Krampus and Other Horned Creatures, Ranked on the Scary Scale

Movie creatures with horns usually are one of two things: magical -- or terrifying. This Christmas, ‘Krampus’ will most likely prove to be the latter. Based on a fairly obscure German legend that has haunted the holiday season for centuries, Hollywood’s newest creation comes with a big ol’ pair of horns to menace the innocent. But how will Krampus compare on the scare scale to these other horned movie creatures? 

Certainly ‘Krampus’ will be more frightening than this animated classic (even though it did have some scary scenes), which told the story of a unicorn on a magical quest to discover why she’s all alone in the world. Rankin/Bass adapted the 1968 fantasy novel, which was animated by the Japanese anime studio Topcraft. Topcraft would go on to become the acclaimed Studio Ghibli.

Scare Factor: 1

This thing may not be pretty to look at, but Academy Awards voters clearly couldn’t forget it, because Guillermo del Toro’s critically acclaimed fantasy film won three Oscars. Actor Doug Jones’s voice was dubbed to play the glam character, which Guillermo del Toro hoped would be “less David Bowie, more Mick Jagger.”

Scare Factor: 8

Speaking of Oscars, Disney’s horned interpretation of the creature found in a French fairy tale helped the film become the first animated feature to be nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Picture category. 

This blue beast voiced by John Goodman is probably one of the few monsters little kids are actually hoping to find hiding under their bed. Even though he’s the company’s top scarer, he’s more scared of children than they should be of him (and he’s got a big heart, too).

Scare Factor: 2

Fred Savage found this horned creature of the night under his bed, and became such good friends with him, he got a guided tour of the underground world where monsters hang when they’re not jumping out of closets.

Scare Factor: 3, because Howie Mandel

This big, dumb, stinky and friendly giant puppet is easily one of Jim Henson’s coolest creations, and played a pivotal role in helping a young Jennifer Connelly navigate the maze and rescue her baby bro from the Goblin King.

Scare factor: 2

Angelina Jolie played this forest fairy gone bad with aplomb. But the live-action adaptation of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ proved this Disney villain had a good reason to turn to the dark side, since a man took advantage of her affection to cut off her wings and become king.

Scare factor: 8

Daniel Radcliffe plays a possible killer in this supernatural mystery about a young man who starts growing horns on his head after being accused of murdering his girlfriend. Why do they pop up? We won’t spoil the fun.

Scare factor: 6

This may be the most terrifying horned creature on this list. Not only is this J.R.R. Tolkien literary monster a flaming giant, it wields a whip and sword, too. Gandalf proves the best defense is screaming four simple words: “You shall not pass!”

Scare factor: 9

Scratch that. THIS is the most terrifying creature to make the cut. Those big, black horns complemented director Ridley Scott’s stunning vision of Satan, but it’s Tim Curry’s portrayal of a demon plotting to cast eternal darkness on Earth that really makes this iconic movie villain worth watching.

Scare factor: 10