The monster/maniac character, by definition, is not the one fans typically root for when they go to the movies. But as with all things, there are exceptions to the rule. Sometimes it's simply because the monster character is more interesting than any of the heroes put against it, other times they're just simply the most likable.
No matter what flavor they might come in, on occasion the horror can become the hero, or at least the closest thing to it. They might not all be angels, but there are more than a few monster characters who chose to fight for right. Motives and morals may vary.
Jigsaw/John Kramer (Saw Series)
Right off the bat, this one is bound to have a few heads being scratched but consider the type of victim Jigsaw goes after. With the exception of characters like Amanda, Jigsaw's targets tend to be people who do horrible things and think nothing of it or somehow ruin people's lives by their own selfishness. If this were a DC universe, he'd be considered an antihero or a vigilante. Still, his taste in puppets is a little unnerving.
Jason Voorhees (Freddy Vs. Jason)
Let's make one thing perfectly clear, Jason was more of a puppet and a pawn in this film than anything else. He's still the machete-wielding masked maniac we all know and love, but when Freddy Krueger comes up to bat, things get a little hairy.
It's only after he finds out he's been used does he essentially switch sides. But even with that in mind, how cool is it to see the killer from Camp Crystal Lake on the right side, even if only for a while?
Leatherface (Texas Chainsaw 3D)
In the same vein as Jason, Leatherface is often used as a pawn for his evil family's misdeeds. In Texas Chainsaw 3D, he's not so much a criminal mastermind as just someone trying to defend his homestead. After a murderous plot from the town's law enforcement is brought to light, Leatherface saves his surviving cousin from peril and presumably protects her from her greedy adoptive family. Perhaps he'll hang up his chainsaw and become a bodyguard instead?
The Creature (Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein)
Remember kids, intelligence is knowing that Frankenstein isn't the monster, but wisdom is knowing Frankenstein is how everyone refers to it, and that's ok. With that sentiment in mind, reconsider the events that transpire in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
The creature portrayed by Robert De Niro is monstrous, that much is certain, but he is not truly the villain. Although he does leave a body count, he does so after being cruelly neglected and abandoned by a thoughtless creator.
The Old Gods (Cabin in the Woods)
In the storyline of the film itself, The Old Gods are not ones to be rooting for. However, if one takes a step back from the bare-bones plotline to look at the bigger picture. The Old Gods are actually the heroes, saving the audience from unoriginal horror movies. The entire narrative of Cabin in the Woods is a commentary on the horror genre. If the audience isn't pleased, then the project is scrapped for a clean slate.
Lestat (Interview With the Vampire)
Lestat is a monster inside and out, that's no secret. But to call the vexing vampire a villain wouldn't be very fair to the character. Granted, he's not 100 percent good.
He did turn young Claudia into a vampire, but it was in order to save her life. And he did destroy a nest of evil bloodsuckers. But still, kidnapping and cannibalism are some pretty high charges at the end of the day.
Sam (Trick r’ Treat)
In the grand scheme of things, the sack-headed trick or treater is more of a nonpartial entity of Halloween than a monster, but his motives are, on some level, good. He punishes the wicked and the naysayers, all to make sure the traditions of the holiday are upheld. That might be as simple as scaring a crotchety old man with a checkered past, or slicing a throat with a pumpkin-flavored lollipop. Well... at least he's cute, right?
Godzilla (Godzilla Franchise)
He might have had a few changes over the years, but there's only one Godzilla. Whenever an audience goes to see Godzilla movie, they don't give two shakes about the hundreds of puny citizens that get smooshed in his wake.
They want to see the king of monsters himself take on whatever alien threat wants to hurt his planet. Whether it's Megalon, King Ghidorah, or Gigan, the big G will always have a special place in the heart of every monster fan.
Carrie White (Carrie)
Carrie White did nothing wrong. What Stephen King presents in his coming-of-age tale about a high school misfit with telekinetic abilities isn't so much about a girl becoming a monster, but her tormentors getting well-deserved justice. Carrie was horrendously attacked, covered in pig's blood, and her prom date was literally killed within inches of her. To say her carnage isn't without reason would just be untrue.
The Predators (AVP: Alien Vs. Predator)
As strange as it sounds, humans are not the prey in this Predator film. Instead, they are just in the wrong place at the wrong time as they are caught between two warring races. The Predators might not be on Earth's side, but the threat of a xenomorph invasion is ten times worse than the galaxy's greatest hunter. They might not be the purest of the bunch, but they certainly save the most innocent lives in the long run.