25+ Horror Themed Board Games For a Spooky Night In

Looking for the best horror themed board games?

There’s no better way to set the mood than gathering around a table illuminated by flickering candlelight, diving into tales of terror and suspense.

Board games have long been a staple for cozy indoor entertainment, but when combined with chilling themes of horror, they take on a whole new, heart-pounding dimension.

Whether you’re a fan of classic jump scares or psychological thrillers, we’ve curated a list of the best horror themed board games that promise a spine-tingling evening of eerie fun.

Best Horror Themed Board Games

Venture into a world of darkness, where the flicker of your candle is your only guide.

The Night Cage crafts a tension-filled experience, as players must navigate a shifting labyrinth that disappears and transforms as the light dims. The palpable sense of dread is unique to this game, heightening every decision with the fear of the unknown.

The intricate, ever-changing board ensures every playthrough feels fresh and unpredictable. Though the shadows might seem overwhelming, the game mechanics remain intuitive to horror fans.

It’s akin to playing Clue in a blackout—unsettling, but utterly captivating. I recommend adding black lights and some ambient candles to up the creepy mood factor.

Explore the eerie alleys with Mansions of Madness: Streets of Arkham.

This game transports players to a haunting urban sprawl, where every corner hides potential dread. Integrating immersive scenarios with puzzles, this expansion offers a chillingly distinct challenge.

Players need to drive back evil – both modern and ancient. Though the urban landscape may be unnerving, the game mechanics remain familiar to Mansions aficionados. It’s akin to navigating a haunted metropolis – eerily entrancing.

Think Eldritch Horror in a more localized, concentrated setting. Note that this is an expansion.

Laugh in the face of the grim reaper with Stupid Deaths.

Step into a realm where the bizarre, unexpected, and downright silly ways people have met their demise are laid bare. Stupid Deaths offers a macabre twist on the trivia genre, juxtaposing grim realities with dark humor.

The quirky, morbid factoids breathe a unique life (or death) into the gameplay, making each round distinct and educational in its own ghastly way. The core mechanics remain inviting to trivia buffs.

It’s like a mash up between Cards Against Humanity and a peculiar history lessons.

X

Survive the night in Scream: The Game.

Dive into a world where the line between hunter and hunted blurs ominously. Scream takes the quintessence of the classic horror film and transforms it into a tabletop experience, melding suspense with strategic survival.

Every choice could be your last as you attempt to outsmart Ghostface.

While deeply entrenched in the movie’s lore, the gameplay remains user-friendly to horror and board game aficionados alike. It’s akin to playing Dead of Winter, with eerie phone calls and masks.

Brace for paranoia in The Thing Infection at Outpost 31.

Venture into a desolate Antarctic base where trust becomes the most precious commodity. The Thing Infection at Outpost 31 encapsulates the tension of the iconic film, blending psychological warfare with survival tactics. Players grapple with doubt as the alien menace could be any one of them.

This game is somewhat akin to playing Secret Hitler, but with the chilling Arctic backdrop. First-timers might second-guess every move, but the eerie atmosphere is irresistibly engrossing.

Evade the blade in Don’t Get Stabbed!

Delve into a realm where every decision could be your last, and survival hinges on wit. Don’t Get Stabbed offers a darkly comedic take on classic slasher films, intertwining suspense with humor. Players vie to outsmart the killer, but danger lurks behind every card.

The innovative, stab-or-be-stabbed mechanics bring a unique thrill, ensuring every match is filled with heart-pounding moments. While the theme might sound morbid, the game mechanics remain delightfully playful and engaging.

It’s like playing Uno, but with a nefarious twist.

Navigate the haunted corridors of Alien: Fate of The Nostromo.

Embark on a journey aboard the ill-fated USCSS Nostromo, where danger lurks in the shadows. Alien: Fate of The Nostromo plunges players into the chilling atmosphere of the iconic sci-fi horror film, fusing strategy with survival horror.

The unique, ever-evolving ship layout introduces a fresh challenge, ensuring that every game holds new terrors. While deeply atmospheric and intense, the game mechanics remain graspable to horror and sci-fi board game lovers.

Test your wits with Death by Trivia.

Step into a chilling realm where every question could be your last. Death by Trivia transforms the familiar trivia game format into a sinister battle of brains, merging knowledge prowess with spine-tingling tension. Each answer could lead you closer to your doom.

Its macabre-themed questions and scenarios introduce a hauntingly unique flair, ensuring that each game is filled with suspense. While draped in dark humor, the core mechanics remain tantalizingly familiar to trivia buffs.

