Halloween Universe

Video Theme

Gothic

Videos built around the gothic theme — pulled together so you can study how others bring this atmosphere to life.

373 videos

Distortions Unlimited 2018 Halloween & Haunt Prop Highlights
3:04
Prop Reviews

Distortions Unlimited 2018 Halloween & Haunt Prop Highlights

Distortions Unlimited showcases highlights from their 2018 Halloween and haunt product lineup in this short catalog reel. The video spotlights a range of animated and static props, including the Zombie Shock, Alien Autopsy, Gothic Gravestone, Scare Bear, Dandy Andy, and more. It gives haunters and Halloween enthusiasts a quick visual overview of what the company's Frightronics line and broader decoration catalog have to offer for the season.

DistortionsUnlimited· 18,384 views
Dark Aesthetic Fashion Try-On!!
8:28
Other

Dark Aesthetic Fashion Try-On!!

A dark aesthetic fashion try-on haul featuring several gothic and alternative clothing pieces from the brand Dark In Closet, gifted to the creator for review. The video showcases styled outfits with witchy and gothic flair, including dresses, blouses, leggings, and accessories. Items are linked in the description for viewers to shop directly.

Jade The Libra· 18,252 views
SERIES: Haunted Mansion Home Office - Stretching Room Bookcase
8:49
DIY PropsIntermediatelow (base bookcase sourced free; additional materials vary)

SERIES: Haunted Mansion Home Office - Stretching Room Bookcase

VanOaksProps continues their Haunted Mansion home office series by transforming a free IKEA Billy bookcase into a Stretching Room-inspired display piece for Haunted Mansion prop collection. Rather than building from scratch, the creator leverages IKEA hacking techniques combined with custom joinery, themed wallpaper, wood grain painting, and atmospheric lighting to achieve a cohesive themed aesthetic. The build balances budget-conscious sourcing — using a community Buy Nothing group for the base piece — with deliberate decorative detail. The result is a functional bookcase that doubles as an immersive Haunted Mansion display environment.

VanOaksProps· 17,992 views
Fall Closet Sale + Try-On
11:57
Other

Fall Closet Sale + Try-On

A fashion content creator shares a fall closet cleanout video sponsored by Poshmark, trying on and showcasing gothic and alternative clothing items available for purchase. The video blends a personal styling session with a promotional segment for the resale platform. Items featured lean heavily into dark, Halloween-adjacent aesthetics from brands popular in the alternative fashion community.

Jade The Libra· 17,817 views
SERIES: Haunted Mansion Home Office Part 3 - Windows
9:34
DIY PropsIntermediate

SERIES: Haunted Mansion Home Office Part 3 - Windows

Part 3 of VanOaksProps' ongoing series converting a small home office into a Disneyland Haunted Mansion-inspired space focuses on building a decorative window cornice modeled after the iconic ride. The creator collaborates with fellow channel Hollywood Haunter to bring the look to life using woodworking, staining, and painting techniques. The result is a faithful replica architectural detail that anchors the room's theme-park aesthetic.

VanOaksProps· 17,558 views
BEETLEJUICE and Lydia Cosplay #beetlejuice #halloween #cosplay
0:09
Costume Tutorials

BEETLEJUICE and Lydia Cosplay #beetlejuice #halloween #cosplay

This short-form video features Beetlejuice and Lydia Deetz cosplay, likely showcasing costume recreations inspired by the iconic Tim Burton property. Posted by the Haunted Attraction Network, it appears to be a fun Halloween cosplay highlight rather than a step-by-step tutorial. With no description or runtime to draw from, specific construction or styling details remain unknown.

Haunted Attraction Network· 17,550 views
Gemmy Animated Eyeball Doorbell | R.I.P. Reviews
4:01
Prop Reviews

Gemmy Animated Eyeball Doorbell | R.I.P. Reviews

Haunt Former takes a close look at Gemmy Industries' Animated Eyeball Doorbell, a novelty Halloween prop sold through Cracker Barrel. The piece features a glowing green eye, antique-style detailing, and built-in spooky sound effects designed to startle visitors at the door. At just four minutes, the review gives viewers a quick but focused look at what the prop offers as seasonal door décor.

Haunt Former· 17,534 views
Floating Candelabra | Animated DIY HALLOWEEN Prop & How-To Tutorial
15:20
DIY AnimatronicsIntermediate

Floating Candelabra | Animated DIY HALLOWEEN Prop & How-To Tutorial

This tutorial walks viewers through converting a repurposed 4moms MamaRoo baby swing into the mechanical engine behind a floating, animated candelabra Halloween prop. The multi-motion swing mechanism provides the eerie, lifelike movement that makes a candelabra appear to drift and sway on its own. The step-by-step format makes the build accessible to crafters with moderate DIY experience. The finished effect suits haunted house displays, yard haunts, and Halloween parties alike.

