The 50+ Best Evil Doll Horror Movies
- 1Catherine Hicks, Chris Sarandon, Alex Vincent
Child's Play is a chilling horror classic that has been terrifying audiences since its release in 1988. Directed by Tom Holland, this film masterfully spins the tale of a seemingly innocent doll possessed by the soul of a notorious serial killer, Chucky, voiced by Brad Dourif. The evil doll sets out on a horrifying killing spree as it seeks to transfer its spirit into an unwitting young boy named Andy Barclay, played by Alex Vincent. With its suspenseful and atmospheric storytelling combined with innovative special effects, Child's Play has earned its place in the annals of horror history and spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs.
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- 2Alex Vincent, Jenny Agutter, Gerrit Graham
As the sequel to the original cult classic, Child's Play 2 (1990) continues to explore the dark story of Chucky, arguably one of cinema's most frightening evil dolls. Directed by John Lafia and written by Don Mancini, this horror gem elaborates upon the sinister antics of vicious killer doll Chucky as it ruthlessly pursues Andy Barclay (Alex Vincent). Packed with relentless scares and thrilling chase sequences, Child's Play 2 astutely builds tension while providing an unsettling exploration of childhood fears. A must-watch for fans of diabolical playthings seeking vengeance.
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- 3Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams, Beatrice Straight
Poltergeist (1982), directed by Tobe Hooper and co-written/produced by Steven Spielberg, is an iconic supernatural thriller that still sends shivers down spines today. The film follows a suburban family whose lives are turned upside down when malevolent spirits begin to haunt their home with increasingly violent intent. Amongst these ghastly apparitions stands an eerie clown doll that has become synonymous with fear-inducing toys in popular culture—its sinister smile haunting viewers long after the credits roll. Poltergeist expertly combines spine-tingling suspense with shocking imagery, resulting in an unforgettable cinematic experience.
More Poltergeist - 4
Dead Silence
Ryan Kwanten, Amber Valletta, Donnie WahlbergDirected by James Wan and written by Leigh Whannell, the creative duo behind Saw, Dead Silence (2007) is a chilling horror film that delves into the terrifying world of ventriloquist dolls. When Jamie Ashen (Ryan Kwanten) receives an eerie ventriloquist dummy named Billy, he soon finds himself caught up in a deadly curse tied to the ghost of Mary Shaw (Judith Roberts), a malevolent ventriloquist from long ago. Filled with atmospheric dread and spine-tingling visuals, Dead Silence is a darkly twisted tale that will leave viewers wary of antique dummies.
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- 5Paul Le Mat, Irene Miracle, Matt Roe
Puppet Master (1989), directed by David Schmoeller, is an intriguing horror film that centers around a group of psychics who are summoned to the mysterious Bodega Bay Inn to investigate strange occurrences. They quickly discover that the hotel houses sinister living puppets created by an eccentric puppeteer named Andre Toulon (William Hickey). As tensions rise, these malevolent toys spring to life with lethal force in their quest for bloodshed. With its haunting atmosphere and unique premise, Puppet Master has become a beloved cult classic among evil doll aficionados.
More Puppet Master- #264 of 397 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
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- 6
Annabelle: Creation
Stephanie Sigman, Talitha Eliana Bateman, Lulu WilsonAnnabelle: Creation (2017), directed by David F. Sandberg, serves as both a prequel and origin story for one of modern horror's most iconic evil dolls—Annabelle. Set in 1950s rural America, this chilling film uncovers the dark events leading up to the creation of the notorious possessed doll after a grieving dollmaker (Anthony LaPaglia) and his wife (Miranda Otto) invite several orphans into their home following their own daughter's tragic death. As supernatural horrors unfold within its walls, Annabelle: Creation masterfully creates nerve-wracking tension through its skillfully crafted scares and haunting atmosphere, cementing its status as a must-see for fans of evil doll tales.
More Annabelle: Creation- #197 of 397 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
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- 7Annabelle Wallis, Ward Horton, Tony Amendola
Annabelle (2014), directed by John R. Leonetti and produced by James Wan, is a spine-tingling supernatural horror film that serves as both a prequel and spin-off to the highly successful Conjuring series. In this chilling tale, a young couple (played by Annabelle Wallis and Ward Horton) are plagued by terrifying occurrences when they acquire an antique porcelain doll named Annabelle which inadvertently becomes possessed by an evil spirit. With expertly crafted suspense and unsettling imagery, Annabelle takes viewers on a horrifying journey into the world of cursed dolls, showcasing why it has earned its place among other iconic evil doll films.
