When it comes to monsters, Disney typically offers the cute and cuddly variety rather than those that might be found in true horror movies. That being said, the House of Mouse is no stranger to creating actually creepy creatures for some of the entries in their extensive library of films.
Mike, Sully and the other characters from Monsters, Inc. will always be some of the studio's most beloved monsters, but Disney is definitely no stranger to those that keep a few viewers up at night. From reanimated corpses to minions of the underworld, the studio knows how to dish out some genuinely scary nightmare fuel.
Sparky (Frankenweenie)
At his core, Sparky really isn't a scary monster. If anything, he's as loving and loyal as any faithful animated Disney canine companion could ever be. What earns him a spot among the scariest Disney monsters is the often forgotten fact that, despite his pleasant demeanor, he's still a reanimated corpse composed of stitched-together dog parts.
Sparky could be the absolute sweetest and cuddliest thing in the world, but that still doesn't cancel out the fact that he's been cobbled together from dead tissue. Victor might have had the best intentions, but it remains true that he meddled with the forces of life and death to create Sparky, which is terrifying in itself.
Billy Butcherson (Hocus Pocus)
Given that Disney's Hocus Pocus has become a beloved Halloween classic, it's more than likely Billy Butcherson was many kids' first zombie. Nostalgia aside, Billy was still a pretty solid example of the walking dead. Like Sparky, he might not have been a villain, but he was still pretty gruesome, especially after that bit with the moths.
Actor Doug Jones has a unique gift for playing monsters, and that's thoroughly demonstrated by the way he moves, shambles, and expresses Billy Butcherson's eccentric personality. It's not George Romero territory, but it's still a disquieting taste of the zombie genre.
Oogie Boogie (The Nightmare Before Christmas)
A jazz-singing bag of bugs might not be the scariest thing in the world, but when that concept takes the form of an evil monster who literally wants to turn Santa Claus into snake-and-spider stew, it gets really creepy really fast. The stop-motion animation only enhances the effect.
Oogie Boogie is one of the most underrated Disney villains, even if he is not exactly the most vicious. Still, a walking, talking burlap bag full of spiders, snakes and other creepy crawlies may not sit well with some viewers.
The Headless Horseman (The Adventures Of Ichabod And Mr. Toad)
Not only is Disney's accurate adaptation of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow probably the first version of the story to which most people are exposed, but it's also one of the best. Of course, no version of Washington Irving's classic ghost story would be complete without the infamous Headless Horseman. Needless to say, Disney's is pretty scary.
Sometimes less is more, and the Headless Horseman is a brilliant example. Concealed in shadows and dark hues, and accompanied by an evil laugh, his fearsome form stays hidden until the time is right. Disney's designers and animators went the extra mile withthe gruesome details when bringing this character to terrifying life.
The Horned King (The Black Cauldron)
If there's one thing most viewers take from The Black Cauldron, it's the absolute nightmare that is the Horned King. Essentially a standard-issue lich as found in a number of Dungeons and Dragons modules, the evil necromancer chilled younger viewers to the bone back when the movie first premiered.
Though certainly not the only frightening element in the film, the Horned King is easily the scariest. Pair him with his bloodthirsty Gwythaints and his army of Cauldron-Born, and it's got the makings of an Army of Darkness sequel.
Maleficent’s Dragon (Sleeping Beauty)
Maleficent is easily the queen of Disney's villain roster, but her famous dragon form is perhaps her greatest asset and identifying feature. The black-and-purple dragon has practically become a symbol of both the character and Sleeping Beauty as a whole, but her reputation doesn't end there.
From her presence in Disneyland's Fantasmic and a whole slew of other Halloween-themed events and specials, there's no denying that Maleficent's dragon is iconic. There's definitely something to be said for the Mistress of All Evil's delightfully draconic career.
Jangles (Inside Out)
Watching Pixar's Inside Out is a surreal experience, and that's made exceptionally clear in the Dream Productions sequence. What viewers more than likely aren't expecting is an appearance by a giant, freaky clown that gives chase when Joy, Sadness, and Bingbong find him locked away in Riley's nightmares.
He's no Pennywise, but Jangles is definitely a bit intimidating compared to what Pixar had previously released. It's easy to understand how a young girl could be absolutely terrified of this painted creep.
Chernabog (Fantasia)
The "Night on Bald Mountain" sequence in Disney's classic Fantasia is one of the scariest moments in any of the studio's movies. Considering the musical score was inspired by Walpurgis Night, spirits and demons, and visions of a hellish inferno, it's no wonder the animation is so effective and terrifying.
The star of the show is Chernabog, or Satan in the original version, who summons his minions of darkness as he rips his wings open while the music swells with overtures of dark power. What transpires is a series of horrific imagery featuring demons, skeletons, evil spirits, and the frightening visage of this devious devil.