salem 1692 is a card game based on the real Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Four to twelve players hunt down the witches in the town, or risk becoming one of them, by making accusations and condemning one another to death. This game also resembles the party game Werewolf (or Mafia), though it has more layers of complexity.
Zombies!!!
Unlike most of the games here, Zombies!!! can be played as either a competitive game (where you’re all against each other) or cooperative game (where you’re all working together). The goal of the game is to escape the starving horde of zombies heading your way by getting to the helicopter pad. Players add map tiles, place more zombies as they spawn, and generally run as fast as they can to avoid getting eaten by the undead zombies. This game can be played with two to four players and has plenty of variation for replay.
Death by Trivia
Trivia fans will appreciate Death by Trivia, “a party game with a killer twist”, that tests two to eight players on a wide range of macabre knowledge besides just horror books and movies. Game mechanics go beyond just questions and answers, with wrong answers slowly leading players toward their deaths. Dead players play from a different deck of cards, and when a player misses one he or she loses the game for good. Question topics range from true crime throughout history to popular culture to the science of death. This game is perfect for a Halloween spent with friends or family.
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Stupid Deaths
If you get a kick out of The Darwin Awards, you’ll fall laughing into your grave with Stupid Deaths, a ridiculous party game where you try to guess true or false if people have died in various ways. The more answers you get wrong, the closer you get to falling victim to the Grim Reaper. Those who prefer simple, silly board games will get a kick out of playing this with family or friends.
Campy Creatures
Battle it out with more classic horror monsters in Campy Creatures. In this game, you’re a mad scientist trying to collect mortals so you can perform dastardly experiments on them. To do this, you send out familiar monsters to do your dirty work. Players play across three rounds, collecting points, and at the end the player with the most points win. This wonderfully artistic game can be played with two to five players and can be upgraded with an expansion.
Hocus Pocus
Anyone familiar with Disney’s Halloween movie classic will know the premise of Hocus Pocus: protect Salem’s children from three youth-seeking witches and keep the witches from completing their evil potion before the sun comes up. Families with older children (and adults looking for some 90’s nostalgia) will enjoy working together to complete the challenging task of defeating the Sanderson Sisters.
The Haunted Mansion: Call of the Spirits
Disney’s The Haunted Mansion: Call of the Spirits captures all the best elements of the famous theme-park ride. Two to six players roam the Endless Hallway to find matching sets of ghosts that haunt the mansion, meanwhile exploring the many rooms and enlisting help from seer Madame Leota in the séance room. But players must beware of “hitchhiking ghosts,” who can latch onto players and turn them into ghosts themselves. This game is great for families with older children and those adults who prefer spooky to terrifying.
Villainous
If you’ve always wanted to explore your sinister side, try Villainous. Two to six players take on the roles of memorable Disney villains and aim to complete their dastardly plans before the others. Players must thwart the attempts of those heroes we all know and love to defeat them. Fans can also add to their base set with a series of expansions (which also can be played standalone), including more villains and and even a Marvel cross-over game.
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Escape the Dark Castle
The challenging and easy-to-learn game Escape the Dark Castle will appeal to those who like board games, but prefer less game pieces and no complex instructions. Working together as a team, up to four players draw cards, roll dice, and make choices that determine their fate as prisoners trying to escape an eerie castle. Gameplay feels like a Choose Your Own Adventure storytelling experience, and the game changes every time you play. Expansions can be added for more variety in characters, locations, and mechanics.
Paranormal Detectives
Those who like high-energy, creative party games like Cranium will enjoy Paranormal Detectives. One player takes on the role of a ghost who has been murdered and must communicate clues to the other players, who are paranormal detectives in charge of the case. The ghost can use a variety of “supernatural” methods to give clues to the detectives (which is what makes it different from a game like Mysterium), including playing charades, drawing on the back of other players, using a talking board, choosing tarot cards, and more.
Eldritch Horror
If you are a serious board-gamer, a huge fan of fantasy horror, or if you just love the world of H.P. Lovecraft, you will enjoy Eldritch Horror, a complex cooperative game that launches you into another world. Up to eight players travel around defeating monsters and holding evil at bay over the course of several hours, risking injury to both mind and body. This game is highly variable and extremely addictive, with a steady following of avid players. Because of that, there are many expansions to vary gameplay.
Mansions of Madness
Mansions of Madness also takes place in the world of H.P. Lovecraft, but instead takes players, as supernatural investigators, through a series of cursed Arkham mansions to solve clever puzzles and battle monsters from another world. This game requires a digital phone app to act as your guide, which allows for everyone at the table to play, and adds atmosphere with music and sound effects. This game is a multiple hour experience for avid board-gamers, not a quick-and-easy party game, but those interested will find it worth it. More scenarios, locales, and monsters are available through expansions and in-app purchases.
Arkham Horror: The Card Game
Last, but definitely not least, if you want the H.P. Lovecraft horror experience, but have no interest in lots of little game pieces or associated apps, go for Arkham Horror: The Card Game. Like the others in the Lovecraft universe listed here, this game is not for those looking for an easy game to pick up, as it has complex rules and takes a significant chunk of time. But if that’s what you’re looking for (and why not, to mix up your regular evening TV binge), this game will definitely hold interest. Scenarios can only be played up to a few times, so expect to purchase expansions and “mythos packs,” which add more cards, scenarios, and campaigns. Play is ideal for two players, and can be considered an affordable date night.
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We’ve made a list of over twenty-five board games that will satisfy amateur sleuths everywhere.