Top 10 Stupidest Horror Movie Characters

Script written by Johnny Reynolds

Top 10 Stupidest Characters in Horror Movies

Whatever you do, DON’T GO IN THERE! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Stupidest Characters in Horror Movies.

For this list, we’re looking at the characters who have made some of the absolute worst decisions in scary movies. And because these terrible choices resulted in their own death or the deaths of others, consider this your Spoiler Warning.

#10: Paxton

“Hostel” (2005)

It seems that no one told Paxton the most vital rule of traveling abroad: look out for tourist scams. While backpacking across Europe with his friends, Paxton instead pursues any situation that could result in him getting laid. We could forgive him if one bad decision led to misfortune. But after both of his friends vanish during different instances, he continues to stick around and dig into the situation rather than getting help. This of course leads to him being kidnapped and tortured himself. While he does escape his captors, it isn’t because of his smarts. Rather, it is due to sheer dumb luck.

#9: Money

“Don’t Breathe” (2016)

This character gets extra points for being a complete scumbag. As part of a trio of thieves, Money concocts a plan to rob a US Army Special Forces vet. This means he devised a plan knowing full well that their target had the necessary skills to stop any intruders. He also knew going into it that the man was blind, making him the more despicable of the three thieves. It’s his recklessness that wakes the blind man up while they are robbing him, which leads to him getting killed off early on. But at least his death led to one terrifying thrill ride.

#8: Millburn

“Prometheus” (2012)

You’d think that a biologist on a space exploration team would have common sense, but, you’d be wrong. Seeking answers about humanity's origins, the team enter a vast structure on a foreign planet. After getting lost, Millburn, along with geologist Fifield, discovers a snake-like alien creature. While Fifield is understandably cautious, Millburn is completely entranced and goes on to demonstrate exactly why if you find yourself on an unknown planet face-to-face with an alien creature, you shouldn't try to touch it. Otherwise, it could lead to your horrifying demise along with a multitude of your colleagues.

#7: Helen Shivers

“I Know What You Did Last Summer” (1997)

The plot is set into motion when a group of young adults accidentally run down a pedestrian, and dump the body in the ocean. A year later, they begin to be hunted down for what they did. After witnessing not one, not two, but three deaths as the killer chases her down, it seemed as if this ditzy beauty pageant winner might make it out alive. Helen’s quick reflexes and narrow escapes played against her dumb blonde archetype, that is until she made the amazingly stupid decision to turn around to see if she was still being chased, mere feet from a parade full of witnesses.

#6: Micah

“Paranormal Activity” (2009)

This found footage horror film took the world by storm, but that didn't make the characters any smarter. After Katie moves into a new home with Micah, she confides in him that she has been haunted by a demon since she was a little girl. Intrigued, Micah sets up a camera to record any activity while they sleep. As the plot progresses, he constantly taunts the demon and takes none of the increasingly disturbing events seriously. He is even given access to a demonologist who he refuses to contact. His terrible decisions only make the demon angrier, ultimately leading to his demise.

#5: Eric

“Evil Dead” (2013)

Most horror characters would survive if they'd pay attention to the warnings. Take Eric, for example. At a remote cabin in the woods, one character finds a mysterious book in the basement. The appearance of the book alone would be enough to dissuade anyone from reading it – it was chained up and bound in human skin. Eric, however, reads the text out loud despite multiple warnings against it. This summons all manner of evil to bring on the gruesome possessions and deaths galore! C’mon, man. Everyone knows you don't read evil skin-bound books of ancient languages that you find in a basement out loud.

#4: Addison Corday

“Saw II” (2005)

The “Saw” franchise has given us some twistedly clever traps, but the one that this character falls victim to is the simplest one. While frantically searching for the antidote to the poison coursing through her veins, Addison comes across a glass box with a syringe inside. Instead of listening to the tape for clues, she sticks both hands inside. But the box traps her with razor-sharp blades and she bleeds to death. Even if she wasn't going to listen to the tape, she could have at least studied the trap first. As we can see, the lock and key are right on the other side.

#3: The Freelings

“Poltergeist” (1982)

Once again, a lack of common sense rears its ugly head. This classic horror movie follows a family that moves into a house built on a cemetery, causing all sorts of ghostly and horrific things to happen to them. The family experiences multiple terrifying occurrences before the youngest child is kidnapped by a demon through a portal. But we’ve got to wonder why they didn’t just leave in the first place. Even after they get their daughter back and the house is pronounced clean, they still stay in the house another night. This, of course, brings them more trouble. Seriously? Just leave.

#2: Darius ‘Darry’ & Patricia ‘Trish’ Jenner

“Jeepers Creepers” (2001)

This creature feature focuses on a monster that awakens every 23 years to feast on human body parts. But it also features two of the dumbest protagonists seen in any horror movie. After almost being run off the road by a madman, this brother and sister witness him throwing a body down a pipe. And once he comes after them again, they decide it’s a good idea to investigate. If you are nearly killed by a lunatic twice and you still decide to investigate by crawling into the same pipe he just threw a body down nonetheless, you honestly deserve everything that’s coming to you.







Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:



Katherine ‘Katie’ Embry

“The Ring” (2002)



Anna D'Antoni

“Maniac” (1980)





Tatum Riley

“Scream” (1996)

#1: Mayor Larry Vaughn

“Jaws” (1975)

Steven Spielberg’s classic horror film is remembered for the scares. But what we don't remember it for is its shining example of municipal leadership: the insufferable Mayor Larry Vaughn. After a young woman is found dismembered, Vaughn refuses to acknowledge that a shark might be the cause, and is instead more concerned about the town's finances and the upcoming tourist season. As the attacks continue and worsen, Larry only looks for quick solutions. Except, if he hadn't been blinded by greed he could have helped stop the attacks early on, which would have been better for business anyway.