The world is full of magnificent, beautiful, and awe-inspiring things. However, on the flip side, it's also brimming with stuff that might make us feel a little bit uncomfortable. Despite this, we're often drawn to bizarre phenomena. So if you’re ready to be inspired or just well and truly creeped out, read on for some of the creepiest photos ever taken that will surely make you want to sleep with the lights on tonight.
Hornets Make Their Home in An Abandoned Wooden Statue
When you leave wooden creations out for too long, nature begins to reclaim them. But, sometimes, nature does this in such a way that a true terror is born. Needless to say, this is what's happened here! Hornets have found a practical use for the nooks of a humanoid wooden statue. The little stingers are crawling out of eyes, ears, and mouth, and the hornet's nest rests like a cancerous growth around its chest.
If you’re one of those who run screaming at the sight of a bee, this picture will likely make you uncomfortable. But even if bees don't usually bother you, it’s hard not to feel uneasy by something so closely resembling a person being overrun by dangerous insects!
Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover…
Unfortunately, the person who took this image learned the hard way that the horror story they purchased had a glow-in-the-dark cover. The title “haunted” only feels more accurate when you catch those forlorn eyes staring at you in the middle of the night, highlighted by that ghastly illumination. The designers of this cover likely knew exactly what they were doing and must have caught more than one hapless reader off guard!
So, next time you put a book down beside you when you go to sleep, you might think twice about leaving it face-up - especially if it's a horror story!
Mr. Blobby Is Watching
Most of us can agree that there's always been something wildly disconcerting about the British TV mascot Mr. Blobby. It doesn’t matter whether he's cheerfully dancing on a stage or comically falling over; his disoriented, wide eyes and that broad crimson smile sends a shiver down most spines. The character first appeared back in 1992, but Mr. Blobby has been making reappearances on TV ever since, and this is the most sinister-looking one.
On this unfortunate billboard, it appears as though Mr. Blobby has torn through reality itself to come after an unsuspecting victim in the bath. It just wants to make you scream, “Look behind you!”
These Mysterious Disappearances Might Not Be That Mysterious After All
Once in a while, tragically, someone goes out into the world and is never seen again. No search parties can find them, no bodies turn up… it’s a tremendous loss for the families and a frightening prospect for anyone that likes wandering out into the wilderness. However, in this image, the mystery of some of these disappearances might be explained. The top map shows the cases of people vanishing without a trace.
In contrast, the bottom map highlights America’s cave systems - and there's a striking overlap. It's a sobering and horrifying idea to think of the people lost to mysterious underground spaces.
Bare Footprints in the Snow
We don’t know what’s worse about this image. The fact that the photographer found these disconcerting footprints on their porch when they took their trash out in the morning, or the fact those footprints look like bare feet. It's never nice to know that someone's been creeping around your property in the middle of the night, but if that someone hasn't even worn shoes, it raises a few worrying questions.
The culprit in question might have been in quite a bind. Who knows what became of them after? Here’s hoping it was a harmless drunk having a particularly crazy night out!
A Close Call With Death - This Branch Crushed Through Tennant's Roof
Only opportune timing protected these two tenants from potentially being impaled by this massive stake of a tree branch. The tree crushed through this couple’s ceiling during a winter storm, bringing with it insulation from the roof. Once they recovered from the shock, they sent this picture to their landlord. It just goes to show that you're never 100% safe, even in the comfort of your own bed - and that's terrifying!
Good luck trying to enjoy a peaceful night's sleep after experiencing something as wild as this! We don't know about you, but we would insist that this tree be chopped down!
This Hermit Crab Crawled Straight Out of a Nightmare
What happens when you combine two of the most horrifying things on Earth? That’s how you get nightmare fuel like this! There are plenty of people whose skin crawl at the very sight of crabs - especially one's as large and spiked as the hermit crab pictured here. But for the said hermit crab, to make a home out of a discarded doll’s head is a step too far for everyone.
This photo shows that harmless coincidences can sometimes result in the most startling scenes you’ve ever seen. So, think twice before you discard plastic rubbish at the beach next time!
Spiders Are Old News - There Are Far Worse Things to Find Under Your Couch
The person who originally posted this photo decided to fumigate their house. Then a month later found these scorpions under their couch. So if you thought spiders were a terrifying sight, think again. There are more than a dozen scorpion babies ready to grow up into monstrosities with dangerous stingers. Fortunately, it’s rare for scorpions to come into the house unless you have an existing pest problem that might become a food source for them.
