13 Clowns From Our Past That Still Give Us Nightmares

Anyone who’s watched television or a movie in the past, oh, 20 or so years, has fallen victim to the “evil clown” antagonist. They weren’t always meant to be creepy, but these guys truly defined what it means to be a friendly puppet gone wrong.

1. Pennywise from It (1990)

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Pennywise is pretty much your worst nightmare come true with a hearty appetite for children.

2. Twisty From American Horror Story: Freakshow (2014)

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He totally wins for contemporary creep factor. Thanks AHS for continuing to be horrifying in a whole new way.

3. The Joker From The Dark Knight (2008)

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Arguably Heath Ledger’s best role, and his most sinister.

4. The Possessed Doll From Poltergeist (1982)

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This possessed doll made us terrified to look under our beds for years

5. Zombie Clown From Zombieland (2009)

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What’s scarier than a creepy clown? A zombie clown!

6. Billy The Puppet From Saw (2004)

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I mean, who saw this movie and wasn’t immediately terrified of Jigsaw’s creepy little puppet?

7. Art The Clown From All Hallows’ Eve (2013)

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This grinning, sadistic clown isn’t clowning around.

8. Zeebo The Clown From Are You Afraid of the Dark? (1990)

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Watching Are You Afraid of the Dark? as a child was occasionally a masochistic hobby. This clown is one of those reasons.

9. The Clowns From Killer Klowns From Outer Space (1988)

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Campy, homicidal aliens disguised in clown outfits that feed on humans. Need we say more?

10. Firefighter Clown From The Brave Little Toaster (1987)

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Possibly the worst villain in all little-kid-movie history, this guy still gives me nightmares. STILL. They just don’t make ‘em like this anymore.

11. Captain Spaulding From House of 1000 Corpses (2003)

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I’ll tell you what ski king, NEVER try to rob Captain Spaulding.

12. Creepy Clown From Amusement (2008)

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Can't sleep clown'll eat me!

13. Serial Killer John Wayne Gacy as Pogo the Clown

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Perhaps the most scariest of them all because he was REAL!