These terrifying PSAs prove that fear, like shock, is an excellent way to grab attention. The ad campaigns, viral videos, billboards, and interactive installations above are gory, heart-wrenching, and downright frightful, with imagery that won't be immediately forgotten.
From domestic abuse to child trafficking, the environment, and drug use, the terrifying PSAs below are sure to scare you straight.
Implications - Shock factor is a tactic used by marketers to deliver a message that has upsetting topics. Through unique campaigns that evoke emotions within the viewers, advertisers capitalize on those feelings. Additionally, the more shocking the advertisement is, the more likely it will resonate in the audiences' minds, making the idea of terrifying the audience a useful tactic.
30 Terrifying PSAs
Raising Awareness, From Bleeding Billboards to Shocking Skinned Polar Bears:
Marissa Brassfield — May 2, 2010 — Social Good

30
Shockvertising
Does It Work? Jury Still Out

29
Powerful PSAs
Sexual Abuse
28
Cattle Branding Kids
Shocking Ads Portray Impact of Child Abuse
27
Disturbing Anti-Drug Ads
Montana Meth Project
26
Visually Disturbing PSAs
Juvenile Protective Association Ads Show Effect of Verbal Abuse
25
Shockvertising Smokefree Campaign
NHS: Get Unhooked
24
Gory Workplace Safety Ads
Using Awful Accidents to Raise Awareness
23
Gruesome Shockvertising
A Texting While Driving PSA Shows Horrific Realism
22
Child Shockvertising in PSAs
Anti-Smoking Ads Feature Kids with Adult Hands Holding Cigs
21
Child Poverty Shockvertising
The Barnardo Campaign Against Child Poverty Raises Eyebrows
20
Blood Spurting PSAs
The Bangalore Police Ad Campaign Targets Cell Phone Driving Enablers
19
Powerful PSAs
Smoking is Murder
18
Freefalling Safe Sex Ads
Use Condoms Campaign
17
Bleeding Billboards
Shocking Approach to Promote Road Safety in New Zealand
16
Reverse Psychology PSAs
Don't Vote Campaign Shows Killer Oil Prices
15
Stomach-Churning Safety Ads
Australian Worksafe PSA
14
Skinned Polar Bears for Global Warming
Visceral Friends of the Earth PSA
13
Eco Shockvertising
Moms Against Climate Change Tug at Heartstrings
12
Drug Addicts As Animals
Spoof Wildlife Doc as Viral Anti-Drug Ad
11
Abused Women as Dolls
Dar Al Amal Public Awareness Ad
10
Hygienic Shockvertising II
Carre Fresh: Wipe Whatever You've Touched
9
Animal Cavities For Smuggling
Anti-Cocaine PSA Featuring Pablo the Drug Mule Dog
8
Women as Pieces of Meat
Urging Men to Speak Out on Domestic Abuse
7
Suicidal Anti-Smoking PSAs
Thought-Provoking Help Line Ad
6
Adults With Childhood Abuse
ASCA PSAs Show the Need for Counseling
5
Awareness For Signs of Sexual Abuse
'Open Your Mouth' PSA
4
Visceral Shockvertising
The Catalonian National Theatre's Heart-Rending Ad
3
Shocking POV PSAs
'Animal Visuals' Gives You a Bird's Eye View Into Egg Industry
2
Terrifying Rainfall PSAs
The Solidarite Water Billboard Will Shock You
1
Overzealous PSAs
1979 Swine Flu PSA Evokes Laughter Instead of Fear
Related Ideas
Creative Ad Responses
Kiehl’s Response to Censorship Embraces Bold Creativity
Playful Billboard Campaigns
Dreamies Treats Unveil a Show-Stopping 3D Billboard Campaign
AI-Generated Ketchup Ads
Heinz Designed an Advertisement Using the Slogan 'It has to be Heinz'
Aggressive Athlete Ads
Nike Launches the Winning Isn’t for Everyone Campaign
Sound-Focused Ice Cream Ads
Magnum Ice Cream Ads Bring the Ultimate Sensory Experience to Life
Sensory Outdoor Posters
Billie Introduced its Scratch-and-Sniff OOH Campaign
Positive Social Media Campaigns
The New Tumblr Campaign Champions Community Over Controversy
Halloween-Inspired Pretzel Campaigns
Snyder’s of Hanover Debuts the 'Pretzelface' Campaign
Clear In-Game Billboard Advertisements
SCS Software's Truck Simulator Uses Real-Life Advertising
Truth-Forward Beauty Campaigns
The Ordinary X Uncommon Unveil the Beauty Industry’s Biggest Myths
Film-Inspired Condiment Ads
GUT New York Forms the Heinz Smiles Campaign to Celebrate Joker 2