They do, however, have a habit of hiding in cracks and crevices behind woodwork, as well as in closets and attics. So if you did have scorpions, you might never know - terrifying, right?
Before Stranger Danger, There Was This “All New Baby Safety Seat”
In the 1980s, stranger danger became a worldwide phenomenon when an epidemic of child kidnappings rocked the news and frightened parents everywhere. Since then, children have been raised with the knowledge that anyone could present a threat. As a result, parents, if possible, should never leave their children alone where strangers might approach them. So, if you have kids, this old photo from the late fifties or early sixties might give you a heart attack!
Allegedly, the seat was designed so that parents could avoid leaving their kids in a hot car when they went shopping in the summer. Admittedly, this baby looks pretty happy! However, we would be shocked to see something like this today.
Genius Car Styling or a Danger on the Road?
There's no shortage of ways drivers can customize their cars. For example, adding eyelashes to headlights is a popular way of making cars appear more feminine and cute. However, the goal of this particular customization seems to be to cause the vehicle to be more terrifying and disturbing. Even without the teeth, the red lights could easily be mistaken for wide, terrified eyes. The mouth adds a menacing quality to it that leaves nothing to the imagination.
Appearing to scream at cars following behind it, that vast, gaping mouth would exhale fumes as it drove—a genius concept with frightening consequences. We’re not entirely sure it’s road-safe.
The Inside of a Leatherback Sea Turtle’s Mouth
When we think of terrifying mouths, we might think of sharks, whales, or massive carnivorous mammals. However, the chances are, you’ve never considered the true horrors found down the throat of a leatherback sea turtle. Under ordinary circumstances, the otherwise harmless-looking creature doesn't seem intimidating. But once you peer into its mouth, you're faced with rows upon rows of horrifying teeth! So, you might think twice before admiring them in the future.
Sometimes, you can never tell from the outside how dangerous a creature might be. We pity the fish that get swallowed up and can’t make their way back out again!
Dental Mannequins Are Much More Frightening Than You Would Think
Plenty of people are scared of going to the dentist. So, if you fall into that category, look away now because this image might be particularly unsettling! The photo shows what dental mannequins look like - and they're frightening! Dentists practice their craft on these things to reduce the likelihood of slipping up when a real person sits in the chair. The only problem is that these mannequins only vaguely resemble human beings!
Their lips are flayed upwards and downwards, and their jaw is far more unhinged than a human jaw should be. On top of this, instead of a face, they have a vague dome for a head, giving them an uncanny, half-human appearance. Ewww!
What’s the Worst That Could Happen?
…Don’t even ask. It is too dreadful to picture! In this photo, a nightmare comes true. One stair in this escalator is plainly missing, which leads to terrifying prospects. It’s easy enough not to look where you're going, and as this missing stair appears at the very top of the flight, some unlucky victims might fall through and get stuck in the rotating stairs. The very thought makes us shudder!
We really hope they closed off these escalators and put signage up to warn people about the hazard, otherwise, some unsuspecting texters might just be in for a nasty surprise!
Probably a Good Boy
We don’t want to judge any dog on one image alone - after all, most dogs are the best of boys/girls and deserve nothing but affection. Nonetheless, this dog’s habit of staring at its owner through mirrors is unsettling. Of course, mirrors are terrifying enough when you think about them too long and hard. But, what makes this sight scary is the dissonance between how the dog is facing and the blatant eye contact through the mirror.
So long as the dog doesn’t start chanting the names of ghosts and demons to summon them, there's probably nothing to worry about. You might even call it a cute and playful habit!
A Walking Starfish
If you have never examined a starfish in too much detail before (don't worry, most of us haven't!), you might be surprised to see how mobile these oft-overlooked sea creatures are! They can bend their limbs entirely to shuffle their way back across the sand, with little tendrils helping them along. Did you also know that starfish are actually carnivores? Interestingly, they prey on mollusks like clams, mussels, and oysters.
We're not sure why, but we think this fact makes this image even more menacing! The next time we see a cute starfish in a cartoon, we might think twice about dismissing them.
Do You Believe in Ghosts?
