10 Most Terrifying Ghost Stories For Christmas

Mark Gatiss produced an original story here, framed around a menacing antique door knocker once attached to Geap Manor, an ancient house with a somewhat "interesting reputation." Crooked House has three inter-connected tales of ghostly happenings, each one set in a different time period, each one a different manner of 'visitation.'

Gatiss plays a museum curator who recounts the history of the cursed mansion, beginning with a tale of an unscrupulous businessman whose home refurbishments take on a life of their own when the wood used to construct the beautiful wainscoting is secretly salvaged from a hangman's gibbet.

The action then moves from the 1700s to the 1920s; this time there's an engagement party at Geap Manor. Little do the happy couple realise that the bride seen wandering the costume party is in fact a vengeful spirit, intent on killing all who dare to wed within the haunted house.

Lastly, the story comes full circle as the new owner of the door knocker is confronted with visions of human sacrifice and alchemy conjured by the sinister object. There's a nice twist to the finale, as the museum curator is revealed to be more than just a man with leather elbow patches and an office full of curios.

The overall production has the vibe of a creepy feature-length episode of Doctor Who, not surprising given Gatiss's involvement as both writer and creator. Spooky, immensely fun and packed with terrifying creations to thrill your senses.