Long before streaming and spoiler-free trailers, fear came in a black plastic box with a screaming face on the front. The VHS era was a masterclass in psychological warfare and the battlefield was the video store shelf. You’d wander into Blockbuster or the corner rental spot, head to the horror section… and BAM. A wall of nightmares. Blood-drenched fonts. Eyes that followed you. Covers so chilling, you’d chicken out and rent a comedy instead.

But here’s the truth: sometimes, the scariest part of the whole movie was right there on the box. That artwork? It hijacked your imagination. Your brain filled in the blanks with pure terror, way worse than what actually played on screen.

These are the VHS covers that traumatized an entire generation of brave little renters… even if the movie turned out to be tame.

Let’s rewind the fear.