Well, 'Bloody Mary' is a very well - known top ghost story. Legend has it that if you go into a dark bathroom, say 'Bloody Mary' three times while looking into the mirror, a ghostly figure will appear. Then there's 'The Brown Lady of Raynham Hall'. There have been sightings of a lady in brown, often described as a ghost, in the hall. It has been photographed as well, which adds to the mystery. 'The Flying Dutchman' is also famous. It's a ghost ship that is doomed to sail the seas forever, and sailors often claim to have seen it as a sign of bad luck.
One of the top suspenseful ghost stories could be 'The Turn of the Screw' by Henry James. It's full of ambiguity and psychological horror as the governess believes she sees ghosts that are threatening the children in her care. Another might be 'The Haunting of Hill House' which builds a great sense of dread with its haunted house setting and strange occurrences. 'The Shining' is also very suspenseful, with the isolated hotel and the slow descent of Jack Torrance into madness as the ghosts seem to influence him. 'Ghost Story' by Peter Straub is also well - known for its complex and chilling narrative. And 'The Woman in Black' is a classic, with the eponymous ghost creating a spooky atmosphere in the marshy English landscape.
The 'Black Shuck' is a famous ghost story. It's a large black dog - like apparition in English folklore, often seen as an omen of death. 'The Brown Lady of Raynham Hall' is another well - known one. Her ghost has been sighted on the staircase of the hall. And 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' is very much part of the top ten. It features the Headless Horseman, who rides through the town chasing people. These stories have been passed down through generations, captivating people with their elements of mystery and fear.
The Baychimo is another spooky ghost ship story. It got trapped in ice in 1931 in the Arctic. The crew abandoned it, but for years it was sighted floating around in the Arctic waters. It seemed to have a life of its own. These stories of ghost ships are fascinating because they make us wonder what really happened to the crews. Were they taken by some unseen force? Or did they meet with a more earthly disaster and the ships just became symbols of mystery over time?
The psychological impact on the people involved is also interesting. Take the case of the Myrtles Plantation. The people who lived there reported feeling a great deal of unease and fear. Their experiences, whether real or imagined, show how our minds can be affected by the idea of the supernatural. It makes us wonder if there are forces beyond our understanding.
The Tower of London has its own ghost stories. Many people believe they have seen the ghosts of former prisoners and executed royalty there. For example, the ghost of Anne Boleyn is often said to be seen walking around the Tower. It's part of the top 10 because of the long and often tragic history associated with the Tower.
One of the scariest ghost stories is 'The Bell Witch'. It's about a malevolent spirit that haunted the Bell family in Tennessee. There were strange noises, physical attacks on family members, and the entity would even speak to them. Another is 'The Conjuring' case. The real - life story of the Perron family's encounters with a dark presence in their farmhouse is truly terrifying. Items moving on their own, apparitions, and a sense of overwhelming dread.
One of the spookiest is the story of the Bell Witch in Tennessee. It was known for tormenting the Bell family with strange noises, physical attacks, and even speaking to them. Another is the story of the Amityville Horror, where a family experienced terrifying events in their new home like apparitions and strange smells.
One of the famous ones is the Amityville Horror. Supposedly, a family experienced terrifying paranormal events in their new home. There were strange noises, cold spots, and apparitions. Another is the story of the Bell Witch in Tennessee. It involved a spirit that tormented a family, moving objects and making strange sounds. And the Winchester Mystery House also has a spooky reputation. Sarah Winchester built the house with its many odd features to confuse the ghosts she believed were after her.
For 'The Turn of the Screw', the lack of a clear explanation for the apparitions and the psychological state of the governess make it highly suspenseful. It's like walking in a fog, not knowing what's real. 'The Haunting of Hill House' uses the concept of a haunted house to great effect. The house is full of dark corners and strange noises, and as the characters explore it, the suspense builds. 'The Shining' is suspenseful due to the combination of a spooky location, the influence of the ghosts on Jack, and the danger to his family. 'Ghost Story' has a multi - layered plot that gradually unfolds, with each layer adding more mystery and suspense. 'The Woman in Black' has a very traditional yet effective approach. The eponymous ghost is a constant source of fear, and the rural setting adds to the overall sense of isolation and suspense.
One of the well - known Japanese ghost stories is 'Yotsuya Kaidan'. It's about a woman named Oiwa who was horribly betrayed by her husband. Her vengeful spirit haunts those who wronged her. Another is 'Banchou Sarayashiki', which tells the tale of Okiku, a maid who was falsely accused and thrown into a well. Her ghost is said to haunt the well and make a spooky sound of counting plates.