Top 100 Scariest Movie Monsters of All Time

“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest” (2006)
The aquatic monster of legend and lore possesses a long and storied cinematic history. The Kraken has appeared in films such as 1981’s “Clash of the Titans,” as well as this entry from Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise. The example set forth within the 2006 entry, “Dead Man’s Chest,” may be constructed out of computer-generated effects, but the results are still seriously impressive. The magnitude and scope of The Kraken’s arrival can be seen in the reaction shots of the cast, as this tentacled beast emerges from the waves, like some sort of Lovecraftian nightmare.

“Legend” (1985)
It speaks volumes that the charisma and likability of Tim Curry exude so demonstratively beneath the layers of makeup required for his Lord of Darkness. Curry’s line delivery and booming voice allow this devilish antagonist to be both formidably dangerous and powerfully seductive. Darkness’ gigantic devil horns, bright red skin, and scowling visage feel ripped from classic, demonic imagery from the past. It’s the perfect execution for director Ridley Scott to craft a true 1980s fairy tale with “Legend.” The Lord of Darkness proclaims that “there shall never be another dawn,” and we believe him.

“Pitch Black” (2000)
The era of full-scale CGI monsters was certainly upon us by the time “Pitch Black” arrived back in the year 2000. That said, this film was notable for combining then-new technology with practical creature effects to create their Bioraptors. These light-sensitive beasts tied into the film's story set-up, as well as the characterization of lead Vin Diesel’s Richard B. Riddick. Meanwhile, the Bioraptors’ efficient hunting abilities and sleek, creepy design make them arguably one of the most unique sci-fi/horror aliens since the Xenomorphs. They’re deadly and formidable assassins, winged death angels that bring the characters of “Pitch Black” a nearly insurmountable level of danger.

“The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms” (1953)
Does it matter that this dinosaur was a creation of fiction, rather than a living creature that once walked prehistoric earth? We don’t think so, especially since the legacy of this Rhedosaurus helped influence the development of Godzilla only a few years later. This gigantic dinosaur first appeared in a story by the legendary Ray Bradbury, before being constructed by special effects titan Ray Harryhausen[d]. The resulting film, “The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms,” showcased the Rhedosaurus in all its city-smashing glory. This sort of imaginative creature-feature magic would symbolize Harryhausen’s career, a badass dino for the atomic age that would live on forever.

“Little Shop of Horrors” (1986)
There’s a world of mischievous humor and wonder behind the story of “Little Shop of Horrors” and its main antagonist, Audrey II. This carnivorous plant has been depicted as an alien species, as well as a cross-pollinated hybrid. There’s no debate, however, when it comes to Audrey II’s large-scale plans and desires: it wants to take over the world! The 1986 film adaptation in particular does an amazing job with its design of Audrey II: all teeth, tongue, and attitude. This plant alien knows what to say to get what it wants. Blood, power, and ultimate control are on the mind of Audrey II, using the hapless, lovelorn Seymour Krelborn along the way.

“The Cabin in the Woods” (2011)
It’s nearly impossible to single out only one example from 2011’s “The Cabin in the Woods” when it comes to monster mash excellence. This is why we have to cheat a little bit here by including all of them! The Merman, for example, serves as a great payoff to one of the film’s running jokes. Meanwhile, Fornicus[f] is an obvious riff, both stylistically and with its moniker, to Pinhead from “Hellraiser.” This all speaks to the writing team of Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon’s obvious affection for classic horror cinema. The tropes are played with, sure, but the monster designs are actualized in a marvelous way.

“Killer Klowns from Outer Space” (1988)
The titular space aliens from 1988’s “Killer Klowns from Outer Space” are another group of monsters that need to be lumped together for our list. How else can we possibly differentiate from all of the Chiodo Brothers[g]’ wondrously imaginative designs? The level of care and detail is off-the-charts with these Killer Klowns, alternating glee and menace in equal measure. For example, the shadow puppet sequence is obviously played for laughs. Yet, the human puppetry of co-star John Vernon is surprisingly grim and dark. It’s this celebration of the macabre that’s ultimately helped “Killer Klowns from Outer Space” retain its cult classic status over the years.

