The Creepiest Pokemon Ever (That Are More Intense Than You Remember)

The Pokemon games are generally family-friendly and aimed largely at children. Yet, some rather spooky things have been brought to light in each generation since the very first games. In a world where Ghost-Type Pokemon run amok and human ghosts haunt mansions and abandoned office buildings, one would need a Silph Scope to see how chilling the Pokemon games can really be at times.

While the in-universe science behind Pokedex entries is dubious at best, it’s the only insight players get into the personalities and feel for their favorite pocket monsters. These are some of the creepiest Pokemon based on their Pokedex entries.

Updated October 31, 2024: Despite their largely whimsical motifs, Pokemon and Halloween (and the spooks that come with it) actually have something of a history together — whether it be the urban legends and Creepypastas, or Halloween-themed Pokemon Go events. And of course, being the “monsters” that they are, some Pokemon naturally come with rather creepy visuals and/or lore themselves.

Over the decades, many have noticed how scary some of them can be. Even when looking beyond usual suspects of the ominous Ghost, Dark, and Psychic-types, some do convey a certain odd, eerie aura, especially when looking at their Dex entries.

26 Necrozma

Prism Pokemon

This beast of a Pokemon encapsulates some of the most intimidating elemental types when factoring in its alternate forms. Being part Psychic, Ghost, and (in Ultra form), Dragon, the monster comes equipped with several powerful moves that can quickly wipe out opponents.

This parallels Necrozma’s tough, humanoid structure, topped off with a “brain prism” that contains eye-like objects on its face. This monster largely represents the darkness and “unknown” with its shadowy form and its ability to sap the light from various beings and places. Necrozma originates from Ultra Space, and can travel through Ultra Wormholes, making it a powerful and mystical creature indeed.

25 Naganadel

Poison Pin

Naganadel is a Dragon-type capable of damaging foes in both the short and long term. Filled with poisonous liquid and large spike-like stingers, the Pokemon resembles a giant deadly wasp more than a simple dragon. Still, it holds the menacing qualities of this winged fantastical beast as well, and can learn various Flying and Fire-type moves.

The thought of coming into contact with a Naganadel is a frightening one — as it can fly about rather quickly, and effortlessly pierce any target with one of its large, sharp stingers. And even if the initial stab isn’t lethal, the ensuing damage over time from the poison is almost sure to be.

24 Claydol

Clay Doll Pokemon

This unsettling doll presents an eerie visual from the outset, with its several eyes positioned in a circular formation; each saddled with beak-like protrusions in-between. This unique design extends further with its floating “limbs” that drift on either side like alien orbs — which are capable of firing potent energy beams.

Claydol can see and sense quite a bit, with its telekinetic powers and ability to float effortlessly. Beyond its seemingly limitless powers, the Pokemon proves quite eerie based on its origins, which are largely shrouded in mystery, spanning back thousands of years to an ancient civilization.

23 Honedge

It’s hard to think of a more illusive, impervious combo than Steel and Ghost; and that’s precisely what this Gen 6 Pokemon embodies. According to legend, Honedge manifests when a departed spirit inhabits a sword, giving it a deadly vessel to complement its haunting nature.

While its blade is deadly enough, would-be wielders merely holding its hilt will find themselves in trouble. Grabbing the hilt will summon a blue cloth that drains a person’s life energy after wrapping itself around the victim’s arm. Even the toughest swordsmen will want to look elsewhere for a bladed weapon unless they’re looking to have their very essence drunk.

22 Phantump

Stump Pokemon

Phantump takes the form of a seemingly harmless, simple tree stump; though one possessed by a lost and restless spirit. Both a ghostly and biological force of nature, this Pokemon drifts about the vast forests and leaves behind it a bone-chilling cry that resembles a child’s scream.

This ghostly growth — and its evolved form Trevenant — makes up the only Pokemon able to learn the move Forest’s Curse. While it does sound intimidating, this move merely adds a Grass-type to its target. Still, this can shift the dynamic of the entire battle, and throw opponents off-balance fairly quickly.

