For centuries, humans have told tales of strange beings that lurk in the shadows, swim in deep waters, or fly through the night sky. From the Loch Ness Monster to the Chupacabra, these mythical creatures have captured our imagination, inspired legends, and sparked debates. However, with the rise of smartphones, drones, and surveillance technology, an increasing number of alleged sightings of these creatures have been captured on camera.
Are these videos authentic glimpses into a hidden world? Clever hoaxes? Or something in between?
1. Bigfoot – The Forest Giant of North America
Perhaps the most famous mythical creature of all time, Bigfoot (also known as Sasquatch) has become a pop culture icon. Described as a large, hairy, ape-like humanoid, Bigfoot is said to roam the forests of North America.
One of the most talked-about pieces of footage is the Patterson-Gimlin film from 1967, which shows a tall, bipedal creature walking through the forest in Bluff Creek, California. The figure turns briefly toward the camera before disappearing into the trees. Despite decades of analysis, the film has never been definitively debunked or verified.
More recently, trail camera footage and cellphone videos have surfaced showing prominent, shadowy figures in remote woods. While some are easily dismissed as pranks or misidentifications, others remain mysterious, fueling the ongoing debate about Bigfoot.
2. The Loch Ness Monster – The Legend Beneath the Water
Scotland’s Loch Ness Monster, affectionately known as “Nessie,” is a purported aquatic creature described as having a long neck and humps protruding from the water.
The most famous image—the “Surgeon’s Photograph” from 1934—was later admitted to be a hoax. But Nessie didn’t vanish. In the modern era, numerous sightings have been captured on video. One 2014 Apple Maps satellite image showed what appeared to be a massive creature just below the surface of Loch Ness. In other footage, large dark shapes are seen gliding under the water before disappearing without a trace.
Despite extensive sonar and drone searches, no conclusive evidence has ever been found. Still, the videos keep coming.
3. The Chupacabra – The Goat-Sucker of Latin America
The Chupacabra, originating from Puerto Rican folklore, is said to be a blood-sucking creature that attacks livestock, especially goats. It’s described as a reptilian or canine-like creature with spines down its back and glowing eyes.
Dozens of alleged videos have surfaced over the years. In 2007, a Texas sheriff’s deputy recorded a strange, hairless animal running along a country road. The creature looked unlike any known species—long limbs, exaggerated teeth, and a stiff gait.
Though some scientists claim these are coyotes with mange, the chilling appearance and eerie behavior of the creatures in the videos suggest something more sinister to many viewers.
4. Mothman – The Winged Harbinger of Doom
First reported in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in 1966, Mothman is said to be a large, humanoid creature with wings and glowing red eyes. Sightings were often associated with tragedy, particularly the collapse of the Silver Bridge in 1967.
In 2016, a man driving in Point Pleasant claimed to have seen and photographed Mothman gliding above the trees. The image, later circulated online, shows a winged creature in mid-flight with a humanoid shape.
Surveillance footage from other locations has also shown bat-like beings hovering in the night sky. While skeptics argue that they’re simply birds or drones, believers see them as evidence of the legendary Mothman’s return.
5. Skinwalkers – The Shapeshifters of Navajo Legend
In Native American folklore, particularly among the Navajo, Skinwalkers are evil witches capable of transforming into animals. They’re said to roam rural areas, causing terror with their unnatural movements and human-like cries.
Security camera footage from homes near Utah’s Skinwalker Ranch—an infamous hotspot of paranormal activity—has captured blurry figures crawling unnaturally or shifting shapes mid-motion. In one disturbing clip, a quadruped creature stands upright and walks like a man before darting out of frame.
These grainy yet deeply unsettling videos are enough to send chills down anyone’s spine, whether or not you believe in the legend.
6. Mermaids – The Ocean’s Secret Inhabitants
Tales of mermaids—half-human, half-fish creatures—date back thousands of years. While most believe them to be myths, occasional videos suggest otherwise.
In 2012, a viral video from Israel appeared to show a mermaid sunbathing on rocks before noticing the camera and diving into the sea. The footage is grainy but compelling, with an unmistakable tail and human-like upper body.
Later, a documentary-style series by Animal Planet called Mermaids: The Body Found presented mock footage that some viewers took as real. Though it was fictionalized, it reignited global interest, and many YouTube clips since then claim to capture glimpses of aquatic humanoids disappearing into the depths.
7. The Fresno Nightcrawlers – The Walking Pants
One of the most unusual and unsettling pieces of footage originates from Fresno, California. In 2007, a home security camera captured what appeared to be two pairs of white pants gliding across the lawn in the middle of the night.
Dubbed the Fresno Nightcrawlers, these creatures appear to have no arms or torsos—just long, thin legs and a small head or waistband-like top. The footage has been analyzed and is still considered one of the most difficult-to-debunk paranormal videos.
Other sightings have been reported, particularly in Yosemite National Park, leading many to believe the Nightcrawlers could be some sort of alien or interdimensional being.
8. Dragons – Myth or Sky Serpent Reality?
Dragons are the stuff of fantasy novels, but a few videos from China and South America have shown long, serpentine creatures flying through the sky, resembling the dragons of legend.
In 2017, a viral video from China appeared to show a massive dragon-like figure slithering through clouds. While some claimed it was a kite or CGI, others were convinced it was something ancient and authentic.
Given the popularity of drone hoaxes and video manipulation, many remain skeptical, but the eeriness of these clips lingers in the mind.
9. Fairies – Tiny Beings Caught in the Light
Though often considered whimsical, stories of fairies have dark roots in European folklore. In 2009, a man in Mexico filmed a glowing, winged figure zipping through a forest. When slowed down, the figure had a humanoid shape and appeared to flap its wings independently.
Other videos from forests in Ireland and the UK show small lights darting among the trees—too fast and agile for drones, yet moving with apparent purpose. While skeptics label them as insects or lens flares, the symmetry and speed of the movements leave others questioning what truly lives in the woods.
Final Thoughts
While technology has made hoaxing easier than ever, it has also made capturing the unexplainable more possible than ever before. With trail cams in the wild, doorbell cameras on homes, and drones soaring high above us, our world is being watched from every angle—and sometimes, that watchful lens catches something that doesn’t belong.
Are these mythical creatures real? Do the videos prove anything? Maybe not conclusively, but they’re enough to keep the legends alive. Until science can explain every shadow and shape caught on camera, the door remains open to a world of mystery just beyond the lens.
