Short horror films can serve as a launching point for aspiring directors or help build a fandom around other shorts and videos created by online content creators. For fans of horror, all that really matters is they get a nice, quick scare (or several) packed into a brief runtime. The perfect appetizer for a feature film or a binge-worthy night of short horror films, the format can also be a crowd-pleaser. Now, searching for horror shorts on YouTube will yield a mixed bag. Among those worth watching, you will also find AI Slop, alongside some valiant yet not effective attempts at the format.
To help you sort through the numerous short horror films available on YouTube, we have compiled a list of 10 of the best on the platform.
‘Camping Fun’ (2020) by Thomas Burke
Camping is indeed not fun in this found footage horror short from director Thomas Burke. Camping Fun has everything you want from a found footage horror experience: a group of friends going into uncharted territory, an ominous force, and a shocking reveal that will stick with you after the credits roll. The short makes exceptional use of introducing its cast before quickly plunging them into chaos; think a punchier Blair Witch Project, and you are on the right path of what to expect. Burke’s channel also features other shorts, as well as trailers for films he has worked on.
‘Gacha Gacha’ (2018) by Dave Jackson
“Gacha” has been one of those prevailing phenomena that has drawn in kids and adults alike for generations now. Though our grandparents may have called it something different, putting in money, turning a crank, and getting a little prize is a rather joyous experience. Dave Jackson’s Gacha Gacha takes the thrill of collecting and turns it into a sharply comedic yet terrifying horror short, as one person receives an unexpected item. The short film also has an underlying idea of something greater behind this capsule monster oddity, which could easily be turned into a feature-length film; however, we think it is perfect as it is.
‘My House Walk-Through’ (2016) by PiroPito
What sort of cyclical hell is this!? My House Walk-Through gained notoriety on release in certain dark corners of the internet, due to presenting the video as a “real account,” before eventually being attributed to experimental filmmaker PiroPito. Here, there is a subtle brilliance in crafting a nightmarish scenario. My House Walk-Through features a silent protagonist who walks around their family home, providing background information through accompanying text. It all seems so natural, though atmospherically disturbing, that the secrets the house hides creep up on the viewer. Visually, there are some genuine Silent Hill vibes for those who enjoy that unsettling aesthetic.
‘Portrait of God’ (2022) by Dylan Clark
Thick with atmosphere and a sense of ambient dread, Dylan Clark’s Portrait of God exemplifies how the short film format works best for certain stories. The story revolves around a girl preparing a school presentation about a piece of artwork called “The Portrait of God.” However, her project takes a macabre turn when she realizes that some people see no figure at all in the haunting artwork. Many horror shorts rely on that moment where the monster shows up and scares them, but this one will leave you spinning in a state of existential dread.
‘Treevenge’ (2008) by Jason Eisener
‘Tis always the season to enjoy a good holiday-themed horror short. This Canadian horror comedy short film gives Christmas trees a voice as they are ripped from their loved ones and brought into the homes of thousands. The result is a bloody tale of revenge, as pine trees rise up and kill the many deranged residents who have taken them for granted. Featuring some gnarly gore and plenty of humor, Treevenge is a Christmas present you can re-open every year. Director Jason Eisener would go on to direct the feature-length version of Hobo with a Shotgun; expect similar bloody chaos with Treevenge.
‘The Smiling Man’ (2016) by A.J. Briones
A.J. Briones’ short The Smiling Man found some viral success on release, and it is easy to see why. An utterly haunting and disturbing creature at the center of this short makes The Smiling Man an unnerving experience. Throw in that a kid is the one confronting this bizarre creature, and there is an added layer of discomfort. A.J. Briones is a notable visual effects artist, having worked on popular franchises like Avatar and Planet of the Apes; it would be great to see him transition into horror filmmaking and showcase more ghastly creations.
‘Warnings’ (2023) by Curry Barker
Content creator and director Curry Barker found favor with horror fans when he released the wonderfully twisted feature-length movie Milk & Serial on his channel, “that’s a bad idea.” Yet, Milk & Serial was not a one-off for Barker, whose obsession with horror has resulted in numerous great short films on his YouTube channel. We recommend you check out Warnings, which turns an ominous note left on a car into a terrifying series of events that sees one man, played by Curry Barker himself, losing his grip on reality. From here, you can jump to any one of the channel shorts; they are all great.
‘No Through Road’ (2009) by Steven Chamberlain
A group of British teens end up taking the wrong route on a lonely highway, finding themselves stuck in an infinite loop with the radio freaking out and a mysterious figure stalking them. This one here is an earlier online relic, terrifying viewers with its authentic delivery that made the event seem real. This approach earned No Through Road online notoriety, but as the internet moves as fast as it does, it also remains a somewhat forgotten relic worth rediscovering. The YouTube page hosting the video features follow-ups, and other channels have hosted retrospectives on the short film.
‘Light’s Out’ (2013) by David F. Sandberg
Lights Out is one of the most famous horror shorts of the digital age, with director David F. Sandberg achieving such success that he was approached to adapt his concept into a feature-length film. We won’t lie, the short is infinitely better than the feature of the same name, with a wonderfully eerie atmosphere building up to a terrifying conclusion. With the popularity of the short film, there is a good chance one may have already seen it, but it is worth a revisit, at least for some free nightmare fuel before you go to bed.
‘Curve’ (2016) by Tim Egan
A woman dangling over a precipice with only darkness below really will cut into the primal fears of many. Curve manages to be both oddly claustrophobic, despite its vast space, and it also elicits a fear of heights, even without knowing what rests in the blackness below. Simple in execution, though very effective in the result, the short horror film will leave viewers pondering the frightening predicament the protagonist finds themselves in. The short film also exists as a highly personal and emotional one, with Tim Egan using it as a means to deal with the grief and trauma he experienced after being hit by a car; the personal touch adds an extra layer of relatable dread.