Although Dunkleosteus is one of the most terrifying fish ever to have roamed Earth’s oceans, few people know the full story behind this prehistoric powerhouse. Living roughly 360 million years ago, the massive armored predator belonged to the Arthrodira order and represented one of the final members of its lineage. Below are 10 facts about Dunkleosteus that will make you see this ancient fish in a whole new light.

10 facts about this Devonian monster

10 Dunkleosteus Crushed Its Prey With Its Own Skull

Even though this monster looked like a walking tank, Dunkleosteus never grew a single tooth. Its whole cranium was sheathed in thick bony plates that doubled as armor and sprouted a pair of elongated “fangs” – one perched on the upper jaw and the other on the lower. These bone‑tooth analogues functioned just like real teeth, packing an incredibly crushing bite.

What makes this even more unsettling is that the fangs didn’t stay the same size throughout life. Researchers have found that the bone‑fangs grew larger as the animal aged, a change that mirrors a shift in dietary preferences.

Young Dunkleosteus likely feasted on soft‑bodied creatures, while the seniors graduated to cracking armored sea animals. A similar pattern occurs in modern great‑white sharks, which switch from fish to larger marine mammals as they mature.

9 Its Fangs Were Self‑Sharpening

If you’ve ever honed an axe or a hunting knife, you can picture how Dunkleosteus kept its weapons razor‑sharp. Every time the jaws snapped shut, the two bone‑fangs rubbed against each other, creating friction that naturally ground the edges to a keen edge.

Even if a fang became dulled or chipped, the creature didn’t miss a beat. The bone would simply regrow, allowing the fangs to be sharpened again and again without limit.

8 It Had A Lethal Bite Force

Scientists at Chicago’s Field Museum used 3‑D modeling of the surviving skull fragments to estimate the bite power of Dunkleosteus. Their calculations suggest a staggering 8,000 pounds of force per square inch – a number that rivals the legendary T. rex.

In modern terms, that bite would out‑force a crocodile’s roughly 3,700 psi and double the crushing ability of today’s great‑white shark, which manages about half of Dunkleosteus’s power.

7 It Could Suck Its Prey Into Its Mouth

Beyond sheer strength, Dunkleosteus possessed a lightning‑fast jaw‑opening mechanism. It could fling its jaws open in just 1/50th of a second, generating a powerful vacuum that pulled anything nearby straight into its cavernous mouth.

This rapid suction meant the creature didn’t need to chase fast prey; getting close enough was enough for the vacuum to do the rest. The combination of a bone‑toothed bite and a suction‑feed is virtually unheard of among fish.

Even though Dunkleosteus was a relatively slow swimmer, its ability to create a sudden vacuum made it a deadly ambush predator.

6 Dunkleosteus Would Eat Just About Anything

When you’re as fearsome as Dunkleosteus, culinary preferences become a non‑issue. Its massive bite allowed it to pulverize armored fish, trilobites, and even tentacled cephalopods. Fossil evidence also shows it ate smaller sharks.

It’s worth noting that the sharks it consumed were far smaller than the massive modern species we know today; large sharks didn’t appear until after Dunkleosteus vanished.

According to leading expert Mark Westneat, a showdown between a Dunkleosteus and a modern great‑white would almost certainly end in favor of the ancient behemoth.

5 Dunkleosteus May Have Been Cannibalistic

Fossilized skull fragments reveal deep gouges and large scratches that could only have been inflicted by another Dunkleosteus. Some of these wounds even caused full‑bone fractures, indicating ferocious in‑species combat.

Scientists think the battles may have been territorial or resource‑driven, though the possibility of outright cannibalism cannot be ruled out. Either way, these encounters show how aggressive and competitive these predators could be.

4 It Was Built On A Truly Epic Scale

At its peak, Dunkleosteus stretched an astonishing 9 meters (30 feet) from snout to tail – dwarfing the largest recorded great‑white shark, which tops out at about 6 meters (20 feet).

Weight estimates place a fully grown individual at over three tons, roughly the mass of a killer whale or a giant hippopotamus. Imagine confronting a three‑ton armored fish in the ancient seas!

3 Dunkleosteus Spat Out Food It Couldn’t Digest

Scientists have uncovered fossilized fish boluses – partially chewed masses of prey – alongside Dunkleosteus remains. These boluses indicate that the creature did chew its catch before swallowing.

Interestingly, the prey bones within these boluses show only minimal digestion, suggesting Dunkleosteus would bite, crush, and then spit out the indigestible skeletal fragments rather than passing them through its gut.

2 Dunkleosteus Flourished The World Over

Dunkleosteus wasn’t limited to a single ocean basin; its fossils have turned up on every continent that once bordered ancient seas. Specimens have been recovered from Africa, Europe, North America (including New York, Missouri, and Canada), proving it was a truly global apex predator.

