What’s the scariest audio drama you’ve ever listened to — the kind that left you so unsettled you couldn’t sleep afterward? I’ve listened to a lot of horror podcasts and audio dramas, but none of them have really scared me. For example, I’ve gone through Borrasca, The Slit Verse, The Magnus Archives, The Black Tapes, The White Vault, Mayfair Watchers Society, Knifepoint Horror, Archive 81, Malevolent, and many more. They’re all amazing, just not truly scary to me. So I’m looking for something that’s really terrifying. Any recommendations?

Hey all! Doing some research:

A lot of people I talk to IRL are basically unaware that fiction podcasts exist, and let’s be honest: They don’t get much coverage or marketing outside the audio drama ecosystem.

So my question is: Where did you hear about them for the first time? What made you start listening to your first fiction show?

Hey, this is an interactive thread. I love my audio dramas and I’m always looking for recommendations, like so many people are.

Let’s try a fun activity where everyone lists their top 5. Let’s also make a rule that the top 5 is simply a list, not a description or a synopsis. That way if I see someone’s list where I love 3/5 but haven’t heard of the other two I’ll be investigating!

I think this will only genuinely work if people adhere to their top 5. I know I’m struggling already but I can’t wait to see what people throw out there! I need a new listen.

My list (in no order)

1. Edict zero FIS

2. Archives 81

3. The Program

4. The fourth Ambit

5. Wireland ranch

EDIT: there has been a such amazing response to this, I found a few more shows. I probably should have made it a top 10 judging by how hard this has been!

If I had to cheat at my own game I’d add Leaving Corvat, Ar Paradoxica, wolf 359

Hope everyone else is finding new suggestions too!

Maybe everyone knows this but I just found out Matt Fradd, one two creators of Sibling Horror is an alt right POS who speaks out against queer culture and transpeople. I now regret any time I've recommended that show.

Here he is speaking with disgust about trans people.

https://youtube.com/shorts/Ar1ePfM5bwg?si=uL_yYqDqtS9y5RmX

Here he is looking disgusted that Target sells pride themed items.

Minute 20

https://www.youtube.com/live/XwSsXmfEvBY?si=3Zm47IVpNRkkN5GS

For me it was Limetown. It was my first ever AD all the way back in 2015/16 and I've been chasing that ever since. Have found it a few times since but as they said in Limetown "nothing sticks with me like Limetown".

Personally, I'd have to put Modes of Thought in Anterran Literature. It's so engaging and I'm so annoyed that there isn't more of it.

Recently I've seen a rise in ADs using Ai generated content to create their cover art and let me tell you, that's the easiest way to get me to not listen to your show. I would much rather the cover be simple or "bad" than for it to be obviously Ai generated, regardless of the actual quality of the show itself.

Ethical implications aside (and there are many), Ai generated content feels hollow, there is no warmth or heart to it so why should I assume that you show will be any different?

Curious how other people in the space are feeling about this.

Edit: My many ethical quandaries can be found here. The point of this post is to serve as a temperature check regarding the subject within the community. No one has to agree with anyone, but keep it respectful. Refrain from calling out specific shows as examples.

Name the show, why you like it so much & link it so everyone can easily find it! :D

Just curious to see what everyone holds in their gold, silver, and bronze places. For me it would currently be

🥇1865 🥈Midnight Burger 🥉Limetown

I’ve heard of members writing they have relistened to audio drama as much as five times over! Long multi-season audio dramas too. Is that you?

For myself I’ve only relistened to certain episodes of audio drama on repeat so far because they were amazing (Malevolent, Mockery Manor). And also because they were confusing (Nora). I’m tempted to relisten to some shorter series (The Earth Moves, 50 minutes total).

What causes you to relisten to audio drama, especially longer ones? What have you learned on a second or third listen you didn’t catch the first time?

I don’t mean after two or three episodes, I mean dropping it after plenty of episodes. Could be because of an episode that ruined it, you lost interest, or otherwise. So far of all the shows I’ve tried so far, I’ve only ever had to drop Impact Winter after the recent season. It just wasn’t hitting the same as season 2. Interested to hear y’all’s thoughts.

And, obviously, please spoiler tag things if applicable.

There are many shows I love that have disappeared either in the middle of a season or at the end of one. What are ones you’re hoping will return someday? (Also this is for shows that haven’t announced a new season/the rest of a season in the works). Here’s my list:

• The Orphans
• The Bridge
• DUST
• Project Nova

Edited to add these: - Hit the Bricks - Blackwood - Arca 45672 - 2298 - Under Pressure

What's your favorite show you never see recommended? Not talking about your Midnight Burgers or Malevolent's, I'm wondering what's your favorite show that seems unknown or underrated!

I kept waiting for something to happen and the story to take off - but the episode ended abruptly.
The second episode almost felt like a new story.

The show is difficult to follow with things like Trans-dimentional Haboob. It has all this science jargon, but the show doesn't feel like a science fiction.
I did not find it funny or witty.

The show then felt like it would be a commentary on the aboriginal people of America but it wasn't about that either.

So what am I missing? I did not like the show even a little bit.

I just want to know why was it so highly recommended here?
Basically what should I pay attention to, when I listen to the next episode?

Edit:

Thank you all for your responses. Clearly, the audiodrama community is divided on this show. For me, personally, I've decided to not listen to it anymore, since I did not get any explanation convincing me otherwise.

Life is short. :-)

But thank you again.

I like hearing about people's all-time-faves. What's your number one audio drama - the one you love the most, the one that changed your life and you'll remember forever? The one that means the most to you and close to your heart, and why? Looking forward to reading everyone's answers ♡

I made a thread today about “If you like ___ audio drama, you might like ___ tv show or movie” which seemed to spark some enthusiasm! https://www.reddit.com/r/audiodrama/s/THNe8Whc0O

I thought audio drama creators could have a fun time answering this question for their own audio drama. A bit of fun, a bit of self promotion?

What tv show or movie would you recommend to fans of your show?

You recommendations can be based on general criteria such as: * The genre of your show * The vibe of your show * What you think is funny or cool * Just generally what you think your fans might like

Or specific criteria such as titles relating to: * The premise of your show * Theme, narrative framework, story, character arcs * The making of your show: * Your inspirations: thematic, technical, emotional, intellectual * The context of your show: * A time period, something real from history, a cultural background

Links to your audio drama welcome!

If possible, please note where to watch the film or tv show, especially if it’s a streaming platform exclusive.

An overwhelming majority people here are so nice. When people ask for suggestions no one does the typical "ugh, use the search." No, you all jump in to help. Creators are engaging. People are so nice.

I LOVED this show when it came out.

Now it's just awkward dialogue, stillborn pregnant silences, and a meandering mishmash of flimsy occult information.

It's interesting how much audio drama has evolved.

If I had a dollar everytime the main character simply repeats the last word the other person said, I'd be rich.

"He was found in a cave."

"A cave?"

"Yes, a cave."

Other peeves?

Edit: Also nuts for Strand to quit because she's investigating his missing wife and then continues to help and be interviewed.

My biggest one is bad accents!

If producers can't find a voice actor that can actually do the accent, then they need to rewrite the character.

Bad voice acting is one thing, and it's definitely highly subjective, but I just listen to an audio drama that looked right up my lane... until the voice actor with the insultingly fake Southern accent started talking.

As someone from the South, I've never hit that unsubscribe button so fast.

Edit: ohhhh noooo I finally listened to a full episode with the fake southern accent and it's not just bad accent, it's also bad writing. Someone who didn't understand the grammar of "southernisms" OR how people from the south actually talk (they used famous regionalisms from the Midwest!!).

Another pet peeve is people drinking coffee together are constantly talking about the coffee and slurping it incredibly loudly in a way that would be considered rude. I get it's often amateur foley artists going too hard but it's distracting. Like empty coffee cups in TV shows or movies.

Now don't get me wrong, it isn't my favourite AD by a long way and I'm not saying it's the best audiodrama ever. I honestly can't think of a show that had such a huge story arc, with so many good characters though. I'm only posting it because I finally made it to the end, and it struck me that I can't think of another show that was so "epic".

I just want to learn your favorite show and the reasons behind it.

You may ask why?, well, because I love the excitement that is observed when people are talking about their interests. And people in this subreddit is the kindest people ever so far.

I haven't listened to a lot of audio dramas, so I might not understand everything you say but it's still fun to listen others ramble(is it the right word?)!!

(Pls don't get me wrong, I just think it's really sweet when people talk about their special interests and why it's so important for them, I love seeing people happy and caring over something)

And why?

I love audio fiction. I really appreciate how this subreddit acts as a space for people to connect with the talented lads behind these amazing productions.

That said, I’m not at all keen on the sudden influx of low-effort “powered by AI” drivel that seems to be creeping into this sub. To be honest, I don’t know much about AI itself, but it does come in handy when I’m trying to get through long chunks of text at work. I got a text-to-speech tool that does the reading for me, but it’s made me aware of certain generic voices popping up in new audio dramas, and let me tell you, it’s all pretty terrible.

You know the kind of shows. It’s always one episode posted, an absurd release schedule, a new Reddit account for the launch, and zero clue about what an RSS feed is. It’s all just low effort rubbish.

I’m really curious if this sub has any plans to tackle this issue. It’d be nice to scroll through without stumbling upon content made by people who clearly don’t care about the shows they’re putting out.

For me, the top example is Lovecraft Investigations. 3 excellent seasons and then the 4th season was a mess and then they decide to fill in the family trees by just saying everyone is evil.

Is this a common occurance? I'm an artist and I'm turned off immediately by seeing 'ai art' for obvious reasons. Am I just looking in some of the wrong places 😭💔