Halloween is the perfect time for ghost stories, spooky costumes, and, of course, playing thrilling board games that set the mood for frightful fun. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party or looking for a chilling game night at home, these best board games to play this Halloween will bring plenty of scares, excitement, and laughs. From cooperative horror adventures to light-hearted spooky games, here are our top picks for Halloween 2024!
1. Betrayal at House on the Hill
Players: 3-6
Playtime: 60 minutes
Best For: Fans of haunted houses and unexpected twists
Betrayal at House on the Hill is a classic horror-themed board game where players explore a creepy mansion filled with mysterious rooms and ominous secrets. As players uncover new rooms, spooky events occur, and they gradually build the haunted house. But beware—one player will eventually turn traitor, and the game becomes a battle for survival!
With over 50 different scenarios, no two games are the same. The blend of exploration, hidden traitors, and haunted house vibes makes this a must-play for Halloween game nights.
Why It’s Perfect for Halloween:
- Immersive haunted house theme sets a spooky atmosphere.
- The traitor mechanic adds a thrilling twist to every game.
Betrayal at House on the Hill
Betrayal at House on the Hill quickly builds suspense and excitement as players explore a haunted mansion of their own design, encountering spirits and frightening omens that foretell their fate. With an estimated one hour playing time, Betrayal at House on the Hill is ideal for parties, family gatherings or casual fun with friends.
2. Arkham Horror (Third Edition)
Players: 1-6
Playtime: 120-180 minutes
Best For: Fans of Lovecraftian horror and deep storytelling
Arkham Horror transports players to the 1920s town of Arkham, where they must work together to fend off terrifying creatures and dark rituals inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft. The game involves rich narrative elements, as players explore the town, gather clues, and fight monsters while trying to stop the Great Old Ones from awakening.
With its immersive gameplay and eerie atmosphere, Arkham Horror is perfect for a longer, story-driven Halloween game night that’s sure to leave everyone on the edge of their seats.
Why It’s Perfect for Halloween:
- Lovecraftian horror theme filled with mystery and terror.
- Cooperative play brings everyone together against the darkness.
Arkham Horror (Third Edition)
The year is 1926, and it is the height of the Roaring Twenties. Flappers dance till dawn in smoke-filled speakeasies, drinking alcohol supplied by rum runners and the mob. It’s a celebration to end all celebrations in the aftermath of the War to End All Wars.
Yet a dark shadow grows in the city of Arkham. Alien entities known as Ancient Ones lurk in the emptiness beyond space and time, writhing at the thresholds between worlds. Occult rituals must be stopped and alien creatures destroyed before the Ancient Ones make our world their ruined dominion.
3. Horrified
Players: 1-5
Playtime: 60 minutes
Best For: Families and fans of classic movie monsters
Horrified is a cooperative game where players face off against iconic monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, and the Mummy. The game’s artwork and mechanics pay homage to classic horror movies, making it a nostalgic experience for fans of vintage horror. Players must work together to complete objectives unique to each monster before they terrorize the town.
The game offers adjustable difficulty levels, making it suitable for both casual and seasoned players. Its mix of strategy, teamwork, and monster mayhem makes Horrified a fantastic choice for a Halloween game night with family and friends.
Why It’s Perfect for Halloween:
- Features classic monsters, perfect for a nostalgic Halloween vibe.
- Cooperative gameplay ensures everyone can enjoy the spooky fun together.
Horrified
The stakes have been raised. Imagine living in a place so wretched that it's not plagued by one, two, or even three monsters — but seven of the most horrifying fiends!
In this game, you'll come face to face with them all as you work together to rid the town of the maniacal or misunderstood creatures…before it's too late.
4. Mysterium
Players: 2-7
Playtime: 45 minutes
Best For: Fans of murder mysteries and ghostly themes
Mysterium is a cooperative deduction game where one player takes on the role of a ghost, trying to communicate with the other players (mediums) using only visual clues. The mediums must interpret the ghost’s visions—represented by beautifully illustrated cards—to solve a murder mystery and identify the culprit, location, and weapon before time runs out.
The game’s eerie atmosphere and mysterious story make it a perfect fit for Halloween. The ghost player’s silent role adds an extra layer of suspense and tension as players try to piece together the puzzle before dawn.
Why It’s Perfect for Halloween:
- Ghostly theme and haunting illustrations create a spooky atmosphere.
- Cooperative mystery-solving adds excitement and suspense.
Mysterium
In the 1920s, Mr. MacDowell, a gifted astrologer, immediately detected a supernatural being upon entering his new house in Scotland. He gathered eminent mediums of his time for an extraordinary séance, and they have seven hours to make contact with the ghost and investigate any clues that it can provide to unlock an old mystery.
5. Zombicide: Black Plague
Players: 1-6
Playtime: 60-180 minutes
Best For: Fans of zombie horror and action-packed gameplay
If you love zombie movies and want to bring that thrilling action to your Halloween game night, Zombicide: Black Plague is the game for you. Set in a medieval fantasy world, players take on the roles of survivors fighting against hordes of undead. The game combines tactical combat and cooperative strategy as players fend off waves of zombies and complete missions to survive.
With its fast-paced gameplay, customizable characters, and dramatic zombie-slaying action, Zombicide: Black Plague will provide plenty of Halloween thrills for your group.
Why It’s Perfect for Halloween:
- Classic zombie horror theme with intense action.
