The Top 10 Best Horror Movie Masked Killers
These Horror Movie Masked Killers are the Most Terrifying the Genre Has to Offer!
As a fan of horror movies, I like to celebrate the genre for the entirety of October. This year, I’m getting a jump start on things by counting down the best horror movie masked killers of all time. Now, if you’re looking for the holy trinity of big-screen slashers (Jason Vorhees, Michael Myers, and Freddy Krueger) you’re going to want to check out the Best Supernatural Slashers list because these spots are reserved for mere mortals. I’m also staying away from supervillains and superheroes (they do wear masks and tend to kill a lot of people). The only other rule that I’ve put in place is that the killers on this list have to wear a mask while doing their dirty work. Aside from that, it doesn’t matter to me if the characters are spree or serial killers, just so long as they rack up a body count. For the rankings, I considered not just how iconic the characters are, but also how lethal and terrifying they were as well. So, lock your doors, check your windows, and make sure the alarm system is armed because these horror movie masked killers are on the prowl for their next victim.
10. Red- Blood Fest
When it comes to horror movie masked killers, Hollywood tends to go the “big and intimidating” route. Recently though, I discovered the hidden gem of a horror-comedy, Blood Fest, that decides to go a different route. Red might not look terrifying at first glance, but don’t let this slayer’s small stature fool you. What Red lacks in size, they make up for in agility, speed, and skills with a blade. The featured killer at the Halloween haunt, Blood Fest, Red makes a grand entrance on stage to a less than impressed audience. The twist is the crowds who have gathered have no idea that Blood Fest is about to become a blood bath. The event was planned to lure fans into a trap filled with lethal versions of their favorite horror tropes. What starts off as a night of fun quickly transforms into one of carnage as Red and their minions hunt down the defenseless party goers. Red proves it’s not the size of the knife, but how much blood it can get out of you.
9. The Babyface Killer- Happy Death Day and Happy Death Day 2U
I’ll admit that of all the horror movie masked killers on this list, the Babyface Killer is far from the most intimidating. That is unless you’re like me and tend to avoid babies at all cost. Bayfield University has one of the weirdest mascots I’ve ever seen in a movie, and since this killer is lurking on the campus, it only makes sense they would have a bit of school spirit. As goofy as the mask might seem at first, it quickly takes on an ominous aura once the killer makes their intentions known. To make matters even worse, this murderer’s choice in facial wear goes far beyond simple convenience and is actually the perfect camouflage for disappearing into crowds of college sports fans. While the film’s time-traveling protagonist might have a bit of an advantage, it seems like no matter how many do-overs she gets, the Babyface Killer is always on her trail. If for none other than the sheer novelty of their mask alone, this infant-faced psycho deserves a spot among the rest of these masked killers.
8. Button Face- Nightbreed
Nightbreed was a pretty strange movie, but it did feature one of the most chilling horror movie masked killers to ever appear on the big screen. Button Face is the alter-ego of Dr. Philip K. Decker (played, in a rare on-screen appearance by David Cronenberg), a therapist who feigns at helping his patience, but in actuality, he frames them for the murders he commits. Button Face hunger for death is insatiable, and he’ll murder a new victim anytime he can get away with it. He evolves from simple slasher to genocidal maniac when he sets his sights on the Nightbreed, a race of evolved (I guess) supernatural beings living in an underground city of Midian. With a new goal, he pulls on his creepy-as-hell mask, grabs his favorite blade, and heads off to extinguish an entire race. That might just make Button Face the most ambitious member of this list of masked killers.
7. Leslie Vernon- Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon
None of the other horror movie masked killers out there know their stuff half as well as Leslie Vernon (Nathan Baeseal). The subject of the mockumentary, Behind the Mask, Leslie is an aspiring murderer in a world where masked killers have a rich history filled with tradition. What passes for supernatural abilities all comes down to meticulous planning, a bit of showmanship, and good old fashioned hard work. Being a spree killer is no easy job, especially if you want to do it right. That’s why Leslie invited a film crew to follow him during the days leading up to his big debut in a small town. A stickler for details, Leslie has been carefully making preparations for years from his intended victims to the perfect location to his chilling masked persona. He even found a mentor who used to be in the game years ago to coach him along the way. It’s because of Leslie’s work ethic and respect for the craft he’s earned a spot on this list.
6. Fox, Lamb, and Tiger- You’re Next
When you’re good at something, never do it for free. This next trio of horror movie masked killers took that saying to heart and went on to become professional psychopaths for hire. These are far from your run of the mill spree killers and while not much is known about them, we do learn they all had military training before becoming contract killers. However, rather than simply put a bullet in their targets, they prefer to sadistically savor the hunt. This turns out to be their downfall when they encounter one of the most brutal final girls in movie history, Erin Harson (Sharni Vinson). Raised on a survivalist compound in Australia, this gal is far from helpless and quickly shows these three who the real predator is. Still, these maniacs manage to rack up quite a body count before their showdown with Erin. That along with their brutality and combat training make these three among the most dangerous on this list.