This worldwide distribution underscores how successful the species was at dominating Devonian marine ecosystems.

1 No One Knows Exactly Why They Died Out

Despite its dominance, Dunkleosteus vanished after roughly 50 million years – a relatively brief stint in geological terms. The exact cause of its extinction remains a mystery.

The leading hypothesis points to the Hangenberg Event, a catastrophic episode that dramatically lowered oceanic oxygen levels. Such anoxic conditions would have been disastrous for a three‑ton marine heavyweight.

Without sufficient oxygen, even the most formidable predators can’t survive, and Dunkleosteus appears to have been no exception.

What if a phantom was perched beside you right now, eyes fixed on you as you scroll through this list of 10 locations around the world where the dead roam at night? Whether you’re curled up with a novel, binge‑watching the newest Netflix hit, or simply cruising down a highway, the uncanny feeling of a chill down your spine might just be the lingering presence of a restless spirit.

Why These 10 Locations Around the World Keep You Up After Dark

10 Odeon Cinema

Back in 1946, a packed audience of 2,000 souls settled into Bristol’s Odeon to watch The Light That Failed. Mid‑film, the protagonist is blinded by a gunshot—unaware that the cinema’s own manager, Robert Parrington Jackson, was being shot dead in his office at that exact moment. The 33‑year‑old father of four was found with a bullet wound to the head by the café supervisor around 6:45 PM and later died in hospital. Though a Welsh robber confessed on his deathbed in 1989, the case remains officially unsolved.

Today the Odeon still screens movies, but patrons of the third auditorium swear the temperature suddenly plummets for no apparent reason. Legend has it that Jackson’s spirit lingers, manifesting only to female viewers, sending an icy shiver through the darkened rows.

9 Xinhai Tunnel

The Xinhai Tunnel, built to link central Taipei with Muja, sits directly atop a hill that shelters an old cemetery. This eerie placement has sparked countless supernatural reports. Drivers report a sensation called gue dong chiang—the unsettling feeling of endlessly driving without ever reaching the tunnel’s exit, as if the passage itself has become a trap.

Adding to the mystery, some motorists claim to see an elderly woman sweeping the road in the tunnel’s depths. When honked at, she refuses to move, continuing her endless cleaning. The bravest drivers who pull up beside her watch in horror as she vanishes into thin air the moment they confront her.

8 University Of Texas At Brownsville

The campus of the University of Texas at Brownsville reads like a haunted anthology, enough material for two volumes titled The Ghosts of Fort Brown. Formerly a military fort, one dormitory rests atop a 19th‑century cemetery. Nursing student Olivia De La Garza reports a mischievous three‑year‑old boy who loves slipping into her room at night just to yank the bedding off her.

Beyond the boy, the grounds teem with spectral cavalrymen marching in formation, phantom waltzers singing old war ballads, and Victorian‑dressed women and children drifting through corridors. Occasionally, jukeboxes spin on their own and books tumble from library shelves, adding to the campus’s eerie soundtrack.

7 Ballyboley Forest

Ballyboley Forest in Northern Ireland is whispered to be an ancient druidic site and a grim burial ground where countless medieval souls vanished without a trace. This dark history has crowned it one of the world’s most haunted woods.

In 1997, two adventurous men entered the forest and soon heard a woman’s anguished cries. Their search revealed trees smeared with blood, and as they fled, one glanced back to see four hooded figures silently watching from the shadows.

Visitors continue to report a constant sense of being observed, sightings of shadowy silhouettes, and strange lights that flicker between the trunks. Some even speculate the forest serves as a portal to another dimension.

6 Guantanamo Bay

The Bayview complex at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, was erected in 1943 as an officers’ club and has since become a hotspot for ghostly activity. One lingering apparition is an elderly woman who perches on the second‑floor window, gazing outward. She is believed to have lived in the club before meeting a tragic end in the bathtub.

Another specter roams the hallways—a man clad in khaki, drifting from one residence to another and lingering near the bathroom. Given the building’s foundation on former Marine camps, many think this phantom was a Marine in life, forever patrolling his former post.

5 Conn Barracks

During World War II, Germany’s Conn Barracks in Schweinfurt served as a Nazi hospital and psychiatric ward before becoming a U.S. soldiers’ barracks. Two soldiers, occupying the same room two years apart, reported identical nightmares: a Nazi soldier standing at their bedside, a blood‑soaked nurse beside him, and the nurse choking the dreaming soldier as the nightmare climaxed.

Later investigations revealed the room sat atop a drainage chamber where bodies were processed for burial. Adding to the horror, a female spirit—once an anti‑abortion activist—now haunts the corridors, forever clutching a fetus as she rushes through the halls.