“Monster House” (2006)
Whoever said that animated fare for kids needed to be safe and sanitary 100% of the time? “Monster House” from 2006 did a nice job of balancing creepy and cute, with the ghostly domicile successfully earning its scary reputation. The brief shot of the ghost house’s face is scary stuff for kids, while the motion capture technology for the cast leaves behind an unsettling and uncanny atmosphere. It all comes together in a manner that allows “Monster House” to live on in the imaginations of those who first saw it as children.

“20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” (1954)
There’s no question that the House of Mouse has created some of the most iconic and enduring cinematic villains of all time. This goes back decades, as evidenced by this early monster from Disney’s old-school heyday. The Giant Squid from “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” terrified young moviegoers when similar creatures weren’t always designed with this much attention to detail. The hydraulics utilized within the squid’s construction allowed for realistic movements as it attacked the Nautilus during the film’s climax. This scene is expertly shot, crafting tension and terror as the Giant Squid makes an imaginative mark for the ages.

“Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi” (1983)
This one is for those who remember the “Star Wars” franchise before all of George Lucas’ CGI tinkering. The intergalactic bestiary of the “Star Wars” films was a huge deal for kids, right from the famous Cantina scene in the first film. So, when “Return of the Jedi” arrived in 1983, fans were practically salivating for another hit. The Rancor didn’t disappoint, debuting as Luke Skywalker is dropped into a pit while confronting Jabba the Hutt. The creature’s toothy maw and reptilian skin felt like a real threat to Skywalker with the resulting fight serving as one of the film’s earliest highlights.

“Trollhunter” (2010)
It would’ve been very easy for 2011’s “Trollhunter” to fall flat on its face concerning its presentation. The found-footage approach to filmmaking was already getting long-in-the-tooth at this point, while computer-generated monsters often varied wildly in quality. Yet, this is ultimately why “Trollhunter” is so fondly remembered today: because it successfully avoids all of these pitfalls. The CGI of the trolls is honestly pretty awesome, and the dread of their presence is set up well by the found-footage shooting style. “Trollhunter” expertly melds the Scandinavian troll myth and updates it for the modern day: with harrowing results.

“Krampus” (2015)

“The Legend of Boggy Creek” (1972)

“James and the Giant Peach” (1996)

“Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” (2019)

“Creature from the Black Lagoon” (1954)
The Universal Monster pantheon serves as a veritable Mount Olympus for classic horror cinema. The Gill-man has emerged as one of that world’s most iconic monsters. The mask and make-up are cool AF, for starters. “Creature from the Black Lagoon” wastes little time introducing the Gill-man as a powerful threat to all that enter his domain. This creature may be defending its lagoon from invaders, but the Gill-man has proven it’s willing to kill on territorial grounds. As a result, this Universal Monster is a danger for just about anyone who dares to dip below the waves.

“Dreamcatcher” (2003)

“Crimson Peak” (2015)

“It’s Alive” (1974)

“Men in Black” (1997)

“Brightburn” (2019)
Consider this one to be a “what if” scenario for all time: what if Superman was evil? The 2019 film “Brightburn” attempts to answer this question, doing so with the character of Brandon Breyer. The origin story is similar to Clark Kent as Superman, only with a completely different outcome and execution. Breyer’s intentions actually wind up being nefarious, growing up to become a villain, despite the best intentions of his adoptive parents. There’s a tragedy at play here, one that questions the limits of parental love, when it’s countered with pure evil. Sure, this is a moral conundrum that’s been asked in cinema before, but “Brightburn” reframes it with an interesting superhero lens.

“Pinocchio” (1940)

“The Conjuring” franchise (2013-)

“Tarantula” (1955)

“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” (2002)

“Frankenstein” (1931)
The malleable nature of the Universal Monsters has allowed them to be adapted by other film studios, such as Britain’s Hammer Films, to great success. However, there’s something definitive about the Universal design of Frankenstein’s monster that’s gone on to become forever linked with Mary Shelley’s literary creation. This is a character that’s defined by hate, fear, and misunderstanding. The monster didn’t ask to be created by Doctor Frankenstein. Those killed by it are usually victims of accident, or at the very least misdirected rage. Yet, the tragedy of Frankenstein’s monster doesn’t altogether make up for this stitched-together, macabre monstrosity.

