There’s just something about the fake smile and smeared face paint of clowns that terrifies a lot of people. When I heard Clown in a Cornfield (2025) was coming to life as a movie, I knew I had to put together a list of the best clown horror films out there. If the movie stays true to the source, it’s going to be bloody, fast-paced, and packed with small-town mayhem. I seriously can’t wait.
Of course, I have my go-to clown horror favorites. IT (2017) is one I’ll rewatch anytime. Bill Skarsgård made Pennywise his own, and the whole vibe of the Losers Club vs. evil just hits the perfect mix of creepy and heartfelt. Then there’s Terrifier. It’s gory and absolutely relentless. Art the Clown doesn’t even speak, but somehow he’s one of the scariest villains I’ve ever seen. And while Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor isn’t technically a full-on clown movie, it has one of the most chilling clown scenes I’ve ever watched. If you know, you know.
You may be already traumatized by clowns or just love a good creepy killer with face paint. Either way, these movies are sure to be worth the watch. Here are the best clown horror films to watch now, especially if you’re excited for Clown in a Cornfield.
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1. IT (1990)
Before Pennywise was haunting modern audiences, Tim Curry delivered one of the most iconic clown performances of all time in this two-part miniseries. It’s a slower burn than the remake, but there’s something timeless about Curry’s unsettling charm. It’s eerie, nostalgic, and pure nightmare fuel.
2. IT (2017)
This remake turned Pennywise into a full-blown modern horror icon. Bill Skarsgård brings a new kind of terror to the role, and the story is packed with real scares, emotional moments, and that classic “kids vs evil” vibe. Derry has never looked more cursed.
3. IT Chapter Two (2019)
The adult Losers Club returns to Derry to face Pennywise once again. It’s a little more out there than the first chapter, but it brings closure and some chilling moments, especially in those flashbacks to their childhood encounters.
4. Terrifier (2016)
If you want your clowns mean, messy, and mute, Art the Clown is your guy. This no-frills slasher became a cult favorite thanks to its intense gore and disturbing atmosphere. It’s not for the faint of heart, but horror fans ate it up.
5. Terrifier 2 (2022)
Art the Clown is back, and this time he’s got a bigger budget and way more blood. This sequel leans into surreal horror and ramps everything up — the kills, the runtime, and the chaos. It’s a wild ride that doesn’t hold back.
6. Terrifier 3 (2024)
After surviving Art the Clown’s Halloween massacre, Sienna and her little brother are just trying to move on. But peace doesn’t last long. As Christmas approaches, Art returns with a new mission: to ruin the holidays in the bloodiest way possible. This third installment takes everything we loved about Terrifier 1 & 2 somehow takes it even further.
7. Clown (2014)
What starts as a dad trying to save his kid’s birthday turns into a full-blown body horror nightmare. The clown suit is cursed, and once it’s on, it doesn’t come off. Directed by Jon Watts, this one is weird in all the best ways.
8. Stitches (2012)
When a clown is killed at a birthday party prank gone wrong, he returns from the dead for revenge. This horror-comedy is gory, ridiculous, and totally over the top. If you like your horror with a side of sarcasm, don’t skip this one.
9. Killjoy (2000)
A supernatural clown summoned for revenge? Sounds cool. The result? A cheesy, low-budget B-movie that somehow spawned a full franchise. It’s silly and campy, but that’s part of the fun if you’re in the mood for a cult classic.
10. Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor (2023)
While not entirely about clowns, this prequel delivers one of the creepiest clown scenes I’ve seen in a long time. Found-footage fans will love the slow-building tension, and that pale, lifeless clown figure? Chills.
11. The Houses October Built (2014)
This one digs into the world of extreme haunted houses and the creepy people behind them. Clowns show up a lot, especially in the scariest scenes. It’s found-footage style and feels a little too real at times.
12. Amusement (2008)
This horror anthology includes one clown storyline that’s straight-up nightmare material. The film overall is a bit uneven, but that clown moment? It stays with you.
13. Gags the Clown (2018)
Based on those creepy clown sightings that went viral in real life, this indie flick follows the chaos caused by a silent clown who shows up uninvited. The mockumentary style adds an extra layer of unease.
14. Joker (2019)
Okay, it’s not technically a horror film, but Joker is still one of the most unsettling clown stories I’ve ever watched. Joaquin Phoenix delivers a haunting performance as Arthur Fleck, a failed comedian who slowly unravels into madness. The film is more of a psychological drama than a slasher, but it’s packed with more tension and dread than some of the others on this list.
15. All Hallows’ Eve (2013)
Before Terrifier, Art the Clown showed up in this horror anthology. The stories are hit or miss, but Art steals every scene he’s in. This is where his reign of terror started, and it’s worth watching if you’re a fan of the franchise.
16. Clown in a Cornfield (2025)
Based on the YA slasher novel, this upcoming adaptation follows a group of teens being hunted by a killer clown in a dying town. It’s part slasher, part social commentary, and if it sticks to the book’s tone, it’s going to be bloody fun.
