The book was later adapted into a 2002 film, starring Richard Gere. The creature was introduced to a wider audience by Gray Barker in 1970, and was later popularized by John Keel in his 1975 book The Mothman Prophecies, claiming that there were paranormal events related to the sightings, and a connection to the collapse of the Silver Bridge. The source of the legend is believed to have originated from sightings of out-of-migration sandhill cranes or herons. The national press soon picked up the reports and helped spread the story across the United States. The first newspaper report was published in the Point Pleasant Register, dated November 16, 1966, titled 'Couples See Man-Sized Bird.
In West Virginia folklore, the Mothman is a humanoid creature reportedly seen in the Point Pleasant area from November 15, 1966, to December 15, 1967.