The description in this photo says it all. Children’s imaginations are usually delightful...until they seemingly come to life to haunt you. Of course, there's no telling how much truth there is in this story, but as we're here for creepy scenarios, we’re happy to entertain the idea that it’s real! Apparently, the face pictured here wasn't visible to the photographer at the time. There are plenty of ghost stories that employ this very same trope.
I.e., the frightening imaginary friend believed to be fictional that actually turns out to be real. When imaginary friends are no longer... imaginary, it becomes more threatening and unsettling than anyone could have guessed!
3D MRI Reconstruction of A Face Wearing Make-Up
Did you know that if you try to reconstruct the face of someone wearing make-up during an MRI scan, the metals in the beauty products disturb the signal? No? Well, now you do, and this is the ominous end product. This image is dismaying. So much so that we certainly don't want to ever connect this photo with our own faces. As fascinating as this technology is, we think it's safe to say that the accidental creation of this monstrous image could provide ample inspiration for future horror movies.
We can just imagine the face of the MRI technician who might have forgotten to ask their patient to remove their make-up for the first time. Yikes - what a fright!
The Scariest Tooth Fairy You've Ever Seen
Nope. That's the first word that springs to mind! There are already plenty of creepy interpretations attached to the classic story of the tooth fairy. Why on earth would a fairy be interested in the teeth of human children? To us, it always seems like an odd hobby. However, this artistic interpretation of the mythical character takes things much, much further. With teeth embedded into a humanoid figure, the distinct texture and pattern make our skin crawl.
While the artist is to be commended for achieving the horror they undoubtedly hoped to achieve, we wouldn’t want to stop to admire their work for too long. Otherwise, we might start questioning where in the world they got this many teeth.
Taking a Lift Up a Mountain
This photo was taken in Gwangju in 1984 and shows several people on their lift up to a mountaintop. You can see in the distance below just how far they've come. This image won’t be everyone’s idea of creepy, but it might be unsettling for those afraid of heights. In fact, lifts like these are not uncommon in skiing resorts or the Austrian mountainside either, where visitors hover between three and five meters above the ground.
The most troublesome issue we have with this image is the fact the chairlift looks so flimsy and unsafe. Almost as if one gust of wind could lead to your doom!
Good Old Memories
This picture was taken in the 1980s at a classroom costume party. The children are dressed in brightly colored costumes and wearing masks, making it difficult to see their expressions. At first, the photo seems like a fun, lighthearted moment captured in time. However, upon closer inspection, the atmosphere becomes much more ominous. The once lively classroom now appears eerie, and the masked figures only add to the creep factor.
The original poster of this photo remembers the event as a happy and carefree occasion, but seeing the picture decades later has made them question their memory. The masks look like they're staring into your soul!
Who’s Behind Us?
From this image, it’s hard to tell whether the children are aware of the strange presence lurking in the background. If you look closely at the bushes behind the kids, a face looms, casting an ominous shadow over the cheerful scene. The original poster's wife can't remember if there was a person behind them or if it was simply a trick of the light. Despite numerous attempts to explain the mysterious figure, it remains unexplained to this day.
The photo has a haunting quality that has stuck with the poster and their wife for years, leaving them with more questions than answers. This photograph serves as an eerie reminder that sometimes not all is as it seems!
Krampus
Taken during the Feast of St. Nicholas in the town of Bad Mitterndorf, Austria. Here, St. Nicholas parades through the village on a white horse, followed by the Krampus, a mythical creature known for punishing misbehaving children. The photo captures the bizarre scene, with the Krampus looming around, looking more like monsters than jolly holiday figures. The children's facial expressions in the foreground show a mixture of fear and trepidation as they look up at the Krampus.
It's one of those rare photos that's both as fascinating as it is frightening. It's successfully captured a unique and creepy cultural tradition that interestingly still continues to this day.
A Terrifying Baby Rattle
Here, we get a glimpse into the mentality of 1930s toy makers with this creepy baby's rattle. The face of the rattle is carved into the shape of a weird clown face, complete with a sinister grin and soulless eyes. All in all, it's hardly what you’d expect from a children’s toy! Instead, what should appear to be an innocent rattle now seems like a nightmarish object, conjuring up modern images of creepy circus clowns!
The photo makes us think - partly what the toymaker was thinking, and secondly, who on earth would purchase this rattle for their kids? Was there really a demand for these kinds of creepy toys?
