Down the YouTube Rabbit Hole: Exploring the Dark and Weird Side of YouTube

11 min readDec 15, 2023

In the vast, uncharted territories of YouTube, there lies a shadowy realm where the eerie, the unexplained, and the downright spooky take center stage. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill YouTube experience; this is about plunging into the heart of the platform’s most enigmatic, bizarre and spine-chilling corners.

These channels are not just about ghost stories or alien encounters; they are digital campfires around which the modern lore of our times is narrated. They are the custodians of tales that send shivers down your spine, make your hair stand on end, and leave you questioning the reality you thought you knew. From meticulously researched documentaries on otherworldly phenomena to spine-tingling narrations of true horror stories, these channels offer a gateway to a world where the bizarre is reality and the supernatural is just a click away.

Join us as we journey through this shadowy labyrinth, shedding light on the channels that dare to explore the dark and weird side of YouTube. Brace yourself for an adventure that blurs the lines between the known and the unknown, where each video is a thread in the vast tapestry of the mysterious and the macabre.

Atrocity Guide

youtube.com/@AtrocityGuide

Atrocity Guide is a unique and engrossing YouTube channel, dedicated to documenting internet oddities and obscure events of the digital age. The channel’s content ranges from nation-wide treasure hunts hidden within fantasy novels to intricate alternate reality games and enigmatic online cults built around fan fiction authors. Known for presenting these bizarre stories in concise, video essay formats, Atrocity Guide offers a deep dive into the lesser-known, often mysterious narratives that unfold in the vast digital world, making it a gold mine for those intrigued by the peculiar and the unexplained.

Barely Sociable

youtube.com/@BarelySociable

Barely Sociable is a mystery-centric YouTube channel that delves into the lesser-known and often overlooked corners of the internet. The channel specializes in creating in-depth documentary-style videos, with a focus that leans more towards unraveling mysteries rather than horror. Barely Sociable explores a variety of intriguing subjects, ranging from internet mysteries and international conspiracies to complex narratives that are seldom covered by mainstream media. The channel’s content is known for its thorough research and analytical approach, making it a go-to source for those interested in the enigmatic and cryptic aspects of the digital world.

Second channel: youtube.com/@SlightlySociable

Bedtime Stories

youtube.com/@BedtimeStoriesChannel

Bedtime Stories is an English YouTube channel, created by Richard While, that specializes in recounting tales of true horror. The channel’s content ranges from the unexplained and supernatural to horrifying true crimes. Richard While, who had a passion for creative writing and initially started writing creepy stories to scare his friends, has translated this interest into a channel that delves into the darker, more mysterious aspects of storytelling.

The content on Bedtime Stories is centered around the supernatural and paranormal, offering viewers a variety of chilling narratives. The channel covers a wide array of topics, including ghosts, aliens, strange disappearances, unexplained deaths, and real crime cases. This blend of documentary and horror storytelling provides a captivating experience for viewers who have an interest in the eerie and unexplained.

Second channel: youtube.com/@WartimeStories

blameitonjorge

youtube.com/@blameitonjorge

blameitonjorge, the YouTube channel of Jorge Flores, has carved out a distinct niche in the realm of horror and mystery content on the platform. Since its inception, the channel has become well-known for exploring a range of fascinating and often eerie topics. The content primarily revolves around lost media, creepy events, and other disturbing subjects, offering viewers a deep dive into the more obscure and unsettling aspects of pop culture and internet phenomena.

The channel’s focus extends to various intriguing areas, including UFO sightings, conspiracies, obscure and lost media, nostalgia, horror movies, and true crime. This diverse range of topics not only captivates a wide audience but also showcases Jorge’s ability to handle a variety of themes with an engaging and informative approach. Over the years, blameitonjorge has become one of the biggest horror channels on YouTube, garnering a substantial following and establishing itself as a go-to source for content that covers the strange and uncanny.

EmpLemon

youtube.com/@EmperorLemon

EmperorLemon, run by Aaron Lemos, is a YouTube channel that has notably evolved from its original focus on YouTube Poops (YTPs). In recent years, starting around 2017, the channel has shifted towards producing content that includes rants and meme videos, marking a significant change in its creative direction.

