12 Classic Commercials That Gave You Nightmares

These vintage and modern commercials managed to terrify viewers with uncanny visuals, bizarre concepts, and horror-like execution — despite being made to sell or educate.

Alyana Aguja
August 25, 2025
4 min read

12 Classic Commercials That Gave You Nightmares — Frank Okay from Unsplash

Not all nightmares come from horror movies — sometimes they air during regular TV breaks. From possessed dolls and sentient snacks to singing mutants and eerie safety messages, these 12 real commercials crossed the line between memorable and nightmarish. While effective in leaving lasting impressions, they also haunted the childhoods and sleep cycles of countless viewers.

1. PS2 “Mountain” Commercial (2003)

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This PlayStation 2 ad showed a surreal human mountain formed by thousands of screaming people climbing on top of each other. It was meant to symbolize competition but ended up resembling a human sacrifice ritual. The sheer chaos, uncanny camera angles, and eerie sound design left many viewers unsettled.

2. Kinder Surprise “Dinosaur Egg” Ad (1990s)

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This innocent-looking candy commercial featured a claymation dinosaur hatching from an egg and roaring at the camera. The low-budget animation, wide-eyed expressions, and sudden loud screech terrified kids expecting something cute. The uncanny valley effect was strong and unforgettable.

3. British “Charley Says” Public Safety Films (1970s)

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These UK public service announcements starred a creepy cartoon cat named Charley who meowed advice to kids about dangers like strangers and matches. The disturbing voiceover and jittery animation style made them more frightening than helpful. While educational, they scarred a generation.

4. “Dumb Ways to Die” (Metro Trains Melbourne, 2012)

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With its cheery tune and adorable characters, this ad warned against train-related accidents. But the graphic cartoon deaths — including impalement, fire, and piranha attacks — made the song horrifying despite its catchiness. It went viral, yet many found it disturbingly dark for a public safety campaign.

5. Little Baby’s Ice Cream “This is a Special Time” (2012)

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This haunting commercial featured a person made entirely of ice cream eating themselves while staring directly into the camera. The whispered narration, eerie lighting, and blank expression made it feel like a horror short film. Many couldn’t believe it was actually selling dessert.

6. Lamisil “Toenail Fungus” Commercial (2000s)

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This ad visualized toenail fungus as a slimy creature lifting up a toenail and crawling underneath. The grotesque animation and gross-out factor made viewers squirm. It was effective at creating awareness, but the imagery haunted many stomachs.

7. Quiznos “Spongmonkeys” Ads (2004)

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Quiznos introduced the world to disturbing creatures with giant human eyes, crooked teeth, and helium voices singing nonsense. Intended to be humorous, the ads instead sparked mass confusion and discomfort. The bizarre visual and auditory choices made people lose their appetites.

8. The “Baby Laugh-a-Lot” Doll Commercial (1971)

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This toy ad featured a doll that maniacally laughed with eyes rolling back in its head. The continuous high-pitched cackling and unsettling visuals gave it a demonic feel. It looked more like a possessed object than a child’s toy.

9. M&M’s “Human M&M” Commercial (2006)

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In this ad, a scientist turns a man into a living M&M, complete with limbs and human reactions. When he’s told he’s now candy, he screams in terror. The concept of sentient food and body horror shocked more than amused.

10. U.S. Anti-Drug PSA “This is Your Brain on Drugs” (1987)

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This PSA featured a man cracking an egg into a frying pan and declaring, “This is your brain on drugs.” The sudden smash of the egg and intense delivery became iconic but also deeply unsettling. It felt more like a horror metaphor than an educational ad.

11. Canadian PSA “House Hippo” (1999)

Stefan Steinbauer from Unsplash

This ad depicted a tiny, fictional house hippo living in a normal household, eating crumbs and sleeping in closets. While seemingly whimsical, its grainy footage and quiet narration created a dreamlike eeriness. It blurred the line between reality and fiction in a strangely unsettling way.

12. MetLife “Peanuts” Halloween Commercial (1985)

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This commercial featured beloved Peanuts characters dressed in Halloween costumes, but the ad took a dark turn with sudden shadows, ominous music, and close-ups of frightened faces. It was supposed to be festive but ended up being creepy. Even Snoopy looked scary in the wrong lighting.