The Scariest Clown Movies in Film History

Movies with the scariest clowns are designed to play on our irrational fear of the normally jolly, happy creatures. Yes, we'd all like to think that clowns are funny and wonderful, but sometimes they aren't. Sometimes, they're serial killers. Sometimes they're possessed by the devil himself. This list includes some of the best scary movies with clowns in them. Vote up the ones that freaked you out the most, and vote down any movies with clowns that just didn't do anything for you. You can also rerank this list and, by all means, add to it!!

Some of the greatest horror films ever made have included terrifying clowns. Take Pennywise the Dancing Clown from It -- doesn't the mere mention of his name send chills up your spine? Or how about that clown doll from Poltergeist? Admit it - if you owned a clown doll, and you watched that movie, you threw it out/burned it as soon as you got home. And of course, you've got the brilliant Heath Ledger performance as one of the most evil clown-men in film history, The Joker in The Dark Knight. It counts. He's a clown. And he's horrifying.

Do you have a fear of clowns, in movies or otherwise? Know this word: coulrophobia. The best coulrophobia movies are designed to play on this often deep-seated, common phobia. Certainly, some excellent B-movies feature killer clowns. How about Cheezo, Bippo and Dippo from Clownhouse? This murderous trio is pretty unforgettable. 100 Tears should definitely get a mention, too. And of course, you've got the movie Killer Clowns From Outer Space, a campy romp that features a bevy of killer clowns.

Sometimes, all it takes to scare us half to death is a brief appearance by a scary clown in a film. Remember those evil nurse clowns in Pee Wee's Big Adventure? No? Watch it again. You're welcome. And the Clown Zombie was only on the screen for a brief time in Zombieland, but he sure made an impact. Really, when you're already afraid of clowns, just a quick appearance can send you diving under your theater seat.