Photo: Warner Bros.
There are some characters who have become the face of horror movies. Everyone knows Dracula, Frankenstein, Freddy and Jason, even if you hate scary movies. But what about the ones that are completely terrifying, yet have flown under the radar except with hardcore fans? These are the ones that you might not know yet. After this, however, you’ll have a whole new cast for your nightmares. These are 20 of the most underrated horror villains of all time. There are some spoilers in here, so if you haven’t seen any of the movies listed, just take our word for it and don’t read the descriptions until you do.
20 Underrated Horror Villains
Sweet nightmares.
In case you still aren’t crapping your pants by now: 14 Horror Movies That Might Be Too Terrifying To Finish
Underrated Horror Villains
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20. Mister Babadook, The Babadook (2014)
Honestly, The Babadook probably isn’t that underrated, but just on the off chance that someone hasn’t seen it, we have a responsibility to make them aware of it. Not only does Mister Babadook look completely terrifying, he only says his own name in a horrifying voice that’ll haunt you for the rest of your life.
Photo credit: IFC Films
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19. Mrs. Carmondy, The Mist (2007)
Not all of the monsters need to be undead creatures or supernatural beings. Mrs. Carmondy proved that in The Mist when she used fear and religion to convince a group of seemingly good people to murder a man because she blamed him for the outbreak of creatures that had invaded their world. She didn’t even blame him personally, but rather what he represented. That kind of power and influence is what truly makes a monster scary.
Photo credit: Dimension Films
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18. John Ryder, The Hitcher (1986)
The original film absolutely horrified me as a kid, and rightfully so. There’s an argument to be made that this movie single-handedly made the world scared of hitchhikers. He just looks like everyone else, and that’s seriously what made it so terrifying. I’ll never forget seeing him in the back of that car with the little kids. Chillllllssssss.
Photo credit: TriStar Pictures
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17. The Phantom Killer, The Town That Dreaded Sundown (2014)
Freddy and Jason are obviously scary, but you can alleviate your fear by reminding yourself that it’s not real. That’s not the case with the Phantom Killer. Look up the Texarkana Moonlight Murders if you really want to lose some sleep. Even if you’ve already seen the original movie, the remake is certainly worth your time.
Photo credit: Orion Pictures
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16. The Greasy Strangler, The Greasy Strangler (2016)
OK, most of you probably haven’t seen this one yet. Even when you do, a lot of people are going to strongly dislike it. It’s not for everyone, and I understand that. But for those that do enjoy it, you’re really going to enjoy it a lot. It’s like if Tim and Eric made a horror movie in a Napoleon Dynamite universe. The Greasy Strangler is a monster that’s just ridiculous enough to still be entertaining. Give it ten minutes. If you’re into it, then you’re going to have a great time. If not, please don’t yell at me.
Photo credit: FilmRise
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15. Mademoiselle, Martyrs (2008)
She’s not just looking to kill her victim. Her plan is much more heinous. She’s heading up a group that wants to know what the afterlife is like, so they’re torturing people to the brink of death, then having them describe their visions. You could pass her on the street and not have a clue that she’s behind some of the most gruesome beatings and murders imaginable.
Photo credit: Wild Bunch
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14. Brett, Eden Lake (2008)
Not only does Brett look completely normal and ordinary, he’s also a kid. And not some ghost kid that crawls out of a well or meows like The Grudge boy. He’s a murdering, sadistic monster, and once you meet his family, you quickly learn how he became that way.
Photo credit: The Weinstein Company
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13. The Miner, My Bloody Valentine (1981)
The Miner is easily on par with the other classics, but for some reason he just never crossed over as mainstream as they did. He even has a pickax as a signature weapon and a look that seems ideal for a Halloween costume. What more could you possibly want for an iconic horror figure?
Photo credit: Paramount Pictures
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12. Sam, Trick 'r Treat (2007)
Not only is Trick 'r Treat one of the most underrated horror movies of the last decade, it also gave us a truly fantastic horror monster that has been criminally overlooked. Sam is the best mixture of cute and deadly since Chucky, without that whole “possessed by the soul of a serial killer” thing.
Photo credit: Warner Bros.
