In my opinion, 'Ghost Story' by Peter Straub is a great one. It has a complex plot with multiple layers of mystery and horror. The way the past events and the present are intertwined with the presence of ghosts is very well - done. There are also some Japanese ghost stories like 'The Ring' which is super creepy. The idea of a cursed videotape and a vengeful spirit coming out of the TV is really something that can give you nightmares.
Well, 'A Christmas Carol' can be considered a kind of ghost story. The three ghosts that visit Scrooge are quite memorable. They show him his past, present, and future, which is both spooky and thought - provoking. Also, 'The Woman in Black' is very frightening. The ghostly woman in black who haunts the marshes and brings death to those who see her is really scary.
One of the most frightening ghost stories I've read is 'The Turn of the Screw'. The ambiguity of whether the ghosts are real or just the governess's hallucinations is truly terrifying. Another is 'The Shining'. The idea of a haunted hotel and the slow descent into madness of the main character is spine - chilling.
A really frightening one was when a guy was camping alone in the woods. In the middle of the night, he heard a howling that sounded like it was right next to his tent. Then, he saw two glowing eyes outside. He was terrified and didn't dare to move. After what felt like hours, the eyes disappeared. He packed up his stuff and left right away.
One of the most frightening ghost stories is 'The Bell Witch'. It's about a spirit that haunted a family in Tennessee. The witch would torment the family, making strange noises, moving objects, and even physically attacking them. It was so terrifying that it became a well - known legend in American folklore.
The one where a girl was haunted by a spirit in her new apartment. Every night, she heard it crying. It was really scary.
The story of the Flying Dutchman's crew is extremely frightening. Just imagine being trapped in a state of eternal half - life, unable to truly die or live. Their ghostly visages and the fact that they can never escape their cursed existence is quite scary.
Unsettling sounds play a big role too. Strange whispers, creaking floors, or howls in the night can create a really scary atmosphere. In many stories, these sounds are often the first sign that something is wrong, and they build up the tension before the actual ghost is revealed. They make you feel as if there is an unseen presence lurking around. Also, the idea of the ghost being an angry or vengeful spirit can be quite terrifying. It gives the impression that the ghost has a purpose, and that purpose is often to harm the living characters in the story.
The idea of a ghost being tied to a Christmas tradition in a negative way can be very frightening. Like a Christmas caroler who turns out to be a ghost, singing sad songs that bring a chill to the air. It takes something that's usually happy and turns it into something spooky. Also, the fact that these ghosts are often lonely or vengeful spirits adds to the fear factor. They are not friendly ghosts but ones that carry some sort of negative emotion from their past lives.
The most deadly ghost stories are frightening because they often involve elements of the unknown and the supernatural. For example, in stories like the Bell Witch, the fact that the entity can cause harm without a physical form is terrifying. It defies our understanding of how the world works. Another aspect is the sense of helplessness. When faced with a deadly ghost, like in the La Llorona story, there's usually no way to fight back or escape its wrath.
Edgar Allan Poe also told some very frightening stories with elements of the supernatural. His use of language and his exploration of the darker aspects of the human psyche in stories like 'The Fall of the House of Usher' make them both disturbing and engaging. The decaying mansion and the sense of impending doom add to the overall fright factor.
It's hard to say which are the most popular without more specific information. But usually, the ones with the most engaging plots or relatable characters tend to be popular.
Imagine a Transformer that was once a hero but was experimented on by a mad scientist. The experiments went wrong and turned it into a grotesque and terrifying version of itself. It no longer recognized its friends and started attacking them. It had sharp, jagged edges all over its body and its movements were erratic and unpredictable. Every time it appeared, a sense of dread filled the air.