Culture

Creepy Dolls: Examples of Happy Nightmares

Last month, something strange happened in the neighborhood of Talega in San Clemente, California: creepy porcelain dolls appeared on the doorsteps of eight different families, dolls they claimed resembled their daughters.

In the end, it turned out to be nothing more than a “friendly” gesture from a member of the community, but the initial concern underlined a peculiar, yet deep-seated, fear. A fear of dolls.

What is it that makes certain dolls creepy? Is it the uncanny valley? The way they look mostly human and yet so lifeless? Well, below are examples of some of the stranger dolls I’ve come across on the Internet.

Creepy or not, you decide.

Headshot

If you’ve ever wondered what the inside of a porcelain doll’s head looks like, here’s your chance.

A broken doll
Image: Kathleen Franklin/Flickr via CC by 2.0

Shiny Happy Doll People

They were happy to get out of the house for once. The photographer at the studio, however, was somewhat confused when she asked him to photograph her “children.”

Doll People
Image: Unknown/Public Domain

Hug Him

Look for the golden arches. Then run.

A Creepy Ronald McDonald Doll
Image: Mike Mozart/Flickr via CC by 2.0

Jules Vernon’s Doll Family

They were a close-knit family. But once a member, always a member.

A Creepy Doll Family
Image: Public Domain

An Abandoned Doll

Left forgotten in the woods, the creepy abandoned doll waited to be found by a new owner. Unfortunately, there were never any takers.

An abandoned doll near a tree
Image: Lara604/Flickr via CC by 2.0

Baby Laugh-A-Lot

She’ll make you laugh. Forever.

The Patented Soul Knob

Captain Oogie, on the other hand, will ensure you never laugh again…

CPR Dolls

A CPR doll
Image: Charles Kim/Flickr via CC by 2.0

Automaton Terror

It doesn’t feel happiness or sadness, fear or worry. The automaton clown is content to play its music box song and smile into obliviion.

Rob Schwarz

Writer, blogger, and part-time peddler of mysterious tales. Editor-in-chief of Stranger Dimensions.