I am the most myself in October. Since I was a kid, I’ve been obsessed with elements of magic and the paranormal. I’d love to go on a ghost hunt someday and have strategically planned vacations around haunted attractions that could be visited, but I’ve always been terrified of horror films. Something about a jump scare mixed with the suspense and terrifying images just hasn’t jived very well for me in the past (that is until I turned 21 and found some liquid courage).
I’ll admit that I haven’t watched all of these. In fact, I’ve used the progress bar to watch the preview stills without actually clicking on the film and watching it. I have faith that in the near future I’ll be able to bear it, but in the meantime, here’s a list of YouTube short horror films for your enjoyment.
Lights Out
This inspired the full length horror film and it’s only two and a half minutes long.
2AM: The Smiling Man
This one I heard about on a forum called sixpenceee that catalogues horror stories (usually terribly written) like CreepyPasta. A short story version of this is available and this short film version has been discussed a lot as being one of the most terrifying shorts ever created.
Bedfellows
Directed by Drew Daywalt, this short horror piece has made it onto most of the lists I’ve cross-referenced. A woman wakes to her phone ringing, and the rest is terrifying. Obviously.
Tuck Me In
This is based on a two line story by Juan J. Ruiz that reads “I begin tucking him into bed and he tells me, “Daddy check for monsters under my bed.” I look underneath for his amusement and see him, another him, under the bed, staring back at me quivering and whispering, ‘Daddy there’s somebody on my bed.'” Hahahahahaha did you want to sleep tonight? yeah, me either.
I Heard It Too
This is another one based on a two-line story on an Ask Reddit page. “You hear your mom calling you into the kitchen. As you are heading down the stairs you hear a whisper from the closet saying ‘Don’t go down there honey, I heard it too.'” Ugh. So unsettling. Never answering my mom’s call again.
He Took His Skin Off For Me
It’s all in the title. Apparently it has a deeper meaning, also? I wouldn’t know. I’m too terrified to watch it TBH. Also, it’s 11 minutes long so. Strap in.
He Dies At The End
I’m not 100% clear on the plot, but from what I’ve read it has to do with a man and his computer, the knowledge of when he will die and a whole lot of nail-biting suspense
MAMA
Another one that inspired a feature-length film with only 3 minutes and an intro from Guillermo del Toro, who directed the full-length horror flick.
Sleepy Eyes
Something about sleeping with her back to the door and the sound of windchimes? I can’t risk it…
These are just a few to get you started, but if you’re brave enough, you can always queue up all those videos in the suggested box… Good luck sleeping tonight!