Top 10 Fictional Worlds That Would Be A Nightmare In Reality

Where would your dream place to live be?

For some, it might be a serene village, while for others, it could be a cutting-edge urban sprawl. From perfect monarchies to untouched wildernesses, many of us have an idea of the ideal world we’d like to inhabit.

You don’t need to go all out on fantasy. For some, owning a top-tier restaurant with a stylish apartment above could be the ultimate dream. But in the real world, utopian ideals often end in disaster. Here are 10 fantasy locations from movies, TV, literature, and video games that would be a terrible place to live.

10. Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory - A Business That Relies on Exploiting Workers

The new manager stood nervously behind the statue of the factory's founder. He inhaled deeply and, detecting the faint scent of raspberries, took a quick taste. “Nougat,” he mused. “What brilliance.” Then, from beyond the barricaded door, a dreadful noise reached his ears.

With melodies lifting their spirits, hope for liberation in their hearts, and sharpened caramel-mixing paddles in their grip, the Oompa-Loompas were ready to face the final hurdle on their path to freedom.

—Excerpt from Roald Dahl’s acclaimed novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory III: Charlie’s Dead, Now It’s Your Turn!

Eventually, whether you're handed the keys to this place or you turn into a madman armed to the teeth, enforcing your dominion over these orange-faced elves, what's left for you in the end? A cursed chocolate factory!

This place is dreadful.

9. The Shire In the end, you will face defeat.

You stand at 106.7 centimeters tall (3'6″). Everyone around you shares that same height. You're part of a peaceful, agrarian community that despises adventure and shuns violence. Your home is a tranquil paradise abundant with natural resources.

And your neighbors?

Warriors on horseback, twice your height, who just vanquished an evil demigod wielding a magical ring. You narrowly escaped enslavement by a wizard whose powers were severely drained after his defeat. How will your people face a rising empire with no clear enemies and a pressing need for expansion?

Yep, the hobbits are finished. Unless . . . 

All you can do is hope that like-minded little folk from similarly oppressed lands seek refuge in the Shire. Together, you'll form alliances and send envoys to Rohan and Gondor to forge a nonaggression pact, all while training your growing ranks in guerrilla tactics for the inevitable invasion.

Could this mark the beginning of a hobbit–Oompa-Loompa alliance? Are these two worlds about to collide? Let's hope not.

8. The County Of Midsomer The Perfect Rural English County . . . Always Remember to Be Armed

J.R.R. Tolkien's depiction of the Shire was his vision of the English “Home Counties,” reimagined in a high-fantasy setting. Similarly, the county of Midsomer in the long-running ITV show Midsomer Murders takes this fictional, idyllic region and places it in a more contemporary world.

The place seems almost perfect, with charming villages adorned with beautiful flowers, cozy cottages, bicycles, and friendly, tweed-wearing locals driving 4×4 vehicles that rarely go above 48 kilometers per hour (30 mph). However, this county harbors a dark secret. Its murder rate rivals the violent crime of Mexico's drug capitals, Tijuana and Juarez.

With a minimum of 369 murders, 87 attempted murders, and various other deaths (like escaping criminals plunging into quarries, suicides . . . you know, typical countryside events), this county might not be the best place to settle. Still, it's less than two hours' drive from London.

7. Metropolis A Crime-Plagued City (Right Next to Gotham City) Under the Control of a Mighty Alien

You’re being robbed by a gang of miscreants, and they're about to snatch the antique pocket watch your late father gave you. Then, suddenly, the sound of the sonic boom cracks above you. Superman comes crashing down from the sky to save you.

Now, imagine the countless times Superman is otherwise occupied (perhaps battling General Zod). ‘Where’s your hero now?’

Forget that Superman isn’t omniscient, doesn't always make godlike decisions, and could be swayed into totalitarian rule by charming villains, eventually wiping out 99 percent of humanity. If you live in Metropolis, you're practically neighbors with Gotham City, arguably the worst city on Earth!

The crime rates are always going to be through the roof, especially when gentrification sweeps through East Gotham and all the costumed supervillains move in, renting out a two-bedroom brownstone across the river in Metropolis.

6. The Hall Of Valhalla The Most Terrifying Waiting Game

Imagine that the afterlife, the gods, and the entire cosmos are exactly as the ancient Norse people envisioned. Ragnarok—the apocalyptic battle where you and your puny spear will face off against an army of monsters—sounds like a nightmare scenario.

Do you really think Fenrir, the monstrous wolf and offspring of Loki, will sit idly by waiting for his showdown with Odin (which, by the way, he’s destined to win)? No way, he’s going to want to snack on some delicious entrails first. And guess what? He’s curious about how your entrails might taste.

Have you ever sat in a hospital waiting room, dreading test results? It's an unbearable tension. Valhalla is much like that, but instead of the unknown, you already know the result—Ragnarok is coming! You’ll be sitting in a glorified convention center, awaiting that inevitable day.

But don't worry too much. There’ll be an endless supply of roasted mutton and horns of mead to keep you satisfied. This ensures you'll be both well-fed and drunk by the time the giant Midgard Serpent comes to sever your head.

