For centuries, humans have told stories of enormous beasts lurking in the shadows of forests, swimming in dark waters, or soaring through stormy skies. These creatures have haunted folklore and inspired thrillers — from Bigfoot to sea serpents and sky dragons. But what happens when these legends are supposedly caught on camera?
Thanks to smartphones, drones, underwater exploration, and social media, we now have more footage than ever before, which claims to show giant, mysterious creatures. While skeptics cry “hoax” or “misidentification,” others believe these tapes could offer tangible proof of undiscovered giants hiding in our world.
Here are 10 mysterious giant creatures caught on tape — unexplained, controversial, and endlessly fascinating.
1. The Montauk Monster (New York, USA)
In 2008, a bloated, hairless creature washed ashore in Montauk, New York, shocking beachgoers. With a beak-like snout, clawed feet, and leathery skin, it looked like something from a science fiction film.
Photos and videos of the “Montauk Monster” quickly went viral. Experts suggested it was a raccoon or a dog that had decomposed oddly. Still, conspiracy theories linked it to the nearby Plum Island Animal Disease Center, suggesting genetic experiments gone wrong.
The creature disappeared before an official examination could be done, fueling the mystery.
2. The Giant Snake of the Congo River
In 1959, a Belgian helicopter pilot claimed to have spotted a gigantic snake in the Congo, estimated to be over 50 feet long. A grainy aerial photo shows a serpent-like figure winding through the jungle brush.
Over the years, several amateur explorers and cryptozoologists have cited videos of massive snakes in the Congo and the Amazon that reportedly dwarf known species, such as anacondas. Some believe these sightings could be remnants of ancient Titanoboa, a prehistoric snake that reached lengths of over 40 feet.
3. Bigfoot Caught on Patterson-Gimlin Film (1967)
Perhaps the most famous cryptid footage ever recorded, the Patterson-Gimlin film was shot in California’s Bluff Creek in 1967. It appears to show a large, hairy, bipedal creature walking upright through the forest.
The creature — dubbed Bigfoot or Sasquatch — has been analyzed frame by frame for decades. Some experts claim it’s a man in a gorilla suit, while others insist the muscle movement and proportions suggest something non-human.
Despite advances in video analysis, no definitive conclusion has ever been made.
4. The Iceland Worm Monster (Lagarfljótsormur)
In 2012, a video surfaced online from Iceland, showing what appeared to be a giant, snake-like creature swimming through the icy Lagarfljót Lake. Locals have long told stories of the Lagarfljótsormur, an Icelandic version of the Loch Ness Monster.
The video, captured by a farmer, shows a long, undulating shape moving beneath the surface of the water. Some say it’s floating debris, while others believe it confirms the existence of the legendary lake beast.
A panel of experts later declared the footage authentic, not fake, though the creature’s identity remains unproven.
5. Japanese Tsunami Sea Creature (2011)
During the devastating 2011 tsunami in Japan, a chilling video surfaced showing a massive, shadowy figure moving swiftly through the flooded streets. The footage appears to capture a creature larger than a car moving underwater or through the waves.
While some dismiss it as debris, others believe the tsunami may have briefly uncovered a deep-sea creature disturbed by seismic activity. The chaotic setting makes analysis difficult, but the eerie clip remains a topic of interest among sea monster enthusiasts.
6. The Sky Serpent of China
In 2014, residents in a rural area of China spotted and recorded a giant dragon-like creature floating or flying in the clouds. Multiple videos appeared to show a serpentine shape with wings or undulating movement.
Though critics claimed it was a weather balloon, a kite, or a trick of perspective, the footage captured global attention. In Chinese folklore, dragons are considered real and sacred, so for many, this was not just a video, but spiritual validation.
7. The Giant Squid of Toyama Bay (Japan)
In 2015, a giant squid — over 12 feet long — was filmed swimming near a harbor in Toyama Bay, Japan. Unlike blurry deep-sea footage, this video was crystal clear and recorded during the day.
This was a rare moment, as giant squids usually live thousands of feet below the surface and are rarely seen alive. Scientists rushed to study it, confirming its authenticity. While not mythical, this real-life sea monster demonstrates that many giant species remain unknown or unrecorded.
8. The Lake Champlain Monster (Champ)
Champ is the Loch Ness Monster of North America, said to inhabit Lake Champlain, located between New York and Vermont. In 2005, two fishermen captured footage of what appeared to be a large, humped creature swimming just below the water’s surface.
Sonar readings later detected an object over 20 feet long moving in the lake. Though skeptics remain, Champ is taken seriously enough that both states have laws protecting the creature if it’s ever proven real.
9. The Fresno Nightcrawlers
Though not “giant” in the traditional sense, these tall, leggy entities deserve a mention. In 2007, surveillance footage from Fresno, California, showed bizarre, stick-like creatures with long legs and small heads “walking” through a yard.
The creatures — dubbed Nightcrawlers — look like living pants or spirits. A similar figure was later caught on tape in Yosemite National Park. No one has successfully debunked the footage, and no one knows what they are.
Their strange shape and smooth movement make them one of the most unsettling cryptids ever recorded.
10. The Loch Ness Monster – Revisited
No list would be complete without Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster of Scotland. While the infamous 1934 “surgeon’s photo” was later revealed as a hoax, modern sonar, drone, and underwater footage continues to produce unexplained images.
In 2020, sonar detected a creature-like shape over 30 feet long in the lake. Drone footage from tourists and boaters occasionally shows large, moving humps in the water.
While some refer to it as logs, waves, or sturgeon, the legend of Nessie remains alive, backed by ongoing visual evidence that continues to spark debate.
Final Thoughts
In a world mapped by satellites and explored by science, the idea of giant mysterious creatures still lurking on Earth challenges our sense of certainty. Whether the footage is real, faked, or misinterpreted, each video sparks the same primal thrill — the hope (or fear) that something unknown is watching from the shadows.
From deep oceans to misty forests and hidden lakes, the world still holds secrets. These 10 mysterious creatures caught on tape remind us that myth and mystery are never too far away, especially in the age of the internet.
