The 20+ Best Creepypastas That Haunt Our Nightmares

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Horror expert Sydney Bermudez explains what makes these popular horror stories so disturbing

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IN THIS ARTICLE

1 Jeff the Killer

2 Slenderman

3 The Russian Sleep Experiment

4 The Rake

5 The Expressionless

6 Squidward’s Suicide

7 Borrasca

8 Penpal

9 Ted the Caver

10 Ben Drowned

11 1999

12 SuicideMouse.avi

13 God’s Mouth

14 The Crawlspace

15 Robert the Doll

16 Masterpiece

17 Abandoned by Disney

18 Smile Dog (Smile.jpg)

19 Laughing Jack

20 Candle Cove

21 Persuaded

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Co-authored by Sydney Bermudez and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: March 4, 2026 Fact Checked

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If you’re a horror fan, you’ve probably read your fair share of creepypastas, or internet horror stories, over the years. And some of them probably still haunt your nightmares to this day. But which are the scariest? In this article, we’ve compiled a list of over 20 of the scariest creepypastas of all time, so keep reading… if you dare. A horror expert also partnered with wikiHow to share insight into what makes these creepypastas so unnerving!

What is the scariest creepypasta?

Horror expert Sydney Bermudez says the scariest creepypasta stories are the ones that blur realism and internet folklore. But it also depends on what frightens you most! Are you afraid of supernatural creatures? Serial killers? Small, dark spaces? Here are some of the most frightening creepypastas of all time:

• Jeff the Killer: A disfigured serial killer sneaks into his victims’ homes while they sleep.
• God’s Mouth: A dark, mysterious cave that eats its victims.
• Smile Dog: A chainmail image of a dog with a human smile curses its victims.
• The Russian Sleep Experiment: Human subjects are sleep-deprived to insanity.
• 1999: A beloved TV show mascot (and secret serial killer) kidnaps children.

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1

Jeff the Killer

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1. 
   “Jeff the Killer” is one of the most iconic creepypastas…and for good reason. After facing brutal bullying from his classmates, teenager Jeffrey Woods descends into insanity and becomes a serial killer. He is later burned and doused in bleach, resulting in a disfigured appearance with extremely pale skin, burnt-off eyelids, and a permanent, carved grin. His eerie catchphrase, “Go to sleep,” is the last thing his victims hear.

   • Why it’s so scary: Even those who’ve never read the story are likely familiar with Jeff’s haunting appearance. The story also represents the realistic threat of home invasion, as Jeff appears in his victims’ bedrooms while they sleep.
   • Could you survive Jeff the Killer? Play our Jeff the Killer Survival Game to find out!

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Sydney Bermudez is a horror and urban legends expert who explores paranormal cases, internet mysteries, and psychological horror. She shares content on TikTok and Instagram to over 400k followers.
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2

Slenderman

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   Have you ever felt like something was following you? According to this iconic creepypasta, it might be Slenderman—a tall, faceless, humanoid figure who stalks, kidnaps, and brainwashes children… especially the poorly-behaved ones who wander into the forest.

   • Why it’s so scary: With his eerie, featureless face, Slenderman is scary enough on his own, but what’s even scarier is the fact that this story is that it led to a near-fatal stabbing in real life. Two tween girls stabbed another girl, claiming they did it to appease Slenderman.
   • Think you’d survive an encounter with Slenderman? Try our Slenderman Survival Simulator to find out!

3

The Russian Sleep Experiment

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1. 
   Bermudez says she believes the scariest creepypastas are the ones that blur realism and internet folklore, like The Russian Sleep Experiment, which taps into body horror and unethical science. “The Russian Sleep Experiment” is a fictional experiment that, according to legend, occurred in 1947, when Soviet scientists placed 5 inmates in a gas chamber. They promised to let them out after a 30-day experiment, in which the gas was supposed to prevent them from falling asleep. Throughout the course of the experiment, the inmates descended into insanity, turning into violent, zombie-like creatures who eventually died.

   • Why it’s so scary: The eerie, vintage-looking visuals add a touch of reality to the story, making it look like an experiment that could have truly happened. The graphic depictions of self-mutilation and self-cannibalism are horrifying enough to disturb even those with the strongest stomachs.
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4

The Rake

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   “The Rake” is told in 4 journal entries describing various encounters with a mysterious creature known as the Rake. The strange, humanoid creature is described as a cross between a naked man and a large, hairless dog. It uses its massive claws to lacerate its victims in their sleep. Those “lucky” enough to survive often end up traumatized by the encounter.

   • Why it’s so scary: The journal entries span hundreds of years, implying that these creatures have hunted humans for centuries. Each entry also offers a number of jump scares and chilling, atmospheric horror.
   • “What makes these stories stick is how believable they feel like you could’ve stumbled across them late at night online,” Bermudez explains.

