The 1990s was arguably one of the best decades for mainstream horror, with genre's movies winning Oscar awards, dominating the box office, launching numerous sequels, and, of course, introducing memorable antagonists. While some of them lost their scare factor or relevance over time, there are horror movie villains that are just as terrifying and unsettling today as they were thirty years ago.
While the '70s and '80s became known for their spectacular slashers that launched ever-growing franchises like Halloween and A Nightmare on Elm Street, with Mike Myers and Freddy Krueger keeping the audience up at night, the '90s had their fair share of notable horror movies that were more nuanced and affected the viewers on a deeper level. Even if some characters like Ghostface were made way less terrifying by parodies like Scary Movie, these five villains retained their hair-raising effect and stood the test of time.
Candyman (Candyman, 1992)
Based on Clive Barker's short story "The Forbidden," Candyman focuses on an urban legend about a ghost of an artist and a slave's son, who was lynched for his relationship with the daughter of a wealthy white man. If one looks into a mirror and says Candyman's name five times, the one-hooked and bee-covered vengeful spirit will appear and kill whoever summoned him.
While the recent sequel of the same name expands on the legend and deepens Candyman's story, it is Bernard Rose's original, racially charged, thought-provoking, and terrifying movie that left so many adults turning in their beds and children scarred for life. Iconically portrayed by Tony Todd, this villain that punishes whoever doesn't believe in him is just as relevant and petrifying today. After all, it's incredibly tempting to try and say the spirit's name while looking into a mirror. Because it's just a tale, right?
Annie Wilkes (Misery, 1990)
Portrayed by brilliant Kathy Bates, who won a well-deserved Oscar for her performance in this Stephen King's novel adaptation, Annie Wilkes is a spine-chilling villain, mostly because she seems so harmless initially. In Misery, a famous romance novel writer, Paul Sheldon, finds himself trapped in Annie's home after a car accident. She proclaims herself Paul's number one fan and proceeds to hold him hostage until he completes his last book with the ending she finds satisfying.
Bates' unmatched performance of this madness-driven and obsessed fan, the psychological intensity of the 'ordinary' setting turned into a trap, and the character's single-focused determination make Annie Wilkes one of the most iconic horror movie villains to date.
Sadako Yamamura (Ringu, 1998)
Known in the 2002 American remake of this bloodcurdling Japanese horror, The Ring, as Samara Morgan, the original Sadako is genuinely terrifying and remains one of the best examples of raw terror even decades after. The movie follows a simple premise: whoever watches a cursed tape with the girl creepily climbing out of a well gets killed by her ghost in seven days unless they copy and pass on the tape.
Ringu launched an expansive franchise, several successful Western remakes, popularized Japanese horror, and created an effective stringy black-haired ghost trope. Aside from being relentless, creepily strained of emotions, and chilling in her simple appearance, Sadako works on another level, getting close to breaking the fourth wall. By implying that anyone who watches the tape will be the next victim, Ringu leaves the viewers wondering if this includes them.
Pennywise The Dancing Clown (It, 1990)
Coulrophobia (the fear of clowns) might not have started with Pennywise, but it was most certainly intensified and spread to several generations by this ultimate evil clown. In It, a two-part TV adaptation of Stephen King's 1986 novel of the same name, a pan-dimensional monster lures children to their death by taking the form of the macabre clown and then transforming into their worst fears.
More than two decades later, Pennywise continued his grim story in Andy Muschietti's recent It installments, ensuring that a whole new audience becomes terrified of red wigs and balloons, avoids looking into drains at all costs, and never looks at clowns as bringers of joy ever again.
Hannibal Lecter (The Silence of the Lambs, 1991)
While Anthony Hopkins might not have been the first actor to play Hannibal Lecter, his portrayal of the sophisticated, incredibly smart, and calculated psychiatrist/cannibal became truly iconic and rightfully won him an Oscar award. There are few people out there who wouldn't get or even haven't casually inserted Hannibal's classic "Quid Pro Quo, Clarice" or "I ate his liver with some Fava beans and a nice Chianti" into a conversation.
Hannibal's sharp intelligence interjected with unsettling and outright jump-scary outbursts, the deeply psychological cat-and-mouse game he plays with agent Starling, and his general nonchalant demeanor and charm make him one of the most complex and conflicting anti-heroes of recent times. The character lives on in several sequels and a highly successful TV series, Hannibal, featuring Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen, reinforcing his position as one of the most iconic horror movie villains still relevant today.