Top 25 Horror Novels in 2026

2026 Edition

Updated January 27, 2026

By Genre

25 Novels

I've read enough horror novels to know that the best ones don't rely on cheap scares. What I look for is that creeping dread that stays with you, the kind that makes you check the shadows even after you've put the book down. These 25 picks range from cosmic horror that questions reality itself to more intimate psychological terror. Some lean heavily into supernatural elements while others find horror in very human darkness.

Web novel horror tends to be underrated compared to its fantasy and romance counterparts. The format actually works well for the genre since authors can build atmosphere over hundreds of chapters. That said, pacing issues are common and not every story sticks the landing. I've tried to select novels that maintain tension throughout rather than front-loading all their best scares.

1
TOP PICK
Dungeon Defense
4.5
(3.0K ratings)
Genre: action, drama, ecchi
Do you know how this world ends? Become the hero and defeat the 72 Demon Lords.
First Impressions
Dungeon Defense is a web novel that certainly sparked a lot of strong opinions, and after diving in, I can see why. It's a story about a protagonist who transmigrates into a game he's beaten, becoming the weakest demon lord, Dantalian. He has to use his wits and cunning to survive and rise in a world filled with scheming nobles and powerful enemies. Initially, I was hooked by the premise. The idea of an intelligent, manipulative main character in a fantasy setting is always appealing. The first volume seemed to set up a fascinating world of political intrigue and strategic battles, and I found...
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Completed
2
RUNNER UP
Lord of the Mysteries
4.7
(2.1K ratings)
Genre: drama, horror, mature
With the rising tide of steam power and machinery, who can come close to being a Beyonder? Shrouded in the fog of history and darkness, who or what is the lurking evil that murmurs in our ears?
First Impressions
"Lord of the Mysteries" is a web novel that's been on my radar for a while, and after diving in, I can see why it has such a dedicated following. It’s a unique blend of genres – drama, horror, mystery, with a dash of steampunk and Cthulhu mythos thrown in for good measure. The world-building is intricate and immersive, drawing you into a 19th-century-esque setting filled with secret societies, mystical powers, and hidden truths. The beginning can be a bit slow. I'll admit, I almost bounced off at first. There's a lot of information to absorb, and the pacing takes its time to establish the worl...
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Completed
3
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Global Examination
4.7
(1.5K ratings)
Genre: action, comedy, horror
The whole world is subjected to a highly dangerous standardised exam called the Global Examination. Answering questions by putting their lives at stake, they would live if they passed the test.
First Impressions
"Global Examination" is a wild ride of a novel, and I can definitely see why it has such a devoted following. From the very first chapter, I was thrown into a bizarre world of deadly exams, quirky characters, and an overarching mystery that kept me hooked. It blends elements of action, comedy, horror, and romance (shounen ai/yaoi) into a surprisingly cohesive whole. Initially, the premise of a life-or-death exam system felt a little chaotic. The early chapters are heavy on the examination aspects, which I didn't mind, but I can see why some readers might find it a bit confusing or dry until th...
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Completed
4
EDITORS CHOICE
Kaleidoscope of Death
4.6
(1.3K ratings)
Genre: comedy, horror, mystery
It started off peculiarly; first, his domestic cat refused to let him cuddle it. Lin Qiushi soon found that a sense of disharmony and incongruity began to pervade everything around him.
First Impressions
"Kaleidoscope of Death" is a wild ride, and I mean wild. I went into this expecting a horror novel with some romance, and I got that, but it was so much more complex and thought-provoking than I initially anticipated. Buckle up, because this novel will take you on a journey through some truly terrifying and mind-bending scenarios. Right off the bat, the novel is incredibly engaging. It throws you headfirst into the action, and the descriptions are vivid and unsettling. I found myself genuinely creeped out at times, which is exactly what I want from a horror story. The premise of entering these...
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Completed
5
EDITORS CHOICE
Supernatural Movie Actor App
4.7
(923 ratings)
Genre: action, comedy, horror
Xie Chi is a patient with multiple personality disorder. On the surface, he is educated and gentle but the secondary personality is cold, ruthless, and powerful, with explosive strength.
First Impressions
Okay, wow. "Supernatural Movie Actor App" was quite the ride. I went into this expecting a fun horror romp, and while I got that, I also got a whole lot more. This novel isn't just about scares; it's a clever blend of genres that kept me hooked from beginning to end. The premise alone grabbed me: a protagonist who falls in love with his split personality and then uses a horror movie app to help them get their own body? It's bonkers, and I was immediately on board. I was a little hesitant about the self-cest aspect, but the author quickly establishes the MC and ML as distinct individuals, which...
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Completed
6
#6 PICK
Thriller Trainee
4.6
(696 ratings)
Genre: action, fantasy, horror
The washed-up magician Zong Jiu transmigrated into a horror, infinite flow novel about a survival show, taking the place of the cannon fodder who died tragically in the first evaluation round. This show was very interesting.
First Impressions
"Thriller Trainee" is a web novel that throws you headfirst into a world of transmigration, infinite loops, and deadly games. I was intrigued by the premise – a blend of action, horror, and even a dash of romance (yaoi, to be specific). While the overall rating is quite high, my experience was a bit more nuanced than a simple thumbs-up. The initial chapters definitely grabbed my attention. The idea of a magician thrust into a series of increasingly dangerous "instances" was compelling. I was eager to see how the protagonist, with his supposed antisocial tendencies, would navigate this bizarre ...
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Completed
7
#7 PICK
My House of Horrors
4.6
(647 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, horror
After the disappearance of his parents, Chen Ge inherits the family-run haunted house attraction at an amusement park. Struggling to bring in customers, he discovers a black phone that grants him the chance to improve his haunted house with expanded scenarios, mastery of skills, the possibility ...
First Impressions
