Well, 'Bloody Mary' is a very well - known top ghost story. Legend has it that if you go into a dark bathroom, say 'Bloody Mary' three times while looking into the mirror, a ghostly figure will appear. Then there's 'The Brown Lady of Raynham Hall'. There have been sightings of a lady in brown, often described as a ghost, in the hall. It has been photographed as well, which adds to the mystery. 'The Flying Dutchman' is also famous. It's a ghost ship that is doomed to sail the seas forever, and sailors often claim to have seen it as a sign of bad luck.
The 'Black Shuck' is a famous ghost story. It's a large black dog - like apparition in English folklore, often seen as an omen of death. 'The Brown Lady of Raynham Hall' is another well - known one. Her ghost has been sighted on the staircase of the hall. And 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' is very much part of the top ten. It features the Headless Horseman, who rides through the town chasing people. These stories have been passed down through generations, captivating people with their elements of mystery and fear.
The Baychimo is another spooky ghost ship story. It got trapped in ice in 1931 in the Arctic. The crew abandoned it, but for years it was sighted floating around in the Arctic waters. It seemed to have a life of its own. These stories of ghost ships are fascinating because they make us wonder what really happened to the crews. Were they taken by some unseen force? Or did they meet with a more earthly disaster and the ships just became symbols of mystery over time?
The psychological impact on the people involved is also interesting. Take the case of the Myrtles Plantation. The people who lived there reported feeling a great deal of unease and fear. Their experiences, whether real or imagined, show how our minds can be affected by the idea of the supernatural. It makes us wonder if there are forces beyond our understanding.
The Tower of London has its own ghost stories. Many people believe they have seen the ghosts of former prisoners and executed royalty there. For example, the ghost of Anne Boleyn is often said to be seen walking around the Tower. It's part of the top 10 because of the long and often tragic history associated with the Tower.
One of the well - known Japanese ghost stories is 'Yotsuya Kaidan'. It's about a woman named Oiwa who was horribly betrayed by her husband. Her vengeful spirit haunts those who wronged her. Another is 'Banchou Sarayashiki', which tells the tale of Okiku, a maid who was falsely accused and thrown into a well. Her ghost is said to haunt the well and make a spooky sound of counting plates.
One of the top ghost stories could be 'The Bell Witch'. It's about a witch that haunted a family in Tennessee in the early 19th century. Another might be 'The Amityville Horror', which involves a family experiencing terrifying events in their new home. 'The Winchester Mystery House' is also famous. It was built by Sarah Winchester who believed she was haunted by the spirits of those killed by Winchester rifles. The construction of the house was very strange, with stairs leading to nowhere and doors opening to walls, all to confuse the ghosts she thought were after her.
One of the famous ones is the story of the Bell Witch. It's about a spirit that haunted the Bell family in Tennessee. It was said to cause all sorts of trouble like making noises, pulling hair, and even slapping people. Another is the Amityville Horror. The Lutz family claimed to experience terrifying paranormal activities in their new home. There were strange noises, cold spots, and apparitions.
One of the most famous is the story of the Bell Witch. It's about a spirit that haunted the Bell family in Tennessee. The witch was said to be very malicious, tormenting the family members and causing all sorts of strange happenings.
Among the top 10 Victorian ghost stories, 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman can be considered. It is a psychological horror story where the narrator seems to be haunted by the wallpaper in her room. 'Green Tea' by J. Sheridan Le Fanu is another one. It's about a man who is haunted by a spectral monkey after drinking green tea. Also, 'Thrawn Janet' by Robert Louis Stevenson is a great example, with its dark and spooky Scottish setting.
There's also 'The Haunting of Hill House'. In this story, a group of people stay in a supposedly haunted house. Strange noises, apparitions, and an overall sense of dread pervade the house. It plays on the psychological fear of the unknown that lurks in the corners of old, large houses. It's a great example from the top 100 ghost stories as it delves deep into the minds of the characters and makes the readers or viewers question what is real and what is just their imagination.