“The Black Cauldron” (1985)

“Pacific Rim” (2013)

“Creepshow” (1982)

“The Hobbit” trilogy (2012-14)

“War of the Worlds” (2005)
Steven Spielberg was definitely on that short list of directors capable of adapting H.G. Wells’ classic sci-fi novel to the silver screen. Practical models and computer-generated effects were used to develop the long-legged aliens at the center of “War of the Worlds.” The results still retain enough imagination with how they move and react to environments. This bumps up the creep factor big-time, especially near the film’s climax, when these interstellar invaders succumb to the everyday microbes earthlings breathe on a daily basis.

“Them!” (1954)

“The Mist” (2007)

“Poltergeist” (1982)

“Jeepers Creepers” (2001)

“Rodan” (1956)
Old-school fans of Kaiju cinema will likely remember how cool it was to see how Toho would introduce a new monster. “Rodan” debuted hot on the heels of “Godzilla” back in 1956, starring in his own film (alongside a female mate) before joining Big G’s bestiary with 1964’s “Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster.” Rodan’s primary strength lies within the supersonic winds that’s conjured up with its wings. Additionally, the Fire Rodan evolutionary form lends this irradiated pteranodon[p] some seriously upgraded powers. Rodan is quick and agile, to boot, able to dart around its opponents, always keeping them guessing. What can we say? Rodan is a true winged assassin.

“Slither” (2006)

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993)

“Malignant” (2021)

“Mothra” (1961)

“The Hills Have Eyes” (1977)
It’s radiation poisoning that lies at the center of why “The Hills Have Eyes” franchise focuses its antagonistic narrative upon a terrifyingly mutated family. Wes Craven’s 1977 original introduced The Jupiter Clan, bandits that waylay unsuspecting travelers, rob them, and cannibalize the remains. Their night attacks and amoral nature certainly make them deadly, while director Alexandre Aja[s]’s 2006 remake upped the ante of this mutant family’s cruelty and bloodshed. It’s actor Michael Berryman who’s probably most synonymous with the franchise, thanks to his memorable performance as Pluto, one of Jupiter’s depraved sons.

“Fire in the Sky” (1993)

“Super 8” (2011)

“Sleepy Hollow” (1999)

“Gamera” franchise (1965-)

“Starship Troopers” (1997)
Hey, children of the nineties: did any of you guys sneak a peek at the unrepentantly violent “Starship Troopers” back when it was released in 1997? This film from director Paul Verhoeven [u]combined political satire and popcorn bloodshed to the tune of cult classic status. A lot of the film’s success comes down to the creature design of the Arachnids, alien bugs that devastate, destroy, and demolish space marines by the dozen. Their colonization efforts will stop at nothing, and they offer no mercy to any planet in their sights. So watch out!

“Fantasia” (1940)

“Paranormal Activity” franchise (2007-)

“The Witches” (1990)

“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (2001)

“Child’s Play” franchise (1988-)
We admit that it’s honestly difficult to imagine a world where a tiny doll is more frightening and dangerous than a life-sized serial killer. Yet, here we are with Chucky the Killer Doll. It’s a plush figure, sure, but Chucky is also imbued with the spirit of Charles Lee Ray, the Lakeshore Strangler. Brad Dourif[x]’s charismatic voice acting lends Chucky legitimate menace, while the excellent practical effects keep Chucky’s danger level honed to razor-sharp perfection. This “Good Guy” doll may be short, but he walks tall and carries a BIG knife.

“The Conjuring” (2013)

“The Wailing” (2016)

“Dawn of the Dead” (1978)

“Nope” (2022)

“Gremlins” (1984)
Gizmo and the mogwai may be impossibly cute, but the gremlins serve as the darkened mirror image of their adorable nature. Stripe, in particular, stands out from Joe Dante[z]’s original film, a mean-spirited menace with a face only a mother could love. His final showdown with Billy showcases just how ruthless Stripe can be with just about any weapon. Meanwhile, the other gremlins revel in mischief large and small, from pranks and carrying on to straight-up murder. The confrontation between Billy’s mother and some invading gremlins in her house also proves that these tiny terrors are out for blood.