Sniffable Deodorant Billboards
Sure's Out-of-Home Campaigns Invites Passersby to Take a Whiff
Heartwarming Bank Campaigns
Chase's Next Thing You Know Campaign Captures a Full Life
History-Centric Advertisements
Royal Ontario Museum's Epic Natural History Ad is Inspiring
Groundbreaking AR Posters
Wall's Out-of-Home Ads Make AR Experiences Unmissable with WinDOOH Tech
Hug-Inspired Olympics Campaigns
Coca-Cola's Summer Olympics Campaign was Inspired by True Events
Athlete-Backed Shoe Campaigns
Nike Released Awaken Your Madness with International Soccer Players
Naturalistic Taco Stand Campaigns
Coca-Cola Launched a Street Photography Campaign in Norway
Purposeful Consumer-Focused Campaigns
IKEA's Sleepfluencers Campaign is a Clever Way to Give Back
Color Blindness-Exclusive Billboards
TD Unveils a Campaign to Highlight Its Accessibility Adapter
In-Game Billboard Advertising
Gameloft Enables Partners to Advertise Natively in its Games
Fashion Brand Christmas Ads
Chanel's 'Winter Tale' is a Magical Holiday Ad from the Luxury Icon
Influencer-Inspired Ads
Tomcat's Ad Shows an Influencer Mouse with a Fatal Unboxing Twist
Exaggerated Holiday Displays
Nordstrom NYC's 'Wonder All the Way' Campaign is Larger-Than-Life
Athletic Apparel Interactive Billboards
Gymshark Unveils the Shoplift Campaign Ahead of Sale
Humorous Payment Campaigns
Paypal's Latest Campaign Features Actor Will Ferrell
Unusual Fast Food Ads
KFC’s ‘Believe’ Campaign Ad Pushes Chicken Obsession to New Heights
QSR Menu Billboard Campaigns
Burger King Shows Real Burger Sizes with Real Size Campaigns
Seasonal Phone Booth Activations
Spotify's Q4 is Calling Urges Brands to Start Holiday Advertising
Humorous Fun-Forward Ads
Six Flags Rolls Out Its 'Funsultant' Campaign to Prove Fun Is Serious
Sensitivity Marketing Campaigns
Cetaphil Teams Up with Lil Wayne for Super Bowl Spot
Drug-Themed April Fool's Gags
Innocean Berlin's Glory Over Pain Corporation Campaign is Satirical
Nature-Reconnecting Outdoor Campaigns
Mammut Encouraged People to Reconnect with Nature
Sensorial Horror-Inspired Hard Ciders
Angry Orchard Introduced its Hide & Shriek Prank Pack
AI-Assisted Business Ads
Google Workspace's 50 States, 50 Stories Shares Small Businesses Using AI
Humorous Mens Fragrance Campaigns
A New Axe Campaign Takes Sweetness to Absurd New Heights
Meditative Trash Campaigns
Hefty's Trash Time Out Provides Support During the Holiday Season
Water-Activated Book Designs
Water for People Raises Awareness with the Dehydrating Book
Art-Promoting Campaigns
Beige Billboards Spark a Bold Call to Save Charlotte’s Art Scene
Football Fan-Addressing Soda Commercials
Pepsi's Launches the Football Always Wins Campaign
House Party-Themed Campaigns
Hiders Keepers Shows Stella Artois’ Clever Take on Party Etiquette
Marketer-Targeted Cereal Ads
Surreal's Out-of-Home Campaign Speaks to Marketers, Not Consumers
Therapeutic Nature-Inspired Campaigns
Craghoppers Introduces Its Autumn/winter 2024 Campaign
Unconventional Health Food Ads
RXBar is the Ultimate B.S. Blocker This New Year
Educational Valentine's Campaigns
No More’s 'Language of Love' Campaign Exposes Coercive Control
Customer-Starring Billboards
Bobbie's Campaign Spotlights Moms as "the OG Influencers"
Mystery-Style Holiday Ads
Waitrose Adds Mystery to the Festive Season with ‘Sweet Suspicion’ Ad
Innovative Outdoor Advertising Campaigns
Unilever's Dirt is Good Turns Billboards into Playgrounds
Gun Violence Prevention Films
Sandy Hook Promise Turns a Childhood Symbol Into a Call for Action
Global Runner-Inspired Campaigns
PUMA Introduced its 'Go Wild' Campaign
Fight-Themed Whiskey Campaigns
This Bear Fight Whiskey Ad Stars Gabriel Macht
Feel-Good Ad Campaigns
Pella’s 'Make Life Brighter' Campaign Celebrates Home and Comfort
Pollution-Removing Murals
This Campaign Sucks by Dentsu Brings Awareness to London's Air Quality
Shoppable CPG Ads
Instacart-Powered Shoppable Video Ads are Coming to YouTube
Cinematic Video Game Spots
