Perhaps you grew up singing along to the cheerful tunes of the Muppets. Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy were probably the first famous couple that 90’s kids shipped. Who would’ve thought that these sweet and innocent cartoon characters could ever look so amazingly realistic and sinister? 3D-artists like Miguel Vasquez, Boris Kiselicki, Rick Baker, Ali Adman, Pixeloo, and Carlos Lopez sure did. Their dark and uniquely artistic twist on these cartoon characters is truly what nightmares are made of. Yet no matter how horrifying they are, it’s nearly impossible to look away. Art is meant to bring forth emotion, and these artists did a masterful job at creating creepy uncanny valley-inducing novelties.
If you’re brave enough, go ahead and flip through the entire slideshow to have your childhood officially shattered into a million little pieces. Warning: there are some things that you just cannot unsee.
#1 Finn the Human (Adventure Time)
Finn is kind. Finn is selfless. Finn is brave. But oh no, Finn might look like this in real life. Care to go on an adventure to the Land of Ooo with this guy?
#2 Jerry (Tom and Jerry)
In the classic cartoon, it’s Tom chasing Jerry. However, the tables will most likely be turned in the cat and mouse game when Tom sees Jerry looking like this. Run, Tom, run!
#3 Homer Simpson (The Simpsons)
The intricate details and texture make this 3D rendering something that could be stared at for hours. It’s Homer like you’ve never seen him before. But the creepiest part are his bulging eyes – they are much cuter in cartoon form.
#4 Marge Simpson (The Simpsons)
Obviously, Homer can’t survive without Marge. Everything from her long eyelashes to her iconic tower of blue hair is a shockingly realistic representation of the original cartoon.
#5 Spongebob Squarepants
The jolliest yellow sponge in Bikini Bottom appears to be slightly less jolly here. Actually, he seems more like he’s hiding a knife behind his back. Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Spongebob SCAREpants.
#6 Kermit the Frog
The Muppets are lovable little puppets that always found ways to make children laugh, but Kermit looks like he’s crossed over to the dark side in this photo. Cue the nightmares.
#7 Patrick Star (Spongebob Squarepants)
Spongebob is rarely ever seen without his best friend, Patrick. The friendly starfish is famous for his childlike personality and comedic dim wit, but judging from the way he’s depicted here, he won’t be frolicking around Jellyfish Fields today.
#8 Disney’s Goofy
There are no words, but “oh naw” Is pretty accurate. You alright there, Goofy?
#9 Plankton (Spongebob Squarepants)
Plankton has a million failed attempts at stealing the secret Krabby Patty formula from the Krusty Krab. However, if he walks in looking like this, they’ll probably just hand it to him.
#10 Mr. Krabs (Songebob Squarepants)
Now, this is an accurate representation of a “Krusty Krab”. Mr. Eugene Krabs’ priority is money, money, and money. Based on this 3D sculpture, he should probably use some of that money to invest in a good skin regimen.
#11 Phineas Flynn (Phineas and Ferb)
One half of the spunky Phineas and Ferb duo, has never looked so terrifying. Imagine having to watch 104 days of summer vacation with this guy as one of the lead characters.
#12 Mike Wazowski (Monsters Inc.)
This goofball of a monster always struggled to scare children. Turns out, he made them laugh instead. Well, surely, no one’s going to be laughing at the sight of Mike’s new makeover. Lock your closet doors, kids.
#13 Nigel Thornberry (The Wild Thornberries)
The head of the Thornberry family is usually a nice guy. Maybe we caught him on a bad day? With those bloodshot eyes and dark circles, Nigel definitely looks like he’s gone wild.
#14 Arnold Shortman (Hey, Arnold!)
This street-smart 4th grader’s prominent features were accentuated even more with this sculpture. Do you think Helga would start taking down her Arnold shrine when she sees this?
#15 Gerald (Hey, Arnold!)
Arnold’s most trusted friend always has his back, but the way that he’s staring straight into your soul on this shot is giving us some serious shady vibes.
#16 Courage the Cowardly Dog
Everything this courageous dog does is out of love for his owners, Murielle and Eustace. No monster was ever a match for this brave puppy, but I wonder what he saw this time that scared the crap out of him.
#17 Thanos (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
At first glance, this purple head may look like the handsome Squidward that they once featured on an episode of Spongebob Squarepants; but upon closer inspection, it’s actually the mad titan, Thanos. I guess the chin clearly gives it away.
