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Sometimes, the most bone-chilling stories don’t need hours to unfold – just a few minutes can leave you glancing over your shoulder and questioning every shadow. YouTube has become a treasure trove for horror enthusiasts, offering short films that pack an unsettling punch in record time. From terrifying special effects to creepily good acting, these bite-sized horrors prove that true terror often comes in small, unexpected doses. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the genre or just looking for a quick scare, these short films deliver unforgettable frights – all without having to leave your couch. | © Caleb J. Phillips, ALTER
DON'T LOOK AWAY
Watch: DON'T LOOK AWAY
Can a horror movie take place in broad daylight and still be scary? Absolutely, and DON'T LOOK AWAY proves this! When Savannah's dad calls her and she tells him about a mysterious man who's standing in their backyard staring at her, he tells her not to look away and that he'll be home soon... but things start getting out of hand quickly. | © Christopher Cox
Other Side of the Box
Watch: Other Side of the Box
Another horror short film that uses the "don't look away" concept, albeit a bit differently: It's Christmas time, and Ben and Rachel receive an unexpected visit from their estranged friend Shawn, who comes bearing a mysterious gift. But when they open the box, things take a terrifying turn – something inside is desperate to escape. | © Caleb J. Phillips, ALTER
The Birch
Watch: The Birch
After enduring relentless bullying, a schoolboy resorts to extreme measures by summoning an ancient entity from the forest, using a family heirloom – a powerful book handed down through generations. What will the creature that emerges from it do? | © Crypt TV, Bloody Cuts
2AM: The Smiling Man
Watch: 2AM: The Smiling Man
We bet this short film can scare you in under 4 minutes! It's based on the creepypasta The Smiling Man, and follows a very simple premise: A man is trying to walk home alone at night when he suddenly encounters a relentlessly smiling man who dances toward him... but when he tries to build up some distance, he realizes he's being followed. | © Michael Evans
GUEST
Watch: GUEST
Mary wakes up in a stranger's house, blind and deaf. As the homeowner asks her what caused her to end up like this, we learn about the creature that was following her last night... | © Finn Callan
The Bells
Watch: The Bells
Such a simple, yet terrifying concept: Jim is on the phone with his sister, trying to talk about a planned funeral after a family member died of mysterious causes. Suddenly, he starts hearing the ring of a bell. Initially confused, he asks his sister if she's near a church. She negates – but if neither of them is near any bells, how can this threatening ringing get louder and louder? | © Virat Pal
Peephole
Watch: Peephole
Another super short film: A man is home alone at night watching TV when he suddenly hears a knock. He walks up to his door and looks through the peephole and sees... himself – or at least something that looks and moves like him. | © Jash Pictures, Inc.
The Armoire
Watch: The Armoire
An actress just moved to Hollywood to start her career. Plagued by money troubles, she finds an armoire on the street and takes it to her new flat. But then she hears strange noises coming from this mysterious piece of furniture... | © Evan Cooper, ALTER
Alexia
Watch: Alexia
A social media horror film: A man's ex-girlfriend took her own life after he broke up with her. Now, on her birthday, he's sitting in front of his PC, staring at her Facebook profile with a bad conscience. Still, he wants to get over this, so he unfriends her profile... and promptly, a chatroom opens. Does the deceased have something to say? | © Andrés Borghi
The Jigsaw
Watch: The Jigsaw
No, this movie has nothing to do with the Saw franchise, despite its name. Instead, it depicts an elderly man who goes to a small, mysterious store and decides to buy a jigsaw puzzle – despite the store owner's warning about how he has sold this puzzle many times but it keeps returning to his shop. As he assembles it at home, something seems off... | © Sensa Productions
Hungry Hickory
Watch: Hungry Hickory
Yet another haunted armoire: Imagine you're in bed, trying to sleep... but every time you open your eyes, the armoire in front of your bed has moved to the exact spot where you're lying. | © Damian Mc Carthy
FATHER
Watch: FATHER
When his mother starts dating again after his father's death, a little boy wonders if he can really let go so soon... especially when his father's decaying body is standing in his room and coming closer every time he blinks – how long can you keep your eyes open?
Careful, though, this short film has a more terrifying monster design than many high-budget, full-length horror movies. | © Chris Keller
Pictured
Watch: Pictured
Remember the famous short horror film Lights Out that ended up being turned into a full-length movie? Pictured was made by the same director-actress duo. A woman is home alone when she discovers a plant that's been tipped over. She gets some cleaning supplies – but didn't the picture in her hallway look different just a second ago? | © ponysmasher
Larry
Watch: Larry
Yet another horror short film that was later turned into a full-length movie: Larry just wants a friend. Will you be Larry's friend? | © Jacob Chase
He Dies At The End
Watch: He Dies At The End
Have you ever feared for your life while doing a random personality test you found on the internet? Well, after watching this horror short film, you might. | © Damian Mc Carthy
The Ballerina
Watch: The Ballerina
A ballerina is practicing alone in the studio at night. But as she goes through her dance routine, she notices that her reflection in the mirror seems a bit... off. | © Aaron Fradkin
THE MIME
Watch: THE MIME
A woman walks home alone at night when she encounters a mysterious figure in a tunnel. It seems to be copying her movements. But what initially seems like a harmless prank soon turns into a nightmare... | © Dan Allen
The Jester
Watch: The Jester (age-restricted)
After finishing a late shift on Halloween night, a man encounters a mysterious figure that appears to be the living embodiment of the holiday. But is it a trick – or a treat?
Fun fact: Despite having a pretty low budget and a super small crew, this short film got so popular that it was turned into a full-length movie! | © MakeDo Entertainment
