What’s more gripping than a good story, a good world, or a good cast in a movie? Our answer is simple: a good monster! Some of the most legendary monster movie stories have been retold over the years. Meanwhile, other iconic movies are newer but still have monsters that have left a lasting impression on audiences.
Here’s a list of 18 famous monsters from Monster Movies, plus honorable mentions from Monsters TV!
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Godzilla, Godzilla (1998)
screenwriter: Dean Devlin, Roland Emmerich, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio
Of all the stories about dangerous creatures from the depths, the ones that have been popping up over the decades mostly involve the ancient Godzilla, the original Godzilla. monster.
With the emergence of these monsteror “giant monsters,” the film’s obsession with the all-out destruction of this giant mutant lizard.
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frankenstein’s monster, young frankenstein (1974)
screenwriter: mel brooks and gene wilder
Speaking of timeless monster stories, one of the most iconic stories in Western literature for over 200 years is Frankenstein’s monster, a patchwork corpse brought to life by dark, amoral science.
But in young frankensteinthe film’s self-aware parody of common tropes showcases the monster’s (Peter Boyle) classic while highlighting the original story’s themes in new, powerful ways.
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Tyrannosaurus and Velociraptor, jurassic park (1993)
screenwriter: Michael Clayton, David Kopp and Maria Scochimarmo
The most famous of which is jurassic park The villain—and by villain, I mean a hungry, angry dinosaur—is a Tyrannosaurus rex, whose footsteps cause the earth to shake. But worse than that are the raptors, who serve as serial killer stand-ins in this innovative take on the usual monster movies. Just turn on this 1990s blockbuster and see how the dangers still exist today.
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angel of death, quiet place (2018)
screenwriter: Brian Woods, Scott Baker and John Krasinski
The alien creatures, whose real names are not introduced in the film, have hearing, which gives them an extraordinary advantage when hunting. Dubbed the “Angels of Death” by fans of the new series, these predators have done a great job of inspiring fear in their audiences despite their shorter tenure.
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werewolves of london, An American Werewolf in London (1981)
screenwriter: John Landis
David Kessler (David Norton) has big problems after being attacked by the wilderness during a full moon. His friend has died, a curse has been placed on his head, and his future is not very clear. Fortunately, now that the full moon is back, he may learn more about his condition.
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That thing, thing (1982)
screenwriter: bill lancaster
One of the most disturbing creatures on the monster movie list was created by John Carpenter in 1982. The Thing has become almost synonymous with Carpenter’s creature—more so than any other film that shares its concept. His incarnation brings the most fearful feelings to the audience, even praising him for his clear connection to the cosmic horror novella, at the mountains of madness (1931).
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The Babadook, The Babadook (2014)
screenwriter: Jennifer Kent
Many movie monsters started out as book monsters, but The Babadook The whole idea is taken a step further in one part of the movie when a family reads a book that summons the eponymous creature (Timothy John Purcell) into their home.
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Brenda Fry, fly (1986)
screenwriter: Charles Edward Pogue and David Cronenberg
Many people remember Seth Brendel (Jeff Goldblum) and his misstep in the lab, creating a body horror classic. But more importantly, fly This is a story about a monster – a man who was turned into a monster.
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Read more: David Cronenberg’s vision of body horror and the human psyche
Imhotep, mummy (1999)
screenwriter: Nina Wilcox Putnam, Richard Schell, John L. Baldwin, Stephen Summers, Lloyd Fonvière and Kevin Jar
When it comes to men turning into monsters, Imhotep’s own story is poetic. When the Mummy Lord awakens after a thirty-year slumber, he has a specific agenda, which includes becoming a flesh-eating monster while trying to resurrect the love of his life from the dead. But when did necromancy become the answer? Probably not often.
