‘Boogeyman’ is a generic term for things that go bump in the night, but versions of the monster from around the world get much more specific. This illustrated map shows famous mythical creatures...
In the 1973 short story "The Boogeyman" by Stephen King, a titular monster kills the children of the protagonist, Lester Billings, driving him into a mental breakdown.
Boogeyman: Directed by Stephen Kay. With Barry Watson, Emily Deschanel, Lucy Lawless, Skye McCole Bartusiak. A young man tries to deal with the childhood terror that has never stopped haunting him.
The Bogeyman (also spelt as "Boogeyman," "Bogieman," and/or "Boogieman") is one of the main antagonists of folklore. It's traditionally a monstrous kidnapper and namesake of the monster archetype known as "bogeymen," creatures designed as a tool to scare children into good behavior or to protect...
Explore the chilling urban legend of the Boogeyman in American folklore—its origins, physical traits, behavior, and pop culture legacy.
The bogeyman is a mythical monster whose impact can be traced around the world. One of the first references to this legendary creature was found in the 1500’s, though it is suspected that the boogeyman has existed much longer than this.
Perhaps one of the most interesting characteristics of the boogeyman is his ability to exist in the folklore of hundreds of countries with very few physical similarities. The boogeyman’s ability to blend in and adapt to many cultures leads many to think of him as a type of spirit.
Wondering Monsters Podcast, Episode 13: The Boogeyman Explained: Origins, Variants & Cultural Role | 2025-11-11. This summary distills a lively conversation from the Wondering Monsters Podcast that traces the boogeyman from medieval language roots to present-day pop culture.