Whether or not you have coulrophobia, some clown movies are downright terrifying. With grotesque masks and a penchant for hiding in shadows, these clowns are sure to find their way into your dreams. If you enjoy horror movies or clowns, watch these six scariest clown movies now.
6. “House of 1000 Corpses” (2003)
Two young couples find more than they bargained for in “House of 1000 Corpses“. Searching in the backwoods of Texas for urban legends, the four explorers become entrapped with a sadistic family that has horrible plans for each one of them. The couples must find their way out of the madhouse before it’s too late.
–IMDb score: 6.0
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5. “Terrifier 2” (2022)
Almost as popular as Pennywise is Art the Clown, who appears in several films including the more recent “Terrifier 2“. In this sequel, Art the Clown has been resurrected by a sinister entity, returning to Miles County to target a pair of siblings on Halloween.
–IMDb score: 6.1
4. “Killer Klowns from Outer Space” (1988)
What’s better than human clowns? Alien clowns! In “Killer Klowns from Outer Space” a small town is invaded by aliens who aren’t taken seriously by the townspeople, due to their circus clowns’ outfits and makeup. As more and more townspeople disappear, it’s up to the younger residents to take matters into their own hands.
–IMDb score: 6.2
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3. “It” (1990)
The first rendition of Stephen King’s hit novel “It” premiered as a two-part TV movie in 1990. The movie follows seven pre-teen outcasts who have to fight an evil demon posing as a clown in 1960. Then the film transports us thirty years later as now adults must stop the demon once and for all when it returns to their hometown.
–IMDb score: 6.8
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2. “Poltergeist” (1982)
While not completely about scary clowns, “Poltergeist” features one scene with a rubber clown that is sure to give you nightmares. The film features a family being visited by ghosts who appear friendly, but soon turn nasty and take the youngest daughter. The family must fight to stay alive and save their daughter before it’s too late.
–IMDb score: 7.3
1. “It: Chapter One” (2017)
Of course, our final clown movie selection is the 2017 version of “It: Chapter One.” The film centers on Derry, Maine where local kids have been disappearing without a trace. It’s up to seven kids united by a place called “The Barrens” to overcome horrifying and strange encounters with an evil clown and get rid of him for good.
–IMDb score: 7.3
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