“The Haunting” (1963)

“The Mummy” (1932)

“Sinister” (2012)

“Invasion of the Body Snatchers” (1978)

“The Evil Dead” franchise (1981-)
Bruce Campbell will probably always run hand-in-hand with the legacy of the “Evil Dead” franchise. That said, we’re actually glad that more recent films have focused more upon the Necronomicon and its villainous hell-spawn, the Deadites. All of the “Evil Dead” films have utilized terrifying makeup and gratuitous gore to highlight these demonic parasites. This applies to both the Deadites themselves, as well as the humans possessed by their unholy evil. Cheryl from the very first film was a great example, as was Henrietta Knowby from “Evil Dead II.” Heck, even Evil Ash from “Army of Darkness” helped showcase Bruce Campbell’s more ghoulish side!

“Terrifier” franchise (2016-)

“Godzilla” franchise (1954-)

“Tremors” franchise (1990-)

“The Wolf Man” (1941)

“Coraline” (2009)
There are a lot of parents out there who are constantly seeking out appropriate, entry-level fright fare for their children. “Coraline” usually winds up in these sorts of conversations, although those with very young kids should be advised that the Beldam is no joke. The visual design of “Coraline” may be achingly gorgeous, but this evil forest spirit serves up the exact opposite; a malevolent visage of the macabre. The Beldam is initially welcomed by Coraline as an escape from her real-world issues connecting with her parents. Yet, the spirit’s true nature and designs are eventually revealed. Those soulless button eyes take on a whole new level of horror.

“The Blob” (1988)

“Dracula” (1931)

“Pumpkinhead” franchise (1988-)

“28 Days Later” (2002)

“King Kong” franchise (1933-)
There will probably always be a certain melancholy associated with the Eighth Wonder of the World, King Kong. This is another giant creature that’s abducted from its territory and responds with fatal force. However, the original “King Kong” from 1933 highlighted just how ruthless Kong could be in this regard. The screams of Kong’s victims as he decimates the expedition to Skull Island are pretty harrowing. His rampage through New York City is equally destructive, claiming the lives of multiple human victims. Finally, the shots of people caught in Kong’s jaws would become indelibly linked with just how dangerous this kaiju could be when provoked.

“Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981)

“It Follows” (2014)

“Hellraiser” franchise (1987-)

“Cloverfield” (2008)

“Godzilla” franchise (1954-)
Big G has switched allegiances more times than a professional wrestler when it comes to flip-flopping between hero and villain. Then again, that’s why we love this franchise, since we can easily both cheer and fear Godzilla, depending upon the film. The very first entry presents G as the living embodiment of destruction, a metaphor for nuclear war that decimates Japan and demoralizes her people. This narrative thread is connected with other, more recent entries like “Shin Godzilla” and “Godzilla Minus One,” reminding us about the terrifying nature of Godzilla’s unstoppable anger.

“An American Werewolf in London” (1981)

“The Exorcist” (1973)

“The Host” (2006)

“Predator” franchise (1987-)

“The Conjuring 2” (2016)
Valak is the primary antagonist of the “Conjuring” series, and it takes its scariest form in “The Conjuring 2” as the Crooked Man. This is a bizarre creature with a very lanky frame, grayish skin, and a wide smile filled with sharp teeth. But perhaps the scariest thing about it is the way it moves. When appearing to Billy, the Crooked Man walks in a very erratic and supernatural manner. The creature is played by a Spanish actor named Javier Botet. Botet has been cast as numerous movie creatures owing to his height and hypermobility, which is a symptom of his Marfan syndrome. Botet does an exceptional job as the Crooked Man, creating what could be the scariest monster in a franchise full of them.

“Harry Potter” franchise (2001-11)
Introduced in “The Prisoner of Azkaban” and appearing sporadically throughout the franchise, the dementors are some of the freakiest monsters in young adult literature. What a dementor really is, no one really knows. All we know is they’re wraith-like creatures that guard the most notorious prison in the wizarding world. Their physical appearance is quite startling, but it’s what they do that’s most terrifying. With the help of their circular, gaping mouths, dementors glide towards their victims and quite literally suck out their souls. One dementor is terrifying, let alone a large group of them. There’s a reason even the most hardened criminals fear them with every inch of their being.