21 Skeledirge

The Singer

This crocodilian Pokemon sounds less intimidating than it looks, luring prey to sleep with a gentle tune. Still, it’s spooky to think about being put under by a razor-toothed, fire-breathing monster like Skeledirge. The juxtaposition of its sweet lullaby and the creepy, ravenous nature of the monster makes it all the more unsettling.

Its black and yellow eyes complete the sinister getup of this demonic-looking Pokemon, which has no shortage of perilous qualities. Even stranger is the mystery surrounding the fiery bird that sits atop its nose. Legend has it that it’s the manifestation of a fireball on Skeledirge’s head gaining its own soul.

20 Trevenant

Elder Tree

Resembling something out of the horror film Poltergeist, this ghostly Grass-type towers over many foes, all while staring into their souls with its vibrant red eye that pokes through a dark patch on its top. It possesses a trio of large claw-like wood fingers on each hand, and the roots that make up its bottom allow it to scurry about like a large wooden spider.

Not only is this plant creature strong in its own right, but it can take control of other trees by using its roots as a sort of wooden nervous system network. It also has the power to curse and trap any who chop down trees, acting not unlike a vengeful Treebeard from Lord of the Rings. Legend has it that the Pokemon has consumed entire people whole.

Basically, defenseless Pokemon or trainers wouldn’t want to run into this creature when wandering the forest.

19 Runerigus

Pokemon With A Grudge

This unique Ground/Ghost-Type can be particularly hard to hit, as it boasts the defensive and evasive strengths of both elementals. This large clay slab takes the form of a cement-like serpent, complete with razor-sharp teeth and a long wiggling tail. It possesses a single glowing purple eye, which can be unsettling to stare at on its own.

Its origin is equally eerie, spawning from a potent curse that was woven into an ancient painting and absorbing the spirit of the Ghost Pokemon, Yamask. This Pokemon has the power to inflict frightening memories with a mere touch. Players will want to give this mysterious, defensive Pokemon a wide berth.

18 Brambleghast

Tumbleweed Pokemon

One need only look at the spooky, spiked design of this distinct monster to pick up on its intimidating vibe. This Grass/Ghost-type manages to take the form of something as benign as a tumbleweed and make it look quite unsettling — though this is largely thanks to its vague facial features.

This Pokemon catches unsuspecting prey by engulfing it in its thick, thorny branches, draining every bit of its life energy before letting it go. Mass outbreaks of these monsters have been said to overwhelm and bury entire towns, according to the Violet Dex. Residing somewhere between an amorphic trap and a leech, Brambleghast is not one that players should tangle with unless they’re prepared.

17 Chandelure

Luring Pokemon

One would expect a Ghost/Fire-Type combo to make for a pretty daunting Pokemon. Yet Chandelure is particularly spooky and intimidating. This flailing monster can drain the life force right out of its victims, like a soul-sucking demon. It’s been described as “burning opponents’ spirits rather than bodies”; a rather intense concept to ponder.

The purple flames and haunting, lifeless eyes only add to the chilling nature of this strange anthropomorphic chandelier.

16 Dragapult

Stealth Pokemon

This predatory reptilian Pokemon from Gen 8 is fairly strong, but also jarringly fast. These qualities and its intimidating Dragon-Ghost combo only add to its creepy image, with its intense yellow eyes, protruding head spikes, and whipping ghost tail.

Added to this is the fact that the swift beast can use its unevolved kin Dreepy as missiles from its triangular head, which it does with an almost unsettling excitement.

15 Gourgeist

Pumpkin Pokemon

This plant-based Ghost from Gen 6 is unique in its ominous aura and jack-o-lantern lower end, which gives way to a ghostly top half. Mischievous and often evil, these spooky apparitions drift about the streets when it’s particularly dark and moonless, singing chilling melodies to spook listeners.

They wrap up their helpless prey in their vine-like arms, enjoying the process of this prolonged strangling. But that’s not all—legend has it that the ghastly sounds that call from Gourgeist are the cries and howls of suffering souls in the afterlife. When it comes to grim, intense Poke-lore, it’s hard to top Gourgeist.

14 Guzzlord

Junkivore

This Dark/Dragon-Type strikes an intimidating appearance to say the least. The Ultra Beast from Gen 7 can utterly overwhelm and terrify opponents with its huge presence, sharp teeth, and gluttonous ways. The Pokemon is an embodiment of a shark-like monster fused with a black hole, consuming all in its wake.

