Analogue horror is a subgenre of lost media, mostly focusing on the horror genre. Analogue horror has gained popularity over the years, leading to a recent influx of the videos coming across peoples social media feeds. Now, easing into the world of analogue horror can be difficult in many cases.  Often the recommendations of watching The Mandela Catalog, Marble Hornets, or even just straight up gore can be extremely overwhelming to anybody who just wants to get into the media form. Luckily, this article has compiled some of the best analogue horror for beginners. So, let’s get into it.

1.  Chimpy Chippa’s Tape’s

It’s extremely easy to find horror inspired by the popular video game franchise, Five Nights at Freddy’s (mainly referred to as Fnaf). While this is no surprise to anybody who’s  been on the internet since 2014, or even this week, when done well, this type of inspired horror can be the cause for some of the best and most iconic pieces of media produced. Chimpy Chippa’s Tapes is an example of such media. 

Chimpy Chippa’s Tape’s is a seven part internet series produced on the channel “SpringTock Pictures”, which is composed of “lost VHS tapes” surrounding the mystery of the popular pizza franchise, “Chimpy Chippa’s”.  The series features disturbing content such as referencing hostage situations, suicide, multiple deaths, an exorcism, body horror, pschological horror, and an extremely creepy looking animatronic purple chimpanzee. While this media is completely and obviously inspired by Fnaf(as even the creators admitted), it is overall extremely well done withs its amazing camera angles and shots, along with good psychological horror. Overall, this piece of media is great for someone just getting started with the world of analogue horror.

1. CORNERFOLK and Enjoy Your Stay

CornerFolk is a documentary-style video created by the channel ALEXKANSAS and features a man named Tilton claiming his house is an inter-dimensional highway for the creatures known as CornerFolk. The video slowly shows the descent into madness Tilton takes as he longs to be one with the CornerFolk. What makes the piece good for people just getting started watching analogue horror is that it doesn’t directly feature the death of the protagonist; but rather gives off a horror-movie vibe that leaves more questions than it answers. Overall, it’s an amazing piece of analogue horror.

Enjoy Your Stay is a classic example of analogue horror. It lives up to the direct definition, as it masquerades as a piece of lost media whilst also giving a deep unsettling feeling. The video acts as a hotel information tape describing the activities one should take when visiting. Soon we see the issues regarding the hotel and why you shouldn’t leave your room after 10:00 pm.

1. _Boisvert’s videos and HIImMaryMary videos

There are very few direct channels featured on any of my video lists for a good reason. Many channels are unable to stick with just one genre and series to condone watching the entire channel. However, in the case of _Boisvert and HiImMaryMary, it would feel wrong to leave them out.

Mental health representation is an important issue in our society. It makes sense- its an uncomfortable topic that talks about a dire situation. For someone to be able to take the subject of mental health and be able to turn it into something that people would actually want to listen to, that’s impressive. _Boisvert and HiImMaryMary’s videos show analogies of what can happen when someone falls into a deep depression, albeit in an analog horror way. Overall, if you find yourself able to relate to the issues presented in the two channels- please reach out to someone you can trust.

1. Jack Stauber’s Videos and Possibly in Michigan

Jack Stauber is regarded as one of the most unsettling artists on the internet. With his claymation and animation works featured in major television channels such as Adult Swim. Although his works are not technically analogue horror, it would be impossible to leave him out. His videos are mostly animated, and detail unsettling events that occur in day-to-day life. While I won’t spoil any of his videos, I would definitely recommend watching, starting off with Pumpkin Song.

Possibly in Michigan is a short horror movie from 1983, and features two young women as they face a stalker that they met possibly in Michigan, in some strange department store. The video features amazing pieces of music that you would just have to listen to if you want to know about it. It is often regarded as, “Made by Jack Staubers Mom” is the comment section of the video- and when watching you can understand why.

In all, it’s hard to get into analogue horror without being permanently scarred. While this list may not feature the Mandela Catalog or 2006 4Chan posts on /b/, this list should help you when you just want to see what’s going on in the world of analogue horror.