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- 8Lauren Cohan, Rupert Evans, Jim Norton
The Boy (2016), directed by William Brent Bell and starring Lauren Cohan of The Walking Dead fame, introduces audiences to yet another disturbing tale centered around lifelike dolls. Greta Evans (Cohan) arrives in England to work as a nanny for the reclusive Heelshire family but soon discovers her charge is actually an eerily lifelike porcelain creation named Brahms. As she uncovers dark secrets surrounding Brahms' past and adheres to strict rules imposed by the Heelshires, Greta begins to question her own sanity and faces a chilling truth that threatens to destroy her. The Boy masterfully blends psychological horror with unsettling imagery, resulting in a truly haunting cinematic experience.
- 9Denise Crosby, Sam Bottoms, Rip Torn
Dolly Dearest (1991), directed by Maria Lease, is an eerie horror movie that delves into the realm of demonic possession within children's toys. When an American family moves to Mexico to take over a seemingly idyllic toy factory, their lives are turned upside down as their daughter Jessica (Candy Hutson) forms an unsettling bond with her new doll named Dolly. As sinister events begin unfolding around them, it becomes apparent that there's more to this doll than meets the eye—plunging the family into a spiraling nightmare where innocence takes on a truly gruesome form.
- 10Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, Kyle Catlett
- 11Jennifer Tilly, Katherine Heigl, Nick Stabile
Bride of Chucky (1998), directed by Ronny Yu and written by Don Mancini, is the fourth installment in the chilling Child's Play franchise—adding yet another terrifying killer doll to its twisted lineup: Tiffany Valentine-Ray (voiced by Jennifer Tilly). Revived from her human form into a sinister porcelain bride for murderous doll Chucky (Brad Dourif), Tiffany joins him on an unhinged journey filled with bloodshed and mayhem as they seek out new victims for their fiendish plans. Boasting an infectious blend of dark humor and inventive gore, Bride of Chucky showcases why this iconic duo remains eternally beloved among horror fans.
More Bride of Chucky- #287 of 396 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
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- 12Kirsten Dunst, Gregory Smith, Jay Mohr
Small Soldiers (1998), directed by Joe Dante, offers a thrillingly unique twist on the evil doll genre by blending elements of action, science fiction, and horror. The film follows a group of high-tech military action figures known as the Commando Elite who come to life due to an experimental microchip implanted within them. As they wage war against their peaceful counterparts—the Gorgonites—they soon turn their malevolent sights on the unsuspecting humans caught in their path. With its blend of thrilling action sequences and dark humor, Small Soldiers proves that even seemingly innocuous toys can harbor deadly intentions.
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- 13Aubrey Plaza, Mark Hamill, Gabriel Bateman
- 14Ian Patrick Williams, Carrie Lorraine, Carolyn Purdy-Gordon
Dolls (1987), directed by Stuart Gordon and produced by Brian Yuzna, is an atmospheric horror classic that delves into the insidious world of living dolls hell-bent on delivering gruesome punishment upon those who trespass against them. When six travelers find refuge at a mysterious mansion during a stormy night, they quickly discover that their elderly hosts share their home with a chilling collection of dolls imbued with murderous intent. With its eerie atmosphere, inventive special effects, and wickedly dark humor, Dolls stands as an enduring example of the evil doll genre's enduring appeal.
- 15Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Ronny Chieng
M3GAN (2022), directed by Gerard Johnstone and produced by horror legend James Wan, brings a fresh perspective to the evil doll subgenre with its blend of hi-tech terror and unsettling suspense. The film centers on robotics expert Imogen Poots as she creates a lifelike AI-driven doll named Megan that displays increasingly sinister behavior after being gifted to her niece as a companion in order to enhance her emotional development. Combining cutting-edge technology with spine-tingling scares, M3GAN promises to be another chilling addition to the ever-growing roster of sinister toys on screen.
- 16Justin Whalin, Perrey Reeves, Jeremy Sylvers
Child's Play 3 (1991), directed by Jack Bender and written by Don Mancini, is the third installment in the terrifying Child's Play franchise—once again pitting audiences against the relentless evil of killer doll Chucky (Brad Dourif). This time around, Chucky returns eight years after his last defeat to hunt down his nemesis Andy Barclay (Justin Whalin), who now finds himself enrolled at a military academy. As Chucky unleashes carnage upon unsuspecting students and faculty members alike, this chilling film demonstrates why it remains an essential entry within the pantheon of horror classics.
