the things my childhood nightmares were made of

Pajiba has its take on the Ten Most Terrifying Creatures From Your Childhood. Totally with them, although I have a few additions and changes in ordering (and also, Jareth? If by terrifying you mean hot and David Bowie-like, then yes, I agree). So, with some overlap, here are the top five (and a half. yeah, i forgot about one when I started this post) nightmare inducing creatures from my childhood...

5. Pink Elephants on Parade

fairly certain nothing I was ever told as a child dissuaded me from drinking alcohol more than that video. The elephant made of elephant heads (around 2:18)??? pretty sure i could have lived my whole life without ever seeing that.

4.5. The Harpy from The Last Unicorn
I couldn't find video, but this picture says it all.

i don't know if it's the 3 boobs (on a bird!), but something about that creature scarred me.

4. Oompa Loompas

I actually still consider Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to be less of a kids movie and more of a crying myself to sleep movie. Seriously, that blueberry shit? I'm not sure I will ever get over that.

3. The Wheelers

these are less "things that gave me nightmares as a kid" and more "things that still haunt my dreams." I'm telling you, the flying monkeys have NOTHING on the Wheelers.

2. Those Guys from Labyrinth

I have a hard time with the original Pajiba post because it claims Jareth is one of the most terrifying creatures and yet completely overlooked these guys. They pull of their heads and throw them around! how is that okay?? I watched Labyrinth again the other day and, as an adult, was still terrified. The 80's blue screen special effects don't help.

1. Gmork

The Neverending Story wins many awards from my childhood. Coolest friend/pet? duh, Falcor (tell me you didn't dream of having a luck dragon, i dare you). Saddest moment on film? Atreyu's horse Artex being swallowed by the Swamp of Sadness (yes, I was a horse kid, and yes, I totally just teared up looking for that clip). Most meta/dream destroying lie of an ending (How does the Empress know about me watching Bastian read about Atreyu??! My mind is blown. And, really?? my wishes will all come true as I help bring Fantasia back into existence??? Bullshit, Empress, that looks like Bastian riding on my luck dragon).

Finally (and most relevantly to this post) Gmork, that freaking wolf agent of the Nothing. It's the eyes.

Thanks to Vanessa for the original Pajiba post. I will now proceed to not be able to fall asleep for a week.