Can You Handle These Legends?
At least one person in our family tormented us with ghost stories or freaky myths—but there’s an entire world out there, filled with urban legends just waiting to keep us up at night. Here are some of the creepiest ones from around the world.
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1. Mothman (USA)
Mothman is almost an unofficial mascot for West Virginia. The tale of a gigantic black creature with glowing red eyes first appeared in 1966 newspapers after a couple claimed they saw an unidentified figure standing on the side of the road. The tale is so popular that Mothman’s currently the star of his own festival, earned himself a statue, and has appeared in countless movies and books.
Csassen13 on Wikimedia Commons
2. The Chupacabra (Puerto Rico)
You’ve likely heard about the Chupacabra since it appeared in popular TV shows like South Park and The X-Files. It’s said to be a rancid, scaly creature akin to a large dog that sucks livestock dry. If the story has haunted you for decades, you can breathe a sigh of relief—most research shows that eyewitness accounts are either incorrect or confused coyotes for the beast.
Dancmaster on Wikimedia Commons
3. Naale Baa (India)
In Karnataka, there’s tell of a witch who roams the streets at night knocking on doors. She calls out for a household member, often donning a family member’s voice to trick them into answering. If they do, they have 24 hours left to live. If they don’t, they were probably wise enough to scrawl “naale baa” on their door, or in English, “come tomorrow”.
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4. Bloody Mary (USA)
Mary’s an interesting lady…or ghost…or witch…or demonic entity depending on which variation you believe. Some claim you need to chant her name 13 times in a dimly lit room before she appears in the mirror. Others say it’s three times. Upon arrival, she may take your soul or she might just scream. Perhaps the scariest thing about this legend is how inconsistent it is.
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5. Wendigo (Algonquin Folklore)
Said to represent greed and excess, the Wendigo is an evil spirit that possesses men. It curses them with insatiable hunger, forcing victims to commit unspeakable crimes to satisfy their hunger—only they never can. The larger they get after every meal, the hungrier they become, doomed to neverending gluttony.
6. Well to Hell (Russia)
Legend has it that Soviet engineers once drilled a hole so deep it actually reached the underworld. Equipped with what had to be the world’s most heat-resistant microphone, they lowered it into 1,800 F temperatures to record the anguished screams of lost souls. The audio can still be found on YouTube and definitely wasn’t debunked as sound bites from the movie Baron Blood.
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7. Loch Ness Monster (Scotland)
The Loch Ness Monster has allegedly haunted waters since the 7th century. Despite inconclusive research, successful hoax photographs, and varying eyewitness details, we don’t think the legend of Nessie is going anywhere. Next time you’re in Scotland, pop over to Loch Ness—you might just be the first to capture irrefutable evidence.
StaraBlazkova on Wikimedia Commons
8. Aka Manto (Japan)
Think of Aka Manto as a Japanese Morpheus. Clad in a red cloak, this male apparition hides its face and allegedly stalks public or school washrooms. If discovered, you’re then presented with a choice: red or blue toilet paper. However, your decision hardly matters as either option claims your life.
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9. La Llorona (Mexico)
Also known as “The Weeping Woman,” La Llorona is said to haunt bodies of water in Mexico. The popular tale has made its way to movies, TV shows, and even songs, telling the story of a woman who took the lives of her own children. She cries out for them to this day and legend has it that if you hear her, your life might just be next.
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10. Area 51 (USA)
Though a very real place, Area 51 is legendary for a completely different reason. Popular conspiracy theories have long considered this base a hot spot for alien life. People were so desperate to uncover its secrets that a 2017 Facebook campaign called “Storm Area 51” brought roughly 150 people to the site. None succeeded in entering.
David James Henry on Wikimedia Commons
11. The Spider Bite (England)
This creepy crawly tale first emerged in 1970s England, telling the story of a young woman on vacation who suffered a spider bite on her cheek. The bite then swelled into a boil, and when the doctor lanced it, hundreds of tiny spiders broke through. Despite its impossibility, the urban legend remains alive and well today.
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12. Krampus (Germany)
Forget Santa’s coal because Krampus has something far worse for naughty children. The famous creature is said to visit children on December 5 (otherwise known as “Krampus Night”), gifting good girls and boys with toys and taking a branch to the bad ones. Some even claim he drags them into Hell.
Jernej Furman on Wikimedia Commons
13. Teke Teke (Japan)
This urban legend follows that of a vengeful ghost, a poor schoolgirl who lost her legs in a train accident. Without a lower half, she now drags along by her hands, making a creepy teke-teke noise. She’s said to haunt railroads, just waiting to take the legs off her next victim.
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14. Slender Man (USA)
Slender Man was created back in 2009, soon making the rounds on CreepyPasta and in titular horror games. His motives and even his appearance have widely varied over the years, but he’s often depicted as a tall faceless creature with tentacles. He made tragic headlines in 2014 after two young girls attacked their friend in a forest just to appease him.
15. Screaming Tunnel (Canada)
The Screaming Tunnel might seem like your average Niagara Falls tunnel, but many believe it’s haunted. Legend claims a poor soul’s clothes caught fire and she ran through the tunnel looking for the nearest house. She perished in her pursuit and locals believe her screams still ring out in the tunnel to this day.
Mhsheikholeslami on Wikimedia Commons
16. Bigfoot (USA)
Though Bigfoot has seen its fair share of memes and comedic interpretations, it’s still pretty creepy when you think about it. A giant half-man, half-ape creature who stalks North American forests? No thanks. He is, however, a tourism magnet across America.
Bloodyboppa on Wikimedia Commons
17. Man in the Backseat (United Kingdom)
The original title is far more sinister, but this popular urban legend tells the story of a young woman driving home before someone tailgates her, flashing their high beams and even ramming into her at one point. She manages to lose them, terrified, but safely makes it back home—only to realize the car behind her was trying to warn her about the man in her backseat.
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18. Gozu (Japan)
Pray you never read the story of “Cow Head,” for those who do are said to fall violently ill with fear. Lucky for you, reading its scattered fragments won’t claim your life, but you’ll still suffer misfortune. Maybe it’s best to just leave this tale alone.
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19. The Licked Hand (USA)
You’ve likely heard this one at sleepovers or around the campfire. For those unfamiliar, a young girl is home alone, frightened by a so-called intruder on the loose. To calm her nerves, she brings her loyal dog to bed but eventually hears dripping in the night. Too scared to get up, she reaches for her dog and is reassured by its kisses. However, when she wakes the next morning, she discovers her dog’s body in the bathroom, and written on the wall is “humans can lick, too”.
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20. Trauco (Chile)
Unplanned pregnancy in Chile? Must be Trauco. Despite his hideous features, this dwarf-like creature is believed to hide in the forest depths, luring young women with its apparent magnetism. Should you fall for his irresistible charms—and you will—don’t be surprised to find yourself pregnant.
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