There’s nothing more important to a horror movie than its villain, because without one, the film is just teenagers having sex in a cabin. The type of villain sets the tone of the movie, determining whether it’s a blood-soaked slasher or a psychological nail-biter. However, all the best horror movie heavyweights have one thing in common: a magnetic presence impossible to ignore.
The very concept of a long-running horror franchise is based on audiences needing to see more of that villain who captivates their attention, a figure they are both repulsed by and drawn to simultaneously. These horror characters have an intangible quality, an aura, which makes them stars regardless of their evil acts. The horror villains below are dripping with charisma, aura, and most likely, someone else’s blood.
10
John “Jigsaw” Kramer (Tobin Bell)
In the Saw films, the name Jigsaw is spoken in hushed tones that imply speaking louder could somehow summon him. A terminally ill man channeling his helpless rage at those who take their lives for granted, John Kramer (Tobin Bell) adopted the name of Jigsaw and sought to leave a legacy of pain. Known for creating elaborate traps he places his victims into, the scared abductees must often make painful sacrifices if they hope to survive Jigsaw’s deadly games.
Early in the lengthy Saw franchise, Jigsaw is spoken about like a modern-day boogeyman, so even when he’s not on-screen, the legend of his deeds makes him a mythical figure. When Jigsaw does appear, he’s calm, methodical, and doesn’t lean into a preconceived notion of a raving madman. In his mind, he’s not a monster, just a man with strong convictions helping others in a sadistic but meaningful way.
9
Damien Thorne (Harvey Spencer Stephens)
Creepy kids in horror movies are always reliable sources of goosebumps, but the entire Children of the Corn cult can’t hold a flame to Damien Thorne (Harvey Spencer Stephens). In The Omen, Damien is the (secretly) adopted child of diplomat Robert Thorne (Gregory Peck) and his wife, Katherine (Lee Remick), after their first baby doesn’t survive childbirth. However, it doesn’t take long for Robert to notice Damien exhibits strange behavior, and people have an odd way of dying around the young boy.
Even though Damien looks outwardly innocent, animals fear him, babysitters are dying to please him, and generally, he gives off bad vibes. Spoilers ahead for a nearly fifty-year-old movie, but it turns out Damien is actually the son of Satan, so his Antichrist behavior is more than just a phase. Damien’s intelligence and malevolence are evident in the way the five-year-old carries himself, so he doesn’t need to scare anyone with a butcher knife when he can simply smile instead.
8
Candyman (Tony Todd)
A tragic figure turned into a vengeful spirit, Candyman (Tony Todd) is a charismatic and dangerous villain. The fictional legend in Candyman states that anyone who says Candyman five times into a mirror will summon the hook-handed killer, who will promptly unleash his fury. The brave souls who don’t wait to hear the end of what will happen say his name anyway, accepting an unpleasant fate.
In his previous life, Daniel Robitaille was a 19th-century cultured artist who was unjustly murdered for taking part in an interracial romance, becoming Candyman. Candyman’s spirit form reflects his violent death of being cruelly slathered with honey and stung by bees, forced to relive the pain for eternity. In Todd’s performance, the audience sees a romantic yearning mixed with pain and anger, expertly capturing the essence of a villain who never should have been one.
7
Pennywise (Tim Curry)
The debate over who was the better Pennywise, Bill Skarsgard or Tim Curry, will probably continue on with no clear victory, but on this list, Curry is getting the honors. Starring in the 1990 TV mini-series of It, Curry bounces around on the screen with a joyful glee designed to bring his targeted prey of children closer to his grasp. He’s playful, dare we say likable, which makes it more horrifying when his eyes take on a reptilian form and he shows all those sharp teeth in his head.
It’s no surprise that Pennywise is a killer; we are already aware of his intentions, but on a subconscious level, we enjoy seeing him put on the act of a friendly, entertaining sewer clown. Pennywise is so adept at his vaudevillian charm that it’s easy to get lost in the moment as he plies his trade. Little cracks in his facade appear in blink-and-you-miss-them moments, and by the time you lean in for a closer inspection, it’s already too late to avoid floating with him.
6
Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates)
In Misery, Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) is the number one fan of novelist Paul Sheldon (James Caan), so it’s lucky she was able to save him after a near-fatal car accident. Luck might not be the word Paul uses when he faces the wrath of Annie when she discovers he’s killing off her favorite character. Annie’s cheerful personality hides a dark and violent personality, and Paul quickly learns that Annie requires the same devotion from Paul that she has given to his novels.
