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None of the children in these pictures were ever seen again; they were too terrified to come back to the mall lest they run into a creepy bunny again!

Did you know that the hare, later named the Easter Bunny, came to be associated with churches because many believed it was a hermaphrodite? The belief that a rabbit could reproduce without losing its virginity led to hares being likened to the Virgin Mary! Looking at these vintage creepy Easter Bunny photos, nobody would be able to imagine that cute bunnies exist. The creepy Easter Bunny didn’t just pop into existence; there is a story behind it.

Where Does the Easter Bunny Originate From?

Easter is a time to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and mark the end of the Lenten season. But, for young kids, it also means they will get many Easter eggs from the famous Easter Bunny. Legend has it that this bunny was introduced by German immigrants in the 1700s. They brought over their tradition of an egg-laying hare called “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws.” This rabbit was known to lay colorful eggs to reward good children (it seems like the Easter Bunny and Santa operate with the same rules).

Another theory for the eggs is that it all started with Orthodox churches abstaining from eating eggs during Lent. German protestants continued the custom of eating eggs and brought it to the US in the 18th century. With them came the tradition of the Easter Hare (or really pops clad in a creepy Easter Bunny costume) bringing eggs as gifts to good children.

So now that you know where the Easter Bunny came from, what do you think of these vintage creepy bunny pictures? Let us know which one terrified you the most, and upvote your favorite. We would also love to see your horrifying childhood photos with Easter bunnies.

#4

Creepiest Easter Bunny

one of a little boy sitting on the knees of the easter bunny and the other boy staying nearby

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#5

Really? You Call This Nightmare A Bunny?

a little girl sitting on the knee of a human in a beige costume of an easter bunny with pink ears

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#6

Go home Easter Bunny, You're Drunk

close-up view of the faces of white easter bunny and a screaming little boy in a cap

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#7

And That's Why, Children, you Can't Trust Anybody Who Is Offering You Candy

a human in a costume of a white easter bunny sitting in the armchair ang hugging a little smiling girl

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#8

Hello, I Am Your New Nightmare. Sweet Dreams!

close-up face of a human in a costume of a white easter bunny

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#10

Huh?

a boy and a girl standing near a white easter bunny doll

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Why Is the Easter Bunny So Creepy?

You’ll probably get creepy Easter Bunny nightmares after seeing these old photos. Maybe they give off a weird vibe because of the permanent smile etched on the face. Coupled with the wide and unseeing eyes, that feels reminiscent of a horror movie. Some of these bunny costumes are also droopy, angry-looking, too human-like, and just plain weird. That’s probably why these pics make you uncomfortable.

The Easter Bunny is also slightly creepy because imagining a large human-like creature sneaking around your house and leaving eggs is odd. We could make many Easter jokes about the bunny, but we’d rather not risk his wrath just yet.

#13

The Easter Bunny Is Coming

little girl crying in the hands of a white life-size bunny puppet

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#14

Umm... What About No?

human in a costume of a pink bunny holding a child on his knee

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#16

This Bunny Is Totally Laughing Evil Laugh on The Inside

white life-size bunny sitting in the armchair with a child on his knee

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#17

I Wasn't Too Thrilled About This Back In 1948 Either

white life-size bunny sitting in the armchair with a child on his knees

Barbara Galentin Report

#18

The Year I Met The Easter Bunny

human in a costume of a white bunny sitting with two children near the armchair

KellyAlyce24 Report

#19

Ruuun For Your Lives!

three crying children and a white life-size bunny nearby

Courtney Blair Report

#20

The Bunny Grinch That Stole Easter Somewhere Around 1971

four different photos of three children and a red full-size bunny doll

Angelia’s Photography Report

What Is the Original Creepy Bunny Costume?

Turns out, the creepy Easter Bunny costume isn’t the only one that you have to fear. There are a bunch of creepy bunnies out there, but only one based on some fact. If you’ve ever watched the horror film Donnie Darko, you should know that that unnerving bunny costume and Frank the Rabbit character were based on an urban legend from Fairfax County, Virginia. 

The legend is about the Bunny Man, who seems to attack people with a hatchet or an axe. Many versions of the story exist, but most of them are about the Bunny Man’s gruesome attacks on his victims. Before you start developing a phobia about bunnies, take a refreshing break and check out these adorable handmade Easter bunnies.