HALLOWEEN DIY & HOW-TO Props & Special Effects· 17,506 views
Giant Skull Entry Display | Distortions Behind the Scenes w/ Ed & Marsha
2:23
Prop Reviews

Giant Skull Entry Display | Distortions Behind the Scenes w/ Ed & Marsha

Ed and Marsha Edmunds of Distortions Unlimited offer a behind-the-scenes look at their Giant Skull Entry, a massive prop designed to frame a doorway or entryway. The piece is constructed from latex and foam over a metal armature and stands approximately 14 feet tall and 7 feet wide. In this short clip, the duo focuses on the aesthetic decisions around the skull's eye treatment. The prop is built to disassemble for easier transport and storage, making it practical for professional venues.

DistortionsUnlimited· 17,318 views
Trench Crusade Modular Terrain Board WIP #trenchcrusade #wargaming #warhammer40k #modeling
0:19
DIY PropsIntermediate

Trench Crusade Modular Terrain Board WIP #trenchcrusade #wargaming #warhammer40k #modeling

This work-in-progress video showcases a handcrafted modular terrain board designed for Trench Crusade tabletop gaming. Pieces are built primarily from insulation foam with paper and wood accents, with surface textures achieved through heat, foil, and wire brushing. The gaming surface combines silicone, sand, paint, and ballast to create a durable, tactile playing area. A full build tutorial is planned for the creator's secondary hobby channel.

SKS Props· 17,151 views
I 3D Printed a LIFE SIZE Haunted Mansion Door for Neil Patrick Harris - PART 1
6:43
DIY PropsIntermediate

I 3D Printed a LIFE SIZE Haunted Mansion Door for Neil Patrick Harris - PART 1

VanOaksProps tackles Part 1 of an ambitious life-size 3D-printed Haunted Mansion door build, commissioned for Neil Patrick Harris. This episode focuses specifically on faux metallic painting techniques designed to achieve a refined, subtly aged finish rather than the heavily weathered look typically featured on the channel. The creator walks through a layered acrylic and spray-paint process using bronze, gold, patina, and black tones to convincingly mimic aged metal. It's a practical deep-dive into a more nuanced approach to prop finishing.

VanOaksProps· 16,757 views
Winged Dragon Animatronic Impressive Display Custom Paint
0:49
DIY Animatronics

Winged Dragon Animatronic Impressive Display Custom Paint

Distortions Unlimited showcases their Winged Dragon animatronic prop featuring a custom paint job commissioned for a Lord of the Rings-themed party in 2018. The piece is a large-scale medieval fantasy display prop with animated movement, demonstrating the studio's high-end creature fabrication capabilities. This short showcase highlights the visual impact and craftsmanship of the finished dragon in action.

DistortionsUnlimited· 16,703 views
Techniques for distressing and ageing costumes
17:23
Costume TutorialsIntermediate

Techniques for distressing and ageing costumes

Allen Hopps of Stiltbeast Studios walks through multiple hands-on techniques for distressing and aging fabric costumes, using a Tombs of the Blind Dead-inspired piece as the working example. The video covers a range of weathering methods to achieve a convincingly decayed, aged look on costume fabric. Both heat tools and color sprays appear to be among the techniques demonstrated. This is a practical, project-based tutorial ideal for costume builders looking to push their finish work to the next level.

StiltbeastStudios· 16,562 views
Vampire Legend Horror & Halloween Standing Display Prop | Distortions Unlimited 2021
1:29
Prop Reviews

Vampire Legend Horror & Halloween Standing Display Prop | Distortions Unlimited 2021

Distortions Unlimited showcases their Vampire Legend standing display prop, a new addition to their 2021 Halloween lineup. The character stands approximately six and a half feet tall, making it an imposing centerpiece suited for home haunts, haunted attractions, or serious collectors. The clip serves as a product reveal from a manufacturer with over four decades of monster-making experience.

DistortionsUnlimited· 16,384 views
DIY Haunted Mansion-Inspired Bust
8:04
DIY PropsIntermediate

DIY Haunted Mansion-Inspired Bust

VanOaksProps kicks off a multi-part build series with a Haunted Mansion-inspired animated bust, focusing in Part 1 on crafting the decorative pedestal. Inspired by a hack from the Prop Agenda channel, the creator shapes and details foam using a variety of cutting, routing, and sanding tools. The finished pedestal draws heavily from the iconic Singing Busts seen in Disney's Haunted Mansion graveyard sequence. This first episode lays the structural and aesthetic groundwork before the animated bust itself is tackled in later parts.

VanOaksProps· 16,352 views
Vintage Lantern Makeover - Rust finish and flickering LED upgrade
20:25
DIY PropsIntermediate

Vintage Lantern Makeover - Rust finish and flickering LED upgrade

This tutorial walks through transforming inexpensive camping LED lanterns into convincing vintage kerosene-style props. The creator applies faux rust and weathering techniques to the exterior while treating the glass with frosting and soot effects for an aged, eerie look. The electronics are upgraded by replacing the stock white LEDs with flickering bulbs and optionally wiring them to a wall adapter or daisy-chaining multiple units together.

