Some things just give off bad vibes—and we’re not just talking about a weird painting or a creepy old doll. Throughout history, certain objects have been surrounded by mystery, misfortune, and downright spooky happenings. These aren’t just urban legends. These are the real-deal haunted items that people have sworn brought bad luck, strange activity, and even death.
People have tried everything—locking them away, blessing them, hiding them in museums—but somehow, these objects always leave their mark. Whether it’s through chilling stories passed down for generations or firsthand accounts from the brave (or unlucky) souls who encountered them, these items continue to freak people out to this day.
It’s wild to think an ordinary-looking mirror, chair, or box could hold such intense energy, but the stories speak for themselves. Some of these haunted items have even become famous and attract curious visitors from around the world. Others are hidden away, tucked behind glass cases or stored in secret, just in case.
So if you love spooky stuff, haunted history, or just want to know which cursed objects to avoid, keep reading. Here are the 9 most haunted objects in history—and where they ended up.
1. Annabelle the Doll
You’ve probably heard of Annabelle, especially if you’ve seen The Conjuring movies. But unlike the movie version, the real Annabelle isn’t some creepy porcelain doll—she’s a simple Raggedy Ann. Still, don’t let her soft appearance fool you. According to paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, Annabelle was possessed by an evil spirit and caused all kinds of chaos for those who got too close.
People who came near the doll reported things like mysterious scratches, strange noises, and even fatal accidents. One visitor supposedly laughed at the doll while visiting the Warren’s museum and died in a motorcycle crash later that same day. The Warrens were so convinced of her danger that they locked her in a specially made glass case.
Today, Annabelle still sits in that protective case at the Warren Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut. The museum is closed to the public for now, but the legend of Annabelle continues to send chills down people’s spines.
2. The Dybbuk Box
This old wine cabinet might not look like much, but the story behind it is chilling. Said to be haunted by a dybbuk (a restless, malicious spirit from Jewish folklore), the box reportedly brought sickness, nightmares, and overwhelming dread to anyone who owned it. The first known owner, who bought it at an estate sale, claimed all kinds of creepy things started happening once he brought it home.
Everyone who came in contact with the box seemed to experience strange and scary stuff—broken lights, hair falling out, strange smells, and terrifying dreams. The box passed through several hands, and no one wanted to keep it for long. Eventually, it ended up with a man who sealed it and hid it away, hoping to stop the curse.
Now, the Dybbuk Box lives at Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum in Las Vegas. It’s one of the most talked-about exhibits there. Some even say it inspired the horror movie The Possession. Whether you believe in spirits or not, most people wouldn’t want to mess with this one.
3. The Hope Diamond
Beautiful? Yes. Cursed? Also yes—at least, that’s what many believe. The Hope Diamond is a stunning blue gemstone that weighs over 45 carats, but behind that sparkle is a long trail of misfortune. Over the centuries, owners of the diamond have met all kinds of terrible fates: beheadings, bankruptcy, insanity, and death. The stories got so bad that it earned the title of one of the most cursed jewels in the world.
The curse supposedly started when the gem was stolen from a sacred temple in India. Ever since, people who’ve owned or handled the diamond reported all kinds of bad luck. Even royalty wasn’t spared—Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI are rumored to have owned it before their executions.
Eventually, the diamond was donated to the Smithsonian Institution, where it now sits safely in the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. Visitors can admire its beauty without fear—hopefully because the curse only applies to the owners, not the admirers.
4. Robert the Doll
Meet Robert—a weathered-looking doll dressed in a sailor suit with a weirdly human stare. He was given to a boy named Robert Eugene Otto in the early 1900s, and that’s when the trouble started. The boy claimed the doll could move on its own and even speak to him. Soon, strange things began happening around the house—objects moving, voices in the night, and a growing sense of dread.
Neighbors reported seeing the doll moving from window to window when no one was home. The Otto family eventually locked the doll in the attic, but even then, stories of Robert’s mischief continued. Today, Robert lives at the Fort East Martello Museum in Key West, Florida.
Visitors say that if you want to take a picture of Robert, you have to ask politely—otherwise, you might face a string of bad luck. The museum even keeps a wall of apology letters from people who believe they were cursed after disrespecting the doll.
