Mention the word “October” and the first thing in most movie fans’ mind is that it’s the Halloween month. And in Halloween month, horror movies are a definite must-have. Here, we have selected and listed down 10 Best Modern Horror Movie Icons in alphabetical order, to further amp up the spooky vibes!
1) Chucky (“Child’s Play” franchise)
You just can’t keep a good guy down. Or more specifically, the Good Guy doll nicknamed Chucky. This foul-mouthed possessed killer doll has died on different occasions, but by now we know that even after seven original movies and this year’s reboot, Chucky will always be brought back to life in some other ways.
2) Freddy Krueger (“A Nightmare On Elm Street” franchise)
The brown fedora, the horribly-disfigured face, the red-and-green sweater and the metal-clawed glove — these iconic images helped shape the distinctive look of Freddy Krueger. One of the most iconic horror movie icons since his existence in 1984, credits go to both Wes Craven and actor Robert Englund for bringing the character to life. Unlike most horror movie icons in this list, Freddy murders children and teenagers by invading their dreams.
3) Ghostface (“Scream” franchise)
The late Wes Craven alongside co-creator and screenwriter Kevin Williamson deserve credits for reviving the slasher genre, albeit in a brief manner back in the mid-1990s. They were the one who re-introduced the old slasher genre by giving it a then-unique meta twist. Then, there’s Ghostface — the iconic killer in a black cloak and white mask who stalked and slashed his/her victims typically with a knife. And what makes Ghostface such an interesting antagonist is that every movie would reveal a different set of killer or killers.
4) Jason Voorhees (“Friday The 13th” franchise)
The “Friday the 13th” movies may have been a mixed bag of mediocre-to-bad results. But there’s no denying that Jason Voorhees’ unstoppable killing machine remains among the epitomes of a modern horror movie icon. His choice of weapons are varied but this hulking monster in a hockey ski mask usually dispatch his victims with a machete.
5) Jigsaw/Billy (“Saw” franchise)
“I want to play a game”. That line, of course, refers to Jigsaw’s most famous catchphrase in the “Saw” series since 2004. Tobin Bell who played the iconic Jigsaw was the mastermind behind the elaborate torturous traps. The creepy-looking Billy on a tricycle (pictured below), in the meantime, is a mechanical ventriloquist puppet serving as a mouthpiece for Jigsaw.
6) Leatherface (“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” franchise)
Leatherface is named as such since his face is shielded with a mask made entirely from human flesh. He is part of a cannibalistic family who lives in a derelict house somewhere in the Texan wilderness. This hulking monster of an antagonist hunts and kills people with his iconic chainsaw.
7) Michael Myers (“Halloween” franchise)
This is the film that arguably started the modern slasher-movie craze. It all began in 1978 when then-young John Carpenter made “Halloween” with just a tiny budget of USD300,000 (RM1.25 million). The movie became a surprise hit and subsequently ushered in the then-golden era of slasher movies throughout the late 70s to 80s. At the heart of “Halloween” is Michael Myers, the silent killer in a white mask and serviceman’s uniform — an intimidating figure who killed teenagers on Halloween with no sense of remorse. The first film itself has since spawned a total of 11 movies so far including direct sequels, reboot and the recent legacy sequel.
8) Pennywise (“It”)
Tim Curry may have first nailed the creepy role of Pennywise the Dancing Clown in “It” back in 1990. But he actually appeared in a two-part TV miniseries, whereas the big-screen adaptation was only materialised in 2017. Just like the miniseries, the “It” movie was separated into two parts, with the final chapter recently released this year. Both movies were played by Bill Skarsgård, the clown who is actually a demon-in-disguise preying on children in the fictional town of Derry, Maine.
9) Pinhead (“Hellraiser” franchise)
True to its title, Pinhead is the literal evil from the depths of hell clad in a black leather outfit with a pale-looking head full of protruding pins. He also led a team of Cenobites who torture their victims in a grisly manner. There were a total of 10 movies so far but the first two “Hellraiser” films remain the most talked-about movies in the series.
10) The Tall Man (“Phantasm” franchise)
It’s hard to imagine anyone else other than the late Angus Scrimm, who immortalised the sinister role of The Tall Man in “Phantasm” series. Scrimm’s 1.93-metre height alone is physically imposing and let’s not forget his signature distinctive voice. His choice of weapon consists of flying silver spheres capable of drilling its victims’ brains.