It’s like playing Trivial Pursuit, but in a haunted mansion.

Plunge into Lovecraftian nightmares with Eldritch Horror. Immerse yourself in a world teeming with cosmic horrors and dark mysteries.

Eldritch Horror transports players across a gloom-laden globe, uniting them against incomprehensible Ancient Ones, merging cerebral strategy with impending dread. Every continent conceals its own horrors, as well as keys to stave off the apocalypse.

Its dynamic, narrative-driven encounters infuse the gameplay with a distinct eldritch flavor, ensuring no two expeditions are the same. While awash with cosmic terror, its mechanisms remain engaging for both Lovecraft lovers and strategy enthusiasts. It’s like playing Arkham Horror, but on a global scale.

Delve deep into a tale where every memory unearths chilling secrets. Nightmare Horror Adventures unfolds a gripping narrative, intertwining intricate puzzles with a haunting backstory, merging player deduction with spine-tingling revelations. Every clue unraveled might lead closer to salvation or doom.

The game’s immersive, story-driven mechanics weave a rich tapestry of horror, ensuring each playthrough unravels its own eerie tale. While the storyline is intensely atmospheric, the core gameplay remains tantalizing to mystery and horror enthusiasts alike. It’s like playing an escape room, but with ghostly whispers.

Embark on spine-chilling escapades with Fright.

Step into shadowy realms where fear lurks at every corner. Fright seamlessly melds tension-building mechanics with pulse-quickening scenarios, merging strategy with the raw thrill of horror.

The game’s innovative, terror-inducing components provide a distinct atmospheric touch, ensuring every play feels like a fresh nightmare. While steeped in suspense, its core gameplay remains intuitively engaging for both seasoned gamers and horror aficionados.

I’d compare it to playing Betrayal at House on the Hill with an ever-present sense of impending doom.

Plunge into unpredictable perils with The Worst-CASE Scenario.

Delve into a world where danger hides behind every choice. The Worst-CASE Scenario crafts the art of survival into a game, blending decision-making with heart-pounding situations. Every move could lead to salvation or catastrophic failure.

Its signature, ever-shifting challenges introduce an unparalleled twist, ensuring each game is fraught with fresh dilemmas. While the stakes are always high, the core mechanics remain delightfully intuitive for both horror enthusiasts and board game veterans.

It’s akin to playing Pandemic, but with adrenaline-pumping twists at every turn.

Venture into the eerie corridors of Betrayal at House on the Hill.

Step inside a mansion where trust is fleeting and dread is omnipresent. This game transforms classic horror tropes into an immersive board game experience, merging strategy with suspense.

The dynamic, ever-changing room tiles ensure the mansion’s layout is unique with every playthrough. While navigating its mysterious hallways, players must remain alert – betrayal lurks just around the corner.

Comparatively, envision Mysterium minus the dreamlike prophecy.

Immerse yourself in a realm where knowledge of the macabre is your greatest weapon. Elevating the trivia genre, Horror Trivia Part II plunges players deep into the chilling lore of horror cinema, merging memory skills with nerve-wracking tension.

Its unique, category-spanning questions ensure no two games are the same, testing even the most devoted horror aficionados. While its spine-chilling themes might seem daunting, the core gameplay remains inviting to trivia enthusiasts.

It’s like playing Trivial Pursuit, but under a haunting, suspenseful lens.

Step into the chilling intrigue of Hunt A Killer: Body On The Boardwalk.

Descend into a world where crime-solving takes on a grim hue. This game transcends traditional board game boundaries, immersing players in a haunting murder mystery, blending deduction with spine-tingling narratives.

Its intricate, evolving storylines offer unparalleled depth, ensuring each playthrough unravels a new enigma. Though its dark undertones may unsettle, the core investigative mechanics will resonate with mystery enthusiasts.

Venture into the tense atmosphere of Final Girl Core Box.

Delve into a setting where survival and strategy become paramount, transporting players into iconic horror film scenarios. This game magnifies the solo board game experience, placing you in the shoes of the final survivor, battling malevolent foes.

The game’s feature-rich scenarios infuse unmatched variability, ensuring that every playthrough is fraught with new challenges and chilling moments. While the ambiance is thick with dread, its intuitive mechanics remain inviting to horror aficionados.

It’s like playing your favorite slasher film, with you as the lead.

Embark on a journey where horror knowledge reigns supreme, pulling you deep into the eerie realms of spine-chilling cinema, novels, and lore. This edition amplifies the classic Trivial Pursuit experience into a gothic maze, intertwining trivia with heart-stopping tension.