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Pennywise the clown, it (2017)
screenwriter: Chase Palmer, Cary Fukunaga and Gary Dauberman
Children grapple with fear and disbelief in this adaptation of Stephen King’s famous masterpiece it. Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård) appears to be a clown, but turns out to be something else entirely. With mysterious powers and a very strong personality, he – or “it” – is one of the most haunting and terrifying “creatures” in existence.
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creeper, jeep crawler (2001)
screenwriter: Victor Salva
The Creeper, a demonic being jeep crawler In the movie, it wakes up from its slumber every 23 years, feeds on humans and incorporates their organs into itself – a cycle befitting an immortal monster. Although the first film didn’t shed much light on its origins, the Creeper remains a well-known icon in the monster movie genre.
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King Kong, King Kong (2005)
screenwriter: Fran Walsh, Philippa Bones and Peter Jackson
like monster King Kong Godzilla is a creature with a legendary story, but its origins are in American movies, not Japanese movies like the lizard. This giant ape has been a cinematic icon since 1933, with a depth of character unlike any other monster of his size.
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Read more: Unconventional Love: The Weirdest Movie Couples
infected person, 28 days later (2002)
screenwriter: Alex Garland
The infected people are 28 days later, After 28 weeks (2007), and the upcoming 28 years later (2025) has always been more representative of the modern “zombie” tradition. Although not called zombies, these creatures help replenish and re-energize our fascination with hordes of non-human corpses, no matter what they are called.
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ghoul, night of the living dead (1968)
screenwriter: John A. Russell and George A. Romero
One of the oldest traditions in monster movies is that of mindless groups, with “zombie” movies at the forefront, whose popularity began with the works of George A. Romero. Still, any horror fan will tell you these aren’t zombies.
Romero called his monsters “ghouls,” but the corpses nonetheless found their way into Hollywood immortality—albeit in an immortal state.
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amphibious man, The Shape of Water (2017)
screenwriter: Guillermo del Toro and Vanessa Taylor
Sometimes, you’ll find that a monster has gained enough fame that a famous screenwriter wants to do a spin on it. There are imitations and the like young frankensteinSure, but this one by Guillermo del Toro is something entirely different: seriously rekindling the love story between Kay Larance and Gilman’s Gilman. Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954).
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alien, alien (1979)
screenwriter: Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett
At its worst in alien monster movies, the xenomorph is an elaborate killing machine. Its disturbing life cycle gives it more opportunities to capture and devour humans than any other creature, especially now that the two species have finally met.
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Read more: Top 10 scariest alien movies
Little monsters, Gremlins (1984)
screenwriter: Chris Columbus
Originally known as Mogwai, the adorable, magical, hilarious little goblins who made a splash in 1980s holiday movies gave the word new meaning. Inspired by stories of the unseen creatures that sabotaged aerial fighter planes during World War I, these creatures were cunning and terrifying, not to mention famous for their appearance.
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count dracula, Dracula played by Bram Stoker (1992)
screenwriter: Bram Stoker and James V. Hart
One of Hollywood’s most retold monsters, the 1897 novel Dracula Inspired by vampire folklore and legends of psychotic warlords. Dracula started cinema’s nearly 100-year fascination with vampires and appears in many other stories, making him perhaps the most well-known of all movie monsters.
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Honorable Mention: Demogorgon, stranger things (2016 to present)
screenwriter: Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer
It’s a TV show that embodies the spirit of monster movies, but it turns the usual cat-and-mouse chase into 8 episodes instead of solving the problem in around 100 minutes. In addition to introducing covert government operations, stranger things With each evolution comes greater badness—the most iconic and famous of which is, of course, the creature the kids in Hawkins, Indiana call “Demogorgon,” infamous in Dungeons & Dragons Names of famous demonic creatures.
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Monsters cannot exist without stories, but the best monsters remain in our minds long after the story is over. Whether it’s a terrifying horror in the form of the Joker, or a horde of mindless undead, there are tons of monster movie creatures that still haunt us!
Read more: Horror Remake: Remakes of the Scariest Horror Movies of All Time
