31 Best Horror Movie Characters of All Time – These Are the Best Heroes and Villains in Scary Movies – Esquire

There's a popular theory that attempts to explain why we love horror movies called "The Beast Within." According to this theory, there's "an unconscious, repressed part of every human is actually savage; that the veneer of civility is very thin, and beneath that is essentially a monster ... although we consciously disapprove of what the monster is doing, deep down part of us enjoys seeing the murder and mayhem the monster unleashesbecause if we could, we would do that.

That's a pretty dark way of looking at a movie genre, but it does come with the horror territory. And it also explains why we can so deeply identify with both horror movie villains and the heroes. For every survivor you're rooting for, there's also a ghost or a maniac wielding a sharp object that we understand. On its surface, the genre is a fight between good and evil, but in the best horror films those lines are blurred. Like we're looking into a horrifying mirror of our own reality.

That's where this list comes in: a rundown of the best horror characters, whether they were being chased or doing the chasing. From Georges Mlis's first depiction of the Devil in Le Manoir du diable to Ma, from the movie Ma, these are the humans, animals, ghouls, and shape-shifting interdimensional evil entities that we love.

The Devil, Le Manoir du diable

Three minutes is all it took to scare the bejesus out of people in 1896. Granted, film for entertainment was a relatively new thing to the world at this stage, but director Georges Mlis was onto something when he clocked that a good scare made for good visual entertainment. The short film may have only been a few minutes in length, but the French illusionist conjured up fear in a character that still haunts us to this day. And yes, that is the whole film. Justin Kirkland

Ma, Ma

What can I say? She doesnt drink alone and I respect that. Octavia Spencers Ma is campy horror excellence because the premise of the film is insane (and somehow uncomfortably relatable). High school went poorly for this woman, so she waited years and years, had a daughter who she essentially holds captive in a Munchausens by Proxy situation, and then invites high schoolers to her basement to make them pay for their parents transgressions. Its vicious, and inspirational. Justin Kirkland

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Mrs. Carmody, The Mist

Honestly, screw The Mist and its surprise twist that completely deflates the whole movie. Now that weve gotten that out of the way, lets talk about Marcia Gay Hardens end-times-style pulpit-eer, Mrs. Carmody. As soon as the titular mist sets in over the town, Mrs. Carmody comes to life as a Bible thumping terror who starts suggesting that maybe the way forward is to deal with the sinners and offer God a child sacrifice. Shes a terror and a real anthropomorphized version of right-wing Twitter. God bless, Mrs. Carmody. Somebody has to. JK

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Annie Wilkes, Misery

Its called stan culture. Look it up.

But seriously, long before Eminem ever recorded Stan there was Annie Wilkes. The Stephen King protagonist (yeah, we went there) ends up caretaking for her favorite author after an accident, which is nice until she starts badgering him about what Miserys next installment will look like. Annoying, right? Then when she doesnt like the answer, she holds him hostage and well, lets just say theres a sledgehammer scene. JK

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Gale Weathers, Scream franchise

In the pursuit of truth, a great journalist makes enemies. A great journalist gets their hands dirty. A great journalist fucks up serial killers, even if her bangs get away from her every once in a while. Monica be damned, theres no Courteney Cox role better than Gale Weathers, the scathing dark heart of Scream. While those in Weathers orbit may admire her most for her best-selling books or the Stab movie franchise they inspire, let's give her credit for the many near-fatal injuries she has survived (and avenged). But she was never braver than the morning she put on that chartreuse skirt-suit and thought, now Im TV ready. JK

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Chris Washington, Get Out

It truly is difficult to decide which one of Jordan Peele's characters from Get Out is the most genius. Each one plays an important role in the film's analysis of systemic racism in America. I mean, Lakeith Stanfield is only in the movie for a few minutes and he should have his own entry on this list! But, if we have to choose just one, it must be our hero, Chris Washington played by Daniel Kaluuya, whose single tear remains a haunting image in 21st century cinema. - Matt Miller

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Black Phillip, The Witch

In a movie called The Witch, one might not expect the main antagonist to be a huge black goat. But this is no ordinary goat. Phillip is actually the devil in disguise, set to destroy a puritanic Christian family. But in the real world, the goat was also somewhat of a villain himself. The 210-pound billy named Charlie was reportedly a pain in the ass to work with, and seriously wounded his co-star Ralph Ineson. Regardless, his on-set behavior didnt stop him from becoming a superstar. MM

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Jack Torrance, The Shining

It is without a doubt the finest performance of Jack Nicholsons storied career. Never have those insane eyes and brows been put to better use than to illustrate Jack Torrances slow descent into madness. Theres a reason his line delivery of Heres Johnny remains one of the best movie moments of all time. This is a movie where he can go from insane to casually sipping a cocktail with a ghost bartender within matter of moments. MM

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Pennywise, It

Since Stephen King first imagined him into existence through two iconic adaptations, Pennywise the dancing clown has ruined clowns for multiple generations. Whether played by Tim Curry or Bill Skarsgrd, Pennywise is a terror to behold. Or, perhaps, hes just a misunderstood demon clown who is legitimately funny. Well let you decide. MM

