Full disclosure: despite loving paranormal-focused reality TV and even having lived in what most people would describe as a haunted house, I don’t actually believe in ghosts. Sure, I think that there’s some compelling evidence out there for the existence of unexplained phenomena (“there are more things in heaven and earth,” and all that jazz), but the idea of ectoplasmic seances and translucent apparitions seems rather silly to me – especially when you realize how much of modern parapsychology is borrowed from popular culture.
And yet, I find myself irresistibly drawn to these tales of the unexplained, especially when the people involved swear that they aren’t works of fiction. I may not always take their word for it, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that I can’t have fun with a good old-fashioned ghost story. With that in mind, today I’d like to share 6 spooky ghost documentaries that I think will appeal to both believers and skeptics alike. After all, as a die-hard fan of the real-world X-Files, I want to believe, and I think I’m not the only one.
As usual, don’t forget to comment below with your own favorite ghost documentaries if you think we missed a particularly spooky one. And while we’re here, I’d also like to give a shout-out to The House In Between, which I previously mentioned in an article highlighting six other documentaries for horror fans.
With that out of the way, onto the list…
6. The Enfield Poltergeist (2023)
The only episodic entry here, Apple TV’s experimental docuseries The Enfield Poltergeist makes it onto this list due to the seriousness with which it handles this iconic case. Shot in a faithfully reconstructed set based on the actual Enfield house and featuring reenactments shot over real audio recordings of the alleged haunting, this 4-episode mini-series is even more frightening than the traditional adaptations of this infamous story.
While skeptics will likely pick apart the show’s collection of easily faked evidence and anecdotal testimonies, the sheer artistry behind this spooky production is enough to make it worth a watch if you’re in the mood for some realistic frights.
However, one thing is for certain: you’ll never watch The Conjuring 2 the same way ever again.
5. The Unbinding (2023)
Fans of paranormal programming may already be familiar with the Newkirks due to their phenomenal work on the Hellier series (available for free on YouTube), but I think that their most recent endeavor is even more fascinating. Chronicling the misfortune that ensues when the couple discovers a bizarre statue in the Catskill mountains, The Unbinding is an intriguing case of one man’s trash becoming another man’s extremely cursed treasure.
Again, the whole thing isn’t entirely believable – especially the convenient lack of footage concerning a certain incident at a convention center – but it’s still one hell of a creepy, well-told story. Besides, you can always appreciate the flick as an unusually subtle example of Found Footage cinema if you’re not onboard with the whole vengeful spirit thing.
4. The Pantry Ghost Documentary (2013)
I’m going to be honest with you right now: I’m still not entirely sure if this is a legitimate attempt at a documentary or a Lake Mungo style mockumentary fake-out meant to capitalize on the viral success of the infamous Pantry Ghost video from the late 2000s.
Either way, it’s still one hell of a fascinating dive into homemade hauntings if you can stomach a handful of inconsistencies (especially the Paranormal-Activity-esque reveal that the original videos were only a small part of the full story), so it’s another case where I think that horror aficionados are more likely to enjoy the film if they experience it like a short Found Footage movie.
3. The Afterlife Investigations: The Scole Experiments (2011)
A five-year-long scientific study conducted in the 90s and meant to unravel the secrets of life after death, the Scole Experiments are infamous among paranormal enthusiasts due to the study’s repeated claims of producing the most believable evidence of the supernatural to date.
Naturally, this supposedly real tale of mediums, researchers and disembodied spirits working together is prime documentary material, and that’s why Tim Coleman’s fascinating The Afterlife Investigations makes it onto this list as the most in-depth discussion of what many believe to be parapsychology’s finest hour.
And if you like this one, there’s also an illusive 80-minute director’s cut that was released back in 2021 and addresses even more details about the (allegedly) groundbreaking experiment.
2. An Unknown Encounter: A True Account of the San Pedro Haunting (1997)
How you tell a story can be just as important as what you’re telling, but An Unknown Encounter is a rare example of a legitimately chilling yarn being inexplicably enhanced by some exceedingly dated and often unintentionally hilarious presentation. Hosted by veteran genre actor Ferdy Mayne, this sensationalist doc presents us with real footage and interviews concerning California’s most famous haunting.
Following a single mother and the paranormal research team dedicated to helping her as they struggle with disembodied heads, mysterious orbs and murderous forces in the attic, the sheer number of eerie recordings here is worth the price of admission – but it’s the exaggerated editing, corny reenactments and cartoony sound effects that make me love this oddball documentary.
1. Ghosts on the Underground (2005)
Few places are as naturally spooky as subway tunnels, especially the ones that were built generations ago when workers had to manually dig through church crypts and plague pits to get the trains working on time, so it makes sense that my favorite film on this list is about the horrors that lurk underneath a bustling metropolis.
Narrated by underrated Doctor Who veteran Paul McGann, this highly atmospheric documentary plunges viewers into the claustrophobic world of London’s world-famous metro system and features terrifying stories from both passengers and train workers in a healthy blend of skepticism and supernatural curiosity. There may be little in the way of evidence here, but there’s no denying that this is one of the most stylish ghost docs ever made.
Not bad a for a TV special!