Droga5’s ‘Wake Up’ Campaign for Xbox Shows an Escape from the Everyday
Cancer Awareness CPG Packaging
This Unilever Pink Packaging Marks Breast Cancer Awareness
Sleep Poverty Awareness Campaigns
Ikea Canada Introduces the Sleepless Lamp Calmpaign
Distracted Driving Awareness Videos
Project Yellow Light's 'Love Story' Is a Wake-Up Call
Provocative Guerrilla Campaigns
Jewelry Brand MWCurated Uses Fake Infidelity Flyers for Marketing
Visual Museum Campaigns
MoMA’s New Museum Campaign Transforms NYC into an Art Lover’s Paradise
Anthropomorphic Store Campaigns
IKEA's Short Social Films Promote Its Click-and-Collect Service
In-Game Advertising Services
StackAdapt Offers Engaging Game Advertising for its Clients
Creator-Friendly Initiatives
Patreon Lights Up Times Square with Creator-Centric Billboard
Satirical Skincare Campaigns
Sephora Launches 'Skin Obsessed' Campaign with Taika Waititi
Domestic Awareness Campaigns
IKEA Australia Presents the This is Not a Home Campaign
Traveling Fashion Showcases
The Guess Bus in Sydney is an Example of Experimental Marketing
Empowering Woman-Inspired Campaigns
Stuart Weitzman Launches 'How Lovely to Be a Woman'
Co-Branded Custom Ads
Lexus and Universal Pictures Partner for the 'Experience OZmazing' Spot
Heritage Brand Boot Ads
Blundstone Launches Global Campaign Celebrating Personal Boot Stories
Authentic Skincare Campaigns
We are Social France Spotlights Avène’s New Anti-Blemish Cream
Charity Organization Rebrands
Humane World for Animals Launches a Powerful Campaign
Social Responsibility-Aligned Corporate Marketing
GoodBrand Impact is a Newly Launched Agency
Streetside Challenge Billboards
Gymbox Start Line Encourages Passersby to Try a Short Dash
Satirical Political Campaigns
The Thoughts & Prayers Toilet Paper Campaign Calls Out Inaction
Scream Queen Skincare Campaigns
philosophy and Sarah Michelle Gellar Partnered for a Retinol Ad
Quirky Plant-Based Food Ads
Gosh! Food's Falafel Advertisement is Surprising
Purpose-Driven Brand Storytelling Platforms
Hellonation Has Debuted Its Edvertising Model
Body-Positive Brand Campaigns
Dove's Super Bowl Ad Challenges Toxic Body Talk in Sports
Stuttering Awareness Initiatives
The Canadian Stuttering Association & john st. Launch a Campaign
All-Dark Marketing Campaigns
IKEA Introduces its Darkest Campaign Yet with Try Oslo's Help
Honest Shaving Campaigns
Wilkinson Sword's Any Hair, Anywhere Shatters Shaving Myths
Peeling Cheese Packaging Billboards
This Babybel Billboard is Inspired by the Product's Packaging
Monarch Butterfly-Inspired Digital Billboards
LG Electronics Expands Its Endangered Species Series
Choreographed Retailer-Backed Commercials
Gap and Parker Posey Release a Movement-Focused Campaign
Responsible Alcohol Consumption Campaigns
Absolut's Call It a Night Campaign Promotes Safety
Creative Cancer Awareness Campaigns
F Cancer Debuts the 'Pick Up Your Poop' Campaign
Stigma-Breaking Motherhood Billboards
Molly Baz and Bobbie Send a Message of Empowerment
Living Condition Awareness Dollhouses
IKEA's UNWELCOME HOME Doll House Brings Awareness
Artful Illusory Ads
giffgaff's Large-Scale Illusion Artwork Challenges Inattentional Blindness
Anniversary-Celebrating Storytelling Ads
The Walt Disney Company Mark Marvel's 85th Anniversary
Blockbuster Film-Saga Ice-Cream Ads
Häagen-Dazs Unveiled its 'Not So Fast, Not So Furious' Spot
Heartwarming Holiday Car Ads
Toyota Debuts Three Ads During NBCUniversal’s Primetime Specials
Humorous Educational Campaigns
AI Investment Fraud Takes Center Stage in a New Awareness Campaign
Rental App Holiday Campaigns
Airbnb Presents its Santastrophe Campaign Following Santa Claus
Emissions-Minded Food Campaigns
This Meatless Farm Campaign Boasts Reduced Emissions
Emotional Mothers Day Ads
Apple's Mother’s Day Campaign Showcases Spatial Video's Emotional Power
Pet-Equality Campaigns
Pet Ownership Rights Take Center Stage in Innovative Campaign
Travel Lifestyle Brand Ads