A new series called “Youtube Geographic” was introduced, where EmperorLemon explores various events in YouTube’s history, offering insights and commentary. EmperorLemon also launched a series titled “Never ever,” which deconstructs various works of entertainment and events. This series aims to provide a deeper understanding of the success and impact of various cultural phenomena. These changes in content focus reflect a broader interest in internet culture and its evolution, showcasing Emperor Lemon’s versatility in addressing different aspects of digital media.

Fredrik Knudsen

youtube.com/@FredrikKnudsen

Fredrik Knudsen’s YouTube channel is a treasure trove for those intrigued by the unusual and the unorthodox. The channel is most renowned for the “Down the Rabbit Hole” series, a collection of “weird documentaries” that delve into a variety of enigmatic subjects. These subjects span the spectrum of strange phenomena, both in the real world and across the internet. The series is characterized by its deep dives into puzzling parts of the internet as well as the more baffling and absurd elements of history.

Knudsen’s approach to storytelling in these documentaries is notable for its neutrality and objectivity. The content is thoroughly researched and presented in a manner that both informs and captivates, drawing viewers into the lesser-known narratives of the digital and real world. In addition to “Down the Rabbit Hole,” Knudsen also explores mythological beings in a series titled “The Grimm Archives,” further showcasing his penchant for the mysterious and the historical.

LEMMiNO

youtube.com/@LEMMiNO

LEMMiNO, a YouTube channel created by David Wångstedt, stands out for its unique approach to documentary-style content. The channel specializes in producing educational and artistic videos, often exploring a wide array of fascinating subjects. Known for its in-depth and meticulously researched content, LEMMiNO delves into various mysteries and lesser-known facts, presenting them in an engaging and informative manner. The channel’s content is not only appreciated for its insightful nature but also for its creative and artistic presentation, making it a notable trendsetter in its genre.

Nexpo

youtube.com/@Nexpo

Ryan, the creator behind Nexpo, also known as Nightmare Expo, offers an analytical YouTube channel that dives deep into the realms of horror, gaming, and various immersive media. Nexpo’s content is a blend of intrigue and analysis, focusing on subjects like creepy alternate reality games (ARGs), obscure channels, and disturbing internet mysteries. His approach is akin to an internet detective, unraveling the layers of mystery and horror that permeate the digital world.

The channel features a variety of playlists, including internet investigations, real-world mysteries, web series deep dives, disturbing things from around the internet, console conspiracies, and gaming retrospectives. Among these, the “Disturbing Things from Around the Internet” series is a cornerstone of Nexpo’s video catalog. This series is designed to cover multiple topics in a single volume, providing a concise, yet thorough, exploration of various unsettling internet phenomena. These videos serve as an ideal starting point for new viewers or those interested in shorter stories that are less complex than Nexpo’s deeper investigations.

Pseudiom

youtube.com/@Pseudiom

Pseudiom is a unique YouTube channel that serves as a notable archive for the esoteric, obscure, and often overlooked aspects of the internet, history, and culture. The channel weaves a tapestry of content ranging from art and anime to various other thematic elements, creating a rich and diverse viewing experience. The essence of Pseudiom lies in its dedication to uncovering and documenting the lesser-known artifacts, forum posts, historical narratives, cultural phenomena, and language intricacies. With its focus on the unconventional, Pseudiom presents a compelling journey through the hidden corners of history and the internet, catering to viewers with a taste for the extraordinary and the enigmatic.

ReignBot

youtube.com/@ReignBot

ReignBot, operated by Reign Dilacova, is a YouTube channel that delves into the mysterious, strange, and unsettling aspects of the internet. Since its creation on February 15, 2015, ReignBot has become known for content that explores a variety of darkly-themed subjects, including disturbing images, movies, and various internet oddities. The channel’s videos are characterized by their focus on creepy and enigmatic topics, often delving into the deeper, more obscure facets of online culture and lore.

ReignBot has successfully carved out a niche in the YouTube community, attracting over 1.35 million followers and amassing more than 161 million views across its videos. This notable achievement highlights the channel’s impact on the online conspiracy and mystery community, with a legacy that continues to grow and influence viewers interested in exploring the darker side of the internet.

