The Magnus Archives

The Magnus Archives is one of those rare fiction podcasts that starts as a monster-of-the-week anthology and slowly reveals itself to be something far more ambitious. Created by Jonathan Sims and produced by Rusty Quill, the show follows Jonathan Sims (yes, same name as the creator) as the new Head Archivist at the Magnus Institute, a London-based organization that investigates paranormal claims. Each episode starts as a standalone "statement" describing a supernatural encounter, but the connections between cases build into an intricate mythology that rewards obsessive listening. The show ran for 200 main episodes across five seasons, wrapping its core story arc in 2021, though bonus content and related material has continued. With 383 total episodes in the feed and a staggering 4.9 rating from over 10,000 reviews, it has one of the most devoted fanbases in podcasting. The fandom produces art, analysis threads, and lengthy discussions dissecting the show's cosmic horror taxonomy, which categorizes supernatural entities into 14 distinct "Fears" like The Spiral, The Buried, and The Eye. Sims performs the lead role himself, and his delivery of the archival statements is genuinely compelling. The early episodes feel like classic British ghost stories told in a dry, academic tone. As the series progresses, the format starts breaking apart in ways that mirror the character's deteriorating grip on reality. Supporting characters voiced by other cast members become increasingly important, and the interpersonal drama hits just as hard as the horror. If you are the kind of listener who loves piecing together clues across dozens of episodes, The Magnus Archives is built for you. It rewards close attention in a way that most serialized fiction podcasts simply do not attempt.