Beware: You won’t be able to escape these haunted houses.

Haunting is one of the most common paranormal beliefs around the world. Almost every town and city has at least one reportedly haunted house. The rumor that a house is haunted occurs after a violent tragedy like a murder or suicide. The ghosts of past inhabitants are not yet finished with their time on Earth and are said to be stuck in limbo, forced to roam the halls of their old homes due to unfinished business. Sometimes these spirits can become aggressive, turning on the visitors and new owners of their homes and wreaking chaos.

There’s something eerie about a haunted house story that keeps us coming back for more. Maybe it's because it's about a place that's supposed to keep you safe but has turned against you. Or maybe, because we’ve all experienced the creaks and moans at night, we secretly think is the work of ghosts.

Haunted houses have inspired literary works and films for decades, furthering our fears and fascination with them. Shirley Jackson’s 1959 horror novel and its Netflix adaptation, The Haunting of Hill House, is a perfect example. Jackson uses terror to highlight the complex relationships between her character's psyches and the mysterious events that haunt the house.

Stories of ghosts and demons living in the walls of hotels, mansions, and homes are just as popular as ever and perfect for all horror lovers.

If you’re a fan of haunted house lore and tales, check out the frightening stories below:

And once you’ve escaped those haunted halls, visit the stories below for even more spooky stories.

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Horror in Nova Scotia: The Great Amherst Mystery and the Possession of Esther Cox

They watched in terror as the demonic writing appeared above her bed: "Esther Cox, you are mine to kill."

The Lineup is Going on a Ghost Hunt … and You Can Watch Live

On October 1—National Ghost Hunting Day—our staff will be joining a ghost hunt at NYC's The Merchant's House and streaming it live on Facebook.

Honky Tonk of Horrors: The Bloody Past of Bobby Mackey’s Music World

This Kentucky nightclub's grisly history includes murder, suicide, and rumors of Satanic sacrifice.

A Sinister Haunting in San Antonio

As a young girl, Gretchen Upshaw was plagued by a hateful spirit that hurt her pets and appeared in the night as a ghostly version of her brother.

A Ghost in the Room: The Haunted History of Rocky Hill Castle

Multiple spirits were said to have wandered this eerie Alabama estate, including one spectral figure who may have been caught on camera.