Horror is filled with all sorts of scary genres for you to sink your vampiric teeth into. From ghosts to werewolves, vampires to slashers, there’s a wide variety for every Horror fan. And, let’s be honest, we all have our favourite horror sub-genre.
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15 Best Doll Horror Movies
It’s easy to argue that the majority of doll horror films are simply put: supernatural horror. Especially with most plot points being around the possession of a doll in one form or another *COUGH* Chucky *COUGH*. But that’s the easy way out. Doll Horror films are thoroughly enjoyable and, just like any other horror subgenre, they are full of diverse characters which have to be seen to be believed.
Just because they’re small – doesn’t mean they can’t stab you to death.
In celebration of this creepy and haunting horror sub-genre which can re-activate your childhood trauma with only 5 minutes of watch time, we’ve put together this list of Doll Horror films. Some creepy, some nasty, some unnecessary and some downright bad – it’d be a shame for you to fall victim to some sort of “accident” before you watched them all.
**Twirls moustache**
Dolls (1987)
It only makes sense to kick off this list with Stuart Gordon’s 1987 killer dolls movie, Dolls, whose plot follows six people who seek shelter during a storm in the mansion of an elderly puppetmaker and his wife. But as the film progresses the six would-be victims find out that the various puppets and dolls in the home contain the imprisoned spirits of criminals. Initially conceived as a modern day take of the Hansel and Gretel fable, Dolls uses stop motion photography extensively to achieve its kills and bloodletting spills.
Editor’s advice: Old people suck. Especially creepy old people. Throw them and their old dolls in the trash.
Saw (2004)
Although not exactly a Doll Horror movie per se, thanks to the creepy entrances of the Jigsaw doll in James Wan and Leigh Whannell‘s Saw film, inserts plenty of psychological terror into a film which is really just about a guy who wakes up in a stranger’s bathroom. Only to be tested by an unseen foe who likes to capture his victims and put them through a range of psychological tests – to see if they will do whatever it takes to stay alive. But getting back to the Jigsaw doll, how about that eerie cackle it lets out, right? Yuck.
Editor’s advice: Try not to lock yourself in a stranger’s bathroom chained to a pipe.
Demonic Toys (1992)
Demonic Toys was a direct-to-video horror film directed by Peter Manoogian, which follows a police officer who is terrorized by the Demonic Toys after a botched arrest. If you’ve locked away your favourite teddy, jack in the box or doll and often wondered what happened to them then wonder no more as they’re probably the evil toys in this film that like to terrorise any character that comes into view.
Despite spawning a franchise, Demonic Toys never had a theatrical release and was given an “R” rating for its violence, language, and brief nudity. Which means by today’s standards, it’s a “M for Mature Audiences” at best. Don’t let these killer dolls out of your sight – or near a kitchen knife.
Editor’s advice: Look up your toys for the duration of the film.
Death Doll (1989)
I’ll be honest with you. This movie is baaaaad. While other films could easily be branded as B grade, Death Doll is easily a C or D grade. Chosen specifically for its creepy dolls that are left by the killer at the scene of every crime. That’s it. There’s nothing more to it. There’s a reason why Death Doll has a 3.7/10 imdb rating. Not a killer doll as such but the doll featured in this film is creepy and ugly AF.
Editor’s advice: Try not to get killed.
The Boy (2016)
A supernatural horror film, The Boy is probably best known for including The Walking Dead star Lauren Cohan as one of the main stars and, let’s be honest, main draws. A supernatural horror film starring a killer doll like most of the others on this list, The Boy has a cold, innocent and unnerving face which plays into the jump scares and supernatural frights that are thrown at Cohan’s character. The cold, motionless stare of The Boy will make your skin crawl.
Editor’s advice: If you ever come across this doll in real life then burn it. Burn it with fire!!
Devil Doll (1964)
It’s fair to say that without this film, the entire horror sub-genre of creepy killer dolls probably wouldn’t even exist – but if you can track down this old timey black and white horror film then you won’t regret owning a piece of cinematic horror history. An effective and perfectly made British horror film, Devil Doll is about a ventriloquist who can do many things that few others in his trade can, because his ventriloquist doll is possessed by the soul of his former assistant. Devil Doll is so cult that even Mystery Science Theater 3000 did an episode on it.
Editor’s advice: Stay away from ventriloquists.
Doll Graveyard (2005)
Doll Graveyard is exactly what you’d expect from the title card. 100 years ago, 12 year old Sophia is forced to bury her 4 favourite dolls in the backyard by her abusive father, but when she slips and breaks her neck her father decides it’s easy enough to bury her alongside with the dolls. Stand up, guy! Fast Forward to 2005 and a brand new family moves into their house only to be terrorised by Sophia’s spirit possessing the dolls.