5

The Expressionless

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   Set in 1972, “The Expressionless” tells the story of a woman with an expressionless face like a mannequin’s. She appears in a hospital wearing only a blood-soaked gown and clenching a kitten in her jaw. When doctors try to sedate her, she brutally murders and cannibalizes them. Throughout the whole attack, her face remains completely absent of expression.

   • Why it’s so scary: In addition to the woman’s uncanny appearance, this story uses shock value to surprise and disturb readers at various points. Readers are left wondering whether the staff deserved what happened to them or if the woman was just a sadist.
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6

Squidward’s Suicide

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1. 
   This creepypasta turns a beloved children’s character into something depressing and disturbing. In the story, a former Nickelodeon intern reveals that someone at the studio pulled a disturbing prank by adding hyperrealistic violence to an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants. Squidward lets out blood-curdling screams before shooting himself with a shotgun.

   • Why it’s so scary: “Squidward’s Suicide” adds a disturbing twist to the “lost episode” Creepypasta genre, as it violates a beloved children’s show. Though readers don’t actually see the fictional footage, the descriptions of images of dead bodies and other gore are enough to give someone nightmares.

7

Borrasca

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   Do you believe in curses? After three friends visit a spooky tree house, people start disappearing in their small, sleepy town. The friends believe the disappearances are linked to a supernatural curse, but in their investigations, they stumble upon an even bigger mystery that involves everyone in town.

   • Why it’s so scary: “Borrasca” is a realistic, human-driven horror that focuses on psychological dread, betrayal, and disturbing societal complacency. Its unexpected plot twists and slow-burn mystery make it a grueling read.
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8

Penpal

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   Now a full-length novel, Penpal began as a 6-part creepypasta following the recollections of the narrator as he tries to make sense of the mysterious events that happened during his childhood. It explores the childhood trauma caused by a penpal-turned-stalker.

   • Why it’s so scary: This creepypasta explores the loss of innocence that could happen to any child. The story also intentionally leaves several loose ends, causing readers to lie awake at night, questioning their own minds.

9

Ted the Caver

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1. 
   Ever wonder what’s lurking in the dark depths of a cave? “Ted the Caver” is formatted in a series of blog posts following a man, Ted, and his friends as they explore a local cave. As they move deeper, they uncover strange hieroglyphics and begin experiencing eerie nightmares and hallucinations. In the final blog post, Ted writes that he’ll be bringing a gun into the cave. The blog has not been updated since.

   • Why it’s so scary: Bermudez thinks Ted the Caver is scary because it’s written like a real online journal, slowly descending into dread. It leaves readers fearing for the worst, as we never officially find out what happens to Ted and his friends. It also targets those with claustrophobia and the fear of the unknown.
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10

Ben Drowned

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1. 
   “Ben Drowned” is the ideal horror story for video game fans. When a college student buys a used copy of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask from an elderly man at a yard sale, he soon discovers the game is haunted by the ghost of a boy named Ben, who drowned, as well as an entity that has taken his name and is only identified as BEN.

   • Why it’s so scary: “Ben Drowned” blurs the line between fiction and reality through its use of Alternate Reality Game elements and psychological horror. It turns a nostalgic video game into a source of dread.

11

1999

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1. 
   Also known as “Caledon Local 21” or “Mr. Bear’s Cellar,” “1999” is a classic creepypasta about a man who recalls a strange public access channel from his childhood. The channel played low-quality, disturbing shows, most notably Mr. Bear’s Cellar, which featured a man in a bear costume interacting with children in a basement, often in unsettling ways. As the man continues his research, he discovers that these television shows were actually cover-ups for horrific crimes.

   • Why it’s so scary: This creepypasta blends nostalgia with the helplessness of childhood, portraying a fear grounded in reality—a serial killer who kidnaps children.
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12

SuicideMouse.avi

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1. 
   If you think Mickey Mouse is always upbeat and cheerful, think again. In 2009, a 3-minute video was uploaded to 4chan, in which Mickey Mouse walks down the street with a dull, depressed expression. A later 9-minute video shows Mickey’s face becoming distorted, with gurgling and screaming sounds. Mickey collapses to the ground, dead, and Russian text appears, translating to “The sights of Hell bring its viewers back in.” Rumor has it a Disney employee committed suicide after watching it.

   • Why it’s so scary: This creepypasta turns a beloved childhood character into something surreal and disturbing. The unsettling audio and distorted visuals have a psychological impact on the viewer.

13

God’s Mouth

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1. 
   If “Ted the Caver” didn’t convince you that exploring caves is a bad idea, “God’s Mouth” surely will. In this story, a couple decides to explore a cave called God’s Mouth, despite the warning signs to keep out. When they decide it’s time to leave, they can’t find the exit. It’s as if the walls are closing in on them… literally.

