As a cinephile who’s spent countless hours immersed in the dark and twisted realms of fictional villains, I must say that these two characters, Batman’s Joker and Stephen King’s Pennywise, stand out as truly iconic figures.
The third installment of “Terrifier,” titled “Terrifier 3,” has been unstoppable during the Halloween season of 2024, also dominating the box office. With earnings exceeding $43 million on a production budget of just $2 million, this small-scale independent horror film has become a significant triumph.
As terrifying as Art the Clown is, evil clowns are nothing new in cinema. Whether it’s horror, action, or science fiction, movies have been making villains out of these jesters for decades. There’s just something unsettling about clowns. Their pale white make-up, their exaggerated features, their determination to make you laugh. Add some blood and hand them a weapon, and these figures of comedy are suddenly twisted into something a little more sinister. We don’t blame you if all this Art Clown hype inspires you to crush the entire Terrifier series. But once you’re done with those movies, here are ten films featuring evil clowns to check out in your spare time.
10 Clownhouse (1989)
The movie titled Clownhouse centers around three youthful siblings, who find themselves pursued by a trio of individuals recently escaped from mental institutions. An interesting twist is that these individuals have slain a band of clowns, seized their outfits, and subsequently track the children while disguised as their deceased counterparts in clown attire.
Despite receiving unfavorable reviews, Clownhouse holds significance as it marked the feature film debut of Academy Award-winning actor Sam Rockwell. This fact alone warrants giving it a watch.
9 The Clown at Midnight (1999)
A Canadian film titled “The Clown at Midnight” blends elements of slasher and mystery genres, with a group of young adults attempting to unmask the enigmatic killer clown who is causing chaos in an opera house. Due to its rarity, this movie does not have a critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Despite feeling like a B-movie horror film, The Clown at Midnight boasts an impressive cast that includes Christopher Plummer and Margot Kidder. The evil clown in this film may not have a name, but that doesn’t make this blade-wielding lunatic any less memorable. Or frightening.
8 Gacy (2003)
Don’t worry if you’ve never heard of this one. Gacy is a direct-to-video release with putrid scores on Rotten Tomatoes. And yet, despite its many flaws, this film makes for one of the most terrifying entries on our list — because it’s based on a true story. It centers on the infamous serial killer, John Wayne Gacy (Mark Holton), who raped, tortured, and murdered at least 33 young men and boys near Chicago.
John Wayne Gacy was infamous for entertaining at charity events dressed as a clown, which later earned him the chilling moniker “The Clown Killer” following his arrest. In essence, he was a terrifying, real-life harlequin of horror during the 1970s. Even die-hard horror enthusiasts might not find many shivers in this film, but the knowledge that such a person truly walked among us could linger in your nightmares well after the end credits.
7 Killjoy Series
There’s a strong resemblance between “Terrifier” and “Killjoy”. Both are standalone slasher films that have expanded into franchises. However, it’s worth noting that “Killjoy” hasn’t achieved the same level of popularity as “Terrifier”. Interestingly, they both incorporate the chilling concept of demonic clowns as their antagonists.
In the series of films known as ‘Killjoy’, people summon a sinister, otherworldly clown named Killjoy to help them carry out their vengeful schemes. However, an unexpected turn of events reveals that Killjoy is far more formidable than anyone could have anticipated. The ‘Killjoy’ franchise embodies everything you’d typically find in a B-grade horror movie: affordable practical effects, cheesy scares, and plenty of fun.
6 31 (2016)
31, which was Rob Zombie’s eighth film as both writer and director, was funded through crowdfunding on fanbacked.com by his fans. The plot revolves around a group of carnival workers who find themselves kidnapped and subjected to torture by a band of murderous clowns on the night of Halloween in 1976. This film features not just one, but six circus-themed killers, each with their unique appearance and performance style.
Title number 31 carries a clear association with Halloween, though it can’t be explicitly named as such. This title also connects to the survival game within the horror movie “31,” where captives are hunted by menacing clowns across a maze of rooms for more than twelve hours. Despite receiving negative reviews from critics for being unoriginal, fans of Art the Clown and the franchise “Terrifier” can expect plenty of grisly scenes and impressive clown makeup in this film.