4 Wroclaw

Wroclaw, Poland’s largest city in the west, is a bustling student hub—but it also houses grisly tales. A grandson, possessed by a demonic dwarf, brutally murdered his grandmother, and her tormented screams are said to echo from the Hansel and Gretel building near St. Elizabeth’s church.

The House Under the Golden Dog, now a restaurant, once sheltered Frederick the Great. Legend claims a mysterious force once snatched a quill from his hand while he wrote a letter. Today, eerie sounds emanate from its cellar. Shadows linger in St. Mary Magdalene’s church, believed to be maids trapped in an eternal prison, while the chambers beneath Partisan Hill reverberate with phantom screams. Even Abram’s Tower, once a workshop of sewing machines, is said to have a ghost that mysteriously powers the machines after hours.

3 Central Philippine University

Central Philippine University (CPU) boasts a specter for nearly every corner. The Roblee Science Hall, once a Japanese‑occupied World War II building, is rumored to vanish at 3 a.m. Students often spot a little girl with chained wrists and feet, wandering the hallways and softly sobbing.

Other hauntings include the Old Valentine Building, where founder Dr. William Valentine allegedly roams at night, brandishing his own severed head. Franklin Hall is visited by the spirit of a young man who took his own life, while a lady in white watches from a neighboring building. Johnson Hall is said to host a doppelgänger that roams classrooms, and the High School Compound sees another little girl darting about, startling anyone she encounters.

2 Macquarie Fields Station

Australia is famed for eerie folklore, from the phantom dancer haunting Wakehurst Parkway to the chilling tale of a teenage girl at Macquarie Fields train station. When the last trains have departed and silence settles, faint cries begin to echo, growing louder until they turn into mournful moans.

At the height of the lament, the ghost of a teenage girl appears—dressed in dancing attire, a blood‑stained chest, floating ethereally while her wails crescendo. Occasionally, she simply sits in the middle of the platform, sobbing loudly; other times, her quiet cries erupt into terrifying screams.

Local legend says the spirit belongs to a young woman who was struck by a train at the station in 1906, condemning her to haunt the tracks forever.

1 Gridley Tunnel

Japan’s ghost lore is legendary—tales of mirrors that trap souls, floating red eyes, and the lingering cries of Hiroshima’s bomb victims. Among these, the narrow, one‑way Gridley Tunnel in Yokosuka harbors its own terrifying phantom.

Drivers who navigate the tunnel often glance into their rear‑view mirrors only to see a samurai standing ominously on the road behind them. The sight has caused several accidents, especially on rainy nights between midnight and 1 a.m. Legend holds that the samurai was murdered within the tunnel while seeking vengeance for his lord, leaving his spirit forever bound to the passage.

Estelle, a writer residing in Gauteng, South Africa, recounts these chilling encounters.

The United Kingdom boasts a dazzling variety of country parks, ancient woods and stately estates, but not every green expanse is meant for a night‑time wander. In this roundup of the 10 forests Britain keeps shrouded in eerie folklore, you’ll meet murderous hauntings, headless apparitions and spectral hounds that have terrified locals for generations. If you love a good thrill (or simply want to stay safely in the daylight), keep reading – these ten wooded realms are best admired from the comfort of a well‑lit cottage.

10 Epping Forest Essex

The sprawling stretch of trees that straddles the border between London and Essex is known as Epping Forest, a massive woodland that has earned a grim reputation as a burial ground for murder victims, thanks in part to its proximity to the capital’s darker underbelly. Legends claim that many of the Kray twins’ victims were interred beneath its leaf‑laden floor, giving the forest a macabre aura that still lingers.

Because of this grisly past, visitors report unsettling encounters: phantom touches, sudden pushes, and even the sensation of being chased by an unseen presence. Some brave souls swear they felt an invisible hand guiding—or tugging—their way through the underbrush.

In 2003, the paranormal TV series Most Haunted sent a crew into Epping Forest to hunt the spirit of 18th‑century highwayman Dick Turpin, who famously used the woodland as a hideout. The team claimed Turpin’s ghost made contact, leading them off their intended route and forcing a rescue operation before night fell.

Earlier, during the 1960s, eyewitnesses described ghostly riders emerging from a pond, their silhouettes on horseback vanishing as they rode toward the nearby town. Such chilling anecdotes have cemented the forest’s status as a hotspot for supernatural activity.

With a history as dark as its canopy, Epping Forest continues to mystify and frighten those who dare to wander its shadows after sundown.

9 Great Wood Blickling

The grand expanse known as the Great Wood forms part of the historic Blickling Hall estate in Norfolk. This ancient woodland is reputed to be haunted by the restless spirit of Anne Boleyn, who many historians believe may have been born at Blickling before she rose to become Henry VIII’s ill‑fated queen.

