Puppets are already creepy enough on their own, but horror movies about puppets take it to another level. This list ranks the scariest movies about evil puppets and dummies, including cult classics, modern horror movies, and everything in-between. We've included the Saw franchise for this list, because although the films aren't really about Billy the Puppet, he is still the mascot of the series and probably the most iconic horror movie puppet of all time.
You can't go wrong with the Puppet Master series if you're looking for scary puppet movies. Even the Goosebumps movie with Jack Black is a decent choice if you're looking for a horror movie about a dummy, and it's definitely one of the rare scary movies you can watch with your kids.
Vote up the best horror movies about puppets and dummies below, and downvote any films that you've seen but did not enjoy. Then, be csure to check out our list of the best scary doll movies.
1
9114Child's Play
Gabriel Bateman, Aubrey PlazaReleased: 2019
Directed by: Lars Klevberg
Child's Play is a 2019 American horror film directed by Lars Klevberg, and a reboot of the 1988 film. A mother (Aubrey Plaza) gives her son (Gabriel Bateman) a toy doll for his birthday, unaware of... more2
6124Child's Play
Brad Dourif, Catherine HicksReleased: 1988
Directed by: Tom Holland
Child's Play is a 1988 American horror film directed by Tom Holland, written by Tom Holland, Don Mancini, and John Lafia, and starring Catherine Hicks, Chris Sarandon, Alex Vincent, and Brad Dourif.... more
34023Dead Silence
James Garner, Marlee MatlinReleased: 1997
Directed by: Daniel Petrie
Dead Silence is a 1997 made-for-TV thriller based upon the Jeffery Deaver novel A Maiden's Grave. The plot of the book and the film, based upon a true incident, revolved around a group of 8 deaf... more- 43113
Saw
Danny Glover, Monica PotterReleased: 2004
Directed by: James Wan
Saw is a 2004 horror film written by Leigh Whannell and directed by James Wan, in Wan's directorial debut. In the film, Adam (Whannell) and Lawrence (Cary Elwes) awaken chained in a large dilapidated... more - 53620
Puppet Master
Barbara Crampton, William HickeyReleased: 1989
Directed by: David Schmoeller
Puppet Master is a 1989 American horror film written by Charles Band and Kenneth J. Hall, and directed by David Schmoeller. It is the first film in the Puppet Master franchise and stars Paul Le Mat,... more - 6258
Magic
Anthony Hopkins, Ann-MargretReleased: 1978
Directed by: Richard Attenborough
Magic is a 1978 American psychological horror film directed by Richard Attenborough and starring Anthony Hopkins, Ann-Margret, and Burgess Meredith. The screenplay was by William Goldman, who also... more - 72610
Trilogy of Terror
Karen Black, George GaynesReleased: 1975
Directed by: Dan Curtis
Trilogy of Terror is a made-for-television anthology horror film, first aired as an ABC Movie of the Week on March 4, 1975. The film, directed by Dan Curtis, starred Karen Black. All three segments... more - 82623
Saw II
Emmanuelle Vaugier, Shawnee SmithReleased: 2005
Directed by: Darren Lynn Bousman
Saw II is a 2005 Canadian-American horror film, a sequel to 2004's Saw and the second installment in the seven-part Saw franchise, directed and co-written by Darren Lynn Bousman. Co-written with... more - 91918
Attack of the Puppet People
John Hoyt, John AgarReleased: 1958
Directed by: Bert I. Gordon
Attack of the Puppet People is a 1958 American black-and-white science fiction horror film directed, produced and written by Bert I. Gordon. It stars John Hoyt as an eccentric doll maker. It was... more - 101514
Dolls
Guy Rolfe, Stephen LeeReleased: 1987
Directed by: Stuart Gordon
Dolls is a 1987 Italian-American horror film directed by Stuart Gordon. The film was shot in Italy in 1985 and released in 1987.... more - 112325
Saw IV
Emmanuelle Vaugier, Shawnee SmithReleased: 2007
Directed by: Darren Lynn Bousman
Saw IV is a 2007 Canadian-American horror film and the fourth installment of the Saw franchise. It was directed by Darren Lynn Bousman and written by newcomers Patrick Melton, Marcus Dunstan, and... more - 121718