Monster Tutorials· 16,171 views
SERIES: Haunted Mansion Home Office Part 2 - Replica Chandelier
8:28
DIY PropsIntermediate

SERIES: Haunted Mansion Home Office Part 2 - Replica Chandelier

VanOaksProps continues their Haunted Mansion home office series by building a functional replica chandelier inspired by the iconic changing portrait hallway of the Disney attraction. The build uses authentic unfinished brass lamp components sourced from Grand Brass, assembled on a threaded rod armature to closely match the ride's fixture. A SimFlame flame-effect bulb adds atmospheric authenticity to the finished piece. The creator credits Peter Wood for guidance on accurately replicating the chandelier's design.

VanOaksProps· 15,968 views
DIY Haunted Mansion Door Handle That Looks REAL
5:45
DIY PropsBeginner$20–$50

DIY Haunted Mansion Door Handle That Looks REAL

VanOaksProps walks through a step-by-step painting process for creating a Haunted Mansion-style door handle that convincingly mimics aged, ornate metal. The tutorial focuses on accessible paints and layering techniques rather than expensive materials, making a theme-park-quality result achievable for most skill levels. Finishing steps include rub n buff for a brass-like sheen and a patina acrylic wash to sell the aged look.

VanOaksProps· 15,967 views
Easy Creepy Potion Bottles with FREE Labels!
5:55
DIY PropsBeginnerlow / mostly household items

Easy Creepy Potion Bottles with FREE Labels!

VanOaksProps walks viewers through transforming recycled bottles into atmospheric Halloween apothecary props using everyday household supplies. A key highlight is the paper-aging technique, which uses an espresso solution to give printed labels an authentically weathered, antique look. Free downloadable labels are provided to make the project even more accessible. The finished bottles suit witch, alchemist, or mad scientist display themes.

VanOaksProps· 15,910 views
Gargoyle Stone Master Gothic Castle Animated Prop
0:50
Prop Reviews

Gargoyle Stone Master Gothic Castle Animated Prop

Distortions Unlimited showcases their Stone Master Gargoyle, a fully animated Gothic castle prop featuring moving head and wings, integrated sound, and a built-in fog effect. The short demo highlights the character's imposing presence and suitability for high-impact Halloween environments. It positions the gargoyle as a versatile centerpiece for professional haunts, theme parks, and gothic-themed events.

DistortionsUnlimited· 15,845 views
Creepy Lantern Prop from FOAM! - FREE Pattern
9:25
DIY PropsBeginner$10–$25

Creepy Lantern Prop from FOAM! - FREE Pattern

VanOaksProps walks through a step-by-step foam build for a medieval-style lantern suited to Halloween displays, cosplay, or LARP. The tutorial covers core EVA foam techniques including shaping, beveling, and contact cement assembly, then finishes with an aged metal texture using acrylic modeling paste. A free downloadable pattern is provided so viewers can follow along at home. The finished prop works equally well as a haunt accent piece or a wearable costume accessory.

VanOaksProps· 15,818 views
I Created The Final Halloween Tombstone Decoration
13:16
DIY PropsIntermediate$30–$70

I Created The Final Halloween Tombstone Decoration

VanOaksProps walks through the complete construction of a final Halloween tombstone, combining insulation foam and MDF to achieve a convincing stone-and-weathered-metal look. The build covers shaping and carving foam details, creating a custom faux metal plaque, and applying a multi-step paint finish that includes a masonry sealer base, hammered copper spray, patina effects, and aging washes. The result is a professional-quality graveyard prop suitable for yard haunts or haunted house displays. A thorough materials list with affiliate links accompanies the tutorial for easy replication.

VanOaksProps· 15,497 views
Make an EVA foam fabric covered costume top hat
20:42
Costume TutorialsIntermediate

Make an EVA foam fabric covered costume top hat

StiltbeastStudios walks through the process of constructing a costume top hat using EVA foam as the structural base, then covering it with fabric for a finished, professional look. The tutorial is geared toward haunted attraction performers and costume builders who want a durable, lightweight wearable piece. Allen Hopps guides viewers through the key fabrication steps in approximately 21 minutes, making it accessible without being overly simplified.

StiltbeastStudios· 15,418 views
PVC Candle Prop
2:01
DIY PropsBeginner$1–$10

PVC Candle Prop

This short tutorial from Hauntcast features prop builder Chris Baker demonstrating how to construct a candle prop from PVC for use in a Halloween haunt. At just two minutes, the build is clearly accessible to beginners looking for a quick, low-cost atmospheric addition. PVC candle props are a classic set-dressing staple that can add gothic or Victorian ambiance to any haunt environment.

Hauntcast· 15,406 views
Gothic Halloween Videos · Halloween Universe