History Main / ThingsThatGoBumpInTheNight

* A Advertising/{{Progressive}} Insurance commercial has a little kid calls for his parents in the night because he's scared but they assure him that there's no monsters hiding under his bed or in the closest, and he says that ''they'' said "they're always watching" but they clarify that they were talking about 24/7 protection from Progressive and leave him in the dark. When they've left, Flo comes out of his closest and says she was just checking his wiring. And then a ''real'' monster comes out from under the bed, but apparently isn't there to scare him and observes that the kid must be stressed over something else.

%%* [[SimilarlyNamedWorks And]] ''Film/TheBoogeyman'' series of films.

[[caption-width-right:290:[[http://www.michaelwhelan.com/gallery/illustration/horror/ Crrrreeeeaaakkk...]]]]

Frequently found in concert with an IronicNurseryTune. [[JustForFun/IThoughtItMeant Not to be confused]] with being kept awake at night by the neighbors having noisy fun. Or TheThingThatGoesDoink. Or MonsterCloset, a video game trope about hidden enemies.

* Michael Myers, in the original ''Film/Halloween1978'', is repeatedly compared to the boogeyman, apparently unkillable, and deeply enigmatic. He also seems to particularly target teenagers who are [[DeathBySex transgressive against social norms]]. In a subversion of this particular trope, he doesn't show much if any interest in actual children. This changes in some of the later films in the franchise, with his [[EvilUncle targeting of his niece Jamie Lloyd]].

* The ''Website/SCPFoundation'' contains a number of creatures seemingly inspired by various boogeyman legends from across the globe. One such example is [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-6087 SCP-6087]] (the 'Voice-Taker'), a ghostly figure with a large mouth and a beard of flies who steals the voices of naughty children. Another is [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-6097 SCP-6097]], a HumanoidAbomination known as 'Granny Rat Tail', who resembles an elderly lady possessing a rat's tail, with a large eyeball at its tip. During the early nineteenth century, she was known to visit the small town of Brownsborough Massachusetts, flying on an enchanted wooden spoon, and extend her eye-tail down house chimneys in order to find and steal young babies to cook and eat them. From the Italian version of the site there's [[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-015-it SCP-015-IT]] who's purported to be ''the'' boogeyman, a HumanoidAbomination with glowing eyes that [[EmotionEater feeds on fear]] by paralyzing its victims and sucking blood directly from their adrenal gland.

** Russia folklore usually has the legendary witch Literature/BabaYaga fulfilling this role; she likes to kidnap children... and [[ChildEater eat them]].

* In ''Webcomic/{{Sinfest}}'', [[http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=4703 Pooch dreams of one]]

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[[caption-width-right:200:[[http://www.michaelwhelan.com/gallery/illustration/horror/ Crrrreeeeaaakkk...]]]]

->''"Bart! I don’t want to alarm you. But there may be a Boogeyman or Boogey''men ''in the house!"''

The [[OurMonstersAreDifferent monster]] in your closet. The [[OurMonstersAreWeird creature]] lurking in the shadows under your bed. The thing hiding in your basement. The guy who starts scratching his long, ''razor-sharp'' nails on your windowpane the instant you draw the curtains and turn out the lights. These are the Things that Go Bump in the Night. They are ''very'' real when you are six or seven years old, and even after you supposedly grow up and move far away, they're still back there, [[NightmareFuel somewhere]].

Waiting.

Frequently found in concert with an IronicNurseryTune. [[JustForFun/IThoughtItMeant Not to be confused]] with being kept awake by neighbors having nightly fun. Or TheThingThatGoesDoink. Or MonsterCloset, a video game trope about hidden enemies.

And of course, while often he doesn't care who's naughty or nice and goes after all kids, another common component of his legend is that he targets only the naughty ones, such as [[BrattyHalfPint brats]] and [[TheBully bullies]], [[KarmicTrickster as punishment]]. Sometimes, this makes him a [[CreepyGood benevolent force]] merely looking to [[WellIntentionedExtremist rid the world of nasty kids]]. Other times, he is a [[KnightTemplar self-righteous]] flavor of [[StealthPun monster]]. If the former, then it tends to result in a [[{{Anvilicious}} none-too-subtle]] [[AnAesop aesop]] on why being a good little boy or girl is so important. If the latter, then the "naughty" children may be depicted as [[NaughtyIsGood champions of freedom.]]\\

* The ''Website/SCPFoundation'' contains a number of creatures seemingly inspired by various boogeyman legends from across the globe. One such example is [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-6087 SCP-6087]] (the 'Voice-Taker'), a ghostly figure with a large mouth and a beard of flies who steals the voices of naughty children. Another is [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-6097 SCP-6097]], a HumanoidAbomination known as 'Granny Rat Tail', who resembles an elderly lady possessing a rat's tail, with a large eyeball at its tip. During the early nineteenth century, she was known to visit the small town of Brownsborough Massachusetts, flying on an enchanted wooden spoon, and extend her eye-tail down house chimneys in order to find and steal young babies to cook and eat them.

