Throwback photos that are just a little too creepy for comfort
Horror has evolved a lot over time. In the 1920s, monster films took the world by storm and people had to leave theaters. Over time, Hollywood has shifted into psychological horror, gore, and slasher films. But no fantasy horror can compare to when a real-life photo gives you the creeps.
The Jason mask is scary, but not as scary as a smiling executioner mask. We need to save the souls of future generations. These strange, disturbing, and terrifying photos are too much to handle.
This Mickey Mouse Club Meeting Looks Like Orientation Day For A Cult
Deep down, I know that behind all those Mickey Mouse masks are innocent little kids just trying to enjoy a lifetime of singing and dancing. But on the surface, I’m scared that they’ve all gathered together to plan the perfect way to sing us all to death.
Plus, they can’t all be innocent. There are so many kids at this meeting that there is a good chance at least one or two are psychopaths.
A Lot Going On Here
This 1947 photo shows…let’s see…an underwater ping pong game (complete with referee) going on in Orlando, Florida, while a sand shark stands by.
We have zero context for why this is happening, but something about the combination of eerie lighting, seafloor setting, and presence of danger is distinctly unsettling.
The Grenade Might Be A Toy, But I’d Still Run Away From This Kid
If this photo was taken in the 1940s, I’d be a little more concerned that the grenade in this little boy’s hand is real. Thankfully, the photo was taken in the 1960s, so I’m confident that I won’t have my lower body blasted off.
But even though we know we’re safe, I’d still suggest running as far away as possible cause he’s got a menacing look in his eyes. It’s better not to take any chances.
Nothing About These Doctors Looks Helpful
There are so many possibilities as to where this could be and what these doctors specialize in, and none of them have a happy ending. My money is on this being a psychological testing ward with soundproofed rooms so no one can hear you scream.
On the other hand, maybe they’re all chiropractors just waiting for their next client with back pain to come in so they can make him feel like his old self again.
Old-school Science
Electrocardiogram machines are a valuable medical tool, and this 1912 photo shows a man who’s rigged up to an early version of one.
Odds are good that he emerged from this photoshoot just fine, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that he could be electrocuted.
Are These Creepy Clowns Supposed To Be Making Her Feel Better?
It’s bad enough that this poor little girl was stuck in the hospital over Christmas. Then the hospital staff had to go and do her dirty by bringing in the creepiest clowns possible to “cheer her up.”
It’s even worse because she hasn’t noticed the clowns yet. Next time, the hospital staff should just leave the giant, oversized clown masks in their haunted basement and stick to bringing in the guy with presents.
One Way to Deal With a Pandemic
This woman is wearing an elaborate flu mask as she deals with the global flu pandemic that ravaged the planet after World War I.
About a century later, another pandemic swept around the globe – but this one had more conventional masks.
This Easter Bunny Wants To Kill You And Steal All Your Chocolate Eggs
Speaking of creepy costumes, why are Easter Bunny meet and greets still a thing? I’ve never seen an Easter Bunny that didn’t look like it was plotting to kill me. I think the issue is that Easter Bunnies are too lifelike, and don’t try to look like a cartoon.
Other life-size costumes like Daisy Duck or Minnie Mouse might also be real animals, but they originated as cartoons. That way they don’t just look like a normal animal who fell into a radioactive swamp and grew in size.
Why Would Anyone Want This?
This groovy 1970s photo shows an invention that was intended to help people sleep: a giant projection of a crackling fire just above their bed.
Different people like different things, but it’s hard to imagine feeling soothed by hellfire as you’re trying to fall asleep.
These Vintage Masks Were Supposed To Reduce The Appearance Of Wrinkles
Early 20th-century beauty products were downright weird. These leather masks were supposed to help reduce the presence of wrinkles, but all it does it scare the living daylights out of everyone around you.
Other terrifying 20th-century beauty products include a wire you wear around your face to define your cheekbones, and a head-cage the produces soft vibrations on your skin. Science and technology in the beauty industry have had their own glow-up.
She Carries the Tune
Old-school circus acts did all sorts of stuff in order to stand out, and here’s just one such example.
This strongwoman is clearly able to hold up this weight, but seeing a human being with a piano on top of them is not a great feeling.
