The Top 10 Horror Movie Icons of the Past 10 Years

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Every Halloween (or as we call it, “Nerdoween”), people love watching classic horror movies and celebrating the famous monsters and villains that made the genre so popular – think Frankenstein’s monster, Dracula, and the Wolfman. As slasher films became popular, we got Freddy, Jason, Michael Myers, and Leatherface, even a character called Charles Entertainment Murderdoll! But those movies are all pretty old. Are there any truly iconic horror villains from more recent years? Absolutely – B’doy, of course!

As a horror fan, I’ve been thinking a lot about the villains that have *really* stuck with me over the last decade – the ones who’ve already achieved that ‘iconic’ status. It’s a mix of things that gets them there, really – a memorable look, a truly terrifying personality, or just a unique way of doing things. So, let me share my picks – and they’re not ranked, just a rundown of the ones who’ve made a lasting impression.

Aunt Gladys – Weapons (2025)

We included this movie on our list specifically because of one character: Aunt Gladys from *Weapons*. It’s one of the most frightening and fun movies coming out in 2025, and Amy Madigan is incredible – almost unrecognizable – in the role. Gladys is a dying witch who pretends to be silly to lull people into a false sense of security, then steals their life force, turning them into blank-faced zombies. She also invades people’s dreams, creating some truly shocking scares. What makes her truly memorable, though, is how much *joy* she takes in being evil.

The Mother – Barbarian (2022)

Zach Cregger’s previous film introduced a memorable horror figure known only as “The Mother,” powerfully portrayed by the 6’8″ Matthew Patrick Davis. Like many iconic horror villains, The Mother is more of a tragic character than a purely evil one. She’s the result of generations of inbreeding caused by the film’s true villain, yet remains incredibly strong – capable of horrific acts of violence. However, all she really wants is to have a family. The Mother is the most compelling part of the movie, arguably rivaled only by a scene of Justin Long dancing to Donovan while driving along the Pacific Coast Highway.

Art the Clown – The Terrifier Franchise

If you’re afraid of clowns, the *Terrifier* movies are definitely not for you. The villain, Art, is a terrifying, black-and-white clown with strange powers who brutally harms and kills people. David Howard Thornton’s performance, combined with the incredible makeup, makes Art a truly frightening character. He doesn’t rush things – he enjoys the violence he causes. These films aren’t for the faint of heart, but Art has undeniably become a major figure in horror over the last decade.

Longlegs – Longlegs (2024)

It’s surprising it took so long for Nicolas Cage to star as a horror villain. A smart choice in the movie *Longlegs* was keeping the face of his character – a Satanist obsessed with Mark Boland – hidden for over half the film, which really builds the suspense. Like many classic horror icons, Longlegs is both terrifying and strangely silly. His eerie, high-pitched voice and pale complexion are immediately unsettling, leaning heavily into the ‘uncanny valley’ effect. Similar to the marketing for *Weapons*, *Longlegs* kept its monster a secret, making the reveal much more disturbing. And while shouting “Hail Satan” is a bit ridiculous, the character truly believes it, which makes him genuinely frightening.

Johnny – In a Violent Nature (2024)

It’s been a while since we’ve seen Jason Voorhees on screen – the last proper outing was the 2009 remake of *Friday the 13th*. Now, a new indie film, *In a Violent Nature*, captures his spirit with a relentless, undead killer named Johnny. This movie flips the *Friday* formula, following the slasher instead of his victims, and offers a surprisingly thoughtful look at the emptiness behind senseless violence. But don’t let that fool you – it’s also packed with incredibly graphic and brutal kills, so it’s definitely not for the squeamish. Consider this a warning: you’ll think twice before practicing yoga in the woods alone! Johnny doesn’t wear a hockey mask; instead, he sports an old firefighter mask with creepy, bulging eyes, which makes for a truly unique and terrifying look.

Pearl – X & Pearl (2022)

Ti West’s recent films form a horror trilogy starring Mia Goth, who plays two distinct characters across different eras. While her character Maxine Minx is fun, it’s Pearl who truly captivates audiences. In the first film, *X*, Pearl is an elderly woman, filled with frustration, who violently attacks a film crew on her farm. The prequel, *Pearl*, takes us back to 1918, showing a young Pearl dreaming of Hollywood stardom, but being held back by her circumstances – and, yes, she also commits violent acts then. It’s hard not to sympathize with Pearl on some level, even though she’s clearly a psychopath. We love compelling, charismatic villains, and Pearl is a standout.

The Grabber – The Black Phone (2021) and Black Phone 2 (2025)

We recently watched *Black Phone 2* and really enjoyed it, but even if we hadn’t, the villain – Ethan Hawke’s child murderer – and his unsettling, changeable devil mask would still be memorable. Truly iconic villains need strong visual elements, and you can’t beat a distinctive mask, especially when a talented actor like Ethan Hawke is wearing it. He perfectly balances a seemingly friendly voice with a terrifying presence as he imprisons children, prolonging their ordeal. The Black Phone, which allows the main character to communicate with ghosts, might be a figment of his imagination, but if anyone deserves a connection to the spirit world, it’s definitely the Grabber.

Mr. Reed – Heretic (2024)

Hugh Grant is fantastic (again!), playing a subtly unsettling man who enjoys messing with two young Mormon missionaries. The movie builds incredible tension as the missionaries struggle to be polite while realizing something is very wrong. The central question – is he telling the truth about an angel, or is he playing a cruel game to shatter their faith? – keeps you hooked. The film really succeeds thanks to Grant’s performance, along with strong work from Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East. It’s no surprise Grant received Golden Globe, Critics Choice, and BAFTA nominations for his portrayal of Mr. Reed – it’s a truly memorable role.

M3GAN – M3GAN (2022)

It’s amazing how M3GAN, the AI doll from the horror movie, became a modern icon even after the sequel toned down her scary side. Personally, I would have loved to see the first movie lean even more into the killer robot concept – it felt like it held back a little. But you can’t argue with how popular she became, especially with those viral videos of her dancing and wielding a paper cutter – that was brilliant! Will there ever be a *M3GAN 4.0*? Who knows, but honestly, let’s just appreciate the first movie and leave it at that.

Black Phillip – The VVitch (2015)

Is it cheating to say the scariest part of Robert Eggers’ film, *The Witch*, isn’t actually the witch? Maybe a little. While the witch is definitely frightening, the real horror icon is Black Phillip, a creepy, long-horned goat. He’s unsettling even before the movie’s shocking ending. Throughout the film, as the Puritan family falls prey to their own flaws, Black Phillip seems to watch with knowing amusement. He ultimately kills the father, Ralph Ineson, in a dramatic showdown, making his “body count” equal to, if not higher than, the witch’s. But the truly chilling moment? After the family is gone, Black Phillip reveals himself to be the Devil, and tempts young Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy) with the offer of a deliciously wicked life. And honestly, who *wouldn’t* say yes?

Kyle Anderson is a Senior Editor at TopMob and the host of the “Laser Focus” podcast, where he dives deep into pop culture. He also writes film and TV reviews, and you can find him on Letterboxd.

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2025-10-09 19:04