Trigger warning: dark themes and gore
The internet is a ‘choose your own nightmare’ portal.
We have classic horror films on streaming sites, Creepypastas and whatever Ryan Bergara and Shane Madej are producing—it’s a lot. But why stop there? Why look far for your next nightmare fuel?
Enter YouTube, your fave spot for beauty vlogger drama, mukbang bullshit and other channels that pique your interests. This includes your next 3 a.m. nightmare.
From Adult Swim shorts to niche alternate reality games, YouTube has (surprisingly) a lot in store for curious cats and horror stans. Here’s a quick reco from us so you can get started.
“Too Many Cooks”
Who doesn’t love a good sitcom? This Adult Swim short is an homage to classic family shows, but it’s not a love letter. It starts off as your average sitcom intro—think “Brady Bunch” or “How I Met Your Mother”—and then, it gets more and more disturbing as you watch and watch and watch.
“Earn $20K EVERY MONTH by being your own boss”
Gamers all know who Brian David Gilbert is. He’s funny, musically talented and a mean lean meme machine. Everything he produces for Polygon or on his own channel is for laughs—except this one.
This video is a jab at clickbait ads. He explores what happens when you sign up for a scam and actually get money. The creepy part here is he doesn’t know where it comes from.
“Possibly in Michigan”
Musical and horror combined often leads to campy results. That is not the case with “Possibly in Michigan.” In this old, short film by Cecelia Condit, we follow a cannibal’s point of view as he stalks two women in a mall. It’s unsettling, a TikTok favorite somehow and also a musical journey into our dark psyche.
“I am Sophie”
Ever heard of alternate reality games? Well, maybe this horror web series can pop your cherry. “I Am Sophie” is all about the self-proclaimed Queen of YouTube. She’s the daughter of millionaire, gets everything she wants and is privileged as fuck. But tables start to turn when she meets her super fan, Laura.
“The Strange Thing About the Johnsons”
We all know Ari Aster. A24 darling who gave us “Midsommar” and “Hereditary.” But have you seen the short film that made his career? It’s not for the faint of heart and it doesn’t have supernatural elements. In his short, the real terror lies in what humanity is capable of.
Read more:
7 horror video games for people not in the Halloween mood (yet)
Revisiting classic Creepypastas to see if they’re still nightmare fuels
7 horror webtoons for you and your sleep paralysis demon
Still from “I am Sophie”