There may be [[WhoYouGonnaCall someone you can call]], but if not, just stay under the covers.

The most infamous of these entities would be the one simply known as "the Boogeyman." (Also spelled "Bogeyman," "Boogieman," "Boogey Man,", etc.) Who or what this entity is varies wildly with time and culture. (See below under Mythology and Folklore) Sometimes there are several boogeymen, but usually, there's only one. He's also usually affiliated [[FearTropes fear in general]], and terrorizing children specifically. Sometimes, he's just another TTGBITN. Sometimes, he's the [[TheDreaded scariest of them all]], and might be shown to be their leader. And ''sometimes,'' he may even be depicted as the [[AnthropomorphicPersonification physical incarnation]] of [[MadeOfEvil fear itself.]] So, when you're told not to be scared of the Boogeyman and that the only thing to fear is fear itself... You are almost really being told that you ''should'' fear him. His weaknesses also vary, though a common one is being repelled by light and/or needing to feed on the darkness in the farthest corners of your bedroom. He or his monster friends may be content to show up in some level of light, so long as said light is as [[EvilIsNotWellLit dimly-lit as can be]].\\

* ''ComicBook/TheCloset'': The creature hiding in Jamie's closet in the apartment in UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity is some pitch black HumanoidAbomination that barely looks taller than Jamie does. Still, Jamie fears it with his very being. [[TheProtagonist Thom]] assures Jamie that, since they're moving to Portland, he'll be far away from the closet and never have to worry about it again. [[spoiler:At the end of Issue #2, [[CruelTwistEnding the closet appears in Mack's house, and the creature drags Jamie away into it]].]]

* The title character of the ''Franchise/{{Candyman}}'' films is treated as a kind of boogieman by his "congregation" - the people who fear him and continue to spread his legend. He also invokes real-world UrbanLegends like Bloody Mary (he is summoned by [[SpeakOfTheDevil saying his name]] into a mirror) and the HookHand campfire story.

* The ''Wiki/SCPFoundation'' contains a number of creatures seemingly inspired by various boogeyman legends from across the globe. One such example is [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-6087 SCP-6087]] (the 'Voice-Taker'), a ghostly figure with a large mouth and a beard of flies who steals the voices of naughty children. Another is [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-6097 SCP-6097]], a HumanoidAbomination known as 'Granny Rat Tail', who resembles an elderly lady possessing a rat's tail, with a large eyeball at its tip. During the early nineteenth century, she was known to visit the small town of Brownsborough Massachusetts, flying on an enchanted wooden spoon, and extend her eye-tail down house chimneys in order to find and steal young babies to cook and eat them.

* [[http://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/vladimir-stane Vladimir Stane]] from ''Wiki/TheWanderersLibrary'' meets one, "The Ol' Biglio", which leads him into Hades.

The [[OurMonstersAreDifferent monster]] in your closet. The [[OurMonstersAreWeird creature]] lurking in the shadows under your bed. The guy who starts scratching his long, ''razor-sharp'' nails on your windowpane the instant you draw the curtains and turn out the lights. These are the Things that Go Bump in the Night. They are ''very'' real when you are six or seven years old, and even after you supposedly grow up and move far away, they're still back there, [[NightmareFuel somewhere]].

[[UpToEleven Even his basic physical appearance]] is never consistent. He can go from a [[WesternAnimation/TheGrimAdventuresOfBillyAndMandy green goblin man]] to a [[WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls fuzzy pink beast]] to [[WesternAnimation/RiseOfTheGuardians merely a pale man in black]]. He almost never looks the same, so if he has a [[ThisWasHisTrueForm true form]], it's probably unknown, again, making him creepier. Even TheGrimReaper and {{Satan}} have stereotypical appearances: a [[InTheHood robed]] [[DemBones skeleton]] wielding a [[SinisterScythe scythe]] and a [[BigRedDevil red-skinned humanoid]] [[OurDemonsAreDifferent demon]] [[DemonLordsAndArchdevils king]] with [[HornedHumanoid horns]], [[DevilsPitchfork a pitchfork]], and a [[PrehensileTail spaded tail]]. But the Boogeyman? Nothing.\\

* Music/TheCure: "The spiderman is having you for dinner tonight..."

