Top 10 Scariest Are You Afraid of the Dark Monsters

Who hasn't known neighbors that seem to come from a different planet? "The Tale of the Thirteenth Floor" has a relatively slow build as Karin and Billy become acquainted with their upstairs neighbors, who advertise themselves as a Toy Company. From static TV messages to absurd sets, this whole episode is surreal, culminating in the reveal that the neighbors are blank-faced aliens. Although not villains, the aliens have a simple but unsettling design that makes our skins crawl. The episode also ends on a zinger that sends Billy, and anyone watching, running to the hills.

John Carpenter would be proud. When magic dust falls on some glasses, Marybeth gains the ability to peek into another dimension, one that happens to feature people dressed entirely in black. Known as the Dark Figures and led by the Dark Lady, these beings are shrouded in mystery and simply look intimidating. The Dark Figures' creep factor is heightened by the fact that Marybeth's claims mostly fall on deaf ears. The finale of this episode is so intense that not even Sardo hamming it up to the nth degree hurts it.

The Midnight Society had to get their hands dirty with this one. The Evil Demon is comfortably among the most powerful monsters featured in the series, a being that can manipulate reality, shapeshift, and trap souls using the Silver Sight. Typically taking the form of an Oliver Twist-type child, this demon is an impudent trickster with a history of weaponizing fear and greed. Even if the villain doesn’t always assume the most frightening aspect, the Evil Demon is unfiltered horror on a purely conceptual level. Out of his many frights, the demon's masterpiece is the ghost in the well.

A clever premise, a nightmarish villain that pays homage to a horror icon, and Dr. Vink; this episode is "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" at its best. When Dr. Vink feels screwed over by the local theater, the madman decides to leave the employees a parting gift, one that comes with fangs and really long fingers. Inspired by 1922's "Nosferatu," the episode's villain is a hauntingly grotesque creature from an era when vampires could get by without model looks. Everything about Nosferatu is threatening, be it the way the vampire moves or his sunken eyes.

At night, hospitals are spooky enough without the presence of a monster. United Hospital takes a turn for the weird when the night shift becomes feeding time for a vampire preying on both patients and staff. Ghoulishly green and rather well-spoken, the vampire matches a memorable look with a devilish grin that is anything but comforting. This villain doesn't even need to wear his Sunday worst to inspire a scream, as the vamp's Margot form becomes progressively creepier as the episode moves towards its climax.

For goodness' sake, someone please give this kid a jacket. "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" throws out its fair share of ghosts, and the series hits multiple home runs with these types of stories. "The Frozen Ghost" episode shows that, with the right atmosphere, a single phrase and some effective makeup can be enough. While the titular specter comes with a sympathetic backstory and a heartwarming conclusion, the ghost makes sure to frighten the pants off everyone along the way. There is just something about ghostly children that inspires chills.

So you're not afraid of clowns? Well, after watching this episode, you will be. In one of the more subtle stories of the series, "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" opts to go down the less is more route and scores big because of it. On a dare, Josh steals the nose from a clown dummy at a carnival attraction; unfortunately for the kid, Zeebo does not take kindly to petty theft. Only ever shown as an inanimate dummy, Zeebo uses phone calls, balloons, smoke, and ambiguity to get his message across.

A comic book villain who uses laughter as a weapon, this jester is no joke. An aspiring artist, Ethan receives a one-of-a-kind comic featuring a terrifying villain called The Ghastly Grinner. Through a series of ridiculous events, the villain is brought to life to terrorize Ethan's world, with the child's parents being the Grinner's first victims. With sickening yellow skin, blue drool, and a spine-tingling laugh, the Grinner is a sight to behold and hear. A manic presence, the Grinner embodies and embraces madness with a vigor that can rival the greatest comic book villains.

Nothing wholesome ever lives in a cellar. When the bullied Andy tries to spice up a basement trip with some music, the kid inadvertently awakens the cellar's resident demon. To make matters worse, the demon happens to be feeling rather peckish for some humans. Rather than revealing the full form of the demon, the episode only shows the monster's eyes, leaving the rest to the audience's imagination. The demon also creates illusions that put Andy in a trance, including a doll that is just all kinds of wrong. At least, by the end of the episode, Andy makes a new friend.

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

Jake the Snake, “The Tale of Jake the Snake”
Because Just Look at That Face!

The Crimson Clown, “The Tale of the Crimson Clown”
Because This Show Really Has a Thing for Clowns

Gordon Ankers, “The Tale of the Full Moon”
Because a Misunderstood Werewolf Still Has Teeth Bigger Than Fingers

Ricky Hagerty, “The Tale of the Shiny Red Bicycle”
Because Children & Ghosts Go Together Like Peanut Butter & Jelly

The Lonely Ghost, “The Tale of the Lonely Ghost”
Because This Ghost Manages to Make Mirrors Scary

A great buildup means nothing if the payoff misses the mark; thankfully, "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" hit a bullseye in this episode. Throughout this story, students swimming at a school pool are terrorized by an invisible force. These sequences are intense, well-paced, and tap into that innate fear that something might be lurking beneath the water's surface. Then, The Corpse rises out of the pool to ensure that nobody will be getting a good night's sleep that week. Rotting from head to toe, this zombie is a disturbing work of art.