Top Ten Movie Killers

by Beanfigger
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA)

This list is all about the killers, meaning the actual movies they exist in are not the main factor in determining their place on the list. These killers are known personally and intimately by the audience, as well as the victims. That means that no zombies make the list, in spite of the fact that they meet all the criteria, because they are just random groups of killers that make up a generic mob of terror.

Criteria: Body count, fear instilled in victims, difficult to stop, killing "skill"

Honorable Mention - The Terminator (1984). This guy appears unstoppable, and he might be the most focused killer in movie history. Day and night, without rest, this guy pursues his targets at any and all costs. Nothing happened in this guy's past that turned him into a killer. He was created for that sole purpose, and he is damn good at it. His first movie might be one of the "perfect" horror films that this website mentions, even though many surprisingly fail to consider it a horror movie at all. He just misses the list for a couple reasons. First, he can be corrupted and altered into a compassionate protector that doesn't kill, as we see in the sequels. Second, because of his "missions" he does not rack up an extremely high body count. There are no random killings by the Terminator. You can avoid his wrath if you are not the intended victim and you don't interfere with his quest to end that victim's life.

#10 Killer- Jason Vorhees. Original Friday the 13th (1980), played by Ari Lehman who appeared in none of the other films (at least eleven). The total death count is so high for this killer, mostly because of all the sequels, that he cannot be left off the list no matter how much I feel these films are overrated. He takes out partying teenagers by the dozens, using various methods. Sharp instruments are his favorite weapon, but he doesn't discriminate much when it comes to type of blade.

Strengths- Has already been killed, so what else can you do?

Weaknesses- Doesn't kill year-round, total mama's boy.

#9 Killer- The Firefly Family. Original House of 1000 Corpses (2003). Various actors. Number of other films he films appeared in - one. When it comes to the term "killer," this family might be the definition. Killing is what they do. They don't need a reason or motive other than the thrill they get from watching others suffer and die. Any outsider is a potential victim if they cross their path.

Strengths- No conscience, sticking together to conquer others.

Weaknesses- Not inconspicuous, guys are very ugly.

#8 Killer - The Xenomorphs. Original Alien (1979). Played by Bolaji Badejo. Number of other films appeared in - five. These space beasts are nasty. They are big, fast, strong, hungry, and have acid for saliva. They lay eggs in other beings, which later causes death by exploding chest when the baby emerges.

Strengths- Power in numbers, and power by themselves.

Weaknesses- They count on other species to carry and develop their eggs, and they keep crossing Ripley.

#7 Killer - Freddy Krueger. Original A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). Played by Robert Englund. Number of other films appeared in - nine (or more). How scary is it that this guy appears in your dreams while you sleep and kills you in real life? The fire-burned face and factory of horror are a true nightmare. Can you stay awake and avoid death?

Strengths- Since it's a dream he can do anything imaginable, one slap by these sharp fingers and the victim bleeds to death.

Weaknesses- Only exists in the dream world, talks too much giving potential victims a chance to get away.

#6 Killer- Norman Bates. Original Psycho (1960). Played by Anthony Perkins. Number of other films appeared in - five. The benchmark for all other crazy killers to follow, this motel owner has a lot of problems. I know it's a spoiler for anyone who hasn't actually seen or heard about the ending, but if you haven't by now you don't deserve to. When a pretty girl shows up, bad things are sure to follow at the Bates Motel.

Strengths- Seclusion, and a knack for covering up the truth.

Weaknesses- Cross-dressing, very nervous, a crazy mother that leads him to matricide.

#5 Killer- Sadako Yamamura. Original Ringu (2000). Played by Rie Ino'o. Number of other films appeared in - three (and another two as Samara Morgan). One of the scariest little girls ever. She tells you when she's coming to kill you, lets you wait for that time to come, and then lives up to her word and kills you. She lives in a movie herself, but she has the ability to walk out of the screen and end you in your own living room. She's dead and looking for company.

Strengths- She can't be stopped, she set the bar high for scary Asian girls.

Weaknesses- She wasn't loved by her mother, there is an out to avoid her curse.

#4 Killer- Hannibal Lecter. Original movie Silence of the Lambs (1991). Played by Anthony Hopkins. Number of other films appeared in - four (one of which, Manhunter (1986), came before Silence of the Lambs, but that was Hannibal Lecktor). This guy is one of the all-time greatest movie villains. He's truly creepy and intimidating. The worst part, aside from the fact that he eats people, is he's smarter than everyone else and they know it. He only helps detectives to gain their trust and eventually use that to free himself from captivity.

Strengths- Brilliance, 100% pure evil.

Weaknesses- In jail for most of his best movies.

#3 Killer- Leatherface. Original The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974). Played by Gunnar Hansen. Number of other films appeared in - five. This giant, deformed freak kills strangers on site behind closed doors. You don't even have to see him doing it for the scares to sink in. Given the name Thomas Hewitt by his adopting mother, he was raised in a family that encourages this behavior, so don't count a change of heart.

Strengths- Strength and power tools, local law enforcement on his side.

Weaknesses- Low self-esteem, overprotective family that keeps him locked up.

#2 Killer - Jigsaw. Original Saw (2004). Played by Tobin Bell. Number of other films appeared in - six (and counting). John Kramer provides a different style to the typical horror killer. He attacks the morality of his victims, and traps them with his games that more than likely will result in their demise. He is the true star of the Saw series, and his character is much deeper than most on the killer list.
Strengths- Superior intellect, finds a way to kill without actually pulling the trigger himself.
Weaknesses- Cancer, he doesn't truly want his victims to die.

#1 Killer - Michael Meyers. Original Halloween (1978). Played by Tony Moran. Number of other films appeared in - eight. The original slasher villain, Michael is a menace with a mask that proves to be unstoppable. He lives to kill. He is built like a beast, and has the personality of one, too. The real Boogeyman would quickly give up his thrown to this silent killer and run away screaming.

Strengths- Extreme psychopath that wants to kill, can withstand almost any type of attack and injury.

Weaknesses- Chooses predictable targets, makes it more difficult for himself to catch his desired prey by never running.

Others considered for Killer: Damien (The Omen), Chucky (Child's Play), Pinhead (Hellraiser), The Joker (Batman), Jaws (Jaws), Darth Vader (Star Wars), Jack Torrance (The Shining), Kayako Saeki (Ju-on), The Predator (Predator), The Thing (The Thing), The Klowns (Killer Klowns from Outer Space), Asami Yamazaki (Odishon), Annie Wilkes (Misery), The Gremlins (Gremlins), and Mickey and Mallory Knox (Natural Born Killers), Ghostface (Scream)