logo
Menu
logo
  • Movies
  • TV
  • Stories
  • Games
  • Lifestyle
  • News

Topic: Scary Clowns are Scary

No Clowning Around. Scary Clowns are Serious Business.

Like demented toys, demon children, and spooky nursery rhymes, an evil, murderous, or otherwise scary clown has become a common trope within horror. And like the others, it is a subversion of what is expected. Which in some ways creates the desired horror. Clowns are supposed to cause joy. So when it suddenly has a giant knife or razor-sharp teeth, the effect is both jarring and effective.

Although books like IT and movies like Poltergeist helped solidify this scary clown trope, there are examples of devilish clowns in such works as Edgar Allan Poe’s Hop-Frog (1849) and Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci (1892).

scary clowns

Part of the FOUNDATIONS OF HORROR more>>

    Related Topics: Monster horror
Pennywise explained
Scary Movies

Pennywise Explained: His Origin, History, Powers, And More

A lot of people suffer from coulrophobia – a fear of clowns. Imagine the shock and crippling horror when a horror movie monster ...
By Benjamin RousseyApril 30, 20220
pennywise in sewer
Scary Movies

Pennywise in the Sewer: Dissecting the Scene in Movies, Book, and Memes

There is perhaps not a scene in horror more iconic than Pennywise in the sewer. It’s the stuff of nightmares. For numerous reasons. ...
By Cody MeirickFebruary 23, 20220
evil krusty doll
Horror TV

Treehouse Tropes: Examining the Evil Krusty Doll in “Clown Without Pity”

What could be scarier than an evil Krusty doll? That’s the question that the third installment of the Treehouse of Horror series asks ...
By Ben MangelsdorfJune 16, 20210
stephen king derry maine
Scary Stories

The Pennywise Playground: Stephen King’s Derry, Maine

There’s something undeniably beautiful about roots. From precious daffodils that pop up along the grassy banks by the side of the road, to ...
By Conner McAleeseMarch 16, 20211

Recent Stuff

  • what is a djinn

    What Is A Djinn? Ancient Mythology Of The Arabic Creature

    July 18, 2023
  • soft and quiet movie explained

    Soft and Quiet: Explaining a Movie Like No “Other”

    June 20, 2023
  • eyeless jack

    Eyeless Jack: All About the Creepypasta’s Origin, Stories, Fanart, Costumes, Masks

    June 9, 2023
  • what is a lamia

    What Is A Lamia, The Child Devouring Sea Monster Of Greek Mythology

    June 7, 2023
  • movies like cabin in the woods

    Movies Like Cabin in the Woods: Let’s Get This Meta Party Started!

    May 22, 2023

Follow Us

  • Facebook
    9.6K+ likes
  • Twitter
    15.8K+ followers

PLAY SCAREDLE

A horror-themed word game

Join our newsletter!

Enter your email to receive our newsletter.

Don't worry, we don't spam

This website contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a commission. Privacy Policy »

  • Foundations
  • Documentary
  • About
Giant Thumb LLC © 2023.
logo
  • Movies
  • TV
  • Stories
  • Games
  • Lifestyle
  • News

logo

✕
  • About

Popular Posts

  1. the girl with the green ribbon

    The Girl with the Green Ribbon – The Story Behind the Tale

    May 12, 202172961 views
  2. audition movie explained

    The Audition Movie Explained – A Masterpiece of Contrasts in Horror

    June 6, 202120065 views
  3. liminal space

    Uncomfortable Liminal Spaces and the Horror Films that Influence Them

    November 4, 202117458 views
  4. human centipede explained, human centipede true story

    The True Stories Behind the Human Centipede – The Most Misunderstood Horror Film?

    July 14, 202116036 views

Gifts & Ideas

  • goth stores san francisco, punk san francisco

    Goth and Punk in San Francisco: The Best Stores, Clubs, Bars

    April 7, 2023
  • hereditary dvd, hereditary bluray

    Buy Hereditary DVD/Blu-Ray: Best Places to Find Deals

    February 14, 2023
  • goth and punk in los angeles

    Goth and Punk in Los Angeles: The Best Stores, Bars, Clubs, Events

    January 3, 2023
  • Goth and Punk in NYC: The Best Stores, Bars, Clubs, Events

    September 5, 2022
  • chicago goth punk bars clubs and stores

    Goth and Punk in Chicago: The Best Stores, Clubs, and Bars

    August 31, 2022

Stay Connected

  • Facebook
    9.6K+ likes
  • Twitter
    15.8K+ followers

logo

✕
  • Movies
  • TV
  • Stories
  • Games
  • Lifestyle
  • News

Popular Stuff

  • the girl with the green ribbon

    The Girl with the Green Ribbon – The Story Behind the Tale

    May 12, 202172961 views
  • audition movie explained

    The Audition Movie Explained – A Masterpiece of Contrasts in Horror

    June 6, 202120065 views
  • liminal space

    Uncomfortable Liminal Spaces and the Horror Films that Influence Them

    November 4, 202117458 views
  • human centipede explained, human centipede true story

    The True Stories Behind the Human Centipede – The Most Misunderstood Horror Film?

    July 14, 202116036 views
  • possum movie explained, possum movie

    Possum Explained: The Movie’s Uncanny Origins

    April 9, 202115143 views

Stay Connected

  • Facebook
    9.6K+ likes
  • Twitter
    15.8K+ followers

Join Our List: Be One Of Us

Subscribing to the Scary Studies newsletter means you'll know when we have the best new original stuff. Horror is fascinating. Join us in dissecting it all!




You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For information about our privacy practices, please visit the About section of our website.