Every year on May 19th, the anniversary of Anne’s execution, witnesses claim to see her spectral figure riding from the woods toward the hall in a coach drawn by four headless horsemen. When the phantom carriage reaches the manor, it inexplicably vanishes, leaving only the echo of her mournful presence.

After the coach disappears, the ghost is said to wander the corridors of Blickling Hall, clutching her own severed head, while her father, Thomas Boleyn—also beheaded—appears crossing nearby bridges in a perpetual act of penance for his daughter’s tragic fate.

The estate remains open to the public throughout the year, offering tours that delve into its rich history and chilling legends. If you plan a visit, you might want to steer clear of the grounds on May 19th, lest you encounter a royal apparition.

8 The New Forest Hampshire

Dubbed the “most haunted part of Britain,” the New Forest in Hampshire stretches across the southern tip of England, hugging the coast near Southampton. Its vast, open‑land woodland is a magnet for paranormal reports, ranging from mischievous poltergeists to mournful spirits.

Among the most famous apparitions is the ghost of King William II, also known as Rufus the Red, who was allegedly slain by his own brother within the forest’s bounds. His spirit is said to linger near the ancient Rufus Stone, his fiery hair still visible in the moonlight.

On the forest’s outskirts near Fordingbridge, the churchyard at Breamore is reputed to host a procession of ghostly monks. These spectral clergy appear beside stone coffins before dissolving into the mist that rolls through the trees.

The New Forest’s haunting repertoire doesn’t stop there. Residents speak of wandering witches, eerie wails echoing through the glades, and even phantom faces peering from the windows of nearby villages, ensuring the forest’s reputation for unease remains unshaken.

7 Fountains Abbey Yorkshire

Perched near Ripon in North Yorkshire, Fountains Abbey stands as one of the best‑preserved Cistercian monasteries in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1132, this sprawling complex once housed a thriving community of monks devoted to a life of contemplation and labor.The abbey’s chilling legend centers on the Chapel of Nine Altars, where the whispered voices of long‑dead monks are said to echo after dark. Archaeologists estimate that as many as two thousand monks may lie buried beneath the abbey’s stone foundations, lending a palpable sense of lingering presence.

Visitors have reported hearing a phantom choir chant in perfect harmony, despite no living singers being present. The surrounding gardens and deer park, with their overgrown hedgerows, add to the atmospheric eeriness, making the whole site a favorite haunt for those seeking a brush with the supernatural.

6 Witches Wood Devon

Hidden within Lydford Gorge in Devon, Witches Wood is a shadowy thicket famed for its spectral visitors. The dense canopy often feels so all‑encompassing that even daylight can seem dim, giving the gorge an almost otherworldly ambience.

At the heart of the wood lies the striking White Lady Waterfall, a 30‑metre cascade named after a ghostly lady who is said to glide beneath the falling water in a flowing white gown. Local lore claims she rescues drowning swimmers, guiding them safely to shore before vanishing into the mist.

Further along the gorge lies the Devil’s Cauldron, a series of treacherous whirlpools that have claimed lives and inspired tales of suicide. The cauldron’s turbulent waters add a layer of danger and dread, reinforcing the area’s reputation as a place where the veil between worlds grows thin.

5 Bradley Woods Lincolnshire

The quiet village of Bradley in Lincolnshire is home to a lingering legend: the Black Lady of Bradley Woods. Over the years, numerous witnesses have reported sightings of a sorrowful figure draped in a black cloak, her face streaked with tears that seem to flow endlessly.

Unlike many malevolent specters, the Black Lady appears to be a mournful presence, never harming those who encounter her. Some locals claim to have struck her with their cars, only to find no one when they step out to investigate, while others describe a fleeting mist‑like apparition that vanishes when pursued.

Photographs taken by curious onlookers have captured strange lights and shapes within the woods, and a 2019 report suggested that the sightings might even be linked to a local “Bigfoot” legend, adding another layer of mystery to the already eerie landscape.

Various origin stories circulate: some say the Black Lady was a woman whose child was taken from her, while others suggest she was a spinster who suffered a tragic fate. Regardless of the true backstory, her ethereal presence remains a constant, haunting the edges of Bradley’s woodland.

Even today, the Black Lady’s mournful silhouette continues to glide through the trees, reminding visitors that some spirits never find peace.

4 Cannock Chase Staffordshire

Sprawling across the Staffordshire countryside, Cannock Chase is a mix of dense forest and open heathland. Though it gained notoriety in the 1960s for a series of grisly murders involving schoolgirls, the area’s haunted reputation predates those events.

The Four Crosses public house, nestled within the chase, is famed for intense poltergeist activity. Patrons have reported hearing children’s cries, seeing objects move of their own accord, and feeling cold footsteps across the floorboards, all hallmarks of a restless spirit.

