B Movies Blog

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared into the ol’ VCR.

I didn’t learn about Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared until 2014. 

You see, I was at a game/movie night with friends when one mentioned it, and I had no idea what they were talking about. 

My friend was baffled, as this seemed like something that was right up my alley, so he played the video, and I was immediately obsessed… 

…and then didn’t think about it again until recently. 

So, I went on a deep dive this week and watched all six episodes on YouTube AND the six-episode Channel 4 series from 2022. 

And, it should come as no surprise to anyone how much I loved all of it. 

However, I’m getting ahead of myself. 

Video source: Don’t Hug Me .I’m Scared

If you aren’t familiar with Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared, let me give you a quick primer: 

Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared not so discreetly disguises morbid and existential themes in the skin of a children’s show as our three main characters, addressed only as Red Guy, Yellow Guy, and Duck, navigate all of the surreal and macabre ideas thrown at them. 

For example, a new character will emerge and begin singing a cheerful tune that devolves into a song about their character’s mortality. 

Y’know, the usual. 

Video source: Don’t Hug Me .I’m Scared

It’s also masterfully executed through a mix of puppetry, animation, claymation, you name it. 

On July 29, 2011, Joe Pelling and Becky Sloan released what would become the first episode of Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared. Originally uploaded with the same title as the series, this episode would also come to be known as “Creativity.” 

From there, five more episodes would premiere on YouTube followed by six full-length episodes on Channel Four to round out the series. 

And, y’all, I was all but kicking my legs and smiling like a little kid while watching both sets of episodes. 

The work that went into Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared makes it worth the watch alone, not to mention the dark humor, horrifying imagery, and deep conversations about death, friendship, growing up, etc… 

If you’re a fan of Adult Swim or classic YouTube videos like Teddy Has An Operation, you NEED to watch Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared in its entirety. 

Don’t sleep on all of the episodes like I did because my only regret is not watching all of them sooner. 

And yes, I’m already thinking about making Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared my dogs’ costumes next Halloween.