Every good horror movie needs a big bad monster, one that leaves viewers trembling with fear long after the credits roll. Whether it's a gruesome demonic creature, an evil apparition, or a giant possessive ape, a good movie monster satisfies with a larger-than-life presence and seemingly unstoppable wrath.
Of course, not every monster is successful in striking fear into the audience's hearts; sometimes, our less than terrifying villain ends up so poorly developed, vulnerable, and silly that horror fans are left to roll their eyes and chuckle in disbelief at these obviously weak and easily conquerable beasts. From tiny terrors to vengeful inanimate objects, escape is almost too easy with laughable monsters.
The Leprechaun (Leprechaun, 1993)
This pint-size movie monster is almost too easy to escape in this 93 horror comedy starring a 24-year-old Jennifer Aniston in her film debut. Though the first film in the series only mentions four-leaf-clovers as his weakness, the sequels reveal wrought iron as another of this mini monster's kryptonite.
While this hilariously-costumed horror baddie has a few advantages—his powers include limited teleportation and mimicry—this little gold-obsessed villain is hardly the terror he hopes to be. In a pinch, he can always be distracted with a pair of shoes in need of a shine. Talk about silly.
Jaws/Bruce (Jaws, 1975)
Yes, this classic movie monster is truly a horror movie icon, but that doesn't stop this predatory villain from being a fairly escapable foe—just follow the film's tagline and don't go in the water. When a movie monster's ability to attack is limited to one natural element, it's best to simply avoid it and stick to dry land.
Though Jaws clearly made an impression with his 75 Spielberg debut, it's hard to think of an oversized animatronic great white limited to its water-bound surroundings as an unbeatable foe.
Jack Frost (Jack Frost, 1997)
Perhaps back in 97 the trope of serial killers magically transforming into seemingly non-threatening figures wasn't yet as played out as it seems now. Then again, the idea of a murderous snowman doesn't really sound like a solid movie monster for any generation.
Though this comedy horror movie never takes itself too seriously, the idea that anyone would feel threatened by a creature that can easily be defeated with antifreeze, or, in an ultra goofy twist, hairdryers, just seems laughable. This not-so-scary frosty certainly isn't striking fear when his powers of immortality, superhuman strength, and liquidizing can be defeated by something so readily available.
Millard Findlemyer (The Gingerdead Man, 2005)
This foul-mouthed little cookie voiced by Gary Busey doesn't exactly scream horror movie monster. Yet another take on the popular magically transformed killer trope, this wannabe deadly villain wasn't exactly the hardest to outwit. Aside from the obvious mystical ability to be a walking and talking confection, this monster didn't seem to display any otherwordly powers beyond his ability to wield a weapon. Crushing this bakery treat gone wrong seems almost too easy of a task—maybe just don't eat him unless you're looking to get possessed.
Chucky (Child's Play, 1998)
While the character of Chucky from the Child's Play series is certainly an iconic little movie monster in his own right, this transformed serial killer turned doll wasn't exactly an unstoppable foe.
While the series later turned this tiny psychopathic into a campier version of his earlier self, the original Chucky from the first film wasn't exactly invincible. At the end of the first film, a simple shot to the chest was all that was needed to end his spree of homicidal terror.
Eebee (Evil Bong, 2006)
Does the thought of possessed inanimate objects have you fleeing in terror? It certainly does for this group of college roommates in this shockingly silly 2006 horror film. As with any seemingly deadly movie monster, this voodoo-cursed bong is ready to eliminate anyone that stands in her way of total destruction.
Eebee's powers allowed her to drag her users into an alternate dimension where they are killed. It would almost seem scary—at least, it would if the solution wasn't to simply not inhale her deadly smoke.
Samara (The Ring, 2002)
Though this terrifying demonic child certainly left audiences uneasy, this tiny monster's reign of terror isn't actually as unbeatable as she'd like you to think. Samara's curse is connected to watching her creepy videotape, so the simplest solution here seems to be the most obvious one.
However, even after watching Samara's video, there's still a relatively easy way to outwit this foe. Simply taping and watching a copy will prevent Samara's curse from activating. Watching a videotape to defeat a seemingly unstoppable monster almost sounds too easy.
Dracula (Hammer Horror Series)
Dracula is perhaps one of the longest-running and iconic movie monsters. This classic vampire that started the unending portrayals and similar creations certainly seems like the ultimate foe—that is, if it weren't for his unending list of weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
From daylight and crucifixes to holy water, this Count is one creature that could easily be defeated by even the most novice of protagonists. When in doubt, a classic stake through the heart is a surefire way to conquer this classic movie monster villain.
Tabonga (From Hell It Came, 1957)
Perhaps audiences have become spoiled by twenty-first-century technology, but, somehow, a comical-looking killer tree with a permanent theatrical scowl just doesn't seem like the unstoppable movie monster it makes itself out to be in this bizarre 50's black and white film.
While the premise in this horror trope is familiar enough—the island prince's spirit reanimates in a seemingly innocent figure—this lumbering movie monster almost seems incapable of actually attacking someone unless its victims throw themselves at this tree's mercy. Not exactly unstoppable.
Death Bed (Death Bed: The Bed That Eats, 1977)
There's so bad it's good, and then there's Death Bed. This unique horror film directed by George Barry features a murderous bed as the film's main monster. The bed, which is possessed by a demon, occasionally eats people who lay on it, and, of course, has telekinetic powers.
This is one monster that seems completely avoidable through one simple task: not laying on the bed. As for the film, the opinion of whether it's so bad it's good or just plain bad really depends on artistic personal preference.