[[UpToEleven Even his basic]] [[TheUnseen physical appearance]] is never consistent. He can go from a [[WesternAnimation/TheGrimAdventuresOfBillyAndMandy green goblin man]] to a [[WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls fuzzy pink beast]] to [[WesternAnimation/RiseOfTheGuardians merely a pale man in black]]. He almost never looks the same, so if he has a [[ThisWasHisTrueForm true form]], it's probably unknown, again, making him creepier. Even TheGrimReaper and {{Satan}} have stereotypical appearances: a [[InTheHood robed]] [[DemBones skeleton]] wielding a [[SinisterScythe scythe]] and a [[BigRedDevil red-skinned humanoid]] [[OurDemonsAreDifferent demon]] [[DemonLordsAndArchdevils king]] with [[HornedHumanoid horns]], [[ProngsOfPoseidon a pitchfork]], and a [[PrehensileTail spaded tail]]. But the Boogeyman? Nothing.\\

The most infamous of these entities would be the one simply known as "the Boogeyman." (Also spelled "Bogeyman," "Boogieman," "Boogey Man,", etc.) Who or what this entity is varies wildly with time and culture. (See below under Mythology and Folklore) Sometimes there are several boogeymen, but usually, there's only one. He's also usually affiliated [[FearTropes fear in general]], and terrorizing children specifically. Sometimes, he's just another TTGBITN. Sometimes, he's the [[TheDreaded scariest of them all]], and might be shown to be their leader. And ''sometimes,'' he may even be depicted as the [[AnthropomorphicPersonification physical incarnation]] of [[MadeOfEvil fear itself.]] So, when you're told not to be scared of the Boogeyman and that the only thing to fear is fear itself... You are almost really being told that you ''should'' fear him. His weaknesses also vary, though a common one is being repelled by light and/or needing to feed on the darkness in the farthest corners of your bedroom. He or his monster friends may be content to show up in some level of light, so long as said light is as [[EvilIsNotWellLit dimly-lit as can be]].

And of course, while often he doesn't care who's naughty or nice and goes after all kids, another common component of his legend is that he targets only the naughty ones, such as [[BrattyHalfPint brats]] and [[TheBully bullies]], [[KarmicTrickster as punishment]]. Sometimes, this makes him a [[CreepyGood benevolent force]] merely looking to [[WellIntentionedExtremist rid the world of nasty kids]]. Other times, he is a [[KnightTemplar self-righteous]] flavor of [[StealthPun monster]]. If the former, then it tends to result in a [[{{Anvilicious}} none-too-subtle]] [[AnAesop aesop]] on why being a good little boy or girl is so important. If the latter, then the "naughty" children may be depicted as [[NaughtyIsGood champions of freedom.]]

What he does to the kids that he or his monsters [[UnusualEuphemism "get"]] is also rather inconsistent, ranging from [[PeekABogeyman simply frightening them and then leaving them be]] all the way up to [[ImAHumanitarian eating]] [[ChildEater them]].

[[UpToEleven Even his basic]] [[TheUnseen physical appearance]] is never consistent. He can go from a [[WesternAnimation/TheGrimAdventuresOfBillyAndMandy green goblin man]] to a [[WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls fuzzy pink beast]] to [[WesternAnimation/RiseOfTheGuardians merely a pale man in black]]. He almost never looks the same, so if he has a [[ThisWasHisTrueForm true form]], it's probably unknown, again, making him creepier. Even TheGrimReaper and {{Satan}} have stereotypical appearances: a [[InTheHood robed]] [[DemBones skeleton]] wielding a [[SinisterScythe scythe]] and a [[BigRedDevil red-skinned humanoid]] [[OurDemonsAreDifferent demon]] [[DemonLordsAndArchdevils king]] with [[HornedHumanoid horns]], [[ProngsOfPoseidon a pitchfork]], and a [[PrehensileTail spaded tail]]. But the Boogeyman? Nothing.

* In ''ComicStrip/BloomCounty'' [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} Binkley]]'s Closet of Anxieties is full of monsters, the most visible one being the Giant Purple Snorklewhacker: as the strip goes on, this concept was expanded. Once Binkley is old enough to have {{Adult Fear}}s, avatars of said fears show up in the closet with the monsters, sometimes scaring the monsters themselves. For instance, in one strip, the Snorklewhacker gives Binkley a choice between a convention of ''PM Magazine hosts'', Jesse Helms explaining at length why Martin Luther King Jr. was a communist, or a huge Binkley-eating python. Binkly takes the python, saying, "[[TakeThat Heck, I'm no glutton for punishment.]]" Eventually the fear closets of other characters are also shown.

* ''Film/CameronsCloset'''' has a murderous, demonic shapeshifting entity attempting to use the eponymous young boy's burgeoning PsychicPowers to manifest fully into our world... and is hinted at being [[EldritchAbomination something much worse]] than most boogeymen.

* ''Film/TheFieldGuideToEvil'': In "The Sinful Women of Höllfall", the Trud is monster that is attracted to sin. After Kathi's sexual liaison with Valerie, the Trud appears in her bedroom.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRbn72gu_NQ One PSA]] against [[AbusiveParents child abuse]] uses this with a darker twist. A little boy looks under his bed and at his closet, seeing cartoon monsters. The narrator informs us that the real monsters [[HumansAreTheRealMonsters aren't under the bed or in the closet]]. [[spoiler:And then [[AdultFear his father walks in]].]]