"My House of Horrors" is a wild ride, a blend of genres that somehow manages to be both terrifying and hilarious. It's a novel that grabbed me from the start with its unique premise and kept me hooked, even when it stumbled a bit along the way. The initial concept is undeniably genius: a young man inherits a haunted house attraction and a mysterious phone, leading him into a supernatural world. I was immediately drawn in by the protagonist, Chen Ge, a plucky and resourceful guy who has to navigate increasingly dangerous situations with nothing but his wits and a healthy dose of bravado. It's a...
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Completed
8
#8 PICK
Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work
4.8
(706 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
NOW HIRING — URGENT — Ghost Story Specialist Corporation Daydream Inc. (Ltd.
First Impressions
Okay, let's dive into "Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work." This web novel has been quite the ride, blending horror, comedy, and a healthy dose of office satire. I went in expecting a spooky adventure, and I definitely got that, but it was the unique blend of genres and the intriguing protagonist that really hooked me. Initially, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. The premise seemed interesting enough – a guy gets thrown into ghost stories but still has to deal with the daily grind. It felt a bit like a supernatural SCP Foundation meets Dilbert, which is a weird combo, but it...
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Completed
9
#9 PICK
I’m Really Not The Demon God’s Lackey
4.4
(736 ratings)
Genre: action, comedy, fantasy
Lin Jie is the owner of a bookstore in another world. He’s kind and warm-hearted, often recommending healing books to customers who are going through a tough time.
First Impressions
"I'm Really Not The Demon God's Lackey" is a web novel that grabbed my attention with its unique blend of dark fantasy, comedy, and the ever-popular misunderstanding trope. I dove in expecting a lighthearted read, and while it largely delivered, there were definitely some elements that stood out more than others. The premise is immediately intriguing: a bookstore owner from our world is transported to a magical, somewhat grim world, unaware that his "normal" books are actually powerful artifacts in the eyes of his customers. The humor stems from the stark contrast between his mundane perspecti...
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Completed
10
#10 PICK
They All Say I’ve Met a Ghost
4.6
(649 ratings)
Genre: comedy, horror, romance
Hello, everyone! My name is Shen Jianguo.
First Impressions
"They All Say I’ve Met a Ghost" is a delightful surprise, a blend of comedy, horror, romance, and slice-of-life that I thoroughly enjoyed. It's a story about a righteous teacher who, in his unwavering belief in science and Marxism, refuses to believe in ghosts, even when surrounded by them. The premise alone had me hooked, and the execution didn't disappoint. From the very beginning, the humor shines. The protagonist, Shen Jianguo, is incredibly dense, hilariously rationalizing every supernatural occurrence with logic and scientific explanations. I found myself constantly laughing at his antic...
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Completed
11
#11 PICK
Card Room
4.5
(648 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
Xiao Lou was killed in an accident and reborn in the Card World. Each card here represents a secret room and clearing the instance will give a reward.
First Impressions
"Card Room" is a web novel that throws you headfirst into a deadly game of survival, wrapped in a package of mysteries, puzzles, and just a touch of romance. As someone who enjoys a good blend of genres, I was intrigued by the premise, and overall, I found it to be a compelling read, though not without its quirks. The initial chapters hooked me with their clever blend of escape room scenarios and crime-solving. The premise of a forensic doctor and a police chief teaming up in a deadly card game world is definitely unique. I found myself drawn in by the mysteries and the budding partnership bet...
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Completed
12
#12 PICK
I Became a God in a Horror Game
4.5
(513 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, horror
After losing his job Bai Liu became involved with an unstoppable horror live streaming game full of various monsters and players with killer intent. Initially, everyone thought Bai Liu was just an ordinary person who strayed into the game.
First Impressions
"I Became a God in a Horror Game" is a wild ride, to say the least. It's a novel that messes with your expectations, throwing you into a world of horror games, complex characters, and a plot that's more tangled than a plate of spaghetti. After diving in, here's what I think. Initially, I was drawn in by the premise: a cunning, money-loving protagonist navigating deadly horror scenarios. Bai Liu, the MC, isn't your typical hero. He's assertive, deranged, and calculating, willing to risk everything for his own gain. This amoral approach was refreshing, and I quickly became invested in seeing how...
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Completed
13
#13 PICK
I’ve Transmigrated Into This Movie Before
4.6
(411 ratings)
Genre: adult, drama, fantasy
– Question: “What is scarier than the personal experience of transmigrating into a horror movie? ” Anonymous: “Transmigrating into a movie you’ve never seen before.
First Impressions
"I've Transmigrated Into This Movie Before" is a wild ride, a web novel that definitely grabbed my attention and kept me hooked. It's not your typical transmigration story, and that's a huge part of its charm. I went in expecting one thing and got something far more complex and emotionally resonant. Initially, I was a little unsure. Some elements, like the grandmother character, felt a bit cliché. I was worried it might devolve into a standard face-slapping celebrity drama. But I'm glad I stuck with it because the story quickly veers off the beaten path. The premise is intriguing: the main cha...
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Completed
14
#14 PICK
This Damned Thirst for Survival
4.6
(448 ratings)
Genre: comedy, drama, horror
《Devil》 tells the story of Chi You, the protagonist shou, who was killed by someone and cultivated for revenge with the help of Feng Li, the protagonist gong. When Jiang Luo woke up, he transmigrated into the body of the cannon fodder that killed the protagonist shou.
First Impressions
"This Damned Thirst for Survival" is a wild ride. I went in expecting a dark comedy, but I found myself immersed in a complex blend of horror, mystery, and a twisted romance that kept me on the edge of my seat. This novel definitely earns its mature rating. The synopsis is a bit misleading. This isn't a light-hearted transmigration story. Instead, it throws you headfirst into a world of vengeful ghosts and power struggles. The premise is intriguing: Jiang Luo wakes up in the body of the man who murdered Chi You, a powerful and vengeful ghost. His goal? Survive Chi You's wrath. It's a classic e...
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Conclusion

