A demonic entity causes a curse in the beloved fall 2022 horror movie Smile, which is now available on Paramount+. Stories about curses are always fun since they cause chaos and destruction and lead to freaky demons who fans can never forget. There are many other horror movie demons who are just as frightening, whether they target people who watch a videotape, hone in on children, or in the case of one of the most famous villains of all, only murder when characters are fast asleep.
There's no denying the power that demons in horror movies have to scare the main characters who are having trouble coping with the strange figures in front of them. From Samara Morgan in The Ring to the book character who comes to life in the acclaimed film The Babadook, there are many scary demons who make a splash.
Bughuul (Sinister, 2012)
Sinister has memorable quotes and an even more unforgettable demon in Bughuul, a horrible figure who convinces children to kill their entire families. Bughuul is also called Bagul and his brother, a deity named Moloch, got upset with him and made sure that he could never open his mouth again by literally sewing it closed.
While the villain The Grabber in The Black Phone, the other Blumhouse horror movie starring Ethan Hawke, is horrifying, Bughuul influences kids to hurt their families, which feels especially terrible. It says a lot that Hawke's true crime author character, Ellison Oswalt, is freaked out from the moment that he sees this character because Ellison is used to the stuff of nightmares. All Bughuul has to do is appear in front of Ellison and Ellison knows what's going to happen to him. Watching the pure fear and pain that Ellison feels in these moments is definitely a memorable experience.
Samara Morgan (The Ring, 2002)
While some 2000s horror movies are forgotten, The Ring has such a good plot that it will never fade into the background for horror fans. Samara Morgan kills anyone who has watched the videotape that she put a curse on and they only have seven days before this awful moment occurs.
Samara is one of the most well-crafted but most chilling demons in any horror film, as she covers her face with a blanket of black hair and comes out of the well that she was pushed into. For many who saw The Ring when they were younger, Samara's face still haunts them. It's brilliant to have Samara actually come out of a TV and head right for the person who she's going to kill.
Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare On Elm Street, 1984)
Freddy Krueger is one of the smartest horror movie villains and A Nightmare On Elm Street is thought so highly of because of this villain who can never be forgotten. Freddy's appearance is burned into the minds of horror fans and the fact that Freddy Krueger enters dreams and kills people makes him frightening, as he's called a Dream Demon.
Freddy's dialogue is snippy and sassy, proving that he has a sarcastic sense of humor, and he is so confident in his ability to do whatever he wants that it's impossible not to shudder when looking at him. Freddy is so violent and ruthless that he will always be remembered, and even though fans don't like every film in this slasher franchise, they often discuss Freddy's kills.
Pinhead (Hellraiser Franchise, 1980-)
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Pinhead's origins in the Hellraiser franchise are chilling and it's hard not to feel scared when looking at the literal pins that are coming out of his head. Because the Cenobites actually thrive on pain, Pinhead doesn't seem like he's afraid of anything, and this fearless personality makes him a horrifying demon.
Whether fans watch the 2022 Hellraiser or the previous films in the franchise, there's no denying how original and unique these movies are as the Cenobites are very distinct from other scary figures. If a demon would win for scariest appearance, it would definitely be Pinhead. He looks extremely harsh and cruel.
The Babadook (The Babadook, 2014)
While The Night House is about grief and loss, so is the 2014 horror film The Babadook. The elevated horror movie focuses on a mother and her child coping with their husband/father passing away. When they begin reading a book about a demon named The Babadook, they realize that he is actually real and they are in danger.
With a tall and thin body and an eerie grin on his face, along with the hat that he always wears, the Babadook is a memorable figure and scary to even just look at. The fact that this demon goes after children and tries to appear to their sweet innocence is definitely terrifying.