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If you're a fan of all things creepy and unsettling, then you'll definitely want to check out the subreddit r/mildlyterrifying. This place is dedicated to sharing and discussing content that is “scary enough to increase your heart rate, or grow half a goosebump”. From macabre beings to uncanny anomalies, this place has it all!

Created in 2012, r/mildlyterrifying has more than 75k members who share their passion for “shudder-inducing” things. The subreddit is home to a wide range of content, including eerie photos and unsettling videos and stories. Whether you're a fan of traditional horror or enjoy more subtle forms of terror, you're sure to find something that will send a chill down your spine.

For more similar posts, click here, here, here and here.

#1

Mirror Sculptures Reflect The Forest By Scottish Artist Rob Mulholland

Mirror Sculptures Reflect The Forest By Scottish Artist Rob Mulholland

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#3

Hornets Nest That Formed Around The Face Of A Wooden Statue That Was Left In A Shed

Hornets Nest That Formed Around The Face Of A Wooden Statue That Was Left In A Shed

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The subreddit r/mildlyterrifying is a place for people to share and discuss things that give them a sense of unease or fear, but are not necessarily considered to be "scary" in the traditional sense. The subreddit's name itself is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the fact that the content shared on the subreddit is meant to be more unsettling than outright terrifying. However, looking at these images, we can still feel some chills going down our spines!

Bored Panda spoke with Francis McAndrew, Cornelia H. Dudley Professor of Psychology at Knox College, to learn more about that unsettling feeling of being creeped out. Scroll down to read the whole interview!

#4

Just Climbed Into Bed And Learned The Hard Way That The Cover Of This Book Glows In The Dark

Just Climbed Into Bed And Learned The Hard Way That The Cover Of This Book Glows In The Dark

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There are many things that are generally considered creepy or uncanny. For example, the concept of dolls or mannequins coming to life can be a frightening thought for some people. The idea of these inanimate objects suddenly moving on their own, or even worse, exhibiting human-like behavior, can be a chilling experience. This fear is often exploited in horror movies, but for some individuals, the thought of this happening in real life is enough to give them nightmares. We asked McAndrew how we could cope with our fears. The professor replied that we shouldn't wish to fight our fears in real-life situations, as they may save our life. "However, reminding yourself that a photograph or a movie does not pose a real threat to you may help to ease unpleasant feelings in their presence."

#7

I Was Taking Out The Trash This Morning And Found Bare Footprints

I Was Taking Out The Trash This Morning And Found Bare Footprints

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#8

My Dad’s Tenants Sent This Pic During Yesterday’s Winter Storm… Just Before They Got Into Bed

My Dad’s Tenants Sent This Pic During Yesterday’s Winter Storm… Just Before They Got Into Bed

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eeeeeeeee
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When a vampire is staked properly - he turns to dust.......what's really going on here?

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#9

This Will Haunt My Dreams

This Will Haunt My Dreams

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Elita One
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is actually really sad, poor Hermie using trash instead of a shell.

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The feeling of creepiness is a complex emotion that is often described as an uneasy or unsettling sensation that can be difficult to define or explain. It is often associated with things that are perceived as abnormal and can be triggered by a wide range of stimuli, including people, places, and objects. But how does the feeling of creepiness differ from other emotions, such as fear or disgust? Or are they linked? McAndrew explained that creepiness is like a form of emotional 'foreplay' before we descend into fear or disgust. "We experience fear or disgust in situations where there is a very clear danger present–something that might harm or contaminate us. We experience creepiness in situations where it is unclear if there is an actual threat or not, and we stay uncomfortably creeped out until we can resolve the situation one way or another."

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#10

The All New Baby Safety Seat. Never Leave Your Kid Inside A Hot Car While You Shop Again. Late 1950s, Early 1960s

The All New Baby Safety Seat. Never Leave Your Kid Inside A Hot Car While You Shop Again. Late 1950s, Early 1960s

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#11

You Guys Are Cute With Your Scary Spiders. I Found This Under My Couch A Month After I Fumigated

You Guys Are Cute With Your Scary Spiders. I Found This Under My Couch A Month After I Fumigated

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Talking about the feeling of being creeped out we might also think about how our cultural experiences and exposure can impact how individuals respond to things that are perceived as creepy. To question how the feeling of being creeped out varies across different cultures, McAndrew responded that "the feeling of being creeped out is probably a very universal human experience, but the things that we learn to get creeped out by may be very different from culture to culture."

#13

This Is What The Inside Of The Mouth Of A Leatherback Sea Turtle Looks Like

This Is What The Inside Of The Mouth Of A Leatherback Sea Turtle Looks Like

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Katie Lutesinger
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine being a jellyfish and that's the last thing you ever see. ...oh wait jellyfish don't have eyes never mind.

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#14

Ct Scan Of 1,000-Year-Old Buddha Sculpture Reveals Mummified Monk Hidden Inside

Ct Scan Of 1,000-Year-Old Buddha Sculpture Reveals Mummified Monk Hidden Inside

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How does the media (movies, TV, video games, etc.) influence the way we experience and perceive creepiness? According to McAndrew, "the media preys upon our creep detectors. When we get creeped out by something, we cannot stop paying attention to it. Since the makers of movies, TV shows, and video games absolutely do not want you to stop paying attention, they will employ creepy things whenever it is to their advantage."