5. The Myrtles Plantation Mirror
The Myrtles Plantation in Louisiana is already one of the most haunted places in the U.S., but one object inside it takes the creepy factor up a notch—a large, antique mirror. Legend has it that the mirror trapped the spirits of Sara Woodruff and her two children, who were poisoned in the 1800s. Visitors claim to see handprints and ghostly faces appear in the glass.
Some people say the mirror was never properly covered during the mourning period, which, according to tradition, allowed the souls of the dead to get stuck inside it. Since then, the mirror has become a hotspot for ghostly sightings and eerie photos.
To this day, the mirror still hangs inside the plantation house, which is open for ghost tours. Many who visit leave feeling uneasy, and a few say they captured something otherworldly in their photos. Whether it’s haunted or just a really good story, the mirror has definitely made a name for itself.
6. The Cursed Chair of Thomas Busby
This old wooden chair looks innocent enough, but it’s got a deadly reputation. Back in the 1700s, a man named Thomas Busby was sentenced to death for murder. Before his execution, he supposedly cursed his favorite chair, declaring that anyone who sat in it would die. And according to the stories, that’s exactly what happened.
Over the years, people who sat in the chair ended up dying soon after—often in strange or violent ways. It became such a serious issue that the owners of the pub where the chair was kept eventually hung it on the wall to stop people from sitting in it.
Today, the infamous chair is housed in the Thirsk Museum in England, where it’s safely mounted high up on a wall. Visitors can still see it—but no one is allowed to sit in it anymore. Probably a smart move.
7. The Hands Resist Him Painting
This eerie painting by artist Bill Stoneham shows a young boy and a creepy-looking doll standing in front of a glass door with ghostly hands reaching out. It’s called The Hands Resist Him, and ever since it was listed on eBay in the early 2000s, it’s been known as one of the most haunted pieces of art ever.
People who owned or viewed the painting claimed to experience all kinds of weirdness—feeling watched, getting sick, or having electronics go haywire. Some even said the figures in the painting would move or disappear in the middle of the night.
The painting now lives in a private collection, away from the public eye. The artist insists it wasn’t meant to be scary, but with all the stories surrounding it, most folks would still rather not hang it in their living room.
8. James Dean’s Car (“Little Bastard”)
James Dean’s silver Porsche 550 Spyder, nicknamed “Little Bastard,” is more than just a car—it’s a legend of bad luck and tragedy. Dean died in a crash while driving it in 1955, but the curse didn’t stop there. Parts from the car were reused in other vehicles, and those cars also ended up in terrible accidents.
People who tried to transport or display the remains of the car also ran into strange issues—injuries, fires, and sudden deaths. It got to the point where many believed the car was truly cursed and should never be on the road again.
The remains of Little Bastard mysteriously vanished in the 1960s while being shipped for an exhibit, and its current location is still unknown. Some say it was hidden away on purpose to prevent more misfortune. Others think it may still be out there, waiting.
9. The Basano Vase
This silver vase from Italy has a dark past. Supposedly made in the 15th century, it was given to a bride on her wedding day—only for her to die that same night. From then on, the vase seemed to bring death to anyone who owned it. Over the years, it was passed down through families, and every new owner reportedly died shortly after receiving it.
Eventually, the vase was buried in secret to stop the curse. But in the 1980s, it was dug up again with a note warning people to “beware… this vase brings death.” Despite the warning, it was sold several times, and the bad luck continued.
The vase eventually ended up in the hands of the police, who decided to hide it away for good. Its exact location today is a mystery, but many believe it’s been sealed up somewhere safe—just in case.
Haunted, But Not Forgotten
Some people collect antiques. Others collect ghost stories. But when the two overlap? That’s when things get seriously spooky. Whether you believe in curses or not, the history and legends surrounding these haunted objects are enough to make anyone think twice about what they bring into their home.
Haunted or not, these objects all share something in common—they’ve left a lasting impression. And maybe that’s the real power behind them. They remind us that even everyday things can carry energy, memory, and mystery that stretches far beyond what we can see.
