50 Huge Things So Massive They’ll Trigger Your Megalophobia

Everyone has something they’re afraid of—like heights, spiders, or snakes. But there’s another fear not many people know about called megalophobia—the fear of huge objects.

This fear can be triggered by anything massive, from towering skyscrapers and giant ships to huge airplanes or even large animals. For some, just looking at something so big can cause anxiety, while others find these enormous things fascinating.

Megalophobia often makes people feel incredibly small next to large structures. Standing beside a massive building, a huge ship, or a giant machine can feel overwhelming and intimidating. It’s not just about fear—it’s also about realizing how tiny we are compared to the world around us.

At the same time, these giant objects can be awe-inspiring. They show the power of nature and the incredible things humans have built. From breathtaking mountains and waterfalls to massive planes and bridges, big things remind us of human potential and nature’s strength.

There are even online communities dedicated to megalophobia, where people share photos of the biggest, most overwhelming objects out there. These images put things into perspective—like seeing a person standing next to a colossal airplane or under a towering skyscraper.

While these photos might trigger fear for some, they also show just how impressive and powerful both human creations and nature can be. We’ve gathered some of the most jaw-dropping photos from the megalophobia community—scroll down and see for yourself just how small we really are next to these huge things!

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 amaze or scare us, have a way of changing how we see the world. They remind us just how small we really are, but also show the incredible things humans are capable of creating or exploring.

Standing before something massive makes us reflect on our place in the world while also inspiring us. The huge difference in size between us and these giant wonders can feel humbling, yet at the same time, it pushes us to dream bigger and see what’s truly possible.