- 17Lysette Anthony
Trilogy of Terror II (1996), directed by Dan Curtis, serves as a sequel to the 1975 cult classic anthology film featuring three separate tales with one common theme: terror. In this installment, Lysette Anthony stars in each segment dealing with vengeful spirits, malevolent dolls, and other hair-raising supernatural entities. Among these stories is an eerie continuation of the infamous Zuni Fetish Doll saga from the first film—once again pitting unwitting victims against a ferocious tribal doll with lethal intentions. With its inventive storytelling and chillingly effective scares, Trilogy of Terror II offers fans another dose of nail-biting horror in bite-sized vignettes.
- 18Charlie Spradling, George Buck Flower, Alex Band
Puppet Master II (1990), directed by David Allen, continues the bone-chilling saga initiated by its predecessor while further exploring the origins and motivations behind Andre Toulon's malevolent living puppets. As paranormal investigators descend upon Bodega Bay Inn in search of answers surrounding Toulon's mysterious creations, they face off against an army of deadly dolls hell-bent on protecting their master's dark secrets. By building upon the foundations established by the original film while delivering a fresh array of imaginative special effects and spine-tingling suspense, Puppet Master II cements its place as a worthy sequel within this beloved horror franchise.
- 19Jennifer Tilly, Brad Dourif, Jordan Gavaris
Curse of Chucky (2013), written and directed by Don Mancini, marks the sixth installment in the iconic Child's Play series and sees the return of Brad Dourif as the voice behind everyone's favorite killer doll Chucky. This time around, Chucky seeks vengeance upon paraplegic Nica Pierce (Fiona Dourif) and her family after they unwittingly invite him into their home via an unassuming package delivery. As paranoia mounts and bodies pile up around them, Mancini crafts an atmospheric tale steeped in mystery while maintaining a sense of foreboding that keeps audiences guessing until its shocking conclusion.
More Curse of Chucky- #325 of 396 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
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- 20Mervyn Johns, Michael Redgrave, Roland Culver
Dead of Night (1945), directed by Alberto Cavalcanti among others, is an influential British anthology horror film composed of five chilling stories framed within a central narrative about a group of strangers recounting their terrifying experiences to each other. The film's most famous segment, titled The Ventriloquist's Dummy, stars Michael Redgrave as a ventriloquist whose sanity begins to unravel when he becomes convinced that his dummy Hugo is alive—their sinister bond paving the way for numerous evil doll tales to follow in its wake. With its atmospheric storytelling and masterful performances, Dead of Night remains an essential entry within the annals of horror cinema.
- 21Peter Cushing, Britt Ekland, Herbert Lom
Asylum (1972), directed by Roy Ward Baker and written by Robert Bloch, is a chilling British anthology horror film centered around four patients in a psychiatric asylum recounting their terrifying experiences. One segment, aptly titled Mannikins of Horror, tells the story of Dr. Byron (Herbert Lom), an inmate who has created lifelike miniature dolls imbued with seemingly supernatural powers that manifest themselves in gruesome ways upon his enemies. As each patient's tale unfolds alongside this spine-tingling narrative, Asylum offers viewers a nerve-wracking journey into the depths of madness and fear.
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- 22Tracy Scoggins, Richard Speight, Jr.
Demonic Toys (1992), directed by Peter Manoogian and produced by Charles Band—who also brought us Puppet Master—immerses viewers in an eerie world where children's playthings become instruments of death under malevolent influence. When police officer Judith Gray (Tracy Scoggins) faces off against an enigmatic toy collector named Hesse (Barry Lynch), she soon discovers that his seemingly innocent collection hides a dark secret capable of unleashing unspeakable horrors upon humanity. With its imaginative premise and nail-biting suspense, Demonic Toys offers fans another delightful helping of diabolical dolls run amok.
More Demonic Toys - 23David Hemmings, Daria Nicolodi, Gabriele Lavia
Deep Red (original title Profondo Rosso) (1975), directed by Italian maestro Dario Argento, is a stylish giallo horror thriller renowned for its elaborate murder sequences and striking visuals. As jazz musician Marcus Daly (David Hemmings) becomes embroiled in the search for a mysterious killer, he encounters a creepy doll that has become an iconic part of the film's sinister lore. With its unsettling presence serving as a harbinger of doom, Deep Red showcases Argento's signature style while offering audiences a glimpse into the darker side of innocence.