Away’s 'Travel Changed Me' Film Captures the Power of Exploration
Solution-Oriented Holiday Ads
Orange’s Holiday Ad Brings Families Together Over Smartphones
Scannable Skincare Murals
The Ordinary's Interactive Augmented Reality Mural Promotes Bodycare
Playful QSR Campaigns
Cossette Forms the New McDonald's Campaign to Closest Restaurant
Hard-To-Read Health Campaigns
A Specsavers Campaign Encourages Movie-Goers to Check their Sight
Inclusive Voting Campaigns
The Body Shop Worked with Apathy is Boring to Improve Voter Turnout
Influencer-Starring Car Commercials
Toyota's New Short Film Seeks to Resonate with Gen Z Customers
No-Nonsense Grooming Campaigns
The Rock Face Makes Scents Campaign Pokes Fun at Marketing Cliches
Bizarre Soda Campaigns
Dr Pepper's Try More Weird Disrupts Life's Boredoms with Weirdness
Alternative Butter Ads
Lurpak's Crush Expectations Redefines Plant-Based as Edgy, Not Earthy
Stigma-Addressing Diabetes Shorts
Abbott Has Released a New Short Film — Above the Bias
Skateboarding-Inspired Ads
Vans Launched the ‘Always Pushing’ Ad Highlighting Skating Culture
Influencer Management Tools
Ogilvy Offers a Safety and Risk Management Tool for Marketing Brands
Emotional Short Films
Johnson & Johnson’s New Emotional Film Sheds Light on Severe Depression
Gender-Based Violence Awareness Films
My Friend Max Hate Exposes the Dark Side of Online Influence
Ball Game-Promoting Urban Initiatives
London Sport and Saatchi & Saatchi Run 'More Ball Games'
Creative Sun Safety Installations
Giant Beach Installation is a Reminder to Practice Sun Safety
Ice Cream-Inspired Superbowl Campaigns
Häagen-Dazs Aims to Connect with Younger Consumers
Athlete-Inspired AI Brand Campaigns
AngelAi Taps a Groups of Athletes to Promote Its Ethos
Athlete-Backed Mental Health Campaigns
The Love, Your Mind Campaign Aims to Support Mental Health
Emotionally Engaging Holiday Advertisements
Teleflora Captured Attention with The Power Of Wishes
Philanthropic Media Initiatives
New to The Street Has Introduced For the Causes™
Redirected Movement Campaigns
Asics' 15MinuteWeightLoss Challenges Rapid Weight Loss Content
Chilling Domestic Abuse Campaigns
BBDO Bangkok's Second Chance Campaign Taps Gigi Supitcha
Disaster Relief-Supporting Pr Initiatives
Publicity for Good Supports Hurricane Helene Relief
Child Neglect-Focused Campaigns
Vantage Foundation Partners with SOS Children's Villages Portugal
Mango-Scented Newspaper Ads
Swiggy Instamart Launched a Scented Campaign in the Times of India
Household Expense Ads
BBDO Bangkok Launches 'Don’t Lose What AI Can Save' for Samsung
Contemporary Classic Horror Games
Still Wakes the Deep Immerses Players in a Scary Game
Child Abuse-Preventing Campaigns
Prevent Child Abuse America Launches an Important Initiative
Satirical Feminist-Forward Ads
A Spotlight on Underpaid Women Shakes Up Belgium’s Employee Day
Ad Inspiration Archives
Nobody Reads Ads Showcases Print and Outdoor Ads With Notable Success
Car Safety-Promoting PSAs
The Ad Council and NHTSA Have Launched a New Never Happens Campaign
Comedic Groundhog Day Campaigns
Lay's Flavor for Days Campaign Taps into Groundhog Day
Food Allergy Awareness Campaigns
Fare's PSA is Backed by NFL Player Jason McCourty & His Daughter
Daily Scary Stories
'Scare Me' Offers Fresh, Thrilling Stories Daily To Reignite Reading
Mobile Device Addiction Campaigns
The Women's Brain Health Initiative Highlights a Growing Concern
Debunking AI Apps
BSBot Helps Publicis Clients Tell the Truth About AI from Fiction at Cannes
Reflection-Encouraging Edible Oil Campaigns
Simply Fresh Marks the New Year with a New Campaign
Empowering Consumer-Centric Campaigns
Which? Launches a Festive Campaign to Empower Shoppers
Consumer Values-Based Audiences
Givsly Debuts Values-Based Audiences to Streamline Marketing
Love-Centric Public Service Announcements
Ad Council & R/GA Debut the Love Has No Labels Campaign
Blood Center Campaigns
Markham Yard Releases the Blood Center Campaign to Inspire Donations