The channel’s approach to content is both informative and engaging, offering viewers a blend of intrigue and insight into the peculiar and oftentimes disturbing phenomena that exist on the internet. ReignBot’s unique storytelling style and choice of topics have made it a standout channel for those seeking content that goes beyond the conventional, venturing into the realms of the mysterious and the macabre.

ScareTheater

youtube.com/@ScareTheater

ScareTheater is a well-established YouTube channel, created by Eric Christopher Wise, that delves into the eerie and mysterious realms of horror. Known for its in-depth analysis and exploration of horror-related content, the channel has built a reputation for providing comprehensive investigations and reviews. ScareTheater specializes in unraveling creepy stories, mysterious occurrences, and spine-chilling paranormal events, making it a hub for horror enthusiasts.

With a focus on a variety of horror topics, ScareTheater covers everything from obscure and mysterious videos found on the internet to real-life urban legends. This wide range of content allows viewers to explore the depths of horror in both digital and real-world contexts. The channel’s approach to storytelling is both immersive and informative, often leading viewers into the darkest corners of the internet and beyond.

Since its inception on May 29, 2012, ScareTheater has grown its subscriber base significantly, attracting viewers who have a fascination with the macabre and the unexplained. The channel stands out not only for its engaging horror narratives but also for its detailed and well-researched presentations, offering a unique blend of entertainment and insight into the world of horror.

Think Anomalous

youtube.com/@ThinkAnomalous

Think Anomalous is a unique and insightful YouTube channel operating as an independent media producer and publisher. The channel is dedicated to enhancing the public’s understanding of anomalous phenomena, an area often shrouded in mystery and skepticism. Through its content, Think Anomalous engages in comprehensive surveys of the most credible research in anomalistics, making this information accessible and understandable to a broad audience.

The channel specializes in creating short, documentary-style videos that delve into various aspects of the occult and paranormal. These videos cover a wide range of topics, from UFO sightings and spirit possession to fields of anomalistic research such as presentiment and reincarnation. The aim is to provide concise and comprehensive summaries of credible information on these subjects, making the channel a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding unexplained phenomena.

What sets Think Anomalous apart is its commitment to historical accuracy and scientific inquiry in its approach to the paranormal and unexplained events. By producing content that is both educational and engaging, the channel bridges the gap between the mysterious and the known, offering viewers a deeper insight into the world of the anomalous.

TREY the Explainer

youtube.com/@TREYtheExplainer

TREY the Explainer is a YouTube channel focused on educating viewers on a variety of science-related topics. The channel’s content primarily revolves around biology, zoology, anthropology, paleontology, and cryptozoology. This broad spectrum of subjects allows TREY the Explainer to cover a diverse range of topics, including animals, cryptids, prehistoric life, conservation, culture, history, and even ancient mythology and religion.

The channel’s approach is to make complex scientific topics accessible and engaging to the average person. This is achieved through detailed examinations and explanations that are both informative and captivating. The content is designed to appeal to a wide audience, from those with a casual interest in science to more dedicated enthusiasts.

TREY the Explainer’s videos are a blend of lifestyle and knowledge, aiming to educate and inspire curiosity about the natural world and its many mysteries. This educational focus is complemented by the channel’s ability to explore a variety of themes, making it a rich resource for anyone interested in learning about the intricate details of life, the earth, and our history.

Whang!

youtube.com/@JustinWhangYt

Justin Whang, better known as Whang! online, is a prominent American YouTuber and streamer, celebrated for his series “Tales From the Internet.” Whang has established a unique niche in the YouTube community, focusing on the intriguing and often obscure aspects of internet culture and history. His series delves into a wide array of topics that have shaped the online world, ranging from the earliest days of the internet to the present.

“Tales From the Internet” is a journey through the bizarre and often lesser-known stories that have emerged online. Whang’s content often revolves around various memes, viral photos and videos, rumors, hoaxes, and other oddities that have captivated internet users since its inception. This series stands out for its in-depth exploration of online phenomena, drawing in viewers with its blend of mystery, humor, and insightful commentary.

Whang’s approach to content creation is characterized by a deep fascination with internet culture and its impact on society. His videos offer a unique perspective on how online narratives and phenomena evolve, capturing the essence of what makes the internet a continually evolving and fascinating space.