- 24Jackie Earle Haley, Tim Thomerson, Nicholas Guest
Dollman (1991), directed by Albert Pyun, is a unique sci-fi action film that introduces audiences to the titular character Brick Bardo (Tim Thomerson)—a pint-sized space cop who finds himself stranded on Earth after pursuing his nemesis Sprug (Frank Collison). As he battles various foes with an array of oversized weaponry, Bardo's diminutive stature belies his immense prowess in combat. By blending elements of action, science fiction, and horror tropes with its intriguing premise, Dollman offers viewers an entertaining twist on the small-but-mighty trope often found within evil doll narratives.
- 25Anthony Hopkins, Ann-Margret, Burgess Meredith
Magic (1978), directed by Richard Attenborough and adapted from William Goldman's novel, is a tense psychological thriller centered around the unnerving relationship between ventriloquist Corky Withers (Anthony Hopkins) and his sinister dummy Fats. As Corky's grip on reality loosens amidst mounting pressure to succeed in show business, his twisted bond with Fats threatens to destroy everything he holds dear. Boasting powerful performances from its lead actors and capturing a palpable sense of dread throughout, Magic explores the terrifying possibility that dormant darkness can wield immense power over our lives.
More Magic- #194 of 252 onThe 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
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- 26Chandra West, Ian Ogilvy, Nicholas Guest
Puppet Master 5: The Final Chapter (1994), directed by Jeff Burr and written by Todd Henschell among others, marks the fifth installment in this cult classic horror franchise centered around André Toulon's sinister living puppets. In this chapter, protagonist Rick Myers (Gordon Currie) must once again face off against demonic forces seeking to harness Toulon's creations for their own nefarious purposes. With suspenseful storytelling and imaginative special effects that have become synonymous with the series, Puppet Master 5: The Final Chapter provides fans with another dose of eerie entertainment featuring their favorite malevolent playthings.
- 27Karen Black, George Gaynes, Gregory Harrison
Trilogy of Terror (1975), directed by Dan Curtis, is an anthology horror film comprised of three gripping tales penned by prolific author and screenwriter Richard Matheson. Among these stories stands Amelia, starring Karen Black as a woman tormented by a malevolent Zuni Fetish Doll that comes to life and unleashes a relentless assault upon her. With its inventive narrative structure, chilling performances, and iconic status within horror lore, Trilogy of Terror serves as a thrilling showcase for the power of evil dolls to captivate and terrify viewers.
More Trilogy of Terror - 28Chuck Connors, Jocelyn Jones, Jon Van Ness
Tourist Trap (1979), directed by David Schmoeller, is an unsettling horror thriller that delves into the twisted world of mannequins brought to life through malicious intent. When a group of friends find themselves stranded at an eerie roadside attraction filled with creepy wax figures and mannequins, they soon discover that these seemingly lifeless creations hide a dark secret—one capable of turning their idyllic getaway into a living nightmare filled with nightmarish visions and shocking twists. With its haunting atmosphere and innovative special effects, Tourist Trap serves as a chilling exploration of the sinister side lurking beneath everyday objects.
- 29Chandra West, Guy Rolfe, Felton Perry
Puppet Master 4 (1993), directed by Jeff Burr and written by Todd Henschell among others, picks up where its predecessor left off as Rick Myers (Gordon Currie) discovers that he has unwittingly become involved in a deadly battle between supernatural forces vying for control over André Toulon's living puppets. As Rick races to protect himself and those around him from impending doom, audiences are treated to another thrilling installment filled with imaginative special effects and nail-biting suspense that continue to set this series apart within the realm of horror cinema.
- 30Ian Abercrombie, Sarah Douglas, Michelle Bauer
Puppet Master III: Toulon's Revenge (1991), directed by David DeCoteau, takes viewers back to the origins of André Toulon's (Guy Rolfe) malevolent creations as it explores their emergence amidst the chaos of World War II-era Germany. As Toulon seeks vengeance against those responsible for the death of his wife Elsa (Sarah Douglas), he unleashes his army of living puppets upon unsuspecting foes who soon find themselves embroiled in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse. By diving deeper into the lore surrounding this iconic horror franchise, Puppet Master III: Toulon's Revenge offers fans an intriguing glimpse into the minds behind these sinister toys.