Disney Magic
Okay, so here we have what appears to be a giant Mickey Mouse costume looming over a child. Imagine going to Disney World only to be greeted by this thing. Perhaps, this snap caught Mickey on one of his off days; who knows? In any case, we’d hope that this version of the popular cartoon mouse won’t be making another appearance any time soon. We cannot help but wonder if this is how Disney responds to children saying they’d rather see Bruno.
Why have they made Mickey's eyebrows look like he's angry? Ruminations aside, the child seems happy enough to shake the hand of this bizarre monstrosity. We can’t say we’d feel the same!
When Bushes Look Like People...
This is a picture taken by the poster's Nest Cam. The camera was set up to keep an eye on their front door. But instead of notifying the user of suspicious activity, postpeople looking to drop off packages, friends and family looking to drop around, etc., it kept capturing strange faces in the bushes. The poster couldn't explain the bizarre phenomenon, as no one was physically present in the area.
The faces caught on the Nest Cam were distorted and frightening, resembling more of a monster than a human. The nameless faces in the bushes have become a source of fear and uncertainty, leaving the poster to wonder what could be lurking outside their front door.
Morning, “Owner”...
Having your furry friend greet you in the morning should be a lovely thing, right? However, as we see in this picture, clearly, that isn't always the case! Usually, seeing a cat sitting calmly on a piece of furniture would be nothing out of the ordinary. However, here, the cat's gaze is fixed directly on the photographer (who has only just woken up!), creating an unsettling and eerie atmosphere. The way the cat is perched and its intense stare give the impression that it's watching its owner intently,
It's almost as if the feline is observing its owner's every move. The photo has a funny yet oddly terrifying quality that's left many of us feeling a bit creeped out.
Giant in the Rocks
This one is almost cute but, at the same time, weirdly surreal. At first glance, the photo appears to depict a peaceful, serene landscape, showcasing the beauty of nature. However, the way the pool of water is situated within the rock face makes it look like a prehistoric creature just awakening from a deep slumber. In addition, the way the light reflects off the water creates a gaze that seems to be staring directly at the viewer.
It leaves you feeling like some ancient and powerful force is watching you. The sight of the water-filled rock face is both stunning and terrifying, constructing an eerie and unforgettable impression.
The Scariest Potato You've Ever Seen
The original poster of this disturbing snap must have had quite a shock unearthing this sweet potato. This veggie's shape and texture bear a mysterious resemblance to a human hand. The way the 'fingers' are curled and the realistic look of the potato's skin creates a frightening illusion. We can't imagine anything more terrifying than heading to your garden to do a spot of gardening, only to stumble across something that looks like a dismembered body part!
Suffice it to say; this particular spud would leave an unforgettable and unsettling impression on your dinner party guests. Perhaps this potato is best suited for a Halloween party? Either way, we can't bear to look at this image for too long!
Motherly Centipede Love
If you thought there was nothing more wholesome than a mother cradling her children, think again. In this picture, we see a centipede wrapped around her offspring. The sight of the numerous spikey legs and the twisting, skinless facade of the baby centipedes is enough to make anyone cringe. The way the centipedes are packed inside this tin can- as if in a cramped and dark nursery, creates a frightening image we won’t soon forget.
But worst of all, you could easily find this scene in nature, just lurking out of sight. This is one of the last things we'd want to stumble across while we're out and about on a hike!
This Banana That Didn't Want to Blossom
Nature is astounding, even when it’s scaring the living daylights out of us. Rather than producing a bunch of delicious-looking bananas, this picture of a banana blossom gives the impression of a disturbed infant emerging from its cocoon. The frayed petals look like skin tearing, and the exposed inner workings resemble a tiny, angry being. The idea that something so harmless could have such a creepy appearance is a haunting thought.
This might be especially true if you eat this fruit on a daily basis! The way the blossom seems to be reaching out, almost begging for help, might make us think twice before having another banana.
Are We Sure This Is Just Graffiti?
Arachnophobes, look away now! In this photo, the man stands with determination and bravery, armed with a blowtorch as if preparing for battle. The giant spider, painted in vivid colors, is an imposing figure dominating the surrounding space. Its multiple legs and sharp fangs are sure to send shivers down the spine of anyone who sees it. The image is as freaky as it is captivating. The artist successfully created a sense of menace and danger with this astonishingly realistic graffiti.