Deep within the woods, the legend of the “Black‑Eyed Child” persists. In the 1980s, a mother recounted a terrifying encounter: a young girl stood behind her, hands over her eyes, her gaze completely black—no iris, no white, just void. When the mother spoke, the child lowered her hands, revealing the abyss, then vanished as quickly as she appeared.

These chilling accounts have cemented Cannock Chase as a hotspot for paranormal enthusiasts, drawing investigators eager to experience its eerie phenomena firsthand.

3 Dering Woods Kent

Just three kilometres from the village of Pluckley—Britain’s most haunted settlement—lies Dering Woods, a forest shrouded in unsettling tales. Locals refer to it as the “Screaming Woods” because eerie, continuous shrieks seem to echo from its depths day and night.

The source of these screams remains a mystery, prompting paranormal investigators to brave the woods in hopes of catching a glimpse of the unseen. Some recount encounters with a forlorn colonel who took his own life within the forest, his phantom now wandering the trees and reaching out to unsuspecting hikers.

Other stories tell of a highwayman who suddenly leaps from the shadows to startle walkers, adding a sudden, human element to the otherwise spectral landscape.

Videos and eyewitness accounts flood the internet with recordings of the unsettling sounds, reinforcing Dering Woods’ reputation as a place where the veil between the living and the dead feels especially thin.

2 Bisham Woods Berkshire

The rolling woodlands surrounding Bisham Abbey in Berkshire form the historic Bisham Woods, once part of the larger Bisham Estate. The estate’s most infamous resident was Lady Hoby, a close confidante of Queen Elizabeth I, whose tragic story still haunts the trees.

According to legend, Lady Hoby, a strict and proud mother, accidentally killed her own son during a severe beating. Consumed by remorse, her spirit is said to roam the abbey and nearby woods, often seen washing blood‑stained hands and weeping openly.

Local folklore adds that her ghost appears more frequently during royal coronations, as the event reminds her of the day she chose the crown over her child. In these sightings, she is described wearing a white dress with a blackened face, forever mourning her unforgivable act.

1 Wistman’s Wood Dartmoor

Perched high on Dartmoor, Wistman’s Wood is a hauntingly beautiful oak forest, its ancient trees draped in lichen that gives them a twisted, almost skeletal appearance. The landscape is so eerie that Countryfile described the trees as looking like “writhing arms grabbing at the hair of passing witches.”

The wood’s isolation makes it largely inaccessible to wildlife, creating an atmosphere of untouched wilderness. Legends tie the forest to the Wild Hunt, a spectral procession of ghostly hounds and hunters that chase the unwary through the night.

Locally, the tale of the “Wish Hounds” tells of black, spectral dogs that howl from the treetops, hunting any soul daring enough to enter after dark. Another chilling story involves the Hairy Hands Bridge, said to be haunted by a mysterious figure with oversized, hairy hands, adding an extra layer of dread for those who cross it.

Explore the 10 Forests Britain Holds in Its Darkest Corners

From the spectral monks of Fountains Abbey to the mournful Black Lady of Bradley Woods, the 10 forests britain keeps hidden in its night‑time veil are stories that will send shivers down your spine. Whether you’re a seasoned ghost‑hunter or simply curious about Britain’s most haunted woodlands, these places remind us that nature can be as mysterious as it is beautiful.

The horror scene has exploded in creativity over the past few years, and there’s no shortage of fresh ways to make your skin crawl. One of the quickest routes to a good fright is through short‑form cinema. Horror short films have surged in popularity during the last decade, cementing their place in Internet culture. With Halloween in full swing, let’s shine a light on these terrifying gems and explore the works that have sent shivers down viewers’ spines worldwide. Below are ten unforgettable horror shorts that will keep you up all night:

Top 10 Horror Short Films to Watch This Halloween

10 Alone Time (2014)

This 2014 horror‑thriller from director Rob Blackhurst follows Ann, a young woman overwhelmed by the relentless pace of New York City life. Stressed at work and home, she impulsively heads out for a solo hike, hoping the serenity of the mountains will recharge her. We watch her tranquil day in nature unfold—until she realizes something terribly off has been lurking the entire time.

The brilliance of Alone Time lies in its writing. It moves at a slow, quiet, and intelligent pace, coaxing the audience into a false sense of safety by using a relatable protagonist. There are no jump‑scares or ear‑splitting noises; instead, the twist alone delivers a spine‑tingling jolt, presenting a disturbingly realistic scenario that could happen to anyone.

9 I Heard It Too (2014)

Inspired by the infamous two‑sentence horror story, directors Matt Sears and Tim Knight bring to life one of the most bone‑chilling shorts ever made. I Heard It Too follows Stephanie, a little girl awakened in the dead of night by her mother’s voice echoing from downstairs. Confused, she climbs the stairs, only for her mother to seize her and whisper the haunting line, “I heard it too.” The film then embarks on a tense quest to uncover who—or what—was calling from below.

