It’s challenging to deliver scares on a phone’s small screen, but these Android games do just that. While they don’t offer the immersive capabilities provided by consoles or desktop PCs, these horror games manage just fine. Generally, they avoid long, suspenseful buildups in favor of making your hairs stand up as quickly as possible. This isn’t a drawback; it’s ideal when you only have a short amount of time to squeeze into a mobile game.
We’ve avoided the cheap frights and generic zombie survival games to bring you a selection of the best horror games available for Android in 2022. However, if they end up creeping you out a little too much, you can always try a non-horror survival game instead with one ofAndroid’s best controllers.
Distraint
Distraint is a 2D psychological horror adventure game you can complete within a day. But don’t let the length turn you away; the game’s brevity only enhances the creepy atmosphere and dramatic story. Distraint is the perfect game for those who dislike jump scares and action, as Distraint relies on careful audio and visual design to create a spooky atmosphere.
Distraint is perfect for veterans of the horror genre who want to try something new or newcomers who are nervous about trying out horror games. The gameplay is easy to learn, so you’ll waste no time getting creeped out by the story.
Five Nights at Freddy’s
Five Nights at Freddy’s is a name you’ve almost certainly heard before. Initially released on PC in 2014, it spawned numerous sequels and spinoffs. The original is still a must-play, and it’s been remastered and optimized for Android.
However, Five Nights at Freddy’s isn’t a game for the faint-hearted. It’s a tense, edge-of-your-seat experience packed with jump scares. Faced with a group of sentient animatronics, you’ll be hard-pressed to keep yourself alive as you manage doors and lights with a dwindling supply of electricity. Play it if you enjoy having the living daylights scared out of you, don’t play it if you have a childhood fear of animatronics.
Oxenfree
Oxenfree is a fantastic story-driven horror game wrapped up in an adventure game format. Inspired by classic 80s horror films, you’ll join a group of friends as they embark on a supernatural adventure. It’s creepy, emotional, and, most importantly, believable.
Just like Distraint, this is the perfect game for those who can’t stand jump scares; It’s also much longer. Oxenfree changes the story and dialogue based on your decisions, so think carefully about every choice you make. This branching story also adds extra replayability, as each run will differ.
Hello Neighbor
Hello Neighbor might seem like a silly game, to begin with, but don’t let the bright colors and friendly animations fool you. It’s a tension-filled stealth game broken up by intense chase scenes. Your goal is to sneak into your neighbor’s house to discover what secrets they are hiding, all while they attempt to stop you.
Part of this game’s brilliance is its AI. It learns from your every move, so you’ll have to adapt your tactics if you wish to complete the game. Hello Neighbor isn’t the most original horror game, but it presents it in a fantastic package that keeps you hooked. However, you may want to grab an Android gaming controller for the smoothest experience.
Bendy and the Ink Machine
Thanks to visuals inspired by the earliest Disney films and a terrifying story, Bendy and the Ink Machine is a must-play for horror fans. It crosses multiple genres, so you’ll be solving puzzles one moment and fighting monsters the next. However, the story is the main attraction, along with its impressive graphics.
Bendy and the Ink Machine is ideal for all types of horror fans. While there are jump scares, they aren’t egregious, and the storyline will keep narrative players hooked.
The Baby In Yellow
Just like Hello Neighbor, The Baby In Yellow seems a little silly to begin with. The titular baby is a creepily-eyed figure that, apart from staring at you unnervingly (like most real-world babies), doesn’t seem to be the scariest antagonist. However, as you progress through the game, you’ll encounter jump scares, supernatural events, and creepy ragdoll physics that make this one of the most original horror games.
While The Baby In Yellow is short and the gameplay a little simplistic, it’s still a worthwhile experience.
Fran Bow
Fran Bow is a psychological horror game that feels disturbingly real at times. You play Fran, a young girl who witnesses the brutal dismemberment of her parents. Traumatized by the experience and incarcerated in a mental institution, you’ll follow Fran as she attempts to escape.
While it draws on supernatural imagery and imaginary events to create horror, Fran Bow feels like the most realistic game on this list. Play this if you want a horror game that will sneak into your dreams at night. Each chapter is sold as individual paid downloads.
Eyes
Eyes is a fast-paced survival horror game that will keep you on your toes. It draws on many classic horror tropes, but don’t let the clichéd atmosphere turn you away. There’s no thought-provoking story like Distraint, but there are plenty of game modes and challenges for you to complete.
This game is suited for those who want a quick horror fix. The monsters are varied and challenging, and the sound and visual design perfectly amplify the spookiness of your environment.
The Walking Dead: Season One
Part of what makes horror games so engrossing is the characters. How people react to terrifying events is fascinating to observe, and that’s precisely what makes Telltale Games’ The Walking Dead so good. While the broad strokes of the story will remain the same, the decisions you make will have consequences.
The Walking Dead is split into five episodes, each purchasable separately in-app. However, if the first episode has you hooked, you might as well get them all at once. There’s no way you’ll be able to leave those cliffhangers alone. Play this if you want a carefully crafted narrative experience that’ll leave you on the edge of your seat.
Scare yourself for good
The horror genre contains some of the most engaging and atmospheric games, and these titles should keep you absorbed for hours. There’s a variety to choose from in today’s list, so if you’re not a fan of jump-scares, we recommend switching it up and trying something new like Oxenfree.
And if you’re looking for more games, check out our roundup of the best games for Android. We’ve gathered the best games from across all genres, so you’re bound to find something you like.