#21

Poor Baby In Giant's Hands

crying child sitting on the knee of a full-size bunny doll

Brandice Coletta Report

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#24

The Easter Bunny Is Real

a human in a pink costume of an easter bunny holding a child by the shoulder

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#25

And I Keep Asking Why, Oh Why

a crying boy in the hands of a human in a white bunny costume

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#27

Nooo

a crying girl in the hands of a white full-size bunny doll

Morgan Hand Report

#28

Easter In The 1970's.

two girls sitting near a full-sized bunny doll

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What Do Rabbits Symbolize in Horror Movies?

Interestingly, rabbits have been used in many famous movies such as Us, Monty Python, Fatal Attraction, and more. They seem to be used to symbolize different things. Some directors might use rabbits to depict innocence and contrast that with terrifying elements. Others might display creepy bunnies and focus more shots on their red eyes.

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These directors can use rabbits to symbolize a wide range of things. But we also know that a person wearing a creepy bunny mask is equally as scary, and maybe that’s enough.

#31

My Friend Used To Be The Easter Bunny At The Mall

two boys sitting on the knees of a white full-size bunny doll, one of them crying

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#34

Did I Really Deserve This?

crying girl sitting on the knees of a full-size bunny doll

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#36

My Cousins Are Fond Of The Easter Bunny

two crying children with two full-size bunny dolls sitting on the bench

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#37

My Maddie And The Easter Bunny

crying girl sitting on the knee of a white full-size bunny doll

Andrea Turek Report

#38

My Nephew Really Likes The Easter Bunny

a brown full-size bunny doll sitting on the bench with a crying boy in his hands

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#39

Layla was not impressed

crying child in the hands of a full-size bunny doll

Molly Mack Report

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#40

Kid In The Corner!

three children near a full-size bunny doll in the shop

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AshleyBoasso
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seeing it's Walmart I wonder if that bunny has anything on under that costume

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#42

Thank You Ma'am For This Kid,Finally I Will Have A Nice Dinner Tonight!

crying boy sitting in the hands of a white full-size bunny doll

Melissa Johnson Report

#43

Noo, Won't Take It, This Lollipop Is Probably Poisoned

crying boy in the hands of a white full-size bunny doll

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#44

My Grandbaby Emma Jean

crying child in the hands of a full-size bunny doll

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#45

I'm Sorry, But Nobody Will Hear Your Scream, Kid

crying boy in the hands of a full-size bunny doll with glasses

Jen Hank Brubaker Report

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Isabella Hernandez
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bro every kid in this world screams and they will hear him if they are infront of there parents

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#46

Is It Our Last Easter, Bro?

two crying children in the hands of a full-size bunny doll with glasses

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#47

This Rabbit Doesn't Eat Carrots. He Eats Children!

two crying children in the hands of a full-size bunny doll

Maria Cristina Carbajal Schut Report

#48

My Son Was Not A Fan Of Mr. Cottontail

crying boy in the hands of a full-size bunny doll

Jennifer Christopher Clark Report

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#49

Twins: Brady And Madison

two crying children in the hands of a full-size bunny doll with glasses

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dunkaroos
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The kid on the right looks like its head is about to explode from the trauma.

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#50

Little Bro To Sis: Ain't No Way I'm Sitting Here

two children sitting on the knees of a full-size bunny doll

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#51

Why Would You Choose To Punish Us Like That?

two boys sitting together with a full-size bunny doll

Jennifer Walker Dornback Report

#52

Take Me Out Of Those Hands, Somebooody

crying girl in the hands of a brown full-size bunny doll

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#54

Plan: Escape

two girls sitting near a full-size bunny doll with glasses

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dunkaroos
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The older one is chill because she's sacrificing her sister so she can go free.

#55

Easter Bunny Not As I Remembered

Easter bunny not as I remembered meme

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#57

Rex Fighting The Easter Bunny

boy sitting in the hands of a full-size bunny doll in the park

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TwoReplies
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be fair... this is the White Rabbit from Disney's Alice in Wonderland... NOT an Easter bunny.

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Did You Enjoy These Hare-Raising Pictures?

Now that you know that the Easter Bunny tries to make up for his creepy reputation by handing out chocolates and Easter eggs, you can be on the lookout for him. Let us know in the comments if you have any scary Easter Bunny stories. We’d love to hear them!