Matt Sears has built an impressive horror résumé with shorts like The Sky, Give Her Back, and the award‑winning Charlie Boy. Yet I Heard It Too stands out as his masterpiece, keeping viewers on edge from start to finish without ever letting up.

8 The Sermon (2018)

An isolated church community, led by an extremist preacher, captures and tortures a middle‑aged woman caught having an affair with another woman. The preacher’s daughter—who is the other woman—decides it’s time to break free from the sect’s draconian practices and devises a daring plan.

As a piece of psychological horror, The Sermon leaves a lasting impression. Director Dean Puckett delivers a fresh take reminiscent of Ari Aster’s Hereditary and Midsommar, wrapped in a gorgeous vintage aesthetic that immerses viewers in a densely atmospheric world. The film pulls no punches, and its underlying message is as unsettling as the horror itself.

7 STUCCO (2019)

This unsettling short was written, directed, and starred Janina Gavankar (Star Wars, True Blood, The Morning Show) as J, an agoraphobic, emotionally shattered woman who accidentally punches a hole in the wall while hanging artwork. She discovers the wall conceals a secret room, but chooses not to break through further. While awaiting the house’s original blueprints, strange events begin to unfold, and the possibilities of what lies behind the wall start to dominate J’s thoughts.

Gavankar’s debut earned the SXSW 2020 Special Jury Prize and garnered praise for both her script and performance. STUCCO is raw, unapologetic, and as unconventional as a film can be—a standout entry in contemporary psychological horror. Don’t miss it!

6 There Comes A Knocking (2019)

Emma, a grieving widow navigating the recent loss of her husband John, installs a new antique door in her home. After finishing, she discovers the door is locked—a detail she missed during installation—and she cannot open it without a key. She decides to postpone dealing with it until morning, but that night she is jolted awake by mysterious knocks coming from the other side of the door.

There Comes A Knocking was penned and directed by Ryan Connolly, the beloved creator of the Film Riot YouTube channel, and serves as a concept blueprint for a potential feature film. The short thrives on its emotional depth, making viewers empathize with Emma’s sorrow while delivering striking visuals and top‑tier acting. When the creep factor arrives, it hits the mark without missing a beat.

15 Great Short Films

5 The Jester (2016)

An exhausted young man returns home from a late‑night Halloween shift and encounters a mysterious figure dressed as a jester who insists on performing magic tricks for him. Initially humoring the stranger, the man soon discovers the tricks grow increasingly sinister, leading to a terrifying cat‑and‑mouse game as he realizes the jester is far from what he seems.

The Jester is a blast. Director‑actor Colin Crawchuck delivers an insanely entertaining short, featuring a terrifying masked antagonist who, despite never speaking, exudes such charisma that viewers can’t help but feel a twisted affection for him. The jester feels like an unstoppable, mystical force whose unpredictable behavior keeps audiences perched on the edge of their seats.

Thanks to its massive popularity, The Jester spawned two sequels—The Jester: Chapter 2 and The Jester: Chapter 3—both executed with the same flair as the original. Enjoy!

4 Larry (2017)

This brilliant short from director Jacob Chase follows Joe, a nighttime parking‑lot attendant plagued by boredom. Alone in his booth during the night, Joe discovers an old iPad hidden in the Lost‑and‑Found box beneath his desk and decides to take a peek. The iPad reveals the disturbing tale of Larry, a depressed monster living behind a window, yearning for a true friend. As Joe reads, something begins to stir outside the booth, suggesting Larry is coming to visit his newfound companion.

The film’s power stems from its claustrophobic atmosphere. The entire story unfolds within Joe’s tiny booth, which also serves as the sole light source. When that light flickers, all bets are off. Larry is a must‑watch, and fans will be thrilled to learn it inspired the feature film Come Play, starring Community’s Gillian Jacobs, slated for a theatrical release this Halloween.

3 The Smiling Man (2015)

First, a quick clarification: this award‑winning Smiling Man was directed by A.J. Briones and follows an unnamed little girl who, while home alone, discovers a meticulous arrangement of balloons throughout the house. As she follows the balloons downstairs, she comes face‑to‑face with a terrifying entity known only as the Smiling Man.

There are no words to capture the anxiety‑inducing nightmare this creature creates. It ranks among the most frightening horror beings of recent memory and could become a new icon of the genre if ever adapted into a feature. The Smiling Man leaves an indelible impression that lingers long after the credits roll.

2 Behind (2015)

This incredibly clever Japanese short, directed by Rick Kawanaka, follows a young woman working on her computer at home who becomes unsettled when the door behind her repeatedly opens on its own. After repeatedly getting up to close it, her nerves fray, prompting her to switch on her webcam to discover exactly what’s happening behind her.