The bespoke, ghastly categories instill a novel eeriness, guaranteeing no two games mirror one another. Fear not the spectral elements; the fundamental trivia mechanics are effortlessly recognizable to Trivial Pursuit devotees.

Venture into the chilling realm of Horrified: Universal Monsters.

Plunge into an atmosphere where iconic monsters from yesteryear threaten your very existence. This game intensifies the traditional board game experience, integrating cooperative strategy with cinematic terror.

The inclusion of legendary fiends like Dracula and the Mummy offers an unparalleled spin, making sure each session is drenched in suspense. Don’t shy away from its haunting tableau; the fundamental gameplay is intuitive, beckoning both newcomers and board game veterans.

It’s like navigating a vintage horror film, but on your table.

Step into a world where spectral communications and intuitive deduction take center stage. This game heightens the usual mystery-solving dynamic, blending ghostly interactions with enigmatic puzzle-solving.

The vibrant, dreamlike vision cards deliver an exclusive element, assuring that every séance is unpredictable. While the phantasmal theme might seem intricate, the foundational gameplay is effortlessly grasped by both novices and seasoned sleuths.

It’s akin to diving deep into an otherworldly whodunnit, but in the comfort of your living room.

Plunge into a world where survival is not just about enduring the cold, but also the unseen threats lurking around. Dead of Winter refines the standard cooperative genre, intertwining group strategy with potential treachery.

Its unique crossroads mechanic introduces unexpected events, guaranteeing that every winter is fraught with suspense. Although set in a post-apocalyptic frost, the heartbeat of the game remains loyal to those familiar with collaborative challenges.

Delve deep into a city choked by mystery and menace. London Dread reshapes the typical narrative-driven experience, blending time management with intricate storytelling.

Its innovative action-clock mechanism ensures suspense is at every tick, making certain no two nights in London feel the same. Don’t let the Victorian aesthetics deceive you; the core gameplay is both modern and engaging for all thriller enthusiasts.

Unfathomable marries tension-filled strategy with narrative depth, capturing the dread of the open ocean.

Its unique traitor mechanism keeps players perpetually on edge, unsure of who to trust aboard their vessel. While the maritime theme might seem vast and intimidating, the game’s mechanics remain engaging even for those new to horror board games.

It’s like navigating Battleship, but with eldritch horrors beneath.

Explore the shadows with Nemesis: Terrain Expansion.

Delve into a ship where every corner hides unforeseen dangers. The Terrain Expansion amplifies the horror of Nemesis, introducing intricate, tactile environments that heighten the dread.

The detailed, modular terrain pieces not only enhance the visual appeal but also ratchet up the suspense. While it’s an expansion, the innovations feel entirely organic, making the experience more immersive.

Venture into the apocalypse with Zombie Survival.

Step into a world overrun by the undead, where survival hangs by a thread. Zombie Survival transcends the traditional horror theme, integrating crucial decision-making with adrenaline-pumping gameplay.

Its dynamic, changeable game board ensures every session is a fresh fight against the relentless horde. While the undead threat looms large, the true essence lies in managing scarce resources and unpredictable human dynamics.

It’s The Walking Dead, but you’re at the narrative’s heart.

Embark on a journey where nightmarish beasts and treacherous hunters dominate the shadowy city. This game elevates the iconic Bloodborne universe from screen to tabletop, merging strategic combat with intricate story paths.

Its unique card-driven mechanics offer unpredictable challenges, ensuring each hunt feels distinctively harrowing. Fear not the game’s intricate design; its core essence remains true to fans of the video game series.

While technically not a board game, Quija boards are truly one of the scariest “board games” out there

This board goes beyond traditional gameplay, offering a chance to engage with the unknown, merging curious wonder with age-old mysticism.

Its iconic planchette and alphabetic layout present an inimitable experience, ensuring each session is uniquely chilling. Be careful when trying to wake the dead!

Final Thoughts: Best Horror Themed Board Games

When the wind howls outside and shadows dance menacingly on the walls, it’s time to embrace the eerie ambiance and gather your bravest friends for a night of thrilling board games.

With so many titles sending shivers down our spines, my top pick for best horror themed board games has to be The Night Cage — a haunting delve into the darkness that promises to captivate and chill.

But don’t stop there; dive deeper into the labyrinthine streets of Mansions of Madness: Streets of Arkham or lighten the mood with the hilariously grim Stupid Deaths. From terrifying to tongue-in-cheek, any of these are perfect for a spooky night in.