“Antlers” (2021)
The Wendigo is a mythological creature originating in First Nations folklore. It’s appeared in numerous pieces of pop culture throughout the years, typically as some type of large, beast-like creature that preys on humans. An absolutely terrifying iteration of the Wendigo appears in “Antlers.” The physical design of this monster is both imaginative and wonderfully realized. Toward the end of the film, Keri Russell’s character comes across the Wendigo in the dark and sees a human face is draped over its own head. That image alone is worth the price of admission, but the rest of the creature is equally terrifying. Suffice to say, this is the last thing we’d want to see inside a flashlight beam.

“Krampus” (2015)
We don’t know how people think of these things. Der Klown doesn’t get much screen time in “Krampus,” but its design is unforgettable. It consists of a very large, worm-like horizontal body. But the most imaginative element of the monster is easily its face. Der Klown has a face much like a vintage porcelain doll and a massive, fleshy mouth that opens wide enough to devour humans. The contrast between the fleshy muscle and porcelain face is marvelously grotesque. It looks revolting, and provides a tantalizing glimpse into the creature’s biology. The practical effects and sound design are also fantastic, making a scary monster even scarier.

“Insidious” franchise (2010-)
Despite his admittedly goofy name, the Lipstick-Face Demon is one of the most terrifying monsters of the 2010s. For one thing, he’s the central part of one of the most effective jump scares in modern horror history. The demon appears right behind Josh’s shoulder, accompanied by a startlingly effective growl in the midst of a tension-filled silence. Its design is fairly typical of devils or demonic creatures, complete with a red-and-black face and hooves. Regardless, its design is still very effective, and the Lipstick-Face Demon helped turn the “Insidious” franchise into the box office mega success it became.

“The Ritual” (2017)
Who knew that this little British film would produce one of the most effective monsters of the decade? Moder is another Wendigo-like creature, appearing in full at the very end of “The Ritual.” It doesn’t get much screen time, but the time it does get is both haunting and impressive. We don’t even know how to describe this thing. It’s like if a human, a bear, and an elk fused together into a grotesque mass of limbs that towered twenty feet into the air. The physical design of this monster is simply incredible, with its dangling human arms, torso-like antlers, and beady yellow eyes being particular highlights. We don’t know what it is, but then again, we don’t really want to find out.

“The Descent” franchise (2005-09)
Caves are a frightening place to be. We instinctively fear them because they’re dark, deep, and labyrinthine. Oh, and there’s also the fact that we don’t know what’s hiding in their depths, watching from the shadows and waiting to strike. “The Descent” starts scary enough, but it gets even worse when the Crawlers get involved. These are humanoid creatures who’ve lived in the dark caves for an undetermined amount of time. This has turned them into territorial and cannibalistic monsters who violently defend their home from outside visitors - namely, spelunkers hoping for a taste of adventure. Finding a bear inside a cave is freaky - finding these is positively nightmarish.

“Annihilation” (2018)
With a story centered around intermixing DNA, we expected some imaginative creature design. Well, we certainly got that and then some. In what’s arguably the movie’s most memorable scene, a mutant bear arrives to sniff out the vulnerable protagonists. The creature is a horrific mixture between black bear and human. Its body is bear-like, but the skin on its face has rotted away, leaving behind an exposed skull. But the scariest part by far is its fusion with Cass. The bear’s roaring is intermingled with Cass’s human screams, and it looks like Cass’s skull has merged with the bear’s. Both the sound and physical design of this creature are masterful, combining to create one of the most unforgettable movie monsters in recent memory.

“The Babadook” (2014)
This horror movie from Jennifer Kent made major waves when released in 2014, with many calling it a modern masterpiece. There are a number of factors for its strong critical reception, including the creature design. The Babadook is a very creepy creature that appears with massive, claw-like appendages and a ghostly white humanoid face. It doesn’t help that the Babadook often sticks to the shadows, letting our imaginations run wild. Perhaps even scarier than its physical design is what it represents. The Babadook is a metaphor for Amelia’s grief, so his presence is palpably felt even when he’s not on the screen. It’s quite a dour movie, and it’s all thanks to its titular creature.