Annie isn’t scary because she has razor-sharp teeth or can invade your dreams; she’s frightening because of how real she is. She’s peculiar and eccentric, seemingly innocent to the point of naivety, but all those traits allow Annie to gain the upper hand when the person across from her underestimates her power. Annie is a mesmerizing villain, and it’s obvious why Bates won an Oscar for Best Actress by bringing the obsessed fan to life.
5
Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard)
The 2024 Robert Eggers-directed Nosferatu took special care in setting the stage for its larger-than-life villain Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard). When Thomas (Nicholas Hoult) enters Orlok’s castle to conduct business, it’s immediately evident that no one human could roam its halls. Before the audience can see Orlock for themselves, they first see Thomas’ paralyzed reaction to the Count, brilliantly pushing the anxiety to the max before the first cadaverous reveal.
In the updated take on Nosferatu, Count Orlok is almost like the shark in Jaws; seen little but a gasp-worthy villain when he enters the frame. The astounding makeup paired with Skarsgard’s unrecognizable performance gives the audience a vampire that looks like no other. Orlok takes on the appearance of a creature with only a passing resemblance to the human he once was, and much like the doomed Ellen, the audience is transfixed by every move he makes.
4
Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson)
The Shining remains one of the most iconic horror films ever made. Although director Stanley Kubrick’s visuals play a vital role, many cite Jack Nicholson’s performance as the disturbed and violent Jack Torrance as their favorite part. In the struggle to stay sober, Jack is always on the verge of snapping, putting his family and himself in danger even before the ghosts of the Overlook Hotel get involved.
Jack is a so-so dad, but as a horror antagonist, he’s hard to beat. Nicholson plays Jack with the theatrical fervor he’s famous for, but he also infuses the character with enough intelligence that we see him struggle with the supernatural things happening around him. Jack himself is worried that he’s losing his mind, and puts up a valiant fight to retain his sanity before weariness eventually gives in, and it’s fascinating to see the broken journey in real time.
3
Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund)
A Nightmare on Elm Street gave horror enthusiasts one of its most popular villains in Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund). A supernatural spin on the slasher killer, Freddy is able to invade the dreams of his victims to trap them in a hellish nightmare of their worst fears. Virtually indestructible and never lacking creativity, Freddy became a cultural icon of the 80s and the face of horror for decades.
There’s an evil carnival barker quality to Freddy that separates him from other horror movie predators. He somehow retains likability even though each movie saw him escalate the levels of cruelty and torture used to kill innocent teens. There is no redeeming aspect to Freddy; he doesn’t have a tragic backstory or any emotional soft spot that humanizes him, yet people still embrace him as an antihero of sorts. If Freddy were real, he would find the notion of his popularity hilarious.
2
Michael Myers (Various Performers)
If Halloween is considered to be the blueprint for the modern slasher, then serial killer Michael Myers is the godfather of the sub-genre. Ceaselessly stalking his victims with an eerily silent grace, Michael strikes with an astounding level of power to dispatch his victims in a direct and brutal fashion. The character has appeared in 12 movies since first debuting in 1978, and his popularity with horror fans shows no signs of declining.
It takes an immeasurable amount of aura to fascinate audiences as a silent antagonist. Yet somehow, Michael manages to do it in every movie, regardless of the level of quality or the sometimes incoherent directions the plot takes his character. The important aspect of Michael’s character is what we as the audience project on him: that his blankness is a reflection of whatever scares us most. Michael is best as an unexplainable force of nature, and because of that, he will remain the best modern boogeyman in film history.
1
Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins)
There have been various interpretations of the cannibalistic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter, but none received as much acclaim as Anthony Hopkins in the Jonathan Demme-directed The Silence of the Lambs. Hopkins would win an Academy Award for his portrayal of the calculating killer, sparking a fascination with the character that continues to endure. Lecter’s intelligence is always at the forefront of his actions, demonstrating the frightening truth that the doctor knows the difference between right and wrong and enjoys a pleasurable release from the pain he causes.
When we’re introduced to Lecter, he’s behind a glass wall where there’s zero chance he can harm Clarice, and yet there’s still a tension present, akin to standing close to a lion’s cage at the zoo. Much like a lion, Lecter is a skilled predator, and with little information, he can deduce the weak points in a psyche, exploit them, and manipulate anyone of his choosing for his own gain. Despite that, there’s an inherent charm he possesses that makes people want to believe there’s more to him than his hunger, and anyone who gets too close soon finds: there’s not.
