Chilling Tales: Audio Dramas for Autumn

The world is dying. Winter is coming. 

We feel it in the air - and it chills us to the bone...but not to the marrow, because we know that spring is on the way. Death always comes before resurrection. 

But, in the meantime, maybe we should slow down. Take a moment to drink some hot chocolate around a campfire and think about the big picture. If we pay attention, a season of death will teach us more than a season of joy. It is better to go to a house of mourning than a house of feasting.

So, with that in mind, here are some spine-tingling audio dramas for Autumn. Some of these are stories of death and life. Others are tales of demonic powers and triumphant Light. Still others are slightly-spooky, moral-imbued fun. All of them are family friendly, but some of them deal with darker themes and may be best for older children. Unless marked otherwise, they are great for all ages. 

Adaptations of the Classics

The Screwtape Letters
Focus on the Family Radio Theatre

The classic tale from C.S. Lewis of demonic temptation told from the perspective of the demons. Starring award-winning actor Andy Serkis as Screwtape, this dramatization gives a peek into Hell's operation to collect more souls. Hear the ATC podcast review.

Purchase CD set on Amazon | Purchase digital download on Amazon

Frankenstein
Oasis Audio

A terrifying drama that probes the nature of humanity and deity, created and creator, life and life-giving. Marvellously adapted by AS Peterson to underline the inherent theological themes of the classic novel. For some great thoughts on this drama, check out this review by ATC's Michael Schroeder. [This story is very intense and may be disturbing to younger listeners.]

Purchase CD on Amazon | Purchase on Audible

Eldorado - A Poem by Edgar Allan Poe
Verses In Vox

An uncharacteristically hopeful poem from the always doleful but enormously talented Edgar Allan Poe. Not quite audio drama, this dramatic reading is performed by our very own JD Sutter!
Stream or download for free.

A Psalm of Life - A Poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Verses in Vox

A triumphant meditation on death and life. As with the previous entry, this production isn't quite audio drama but it does feature a dramatic narration, original music, and sound effects. Produced by Porchlight Family Media, ATC's parent company.
Stream or download for free.

The Invisible Man

Big Finish Productions

The unravelling story of a figure mysteriously wrapped in bandages and staring from behind dark glasses. For more info, check out this review by ATC's Joah Pearson. [This story may be too intense for younger listeners.]
Purchase from Big Finish

Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles
Big Finish Productions

"Young Dr Mortimer ventures from Devonshire to Baker Street, with news of the death of his friend, Sir Charles Baskerville. Can it really be that the grisly legend of the Hound of the Baskervilles might have something to do with the case? Holmes will have none of it, but even he must accept that dark forces are at work. Dark forces that it seems Dr Watson must face alone..." - from bigfinish.com. Check out this review from ATC contributor, Robert Thacker.
Purchase from Big Finish

The Cask of Amontillado

Markiewitz Audioworks

A unique telling of Edgar Allan Poe's chilling tale of revenge. Very dark, yet very well told - like most Poe stories. [This story is very intense and may be disturbing to younger listeners.]

Stream on SoundCloud | Purchase on Audible | Purchase CD from Markiewitz Audioworks

Spine-Tingling Installments of Favorite Series

Father Gilbert Mysteries
Focus on the Family Radio Theatre

• A Soul in Torment
• Dead Air
• Healing
• The Grey Lady
• The Silver Cord

[These stories are intense and may be disturbing to younger listeners.]

Purchase CD set on Amazon | Purchase digital downloads on Amazon

Adventures in Odyssey

Between the Lines, Parts 1 & 2

The Case of the Secret Room, Parts 1 & 2

Castles and Cauldrons, Parts 1 & 2
The Curse

Icky and Kat and Balty and Bones

The Mysterious Stranger, Parts 1 & 2

Stage Fright
Terror from the Skies

What Are We Gonna Do About Halloween?

Kids Corner

Black Cats and Sidewalk Cracks

 

Paws and Tales

Powers and Principalities
Shadow Valley, Parts 1-6

A Bit of Time Travel

The Centimorgans in the Crypt

Stand-Alone Audio Dramas

Jake Muller Adventures: Unidentified
Tannhauser Gate Entertainment

"UFOs? Alien Abductions? Men in Black? Nothing in Jake Muller’s experience has prepared him for these kinds of things." - from jakemulleradventures.com. You can hear JD, Roy, and Andrew review this drama here, and you can hear them chat with its creator here.

Purchase from Tannhauser Gate Entertainment

The Trials of Saint Patrick
Augustine Institute Radio Theatre

A story of Light and Life invading a demon-infested land of death and darkness. Based on the myths and true accounts of the legendary Saint Patrick of Ireland. [This story contains scenes that may be too intense for younger listeners.]
Purchase CD set on Amazon | Purchase on Audible | Purchase from Augustine Institute

The Haunted Room
Lamplighter Theatre

"Gripped in the mystery of past tragedy and concealing a dark secret, the former home of the Trevor sibling's reclusive aunt is rumored to be haunted! But Bruce, Emmie, and Vibert discover something far more sinister lurking within the recesses of their own hearts." - from lamplighter.net. To hear JD, Roy, and Andrew discuss this drama, check out this episode of Audio Theatre Central.
Purchase CD from Amazon | Purchase from Lamplighter

After Midnight
AudioImagination77 Productions

This hour-long murder mystery drama is a classic whodunit reminiscent of Old Time Radio shows like CBS Radio Mystery Theater, Suspense, and Inner Sanctum. Listen for edge-of-your-seat fun that keeps you guessing to the last second. [This story may be slightly intense for younger listeners.]
You can listen to After Midnight on all major digital platforms including Amazon, Apple Music, Spotify, and Deezer, as well as streaming service Dramafy.

This list was compiled by Joah Pearson with assistance from the ATC team. What other productions should we add to it? Let us know in the comments below!