“A Quiet Place” franchise (2018-)
The first “Quiet Place” was one of the most popular horror movies of the late 2010s, and that’s thanks in large part to its monsters. Not so much their design (although it’s certainly effective), but what they do and represent. With the help of hypersensitive hearing, the monsters pounce on anything and anyone that makes noise. This causes everyone to live in constant fear and paranoia, forced to monitor each and every activity for even a modicum of sound. Their danger is horrifically established in the first five minutes of the movie, when a long-legged creature swipes young Beau before his family’s eyes. It’s an incredibly successful formula, and it’s led to numerous (and inferior) copycats.

“Blair Witch” franchise (1999-)
Despite initially never appearing on screen, the Blair Witch is one of the scariest movie monsters of all time. What we don’t see is always scarier than what we do. It lets our imaginations fill in the gaps, and our imaginations are always scarier than what can be conjured through practical effects. It also helps that “The Blair Witch Project” is so masterfully constructed. The inventive camera work and strong acting had the world convinced that this was genuine footage - at least for a little while. We know hardly anything about the Blair Witch - its history, what it wants, etc. All we know is that it causes incredible paranoia in its victims, and that’s certainly enough for us.

“Jaws” (1975)
Steven Spielberg has long been regarded as one of the best directors in movie history, and he became a household name with “Jaws.” The movie’s filming process was notoriously awful, complete with a mechanical shark that never seemed to work. But Spielberg pulled it off with some imaginative filmmaking techniques. “The Blair Witch Project” clearly took a note out of Spielberg’s playbook, as he rarely shows the shark. The creature’s underwater POV shots and the accompanying music are iconic, and Spielberg didn’t shy away from the bloody carnage that it wrought. Of course, the movie works exceptionally well even when the shark is on screen. It still looks amazing to this day - one only needs to watch Quint’s excruciating death scene to realize that.

“Jurassic Park” franchise (1993-)
There’s no exaggerating it - the T-Rex’s appearance in “Jurassic Park” is one of the most iconic scenes in movie history. Spielberg strikes yet again, creating both the greatest and scariest on-screen depiction of a dinosaur. Credit also has to go to Stan Winston and his team of special effects artists. They created an animatronic T-Rex that stood twenty feet high and weighed over 17,000 pounds. The result is pure movie magic. Everyone who’s seen “Jurassic Park” has fond memories of the pounding rain, the shaking water, the approaching booms and shakes, and the face of the T-Rex appearing over the fence. And the roar. Oh God, that roar.

“Nosferatu” (1922)
It’s amazing how Count Orlok has stood the test of time. Conceived and filmed in the early 20th century, Orlok has nevertheless remained a haunting symbol of the horror genre. While the character is based on Count Dracula (or, more accurately, ripped off from Count Dracula), he shares little in common with other on-screen iterations of the iconic character. He’s far more demonic in appearance, complete with a tall, lanky frame, pointy claws, and that incredibly creepy face that’s caused a century’s worth of nightmares. We tend to think of silent films as crude predecessors of modern cinema, but Orlok’s design proves otherwise. It’s innovative, and best of all, it’s still disturbingly effective.

“Pan’s Labyrinth” (2006)
Guillermo del Toro is well known for his fantastical creature designs, but this has to be his masterpiece. Put crudely, this is one gnarly monster. Its white skin hangs in slabs off its torso, and most famous of all, its eyeballs are in the palms of its massive, clawed hands. It’s a masterclass in imaginative monster design. The Pale Man is played by a contortionist named Doug Jones, and he does an exceptional job with the creature’s slow and erratic movements. And worst of all - this thing eats children. The entire sequence is ripped straight out of a nightmare, from the design of the monster to the way it slowly chases Ofelia down a long corridor. It’s great stuff. Horrifying, but great.

