10 New Horror Games That Are Guaranteed To Scare This Halloween Season

Published Oct 3, 2026, 2:31 PM EDT Although Kaitlyn grew up with a passion for both video games and writing, she never imagined she'd eventually combine them into a career. Now, with several years of experience in the industry across Guides, Features, News, & Reviews, Kaitlyn enjoys nothing more than continuing to deep dive into the games she's passionate about and share her findings with readers. In her downtime, Kaitlyn enjoys unwinding with her favorite horror films, despite being a major scaredy-cat. While there's no rule saying you can't enjoy a spooky game year-round, there's no denying that the interest in all things horror sees a sharp incline once October rolls around. For this reason, there's also typically a rise in horror media around this time of year, meaning there's no shortage of options for players looking for a fright. Though there are a handful of triple-A releases from this year for you to enjoy during the Halloween season, most horror fans know that this genre is where indies truly shine. So, whether you're looking for non-stop screams or overall eerie vibes, there's something here for everyone. Several of the games on this list are on sale across multiple platforms during the first half of October 2026, so be sure to check them out while you can to grab them at a discount! 10 Poppy Playtime: Chapter 5 Released: February 18, 2026 | Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox X|S, Nintendo Switch Though this isn't a recent release, it is a 2026 release worth checking out if you haven't already. If you're a fan of horror, I'd be surprised if you've never heard of Poppy Playtime, but what you may not know is that new chapters of the game have been released periodically since 2021. The latest addition to the game is Chapter 5, which focuses on one of the game's classic characters, Huggy Wuggy. It's full of jump scares, chase sequences, puzzles, and a surprisingly touching story. However, you will need to purchase and play through the rest of the chapters if you haven't already, though luckily, you can grab it on sale this October on multiple platforms. 9 Resident Evil Requiem Released: February 26, 2026 | Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 As a staple franchise of the horror genre, there's simply no way you clicked on this list without knowing what Resident Evil is. That said, maybe February wasn't the right time to enjoy a horror game, or maybe you were waiting for a sale, which is happening now, by the way. Whatever the reason, if you're looking to play one of the biggest horror games for 2026, this should be at the top of your list. It's relatively short at about 10–12 hours, so it can easily be beaten over a weekend, and I mean, it has Leon as one of the playable protagonists. Do I really need to say more? 8 Gears of War: E-Day Released: October 6, 2026 | Platforms: PC, Xbox X|S You might be thinking that Gears of War: E-Day isn't a horror game, and that's a fair opinion, but horror can mean a lot of things to different people. While you might not be getting the traditional jump scare you expect in this genre, this world is full of terrifying post-apocalyptic beasts, gore, and eerie settings. So, if you're looking for a horror game that lets you fight back and is packed with action, this third-person shooter is the one you'll want to pick up this October. 7 Below, Rusted Gods Released: July 29, 2026 | Platforms: PC Below, Rusted Gods is an indie release that lets you ease your way into horror games this season. Don't get me wrong, there are startling scares in this game, but the overall ominous atmosphere and the desperation of the situation are designed to keep you tense and afraid throughout the game without having to face too many scares directly. In Below, Rusted Gods, you serve as mission control for the team that is heading off on an expedition to explore an unknown phenomenon. You'll listen to ominous voice transmissions as the team slowly descends into madness, analyze creepy footage, and even deal with your own terrifying encounters. It's an interesting take on a traditional horror game experience and worth checking out. 6 Captured 2 Released: April 22, 2026 | Platforms: PC Captured 2 is an indie that released earlier in 2026, but is a horror game that belongs on everyone's radar. If you're familiar with games like Observation Duty and the subsequent surge of anomaly games in this genre, Captured 2 is a twisted take on that concept. Rather than sifting through security cameras, you'll make your way through an apartment in a bit of a loop. If you remember what PT was like, it's a bit like that; you'll investigate the same general space multiple times with things regularly changing. Your goal is to escape by recognizing anomalies in the apartment as you make your way through, but beware, because you're not the only thing living in there. 5 MOLE Released: June 15, 2026 | Platforms: PC Being scared is a given with horror games, but finding a game that can scare you and tell a great story is a bit more challenging. Mole is another indie title you can find on Steam that manages to do both of those things, beyond even your expectations. This isn't just an incredible indie horror game; it's an incredible game, period. While trapped deep below the surface in a post-war drilling machine, it's up to you to attempt to repair things and survive the horrors you'll encounter. It's a better experience the less you know going in, so I won't share more than that, but know you're in for a ride. 4 Phasmophobia Released: September 18, 2020 (Early Access) | Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox X|S I know this isn't a new horror game, per se, but since it's still in early access, Phasmophobia changes frequently, and that's been especially true since last Halloween. If you haven't played the game for some time, then I promise this is going to feel like an entirely new experience. Gearing up for Phasmophobia's 1.0 release, Kinetic Games has been hard at work on some highly requested changes with more to come. Not only has a new map been added since last Halloween, but several pre-existing maps have received full makeovers and multiple quality-of-life updates have been implemented as well. Larger maps even now feature restricted variants, letting players enjoy quicker games on maps they might otherwise avoid. Ghost hunting doesn't get better than this, so hop back in and see what's new. 3 Halloween: The Game Released: September 8, 2026 | Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox X|S This was a bittersweet announcement, because while a game focused on one of the most iconic horror franchises is always a welcome treat, it also came at the cost of removing Michael Myers from Dead By Daylight. The likely reason for that decision is that Halloween: The Game shares a premise similar to DBD. One player takes on the role of Michael Myers, while the others take on the role of his victims who attempt to escape before they're killed. There are some unique elements to Halloween: The Game that do give it its own identity, however. So if you're a bit burned out on DBD, this might pique your interest. 2 Invokyr Released: October 8, 2026 (Early Access) | Platforms: PC This is one of my personal most anticipated games of 2026. The only thing better than playing a horror game is playing it with friends. Invokyr is a survival-horror indie that can be played with five friends and revolves around a cursed board game. Players will need to work together to beat the game master in this unique take on co-op horror. If your group has already played a ton of R.E.P.O., Lethal Company, Content Warning, and is in search of something new, this is a game you'll definitely want to check out for the spooky season! 1 Silent Hill: Townfall Released: September 24, 2026 | Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5 Perhaps the biggest horror game that arrived just in time for Halloween 2026 is Silent Hill: Townfall. This first-person psychological horror is the latest entry in this long-running franchise, and like Silent Hill: f, features a unique setting while still maintaining the things that make Silent Hill what it is. Following the story of Simon, Rachel, and Richard, players will slowly uncover the mystery of what's happening in the Scottish seaside town of St. Amelia while being stalked by the enemies inhabiting it. If you've got limited time and are hoping to play the biggest release of 2026's spooky season, this is it.