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#16

Dental Mannequins Are Kind Of Terrifying

Dental Mannequins Are Kind Of Terrifying

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#19

The Panorama Made This Cat Looks Like A Mouse

The Panorama Made This Cat Looks Like A Mouse

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#23

This Is What A 3D Mri Reconstruction Of Your Face Looks Like When You Wear Makeup. The Metal Particles In Your Mascara Etc. Disturb The Signal Of The Mri Machine

This Is What A 3D Mri Reconstruction Of Your Face Looks Like When You Wear Makeup. The Metal Particles In Your Mascara Etc. Disturb The Signal Of The Mri Machine

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#25

Kids In Vintage Ads

Kids In Vintage Ads

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Passerby
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The pork and beans kid looks like he is going to eat you after he finishes that can.

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#26

I Sat On The Toilet, Closed The Door, And My 2yo Decided I Wasn't Shitting Myself Fast Enough

I Sat On The Toilet, Closed The Door, And My 2yo Decided I Wasn't Shitting Myself Fast Enough

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WindySwede
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The more scary part is the frosted door? Why not a door that's not see through?

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#27

This Fucking Picture

This Fucking Picture

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#29

This Is A Sun Bear. It Might Not Be Terrifying To Most People But It Shudders To Imagine This Creature Run At You With 2 Legs(Like A Human) At Night

This Is A Sun Bear. It Might Not Be Terrifying To Most People But It Shudders To Imagine This Creature Run At You With 2 Legs(Like A Human) At Night

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#30

I Don’t Quite Know Why This Is Making Me Uncomfortable

I Don’t Quite Know Why This Is Making Me Uncomfortable

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#33

Imagine Seeing This In The Distance

Imagine Seeing This In The Distance

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#34

Looked Out The Peephole And This Is Who I Saw

Looked Out The Peephole And This Is Who I Saw

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#36

Taking A Lift In Gwangju, 1984

Taking A Lift In Gwangju, 1984

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WindySwede
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least some safety, other photos have none. Just your arms. But still nope!

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#37

My Nest Cam Keeps Seeing Faces In The Bush At The Front Door

My Nest Cam Keeps Seeing Faces In The Bush At The Front Door

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#38

Now Someone Should Dress Like A Nun Outside The Window And Really Fuck Him Up

Now Someone Should Dress Like A Nun Outside The Window And Really Fuck Him Up

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WindySwede
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ow, now this is scarry! "I'm sleeping with all the lights on tonight kind-of-scare..."

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#39

Something About This Image Freaks Me Out

Something About This Image Freaks Me Out

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#40

This Mother Wolf Spider And Its Babies

This Mother Wolf Spider And Its Babies

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Headless Roach
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of those mums that will look for a babysitter at 2.50$ an hour. "oh but they sleep all day, no bother"

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#41

My Camera Snapped A Picture Exactly When Another Camera’s Flash Was Going Off

My Camera Snapped A Picture Exactly When Another Camera’s Flash Was Going Off

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#43

Photo Of Local Pub. This Photo Doesn't Have A Filter.. We're Likely To Have A Bushfire Come Through Our Town In The Next Few Hours

Photo Of Local Pub. This Photo Doesn't Have A Filter.. We're Likely To Have A Bushfire Come Through Our Town In The Next Few Hours

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Lakota Wolf
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OP on Reddit stated they made it out okay. They lost power for a few days, but nothing too bad.

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#44

My Boyfriend And I Went To A Drive-Through Safari Type Thing, And Learned That Ostriches Are Terrifying

My Boyfriend And I Went To A Drive-Through Safari Type Thing, And Learned That Ostriches Are Terrifying

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#45

Mom Is My Hero

Mom Is My Hero

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Squidward
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s not ‘mom’, that is ‘mother’ and you’d better have been a good boy, Norman.

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Ericthedead
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m sorry for your loss. Apparently your mother passed in a fire or industrial accident of some kind.

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Tara Moov
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Guys, it's ok, clearly a spider monkey drew this 🙂

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Outlier
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1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

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Rougarou Cher
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I totally thought the trophy was mom holding a wine glass and I was like, oh, scary, but you go!

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Lainie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He wrote that he was being bad. What did you expect?

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#46

You All Know That Scary "Christmas In Yugoslavia" Picture. I Present To You A Friend Of Mine With Yugoslavian Teletubby

You All Know That Scary "Christmas In Yugoslavia" Picture. I Present To You A Friend Of Mine With Yugoslavian Teletubby

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#47

Made This Beauty In 5th Grade... It Was Supposed To Be Miley Cyrus

Made This Beauty In 5th Grade... It Was Supposed To Be Miley Cyrus

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Uncanny
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If only the tongue had been sticking out, we’d have recognised her straight away.

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#48

Weird Thing My Mom Made And Put Right Across From Her Bed

Weird Thing My Mom Made And Put Right Across From Her Bed

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#49

The Sun Casting Shadow On My Lamp Makes It Look Like A Terrifying Spider Hiding Within

The Sun Casting Shadow On My Lamp Makes It Look Like A Terrifying Spider Hiding Within

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#50

An Old Family Photo That My Dad Found... When You See It

An Old Family Photo That My Dad Found... When You See It

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Alice Teasdale
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I reckon it's just cousin Irma who was staying for the summer but wasn't supposed to be in the family photo - but got in anyway

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Note: this post originally had 113 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.