“The Fly” (1986)
David Cronenberg is a master of body horror - a subsection of the genre that’s centered around the grotesque disfigurement of the human body. And “The Fly” is his masterpiece. In this one, poor Seth Brundle starts slowly turning into the titular insect thanks to a scientific experiment gone horribly awry. The creature’s effects were handled by Chris Walas, who won the Academy Award for Best Makeup. He turns Jeff Goldblum into a horrific monster, and Seth’s final transition from human to Brundlefly is truly one of the most disgusting things ever put on screen. The Brundlefly itself is a revolting work of art - an Oscar-winning work of art, to be precise. Who says the Academy doesn’t recognize genre movies?

“It” (2017)
The great thing about Pennywise is that it takes all sorts of different forms, ensuring that everyone gets at least a little creeped out. It’s the entire point of its character. Scared of creepy clowns with sharp teeth and weird eyes? Well, that’s its primary form! Scared of lepers whose limbs are slowly rotting off? Got that! What about headless corpses that chase you down dark hallways? Got that, too! Surely this movie doesn’t contain the greatest fear of all - a small cluster of intergalactic orbs that cause instant insanity and appear out of split clown heads? Well, guess what? Pennywise’s taunting personality is also gleefully unnerving, and Bill Skarsgård does a wonderful job with the character’s more malicious tendencies.

“The Thing” (1982)
We never actually see the Thing. It’s an alien entity that takes the physical form of those it assimilates, and in this case, a group of isolated scientists working in Antarctica. Even though we never see the monster itself, we see the grotesque abominations it creates. Rob Bottin handled the movie’s practical effects, and even to this day they’re heralded as some of the best in the business. His creatures are a delightful combination of inventive and disgusting, often accompanied by lots of tentacles and oozy goop. Take, for instance, the human head that dislodges itself from its body and turns into a spider. How they came up with this stuff, we don’t know. But we’re glad they did.

“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2003)
While Shelob is little more than a giant spider, it nevertheless remains one of the scariest movie monsters in recent memory. It works thanks in large part to the tension that director Peter Jackson wrings out of the character. We hear about Shelob in “The Two Towers,” but we don’t get to her until well into “The Return of the King.” And even when we do, her appearance is preceded by an eerie cave filled with skeletons, hanging animal corpses, and massive webs. Shelob is also one of the most dangerous creatures in the trilogy, and she nearly ends the entire quest when she stabs Frodo in the gut. If it weren’t for Sam’s quick thinking, they would’ve been done for.

“The Happening” (2008)
Say what you will about this silly movie, but there’s no denying the horrifying powers of those plants! It’s a testament to M. Night Shyamalan’s talent as a horror director. No, but seriously…

“Alien” franchise (1979-)
When you get down to it, the first “Alien” is just a slasher movie in space. Ridley Scott’s masterpiece of sci-fi horror contains one of the all-time greatest movie monsters in its titular creature. The alien’s physical design is iconic, complete with its weird, oblong head and freaky little mouth within a mouth. Its introduction is also a timeless piece of movie history, as a chestburster slowly eats its way out of Kane before scurrying off, covered in blood. The possibilities are endless when it comes to aliens, but sometimes the simplest designs are the most effective. This is just a tall, somewhat humanoid alien that hides in the air ducts and remorselessly eats people, and it remains horrific to this day.


Which movie monster do you feel is underappreciated? Shout out your favorite in the comments!

