Vote up the vile villains who deserve the spotlight.
When it comes to horror movies, there's seemingly no shortage of villainous icons that fans love to hate. Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, and Jason Voorhees are all enmeshed in popular culture as some of the most terrifying characters in film history. But what about all the villains people have forgotten about? With all of the horror movies and TV shows produced over the past 50 years, there are more than a few antagonists who have been lost to time. Don't worry, though: We found them.
This myriad of villains somehow missed their chance at icon status. Whether it's the mysterious Anton Phibes in the campy '70s horror film The Abominable Dr. Phibes or the bloodthirsty Harry Warden in the '80s slasher My Bloody Valentine, there's a villain on this list to meet everyone's tastes. Once you've brushed up on these anti-heroes, vote for which ones really deserve a second chance at infamy.
Costume: Dons the untraditional Pierrot clown black-and-white look with mime-like qualities that add to the sinister nature of the villain.
Weapon(s) of Choice: Anything handy, but he often uses a hacksaw stored in a black trash bag.
History: Art turns from human to demonic entity over the course of All Hallows' Eve and Terrifier where he exhibits supernatural abilities. Art is known for torturing his victims while remaining totally silent. Even when Art himself is injured, he mimes his pain with vivid expression, making him unique among other silent killers in horror films.
Costume: Dirty overalls and various victims' blood.
Weapon(s) of Choice: His bare hands and anything slightly sharp.
History: Victor Crowley was hidden from the world his whole life due to his deformity. After his untimely death, Crowley comes back as a vengeful spirit who will kill basically anyone for any reason with any tool at his disposal. While Crowley's story is sad, it doesn't justify his sadistic behavior, but it does make him a villain worth knowing... from a safe distance.
Costume: A suit and trench coat paired with a mask featuring button eyes and a zipper mouth.
Weapon(s) of Choice: Knives and emotional manipulation.
History: Dr. Decker presents himself in Nightbreed as a prestigious psychiatrist, but he's really a serial killer and family annihilator. His crimes are made doubly horrifying by his mask, which conveys his soulless alter ego. Decker's odd mix of terror and charm make for a solid but often overlooked villain.
Costume: Hippie-style clothes to show off his love of music and a Sonny Bono toupee to hide the metal plate in his head that he likes to scratch with a heated wire coat hanger.
Weapon(s) of Choice: Straight razor, horrifying smile.
History: Robert "Chop Top" Sawyer is the brother of Leatherface, and was apparently in Vietnam during the events that unfolded in the original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. However, Chop Top is very much in the family business and enjoys terrorizing Vanita Brock throughout the film. In spite of being an absolute lunatic, there's something oddly charming about Chop Top, and the sheer bizarreness of his character should make him a bigger horror icon.
Costume: Filthy clown costume with garish makeup and smiley mask that hides a horrifying secret.
Weapon(s) of Choice: Bowling pins, giant scissors, and anything else that's sharp.
History: According to Twisty, he started out as a good clown, but the world made him evil. As it turns out, Twisty's backstory is quite tragic, but it's hard to feel sorry for him considering the series of violent murders he commits. Twisty does eventually find peace and a certain level of redemption, making him one of the more complicated characters in American Horror Story canon.
Costume: A carefully chosen serial killer costume with spooky makeup, a garish mask, dirty overalls, and a ripped shirt to let you know he's serious about creating a terrifying persona.
Weapon(s) of Choice: Hand scythe, pitchfork, post hole digger, and other handy farm equipment.
History: Leslie Vernon is determined to become one of the most infamous serial killers of all time, and the amount of planning he's put into this endeavor is truly commendable. With a film crew in tow, Vernon offers a step-by-step guide to being the next Freddy Krueger or Michael Myers. In spite of all his murdering, Vernon's offbeat humor and tenacity make him a rather likable antagonist/protagonist.