Demonic Toys
Tracy Scoggins, Richard SpeightReleased: 1992
Directed by: Peter Manoogian
Demonic Toys is an American film produced by Charles Band's Full Moon Entertainment and released in 1992. The film features small, killer toys similar to those seen in Puppet Master, a film which... more - 131922
Saw III
Shawnee Smith, Dina MeyerReleased: 2006
Directed by: Darren Lynn Bousman
Saw III is a 2006 Canadian-American horror film directed by Darren Lynn Bousman from a screenplay by Leigh Whannell and story by James Wan and Whannell. Wan and Whannell directed and wrote Saw and... more - 142225
Puppet Master II
Charlie Spradling, George Buck FlowerReleased: 1991
Directed by: David W. Allen
Puppet Master II is a 1991 direct-to-video horror film written by David Pabian and directed by Dave Allen. It is the second film in the Puppet Master franchise, the sequel to 1989's Puppet Master,... more - 152125
Annabelle
Alfre Woodard, Annabelle WallisReleased: 2014
Directed by: John R. Leonetti
Annabelle is a 2014 American supernatural psychological horror film directed by John R. Leonetti, produced by James Wan, and written by Gary Dauberman. It is both a prequel to and spin-off of The... more - 161720
Goosebumps
Jack Black, Odeya RushReleased: 2015
Directed by: Rob Letterman
Goosebumps is a 2015 American comedy horror fantasy film directed by Rob Letterman and written by Mike White and Darren Lemke. It is based on the children's book series of the same name by R. L.... more - 171418
Dolly Dearest
Rip Torn, Denise CrosbyReleased: 1992
Directed by: Maria Lease
Dolly Dearest is an American 1991 horror film starring Denise Crosby and Rip Torn. The movie was initially supposed to be direct-to-video, but did get a limited theatrical release in the Midwest.... more - 181620
When Puppets and Dolls Attack!
Tracy Scoggins, Tim ThomersonReleased: 2005
Directed by: Ted Nicolaou, Charles Band
When Puppets and Dolls Attack! is a 2004 horror DVD containing clips of kills from every Full Moon Features film about killer puppets, dolls, and toys.... more - 191825
Saw V
Julie Benz, Meagan GoodReleased: 2008
Directed by: David Hackl
Saw V is a 2008 Canadian-American horror film directed by David Hackl and written by Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan and stars Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Scott Patterson, Betsy Russell, Mark... more - 2002
Benny Loves You
Karl Holt, David WaymanReleased: 2020
Directed by: Karl Holt
Benny Loves You is a 2020 American horror comedy directed by Karl Holt. A man desperate to improve his life throws away his beloved childhood plush, Benny. It's a move that has disastrous... more - 211926
Saw VII
Betsy Russell, Chester BenningtonReleased: 2010
Directed by: Kevin Greutert
Saw VII is 2010 horror film written by Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton and directed by Kevin Greutert.... more - 221825
Saw VI
Shawnee Smith, Betsy RussellReleased: 2009
Directed by: Kevin Greutert
Saw VI is a 2009 Canadian-American horror film directed by Kevin Greutert from a screenplay written by Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan. It is the sixth installment in the seven–part Saw franchise... more - 231318
Blood Dolls
Persia White, Phil FondacaroReleased: 2005
Directed by: Charles Band
Blood Dolls is a 1999 film directed by Charles Band.... more - 241420
Puppet Master III: Toulon's Revenge
Ian Abercrombie, Sarah DouglasReleased: 1991
Directed by: David DeCoteau
Puppet Master III: Toulon's Revenge is a 1991 direct-to-video horror film written by Charles Band, C. Courtney Joyner and David Schmoeller, and directed by David DeCoteau. It is the third film in the... more - 251624
Trilogy of Terror II
Lysette AnthonyReleased: 1996
Directed by: Dan Curtis
Trilogy of Terror II is a 1996 made-for-cable sequel to the 1975 television film, Trilogy of Terror, both directed by Dan Curtis. The film follows the formula of the original, with one female lead... more
