- The sandman, in folklore, is a figure who brings good sleep and dreams by sprinkling magic sand onto sleeping children. The sandman is also a symbol of the passage of time to death; he is sometimes depicted as the grim reaper holding an hourglass and scythe.
- The Sandman, in comic books, refers to several different fictional characters:
- DC Comics, 1940s – The Sandman. Wesley Dodds, a superhero whose costume is a business suit and gas mask (and later purple-and-gold tights) and is a member of the Justice Society of America.
- DC Comics, 1970s – The Sandman. Superhero created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. He lives in the Dream Dimension and protects children in their dreams.
- DC Comics, 1990s – The Sandman. The king of dreams and one of The Endless, in the series written by Neil Gaiman.
- Marvel Comics – The Sandman is a supervillain who can transform his body into sand, and is an enemy of Spider-Man.
- Howard Simms, also known as Sandman, was a tap dancer in vaudeville, who acquired his name from the sand he sprinkled on the floor to amplify the sound of his steps when he danced. In his senior years, Simms appeared at the famous Apollo Theater, comedically ushering failed acts offstage with a shepherd's crook, or "hook."
- Sandman (also known as Sandmännchen) is a German children's television show. The show, during the cold war was produced by both East and West German television.
- A Sandman in the film Logan's Run is an enforcer who chases down people attempting to escape from mandatory euthanasia at age 30. The title character (Logan) is a sandman.
- "Enter Sandman" is a song by Metallica from their album Metallica (1991).
- The Sandman or Sandy is probably the most popular character of Australian comedian Steve Abott. Popularly known for his role in the Triple J serial 204 Bell Street and his perfomances with fellow character comedian Flacco on several Good News Week production, live acts and recordings. Abott retired Sandman in late 2003/early 2004, to work on his on image in his new SBS talk show In Siberia Tonight.
- The Sandman is a short film by the Brothers Quay.
- Sandman was the stage name used by professional wrestler Jim Fullington when he performed for Extreme Championship Wrestling.
- Sandman is the title of a 1976 album by Harry Nilsson.
- Sandman (magazine) is a free regional music magazine in the UK.
- The Holden Sandman was a well-known model of the panelvan (Australian hybrid pickup truck/ute) in the late-1960s.
- The Sandman is a Big Finish Productions audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who.