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Summerisle Pagans, The Wicker Man

As far as I could tell, the pagans on Summerisle are actually the heroes of The Wicker Man. Heres some conservative Christian cop coming into their small village telling them what to believe and how to live. He threatens them. He insults them. Hes kind of an intrusive asshole! Sure, they lured him there to kill him as a sacrifice to their pagan gods in return for a bountiful harvest, but who are we to judge whats wrong or right? MM

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Norman Bates, Psycho

Sixty years after Psycho, its easy to think of Norman Bates among the likes of fantastical movie monsters in the horror genre. But, whats easy to forget is that the most terrifying thing about Bates is how even today he remains a very real example of the violent white men who exist in modern day American society. There have been entire psychological profiles written to examine the mind of Norman Batesan emotionally abused, sexually oppressed man with mommy issues and dissociative personality disorder. He might be one of the most iconic movie villains of all time, but hes also very real. MM

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Daniel Robitaille, Candyman

You never actually learn Daniel Robitailles name in the original 1992 film, Candyman. Hes known only as Candyman, and its impossible to think of him as a villain. Candyman is a victim of a heinous hate crime. The son of a former slave, Robitaille is brutally murdered for impregnating a white woman. He haunts the Chicago projects that stand atop what was the place of his death, killing anyone who summons him. Certainly one of the most complex, political, and nuanced characters on this list. The terror of Candyman is the terror of America itselfa place that is still haunted by the ghosts of its racist past and present. MM

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Flying Monkeys, The Wizard of Oz

Is the Wizard of Oz a horror movie? However, if youfrom your youth to this very dayprefer to shield your eyes when a character appears on screen, I think they qualify as a horror in and of themselves. And do I ever dread having to look at the Flying Monkeys. From the Wicked Witchs henchmens weird prosthetic blue faces to the very off-putting growl/hoot noise they make when they waddle/fly, I want nothing to do with any of it. So yes, I still cover my eyes during a childrens movie. No shame to admit you do, too. Lauren Kranc

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Alien, Alien

Is there any science fiction shot as iconic as the moment in Alien 3 when the titular alien bestows a slimy kiss on the cheek of a cowering Sigourney Weaver? Forty years and six movies later, the aliens hijinks never get oldor any less blood-curdling. Each film features a cat and mouse game between new gangs of interstellar travelers, who get progressively dumber, and our old pal the xenomorph, whose familiar tricks include slicing through metal and bone with its acidic blood, chomping on peoples faces, and bursting merrily from the chests of their hosts. If those visuals didnt horrify you enough, check out the ending of Alien: Resurrection, where a newborn xenomorph is violently atomized into space through a hole in the spaceships hull. Truly the stuff of nightmares. Adrienne Westenfeld

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Babadook, The Babadook

Ive heard that the Australians, generally, are nice and pleasant people. But not this guy! This tall glass of heebie-jeebies is not only an allegory for Australias colonial history, but a dude who somehow delivers genuine scares wearing a top hat. Impressive, really. While we all know that The Babadooks screaming little child was the real monster here, were still thinking about Mister Babadook all these years later, too. Brady Langmann

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Count Orlok, Nosferatu

You dont get much more OG than Nosferatus dastardly vampire, Count Orlok. I mean, the guy was iconic enough to appear in a silent German film circa 1922 and influence the genre for the next century. But Count Orlok is really just here because of this: He gives a masterclass in horror-movie weirdness. The dude is just weird! Skulks around his castle, flings his talons around like life is a game of shadow puppets, and acts just mysterious enough to make you wonder what the hell his deal is. May your legacy (and chic trench coat) never die. BL

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Frank, Donnie Darko

Behold, the greatest horror-villain zinger in the history of the genre, courtesy of Donnie Darko's rather large, probably imaginary, costumed bunny, Frank. Donnie Darko: Why do you wear that stupid bunny suit? Frank: Why are you wearing that stupid man suit? Frank is galaxy brain personified, the buried corner of our id that would tell usyou know, if it wasnt buriedthat time travel is real! You can get away with anything! The world is ending soon! (Though hes probably right about that last one.) BL

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Madame Blanc, Suspiria

If we were to measure scary-movie bads in terms of skilllike, how good they are at bein bad you dont get much better than the deputy headmistress of Tanz Dance Akademie, Suspirias Madame Blanc. Yeah, the ballerina-school coven is technically a group endeavor. But Joan Bennett (and later, Tilda Swinton) gives an all-timer of a turn as the dance instructor/witch. Raining maggots, reanimated corpses, bloodthirsty dogs? Cruelty at its best. BL

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Fog, The Fog

Ah, fog. One of the most underrated natural occurrences, next to dew, mist, bubbles, and hail. The Fogs fog was genuinely spooky, carrying with it a merry band of bloodthirsty ghost-mariner-pirate-demon-people. But thats later on. It turns out you can villainize an unusually overcast morning with some incredible low-end ambient music, and for that, John Carpenter deserves major cred. BL

