Audiences cannot get enough of evil dolls in the horror genre. Recently, Jennifer Tilly gave a behind-the-scenes look at Syfy’s Chucky to reveal the child of Chucky and his bride will be joining the cast for season 2. While it looks as though Glen/Glenda will be in human form, they are likely to continue disapproving of their parents’ murderous tendencies.
While Chucky fans are waiting for the newest season, there are plenty of evil doll horror movies to watch in the meantime. Reddit fans have declared the best horror movies featuring evil dolls, and these figurines will certainly give audiences nightmares, whether from the unnerving laughter or just plain creepy appearances.
Annabelle (2014)
Annabelle is the supernatural prequel to The Conjuring, following a possessed doll named Annabelle. With her hair in braids and old-fashioned white dress, the doll is unnerving and it’s questionable why anyone would even purchase it.
Reddit user mayonnaise_man writes “The elevator scene was one of the scariest I’ve seen on the big screen in the past couple years.” The film follows a tried-and-true horror formula. The audience doesn’t often see Annabelle actually move, but she’s found in different locations, and noises are heard behind closed doors. Utilizing the occasional jump scare, Annabelle is a creepy film that would make any doll owner toss out their dolls.
The Boy (2016)
The Boy follows a young woman as she accepts a nanny position in a different country to escape her abusive ex-boyfriend. However, she’s not meant to babysit a human, but a doll named Brahms. Ignoring the rules of caring for the doll, strange events begin to occur to make Greta think she’s losing her mind.
The Boy is not the standard possessed doll film, it has a twist that will leave audiences speechless and uncomfortable. Reddit user sakamake writes, “it’s not technically a living doll movie, but it does follow many of the same conventions.” There’s a creepiness to the story that will make viewers want to check their attics and crawlspaces. The magic of The Boy didn’t continue in the sequel, as the story changed to turn Brahms into a demon.
Bride of Chucky (1998)
Starring Jennifer Tilly as a possessed doll in a wedding dress and leather jacket alongside the infamous Chucky, Bride of Chucky follows Chucky as he threatens teenagers and kills numerous police officers on his quest to be reunited with his human body. Despite the gore, there are questionable silly situations, including a doll giving birth.
Reddit user CT-1138 writes, “The gore and kills are good, the jokes are solid, and Tiffany is a well enjoyed addition to the lore.” The inclusion of Tiffany as Chucky’s bride is amusing as she just wants to get married and start a family with Chucky. The movie is outlandish and a bloody fun time and launched the modern era of the Chucky franchise.
Child’s Play (2019)
Though there are plenty of unpopular opinions about the Child’s Play franchise, audiences received a remake of the original film. In this updated version, Aubrey Plaza stars as a mom who purchases a Buddi doll for her hearing-impaired son, Andy. Unlike the original doll, the Buddi doll is high-tech, and his safety protocols are removed by a disgruntled factory worker.
Reddit user TheOzman79 enjoys the film, writing, “It was an interesting modernization of the story.” The new Chucky develops his murdering tendencies instead of being possessed by a serial killer. It’s a logical step to remake the film with a technological storyline instead of keeping the original story. Chucky received a makeover to appear menacing as a newer toy. Horror fans shouldn’t skip this remake.
Annabelle: Creation (2017)
Annabelle: Creation is the origin story of the creepy doll from The Conjuring franchise. A group of orphans moves into a home where a young child, Annabelle, died after being hit by a car. One of the girls, Janice, finds the demon doll in a locked closet and unknowingly releases the evil upon the house.
Reddit user IsaacFergy writes the director “really knows how to create tension and use jumps that are usually warranted.” The lighting and haunting music create a gothic atmosphere convincing the audience nothing good will happen. The best part about the storyline is the link to Annabelle. When viewers realize the connection between the two movies, everything makes sense, and will make the viewer want to rewatch Annabelle.
Puppet Master (1989)
Puppet Master follows a group of psychics that are terrorized by puppets that become animated from an Egyptian spell. The premise is silly: puppets come to life and try to kill people. The poor special effects make Puppet Master more cringey than scary, which is part of the ‘80s charm. It’s a mix of fantasy and horror that’s entertaining without giving nightmares.
Reddit user chipnoir explains the movie “is the only one I think with legit scares, as the puppets are actually properly equipped to do people real harm.” The movie is unique, coming up with ways to commit murder by puppets. There aren’t generic deaths that audiences will find in traditional horror movies, for instance, the Leech Woman puppet regurgitates leeches onto a man to drain his blood. Puppet Master is a campy cult classic that any horror fan should watch.
Poltergeist (1982)
Nothing will cause audiences to fear looking under the bed like the clown doll scene in Poltergeist. Living in a literal house of horrors, the son is confused when the creepy clown doll in his room goes missing at bedtime and eventually drags him under the bed. Reddit user generalgirl hates the scene, writing, “I crawl up the back of the couch whenever we watch it.”
Poltergeist features brilliant performances and more scares than just bumps in the night. The clown’s high-pitched laugh is like nails on a chalkboard, and this doll moment will live rent-free in any viewer’s brain. The movie may be about spirits terrorizing a family, but the evil clown will go down in history.
Dead Silence (2007)
Dead Silence follows a man investigating a ventriloquist dummy that was anonymously gifted to his family after his wife is mysteriously killed. It does not follow a traditional storyline about an evil doll though. The dummy’s possessed by its ventriloquist who was heckled during a performance and lynched after the child heckler disappears. The ventriloquist seeks revenge on those who lynched her.
Reddit user JohnsHorrorCorner writes the film “had some excellent quality jump scares and really creepy atmosphere.” The special effects in Dead Silence make the audience uneasy, but viewers looking for gore should look elsewhere as the movie contains very little. Instead, it relies on the setting, performances, and music to bring the creep factor. Evil is present when it’s dead silent.
Child’s Play 2 (1990)
The pint-sized monster, Chucky, is back in Child’s Play 2. The killer doll terrorizes Andy several years after the first movie. This time, Chucky aims to transfer his soul into Andy’s body. With decent pacing and impressive child actors, Child’s Play 2 continues to bring the gore and viewers will not be disappointed.
Reddit user AmiablePariah writes, “Child’s Play 2 is one of those rare times when the sequel is better than the original.” Unfortunately for him, Chucky fails at becoming human again and must forever remain a doll. Andy and his foster sister form a beautiful friendship that the TV series continues, and Child’s Play 2 is a worthy sequel even just for Chucky’s hilarious one-liners.
Child’s Play (1988)
Audiences were first introduced to Chucky the killer doll in 1988’s Child’s Play. Fictional serial killer Charles Lee Ray performs a voodoo ritual to transfer his soul into a Good Guy doll while fleeing the police. With his wild red hair, blue overalls, and striped shirt, Chucky has become the most recognizable evil doll in horror.
Reddit user crruss felt a lasting impact from him, writing, “I was terrified of my dolls for ages after I saw that movie as a kid.” It’s a simple idea with a terrifying twist. The film is suspenseful and violent, and Chucky has become an icon of the horror genre.