They Didn’t Need To Add A Toothy Grin To This Executioners Mask, But They Did
This executioner’s mask from the 1800s is just so unnecessary on so many levels. First of all, why did the executioner really need a mask? It’s not like they are going to get snitched on since the person they’re looking at is about to die.
On top of that, why did they think adding a lopsided grin was appropriate? Nothing makes sense, and I’m scared.
Our AI Future
The concept of humanoid robots has changed a bit over the years, from men made of tin to the softer robots of today.
This 1940 photo shows a robot that, believe it or not, was intended to come off as a friendly mascot.
Discarded Wax Mannequins Are A Little Too Lifelike For Comfort
These wax mannequins were tossed after becoming damaged in a building fire. Is it just me, or do they look like real humans? They may have just had a very skilled wax figure artist craft them this well, or they could be zombies back from the dead to avenge their death.
Let’s at least show some respect and get the guy on the right some clothes just in case they are a zombie.
Guest of Honor
This 1934 photo shows a meeting of naprapaths – those who treat connective tissues in order to provide pain relief.
It looks like a spirited dinner, even with a straight-up skeleton at the head of the table. It’s the skeleton of club founder J.M. McAdou, who required all members to donate their skeletons after death.
Photos Remembering Father Are Equal Parts Creepy And Sad
Having a photo taken to honor a loved one who died from war or illness was not uncommon in the 20th-century. This widow and son are standing with the military coat of a husband and father lost to war.
Personal photos weren’t common at the time, so if you wanted to capture a memory with a loved one, it had to be done professionally. This woman obviously just wanted to make sure her son never forgot his father, but it ends up looking spooky.
Get it Away From Me
Have you ever wondered how clowns transformed from kid-friendly symbols of merriment to harbingers of death?
Stephen King has something to do with it, no doubt, but images of vintage clowns also help to show why they eventually became seen as scary.
On His Way To Steal Your Girl
Don’t mind this guy. He’s just casually rolling right into your nightmares. I mean, when has a bicycle built for two ever been anything but wholesome. There’s nothing to worry about though because he’s brought his sweet, innocent daughter along to break the ice.
If she makes you nervous too, don’t fret. You can tell by their slightly deflated balloon that they’re not here to haunt you. They’re here to party. What can go wrong?
Highly Realistic
The good news? These aren’t real eyeballs – they’re just made of plastic.
The bad news? Well, aside from the fact that some diabolical photographer decided to snap this pic, there’s also the fact that they have rayon veins for ‘realism.’
What Was Michelin Originally Thinking?
If you didn’t know if these two were supposed to be the original Michelin Man mascots, you’d think they were some sort of demon Teletubby from another planet. In reality, they’re just the very first, very creepy, version of their mascot Bibelobis.
Over time, Bibelobis lost the weird glasses, tire pump, and slimmed down to a healthy size and stopped terrifying kids.
The Russian Tactic To Win WW2 Was To Scare Everyone Into Defeat
A crown of kids burning the ancient goddess of death sounds like sunshine and rainbows in comparison to this group of Russian school girls practicing a gas mask drill. Gas mask drills were standard across all of Europe in the 1930s and 1940s, but there is something extra creepy about these Russian girls.
Maybe it’s the fact that Eastern Europe proved to be nearly invincible during WW2. All these girls definitely grew up to be strict babushkas.
He Needs Normal Pets
This photo, published in 1902, is titled “M. Pernelet and his Pets.” It’s immediately apparent that M. Pernelet doesn’t have cats and dogs as pets.
We don’t know much about this photo other than the caption, but it seems entirely possible that he was on the verge of being eaten by his “pets.”
She’s Absolutely Playing The Creepiest Song Possible
Is it just me, or have all these photos proven that humans have always had a sick and twisted sense of humor? Someone actually spent the time and money to pose as a doll with a terrifying mask up at a piano and take a photo of it. And they did all this when pictures were a rarity.
The only difference between them and us is that now we have iPhones and can take unlimited amounts of creepy photos.
Ventriloquism Should Never Be That Lifelike
I’m not trying to write the rules of ventriloquism, but I think there are some basic ground rules that everyone should follow. First, the dummy shouldn’t wear clown makeup. I think that’s a given.
Second, the dummy should have a smaller head and more cartoon-like face than the ventriloquist. It almost looks like half of his face was burnt off, but they just kept on performing. Third, people should just give up ventriloquism because no matter what you do, it’s creepy.
