11 Creepy Public Service Announcements That Still Haunt Us
These spine-chilling public service announcements have left a lasting mark on our memories, using unsettling visuals and eerie storytelling to deliver powerful, haunting messages that still linger today.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
Creepy public service announcements (PSAs) have a special knack of etching themselves into our consciousness through disturbing images and strong, frequently disturbing, messages. Whether it’s a spooky image, a haunting voiceover, or a foreboding situation, these PSAs utilize our deepest fears to convey important social and safety messages.
1. “Crying Indian” (1971) – Keep America Beautiful
Image from IMDb
In this public service announcement, a Native American man looks out over a dirty landscape as a tear rolls down his cheek, representing the damage done to the environment through littering. The eerie image of the tear and intense music make an emotional, nearly haunting connection between the viewer and the planet’s pain. Though well-intentioned, the image has lingered in the minds of many viewers, frequently returning as a representation of environmental shame.
2. “Dare to Keep Kids Off Drugs” (1989) – D.A.R.E.
Image from Reddit
This PSA used an animated segment where the world of a young child gradually becomes dark as drug addiction grips them. The harsh and abrupt change from innocence to terror made it creepy to many, and the visual metaphor of a child’s life being devoured was horrifyingly disturbing. It remained for years a frightening reminder of the horrors of drug use.
3. “Don’t Squeeze the Charmin" (1960s) – Charmin Toilet Paper
Image from YouTube
While not a “scary” PSA in the classical sense, the commercials grew uncomfortable with the unsettling depiction of an imaginary “Mr. Whipple,” a store clerk who nervously cautions customers against squeezing the Charmin toilet paper. His excessive reaction to a very harmless act created a strange sense of unease for many viewers, and the PSA came to feel less like a marketing message and more like an obsession. The all-consuming emphasis on toilet paper became strangely sinister.
4. “This is Your Brain on Drugs” (1987) – Partnership for a Drug-Free America
Image from X
The scene of an egg sizzling in a pan while a deep voice says, “This is your brain on drugs,” is imprinted in the minds of many. The hyperbolic and dramatic presentation of drug use as a destructive agent was harsh and jarring, and the fried egg was such a potent metaphor that it ranks as one of the most unforgettable—and creepy—public service announcements ever aired. For others, the image continues to send shivers down the spine when drug abuse is being considered.
5. “The Baby in the Car” (1970s) – National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Image from Romper
In this PSA, the sight of a baby stuck in a sweltering car was hauntingly depicted as a warning against leaving kids alone. The mix of real tragedy and the heart-wrenching wails of a baby crying was irresistibly eerie, and parents could not help but remember the value of car safety. The PSA’s dark tone and stark message left an indelible mark of fear and responsibility.
6. “Smokey the Bear: Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires” (1944) – U.S. Forest Service
Image from Wikipedia
Smokey the Bear’s foreboding tone and dire warnings about forest fires created an atmosphere of public fear. His somber, nearly too sober expression as he urged people not to start fires seemed like that of a firm father figure towering over society. His picture, usually shown surrounded by dark forests, contributed to the creepy impression that something would go horribly wrong if we weren’t vigilant.
7. “The Dark Side of the Internet” (2000s) – The Internet Safety Campaign
Image from NBC News
The eerie imagery in this PSA, of children unwittingly talking to Internet predators, still gives one the chills. The contrast between innocent web activity and the horrific possibility of an anonymous predator made a lasting impression of the threats that exist on the Internet. It was among the first PSAs to address the risks of online life so aggressively and forebodingly.
8. “Stranger Danger” (1980s-90s) – Various Organizations
Image from Reddit
This PSA used unrealistically creepy portrayals of strangers trying to entice children, warning against the threat of people who may not seem threatening at first glance. The creepy, almost predatory image of strangers was sufficient to give rise to a deep paranoia, making many parents excessively wary for years. The chilling tone of these advertisements still lingers in the minds of anyone who can recall them.
9. “THE 911 HANG-UP CALL” (1990s) – National Emergency Number Association
Image from Baller Alert
This PSA dramatized the heartbreaking effects of misdialing 911. A mother inadvertently dials the wrong number in a frantic attempt while her child is in peril. The building suspense and ominous ringing of the phone, combined with the hopelessness of the moment, create an eerie, spine-chilling atmosphere. It strikes at the deepest fears of being late to the rescue of someone we care about.
10. “Blood on the Road" (1970s) – National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Image from Centre for Automotive Safety Research
In this grim PSA, a picture of a blood-soaked highway, interrupted by the words, “There’s blood on the road,” cautioned against the deadly repercussions of irresponsible driving. The unexpected insertion of violent imagery in such blunt and unapologetic fashion made it irrepressibly unsettling. Its haunting imagery and no-nonsense presentation made it one of the most disturbing road safety public service messages.
11. “Silent Killer” (1970s) – American Lung Association (on asbestos)
Image from Wikipedia
This PSA employed eerie imagery to caution against the perils of asbestos exposure, illustrating how the substance could insidiously destroy the lungs over time. The bleak tone and the gradual coming-to-awareness of an unseen menace made it unsettling to watch, as it informed viewers of a fatal threat that hid in mundane materials. The lingering dread of something that may be lurking within homes and workplaces was profoundly disturbing to many.