Top 10 Evil Toys in Movies

“Poltergeist” (1982)

Clowns, dolls, and evil spirits; why settle for just one when all three are available? Considering "Poltergeist" manages to make static on a TV screen unsettling, it's hardly surprising that the film creates magic with a far more menacing prop. Despite only appearing for a handful of scenes, the Clown Doll leaves quite an impression. In the doll's famous attack scene, "Poltergeist" masterfully builds tension, letting the audience's imagination run wild before delivering an incredible scare. The 2015 remake also includes an evil clown doll but the toy doesn't quite recapture the terror of the original version.

“Krampus” (2015)

Despite the film's title, Krampus might not even be the scariest creature in this twisted Christmas tale. The Engel family find themselves being hunted by all sorts of demonic entities, many of which turn seemingly harmless items into pants-ruining abominations. In a sequence that features a grizzly teddy bear, a bloodthirsty puppet, and armed gingerbread men, Der Klown stands out as the cherry of this rotten sundae. A Jack who has grown way too big for his box, Der Klown swallows kids whole and has a blast doing it. A haunting porcelain mask paves the way to an expansive mouth that will inspire most people to scream out in fear.

“Small Soldiers” (1998)

Created specifically to take out the enemy, Major Chip Hazard and his Commando Elite are heroes in their own minds. "Small Soldiers" flips the human versus monster concept on its head, pitting the toy soldiers as the sadistic villains who will show no mercy to Archer and the Gorgonites. A speech-giving, monster-hating, Tommy Lee Jones-sounding sadist, Chip Hazard is not designed to have a single shred of remorse. The Major loves wiping out Gorgonites, a species Hazard sees as an inferior enemy who has no place in any world. The Commando Elite are also perfectly fine with attacking humans.

“Trilogy of Terror” franchise (1975-)

"Amelia" is comfortably the most famous segment of the "Trilogy of Terror," and it has a pint-sized villain to thank for it. Amelia receives a strange Zuni Fetish Doll, one that happens to hold the spirit of a hunter called "He Who Kills." Naturally, it doesn't take long for the doll to spring to life, pick up a knife, and go hunting. The "He Who Kills'' lives up to his reputation, as this is a doll that radiates malice and evilness out of every fiber of its being. This doll was such a hit, the hunter made a comeback in 1996's sequel movie.

“Puppet Master” franchise (1989-)

With 14 movies and counting, the "Puppet Master" franchise has seen its many titular toys wear plenty of different hats. While not completely subservient, the puppets generally reflect the morality and wishes of their masters; consequently, Blade and friends sometimes came across as anti-villains. In the original "Puppet Master" and its immediate sequel, the puppets are especially cruel, performing violent murders with no hesitation. The puppets rarely care for the lives of others and will happily bump off a few researchers for their master, although the toys do not take betrayal lightly.

“Dead Silence” (2007)

It's not the dummy but the ventriloquist that people should fear. James Wan's "Dead Silence" revolves around the spirit of Mary Shaw, a ventriloquist who is murdered and promptly starts to do a bit of haunting. As a conduit for her hatred, Mary relies on her many dolls, with Billy often taking center stage. Shaw's spirit is pure evil, committing plenty of violent murders along the way. The various dummies in "Dead Silence" are an extension of Mary, including a couple of rather big creations that do not reveal themselves until the movie's conclusion.

“Goosebumps” franchise (2015-)

One of "Goosebumps'" greatest villains, most '90s kids do not need to be introduced to Slappy the Dummy. Wisely, both movies push Slappy to the forefront, presenting the manipulative dummy as the main threat. Despite having a somewhat sympathetic backstory as a friend who was locked away by Stine, Slappy's abandonment issues typically inspire schemes to unleash monsters, hijack families, and destroy cities. Slappy also doesn't limit his revenge to just Stine, being more than happy to drag everyone else into the mayhem. While he might initially play nice, Slappy is dangerous and thrives on spreading chaos and pain.

“The Conjuring” franchise (2013-)

This doll just screams "haunted." Introduced in "The Conjuring" before really coming into its own in the "Annabelle" movies, this porcelain doll serves as the vessel for a sinister demon. Summoned by two grieving parents, this demon takes possession of the Annabelle doll and spends the next few years terrorizing anyone it can. The Annabelle demon is not just capable of taking over human hosts that can go on to form cults, but it has a track record of controlling other spirits that are each capable of inspiring nightmares. The doll itself might be nothing more than an inanimate object, but it's actually creepier than the demon's real form.

“Toy Story 3” (2010)

Considering "Toy Story 2" had Stinky Pete and a toy with evil in its name, Pixar's sequel needed to produce something special with its villain. Lotso used to be a cuddly teddy bear before he was forgotten and replaced by his owner. This experience left behind a hatred-filled toy that strives to make everyone else feel equally as hopeless. At Sunnyside, Lotso is a tyrant who turns the daycare into a prison that punishes hope, friendship, and kindness. Any traces of good in Lotso are long gone by the time Woody and the gang arrive at Sunnyside.


Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Hugo, “Dead of Night” (1945)
Because This Ventriloquist's Dummy Set the Standard for All Future Dummies

Demonic Toys, “Demonic Toys” franchise (1992-)
Because Their Branding Is Not False Marketing

Dolly, “Dolly Dearest” (1991)
Because Doll Factory Plus Nearby Tomb Naturally Results in Evil Toys

Brahms, “Brahms: The Boy II” (2020)
Because This Toy Keeps Its Evil So Well Hidden, Even the First Movie Didn’t Notice It

“Child’s Play” franchise (1988-)

Chucky has been a mainstay of the slasher genre since the late '80s, proving that he should really come with a warning label. Ever since Charles Lee Ray possessed the spirit of a Good Guy doll, Chucky has been racking up a huge body count while usually trying to take a human body. Deranged, psychotic, and sadistic, Chucky has stayed through to his murdering ways throughout his entire career, even after the doll gets himself a family. Chucky is an irredeemable monster, a being with not even the slightest shred of empathy or humanity. The evil toy is also really entertaining, delivering thrills and laughs in equal measure.