5 Clown (2016)
The movie titled “Clown” marked Jon Watts’ first venture into directing; he has since become famous for helming the Spider-Man films starring Tom Holland and the movie Wolfs featuring George Clooney and Brad Pitt. An interesting tidbit: Clown initially started as a fictional trailer on YouTube, with Eli Roth falsely credited as a producer. Unbeknownst to many, Roth discovered this false trailer and surprisingly chose to fund the production himself. He even made a cameo in the film, playing the demon character Clöyne.
This film, titled “Clown,” might not immediately grab attention as a creative title, but it certainly stands out among evil clown movies due to its uniqueness and imagination. The story revolves around a father who inexplicably begins to transform into a menacing clown after donning a sinister clown suit that stubbornly remains on him. The antagonist in this movie shares similarities with Pennywise, a terrifying character who is known for his taste for children and serves as a formidable villain.
In this movie, the clown makeup is remarkably impressive, and the transformation of the father mirrors Jack Nicholson’s character in “The Shining.” It portrays a chilling journey towards darkness and violence that culminates in the ominous closing scenes.
4 Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)
The film titled “Killer Klowns from Outer Space” is a unique blend of horror, humor, and science fiction, creating an unforgettable cinematic experience. It’s one of the oddest things you’ll ever come across. In a fascinating sci-fi turn of events, Earth finds itself under attack by sinister extraterrestrials who have a striking resemblance to clowns. This movie is particularly renowned for its practical effects, such as those peculiar rubber suits and masks that only the ’80s could successfully execute.
For years, a follow-up to the popular cult film “Killer Klowns” has been stalled during the production process. However, there seems to be a glimmer of hope that someday, we could enjoy a limited series on a streaming platform, reviving this beloved horror-comedy classic.
3 House of 1,000 Corpses (2003)
The movie titled “House of 1,000 Corpses” was the initial production both written and directed by Rob Zombie. It shares many similarities with his previously mentioned horror film, “31”. The narrative revolves around a group who find themselves kidnapped and subjected to torment. The story unfolds during Halloween, and as expected, it incorporates a murderous clown character. This grotesque and profane clown, known as Captain Spaulding (portrayed by Sid Haig), has made a significant impact in the realm of modern horror. He is often recognized as Zombie’s most remarkable invention, comparable to John Carpenter’s Mike Myers.
The film titled “House of 1,000 Corpses” predominantly delves into horror, yet it also touches upon dark humor. Disregard the 22% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes; this extremely violent movie garnered a strong 65% approval from audiences. Since its debut, “House of 1,000 Corpses” has gained cult status and is often recognized as Rob Zombie’s finest work.
2 The Dark Knight (2008)
Under the guidance of renowned director Christopher Nolan, the movie titled “The Dark Knight” significantly elevated the superhero genre. In this story, Christian Bale portrays Batman who grapples with the harsh consequences of adopting a masked identity. Since its release in 2008, “The Dark Knight ” has earned a place among the most remarkable superhero films ever made. A significant part of its acclaim is due to the outstanding portrayal by the late Heath Ledger, who takes on the role of the villain and Batman’s archenemy, the Joker.
In a debate that’s hard to refute, The Joker stands out as one of fiction’s most renowned antagonists. He’s a chilling, psychopathic clown who can leave you in pieces, both literally and figuratively, while still making you laugh. His long-standing feud with Batman traces back to the 1930s and remains a central theme in Batman narratives. The film, _The Dark Knight_, masterfully portrays their intricate dynamic, depicting the clash between an unyielding force and an immovable object. The Joker’s madness brilliantly contrasts with Batman’s somber persona, creating a rollercoaster of excitement. Just like other remarkable villains, the Joker steals the limelight, leaving you eager for his next appearance on screen.
1 It (2017)
It was only a matter of time before this character appeared. Art the Clown wouldn’t exist without Pennywise the Dancing Clown. He’s undoubtedly the most notorious evil clown in horror literature, crafted by none other than Stephen King, the acknowledged Master of Horror. This fellow is likely the primary cause behind the widespread fear of clowns among many people.
the eerie effect of Skarsgård’s lazy eye isn’t achieved through computer-generated imagery or makeup; it’s his real feature that he skillfully uses for dramatic impact, making the character even more chilling.
In a prequel series titled “It: Welcome to Derry“, Skarsgård as Pennywise is set to make his comeback, taking us back to the 1960s and delving into the origins of Pennywise. This story will unfold events that occurred before “It Chapter One” but if you can’t wait until 2025, you can catch another rendition of Pennywise in the 1990 miniseries, where Tim Curry portrayed him brilliantly.
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2024-10-27 04:02