   • Why it’s so scary: If you’re claustrophobic, the idea of going into a cave is scary enough. Knowing the walls are actually closing in on you and there’s nothing you can do to escape is petrifying.
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14

The Crawlspace

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   “The Crawlspace” follows a young woman studying abroad. When she and her roommates discover a hidden, sealed crawlspace, they think nothing of it. That is, until the narrator begins hearing strange sounds and feeling like something is watching her. When no one believes her, she returns home. But is it too late for her roommates?

   • Why it’s so scary: “The Crawlspace” puts a supernatural spin on the real fear of someone—or something—living in your walls. It plays up the feeling of paranoia and not knowing whether or not what you’re experiencing is real.

15

Robert the Doll

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1. 
   Are you afraid of dolls? Then you’d better watch out for Robert. When a young boy receives a doll named Robert, he treats it like his best friend, until things take a turn for the worse. Things suddenly begin going missing or getting broken around the house, and the boy gets blamed. He tries to tell his parents that Robert is the cause, but they don’t believe him… until the boy wakes up to find Robert sitting at the foot of his bed, staring at him. From there, Robert’s behavior only gets worse.

   • Why it’s so scary: Robert the Doll is scary because the story is based on reality. There really is a doll named Robert that is currently housed in the Fort East Martello Museum in Key West, Florida, and reports say he truly is haunted.
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16

Masterpiece

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   “Masterpiece” is one of the shortest creepypastas on this list, but it’s also one of the creepiest. An unnamed narrator has been pretending to be asleep for hours, after a monster killed their parents and is waiting to kill them, too. After the monster writes a mysterious message on the wall, the narrator’s curiosity gets the better of them, and they take a peek.

   • Why it’s so scary: This story builds suspense because the narrator knows they’re going to be killed and there’s nothing they can do about it. The final line will leave readers with a pit in their stomach.

17

Abandoned by Disney

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1. 
   “Abandoned by Disney” is a 2012 creepypasta written by Slimebeast. After a large-scale Disney theme park called Mowgli’s Palace was abandoned for apparently no reason, a blogger decides to investigate. While exploring the grounds, he finds multiple graffiti-covered signs that read “abandoned by Disney.” When he enters an area labeled “mascots-only,” he discovers the horrifying truth of what the theme park is trying to hide…

   • Why it’s so scary: This creepypasta twists the innocent nostalgia of Disney into something sinister. It plays on urban legends of abandoned theme parks and uses atmospheric dread and the uncanny valley effect to create a story that haunts readers.
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18

Smile Dog (Smile.jpg)

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   “Smile.jpg,” better known as Smile Dog, is an image-based creepypasta believed to have originated on 4chan in 2008. The image depicts a sinister-looking dog with human teeth, and according to the story, the image was first shared on a bulletin board system in 1992. It curses anyone who views it to suffer nightmares and convulsions until they “spread the word” by showing the image to others. If they don’t, the image morphs into something more sinister…

   • Why it’s so scary: Smile Dog creeps people out because of the uncanny valley effect; something about giving a dog human teeth is extremely eerie. Paired with the supposed curse, this creepypasta makes people think twice about not sharing chainmail.
   • Ever wondered which creepypasta best fits your personality? Take our “Which Creepypasta Am I?” quiz to find out!

19

Laughing Jack

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1. 
   If you’re scared of clowns, stay away from Laughing Jack. Laughing Jack is a sadistic killer clown who was originally the imaginary friend of a little boy. The boy slowly forgot about him and grew up to become a serial killer. Over time, Laughing Jack’s personality began to emulate his owner’s. After being released into the real world, Laughing Jack killed his owner for abandoning him and went on to torture and kill many other children.

   • Why it’s so scary: Many people are already scared of clowns, and this story is even scarier because Jack pretends to be the children’s friend before turning on them.
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20

Candle Cove

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1. 
   2009’s “Candle Cove” is written in the form of an online forum thread in which people reminisce about a vaguely-remembered children’s show from the 70s called Candle Cove. The show follows a girl named Janice as she goes on adventures with marionette pirates. However, many viewers admit the show gave them nightmares, especially episodes involving a villain called the Skin-Taker.

   • Why it’s so scary: Bermudez says Candle Cove is scary because it plays with the ideas of lost media and shared false memories. Like many other creepypastas, it turns childhood nostalgia on its head through its use of eerie imagery. It’s revealed that parents only saw static, suggesting the show had a sinister, psychological influence over the children who watched it.

21

Persuaded

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   “Persuaded” was originally uploaded in 2011 and credited to Chris Stewart. After an oil tanker spill, ordinary people become infected with brain parasites, causing them to lash out and kill anyone or anything around them. The protagonist hides in his bathroom, but a horde soon breaks into his house. Rather than trying to attack, they whisper constantly, trying to persuade him to join them. As days go by, the offer starts sounding more and more tempting…

   • Why it’s so scary: This is a twist on the classic zombie apocalypse. The “zombies” are smart and patient, adding a psychological horror element to the story. It shows how easily people can be persuaded and plays on the fear of societal collapse.
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