Horror is subjective and what terrifies one reader might bore another. These rankings favor psychological depth over gore, though several entries have plenty of both. If you prefer a specific subgenre like survival horror or ghost stories, check the tags on individual novels before committing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our rankings consider multiple factors: reader ratings (40%), popularity and reading lists (25%), review quality (20%), and editorial assessment (15%). We update regularly to reflect new releases and changing reader preferences.

We update our rankings monthly to ensure they reflect the latest reader ratings and new novel releases.

How We Create Our 2026 Rankings

Our 2026 novel rankings are created through a comprehensive, data-driven process that combines quantitative metrics with qualitative editorial review. Here's how we ensure our rankings reflect the best novels available today.

Data Collection

We aggregate reading data, ratings, and engagement metrics from thousands of readers across multiple platforms, updated regularly throughout 2026.

Community Input

Reader ratings and reviews form the foundation of our rankings. We weight votes based on verified reading history to ensure authenticity.

Quality Scoring

Each novel receives a composite score based on average rating, vote count, reading list additions, and reader retention metrics.

Editorial Review

Our editorial team reviews top candidates for writing quality, translation accuracy, and overall reader experience.

Regular Updates

Rankings are refreshed quarterly to reflect new releases, updated ratings, and shifting reader preferences in 2026.

Transparency

We publish our methodology openly so readers understand exactly how novels earn their positions in our rankings.

Our 2026 Ranking Criteria

40%Reader Rating Score (weighted by vote count and recency)
25%Popularity Metrics (reading list additions, active readers)
20%Engagement Score (comments, reviews, recommendations)
15%Editorial Assessment (writing quality, translation, completeness)

Last updated: January 27, 2026 | Rankings reflect data collected through 2026

Ranked Novels

Dungeon Defense

First Impressions

Lord of the Mysteries

First Impressions

Global Examination

First Impressions

Kaleidoscope of Death

First Impressions

Supernatural Movie Actor App

First Impressions

Thriller Trainee

First Impressions

My House of Horrors

First Impressions

Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work

First Impressions

I’m Really Not The Demon God’s Lackey

First Impressions

They All Say I’ve Met a Ghost

First Impressions

Card Room

First Impressions

I Became a God in a Horror Game

First Impressions