8 Must-Watch Short Horror Films!

Most of us horror fans are familiar with the heavy-hitters who sit in the director’s chair. Robert Eggers always knows how to make a horror film look stunning, while Jordan Peele delivers a sharp dose of social commentary. The Philippou brothers bring visceral realism, and Ari Aster crosses every line to make us squirm. These names have certainly earned their esteemed reputations, but they aren’t the only ones with a special knack for horror. Across the internet, a library of terrifying stories awaits, crafted by filmmakers who may lack big budgets or professional equipment but who possess what matters most: passion.

Today, we’re diving into some of the best horror shorts you can watch on YouTube, from murderous teddy bears to jaw-dropping animations, and exploring the impact they can have on anyone brave enough to hit “Play”...

1. "Other Side of the Box" by Caleb J. Phillips

A young couple prepares dinner together. It’s the holiday season, and everything feels fun, flirty, and light. That is, until an old friend arrives with a gift-wrapped box. What lies inside will give you a serious case of the heebie-jeebies.

Directed by Caleb J. Phillips and racking up just over 25 million views on ALTER’s YouTube channel, this short film is widely regarded as one of the best horror shorts available online. Reputable online film critic Cinema.Joe called it the scariest short horror he’s ever seen, saying, "I don’t even think a big-budget movie from this year has creeped me out more than this 15-minute film." The ending is potent, and unfortunately, an episode of "Friends" right afterward won’t be enough to shake the dread it leaves behind.

2. "Portrait of God" by Dylan Clark

If you’re looking for something more thought-provoking, look no further than "Portrait of God", directed by Dylan Clark. The short opens with Exodus 33:20: "No man shall see me and live." Immediately intrigued, we follow a young woman preparing a presentation for class. But as her rehearsed speech begins to unravel, something catches her eye, and what starts with awe quickly turns to fear... Reminiscent of Stephen King’s IT, this short film is innovative and unique, with Sydney Brumfield delivering nothing short of an impressive performance. I also agree with commenter moralfuxery: "This is the type of horror that only a short film can capture. You couldn’t make this into a movie; its strength lies in its shortness."

3. "There’s a Man in the Woods" by Jacob Streilein

"You hear that, Sid? There’s a man in the woods." This film comes with viewer discretion, because it’s surprisingly dark for a 4-minute animated short. Yet it has earned a spot on many people’s lists of top horror shorts, likely thanks to its sharp writing, compelling storytelling, and exploration of a deranged mind. The short features a distinctive animation style, vibrant colors, and phenomenal narration. Voice by Michael Ho, the rhyming scheme tells the story of a man in the woods who sparked fear in the hearts of students at recess. The ending will leave you gasping.

4. "Dual" by Justin Staggs

This is like The Sixth Sense merged with Five Nights at Freddy’s, and if that’s not enough to make you sprint to your search engine, I don’t know what will. The short follows a young boy brought in for a psychiatric evaluation. After attacking his mother and the neighbor’s dog, he insists it was his imaginary friends who did it. This creative short is a blast to watch, and the innovation it must have taken to bring the creatures to life earns two thumbs up. With a bigger budget, this concept could really shine as a feature film.

5. "DARK DARK DARK" by Zach Bellissimo

This film is for those who feel more Haunted Mansion and less Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Written and directed by Zach Bellissimo, this short horror offers a POV experience, as you the audience traverse a dark, creepy forest before arriving at an abandoned house. With narration by Beau Billingslea, every second of the short runtime is captivating and immersive. It has that nostalgic Halloween feel and, of course, stunning animation.

6. "Make Me a Sandwich" by Denman Hatch

Speaking of shorter runtimes, this one is only 3 minutes, but the punch it packs is definitely felt. The short centers on an elderly couple, and if your first reaction is to say “Aw,” think again. The husband, Johnson, has an insatiable craving for sandwiches and constantly barks orders at his wife, Marcy (wonderfully portrayed by Anne Shepherd) to make them. As the caption asks, “How many sandwiches can Marcy make before going crazy?” We absolutely love the film’s simplicity, and we think you will, too.

7. "Curve" by Tim Egan

Reminiscent of something out of "Squid Game", this film follows a woman who wakes up on a curved platform that seems to drop off into a black pit. Way before the Back Rooms were a thing, this short taps into the unease that comes from architecturally unique spaces. And let us just say, watching this poor woman struggle to crawl her way up is one of the most effective ways to make you feel uncomfortable. Once again, the simplicity of the film is what makes it shine. Without giving anything away, we love how natural the primary antagonist feels. It evokes the same fears and anxieties we have about heights, and with its blue-toned cinematography and high stakes, this is definitely worth a watch.

8. "La Noria" by Carlos Baena

We're not sure how this film didn’t receive recognition from the Academy, because it feels Oscar-worthy. Directed by Carlos Baena, this short is one of the most beautifully animated we’ve ever seen. While it may not be as scary as the other contenders on this list, it is absolutely worth your time. All we can really say is that the film follows a young boy working through grief while encountering a host of strange creatures that turn his life upside down. The creatures are conceptually unique, and the tension is palpable. You can only hope – and pray – that this little boy escapes unscathed. What happens at the end will leave you flabbergasted.

If you follow this list, you’ve got just over an hour of heart-pounding horror to enjoy this spooky season. So grab your popcorn, wrap yourself in your thickest blanket, and don’t forget to kill the lights and crank up the speakers, because you’re in for a wild ride!