When the nights get darker and the air gets chillier, there’s nothing quite like gathering friends and family around the table for a night of spooky fun. While horror movies and haunted houses are great Halloween traditions, board games and tabletop RPGs bring scares, strategy, and storytelling into your living room. Whether you’re planning a Halloween party or just want a fright-filled game night, spooky-themed tabletop games are the perfect way to set the mood.

At The Game of Nerds, we’ve always loved highlighting games that bring people together — and spooky board games are some of the most memorable. From haunted mansions to Lovecraftian horrors, here are our top picks for a spooky game night that will thrill both casual players and tabletop veterans.

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Betrayal at House on the Hill

A staple of any Halloween game night, Betrayal at House on the Hill is the ultimate haunted house experience in board game form.

  • Players: 3–6
  • Playtime: 60 minutes
  • Publisher: Avalon Hill

Why It’s Perfect for Spooky Night

Players explore a creepy mansion room by room, discovering eerie artifacts and encountering chilling events. Halfway through the game, the “haunt” begins: one player becomes a traitor, turning against the rest. With over 50 different haunt scenarios, no two games are the same.

The blend of exploration, suspense, and betrayal makes it a fan-favorite for gamers looking for a horror experience filled with twists.

Arkham Horror: The Card Game

For fans of cosmic horror, Arkham Horror: The Card Game offers a narrative-driven, cooperative experience steeped in the mythos of H.P. Lovecraft.

  • Players: 1–2 (expandable to 4 with additional sets)
  • Playtime: 60–120 minutes
  • Publisher: Fantasy Flight Games

Why It’s Perfect for Spooky Night

This living card game combines deck-building with roleplaying, letting players step into the shoes of investigators battling eldritch horrors. Scenarios are story-driven and filled with dread, mystery, and impossible choices.

If your spooky game night leans toward story immersion and creeping paranoia, Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a must-play.

Mysterium

Mysterium blends Clue with ghostly visions in a cooperative, deduction-style experience.

  • Players: 2–7
  • Playtime: 45 minutes
  • Publisher: Libellud

Why It’s Perfect for Spooky Night

One player acts as a ghost, trying to communicate with psychic investigators using surreal, illustrated cards as clues. The investigators must interpret these visions to solve the mystery of the ghost’s murder.

With its beautiful artwork and eerie atmosphere, Mysterium is equal parts spooky and whimsical, making it perfect for groups that prefer mystery over gore.

One Night Ultimate Werewolf

Quick, chaotic, and endlessly replayable, One Night Ultimate Werewolf is a fast-paced party game full of deception and deduction.

  • Players: 3–10
  • Playtime: 10 minutes
  • Publisher: Bézier Games

Why It’s Perfect for Spooky Night

Each player takes on a role (villager, seer, werewolf, etc.) with secret abilities. The group debates and accuses each other, trying to figure out who the werewolves are before dawn.

Short rounds make it great for parties, while the paranoia and bluffing deliver plenty of Halloween-worthy suspense.

Horrified

Horrified brings classic Universal Monsters to life in a cooperative board game filled with nostalgia and suspense.

  • Players: 1–5
  • Playtime: 60 minutes
  • Publisher: Ravensburger

Why It’s Perfect for Spooky Night

Players work together to protect a town from iconic monsters like Dracula, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and the Wolfman. Each monster has unique abilities and requires different strategies to defeat.

It’s spooky without being terrifying, making it accessible for families and groups looking for a more lighthearted Halloween option.

Dead of Winter

For fans of survival horror, Dead of Winter captures the paranoia of a post-apocalyptic world.

  • Players: 2–5
  • Playtime: 90–120 minutes
  • Publisher: Plaid Hat Games

Why It’s Perfect for Spooky Night

This semi-cooperative game forces players to work together to survive a zombie apocalypse while also pursuing secret objectives. But beware — some objectives may put the group at risk, leading to suspicion and betrayal.

With its “crossroads” mechanic delivering story-driven events, Dead of Winter is as much about human drama as it is about fighting zombies.

Fury of Dracula

If you’re looking for a cat-and-mouse thriller, Fury of Dracula is an atmospheric classic.

  • Players: 2–5
  • Playtime: 120–180 minutes
  • Publisher: WizKids

Why It’s Perfect for Spooky Night

One player takes on the role of Dracula, traveling across Europe and spreading his dark influence. The other players are vampire hunters working together to track him down before his power grows.

Tense, strategic, and steeped in Gothic horror, Fury of Dracula is perfect for groups who want a slow-burn game filled with suspense.

Last Night on Earth

A B-movie horror brought to the tabletop, Last Night on Earth revels in campy zombie fun.

  • Players: 2–6
  • Playtime: 90 minutes
  • Publisher: Flying Frog Productions

Why It’s Perfect for Spooky Night

With modular boards, cinematic scenarios, and card art styled like a vintage horror flick, Last Night on Earth captures the feel of surviving a zombie movie. One side plays survivors, the other controls the undead.

If your group loves cheesy horror tropes, this game delivers them with flair.

Dungeons & Dragons: The Spooky Campaign Route

If your game group is into roleplaying, nothing beats running a horror-themed campaign in Dungeons & Dragons. Adventures like Curse of Strahd take players into vampire-filled castles and eerie villages, making for an unforgettable tabletop experience.

Why It’s Perfect for Spooky Night

Unlike board games with set rules, D&D allows complete customization. Your Dungeon Master can fill the night with jump scares, creepy mysteries, and terrifying creatures — tailored to your group’s playstyle.

For groups that want to invest a whole evening, a horror one-shot session makes for the ultimate spooky game night.

Tips for Hosting a Spooky Game Night

Want to elevate the atmosphere? Here’s how to make your spooky board game session unforgettable:

  • Decor: Dim the lights, add candles (or LED versions for safety), and deck out the table with Halloween décor.
  • Snacks: Themed snacks like gummy worms, candy eyeballs, and popcorn in “bloody” red bowls add flair.
  • Soundtrack: Play eerie background music or horror movie soundtracks to keep the mood tense.
  • Costumes: Encourage players to dress as their favorite horror characters or even as their chosen in-game role.

A little effort goes a long way in making the night immersive and memorable.

Final Thoughts

From haunted mansions to cosmic horrors, spooky board games and tabletop adventures offer endless ways to celebrate Halloween or just enjoy a creepy night in. Games like Betrayal at House on the Hill and Mysterium keep things eerie but fun, while heavier titles like Dead of Winter and Arkham Horror deliver deep strategy and story-driven chills.

At The Game of Nerds, we believe game nights should be more than just dice and cards — they’re about creating memories. So grab your friends, pick your spooky game of choice, and prepare for a night of thrills, chills, and laughter.

Happy haunting, and may your dice always roll in your favor!