Scary Stories, Terrifying Tales and Deadly Documentaries to Watch on PBS this Halloween

Believe it or not, we CAN be scary. This is not for the faint of heart!

Published on October 19, 2022 by Madisson Haynes

Ghosts, goblins and ghouls beware: PBS has stories about you to share. Spookify your October with scary stories, terrifying tales, whispers of witches, daunting documentaries and more, all guaranteed to give you the heebie jeebies. Check out our playlist of creepy content below and on the PBS Video app.

Subtle Scares

We're trading in "cute and cuddly" for "creepy and cringey" this Halloween. First stop? Dolls. These three collectors items are brought in to be appraised by Antiques Roadshow, and the end result may spook you. From a Bru doll to an 18th century Queen Anne wooden doll to an entire 1915 doll collection, these iconic treasures are harrowing.

*Beware: these dolls have a mind of their own. We cannot guarantee dolls will sit still if you refresh the page.

Appraisal: Doll Collection, ca. 1915

In Vintage Los Angeles, Richard Wright appraises a doll collection, ca. 1915.

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Appraisal: Early 18th-Century Queen Anne Wooden Doll

2m 53s

In Best Bargains, Julie Scott appraises an early 18th-Century Queen Anne Wooden Doll.

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Appraisal: Bru Doll & Accessories, ca. 1880

2m 30s

Watch Richard Wright's appraisal of a Bru Doll & Accessories, ca. 1880, in Vintage Chicago.

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Appraisal: Doll Collection, ca. 1915

In Vintage Los Angeles, Richard Wright appraises a doll collection, ca. 1915.

Creepy Crawlers

Exaggerated antennae, lots of legs, always-watching eyes and scaly outer skeletons make microscopic critters high on our creepy crawly list. Take one (close) look at these monstrous breeds and you'll wish you hadn't.

Where Are the Ants Carrying All Those Leaves?

Ants don’t eat leaves, they use them to grow white tufts of nutritious fungus to feed their offspring. Their success as farmers has made leafcutter ants into fungus tycoons, complete with their own underground cities and huge half-inch soldiers to patrol them.

Full Length 3m 26s

Full Length

Where Are the Ants Carrying All Those Leaves?

3m 26s

Ants don’t eat leaves, they use them to grow white tufts of nutritious fungus to feed their offspring. Their success as fa

Full Length

This Killer Fungus Turns Flies into Zombies

4m 28s

Something is growing inside that fruit fly in your kitchen. At dusk, the fly points its wings straight up and dies in a gr

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Seeds that Literally Run Away

2m 27s

The seeds of wild oats have an incredible ability to find the right spot to grow...they walk! This ability was selected ou

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Monsters and More

From the history of zombies and witch hunts to modern warfare and alien invasions, there's something for every ghoul and goblin in this creepy category.

The Origins of the Zombie, from Haiti to the U.S.

In the first episode of our three-part special series, we explore the complex history of the zombie—from its origins in the spiritual beliefs of the African diaspora to the development of Vodou in Haiti. Learn how one of the most enduring monsters in popular culture evolved in the midst of slavery, racism and prejudice.

Full Length 16m 50s

Full Length

The Origins of the Zombie, from Haiti to the U.S.

16m 50s

In the first episode of our three-part special series, we explore the complex history of the zombie—from its origins in th

Full Length

The Witch Hunts

53m 52s

What started Britain's century of bloody witch hunts? Lucy Worsley uncovers the story of one supposed witch, whose case li

Full Length

Modern Warfare and Alien Invasions

10m 7s

What really crashed down to Earth in Roswell, New Mexico in 1947? Can we trust the government when they say it was just a

More than Mysteries

Murder and mayhem? A lethal (yet predictable) combination for a haunting Halloween. Check out The Magpie Murders and Miss Scarlet and The Duke for harrowing plotlines that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Magpie Murders

Ms. Scarlet and The Duke

Terrifying Tales

Something wicked this way comes ... in the form of words. From facts about famous mystery authors to details on other deadly documentaries, PBS has a plethora of creepy content available.

Anne Rice, The Queen of Literary Monsters

Forbes once called her “The Warren Buffett of vampires,” but American author, Anne Rice has established herself as the literary queen of monsters of ALL kinds over her four-and-a-half decade career. Besides her 15 novels of the world-famous Vampire Chronicles series, she’s also written 21 other books featuring all your favorite dark, supernatural, and undead beings.

Full Length 9m 35s

Full Length

Anne Rice, The Queen of Literary Monsters

9m 35s

Forbes once called her “The Warren Buffett of vampires,” but American author, Anne Rice has established herself as the lit

Full Length

The (Stephen) King of Horror

Few writers have had the sheer staying power, popularity, and prolific output as Stephen King. From insatiably flesh-hungr

Full Length

Death, Personified

8m 58s

Death as a character reveals how we process one of life’s greatest mysteries, and there’s a lot more breadth to how the gr

Full Length

How a Spy Changed Horror Movies

10m 52s

You may not know their names, but the theremin and the wilhelm scream are ubiquitous in horror films. Today, Danielle and

Pleasant Palate Cleanser

Oh My Gourd! The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular Story

We'll admit this isn't creepy or crawly, but pumpkins pass the Halloween vibe check. This Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular Story features the extraordinary artistic feat that takes place at Roger Williams Park Zoo every October.