This 3D painting is the epitome of street art at its most creepy, sure to make anyone who sees it want to run away from this eight-legged monstrosity looming over them.
When Face-Swapping Apps Take It Too Far...
This photo provides a disturbing look into the world of face-swapping technology. The image shows a man who's swapped his face with his hand and vice versa, resulting in a strange and disconcerting picture. The man's hand now has a human face, while his original face has been replaced by a hand. It’s hard to guess what he was trying to achieve with this, but the result is definitely freaky.
So, if you've ever wondered what your face would look like as a clenched fist, or if you've ever questioned what your hand might look like as a face - perhaps you now have some answers.
When Sunscreen Smudges Look Eerie
This photo, taken at night, shows the original poster's vacation house (Jenna Marbles) with a bizarre twist. As daylight gives way to the darkness of night, a mysterious child-height face appears on the sunscreen door. The ghostly white complexion, with dark empty eyes and a haunting expression, is barely noticeable in the daylight but becomes all the more prominent at night. Like the poster, we can’t help but wonder why it’s there or what it means.
In all likelihood, it was probably just the aftermath of a child messing around. However, we would certainly take steps to clean this creepy image away, or if all else fails, get a new door!
You Don’t Want To See This Statue at Night
Imagine walking by this seemingly unremarkable statue during the day. Then, as soon as the sun sets and the darkness creeps in, all you can see are its piercing red eyes glowing in the night. As you can see, someone has rigged the statue's eyes with LED lights so that it takes on an entirely different persona at night. We reckon it would leave anyone who passes by feeling uneasy and on edge.
The glowing red eyes seem to follow you! However, being the curious bunch that we are - we can't help but wonder how far you might be able to see these lights from.
When Face Swapping Apps Produce Hideous Results
This is what a face swap that has gone wrong looks like. Here, as you can see, a father has used a face-swapping app to accidentally create a genuinely unsettling image. To the left, you can see a cute little snapshot of the baby replacing his nose on the father's face. But on the baby, the father's nose has replaced her entire face. The result? The infant now looks like a creepy monster.
The contrast between the innocence of the baby's features and the frightening appearance of the beast creates a jarring and unsettling image. It's as if the baby has been taken over by some sinister force, turning what we imagine to have been an adorable photo into a haunting one.
When a Spider Makes a Peephole Its Home
Peepholes are supposed to provide a glimpse into the outside world, but in this picture, they do just the opposite. Instead of a view of the outside, a spider encased in glass is waiting on the other side of the peephole. Just imagine going to put your eye against the spyhole, only to be greeted with the sight of the spider's legs pressed against the glass, trying to escape. Yuck!
While we certainly feel sorry for this little eight-legged friend here, it’s a reminder that even the smallest spaces can hide something unexpected and frightening. This photo will give anyone pause before putting their eye to a peephole again.
This Is Why You Don’t Watch Horror Movies at Night
Imagine you, like this poster, had settled in for a night of horror movie-watching, but things take a turn for the worse when the horrors you're watching on the TV become real. As you can see to the right of the photo, you'll see that they captured a nun-like ghoul staring back at them through the glass window. The white veil and gaunt face give the impression that this figure isn't of this world.
Of course, it's just the reflection of the TV. But, it's safe to say that this experience would be enough to deter us from ever watching horror movies at night alone again!
This Gives Clowning Around a Whole New Meaning
This family photo looks like any other, but upon closer inspection, there’s something not quite right. An 8-year-old member of the family has decided to dress up as a clown for the photo, adding an unexpected element of horror to the otherwise traditional picture. With a painted face, red nose, and oversized clothes, the clown stands amidst the serious expressions of the rest of the family, creating a surreal and comical image.
The contrast between the normalcy of the family photo and the creepy clown is unsettling. But still, what a legend. It’ll undoubtedly be the centerpiece of this family’s picture hall of fame.
Little Monsters in the Bathroom
This is one of those rare snaps that is as creepy as it is funny. How often do you reckon this little guy creeps up behind this door to scare his siblings? We wager it is a fair amount! However, this photo was taken by his mother, who was, shall we say...doing her business. We think it's safe to say that this was likely the last thing she expected to see when she looked up!
We have to also say that we're not sure what's scarier, the child's expression or the fact that someone's opted for a partially see-through bathroom door. Why not get a door that provides 100% privacy?