Best Arkham Horror Board Game Review: Top 11 Picks 2026
Read our arkham horror board game review as we share our honest thoughts on monsters, madness, and wild adventures in these games.
Welcome to our ultimate Arkham Horror board game review roundup! If you’re new to the world of Lovecraft and cardboard chaos, you’re in the right place. We know picking the perfect game can feel like fighting a shoggoth with a butter knife, so we focused on replay value, theme, ease of learning, and how much fun we had screaming at each other over some eldritch nonsense. Whether you love dice, cards, or miniatures, our list will help you find the right fit for your spooky game night. Let’s get weird with these Arkham-inspired board games!
On this list:
11 Elder Sign
Elder Sign is like Arkham Horror’s dice-slinging cousin who shows up at family parties with less baggage. We picked this one because it’s quicker, has less set-up, and you just need some luck and guts. The theme is still oozing with Lovecraft horror, but you won’t need four hours or a degree in tentacle wrangling to finish a game. Our group played this in under an hour, yet found ourselves sweating over every roll. It’s fast, light, and still serves up plenty of monster-fighting, relic-searching fun. If you want Arkham vibes without losing a whole evening, try this one.
10 Eldritch Horror
Eldritch Horror takes Arkham on a world tour. We chose it because the gameplay feels like a globetrotting race against doom. Our crew has spent many late nights racing around the globe, falling into portals, and losing our minds in the most exotic cities. The game manages to trim down some of the rules bloat from Arkham Horror, and you still get heaps of story, monsters, and scary stuff. If you want to feel like your passport is running out of pages—with monsters chasing you—give this a try.
9 Arkham Horror: The Card Game
Arkham Horror: The Card Game is our favorite for folks who want to go deep into story. The game is a living card game, so it’s perfect for two players or solo. We got lost (and sometimes eaten) in this one, thanks to the ongoing campaign and all the twists and turns. The setup is quick, it fits on a smaller table, and you’ll get to really know your investigator over several games. The story packs a punch and your choices matter, which made us come back again and again.
8 Mansions of Madness: Second Edition
This one is for the fans of being scared out of their minds. Mansions of Madness (the app-powered second edition!) has given us some of the best jump scares—and laughs—around our table. You’ll explore creepy mansions, face gruesome monsters, and maybe (okay, probably) go insane. The app helps with the tricky rules, so even our friend who mixes up dice with coasters could play. It’s a huge, cinematic adventure every time.
7 Arkham Horror (Third Edition)
If you love the classic, the third edition of Arkham Horror is a must. We think this version smooths out many of the older game’s rough spots, so it’s easier for new players to pick up. The modular board keeps games feeling fresh, and the scenarios offer variety. We spent hours unraveling mysteries, arguing about the best moves, and blaming each other when monsters got loose. It’s big, bold, and very Arkham.
6 Unfathomable
If you’re looking for Arkham horror with a twist, Unfathomable is your ticket. This game throws you onto a haunted ship, and you don’t know who you can trust. We had absolute chaos with hidden traitors, sabotage, and a lot of yelling. It’s basically a sea voyage from your nightmares, with cultists and monsters lurking. We recommend this for folks who love social deduction and a healthy dose of paranoia.
5 Call of Cthulhu: The Card Game
Who knew horror could be so competitive? This card game lets you build a deck and go monster-to-monster with your friends. We loved the quick turns and the tons of card combos. Sure, you might lose your sanity or let an Elder God through, but at least you’ll do it with style. If you want Arkham horror in a head-to-head card format, this is a solid pick.
4 Elder Sign: Omens of Ice
The Omens of Ice expansion for Elder Sign deserves a special shout. We included it because it makes the original Elder Sign even cooler—literally! Our team tried battling monsters in icy, remote locations, and things got desperate fast. The new cards and mechanics add excitement without dragging the game out. If you already like Elder Sign, this expansion is ‘chillingly’ good.
3 Arkham Horror: Final Hour
Want Arkham horror without a huge time commitment? Final Hour fits the bill. This is the fast-food version of Arkham: less set-up, less playtime, but you still get that crunchy, chaotic horror. Our group enjoyed the frantic pace, the quick decisions, and the fact that we could play it twice in one night. If you only have an hour and need your Lovecraft fix, this is a great choice.
2 Arkham Horror: Miskatonic Horror Expansion
Miskatonic Horror isn’t a standalone, but it’s a must-have for Arkham fans. We found it turned our base game from ‘spooky’ to full-on ‘why did we even come to this cursed town’. Tons of new content, cards, and stories to keep things fresh. Our group could barely keep up with all the new events (in a good way). If you’re ready to spice up your Arkham Horror board game nights, try this expansion.
1 Arkham Horror (Second Edition)
This is the granddaddy of them all, and still the best if you want the true Arkham experience. We chose Arkham Horror (Second Edition) as our number one because it gives you the full package: deep story, endless replay, and that ‘just one more turn’ feeling. We have played this countless times and, yes, we’ve argued, laughed, and occasionally thrown the rulebook in frustration. Despite its length and complexity, nothing beats the thrill of racing around Arkham, trying to shut gates, while some unspeakable horror stalks you. If you want the ultimate Arkham horror board game review experience, start here.
