The 15 Scariest Faces in Film History

The 15 Scariest Faces in Film History


August 15, 2024 | Allison Robertson

The 15 Scariest Faces in Film History


The 15 Scariest Faces in Film History

This list compiles the creepiest and freakiest faces in horror film history—those unsightly characters that stay burned into our retinas forever.

The Ring

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Pinhead

Hellraiser’s Pinhead, as the name suggests, is a man with nails coming out of head. His sinister laugh makes his allure that much more terrifying.

PinheadDimension Films, Hellraiser: Hellseeker (2002)

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Pighead

A common theme in many horror films seems to be people in pig masks. From Piggy Man in American Horror Story to the pig villains in Animal Farm, the pig fear is real.

But nothing compares to Pighead in Saw. 

PigheadLionsgate, Spiral (2021)

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Pennywise

Pennywise, the dancing, bloodthirsty clown in It, crawls out of the drains and lures kids with candy, only to rip their limbs off. This psycho clown is what nightmares are made of.

PennywiseNew Line Cinema, It (2017)

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Angry Bilbo

Angry Bilbo in The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring is a terrifying face that can catch you off guard, but lasts forever in your mind.

Angry Bilbo New Line Cinema, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

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The Strangers

Quite literally all of the strangers in The Strangers are terrifying. If you’re going to kill people in their own home, at least have the guts to show your face.

The Strangers (2008)Rogue Pictures, The Strangers (2008)

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Michael Myers

Classic Michael Myers in Halloween is an unforgettable—and creepy—character. The fact that he doesn’t speak just adds to his terrifying allure.

Michael MyersBlumhouse Productions, Halloween (2018)

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Frank

Frank, the strange manifestation of Donnie Darko’s schizophrenia, is most definitely the scariest rabbit ever.

FrankPandora Cinema, Donnie Darko (2001)

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Annabelle

The Annabelle doll in The Conjuring should be self-explanatory. This porcelain puppet plays right into your nightmares, and will certainly send Granny’s collection right to the closet.

Annabelle New Line Cinema, The Conjuring (2013)

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The Lobotomized Guy

This one isn’t a “face” per se, but the scene of the lobotomized guy in Blue Velvet with his brains hanging out of his head will scar you. His yellow suit will make his presence known in your night terrors later.

Yellow suit guyDe Laurentiis Entertainment Group, Blue Velvet (1986)

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Regan

The Exorcist may have its cheesy moments, but you’re lying to yourself if you don’t find Regan’s little demonic face spine-chilling.

Linda Blair won a Golden Globe for this performance.

ReganWarner Bros., The Exorcist (1973)

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The Pale Man

The pale man in Pan’s Labyrinth is a vision you can never escape from. With his eyes on the palms of his hands, this creepy creature will have you sick to your stomach in fear.

The pale manTequila Gang, Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

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Kayako

The psychotic girl, Kayako, from The Grudge, who crawls up and down the walls in the developing room has that instant pop-up terror that wakes you up from a dead sleep.

KayakoColumbia, The Grudge (2004)

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Hester Moffet

The severed head in the jar, belonging to Mr. Hester Moffet in The Silence of the Lambs, is undoubtably unnerving. His decrepit facial features are brutally realistic.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)Orion Pictures, The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

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Jack Torrence

Jack Torrence in The Shining is another horrifying face that will stay forever engraved in the back of your eyeballs. When we think of “murderer” that’s who we picture.

Jack TorranceWarner Bros., The Shining (1980)

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Katie

And finally, Katie in The Ring stands as the creepiest face to grace our presence in horror film history. If this chick doesn’t send shivers down your spine, you’re probably not human either.

The Ring (2002)DreamWorks, The Ring (2002)

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