15 Public Service Announcements That Genuinely Scared Us
A chilling collection of Public Service Announcements (PSAs) that left lasting impressions through their haunting messages and visuals.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Public Service Announcements (PSAs) are designed to inform and protect, but some have taken a darker turn to ensure their messages resonate. By employing fear, shock, and unsettling imagery, these PSAs have etched themselves into our collective memory.
1. This Is Your Brain on Drugs
GirlBossBME23 on Wikimedia Commons
This iconic 1980s PSA used a simple yet powerful metaphor: an egg being fried in a pan to represent the effects of drug use on the brain. Its stark imagery and direct message left an indelible mark on viewers, making it one of the most memorable anti-drug campaigns.
2. Fragile Childhood – Monsters
Vika Glitter on Wikimedia Commons
This Finnish PSA portrays children perceiving their alcoholic parents as literal monsters. The haunting visuals effectively convey the terror and confusion experienced by children in such environments, leaving a lasting emotional impact.
3. New Zealand’s “Mistake"
Michal Klajban on Wikimedia Commons
In this PSA, time freezes just before a fatal car crash, allowing the drivers to converse. The poignant exchange emphasizes the irreversible consequences of speeding, making it a powerful reminder to drive safely.
4. McGruff the Crime Dog
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jennifer Zima on Wikimedia Commons
While intended to be educational, McGruff’s gravelly voice and serious demeanor often left children more frightened than informed. His PSAs covered various topics, from drug use to stranger danger, using fear to drive the message home.
5. House Fire PSA
Miroslav Bekchiv on Wikimedia Commons
This PSA depicted a child’s home engulfed in flames, emphasizing that fires can strike at any time. The intense imagery served as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety and preparedness.
6. Mothers Against Drunk Driving – Crying Baby
Senior Airman Jarrett Smith on Wikimedia Commons
This emotionally charged PSA featured a crying baby in a wrecked car seat, highlighting the devastating consequences of drunk driving. Its raw portrayal aimed to deter individuals from making such dangerous choices.
7. “You Could Learn a Lot from a Dummy”
Lin Pan on Wikimedia Commons
This series of PSAs used crash test dummies to demonstrate the importance of seatbelt use. The realistic crash simulations served as a grim reminder of the dangers of not buckling up.
8. Montana Meth Project – “What About Her?“
Tedder on Wikimedia Commons
This PSA delved into the harrowing effects of meth addiction, showcasing the physical and emotional toll on users and their loved ones.
9. The Silent Child Abuse Campaign
TraumaAndDissociation on Wikimedia Commons
A child alone in silence, unable to speak up, was the haunting centerpiece of this PSA. It relied on unsettling quiet and tension to underline the loneliness and fear that abused children often endure behind closed doors.
10. UK Anti-Smoking “Fatty Deposits” Ad
Penubag in Wikimedia Commons
This PSA showed cigarette smoke transforming into fat that clogged arteries, visually mimicking a heart attack. Its disturbing visuals and squishy sound effects made the health consequences of smoking impossible to ignore.
11. Think! Road Safety – “Live With It”
Pat Keely on Wikimedia Commons
After a tragic accident, a young driver walks through life haunted by the ghost of a child he killed. This PSA did not just show consequences—it followed them, making viewers consider the long-term weight of reckless choices.
12. Electricity Kills – The Kite PSA
Kritzolina on Wikimedia Commons
A child flying a kite gets electrocuted after it hits power lines, ending the PSA in terrifying silence. Its goal was clear: some accidents happen in seconds, and there’s no going back.
13. Rewind – UK Anti-Drunk Driving Campaign
Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bryan Reckard on Wikimedia Commons
This PSA started with a violent crash and then reversed every detail leading up to it. The backward storytelling made viewers wish real life could work that way, but it cannot.
14. It’s OK to Ask for Help – Youth Suicide Awareness
Lori Newman on Wikimedia Commons
This PSA used eerie silence and haunting glances to show the isolation of teens battling mental health issues. The message hit hard: you might not see someone suffering until it is too late.
15. The Midnight Smoke Detector PSA
Curpharar on Wikimedia Commons
This ad showed a peaceful home until a fire silently crept through at night, ending in deafening alarm beeps and silence. It was terrifying, not just because of the flames but because of how real and preventable it felt.