5. Shangri-La A Utopian Paradise on the Edge of the Abyss

This idyllic community from James Hilton’s 1933 novel Lost Horizon is perfect if you happen to be a native. He situated this mystical city high in Tibet’s Kunlun Mountains.

Much like other legendary places such as El Dorado (the fabled city of gold), the Garden of Eden, or Atlantis (before it sank beneath the sea), Shangri-La embodies the concept of Heaven on Earth: abundant food, total harmony, and inhabitants who live long, joyful lives.

What if you decided to visit instead?

Should you find yourself in Quito, Ecuador, you’ll experience a place similar to what we’re describing. Just like the mythical Shangri-La, Quito offers stunning views, vibrant health, and incredible architecture. It’s a joy to stroll through the city and take in all it has to offer, especially if you’re from a location situated thousands of feet above sea level.

However, for those who come from below the clouds, like most of humanity, you’ll likely need to pause and catch your breath every few steps. Altitude sickness could even kick in, possibly requiring medical attention.

But there’s no need to worry; coca leaves are readily available to help alleviate altitude sickness and revitalize your energy in Quito. Though, these plants are absent in Central Asia.

Shangri-La would be a breathtaking paradise—until you exhaust your oxygen supply. After that, you either adjust or perish. Still, future adventurers might use your final resting place as a marker, just like the fallen climbers of Mount Everest.

4. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry The Top Target for Attacks by Powerful Terrorists

Do you remember terrorism?

For a significant period, the idea of a small group of ideologically driven individuals attacking innocent civilians was seen as the major threat to humanity. Many might still hold this view. Tourist attractions, factories, financial hubs, and government offices have traditionally been the primary targets of these malicious terrorist factions.

In J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter world, a magical school often becomes a top target. The ‘terrorists’ here wield magic. So, why would you send your children there, wizards?

3. Sunnydale, California Great Weather, A Zoo, A Museum, Disneyland Close By, And A Portal To Hell Right Next Door

California boasts a wealth of beautiful towns. Anyone with a clear mind would gladly give up a kidney to settle in one of these places. Claremont, Solvang, and Hillsborough all appear to be ideal spots to call home. Sure, Los Angeles and San Francisco come with their own problems like homelessness and, well, poop issues. But with enough money, who wouldn’t want to live in Beverly Hills or Nob Hill?

The small, charming, fictional town of Sunnydale could easily make it onto any list like this, sitting comfortably between Claremont and Hillsborough. But there’s a catch—Sunnydale is right next to a portal leading to a monster-infested alternate reality... and it’s leaking.

But don’t worry, because you’ll have a hero nearby. A teenage girl named Buffy… Wait, never mind. You should’ve moved to Solvang. Who doesn’t love chocolate?

2. Brigadoon See You Next Century

Brigadoon is at the heart of a captivating Scottish myth. A quaint village nestled in the Highlands was once cursed by a terrible fate. To protect their souls, the villagers struck a pact with God. As a result, the village, along with its inhabitants, would remain hidden from the world, only reappearing for a single day every century.

That one day is a time of great festivity, as outsiders can visit Brigadoon. However, there is a catch: none of the villagers are allowed to leave. Should anyone step beyond the village boundaries, both the village and its people will vanish forever.

In the legend, Brigadoon is portrayed as a place of awe and wonder. So, why would anyone want to leave?

Let’s consider this scenario. What if an outsider—pretending to be a cheerful tourist eager to witness this rare phenomenon—kidnaps Mrs. MacLeod, the baker’s wife, stuffs her in a body bag, and drags her outside the village? The entire village of Brigadoon would vanish. So, where would they go?

Based on the pact the villagers made with God, there are two possibilities—Purgatory or Hell. If it’s Purgatory, they would eventually reach Heaven. So, what keeps them in Brigadoon?

It must be Hell. Imagine being trapped in a community that remains frozen in a timeless limbo for 100 years at a stretch. Then, it’s at the mercy of reckless tourists whose irresponsible actions could condemn your entire community to eternal damnation. No thank you.

1. Pepsi Town Center For The Emerging Corporocratic Empire

If Superman were to go rogue, it would be catastrophic. Now picture him working for Pepsi, attempting to establish a corporate dictatorship across the United States, or perhaps the entire globe? This seems to be the potential outcome hinted at in the 1999 PlayStation game Pepsiman.

In the game, you play as the titular hero, navigating through challenging, Crash Bandicoot-inspired levels to deliver the sugary beverage to thirsty individuals. The final stage takes place in ‘Pepsi City,’ which seems to imply a city entirely owned and operated by PepsiCo, Inc. Wait—what?

If Pepsiman hails from Pepsi City and Pepsi controls both him and the city, what could possibly come next?

Based on the chilling, totalitarian-style promo for the game, it appears the next move would be to conquer mainland America and impose Pepsi’s reign over the nation. Want a Coke? That’ll earn you a decade in the reeducation hall. Sponsored by Pepsi. Drink!