Fans of the psychological horror-adventure Eternal Darkness claim that this beast may be inspired by the dark god-like ancient being in that game, Chattur’gha, as it’s somewhat similar in appearance.

13 Gengar

Shadow Pokemon

As the first fully evolved Ghost-Type Pokemon in the franchise, Gengar holds an irreplaceable part in people’s minds and hearts as one of the most dangerous pocket monsters for battle and lore-related reasons.

Not only can they obliterate many opponents with powerful special attacks like Shadow Ball and Sludge Wave, but, according to multiple Pokedex entries, Gengars are also said to enjoy stalking people while disguised as their shadow and will possibly lay a curse upon unsuspecting victims.

12 Drowzee

Hypnosis Pokemon

Based on the Japanese myth about a supernatural creature called a Baku which consumes the dreams of sleeping people, Drowzee represents their origin by performing similar feats. It is mentioned in multiple Pokedex entries that this Psychic-Type Pokemon is not picky about whether it eats good dreams or nightmares, however.

It also disturbingly seems to favor the nightly thoughts of children as Drowzees find them to be tastier. This yellow tapir-like monster also eats dreams terrifyingly and bizarrely; it stands above a sleeping victim and will suck the dreams out through a person’s nostrils.

11 Mawile

Deceiver

Based on creepy Japanese folklore, like several other monsters featured, is Mawile, which originates from the mythical monster known as a futakuchi-onna; a woman with a hungry mouth upon the back of their neck.

From the front, this Pokemon looks quite friendly, though, don’t get too close as its rear maw full of massive teeth can chomp down on foes to deal huge damage. Even more intimidatingly, when Mawile mega-evolves, it gets another hideous mouth to ravage victims with.

10 Drifloon

Balloon Pokemon

Imagine being a simple-minded child — setting out on an adventure to be the very best (like no one ever was), and carelessly grabbing a balloon merely floating in the air. It abruptly lifts that person, and they float off, never to be seen again.

But, that’s not all. Drifloon’s Pokedex entry for Pokemon Ultra Sun makes it even worse. “Its round body is stuffed with souls and expands each time it leads someone away”. Indeed, those who have seen this large, peculiar Pokemon know that it has carried away the lives of many victims young and old.

9 Yamask

Spirit Pokemon

While some Pokemon just embody the Ghost-Type, Yamask might just legitimately be a real ghost. The mask that it carries is supposedly the face it had when it was both human and alive. If they see the mask, they begin to cry. According to the Pokemon Omega Ruby entry of the Pokedex, they “each retain memories of its former life”.

Nothing is stopping them from being vengeful or holding a “Grudge” (which happens to be an attack it learns). One would do well not to make enemies in the Pokemon world, because they may come back to life as a Yamask and “Curse” or “Hex” a target — both of which also happen to be learnable moves.

8 Sandygast And Palossand

Sand Heap And Sand Castle

The Pokemon Sun Dex entry for Sandygast mentions they’re “born from a sand mound playfully built by a child, this Pokemon embodies the grudges of the departed.” Meanwhile, the Pokemon Moon entry explains that “it takes control of anyone who puts a hand in its mouth. And so it adds to the accumulation of its sand-mound body.”

This means that any Sandygast can be born from any sandcastle and those that get bit become absorbed into it. This makes beach trips potentially terrifying in the world of Pokemon. Palossand, which is the evolution of Sandygast, drags Pokemon to their deaths and devours their targets even more aggressively.

7 Cubone

Lonely Pokemon

No lineup of creepy Pokemon is complete without featuring one that wears the skull of their dead mothers. So, it’s perhaps best to get Cubone out of the way here as they have a very complicated relationship with fans. On one hand, it’s adorable and evolves into the powerful Marowak — or the even more potent Alolan Marowak.

On the other hand, one has to wonder if it personally pried the skull off of its mother’s corpse or waited for the local Mandibuzz population to feed off it first. And does it happen to be born with a bone in its hand or does it take it as an extra farewell souvenir from its mother? One can’t help but wonder…