Promoting movies can be tough. To grab attention, some producers have turned to pranks to create buzz and fill cinema seats. Here are 10 funny (and sometimes dark) pranks that boosted movie interest by scaring people silly!
It’s All in the Eyes
The first Ouija movie didn’t impress critics, but a prank promoting it got over 2 million YouTube views! A viral marketing agency set up a fortune-telling booth with a woman who has eye proptosis. As she uses the Ouija board, her eyes pop out grotesquely, and a ‘corpse’ bursts through the floor, scaring the ‘victims’ witless.
Warning: This eye-popping effect is disturbing, so skip it if you’re easily scared.
Turn Off the TV!
Buying a new TV should be exciting. Imagine the shock when a trailer for the movie Rings ends with Samara crawling out of the screen right in front of you! Shoppers in a TV store experienced just that, thanks to hidden cameras and a very convincing Samara.
First you watch it, then you die.
Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Geostorm might not have wowed everyone, but its disaster scenes were memorable. To promote this film, a taxi was rigged to broadcast a fake news report while transforming a city block into an icy wasteland in the middle of summer. Passengers in the taxi were confronted by frozen ‘corpses’ and falling dead birds, creating a chilling and unforgettable experience.
It’s a Bloodbath
The 2013 remake of Carrie featured several pranks. One took place in a coffee shop, where a man was lifted against the wall by a ‘customer’ using ‘telekinetic’ powers. Another prank in a Russian nightclub involved foamy ‘blood’ appearing as people washed their hands, linking the bloody surprise to the movie.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
A classic horror scene involves a character staring into a mirror after splashing water on their face. For The Conjuring 2, a two-way mirror prank featured Valak, the creepy nun. As unsuspecting bathroom users looked in the mirror, the lights flickered, and Valak seemingly jumped out at them. The reactions were priceless!
Jaws, Is That You?
Sharknado is known for its terrible special effects and ridiculous premise. To promote Sharknado 2: The Second One, Syfy placed an animatronic shark in a London fishmonger. Hidden cameras captured shoppers’ reactions as the shark came to life. The elderly lady’s lack of reaction is a highlight!
Annabelle Comes to Life
To promote Annabelle, a spinoff of The Conjuring, producers played a creepy prank at the Toronto Fan Expo in 2014. They dressed a woman as Annabelle, posing as a mannequin for photos. As people posed, ‘Annabelle’ came to life and tried to grab them, resulting in some terrified reactions.
Open House with a Difference
The success of Paranormal Activity led to several sequels. For Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension, a prank was set up in the original movie’s house. Potential (and totally unaware) buyers got more than they bargained for during an ‘open house’ session. Welcome to the Ghost Dimension!
Not Your Average Infant
To promote the horror movie Devil’s Due, a pram was set loose in New York. It moved on its own, and when people investigated, an animatronic devil baby jumped out. The baby ‘lured’ people by crying and then scared them with its appearance, projectile vomiting, and giving the finger.
Skip the Bus Stop
Many people claim not to be scared of the Child’s Play movies. However, hearing strange sounds at a bus stop and then having a life-sized Chucky doll jump out is a different story. This hilarious promotional video for Curse of Chucky captures those reactions perfectly.
In Conclusion
These movie pranks are a testament to the creativity used to capture audience attention. From creepy dolls to ghostly encounters, these viral stunts successfully blended horror and humor to leave a lasting impression. Which of these pranks do you think is the most effective?
Leave your comment below!