In classic J‑horror fashion, Behind serves as a masterclass in escalating tension, with each second feeling more uncomfortable than the last. It leverages a simple premise to its fullest potential within mere minutes. Its success sparked the Alone In The House series, which curates similarly chilling short films.

1 Lights Out (2013)

There it is—the modern classic. Lights Out follows a woman about to crawl into bed when a dark silhouette appears in the hallway as she flips the switch. Startled, she toggles the light on and off, only to realize the figure materializes only in darkness and moves when she can’t see it.

This short broke the internet in 2013. Director David F. Sandberg’s career skyrocketed, leading to a feature‑length version in 2016 and later directing blockbusters like Annabelle: Creation and Shazam! Lights Out is widely hailed as the ultimate horror short, its simple yet brilliant concept still spooking audiences today. If you haven’t seen it, you’re missing out.

10 Short Films Hidden Away Online That Feature Huge Stars

About The Author: I write about cinema and pop culture!

When it comes to the 10 cemeteries you’d never want to spend the night in, there’s no fooling anyone. If you decide to camp out in a burial ground after dark, you’re either throwing a midnight rave or hunting ghosts. And let’s be honest—you’re not planning a late‑night tea with your great‑great‑grandma, are you? Most likely, you’re after some paranormal thrills. If you weren’t, an entire genre of YouTube videos would be out of work.

Visiting graveyards after sundown, aside from any spectral activity, can feel downright unsettling. The soil is soft from years of turning, there are literally dead people beneath your feet, and the lighting is never ideal. Yet a perfectly undisturbed cemetery can be tranquil; the real danger stems from weirdos who linger while you wander aimlessly after dark.

Peaceful cemeteries rarely make history—or top‑ten lists. We crave a little paranormal drama, so here are the ten burial grounds you’d absolutely regret staying overnight in.

10 Union Cemetery, Easton, Connecticut

Union Cemetery, tucked away in Connecticut, ranks among America’s oldest and most haunted burial grounds, boasting a history that stretches back at least four centuries. Its reputation is so solid that famed paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren devoted a full case study to the site.

By day the cemetery feels quiet, but the atmosphere is dense with lingering energy. When night falls, that heaviness seems to come alive. Researchers report hearing faint cries and spotting silhouettes of soldiers and children drifting among the stones.

The most talked‑about apparitions are the enigmatic White Lady and the chilling Red Eyes. The White Lady’s origins remain a mystery, though two popular tales suggest she either died in childbirth or was murdered by her husband and dumped in a sinkhole behind the neighboring church.

Red Eyes, believed to be the angry spirit of Earle Kellog—who was burned to death across the street in the 1930s—appears as glowing crimson orbs that sometimes chase visitors and whisper ominously close to their ears. If spectral sightings aren’t enough of a deterrent, local law enforcement will hand you a trespassing ticket faster than you can shout “run!”

9 Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh, Scotland

Greyfriars Kirkyard sits beside one of the world’s earliest documented concentration camps and carries a brutal legacy that feeds its ghostly reputation. In the 1670s, Presbyterian worshippers known as Covenanters were tried for both religious and political reasons, as the Catholic‑dominated parliament sought to crush their desire for religious freedom.

The ruthless judge George Mackenzie oversaw the imprisonment and punishment of more than 1,200 Covenanters, who were forced to endure the elements in a field adjacent to the cemetery with a meager four ounces of bread per day. Hundreds perished from starvation and exposure.

Later, Mackenzie—dubbed “Bloody Mackenzie”—was interred in a massive mausoleum within Greyfriars. In 1999, a homeless man broke into the mausoleum, and many believe this act unleashed an angry poltergeist version of Mackenzie. The entity’s physical assaults grew so severe that the cemetery temporarily halted tours, and when they resumed, a health warning was added.

8 La Noria Cemetery, La Noria, Chile

Deep within Chile’s scorching Atacama Desert lies La Noria, an abandoned mining town whose cemetery mirrors the desolation surrounding it. The remote location alone makes an overnight stay impractical—no water, no shelter, just endless desert heat—but the site’s haunted reputation seals its fate.

Living conditions during the town’s heyday were harsh, and many residents met untimely ends. The cemetery suffered repeated looting, leaving coffins cracked open and scattered, with human and animal bones exposed to the relentless wind.

Eyewitnesses claim to see restless souls drifting from the graveyard toward the town as the sun dips below the horizon, adding a supernatural layer to an already eerie landscape. In short, La Noria is not a place you’d want to linger after dark.

7 Buckout Road Cemetery, White Plains, New York

A Canadian indie film titled “The Curse of Buckout Road” may have been a cinematic flop, but the real story behind the road is far more intriguing. Buckout Road, notorious as one of New York’s most haunted thoroughfares, has long been a dare for high‑school students and curious adults alike.