- Cooperative gameplay lets everyone join forces against the undead.
Zombicide: Black Plague
Description from the publisher:
Zombicide: Black Plague takes the zombie apocalypse into a fantastical medieval setting! The arcane powers of the Necromancers have unleashed a zombie invasion in the age of swords and sorcery, and it's up to your group of straggling survivors to not only stay alive during these dark times, but to take back the realm and punish those responsible for the apocalypse!
6. One Night Ultimate Werewolf
Players: 3-10
Playtime: 10 minutes per round
Best For: Larger groups looking for a quick, social game
One Night Ultimate Werewolf is a fast-paced, social deduction game where players take on secret roles such as werewolves, villagers, and special characters. Over the course of one night, players must figure out who the werewolves are before they strike again. The quick gameplay and role-playing elements make it perfect for larger groups or parties.
The game’s spooky theme and the suspense of not knowing who to trust make it a perfect fit for Halloween parties. Plus, its quick playtime means you can fit in multiple rounds or play as part of a larger Halloween game lineup.
Why It’s Perfect for Halloween:
- Social deduction theme fits the spooky spirit of Halloween.
- Quick rounds make it ideal for parties or larger groups.
One Night Ultimate Werewolf
No moderator, no elimination, ten-minute games.
One Night Ultimate Werewolf is a fast game for 3-10 players in which everyone gets a role: One of the dastardly Werewolves, the tricky Troublemaker, the helpful Seer, or one of a dozen different characters, each with a special ability. In the course of a single morning, your village will decide who is a werewolf...because all it takes is lynching one werewolf to win!
Because One Night Ultimate Werewolf is so fast, fun, and engaging, you'll want to play it again and again, and no two games are ever the same.
7. Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game
Players: 2-5
Playtime: 60-120 minutes
Best For: Fans of survival horror and narrative-driven games
Dead of Winter is a cooperative survival game set in a post-apocalyptic world filled with zombies. Players work together to keep their colony alive, gather resources, and complete objectives. However, the twist is that each player also has a secret objective, and some may even be traitors working against the group.
The game’s mix of horror, suspense, and storytelling makes it an immersive experience perfect for Halloween. The threat of zombies and potential betrayal add a thrilling layer of tension that keeps players engaged.
Why It’s Perfect for Halloween:
- Suspenseful zombie survival theme matches the horror genre.
- Hidden traitor mechanics create thrilling moments of paranoia.
Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game
"Crossroads" is a game series from Plaid Hat Games that tests a group of survivors' ability to work together and stay alive while facing crises and challenges from both outside and inside. Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game, the first title in this series, puts 2-5 players in a small, weakened colony of survivors in a world in which most of humanity is either dead or diseased, flesh-craving monsters. Each player leads a faction of survivors, with dozens of different characters in the game.
8. Mansions of Madness (Second Edition)
Players: 1-5
Playtime: 120-180 minutes
Best For: Fans of app-driven narrative and horror adventures
Mansions of Madness is a cooperative horror game set in the eerie world of H.P. Lovecraft. The app-driven gameplay guides players through chilling mysteries as they explore haunted locations, fight monsters, and solve puzzles. The immersive sound effects and story elements make it a perfect game for setting a spooky atmosphere on Halloween night.
Why It’s Perfect for Halloween:
- App integration creates an atmospheric and interactive experience.
- Perfect for fans of narrative-driven horror adventures.
Mansions of Madness: Second Edition
Mansions of Madness: Second Edition is a fully co-operative, app-driven board game of horror and mystery for one to five players that takes place in the same universe as Eldritch Horror and Elder Sign. Let the immersive app guide you through the veiled streets of Innsmouth and the haunted corridors of Arkham's cursed mansions as you search for answers and respite. Eight brave investigators stand ready to confront four scenarios of fear and mystery, collecting weapons, tools, and information, solving complex puzzles, and fighting monsters, insanity, and death.
9. Eldritch Horror
Players: 1-8
Playtime: 120-240 minutes
Best For: Fans of epic, globe-trotting horror stories
From the creators of Arkham Horror, Eldritch Horror expands the fight against Lovecraftian horrors to a global scale. Players cooperate as investigators, traveling the world to uncover mysteries, battle monsters, and prevent ancient evil from awakening. The game’s epic scope, cooperative nature, and narrative depth make it a thrilling Halloween adventure for those who enjoy immersive and strategic gameplay.
Why It’s Perfect for Halloween:
- Epic, globe-trotting horror theme perfect for fans of Lovecraftian stories.
- Immersive storytelling and cooperative gameplay enhance the spooky mood.
Eldritch Horror
Across the globe, ancient evil is stirring. Now, you and your trusted circle of colleagues must travel around the world, working against all odds to hold back the approaching horror. Foul monsters, brutal encounters, and obscure mysteries will take you to your limit and beyond. All the while, you and your fellow investigators must unravel the otherworldy mysteries scattered around the globe in order to push back the gathering mayhem that threatens to overwhelm humanity. The end draws near! Do you have the courage to prevent global destruction?
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking for a spooky mystery, a cooperative survival experience, or a lighthearted party game, these Halloween board games offer something for everyone. Gather your friends or family, dim the lights, and dive into the eerie, exciting world of these best board games to play this Halloween!
Looking for More Halloween Game Ideas?
Check out our complete collection of Halloween board games or explore our Board Game Suggestion Tool to find more spooky options that will make your night unforgettable!