Top 10 Clown Horror Movies 2022
Clowns. There is just something always slightly creepy about them. The way they look, talk, and interact with other people comes off as if they are almost a different species from us. Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against clowns; I just find them mildly creepy and deeply fascinating at the same time.
So what better way to start our clown content than with the top 10 clown horror movies in 2022? Happy watching!
1. Killer Klowns From Outer Space (1988)
First on the list is Killer Klowns From Outer Space, the 1988 wacky classic that spawned a cult following. While not the best horror film ever made and has that 80s cheesiness, this was still one of the most comedic movies I have ever seen. The movie’s premise is aliens who look like clowns come to Earth and capture people in massive cotton candy balls. When the town’s adults don’t take matters seriously, because, of course, they don’t, it is up to a small group of teens to save the day.
Filled with funny moments, famous one-liners, and some of the weirdest clown designs, Killer Klowns From Outer Space is a must-see for all horror fans.
2. Terrifier (2016)
Terrifier is a pretty straightforward movie with little plot and a ton of brutal kills and gore. It follows a killer named Art as he stalks two young women home from their night spent clubbing. A terrifying premise, this film holds no punches, showing some of the most gruesome kills within killer clown horror. While it is definitely a creepy and, at times, disconcerting film, it has no actual plot and is essentially just an hour and a half of gore and blood.
3. IT (2017)
The 2017 remake of the 1990 Stephen King classic saw Bill Skarsgard done the persona of Pennywise, a killer clown preying on the children of Derry, Maine. Even though it is a film about an ancient evil appearing as a clown, Pennywise only got four minutes of screen time dialogue. You are constantly left at the edge of your seat as the suspense builds, and you wonder whether or not your favorite character will get out of the situation alive.
Fun fact. Bill Skarsgard was overly friendly and polite between shoots because he didn’t want the child actors to be too afraid of him. The child actors did not even meet Pennywise on set until they saw him during the first movie scene with him in it.
4. IT 2 (2019)
The sequel to IT, IT 2 takes place in the future after the Loser Gang (the kids in the first movie) have left Derry and are currently living their own lives. Pennywise returns to strike fear in the hearts of all, and the group gathers to defeat the evil from their childhood once again. While not nearly as suspenseful as the first movie, you get to appreciate each character’s backstories more deeply. Bill Skarsgard once again played Pennywise, and his performance was top-notch.
5. Clown (2014)
After a father finds a clown suit and wears it to his son’s birthday party, he finds he cannot remove the suit. As time goes on, he learns the suit is cursed. It is truly one of the best clown horror movies I have ever seen, and it weaves a story together in a way that keeps you from getting bored. When it first appeared in theatres, the clown on the poster was considered too graphic, and it has been banned in Italy. So, expect some impressive kills, feelings of dread, and a story that will make your skin crawl. Oh yeah, did I mention he eats kids?
6. 31 (2016)
A Rob Zombie film, 31, almost makes Terrifier and Terrifier 2 look tame. Taking place on Halloween, a group of carnival workers is held captive and forced to compete for their lives against psychopathic killer clowns. If you love mindless sadistic killing films, you will definitely love 31, as it features some of the most gruesome horror kills ever. Even though it only took 20 days for Rob Zombie to film this movie, it took two re-edits to get an R rating instead of an NC-17.
7. Terrifier 2 (2022)
Once more information is out about Terrifier 2, I will update this article. Currently, I do know that it is by far the most gruesome and brutal film on this list. News reports have stated that viewers have thrown up and had to exit the theatre due to the sheer brutality shown on screen. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like one terrifying film.
8. Clownhouse (1989)
Another old clown horror film, Clownhouse, was directed and written by Victor Salva. Taking place the night before Halloween, three brothers are chased by mental hospital patients who have disguised themselves as clowns. While not a terrible slasher film, Victor Salva committed some terrible crimes during the filming, so audiences did not receive the film well.
9. IT (1990)
The old Stephen King classic, IT (1990), is basically IT and IT: Chapter 2 combined. It is a 3-hour long horror behemoth but is still considered one of the all-time best clown horror films ever. Tim Curry played Pennywise in this movie and performed beautifully. His Pennywise is terrifying and leaves such a creepy crawling feeling under your skin that he will be in your nightmares for days.
10. Amusement (2008)
A horror film with a moral, Amusement follows the killer clown named The Laugh, who murders the girls who bullied him during high school. If you ever needed a reason not to bully people, this 2008 film is the perfect reason. After all, no one wants a killer clown stalking them for something they did during high school. It stars some well-known names like Katheryn Winnick, Jessica Lucas, Keir O’Donnell, and Laura Breckinridge.
There you have it, the top 10 clown horror movies in 2022. If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out some of my other articles, like this one about the top 10 horror movies in 2022. Happy watching!