6 Greatest Horror Movies Made By YouTube Creators (Including Obsession)

Obsession is a new horror movie created by people who first gained popularity on YouTube. The film, directed by Curry Barker, has recently gained attention for its disturbing story and fresh approach to the classic horror trope of wishes gone wrong.

I’ve been following Richard Barker’s work, and it’s fascinating to see how he got his start. He wasn’t an overnight sensation, you know? He actually built a following initially through YouTube, creating these really charming short films and funny sketches. And honestly, that’s becoming more and more typical these days – so many talented filmmakers are cutting their teeth online before hitting the big screen.

As a huge cinema fan, it’s been fascinating to watch how YouTube creators are now breaking into mainstream TV and film. People like Curry Barker really paved the way by honing their skills through videos, and now we’re seeing more and more make the jump. Think about Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox from Smosh, or Arin Hanson of Game Grumps – they all started on YouTube! And it’s not slowing down; Seán McLoughlin, better known as Jacksepticeye, is soon bringing his take on Bloodborne to the screen, which is incredibly exciting to see.

Horror movies have proven to be the most popular choice for collaborations with YouTubers. Many creators have launched their acting careers through horror films, as the genre offers a lot of freedom for creative expression. Because what people find scary varies so much, filmmakers have endless possibilities.

As a huge cinema fan, I’ve been really excited to see how much amazing horror has been coming out of YouTube over the last few years, especially since the 2020s began. Some of the scariest and most original films I’ve seen recently have actually come from these creators, and they continue to bring fresh ideas to the genre.

6. Iron Lung

Released earlier this year, Iron Lung quickly became a hugely popular and successful horror film. The movie is based on the independent video game of the same name and was a personal project for Mark Fischbach, known as Markiplier. He not only funded the film himself, but also directed, wrote, and starred in it.

This movie is a truly frightening and unsettling experience. Most of the action takes place inside a cramped submarine investigating a strange, universe-wide event. The story builds constant tension as the crew explores a blood-red ocean, and the audience only catches glimpses of what’s lurking outside through quick shots from the submarine’s camera, accompanied by terrifying sounds.

While Iron Lung starts strong, it loses some momentum in the middle. After a gripping first hour, the story can feel slow and drawn-out, leading you to wonder if it needed the extra length. Thankfully, this slower pace ultimately works in the film’s favor, building to a terrifying and surreal climax involving a truly incomprehensible creature.

5. Lights Out

David F. Sandberg is now a well-known director, having worked on two Shazam! movies, an Annabelle prequel, and a series based on Until Dawn. But before his feature films, he began his career making animated shorts on YouTube as ‘Ponysmasher’.

He gained recognition in 2013 with a short film called “Lights Out,” which quickly became popular after a film competition. This success led to an opportunity to turn the short film into a full-length movie, and he successfully brought the same feeling of fear and suspense to the big screen.

The real strength of Lights Out is its incredibly unsettling atmosphere. The film cleverly uses light and darkness to create a sense of dread and make the audience fear the unseen entity. What’s also impressive is that it’s a genuinely scary PG-13 horror movie – it relies on building suspense and atmosphere rather than graphic violence.

The movie’s biggest weakness is its short length – just 81 minutes. This causes some parts of the story to feel hurried, as if the filmmakers were more focused on getting back to the scares. Even so, Lights Out is a genuinely frightening and effective horror film that will stay with you.

4. Talk To Me

Danny and Michael Philippou have become well-known for successfully transitioning from YouTube creators to filmmakers. Their channel, RackaRacka, gained a large following thanks to its distinctive blend of comedy and horror videos.

The filmmakers’ debut, Talk to Me, quickly became a standout at the Adelaide Film Festival. Reviewers praised it as a fresh and daring spin on the classic possession story, and also noted how genuinely frightening it was.

Released widely by A24 in 2023, the film quickly became a success with viewers. People praised its original story and effective scares. Talk to Me doesn’t shy away from intense horror, and its bleak, depressing themes actually enhance the story’s focus on possession.

The horror film Talk to Me was a major hit for A24, becoming the first of their movies to get a sequel. While the Philippou brothers have since released another film that some consider even stronger, Talk to Me remains a remarkably impressive first feature.

3. Together

Director Michael Shanks made a name for himself with short films online before creating this horror movie. He first gained attention on YouTube as Timtimfed, where he shared several shorts and a web series called The Wizard of Aus.

The film really launched his career, with both critics and audiences loving his unique approach to body horror. The scenes showing Tim and Millie, played by Dave Franco and Allison Brie, physically merging are intensely disturbing and emotionally impactful.

Beyond the scares, the film is surprisingly moving, cleverly using the horror elements to represent the complexities of a relationship. Like marriage, it’s often chaotic and frightening, but also powerfully driven by the intense desire for connection. This unique approach allows the film to deliver both genuinely disturbing horror and a thought-provoking exploration of commitment.

2. Obsession

As of May 20, 2026, Obsession is the newest horror film from YouTuber Curry Barker, and it’s already earning praise as a standout in the genre. Barker, known for his short horror films on his YouTube channel, That’s a Bad Idea, previously directed the well-received feature film Milk & Serial, which was released exclusively on YouTube.

I’m really excited about Barker’s new film – it’s his first time directing for the big screen, and honestly, it’s one of the most impressive debuts I’ve seen in ages. The movie, Obsession, plays with the classic horror trope of wishes gone wrong, which isn’t new, but it does it in a way that feels really fresh. It doesn’t shy away from intense scenes, constantly keeping you on edge and genuinely creeped out – there’s something unsettling happening around every corner.

Michael Johnston and Inde Navarette truly elevate this film with their performances. They convincingly portray the terror Bear and Nikki experience, and also deliver some wonderfully dark and funny moments.

1. Bring Her Back

Danny and Michael Phillipou’s new film, Bring Her Back, surpasses their previous work, Talk to Me, and stands out as one of the best horror movies of the last ten years. It’s a remarkably bold take on possession stories, refusing to spoon-feed the audience and venturing into truly disturbing territory.

Sally Hawkins delivers a compelling performance as Laura, a character who initially appears kind but quickly becomes unsettling. Her desperation is apparent from the start, and Andy soon suspects something is off about her.

The film is powerfully intense, featuring disturbing scenes that are likely to shock viewers. A particularly memorable and unsettling moment for many is when Oliver, a fellow foster child, starts chewing on a knife blade. It’s incredibly difficult to watch and has become the film’s most iconic scene.

“Bring Her Back” is a fantastic illustration of the ingenuity of YouTube creators. It’s intensely frightening and tells a compelling story. Films like this, and “Obsession,” demonstrate that YouTubers are leading the way in horror, a genre that’s become increasingly popular over the last ten years.

2026-05-23 22:30