I think 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde also belongs here. While it's not a typical ghost story in the sense of having apparitions everywhere, the idea of Dorian's portrait changing as his soul decays has a very gothic feel to it and can be considered a form of 'ghostly' presence of his sins.
Among them, 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley is also quite popular. The creation of the monster and the moral and ethical questions it raises, along with the dark and gloomy settings in parts of the story, give it a strong gothic and somewhat ghostly atmosphere as the monster is like a specter haunting Victor Frankenstein's life.
I think 'The Amityville Horror' is very popular. It's based on a supposedly true story of a haunted house. People are attracted by the idea that it could be real.
Definitely 'Dracula'. It's world - famous for its vampire lore. The character of Dracula is iconic and the Transylvanian setting adds to the gothic allure.
One of the most popular is 'The Sandman'. It has a huge following due to its amazing storytelling and the way it weaves together different mythologies in a gothic framework. 'V for Vendetta' is also very popular. Its message of resistance against an authoritarian regime combined with its gothic aesthetic makes it a favorite. 'From Hell' is well - known too, especially among those interested in true - crime - inspired gothic stories.
Well, 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' is extremely popular. Its surreal and imaginative world has fascinated readers for generations. 'Peter Pan' is also very well - liked. The idea of never growing up and having adventures in a magical land is very appealing. 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears' is a simple yet popular story. Children can easily understand the concept of right and wrong in this story, which makes it a favorite bedtime story.
A popular one is also 'Sleeping Beauty'. A princess is cursed to sleep for a hundred years until a prince comes to wake her up with a kiss. It has that element of magic and romance that makes it a great bedtime story. The vivid description of the castle and the sleeping princess can make you feel like you're in a fairy - tale world as you drift off to sleep.
The most popular is probably 'A Christmas Carol'. It has been adapted into many movies and plays. People love it because it shows the transformation of a cold - hearted man into a kind and generous one.
One more that could be popular is 'The Ghost Train'. The idea of a phantom train that appears out of nowhere, often in areas where there has been a train accident in the past, is really spooky. Passengers on the train might see strange faces at the windows or feel a cold chill as the ghost train passes by. It combines the fear of the unknown with the eery atmosphere of trains and the places they travel through.
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.
Perhaps 'The Girl in the Tower' was also popular. It is part of a series that has a large following. The gothic elements in it, such as the dark and cold Russian setting, along with the strong female lead and the dangerous situations she faces, would have attracted a lot of readers. The book also has a touch of the supernatural which is a big draw in gothic fiction.
Definitely 'Frankenstein'. It's a well - known story around the world. People are intrigued by the idea of a created being turning against its creator. The exploration of human nature and the consequences of over - reaching scientific ambition in this novel have made it a long - lasting favorite.