17 Creepy TV Ads You Forgot Existed
Here's a list of 17 real TV commercials and PSAs that disturbed viewers with unsettling imagery, creepy mascots, or unintentionally eerie vibes.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
From horror-like PSAs to candy ads that looked more like nightmares, these commercials show how advertising can sometimes take a strange turn. Whether intentionally creepy or accidentally unsettling, each ad left a lasting impression on viewers who often remembered the visuals more than the product. This list revisits those moments that made TV feel just a little too much like a horror movie.
1. Little Baby’s Ice Cream “This is a Special Time” (2012)
Irene Kredenets from Unsplash
This Philadelphia-based ice cream company ran a commercial featuring a person made entirely of ice cream, eating themselves with a spoon. The eerie narration about “pleasure” and “love” made the imagery even more disturbing. The ad went viral for all the wrong reasons, leaving many viewers unsettled.
2. PS2 “Mountain” (2003)
Nikita Kostrykin from Unsplash
This PlayStation 2 ad showed a mountain made of screaming, struggling human bodies. While meant to be a metaphor for competition and ambition, the visuals were nightmarish and hard to forget. Its surrealism sparked confusion and discomfort among viewers worldwide.
3. UK Electrical Safety Council “Zombie Cat” (2007)
Marek Piwnicki from Unsplash
In this British safety PSA, a dead pet cat is reanimated after faulty wiring kills it. The zombie-like appearance of the animal was intended to scare people into fixing electrical hazards. It ended up being more disturbing than educational for younger audiences.
4. M&M’s “Human” Commercial (2008)
Image from Wikipedia
This ad featured a man peeling off his human disguise to reveal he was actually a living red M&M. The realistic peeling sound and unsettling idea made it strangely grotesque for a candy ad. Many viewers found it more creepy than cute.
5. UK “Charley Says” PSAs (1970s)
Alvan Nee from Unsplash
These public information films starred a bizarre, meowing animated cat named Charley who warned children about dangers. While educational, the scratchy animation style and strange sound effects felt eerie. Generations of British kids grew up remembering Charley’s unsettling voice.
6. Quiznos Spongmonkeys (2004)
Image from Wikipedia
Quiznos ran a series of ads with crudely animated, bug-eyed singing rodents called Spongmonkeys. Their shrill singing and odd appearance left viewers baffled. The ads were so strange that they quickly became infamous online.
7. UK “Think! Road Safety” Hedgehog Commercial (1997)
Piotr Łaskawski from Unsplash
This ad had animated hedgehogs singing to promote road safety for kids. While the message was harmless, the overly realistic close-ups of hedgehogs with human voices felt deeply uncanny. Many children remembered the unsettling visuals more than the lesson.
8. Baby Laugh-a-Lot Doll Commercial (1971)
Sigrid Wu from Unsplash
This toy ad showed a doll rocking back and forth while producing a loud, looping, high-pitched laugh. The combination of the doll’s fixed stare and maniacal giggle creeped out many viewers. Even decades later, it still gets shared online as a prime example of vintage commercial horror.
9. Kinder Surprise “Kinder Egg Man” (1980s)
Image from Wikipedia
An old European Kinder Surprise ad featured a man in a full-body egg costume with exaggerated facial features. The strange movements and oversized smile made him appear more like a monster than a mascot. It became a childhood nightmare for many.
10. Sony Bravia “Paint” (2007)
Image from Wikipedia
This commercial showed an explosion of paint covering an abandoned building in Scotland. While beautiful in concept, the eerie emptiness of the setting and ghostly atmosphere gave it an unsettling vibe. The ad felt less like a celebration of color and more like a surreal horror short.
11. UK Central Office of Information “Dark and Lonely Water” (1973)
Daniel Sinoca from Unsplash
Donald Pleasence narrated as a ghostly figure warning children to stay away from dangerous waters. His raspy voice and the grim visuals of children drowning left a haunting impact. The ad was so effective that it’s still cited as one of the scariest PSAs ever made.
12. Folgers Coffee “Peter Comes Home for Christmas” (1985)
Image from Wikipedia
While intended to be heartwarming, this ad unintentionally creeped out some viewers. The early-morning setting, hushed dialogue, and almost too-intimate sibling interaction gave it an odd vibe. Internet discussion years later turned it into a meme for unintentional weirdness.
13. UK Department for Transport “Mess” (2007)
Anthony Maw from Unsplash
This road safety ad depicted the aftermath of a car crash in reverse, starting with a dead girl’s body on the pavement. The visuals were grim and hyper-realistic, shocking many who saw it on TV. It was designed to be memorable and succeeded — maybe too well.
14. Little Baby’s Ice Cream “Eyes Scream” (2012)
ian dooley from Unsplash
A follow-up to their first viral hit, this ad showed a man eating ice cream straight from his own head. The stilted movements and close-up shots of his eyes were deeply unsettling. It cemented Little Baby’s reputation for surreal and creepy marketing.
15. McDonald’s “Come Out and Play” (2003)
Image from Wikipedia
This UK McDonald’s ad featured a clown-like figure silently beckoning children out of their homes. The strange lighting and slow pacing made it feel more like a horror film than a fast-food promotion. Parents were as creeped out as their kids.
16. DirectTV “Creepy Rob Lowe” (2014)
Image from Wikipedia
Rob Lowe starred in a series of ads portraying different versions of himself, including a socially awkward and unnerving “Creepy Rob Lowe.” His stiff posture, intense stare, and unsettling delivery became instantly meme-worthy. While humorous, many found his performance genuinely discomforting.
17. Duracell “Putterman Family” (1990s)
Image from Wikipedia
The Puttermans were a family of human-sized, plastic-faced battery people featured in Duracell commercials. Their rubbery skin, lifeless eyes, and jerky movements landed them squarely in the uncanny valley. Many kids were unsettled by their robotic mannerisms.