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11. The Strangers, The Strangers (2008)
I truly don’t understand the people that aren’t completely horrified by this movie. Being someone that’s never defiled an Indian burial ground or burned a child predator to death, I don’t have a lot of concerns about being hunted by a demon seeking revenge. The Strangers have no motive. They have no reasoning. Plus, they aren’t loud and boisterous. They linger in the background when they could easily kill. The scariest part of it all is that everything they do could actually happen.
Photo credit: Rogue
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10. Dalle, Inside (2007)
We’re talking about a person so set on revenge that she’s willing to cut an actual baby out of another woman. You realize the kind of hate you need to make that sort of commitment? At least Michael Myers waits until Halloween to kill you. Dalle isn’t even waiting until you’re finished with your third trimester.
Photo credit: La Fabrique de Films
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9. The Mountain Man, Cold Prey (2006)
If you haven’t seen Cold Prey, I highly recommend it. It’s a Norwegian trilogy that, when you watch it, you’ll feel like you should’ve seen it years ago. The Mountain Man's backstory is great and he’s truly a monstrous presence. You could probably skip the third installment, which is a prequel, and not miss much. The second film is almost a reimagining of Halloween 2, but in a very good way.
Photo credit: SF Norge AS
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8. Natre, Shutter (2004)
I’m not referring to that terrible remake you hopefully didn’t see starring Roy from The Office and Joshua Jackson. The original Thai version found a way to make Natre a tragic victim, but also a completely terrifying monster. You pity her while also fearing her. That’s a combination that makes a monster both frightening and insidious.
Photo credit: GMM Grammy / Phenomena Motion Pictures
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7. Leslie Vernon, Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006)
Behind the Mask does for slashers what Cabin in the Woods did for the rest of the genre. Leslie Vernon has fun with the tropes and seems like just a goofy spoof, up until he makes his sinister turn and becomes an unforgettable monster. If you have any interest in slashers whatsoever, Leslie Vernon will immediately make his way into your heart.
Photo credit: Anchor Bay Entertainment
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6. Cujo, Cujo (1983)
It is truly astonishing how Cujo has dropped off the map for so many younger fans of horror. Jaws is scary, but you can avoid sharks by simply staying out of the water. Cujo was in your home. He was part of the family. If you can’t trust your family dog, then who can you trust? That’s what made Cujo so iconic.
Photo credit: Warner Bros.
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5. Victor Crowley, Hatchet (2006)
Victor Crowley is everything a horror monster needs to be. He has a legend, a catchy name, and every kill he pulls off is so over the top, you’d swear it was an '80s monster movie. Best of all, all three Hatchet movies flow together perfectly, so you’re not disappointed with a lackluster finale. Crowley deserves a spot right next to the legends.
Photo credit: Anchor Bay Entertainment
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4. Lola, The Loved Ones (2009)
If you were scared of girls in high school, just be thankful you never heard about Lola. She looks just like any other girl, except she has no problem turning your life into her own personal Saw sequel for not taking her to the dance. Even as crazy as her family is, she’s still the most bizarre one in the bunch.
Photo credit: Paramount Pictures / Insurge Pictures
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3. Dr. William Weir, Event Horizon (1997)
You might know Sam Neil from Jurassic Park, but for me, he’ll always be the demonic doctor in Event Horizon. That movie is insanely underappreciated, and Dr. Weir has no problem embracing actual hell and becoming the embodiment of evil.
Photo credit: Paramount Pictures
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2. Billy, Black Christmas (1974)
He’s creepy, maniacal, murderous, and does all of his killings on a holiday. If that doesn’t get your horror senses tingling, then you need to reevaluate your horror priorities. Ignore that awful remake from 2006 and stick with Billy in the creepy original.
Photo credit: Warner Bros.
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1. The Tall Man, Phantasm (1979)
Phantasm was a bizarre mix of scares and laughs, but there’s no denying how The Tall Man immediately embedded himself into our nightmares. He looked human, but there was just something off about him. Plus, he could lift a casket all by himself and toss it into the back of a hearse. That scene at the end of the movie where he bursts through the mirror is still just as effective as the day it was released.
Photo credit: Universal Pictures
