Top 10 Most Disturbing Movie Monsters

“Predator” franchise (1987-)
There’s a certain code of honor that goes along with the alien race called the Yautja, better known to film fans as “Predators.” These intergalactic hunters value sport and challenge above all, but that doesn’t make them the protagonists. Instead, the Yautja’s unique and complicated creature design made them instant favorites among monster enthusiasts. The Yautja have taken many different appearances over the course of the “Predator” franchise, and often retain arsenals of weapons and armor at their disposal. That said, we’ll leave it to Major Alan “Dutch” Schaefer to tell you what he thinks about the Yautja once their bio-masks are removed.

“The Wailing” (2016)
It’s all about the visual aesthetic when it comes to our next entry. This South Korean horror gem incorporates elements of police procedurals within its narrative. But the film largely stays its hand when it comes to revealing the demonic presence behind a series of gruesome murders. The Red-Eyed Demon appears almost gleeful when it does show up, however. This devilish spirit can take human form, and initially appears as a mysterious stranger who shows up in a small mountain village. It goes on to haunt and torment the family of a police officer. The disturbing antagonist definitely got under our skin.

“The Kindred” (1987)
The “killer kid” subgenre is a niche corner of horror fandom, but what about the unlawful bioengineering and genetic reproduction of a monstrous baby brother? This is a summary of “The Kindred” from 1987, and its titular creature, named “Anthony.” This test tube monster was created in a lab by using stolen cells from its sibling, the film’s protagonist. It’s then a race against time for our main character, John Hollins, to save Anthony from falling into dangerous hands, while also stopping the body count from rising. Anthony’s puppet design is great, an old-school latex horror show with a toothy maw only a mother could love. That said, his origin story is more than a little disturbing.

“Society” (1989)
The special effects of Screaming Mad George never achieved greater heights than they did in 1989’s “Society.” We’re speaking specifically of the film’s infamous final sequence, known as, ahem, “The Shunting.” The very word itself is foreboding, but the end results are much, much worse. The Socialites who dwell within the elite and upper echelons of society possess an appetite to literally consume and absorb common folk. This is achieved via the aforementioned Shunting, where George’s orgy of latex and plastic serves as the means by which these Socialites get busy. The sight of their wet (and probably smelly) absorption process still possesses the power to shock today, despite the fact that “Society” is over 30 years old.

“Dreamcatcher” (2003)
The adult versions of these parasitic aliens are truly disgusting, basically looking like a worm with legs. The baby Ripleys (or Byruses, in Stephen King’s original novel) are even worse, with a penchant for choosing a victim’s stomach and anus as an escape hatch. The dated CGI effects admittedly dampen the initial impact of the Ripleys in the film, but their toothy appearance benefits from some extremely gross sound design during their attacks. Their determination and elusiveness make them memorable movie villains for what’s probably one of the bottom-tier King film adaptations, if we’re being honest.

“The Void” (2016)
Considering that the monster effects for this movie were created on a tiny, crowdfunded budget, they look pretty darn impressive. There’s an element of tragedy at play with regards to the origins of the Sarah Creature. Dr. Richard Powell wants to be reunited with his deceased daughter – at any cost. If that means summoning ancient elder gods to resurrect her as a tentacled monster, so be it. This mutated abomination may possess some semblance of humanity within its twisted visage, but a return to “life” this most certainly is not.

“Tremors” franchise (1990-2020)
The subterranean worms behind this franchise have been making life hell for their victims over the course of a myriad of horror properties. What’s remained constant throughout this franchise, however, is how fun the Graboids are, despite possessing an honestly frightening and disturbing creature design. Their triple tongues and sharp mandibles are seriously grotesque, while their determined burrowing makes their attack points unpredictable, to say the least. Plus, their underground nature makes their numbers difficult to gauge, so effectively defeating them is a challenge. And if you think the adults are freaky looking, wait till you see the juveniles.

“Pan’s Labyrinth” (2006)
Actor Doug Jones’ background in contortionism and mime likely worked wonders in helping him prepare to play the Pale Man for Guillermo del Toro. Jones’ performance as both the Pale Man and the Faun in “Pan’s Labyrinth” were truly once-in-a-lifetime endeavors, thanks largely to the actor’s physicality. Jones brings a lot of character into how the Pale Man moves, its body language, and even the manner with which it presents its eyeballs. There’s an atmosphere at play that’s simultaneously malevolent and creepy, instantly bumping the Pale Man up into one of genre cinema’s most uniquely memorable antagonists.

“The Fly” (1986)
Critics and fans from all over the world have marveled at the special effects wizardry featured in 1986’s “The Fly.” Body horror master David Cronenberg and special effects head Chris Walas made Jeff Goldblum practically unrecognizable as Brundlefly. One man’s desire to achieve a scientific breakthrough results in a single, brief moment of lapsed attention. But that’s all it takes, isn’t it? The genetic makeup of Goldblum’s Seth Brundle is melded with that of a housefly during a teleportation test gone wrong. The physical results of this mistake are a messy and continually devolving gestation of man, to man-fly and finally, a fly-monster.

“Alien” franchise (1979-)
There’s just no other way to say it: the Xenomorphs are the stuff of nightmares. It was Swiss surrealist H.R. Giger who helped create the visuals for what would become the titular antagonist of Ridley Scott’s “Alien.” Giger’s notoriously sexualized, biomechanical style is on full display in the Xenomorph’s design, a feral, humanoid alien death machine that’s always dripping wet. Their acidic spit, sharpened tails, and relentless attack patterns are only a fraction of what makes the Xenomorphs so resilient and dangerous. There’s also their social structure, which focuses upon protecting their Queen at all costs, propagating their species, and killing anything that gets in their way.

Which movie monster gives YOU the willies? Let us know in the comments!