[b]bio-RAP-turs
ZEENO-morfs https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/6b153072-14d6-42e1-af08-c0b997263dc6
[c]reddo-SORE-uss / red-oh-SORE-uss
[d]Ray harry-HAO-zin https://youtu.be/5MODfdBaIYA?t=279
[e]ODD-ree two https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/ac037d33-8306-42fa-859a-072740125e60
SEE-more KRELL-born https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/71015afb-b84c-4cee-a20f-aa6efdd58887
[f]They never say "Fornicus" but it's probably "FORNA-kuss"
droo GOD-urd https://youtu.be/AGjXMNZEWLM?si=HhHwUR8dVqBaagmz&t=5
jawss (rhymes with "moss") WEE-din https://youtu.be/AGjXMNZEWLM?si=2q9FIj7sV_ir4D3s&t=9
[g]Chiodo = Kyoto = kee-OH-doh https://youtu.be/DwRCdSTBVgo?si=owngyKBvJrmyoq1Z&t=8
[h]RANG-core https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/5da76887-0e80-4a36-bebc-b2ce5df7fa29
[i]FAO-k / FAOK https://youtu.be/c50jF3ZKuG0?si=U3KrAe5VPGGlYppr&t=8
[j]BRY-ur (rhymes with "drier" or "buyer") https://youtu.be/iqpPxuFUkHc?t=3
[k]VAL-ick https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/ea831ed5-3be2-42a6-af93-16befc838772
[l]BASSA-lisk https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/e3028be2-0601-4cf2-98c1-2df60ea22b26
[m]OTAW-chee / OH-TAW-chee (not oh-TAW-chee) https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/fb92b2d6-bdbf-4bca-bc44-6719d56b2525
[n]SMAOg (not smog) https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/64c85452-0525-469a-a7df-8d093d5d26f5
[o]roh-dan (not ROH-din) https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/c933a721-5788-4d4e-a586-482023ca618a
KYE-joo https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/f14ea949-26ed-474f-a183-e00a6c28399f
ghid-DORE-uh https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/3ba7e873-90ed-4ee6-b222-0196765f7c74
[p]tur-RANNA-dawn https://www.dictionary.com/browse/pteranodon
[q]gay-bree-ull https://youtu.be/iRnv6mJfD68?si=43-FN3_o7mCq1M2B&t=38
[r]MOTH-ruh https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/bce6e7cb-4c79-414a-9b9b-a2f30bac0bc1
[s]Alexandre Aja (French!) = al-lex-ZAWND ah-ZSHA (where "zsh" is a soft "j" sound, like the middle of the word "asia") https://youtu.be/w8hwl16InvE
[t]GAMMER-uh https://youtu.be/I2KxUDkY27Y?si=U_NglPGQ8oWKaPrx&t=9
[u]vur-HOH-vin https://youtu.be/_zw2XMUfPpk?si=IrJY_tAIyIUi3jDa&t=9
[v]TCHURNA-bog https://youtu.be/op2duptscPc?t=29
[w]Balrog = BAL-rawg (“bal” rhymes with “pal”) https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/8432f648-e3e2-4aee-91f2-10e71ee31277
[x]DURR-iff https://youtu.be/cVcyQ2B-7n8?si=6gm9E_DHhC5Y2YwV&t=1
[y]bath-SHEE-buh https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/f877c624-3504-4382-852e-3725cf7004f9
[z]dawn-tay https://youtu.be/fXIfp9jUZFo
[aa]IMM-HOH-tep https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/b5f11b9f-cb0f-4075-b185-97bbc35bac83
[ab]buh-GHOUL https://youtu.be/o2wFqjb9AU0?t=70
[ac]DEAD-ites https://youtu.be/aRySwnJJSCQ?si=Gs7fE2QlaXKs03xc&t=99
necra-NOMMA-con https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/ba73d2f7-1fde-4466-afc2-1e62a367f35d
henry-ETT-uh https://youtu.be/YhLjh5q9Ya4?t=60
NO-bee https://youtu.be/VhK6dOcw9wU?t=154
[ad]ghid-DORE-uh https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/3ba7e873-90ed-4ee6-b222-0196765f7c74
[ae]GRAB-oids https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/254d9a12-ef40-4e05-84fa-fc476f98b8c2
[af]TAWL-bit (not TAL-but) https://youtu.be/Rv9kZl9BYWk?si=DTRUqK_PwPKgUMK2&t=118
[ag]BELL-dam https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/2be7458a-8ecd-42d5-9730-d8fda1f1230b
CORE-UH-line / CORA-lyne https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/004c9be4-fe98-42bc-aedc-ec9e611edd80
[ah]puh-ZOO-ZOO https://youtu.be/xCC4k0AdBCM?si=4U51pP_Dec9hnEuV&t=266
[ai]KWAY-meul (korean) https://translate.google.ca/?sl=ko&tl=ar&text=%EA%B4%B4%EB%AC%BC&op=translate OR https://forvo.com/word/%EA%B4%B4%EB%AC%BC/#ko
[aj]YAO-tcha https://youtu.be/XnrKU5BIVFM?t=1027