Horror movies have been creeping us out for over 100 years—and every decade has its own nightmare icon. Nerdist put together a killer list of the most unforgettable horror villains from each era. Some are obvious (hi, Freddy 👋), and some might make you say, “Wait… who?”
Here’s the breakdown:
🕰️ 1920s
Count Orlock from Nosferatu
Silent, shadowy, and straight-up terrifying. The OG vampire before Dracula took over.
🦇 1930s
Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi) from Dracula
The cape. The accent. The stare. Bela Lugosi is Dracula.
🌕 1940s
The Wolf Man (Lon Chaney Jr.)
Hairy, cursed, and howling at the moon—classic monster vibes.
👧 1950s
Rhoda Penmark from The Bad Seed
She’s sweet, she’s polite… and she’s a total sociopath. Yikes.
🛁 1960s
Norman Bates from Psycho
Mother issues and a creepy motel? Norman changed horror forever.
🎃 1970s
Michael Myers from Halloween
The mask. The silence. The slow walk. Pure nightmare fuel.
🔥 1980s
Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street
He kills you in your dreams. And somehow makes it funny. Iconic.
🐝 1990s
Candyman from Candyman
Say his name five times and regret everything. Urban legend horror at its best.
🧩 2000s
Jigsaw Killer from Saw
He doesn’t kill you—he makes you do it. Twisted and unforgettable.
👻 2010s
Annabelle from The Conjuring universe
A creepy doll possessed by evil? Yep, we’re not sleeping tonight.
🤡 2020s
Art the Clown from Terrifier
Silent, sadistic, and way too good at ruining your day. Clowns are back—and worse than ever.
Whether you’re into vintage creepers or modern slashers, this list is a spooky stroll through horror history. Did your favorite villain make the cut?
Read More HERE