#18 Billy (The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy)
In this unconventionally hilarious cartoon, Billy and Mandy win a bet against the Grim Reaper. Consequently, the supernatural being is forced to be their best friend forever. If you had to, who would you choose to be your best bud, the Grim Reaper or this outrageously realistic interpretation of Billy? It’s a tough choice.
#19 Ed, Edd, and Eddy
You wouldn’t want to run into this jawbreaker-bearing trio at night… or during any time of day for that matter. The uncanny valley effect at play here is just too much to handle!
#20 The Lizard (The Amazing Spiderman)
The majority of viewers were most likely already horror-struck by this lizard-like human. Clearly, he couldn’t get any scarier, right? Well, he can. Don’t you just love it when you’re proven wrong? Better get that antidote ready.
#21 Ferb Fletcher (Phineas and Ferb)
Phineas’ brilliant British brother is a boy of few words, but his 3D version of him speaks a thousand words.
#22 Krum (Aaahh!!! Real Monsters)
You could try to close your eyes, but trust me, you can see Krum behind your lids too! Do you have the sudden urge to go soap your eyeballs now?
#24 Cookie Monster (Sesame Street)
This furry Sesame Street buddy has a lot of love for cookies, which now seems to have escalated into a serious addiction. Just give him his cookies, and nobody gets hurt!
#25 Squidward Tentacles (Spongebob Squarepants)
Squidward was never a cheerful dude to begin with, but it looks like someone’s really gotten on his nerves this time! Maybe Patrick broke his clarinet?
#26 Pikachu (Pokemon)
A wild Pikachu appeared! Although, it doesn’t look like he wants you to throw a Pokeball at him right now. Better run before he strikes you with a Thunderbolt.
#27 Stitch (Lilo & Stitch)
Who knew Stitch had a dark side? Based on this version of the lovable alien, you’d probably guess that he’s part gremlin. Don’t try anything funny, Stitch! Remember, we’re ohana.
#28 Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth (Futurama)
He may be creepy, but even in sculpture form, the CEO of Planet Express doesn’t look a day over 160. The future’s looking pretty bright.
#29 Stewie Griffin (Family Guy)
Okay, animated Stewie was weird enough. This is just going to haunt us for a week now.
#30 Popeye the Sailorman
Uh-oh, Popeye doesn’t look so happy here. We better ask Olive Oyl to bring some spinach, stat!
#31 Mr. Burns (The Simpsons)
Ready for a staring contest with the dubious Mr. Burns? Blink and he’ll come at you with his severely lethal overbite!
#32 Lisa Simpson (The Simpsons)
Lisa is wise beyond her years, so artist Hossein Diba made sure that his 3D model of the character wouldn’t look as goofy as the other The Simpsons digital art he created. While many would agree that Diba achieved his intention, some fans couldn’t help but make fun of Lisa’s starfish-like hairstyle, comparing it to the hairdos of popular anime characters Naruto and Super Saiyan Goku.
#33 Marge Simpson (The Simpsons)
Equally cool and creepy, this 3D model of the Simpsons’ matriarch realistically captures the character’s bulging huge eyes and massive protruding lips. Marge’s trademark beehive hairstyle also looks so lifelike that staring at it for a long time would somehow make you feel its fuzzy texture.
#34 Bart Simpson (The Simpsons)
The blemishes in Bart’s face in this highly detailed 3D model give the digital art an impressive natural look. And though his spiky hair looks a lot like a corn broom, it appears to be an accurate depiction of the character’s hairstyle in the animated series.
#35 Mr. Burns (The Simpsons)
A fusion of realism and stylized art, this 3D model of Mr. Burns looks scary and cunning just like the character in the show. His evil stare can make anyone uncomfortable while his terrifying grin is just the stuff of nightmares.
#36 Homer Simpson (The Simpsons)
This 3D model of Homer Simpson perfectly depicts some of the character’s signature physical characteristics. From his balding head to his bulging eyes, stubby fingers, and the stubble around his mouth, everything looks so realistic in this digital art, which, surprisingly, looks a lot like actor Paul Giamatti.
#37 Olive Oyl (Popeye)
Popeye’s girlfriend never looked so good until this digital art came along. Artist Hossein Diba successfully brought the charming personality of Olive from the comics into this 3D model by making the character’s lovely eyes and sweet smile extra realistic.