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Laurie Strode, Halloween franchise

Youd think the inevitable Halloween spot on this list would go to Michael Myers. But the guy kinda sucks at his job! Hes still chasing Laurie Strode, the real hero here, all these years later. Why does he refuse to run? Laurie has successfully employed all kinds of weapons in the war against this creepergun, knife, coat hangerso itd be a mistake to call good ol Mikey the best of anything. Maybe its time to hang up the mask, man. BL

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Jason Voorhees, Friday the 13th

What's impressive about Jason Voorhees is that he's so iconic that people sometimes forget that he wasn't even really in the original Friday the 13th movie. That's right! Jason's mom is the one murdering campers in the original 1980 movie. It's not until Friday the 13th Part II that he even becomes the main villain of the franchise. And it's not until Friday the 13th Part III that he even gets his iconic hockey mask. Major credit for a guy who knows how to reinvent himself. BL

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Leatherface, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Leatherface: Really not the best name for a villain! Its like calling someone Linenface. Or Denimface. Cheeseclothface. Its unnerving when you find out that, you know, its human skin hes wearingthis guy is a cannibal, you knowbut Leatherface is a fixture of the iconic 70s era of horror. Put some respect on the misguided name of this man and his chainsaw. BL

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Quint, Jaws

The Indanpolis speech alone more than qualifies him. Danny Dumas

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Clarice Starling, Silence of the Lambs

Fava beans, anyone? Jodie Fosters Clarice Starling is one of the most intriguing characters on this list for a few different reasons. Not only is Clarice one of the smartest and most layered horror protagonists in the genre, but shes presented as an equal to her male counterparts. Theres a psychological complexity to Clarice, allowing viewers to see her backstory in a manner rarely allotted to the good character. Also, the Oscar that Foster won for the role doesnt hurt either. JK

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The Blood, Carrie

Sure, Carrie is the obvious addition to the list. Or even Carries mom. You might even argue its John Travoltas terrible (and ill-fated) high school bully, but the truth is, theres no character more integral than the blood in Carrie. From moment-go, its the ultimate weapon of destruction. The blood is what ostracizes Sissy Spaceks Carrie from her classmates in the period scene at the start of the film, and it haunts her again as her classmates dump blood on her at the prom. Never has otherwise innocent blood been so haunting in film. JK

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Giant Ants, Them!

Crude and rudimentary? Sure. But if we walked outside and ran into the giant ants from Them, wed be scared shitless. The sheer size of the ants make them terrifying and exemplify the horror maxim that is: bigger is scarier. JK

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Freddy Krueger, A Nightmare on Elm Street

Krueger is an all-timer. Even if you havent seen Nightmare on Elm Street, the mangled face and striped red sweater that Krueger wears is a pop culture staple. And like a lot of the characters on this list, theres something particularly devastating about his existence: razor hands that kill you in your dreams so effectively that it kills you in real life? How do you stop a serial killer like that? In the extensive catalogue that Wes Craven has given us, his depiction of Freddy has to be near the top of the list in terms of recognizability. JK

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Regan, The Exorcist

Kids are objectively terrifying. Sorry parents; thats just the truth. But when a young Linda Blair was tapped to play Regan in The Exorcist, it took the creepiness of children to a whole new level. Possessed by a demon, the foul-mouthed and putrid image of Regan is enough to haunt your dreams at night. For The Exorcist to still be so relevant nearly 50 years after its release is a testament to the film, but the star is undoubtedly Regan or at least the demon inside of her. After all, when have you ever heard a little girl say, Your mother sucks cocks in hell! JK

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Damien Thorns Dog, The Omen

The devil is scary, but the devils dog is even scarier. Its official name, Hellhound, is a reference to the dog that serves Satan. And while facing off with Damien is horrifying in its own right, theres something even more daunting about being at the will of Satans dog. It means that your fate is doomed, and youre cornered by something more powerful than you. Damien means your demise is imminent. Damien Thorns Hellhound means that youve only just begun. JK

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Frankensteins Monster, Frankenstein

Remember: Frankenstein is not the monster! But Frankensteins monster is probably the most recognizable horror movie character, shy of an unnamed mummy or vampire. The 1931 adaptation of Mary Shelleys famous story is what helped launch our current idea of what Frankensteins monster looks like. The greenish hue to his skin, the bolts in the neck, that unfortunate haircut. Its cemented its place in horror pop culture history, whether you like it or not. JK

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The Creature, Creature from the Black Lagoon

Imagine being so iconic that youre brought back, decades later to star in your own romantic film called The Shape of Water. Jokes aside, in its time, the creature from The Creature from the Black Lagoon was nightmare fuel and orchestrated the archetype of this fish-monster hybrid that would be recreated time and time again. The creature is a part of horror movie monster canon and for good reason. JK

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31 Best Horror Movie Characters of All Time - These Are the Best Heroes and Villains in Scary Movies - Esquire

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero