1. The Twist Ending

Reveal a hidden truth that changes the meaning of the story. For instance, the protagonist realizes they were the monster all along, or they’ve been dead the entire time.

Reverse expectations: Just when the reader thinks the nightmare is over, something new or unexpected is revealed.

Example: The protagonist escapes the haunted house, only to realize that the same ghostly symbols are carved into the trees around their home

2. The Cliffhanger

Leave the story unresolved, hinting that the horror may continue or worsen.

This works well if the protagonist thinks they’re safe, but the reader sees signs that the danger still lurks.

Example: After defeating a demonic entity, the protagonist receives a mysterious text message from a friend who was supposed to be dead, saying, “It’s not over.”

3. The Full Circle

Echo the story’s beginning in the ending, showing how things have come back around. This can reinforce a sense of inevitability or fate.

The protagonist’s experience might even set the stage for the next victim.

Example: The story opens with a newspaper article about strange disappearances in town. In the end, a new headline appears with the protagonist’s own disappearance.

4. The “Final Girl” Ending

Let the protagonist survive, but at a cost. This often leaves them forever haunted, scarred, or unable to truly escape what they experienced.

A common approach in slasher stories, but it can work in supernatural tales too.

Example: The protagonist escapes the killer but is left with a marking or curse that will follow them for life.

5. The Unseen Menace

Leave the source of horror ambiguous, giving readers an eerie sense that they’ll never fully understand what happened.

Let the reader’s imagination fill in the blanks, which can be more terrifying than any monster reveal.

Example: The protagonist flees a ghostly presence, only to see a final, cryptic message scrawled on the wall in an ancient language they don’t understand.

6. The Haunting Remains

Reveal that some remnant of the horror lingers even after the apparent resolution. This could be an object, a place, or even a part of the protagonist.

Example: The protagonist finally leaves the cursed house, but when they look in the mirror, they see a shadow standing behind them.

7. The Cycle Begins Anew

Hint that the horror will start again with someone else. This can give a sense of the unstoppable nature of the evil.

Example: A new family moves into the house, and the young child finds the same strange doll that started it all.

8. The Tragic Ending

Let the protagonist lose. Horror endings often emphasize that not all battles with darkness can be won.

Example: The protagonist sacrifices themselves to defeat the monster, only for the monster to rise again once they’re gone.

Tips for a Great Horror Ending:

Build suspense until the last line: Every sentence should add tension.

Leave some mystery: Let readers finish with questions that haunt them.

Don’t over-explain: Keeping some parts unexplained can enhance fear.

Emotional impact: End on a note that impacts the protagonist’s psyche—whether it’s fear, regret, or madness.

The best horror endings leave a shadow over the reader's mind, ensuring that your story stays with them long after they’ve finished reading.