The road leads to a modest cemetery where most headstones lie overturned; only the marker for John Buckhout (yes, the “h” is correct) remains upright. Visitors report apparitions, sudden battery drain, and all the classic hallmarks of a solid haunting.

Yet the cemetery isn’t the only reason to avoid a midnight visit. Legend has it that honking three times at the red house on Buckout Road summons albino cannibals. Additionally, three witches were reportedly burned on the hill across from the graveyard, and Isaac Buckhout allegedly murdered his wife and a neighbor in a nearby house. The Buckhout family’s dark legacy makes the whole area a no‑go zone after dark.

6 El Panteon de Belen, Guadalajara, Mexico

El Panteón de Belén, once the final resting place of several notable Jalisco figures before their relocation in the 1950s, now hosts nightly ghost tours that draw thrill‑seekers from across Mexico.

While the cemetery lacks the grand reputation of Greyfriars, its unsettling stories still make a nocturnal visit uncomfortable. A former “patio” section where impoverished individuals were buried was demolished because the headstones were illegible, rendering that part of the grounds a disturbed burial site.

Many visitors claim to see the dead roaming the aisles, including a pair of star‑crossed lovers, a solitary monk, and even a vampire. These sightings, coupled with the cemetery’s turbulent past, keep the bravest from lingering after sunset.

5 Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery, Midlothian, Illinois

Any list of haunted burial grounds would be incomplete without mentioning Bachelor’s Grove. The iconic photograph of a woman perched on a gravestone—ankles crossed, dressed in period clothing—has become the cemetery’s signature White Lady, often dubbed the Madonna of Bachelor’s Grove.

She is frequently spotted on full‑moon nights, cradling an infant in her arms. However, this ethereal figure is just the tip of the iceberg.

Witnesses have reported a full‑size house apparition appearing out of thin air, a 1940s gangster‑style phantom car cruising among the tombstones, and the tragic image of a farmer and his horse being dragged into a pond, each story adding layers to the site’s chilling reputation.

4 Highgate Cemetery, London, England

Highgate Cemetery, one of England’s most infamous graveyards, is a magnet for those curious about vampires, imp‑like creatures, and other nocturnal specters.

Visitors have reported seeing vampires draining the blood of animals, an imp‑ish entity roaming the pathways, and even a phantom bicyclist (definitely not Nicolas Cage). In the 1970s, self‑styled “vampire hunters” began exhuming caskets to stake the undead, a practice that eventually ceased.

Other sightings include a ghostly gentleman on a bicycle and a man in a top hat. One can only wish that famous interments such as Karl Marx and Douglas Adams would make an appearance to add a touch of historical gravitas to the eerie atmosphere.

3 Chase Vault, Barbados

The Chase Vault, a semi‑submerged tomb dating back to the 19th century, has baffled investigators for generations. Every time a new coffin was added, the existing coffins were found violently rearranged, as if some unseen force were shuffling them around.

Imagine the terror of spending a night inside a crypt where the dead refuse to stay put. The constant movement of the coffins suggests a restless spirit that refuses to be confined, making an overnight stay a truly chilling prospect.

2 Cemetery Hill, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Cemetery Hill, while technically not a cemetery, served as the final resting ground for countless soldiers after the blood‑soaked Battle of Gettysburg. The aftermath left the hill awash with corpses, creating a stench of death so overpowering that even after the bodies were buried, visitors would cover their noses.

Today, some people claim to detect the faint scent of peppermint—a fragrance historically used to mask the overwhelming odor of decay. The lingering aroma serves as a ghostly reminder of the hill’s violent past.

1 Green Lady Cemetery, Burlington, Connecticut

Driving down the pothole‑ridden, dusty stretch of Upson Road, you might wonder why you ever chose this route. The answer lies in the Green Lady Cemetery, a ruinous burial ground in Burlington where no original gravestones remain.

Legend tells of a full‑body apparition known as the Green Lady, who materializes in a green mist, her smile illuminated even in darkness. Some say the story originated from a camp counselor at the abandoned fresh‑air camp across the street, but the tale persists.

Beyond the ghostly sightings, the site is plagued by vandalism, stolen headstones, and rumors of satanic rituals and untimely deaths. Law enforcement frequently patrols the area, making it a risky destination for anyone who doesn’t want an arrest—or worse—during the night.

Why 10 Cemeteries You Should Avoid After Dark

Each of these ten burial sites offers a unique blend of history, tragedy, and paranormal activity that makes a nighttime visit more terrifying than thrilling. From restless spirits and murderous legends to inexplicable coffin shuffles, they remind us why some places are best left to daylight and daylight‑only curiosity.