As October approaches and Halloween draws near, I’m getting that familiar urge to dive into some good scary movies.
But let’s be real—life doesn’t always leave room for a full-length horror marathon.
If you’re like me, finding time to curl up with a classic scary movie and a bunch of snacks or binge a terrifying series can feel impossible.
That’s where YouTube comes to the rescue.
A Treasure Trove of YouTube Horror
YouTube offers a wealth of short horror stories perfect for those moments when you crave a quick scare but don’t have hours to spare.
From animated shorts to live-action creeps, there’s a bottomless pit of well-crafted, bite-sized horror that will leave you with chills in just a few minutes.
And thanks to the platform’s accessibility, even indie gems can reach a global audience.
If you’re ready to get spooked without the time commitment, keep reading to discover some of the best horror shorts YouTube has to offer.
Horror in Everyday Life
The scariest stories aren’t always about witches, ghosts or demons. Sometimes, it’s the mundane events in your everyday life that can send shivers down your spine.
Have you ever woken up from a nap and imagined the world outside as you know it had disappeared? Day of the Triffids or Alice in Borderland anyone?
Or perhaps wondered if that stranger behind you in the queue for the cash point machine might not be what they seem?
YouTube is jam packed with horror shorts that take the most ordinary situations (shopping in a supermarket, waiting for a bus, even eating spicy noodles for an ASMR Mukbang challenge) and twist them into something terrifying.
Throw in AI, smartphones, security cameras, and social media, and you’ve got the ingredients for modern horror that can hit a little too close to home.
Fans of shows like The Twilight Zone, The X-Files, or American Horror Story will find plenty to love in these creative, low-budget shorts.
It’s proof that you don’t need a Hollywood budget to deliver spine-tingling thrills. Just a tightly-written plot, some well-placed sound effects, eerie music, and the right atmosphere.
YouTube Horror Shorts You Need to Watch
Here are some standout horror shorts that will make you think twice about going to bed with the lights off:
1. I Love You, Jamie
This clever short film follows a man working late in the office while his girlfriend watches a scary movie at home.
As the tension builds, what she’s watching on screen starts mirroring what’s happening in real life. With a simple but chilling setup, I Love You, Jamie will have you on the edge of your seat.
2. BUS STOP
In this British short, an anxious young man waiting at a bus stop late at night encounters two strangers: a chatty girl and a mysterious figure lurking nearby.
Is it all in his head, or is something sinister happening? This film plays with psychological horror in a way that will keep you guessing until the end.
3. ABANDONED
This eerie tale features a couple who stumble upon a house that’s been vacant for 15 years after purchasing a painting of a house which looks exactly like it.
As they explore, they uncover why the house has remained untouched for so long. Fans of The Twilight Zone or The Witches by Roald Dahl will appreciate the unsettling twists and shocking ending.
4. DON’T LOOK AWAY
In this tense short, a teenage girl spots a creepy figure staring at her from her garden.
When she calls him, her dad’s only advice is “Don’t look away.” What happens next is a nerve-wracking experience, reminiscent of Doctor Who’s famous “Blink” episode.
5. Odd Girl
In this supernatural high school thriller, a popular student invites an odd, lonely girl into her friend group. But as the girls grow closer, things take a sinister turn.
Odd Girl will appeal to fans of high school teen horror and Carrie with a creepy twist.
6. Fear Filter
This terrifying short takes advantage of a tool most of us use daily—Snapchat. A girl playing with filters on her phone sees something eerie in the background.
What would you do if your reflection wasn’t the only thing in the frame? Fear Filter is a quick, pulse-pounding horror fix.
7. Don’t Look at your Phone
The horror is all too real in this story as the synopsis lies in our modern obsession with screens.
This unsettling short film taps into a familiar scenario: a person glued to their phone, unaware of the world around them.
But what happens when the thing you should be afraid of isn’t in your imagination—it’s right behind the screen?
It’s a chilling reminder of how much time we spend buried in our devices, oblivious to the dangers that might lurk just beyond the glow of our screens.
Perfect for fans of the film Smile, this leaves you questioning your own relationship with technology – and what might happen when you spend too much time on your phone.
Dr. NoSleep: Bedtime Stories with a Chilling Twist
If animated horror is more your style, check out Dr. NoSleep’s channel. His voice lulls you into a false sense of security, and before you know it, you’re wrapped up in spine-chilling, eerie tales.
These short stories are perfect for those who enjoy the spooky, atmospheric vibes of telling ghost stories around a campfire.
8. 3 Deep Sea Horror Stories Animated
This features 3 different scary deep-sea stories (the second one is my favourite and has a surprising twist.)
Story 1: We Discovered Something Horrific in the Deep Sea
Story 2: The Billionaire’s Vacation
Story 3: Hypercapnia
Horror Shorts Party: Twisted Animation Shorts
9. True Amusement Park Horror Story
This chilling tale follows a man who visits a psychic clown at a funfair, drawn in by the clown’s unsettling ability to answer deeply personal questions.
But as the session continues, things take a dark and unexpected turn. What starts as a curious visit quickly spirals into something far more sinister.
Want to know what happens next? You’ll have to watch to find out.
Ready to Get Spooked?
The best part about these YouTube horror stories? You can lose yourself in a rabbit hole of terror without ever committing to a full movie or series.
One short leads to another, and before you know it, hours have passed. Just don’t forget to read the comments—they’re often just as entertaining as the stories themselves!
Do you have your own favourite YouTube horror short? Drop it in the comments below—I’d love to hear what shorts scare you the most.
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