There’s something inherently unsettling about inanimate objects that move of their own accord, especially if they resemble people, triggering the discomforting uncanny valley. In other words, dolls are well suited to horror and inducing scares.
Bonus points if the dolls in question are of a size to do some real damage.
NECA‘s 1:1 life-size replica of the robot doll from the hit film M3GAN serves as a good example of life-sized dolls that unleash serious punishment. The Model 3 Generative Android (M3GAN) was designed to be a parent’s greatest ally and programmed to be a child’s best friend…but, well, the sassy robot comes with her own host of sinister problems.
Whether scaring your friends and family or serving as a good horror marathon companion, here’s a handy list of killer doll horror movies that M3GAN and life-sized killer dolls like her would approve of watching this Halloween season.
M3GAN
M3GAN reunited producer James Wan and screenwriter Akela Cooper, responsible for 2021’s highly entertaining Malignant, and put Housebound’s Gerard Johnstone at the helm. It resulted in a murderous killer doll with style and dance moves, ensuring the year kicked off with a meme-able horror comedy that had everyone talking. This pick is for those looking to catch up on 2023 horror offerings and those looking to prepare for the Halloween season; the fashionable doll will surely dominate the costumes this year.
Magic
The ventriloquist dummy at the center of this horror film, Fats, was so creepy that the TV spots had to be taken off the air during the promotion of Magic. The 30-second ad featuring Fats was enough to cause nightmares in children, scarring some for life. Who can blame them? Ventriloquist dummies are a particular brand of horror on their own, but one as menacing as Fats? That he resembles his human counterpart, Corky Withers (Anthony Hopkins, who also voices Fats), probably doesn’t help either. Ventriloquists and their dummies have nightmarish co-dependency issues in horror, which drives this fantastic psychological horror feature from director Richard Attenborough and writer William Goldman.
Dolly Dearest
Following in the tiny footsteps of Chucky, this early ’90s killer doll flick saw a family uproot to Mexico after dad acquires ownership of a doll factory. He doesn’t know that a nearby tomb has been disturbed, letting the malevolent spirit of Sanzia loose. It just so happens to take root in the dolls, with which the factory owner’s daughter becomes obsessed. If you were to apply the zany antics of Cathy’s Curse to Child’s Play‘s general setup, you have Dolly Dearest. It brings the B-movie mayhem and stars Denise Crosby (Pet Sematary), Lupe Ontiveros, and Rip Torn.
Dead Silence
A young widower heads home for answers regarding his wife’s murder, which may be linked to the restless spirit of a ventriloquist. While Mary Shaw had many dolls, ventriloquist dummy Billy was by far her favorite. Billy cut out Jamie’s wife’s tongue in the opening sequence, and it was Billy that haunted him more frequently than any other puppet. Before Annabelle’s first appearance in The Conjuring, James Wan practiced scaring audiences with Billy. The vengeful ghost of Mary Shaw might be just as spooky. Dead Silence features Billy the most, but the glimpse of Mary Shaw’s vast collection makes you wish this one received a sequel.
Curse of Chucky
Whether it’s to get into the spooky season spirit or brush up on Child’s Play franchise lore, it’s a great time to watch this fantastic reboot entry. In Curse of Chucky, the doll gets a makeover and mysteriously shows up at the house of paraplegic Nica Pierce (Fiona Dourif). Only in the third act are ties to the previous installments revealed. The introduction to franchise mainstay Nica and a reinvigorated commitment to scares make this franchise sequel stand out. Also look for Carrie‘s Summer H. Howell in her first on-screen role.
Annabelle Comes Home
The third entry in the Annabelle spinoff series feels like a spooky trip through a carnival haunted house. Mckenna Grace stars as young Judith Warren, who’s in for a night of terror when her parents leave her alone with the babysitter. The babysitter’s pal accidentally unleashes Annabelle, who in turn wakes up all the other Warren artifacts, forcing the girls to fight for their lives. It’s a funhouse of horrors that lets all sorts of spirits get in on the horror, but the doll is the mastermind.
You can bring M3GAN home now, if you dare.
