Why Do We Love Reddit Fails? Where to Find the Funniest Ones
There’s something oddly satisfying about watching a Reddit fail unravel. A bold opinion gone wrong, a perfectly timed typo, a post that backfires in real-time — Reddit fails are like the internet’s version of slapstick comedy. They’re messy, unscripted, and brutally honest. And that’s exactly why we love them.
Let’s explore what makes Reddit fails so irresistible — and where you can go to find the absolute best of them.
Why Do We Love Reddit Fails So Much?
Fails Are Funny
We take pleasure in watching a fail when it’s harmless and funny. It’s called schadenfreude — joy from others’ misfortunes. On Reddit, it often feels more like a collective inside joke than cruelty.
Nobody’s hurt. No one loses anything — except maybe a bit of pride. And for a moment, the whole internet gets to share a laugh.
Source: DeeKaah
Fails Are Relatable
Reddit is one of the few places on the internet where people speak without a filter. That’s great… until it isn’t. Sometimes people get overconfident, misinformed, or just plain unlucky — and the results are pure internet gold.
We love Reddit fails because we’ve been there. We’ve sent the wrong message, misunderstood the assignment, or bragged a little too soon. Seeing someone else make those same mistakes? It’s embarrassing and hilarious — but comforting, too.
Fails Are a Little Bit Educational
Believe it or not, you can learn a lot from other people’s mistakes. Reddit fails show you what not to say, how not to argue online, and what to double-check before hitting “post.”
Where to See the Best Reddit Fails
Reddit has a whole universe of fails, and knowing where to look makes all the difference. Here are the best places to start:
1. r/fail
Link: r/fail
What Is It: The r/fail subreddit is the original Reddit playground for epic missteps. It was created on May 7, 2008, and has grown into one of the most recognized fail hubs on the platform.
What It Offers: From faceplants and DIY disasters to cooking catastrophes and clumsy moments, this subreddit captures the beauty of not getting it quite right. The content is raw, real, and ruthlessly funny. Whether it’s a missed step or a total meltdown, r/fail serves up humanity at its most relatable.
2. r/facepalm
Link: r/facepalm
What Is It: Created in 2009, r/facepalm is where logic goes to die and the internet comes to shake its collective head.
What It Offers: This subreddit features screenshots and stories that will make you physically wince — not from pain, but from secondhand embarrassment. Whether it’s a baffling social media post or someone completely missing the point, r/facepalm is your destination for cognitive chaos.
3. r/therewasanattempt
Link: r/therewasanattempt
What Is It: A perfect mix of effort and failure, this sub was created for those moments when people almost nailed it — but not quite.
What It Offers: The content here revolves around failed attempts at humor, rebellion, cleverness, or even kindness. From poorly executed pranks to off-the-mark life hacks, it celebrates the noble (and hilarious) art of trying. You’ll laugh, you’ll cringe, and you might see a little of yourself in these epic misfires.
4. r/Cringetopia
Link: r/Cringetopia
What Is It: If you’ve ever wanted to curl into a ball after watching someone overshare or oversell themselves online, this is your place.
What It Offers: Cringe is a delicate thing, but r/Cringetopia leans in hard. Think TikTok awkwardness, failed pickup lines, forced viral moments, and next-level social misfires. It’s painful. It’s addictive. And somehow, it’s impossible to look away.
5. r/SubredditDrama
Link: r/SubredditDrama
What Is It: Think of this as the “newsroom” for Reddit meltdowns. This sub doesn’t host the fails — it reports on them.
What It Offers: SubredditDrama tracks the biggest arguments, call-outs, bans, and comment wars happening across Reddit. You’ll find summaries of heated threads and updates on who got roasted and why. It’s drama without needing to be part of it — a front-row seat to the chaos.
FAQs
Why is failure good on Reddit?
Because it’s funny, relatable, and brings the community together. People learn from mistakes and laugh at them too.
Why doesn’t Reddit work properly?
Usually due to server overload, maintenance, or app glitches. Check RedditStatus or DownDetector for updates.
Why did Reddit ban so many subreddits?
Over the years, Reddit has banned many subreddits that violated the platform’s policies on harassment, hate speech, misinformation, or targeted abuse. These bans are part of Reddit’s ongoing effort to foster a healthier, more inclusive community. While controversial, these actions are often taken to prevent toxic behavior and ensure that Reddit remains a space where diverse users can safely share and engage—failures, memes, and all.
Conclusion
We laugh at Reddit fails because they remind us of ourselves — flawed, funny, and trying our best. These moments, whether dumb or dramatic, bring the internet together like nothing else.
So next time you need a break from the curated perfection of social media, dive into a subreddit full of chaos. You’ll laugh, maybe cringe a little, and walk away feeling a tiny bit wiser.
At Grumpy Sharks, we’ll always celebrate the funny side of human error. Because sometimes, failing spectacularly is the best kind of content.
