The Play Store has a vast selection of top-notch Android games, including some of the best horror games that guarantee goosebumps due to their haunting narratives or pulse-pounding jump scares. But to help you find the most suitable horror games that will send chills down your spine, we've compiled a list featuring some of the best horrors you can play on any trusty Android tablet or phone — from quality ports of old classics (like Alien: Isolation) to a few occultic entries — we have it all.
1 Oxenfree 2
Oxenfree 2 is the perfect sequel, emphasizing the supernatural horror themes introduced by Oxenfree but through a brand new story. We loved our time with Oxenfree 2, and we recommend that this should be your first download if you're looking for your next spooky adventure on Android. If you've played Oxenfree, there isn't much more to say; just strap in and enjoy yourself.
If you haven't played Oxenfree before, expect an atmospheric horror game with an emphasis on characters and story. There's no jump-scares here, just a haunting narrative and a stellar voice cast. Don't worry about playing Oxenfree 2 before Oxenfree (although we highly recommend it); while the sequel directly references the first game, the narratives are entirely separate.
2 Samsara Room
Samsara Room is the perfect horror game for those who prefer being unsettled rather than frightened. It's a puzzle game at heart, but Samsara Room keeps you on edge with its unsettling scenes. It's scary, but we think everyone can comfortably enjoy this game. However, Samsara Room can be tricky at times; don't expect to breeze through on your first attempt.
If you're struggling, we recommend looking up one of the many walkthroughs online. A few levels are notoriously tricky and can lead to countless replays before you find the solution.
3 Paranormasight
Paranormasight is one of the best visual novels on Android, but it's not for the faint-hearted. Inspired by the Seven Wonders of Honjo legend, Paranormasight brings these ghost stories to life through the perspectives of characters investigating the mysteries. You'll have to make key decisions to determine their fate as you progress through the story.
Paranormasight is a perfectly spooky game that mixes puzzles and intrigue into an experience that keeps you hooked until the end. It's a must-play for people who want a slow-burn horror experience.
- In-app purchases: None
4 Dead by Daylight Mobile
As we noted in our hands-on, Dead by Daylight Mobile suffers from a variety of issues, but that doesn't stop it from being one of the best co-op horror games around. Once you've mastered the finicky controls, we recommend grabbing a friend to experience this nerve-wracking horror game.
Dead by Daylight Mobile is a competitive survival horror game, but you must work with your fellow survivors to make it through each round. If you want a horror game that offers hours of replayability, you can't do much better than this.
- In-app purchases: $1.99 – $99.99 per item
5 Limbo
Limbo is one of the best Android platformers, and it might also be the best horror game on the Play Store. Its misty, grayscale atmosphere is uniquely unnerving, and the story will keep you playing to the very end. There are no jump-scares or action scenes here, but out of any game on this list, Limbo probably will stick in the back of your mind the longest.
Limbo is also a great choice for those who prefer to be challenged by puzzles rather than combat. You have plenty of time to explore the realm of Limbo; there are no monsters harassing you at every turn. It's an absolute must-play for fans of all kinds of horror.
- Available on Play Pass
- In-app purchases: None
6 Distraint
Distraint is a 2D psychological horror adventure game you can complete within a day. But don't let the length turn you away; it merely means that each moment is a masterpiece. Distraint is the perfect game for those who dislike jump scares and action, as it relies on careful audio and visual design to create a spooky atmosphere. It's similar to Limbo in some ways, so try this if Limbo felt like the perfect horror game.
Distraint is ideal for both veterans and newcomers to the horror genre. It presents its horror in a unique manner that everyone will enjoy. The game's controls are easy to learn, and it wastes no time drawing you into the haunting story. We recommend grabbing a pair of quality earbuds to appreciate the sound design fully.
- In-app purchases: $1.49 per item
7 Five Nights at Freddy's
Jump scares can feel cheap, but Five Nights at Freddy's refined the experience into a nerve-shredding horror game that created an instant classic. Initially released on PC in 2014, it spawned numerous sequels and spinoffs on various platforms. But if you want the original experience, you can't find a better place than the remastered port for Android.
Five Nights at Freddy's isn't a game for the faint-hearted. It's a tense, edge-of-your-seat experience that pits you against a group of sentient, bloodthirsty animatronics. You can keep them out via the electric doors, but what do you do when the power runs out? Play it if you don't have time for complex narratives and want the living daylights scared out of you.
- In-app purchases: $0.99 – $4.99 per item
8 Oxenfree
Oxenfree is an adventure game inspired by classic 80s horror films. Like Distraint, this is the perfect game for those who can't stand jump scares; it's also much longer. Oxenfree changes the story and dialogue based on your decisions, so think carefully about every choice you make. This also means it has plenty of replayability, so make sure you give it another go to see all the parts you missed.
Oxenfree's branching story makes it one of the best narrative-driven horror games due to its replayability. Unfortunately, it's a Netflix Games exclusive, so you'll need a Netflix subscription to give this fantastic horror game a whirl.
- Netflix Games exclusive
9 Hello Neighbor
Hello Neighbor's charming aesthetic might seem friendly, but don't let the bright colors and childlike graphics fool you. Your goal is to sneak into your neighbor's house to discover their hidden secrets, all while they attempt to stop you. It's a slightly surreal experience that is bound to get your heart pounding.
