Don’t overlook short films when it comes to the horror genre! As a self-proclaimed horror connoisseur, I am always on the lookout for new horror content to sink my teeth into. Whether it be horror movies, novels, short stories, or television shows, I am never one to shy away from a good scare. In fact, one of my favorite pastimes involves me watching short horror films on YouTube for hours on end. I don’t think it’s possible for me to add up all of the horror shorts that I have seen over the years, but I can tell you that I have seen a lot of them. As a result, I have come across some truly spine-chilling and captivating shorts that still stick with me to this day.

So, if you’re in the mood for some bite-size horror, or if you’re just looking for a reason to miss out on some sleep tonight, take a look at my list of five must-watch short horror films available on YouTube!

1. "Curve"

"Curve" is a 2016 horror short written and directed by Tim Egan that garnered much attention after winning the award for Best Short at both the Sitges Film Festival and the Fantastic Fest. The film follows a woman who finds herself trapped against the steep surface of a curved wall. With a beckoning abyss just below her feet, she clings to the wall and desperately tries to scoot her way back up to safety. With no dialogue and only one actor (Laura Jane Turner), "Curve" somehow manages to craft an absolutely terrifying story through its use of intense close-up shots and dread-inducing atmosphere. The 10-minute short film contains no gore or jump scares, yet the suspense alone is enough to make your palms sweat. Trigger warnings: Blood.

2. "Other Side of the Box"

"Other Side of the Box" is a horror short written by Caleb J. Phillips and Nick Tag that can be found on the YouTube channel for ALTER (a channel that is well-known for its weekly releases of 3 short horror films). The 15-minute-long film places a couple at the receiving end of a rather undesirable Christmas gift. After realizing that something is trying to escape the box that was gifted to them, the couple must now follow the cryptic instructions that came along with it. Although this short utilizes classic horror tropes, it doesn’t rely on cheap jumpscares or gore to get the point across. "Other Side of the Box" offers an original take on the horror genre with a story that is downright creepy.

3. "Man on a Train"

"Man on a Train" is a horror short directed by Jack Shanks and presented by Mini-Nightmares. With a runtime of just under 4 minutes, "Man on a Train" manages to pack a whole lot of terror into a very small window. The premise is simple: a woman is being stalked by a man on the train. Although this may sound like a rather boring and unoriginal idea, the film is deeply unsettling. The protagonist’s (Tameka Mortimer) facial expressions and the use of her POV forces the audience into her position. The result is an anxiety-inducing experience that will get your heart pumping.

4. "Alma"

"Alma" is an animated short written and directed by Rodrigo Blaas. The 2009 film follows a young girl, Alma, as she finds herself wandering into an abandoned toy shop after seeing a familiar-looking doll in the window. Although this film is not necessarily classified as a “horror” short, the story and atmosphere are very unsettling. The short combines whimsical music and Alma’s childish wonder with a storyline that grows more and more disturbing as it goes on. Therefore, this classic short film earns a well-deserved spot amongst the other horror shorts on this list.

5. "The Strange Thing About the Johnson’s"

"The Strange Thing About the Johnson’s" is the longest short horror film on this list with a runtime of around 29 minutes. It is written and directed by Ari Aster, who is famously known for his A24 films Midsommar and Hereditary. The film is classified as a “domestic horror drama” and follows the strange relationships between a seemingly normal suburban family. This film is not for the faint of heart and includes extremely disturbing imagery and content. The acting and story, however, are very well-done and make this film worth a watch. Please be advised that watching this film is an uncomfortable experience and viewing it once was more than enough for me. Trigger warnings: Sexual assault, gore, violence, death, and incest.