50 Huge Things So Massive They’ll Trigger Your Megalophobia

We all have something that freaks us out — maybe it’s heights, spiders, or snakes. But there’s another fear you might not have heard of, and it’s kind of wild: megalophobia — the fear of really, really big things.

This isn’t just about “oh wow, that’s tall.” For some people, anything massive can trigger it — towering skyscrapers, cruise ships the size of small cities, huge airplanes, even giant animals. Sometimes just looking at them (yep, even in photos) can make your stomach drop. For others, these same objects are fascinating in a “can’t-look-away” kind of way.

Standing next to something enormous can make you feel ridiculously tiny. A building so tall your neck hurts just looking at it, a cargo ship that could swallow a football field, a plane with wings that stretch forever — it’s overwhelming and intimidating. But it’s not just fear; it’s also that strange mix of awe and humility that comes from realizing how small we are in the grand scheme of things.

And the thing is, these giant objects can also be jaw-droppingly beautiful. They’re proof of nature’s raw power — think mountains, waterfalls, massive waves — and also a reminder of what humans can create, like suspension bridges, rockets, or skyscrapers scraping the clouds.

There’s even a whole corner of the internet dedicated to megalophobia, where people post photos of the biggest, most intimidating stuff out there. You’ll see tiny people standing beside planes that look like floating cities, or leaning against buildings that vanish into the clouds.

Sure, for some folks, these pics are pure nightmare fuel. But they’re also strangely inspiring. They make you think about the scale of the world, the power of nature, and the mind-blowing things people can build.

So, ready to feel small? Here’s a collection of some of the most “oh wow” shots from the megalophobia community. Fair warning: you might walk away with goosebumps… or a sudden urge to go see something massive in person.

Megalophobia shows how gargantuan structures can spark both a rush of dread and a surge of amazement.

“Sorvagsvatn, The Lake That Hangs Over The Ocean. Faroe Islands”

Collins3335

“Thunderstorm Over Panama. Picture Taken At 37,000 Feet By Santiago Borja”

SapereAudeAdAbsurdum

“Unreal Landscape: Dolomites, Italy”

aronnyc

“Perseid’s Meteor Shower Over Stonehenge”

aronnyc

“Just Imagine Going Hiking In The Woods And Coming Across This Beast”

crystalvaalkyrie

“The Sky Looks Way Too Much Like A Gigantic Wave”

sirjoshie

“Saltwater Crocodile Next To A Human”

Ill-Grape2777

“White-Bellied Sea Eagle”

Stender5548

“Iceberg Passing By A House In Greenland”

PineappleCurrent6681

“Tokyo Flood Tunnels”

aweemma

“France Has The Best Villages”

Knott5466

“Breathtaking Shot Of Faroe Islands In The Kingdom Of Denmark”

Parker3433

“Harpy Eagle, One Of The Biggest Eagles In The World”

DreamyDoveb

“Kelpies”

dreamwall

“Baobab Trees”

wetterthananotter

“Tallest Statue In Africa”

Logical_Feedback_759

“1980 Eruption Of Mount St. Helens”

lazyguy002

“How Did They Build This 85-Meter-Deep Underground City 2,500 Years Ago?”

Bodzio1981

What Does Science Say About Megalophobia?

Megalophobia might not be as well-known as other fears, but experts say it’s very real and can cause strong reactions. According to psychologists, this fear often comes from how our brains react to size and space. When we see something too big—like a massive ship or a tall building—our brain struggles to process its size. This can make us feel small, powerless, or even unsafe.

Some studies suggest that our fear of large things is linked to survival instincts. Long ago, humans had to be alert to anything large in the distance—it could be a predator, a storm, or some other danger. Even today, our brains can react the same way when we see something huge.

The feeling of being overwhelmed by size is also tied to something called “spatial awareness.” When a large object enters our space, it messes with our sense of safety and control. That’s why some people feel anxious, dizzy, or even have a rapid heartbeat when they’re near massive objects.

Interestingly, research shows that experiencing something huge—whether natural or man-made—can also create a feeling called “the awe effect.” This feeling of awe comes from realizing how small we are in comparison to something much bigger. According to studies, feeling awe can actually be good for us. It lowers stress levels, improves our mood, and even makes us feel more connected to the world.

So while megalophobia can be scary for some, it also shows how our brains are wired to respond to size and power—sometimes with fear, but sometimes with wonder.

“Hallgrímskirkja Church In Iceland”

Ok_Holiday_8595

“Banff National Parkway Alberta, Canada”

Olson2424d

“Bagger 293, Once Held The Record For The World’s Largest Land Vehicle”

Southern-Gap8940

“Biggest Ship Elevator In The World, The Three Gorges Dam Shiplift”

Sojum

“Image This Quetzalcoatlus Chasing You”

ImportantCorner2835

“Forest In Nagano Prefecture, Japan”

Glad_Low_2126

“A Lighthouse In Iceland”

DesperateAsk7091

“This Door (I’m 5’11” For Reference)”

Modar-K

“If Saturn Were As Close To Earth As The Moon, This Is How It Would Look Like”

hudbutt6

“The Pure Infinite”

hankgreen

“The Size Of An Eagles Claws”

LucasWatkins85

“Fanjingshan Temples In Tongren, China”

Interesting_Car_6218

“Hidden Beach, Marieta Islands, Mexico”

Volkman346

“Colosso Dell’appennino Is The Only Statue That Triggers My Megalophobia”

Sacrer

“Why Not Have A Seat On Royal Clock Tower In Mecca”

bunnysunlight

“The Mother Of All Leaves”

Excellent-Junket-447

“The Interior Of An Lng Cargo Ship”

gustavo2335

“Massive Cooling Tower With Stairs”

Active_Ear_2177

“Lion’s Head Rock In Japan”

Ok-Ambition6286

“Valley Of The Lights Italy”

Gina333bn

“Huge Wheel”

lady_marbx

“Map Of The Universe. Our Galaxy Is Under The Red Dot”

TediousHippie

“The Size Of A Tornado Compared To The Size Of Wind Turbines”

shenika32

“I Have A Huge Fear Of Heights And The Grade Of The Streets In San Francisco Test That, But This View Was Worth Looking Over; Taken Just Before Sunrise”

Brooks242g

“A Big Hairy Unicorn That Existed As Early As 29,000 Years Ago”

Milliken35356

“The Kalyazin Rt-64 Radio Telescope In Russia. Built In The Ussr For Robotic Venus And Mars Missions, Still Operational Today”

luuuzeta

“This Can’t Be Real, Right? Just Stumbled Upon It On Google”

monoshinyo

“The Madonna Della Corona In Spiazzi, Italy”

ForeignIndividual711

“Los Angeles Sky Cowboys Of Ironworkers Local 433”

Lieberman6577

“Urban Hell”

b_butzh

“Oil Rig That Washed Ashore In Scotland”

Silent_Status9126

“Giant Sequoia”

Reddit

Big things — whether they blow our minds or give us the chills — have this sneaky way of shifting how we see the world. They’re like a reality check and an inspiration all rolled into one. On one hand, they make you realize just how tiny you are. On the other, they’re proof of the wild, incredible stuff humans can dream up, build, or explore.

There’s something about standing in front of something massive — a skyscraper, a mountain, even a rocket — that makes you pause. It’s humbling, sure, but it also lights that little spark in your brain that whispers, “Okay… what else is possible?” That crazy size difference between us and these giant wonders might make you feel small, but it also makes your imagination go huge.