Top 10 Smartest Improvised Horror Movie Weapons

“From Dusk till Dawn” (1996)
When Seth and Richie committed a robbery and set out for El Rey, they likely expected to meet some resistance along the way. However, not even Nostradamus could have foreseen the madness that awaits them at the Titty Twister strip club. Suddenly, "From Dusk till Dawn" transitions from a gritty crime drama to a film where Seth stabs vampires with a wooden stake attached to a jackhammer. Gloriously over the top, this is the type of weapon that just screams Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. A practical and cartoonish creation, the jackhammer stake really demonstrates Seth’s ability to make the best of a strange situation.

“Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood” (1988)
A veteran slasher villain, Jason Voorhees tends to fall back on his trusty machete whenever there are frolicking teenagers about. While certainly fond of tradition, "Friday the 13th's" killer is not above improvising if the situation calls for it. Or, you know, if a speargun happens to be available! In perhaps the ultimate demonstration of Jason's adaptability and creativity, however, the hulking monster finds Judy waiting in a sleeping bag and decides to experiment a bit. With the help of a tree, Jason turns Judy's sleeping bag into a coffin, and he was able to get the job done in one swing!

“Hush” (2016)
In life or death situations, even the most mundane of household appliances can make a difference. "Hush" is an intense thriller that sees our deaf protagonist, Maddie, trying to survive against a sadistic killer—one who repeatedly underestimates his victim. Maddie experiences absolute hell throughout the movie, but she eventually turns the tables on the intruder using insecticide and, most interestingly of all, a smoke alarm. Turning the thing that made Maddie seem like an easy target on its head, the smoke alarm’s flashing lights and headache-inducing noise completely throws the killer off his game.

“Planet Terror” (2007)
In this throwback to classic grindhouse cinema, viewers are treated to zombie-like creatures, missing reels, and an explosive prosthetic limb. While Robert Rodriguez's movie is a wild ride from start to finish, "Planet Terror" reaches the apex of its insanity when Cherry's missing leg is replaced with an assault rifle that also happens to be a grenade launcher. This weapon certainly gives Cherry a leg up in battle, but—as the zombies, soldiers, and gravity soon find out—the go-go dancer also proves to be a natural when it comes to wielding the unique weapon. With this inspired limb, Cherry cements herself as a hero who will be nobody's victim.

“Shaun of the Dead” (2004)
One morning, Shaun woke up, took a stroll to the local shop, ignored the news, and then met two walking corpses in his garden. In most horror films, the protagonist's first full encounter with a zombie is intense; in "Shaun of the Dead," this moment is intensely funny. After learning that vinyl records are not especially effective as weapons, Shaun upgrades to a cricket bat and gets swinging. The bat serves Shaun well throughout the film and really feels like a perfect representation of "Shaun of the Dead's" blend of humor and bloody violence. It's also like... the ultimate British weapon.

“Dead Alive” [aka “Braindead”] (1992)
There will be blood, guts, and severed heads. Also known as "Braindead," Peter Jackson's "Dead Alive" is a pitch-black horror-comedy about a rat-monkey, an overbearing mother, and young love. The movie is also unapologetically gory, a fact illustrated splendidly by a sequence involving zombified guests and a lawnmower. Lionel mows down the recently turned humans in an epic bloodbath that makes the ending of "Carrie" seem quaint. Carrying the lawnmower so it can be used as a make-shift blender, Lionel creates a beautiful symphony of destruction, a chaotic masterpiece of mayhem and carnage.

“Get Out” (2017)
When Chris finds himself strapped to a chair and at the mercy of a hypnotist from a twisted family, weapons are in short supply. Facing a future in which his mind is trapped inside a void, Chris burrows into the chair and pulls out some cotton from the armrest. This simple item proves to be a game-changer, as Chris sticks the cotton into his ear to drown out the audible trigger that would put him to sleep. Although not a weapon of the "smacking villains on the head" mold, the cotton is used for self-defense and also cleverly ties into “Get Out’s” racial themes.

“Evil Dead II” (1987)
While Ash Williams was great long before the final act of "Evil Dead II," he just needed one final ingredient to become a bonafide legend. In an ironic turn of events, the chainsaw Ash used to cut off his possessed right hand would come to replace that missing limb. Brought to life in a great sequence that culminates in an iconic quote, Ash demonstrates his quick-thinking and strength of character, transforming the deadites’ earlier victory into a tool with which to destroy them. Alongside the boomstick, Ash would keep the chainsaw arm close at hand through many adventures, including a trip to the Middle Ages.

“Aliens” (1986)
If a proper mecha is not available, then improvise. Ellen Ripley's badassery was cemented in 1979's "Alien," but the more action-heavy sequel gave the hero even greater opportunities to shine. The final battle sees the Xenomorph Queen wreaking havoc, prompting Ripley to think outside of the box and adapt what is essentially a forklift into power armor. "Aliens" had already demonstrated that Ripley could handle the machine, so the power loader's reappearance in the climax makes sense while also being plain awesome. With this futuristic forklift, Ripley evens the playing field to face off directly against the Queen.

Xenomorph https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/6b153072-14d6-42e1-af08-c0b997263dc6

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

Canned Food, “The Mist” (2007)
Because Nobody Ever Expects a Can to the Face

Microwave, “Gremlins” (1984)
Because What’s Good Enough for a Midnight Snack, Is Good Enough for a Gremlin

Coffee Mug Bong, “The Cabin in the Woods” (2011)
Because This Is One Resourceful Stoner

“Jaws” (1975)
There are some things even Bruce shouldn't eat. "Jaws" does a splendid job of building up its titular shark as an unstoppable menace that can shred through boats like paper and devour swimmers like fish food. After a harpoon fails to do the trick, Brody finds himself isolated, armed with seemingly only a rifle, and facing certain doom. But then the police chief gets a bright idea! Brody force-feeds the shark a scuba tank and then uses the gun to explosive effect. A triumphant moment, Brody's whole plan is intelligent, relatively believable, and just the right amount of desperate.