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An AI-generated Rumpelstiltskin meme is freaking out much of the internet
Summary by The San Francisco Editorial Desk Angela Yang | NBC News , as published by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC)
· October 7, 2026
· 1 min read
Photo: NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) · view original
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Summary created by The San Francisco Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Byline on source page Angela Yang | NBC News, as published by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) Original story Read at the source Source published Oct 7, 2026 Indexed here Oct 8, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key points Some believe it may be from a 1987 musical film, but this has not been confirmed. A clip featuring a character reminiscent of Rumpelstiltskin has been circulating online, leaving many to describe it as "creepy".
A clip featuring a character reminiscent of Rumpelstiltskin has been circulating online, leaving many to describe it as "creepy". The imp-like character approaches a woman in a room filled with straw, dances before her, and then turns the straw into gold coins. The woman's reaction changes from fear to joy, and she kisses the imp, transforming him into a prince. This scene is similar to the German fairy tale about Rumpelstiltskin, who spins straw into gold.
The origin of the clip is unclear, but it has sparked an online search for its source. Some believe it may be from a 1987 musical film, but this has not been confirmed.
Further details about the clip and its origins are available from the source.
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Category: News Published: October 7, 2026 Source: NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) Reading time: 1 min
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What is this story about? A clip featuring a character reminiscent of Rumpelstiltskin has been circulating online, leaving many to describe it as "creepy". The imp-like character approaches a woman in a room filled with…
When was this published? This article was first published on October 7, 2026 by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Angela Yang | NBC News at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC). To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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