Some people like to be scared. That’s why true crime, horror movies, and scary stories by the campfire are so popular. Research shows that by the end of 2024, 42 million Americans were listening to true crime podcasts monthly. What’s more, by 2025, true crime saw a 50% increase in listening hours on Spotify.
However, there is a difference between being scared in a controlled environment and by what you choose and being seized by dread in real life. Plenty of creepy things happen to people IRL, and these stories from one online thread are great examples.
They come to you from people as responses to a fellow netizen’s prompt, “What is the creepiest/strangest thing that has happened to you (or a friend or family member) that creeps you out to this day?” So, if you’re ready for some real-life horror, scroll away and see the type of true horror even the best Hollywood screenwriters probably couldn’t come up with.
