Top 10 Best Horror Movie Villain Costumes Ever
Top 10 Iconic Horror Movie Villain Costumes
Another Top 10 Horror Movie Villain Weaknesses
They may haunt your nightmares, but man, their wardrobes are kick ass. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the Top 10 Iconic Horror Movie Villain Costumes. For this list, we’re looking at the most popular, culturally-significant and often imitated costumes worn by horror movie villains. And, just to be clear, we’re looking at their entire ensemble, not just their masks - we have a separate list for that.
#10: The Tethered
Top 10 Horror Movie Villain Weaknesses
“Us” (2019) It can take years for a horror flick’s iconography to carve out a place for itself in cinema history. But there’s just something about 2019’s “Us” and its doppelgänger baddies that instantly stuck in our minds. Sure, the idea of your clone hunting you down is pretty freaky, but the simplistic red jumpsuits and eerie gold scissors make the so-called Tethered strangely compelling. And then there’s this kid’s white mask, which is just all kinds of creepy. Overall, it’s an uncomplicated costume, and one that could easily be dismissed as harmless from a distance. And that’s why we love it - and fear it.
#9: Samara Morgan
The Ring Franchise (2002-17) Speaking of horror movie iconography, it used to be that wearing a white nightgown automatically made you look like Regan from “The Exorcist”. But 2002’s “The Ring” changed that with Samara Morgan. If you watch her video tape, this little girl that drowned in a well will hunt you down in her sodden nightgown and long draping hair, and disfigure you. Nice. Usually seen on a distorted, flickering TV screen, her outfit kind of makes her blend into the bleak background. And this muted look, as if she’s forever lingering in the shadows, is what makes her so unnerving.
#8: Jason Voorhees
Top 20 Jason Voorhees Kills
Friday the 13th Part III (1982) It may have taken Jason three movies to acquire his timeless look, but it was worth the wait. When we think of slasher movies, Jason is pretty much as iconic as it gets. Although equally popular for the creative ways in which he disposes of teenage campers, Jason’s torn up jacket, long machete and towering stance are what really make him so memorable. Oh yeah, and of course, there’s his hockey mask. In fact, the mask alone is enough to make you avoid going anywhere near a lake - or getting busy in the woods.
#7: Pinhead
Interview with Doug Bradley a.k.a Hellraiser's Pinhead
“Hellraiser” (1987) Okay, so “Hellraiser” might not rank quite as highly as some of the other franchises on our list today, but, with the Cenobites, it’s got some of the most spine-chilling villains of all time. And the leader of this soul-destroying bunch is the infamous Pinhead. We don’t know what’s more iconic - his black, leather robe-like clothes, white face and pinhead, or his booming, nightmare-inducing voice. Either way, Pinhead has become a staple of supernatural horror, reminding us that taking weird to a demonic level is sometimes the quickest way to stand out from the crowd. Pinhead may not be the most terrifying monster-thingy in the movie, but he’s certainly got the most swagger.
#6: Billy the Puppet
Billy Dee Williams’ Lando Calrissian to Return in Star Wars: Episode IX – The CineFiles Ep.80
Saw franchise (2004-) This horror movie villain might be working with limited screentime, but it quickly became the poster puppet of the “Saw” franchise nonetheless. Jigsaw is an elusive villain, so he needed a totem to taunt his victims - enter Billy. Billy is a small, white-faced and red-cheeked puppet who sports a red bow tie and is usually seen entering frame on a squeaky tricycle. Combine that with his gremlin-like laugh and penchant for delivering horrible fates in the form of audio tapes, and you’ve almost got the most terrifying horror movie doll of all time. We say almost because, well...
#5: Chucky
Chucky VS Annabelle: The Ultimate Horror Movie Doll
“Child's Play” (1988) Chucky from “Child’s Play” is scary enough to make us distrust pretty much any doll. Once a human serial killer, Chucky transfers his consciousness into a Good Guys doll in order to continue indulging his evil desires. And it’s the juxtaposition between a cute and cuddly, dungaree-wearing doll and a foul-mouthed, knife-wielding killer that makes Chucky so brilliant. He’s terrifying in a unique way, his appearance lulling you into a false sense of security. Want proof that his costume is iconic and not just his killer persona? Fully grown adults still roam around in dungarees at Halloween and scare the hell out of people. And if not for Chucky… well, that would just seem silly, not scary.
#4: Michael Myers
Michael Myers Vs Leatherface
“Halloween” (1978) This costume may seem pretty basic, but let’s not forget, it also made every blue-jumpsuit wearing mechanic in the world appear to be a potential serial killer. Michael Myers’ almost monochrome appearance is what makes his look iconic and what makes people run to their garage for last minute costume ideas every year. Coupled with that emotionless, Captain Kirk mask, that normal, ordinary getup becomes anything but . . . even when he never surpasses walking speed. And who can forget his signature weapon, the kitchen knife. Myers single-handedly made us fear them. Damn you Michael.
#3: Beetlejuice
“Beetlejuice” (1988) From horrifying one moment to hilarious the next, here Michael Keaton flexes his funny bone in one of the most memorable roles of his career. The character of Beetlejuice has several different looks throughout the movie, but his pinstripe black and white suit is by far his most imitated and loved. Add to that his frizzy green hair, rotting skin and blackened eyes, and you’ve got the pinnacle of off-beat fancy dress pop culture. Whether you’re walking over a zebra crossing or eating black and white candy, you can’t help but think of Beetlejuice in all his grotesque glory. Just don’t say his name three times!
#2: Pennywise the Clown
Freddy Krueger vs Pennywise
“It” (1990), “It” (2017) & “It Chapter Two” (2019) It may be able to shapeshift into anything from a werewolf to a giant spider, but It’s freakiest form by far is Pennywise the Clown. Made popular by Tim Curry in the 1990 mini-series, and re-imagined by Bill Skarsgård in 2017's It and 2019's It Chapter Two, Pennywise is the ultimate nightmare-fuel. Sure, clowns are creepy in general, but add fear-inducing hallucinations and some razor-sharp teeth to the arsenal, and you’ve got the mother of all petrifying, balloon-wielding funny men. The character has become so iconic that a clown costume nowadays, be it multi-colored like Curry’s or drab like Skarsgård’s, is often referred to as a Pennywise outfit, regardless of its origin. And who knows, if you wear one, maybe you’ll float too! Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honourable mentions: Invaders “You're Next” (2011) Mister Babadook “The Babadook” (2014) Ghostface “Scream” (1996) Valak “The Nun” (2018) Leatherface “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” (1974)
#1: Freddy Kruger
Freddy Vs Jason
“A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984) This guy really is the full package— in a horror sense, anyway. He’s funny, he’s terrifying, he has a bunch of catchphrases and his outfit is unquestionably legendary. At a glance, sleeping teenagers can recognize his green and red-striped sweatshirt, brown trilby hat and burnt face. And when he starts chasing them, they won’t be able to escape his bladed glove. Freddy’s outfit is so unforgettable that you could wear just one element of his costume and arguably still be recognised as the dream-stalking psycho. Just don’t fall asleep while wearing it. If he sees you trying to pull off his look, he probably won’t be too pleased.
