04th Sep 2010
35 Entertaining 404 Error Pages
“404 Not Found.” These three little words can make any Internet explorer an unhappy camper. After all, who hopes to click on a broken link or stumble upon a moved or deleted page while cruising around the web?
Luckily, some web designers have chosen to end the misery of encountering a 404 error page. Instead of letting their site readers bump heads with a nasty dead-end error message, they’ve managed to squeeze a little entertainment out of it.
Below you’ll find some of the most entertaining 404 error pages on the web. We’ve listed them alphabetically to avoid playing favorites, but they’re all worth a look. Share your favorite 404 error page designs in the comments below!
1. 501st Legion
501st Legion is a Star Wars costume organization. It only makes sense that its 404 page would play on Obiwan's famous jedi mind trick with a "weak-minded" stormtrooper.
2. Abduzeedo
Yes, Houston, a 404 is definitely a problem.
3. Apartment Home Living
A nice ol' chap comes to your assistance on ApartmentHomeLiving.com if you run across a 404 error page. Click the lovely lady peering from behind the frame for proper navigation suggestions.
4. Astuteo
"Uh-Oh! SpaghettiOs!" You know you're a part of pop culture if your jingle makes it into a 404 error page. The popular SpaghettiOs marketing jingle is here to stay.
5. Blippy
Head over to Blippy's 404 page for an adventure. Keep clicking on the boy dressed in a unicorn outfit to discover a triple rainbow! Who knew a 404 page could be so fun?
6. Factor D
In an ode to early horror films, Factor D features an appropriately horrific 404 error accompanied by a beautiful, yet terrified scream queen.
7. SureDev
Many 404 error pages apologize for the error. Not this one. It's obviously your fault.
8. Blue Daniel
This 404 error page is a beautiful depiction of "Track 404," a fictitious NYC subway line. Check it out to experience the full animation.
9. Brandstack
"You can click anywhere else, but you can't click here." Love it.
10. Center'd
Bottom line: You can't go wrong with cute kittens.
11. Chris Jennings
Most of us would like to run into a 404 error page just as much as we'd like to run into the Grim Reaper.
12. Colour Marketing & Design
When you're facing "sharks with laser beams attached to their frickin' heads," what do you expect? Definitely a 404 error.
13. CSS-Tricks
Well, that can't be good.
14. CSSscoop
Picking a 404 error page design that is consistent with your name is an appropriate move. CSSscoop chose a melting ice cream cone, with a scoop of ice cream, of course.
15. Digitalmash
Sarcasm in dire situations is always appreciated, right?
16. Good Old Games (GOG)
Try not to make any missteps on GOG, or you'll end up lost in the cosmos.
17. HomeStarRunner.com
Insulting your readers doesn't usually help, but this 404 made me chuckle.
18 Hoppermagic
Hoppermagic chose to stick to its brand imagery when creating its 404 page.
19. iFolderLinks
There's just something about a really frustrated baby that catches your attention. And if you've made it to this 404 page, you probably feel his pain.
20. Itchy Robot
If you can't think of something clever to say on your 404 page, just write exactly what your users are thinking.
21. Jackfig
Jackfig added a creative touch to its 404 error page, with an inspirational haiku.
22. Jolie Poupée
Jolie Poupée, creator of eco-friendly children's clothes, serves up an audience-appropriate 404 on its site.
23. Mark Dijkstra
This 404 error page is reminiscent of the kitschy tourist shirts that your lousy friends and relatives buy you when they visit amazing places.
24. Merge
Prithee, go medieval on your site's visitors if need be.
25. Milrayas
Imagery always makes a 404 more entertaining.
26. OrangeCoat
Some 404 error pages do a wonderful job of explaining to users exactly what caused the 404 error. OrangeCoat provides a fun decision tree for lost web surfers that is sure to help them along their merry ways.
27. Oroza
Have fun with colors, shapes and exclamations.
28. Sick Designer
Sick Designer captures the depression that a 404 can cause on its error page.
29. Student Market
How fitting that a student-centric site would feature an addition problem on its 404 page.
30. The Brand Surgery
This page just pops. We like it.
31. The North Face
For true entertainment value, why not just tell a story? The North Face does just that by creating a tale about link-eating mountain goats.
32. Tinsanity
You might have been pwned, burned, punk'd or rickrolled recently, but have you been 404'd? Click here to join the party.
33. TK Designs
Excitement! Adventure! Ahhhhh, where I am?!
34. Urban Outfitters
Our sentiments exactly.
35. Urban Pill
If, after searching for hours, you still can't find the page you were seeking, Chuck Norris probably has it.
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