Editor’s advice: Be nice to your kids. Don’t bury them in your backyard.
Annabelle (2017)
While Annabelle was initially introduced to audiences worldwide in the smash hit horror film, The Conjuring, it wasn’t until 2017 when Annabelle finally got her own movie and the secret to her origins were finally revealed. In addition to being possessed, Annabelle has also acted as a conduit to draw in all sorts of dangerous and deadly demonic spirits. A fact which is explored in this film and many others in The Conjuring film franchise.
Editor’s advice: Don’t watch this in the dark.
Poltergeist (1982)
Literally everyone I know who has ever seen Poltergeist hates that goddamn scary clown doll. Despite having very little to do with dolls as the central plot point, Poltergeist does deliver in its non-stop exploration of what makes human beings truly afraid. And that scary clown doll is no exception. It’s basically the worst.
Editor’s advice: Try not to buy a house on an Indian burial ground, next time!
Blood Dolls (1999)
Written and directed by Charles Band, Blood Dolls centers on an eccentric freak billionaire (Virgil), who spends his days being a “biological inventor.” The “blood dolls,” his newest creation, aid him in getting revenge on those who betrayed him. This film is a bit like Small Soldiers x Demonic Toys which, makes sense, given Charles Band is credited with being the franchise creator of Demonic Toys.
Editor’s advice: Try not to screw over billionaires. They have access to things and stuff that can kill you.
Puppet Master (1989)
Puppet Master is another Charles Band film, except this time co-written with Kenneth J. Hall and Directed by David Schmoeller. Originally a straight-to-video release, Puppet Master features character Andre Toulon and his menagerie of animated puppets which he can seemingly bring to life at will. Hence the title: Puppet Master. It’s also noteworthy to point out the prologue which involves two Nazi’s who try to kill Andre before he can slit his own throat as the Nazi theme is revisited throughout the Puppet Master franchise.
This cult horror film eventually moved on to become a well-loved franchise resulting in 5 sequels and a crossover film entitled Puppet Master vs Demonic Toys.
Editor’s advice: Be nice to Nazi killers.
Pinocchio’s Revenge (1996)
If you’re seeing the title of this film for the first time and are hoping for a return to the world of Walt Disney’s Pinocchio and Gepetto much in the same vein as Return to Oz revisited the Wizard of Oz – then think again. As Pinocchio’s Revenge has very little to do with the Disney storyline, and is more just a passing bad cover song to the Disney story, which asks the question no one asked:
“What if Pinocchio was a homicidal maniac?”
Despite this, Pinocchio is still a wooden puppet. Although, the creepiness of Pinocchio is cranked up to a 10, and matched by the murderous intent you’d expect to find in any good psychological thriller from the 1990s.
Editor’s advice: Don’t be like Gepetto. Let Pinnochio lie as much as he wants. If you do, he might even let you live.
Child’s Play (1988)
Speaking of homicidal maniacs, there are few horror films (and franchises) as well known and written about as the boss of all killer dolls like Child’s Play. Easily the most recognisable horror film in this list, Child’s Play introduced us to the maniacal killer trapped inside the body of a doll, who we’ve all come to know and love as Chucky. And despite the reigns of his voice passed on in the 2019 film, we will always come to cherish the hilariously maniacal jokes that made us all laugh, thanks to actor Brad Dourif (Lord of the Rings).
He might be cute but he’s got a mouth like a sailor and a knife longer than a boat. Keep your distance from Chucky.
Editor’s advice: Watch the original. Not the remake.
Dead Silence (2007)
Another film by the dynamic duo of James Wan and Leigh Whannell, Dead Silence features more puppets than the entire puppet ensemble in this entire list combined – that is, assuming you make it to the end without soiling yourself. Despite this promise, it’s the puppet called “Billy” who you want to watch out for because as he cute as he is, he’s even deadlier. Because Billy is being controlled by another deadlier foe that will creep the hell out of you.
Editor’s advice: Be nice to ghosts.
Puppet Master vs Demonic Toys (2004)
Before Freddy vs Jason, there was a crossover “versus” movie of all new dire and small proportions. Where evil toys did battle across the landscape of one’s living room. Yes, you guessed it. Hell, you’ve read the title. I’m talking about Puppet Master vs Demonic Toys. A horror film which is so bad that it makes sense to add it to this list, both from a horror level and a comedic level.
However, even though Charles Band was involved in both franchises, he has gone on the record saying that Puppet Master vs Demonic Toys is not canon. Whatever dude. That won’t stop us from enjoying this formulaic horror film where toys and dolls go head to head in this highly enjoyable crossover which no one asked for. Playtime is over – now the real fun begins!
Editor’s advice: Smoke a bit of weed before you watch this film.
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