Five Nights at Freddy's (FNaF) is a popular horror video game franchise created by Scott Cawthon. The first game was released in 2014 and quickly gained a cult following for its unique blend of suspense, jump scares, and lore. The games are set in a fictional pizzeria called Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, where the player takes on the role of a night security guard who must defend themselves against the animatronic characters that come to life at night.

The animatronics are Freddy Fazbear, a brown bear; Bonnie, a purple bunny; Chica, a yellow duck; and Foxy, a red fox. They are designed to entertain children during the day, but at night they become malfunctioning and murderous. The player must use security cameras, doors, and lights to track the animatronics' movements and prevent them from entering their office. If an animatronic enters the office, the player will be jumpscared, which will end the game.

The FNaF games are known for their tense atmosphere, creepy sound design, and unexpected jump scares. The games also have a complex lore that is revealed through hidden messages, environmental details, and minigames. This lore has spawned a large fanbase of theorists who are constantly trying to piece together the story of the games.

The FNaF franchise has been a huge success, spawning numerous sequels, spin-offs, and merchandise. The games have also been adapted into books, comics, and even a feature film. The success of FNaF is due in part to its unique blend of horror and mystery, as well as its ability to tap into childhood fears of dark places and animatronic characters.