No, I don’t think Mothman is real. But I’m into weird stories like this. If you’re not familiar with Mothman, you can probably guess that it’s a creature that is part man, part moth (and all mystery). A humanoid, if you will. Mothman has fascinated locals and tourists since the 1960s.
The origins of Mothman
Mothman was reportedly first seen in Mount Pleasant, West Virginia from November 15, 1966, to December 15, 1967. On November 15, 1966 Two couples, Steve and Mary Mallette, and Roger and Linda Scarberry, told police they saw a large, black creature with glowing red eyes near the “TNT area” (an 8,323 acre $45M former World War II plant that manufactured and stored explosives). It ran awkwardly and hobbled through the grass into the north power plant. Linda Scarberry described it as slender, and about seven feet tall, with white wings. The couples sped away and reported that later the creature flew after their car, making a screeching sound.
After newspapers covered the story, others soon came forward with similar experiences. Witnesses reported things like it was a “large bird with red eyes” or that its eyes glowed “like bicycle reflectors”. Witnesses claimed the creature could fly at speeds of up to 100 mph and followed their car for miles.
John Keel’s 1975 book The Mothman Prophecies claimed paranormal events related to the sightings, including the collapse of the Silver Bridge. The Silver Bridge collapsed during rush hour in December 1967 and killed 46 people.
Alternative explanations for Mothman
One hypothesis associated with Mothman was that it was a misidentified sandhill crane. The bird is of a similar size, and its eyes have “reddish flesh” around their eyes. Others suggest it could have been a Great Blue Heron, or even a giant snowy owl which was shot by Ace Henry at Point Pleasant in 1966.
With so many related sightings from various people (hundreds?), it’s hard not to imagine there’s SOMETHING going on even if it’s not Mothman. Who knows if could really be these types of birds, or something else.
Where to find Mothman in popular culture
While the 1975 book The Mothman Prophecies and its 2002 film adaptation may be the best-known depictions of this cryptid, the creature has inspired additional media:
Books and films
- The Mothman Prophecies (Book, 1975): John Keel’s famous nonfiction book that brought national attention to the Mothman legend
- The Mothman Prophecies (Film, 2002): A thriller adaptation starring Richard Gere, loosely based on Keel’s book; available on Hulu, Sling TV, Philo, YouTube TV, or Amazon Prime
- The Point Pleasant Tapes (Film, 2024): A found footage horror movie filmed with 1960s period-correct cameras in Point Pleasant, WV; premiered at film festivals in October 2024; available on Tubi
Documentaries
- The Mothman of Point Pleasant (2017): Documentary from Small Town Monsters exploring the original sightings; available on Tubi or Prime Video (I watched this- it was quite interesting!)
- The Mothman Legacy (2020): Sequel documentary by Small Town Monsters delving into modern encounters and folklore; available on Prime Video
- Hellier (Season 2, 2019): A paranormal investigation series available on YouTube and Amazon Prime, featuring a Mothman-focused segment; YouTube or Prime Video
Games and cards
- Fallout 76: Features Mothman as an in-game creature; the “Cult of the Mothman” is based in Point Pleasant
- Trepang²: Mothman appears as the game’s first boss in the Horizon Corporation’s Pandora Institute
- Magic: The Gathering: Features a card called The Wise Mothman
Mothman’s legacy
Today Point Pleasant, WV embraces its connection to the Mothman with the Mothman Museum, which showcases memorabilia, artwork, and reports of Mothman sightings. The town even hosts an annual Mothman Festival on the third weekend of every September, which attracts an estimated 10 to 12 thousand people each year. The festival is filled with activities, including guest speakers, tours to the TNT Area (tours fill up fast!), costume contests, and, of course, plenty of Mothman-themed merchandise.
So if you’re ever in and around the Appalachian Mountains, take a moment to think about the Mothman! Maybe the next shadow you see might just be it.