Part of this game's brilliance is its AI. It learns from your every move, so you must adapt your tactics with each attempt to complete the game. Play this if you're tired of predictable jump-scares and horror clichés.
- In-app purchases: $0.99 – $14.99 per item
10 Bendy and the Ink Machine
A mix of retro Disney visuals and modern horror game mechanics, Bendy and the Ink Machine is the perfect game for horror veterans. It doesn't limit itself to one genre, so you'll be solving puzzles one moment and fighting monsters the next. However, the story is the main attraction. You'll uncover the mystery behind the abandoned animation studio over five chapters.
Bendy and the Ink Machine is ideal for all types of horror fans. While there are jump scares, they aren't egregious, and the storyline will keep narrative players hooked.
- In-app purchases: None
11 The Baby In Yellow
Like Hello Neighbor, The Baby In Yellow initially seems silly. The titular baby is a creepily-eyed figure that, apart from staring at you unnervingly, doesn't seem to be the scariest antagonist. However, as you progress through the game, you'll encounter jump scares, supernatural events, and creepy ragdoll physics, making this one of Android's most gripping horror games.
While The Baby In Yellow is short and the gameplay somewhat simplistic, it's still a worthwhile experience perfect for a weekend's gaming.
- In-app purchases: $3.49 per item
12 Fran Bow
Fran Bow is a disturbingly realistic psychological horror game. You play Fran, a young girl who witnesses the brutal dismemberment of her parents. Traumatized by the experience and incarcerated in a mental institution, you'll follow Fran as she attempts to escape.
While it draws on supernatural imagery and imaginary events, Fran Bow feels like the most realistic game on this list. It's the perfect horror game for people who enjoy psychological thrillers. Each chapter is sold as individual paid downloads.
- In-app purchases: None
13 Eyes
Eyes is a fast-paced action horror game that will keep you on your toes. It draws on many classic horror tropes, but don't let the clichéd atmosphere turn you away. There's no thought-provoking story like Distraint, but there are plenty of game modes and challenges for you to complete.
This game is suited for those who want a quick horror fix. The monsters are varied and challenging, and the sound and visual design perfectly amplify the spookiness of your environment.
- In-app purchases: None
14 The Walking Dead: Season One
Part of what makes horror games so engaging is the characters. How people react to terrifying events is fascinating, and that's precisely what makes Telltale Games' The Walking Dead so good. While the story's broad strokes will remain the same, your decisions will have consequences.
The Walking Dead is split into five episodes, each purchasable separately in-app. However, if the first episode has you hooked, you might as well get them all at once. There's no way you'll be able to leave those cliffhangers alone. Play this if you want a carefully crafted narrative experience that'll leave you on the edge of your seat.
- In-app purchases: $4.99 – $14.99 per item
15 Alien: Isolation
Fans of the Alien franchise have to give Alien: Isolation a try. Not only those it perfectly evoke the atmosphere of classic films, but it's also one of the best horror games available on any device. The Alien learns from your movements in this game, so you must constantly adapt your strategy to stay ahead. For example, if you regularly hide in the closets, it'll make a beeline for one as soon as it knows you're in the area.
Alien: Isolation is the perfect game for those who want to be scared witless at every turn. Combat is minimal here, so you'll be relying on your wits to make it out alive.
- In-app purchases: None
16 DOOM
No, it's not particularly scary, but everyone should experience this classic horror game at least once. Despite the incredibly dated graphics and gameplay that might put off younger audiences, DOOM's pioneering blend of hack 'n slash gameplay is worth revisiting. Available on mobile devices, it's now more accessible than ever.
Nostalgia aside, DOOM is ideal for some fun horror action. It sometimes gets genuinely challenging, so we recommend picking up an Android controller for the smoothest experience.
- In-app purchases: None
17 Happy Game
Horror games scare children as a rule, but Happy Game is the only one to feel like it was plucked straight from a child's nightmare. Appropriately enough, the setting of the game is just that. As you adventure through a small boy's intensely disturbing dreams, you'll solve puzzles to make him happy.
Happy Game is an intensely disturbing horror game you must play. Don't worry if puzzles aren't for you; the level design will undoubtedly draw you in.
- In-app purchases: None
18 Little Nightmares
If you've been around the block with classic puzzle platformers, you might have already heard of a horror adventure named Little Nightmares. This eerie-filled puzzle adventure was officially released on Steam in 2017 and is considered one of the best horror games to date; it won the Best Indie Game award (at Gamescom in 2016) while receiving numerous nominations two years later.
Luckily, the Android port of this spectacular title remains unchanged, and you can now play it with native touchscreen controls. The only downside is that the controls for precise actions may sometimes feel wonky, which may deter some people away. Otherwise, you won't regret playing through this classic, especially if you're already a fan of Very Little Nightmares, the prequel title.
- In-app purchases: None
Scare yourself with the best horror games around
Whether your tastes are more psychological-based or you're more into the darker symbolism in your titles, all these games are bound to spook you. Though if you're not looking for a cheap thrill, but instead you prefer to blow off steam by shooting up the undead — we also have a fantastic roundup of some of the best zombie games you can find on Android.