These days, Hollywood just can't seem to make a scary movie without some menacing miniature at the root of all evil. In the last few years we've seen them in 'The Unborn,' 'Silent Hill,' 'The Uninvited,' 'The Haunting in Connecticut' and more -- not to mention a menacing prepubescent Voldemort in 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.' We get another terrorizing tyke in this week's new thriller 'Orphan': Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman) was abandoned at a young age, has burning black eyes and frumpy pigtails, and speaks with a slightly Eastern European accent. Creepy. In honor of Esther, and the cinematic scary-kids brigade, we count down the 15 very creepiest kids in movies.
(Seriously, we'd rank these right up there with terrorists, psycho killers and flying monkeys on our freak-out-o-meter.)
15. Joshua Cairn in 'Joshua' (2007)Played by: Jacob Kogan
Why He Creeps Us Out: We understand being jealous with a new baby in the house. But trying to kill your little sis is taking things too far, and driving Mom and Dad insane so you can live with your favorite uncle is simply unacceptable. Someone needs a big time out.
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14. Henry Evans in 'The Good Son' (1993)Played by: Macaulay Culkin
Why He Creeps Us Out: Cute little Mac seems like an angel compared to his 'Home Alone' alter ego -- until he causes a 10-car accident, bulls-eyes his neighbor's dog with a crossbow and threatens to kill his family. Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern got off easy.
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13. Toshio in 'The Grudge' (2004)Played by: Yuya Ozeki
Why He Creeps Us Out: Ozeki made such a splash in the J-horror hit 'Ju-On' (and its sequel) that he was tapped for the American remake. He may appear innocent in only tighty-whities, but his black, lifeless eyes and piercing scream could very well leave you in the fetal position.
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12. The Grady Twins in 'The Shining' (1980)Played by: Louise and Lisa Burns
Why They Creep Us Out: One line -- "Hello Danny. Come and play with us. Come and play with us, Danny. Forever ... and ever ... and ever." If that's not enough, we'll blame the flashing images of their bloody corpses and eerily expressionless faces for the chills that speed down our spines at the mere thought of the double-grim twins.
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11. Tomas in 'The Orphanage' (2007)Played by: Oscar Casas
Why He Creeps Us Out: As the maybe not-so-imaginary (that is, long dead) friend of young Simon, Tomas doesn't need to do much to chill us to the bone -- he just stands there, silently, with a sack over his head. We'll never look at burlap the same way again.
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Reader Comments (22)
vvm98 at 8:58PM on Jul 24th 2009
ORPHAN SUCKS -
Hollywood storytellers are beneath contempt. A never ending stream of plagiarized toxic cultural waste.
To think of the millions WB poured into this corrosive cop-out. I'm sure you could fund an entire school district, or better yet, shed light on the heartbreaking plight of the millions of children who would love to be adopted.
But no, let's re-write THE BAD SEED and make her a psycho 33 year old dwarf prostitute with pedophile clients.
Someday the concept of personal responsibility and shame may even penetrate Hollywood. Until then, GFY.
Laurel at 9:39PM on Jul 24th 2009
I totally agree with ll the choices; I got a shiver just looking at the "Bad Seed" brat. But my favorite creepy kid was Christina Ricci as Tuesday in th Addams Family flicks.("Are they (Girl Scout cookies) made with real Girl Scouts?"
Also, you just knew that she really did want to throw her baby brother out the window.
gwugluud barcher at 9:32AM on Jul 26th 2009
Kids ARE creepy. They can commit crimes and get away with it "because they're young". Everyone wants to live in denial that they are just as evil as adults are., only it's taboo to say anything about it. If you walk past a group of kids, get ready for smart-ass comments or even threats of violence. Aww, they're only kids. They don't know what they're doing. Aren't they cute.
You can believe that bullcrap if you like, if you're that gullible.
Lain121 at 10:33AM on Jul 25th 2009
I know they say the twins from the shinning were creepy but what about the little boy Danny... it still creeps me out when i here "Redrum"
andrea at 10:42PM on Jul 24th 2009
where are the kids from children of the corn?
andrea at 10:44PM on Jul 24th 2009
it's Wednesday
Donald Ross at 10:57PM on Jul 24th 2009
Moronic movies made by morons for morons.
Spirit_Blackend at 3:22AM on Jul 26th 2009
God you uptight, close-minded American yuppies like you make me f'n sick!!!!
vvm98 at 11:35PM on Jul 24th 2009
DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON 'ORPHAN' -
THE DISGUSTING TWIST AT THE END OF THIS WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY
IS THAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE THESE MORONS
ADOPTED A 33 YEAR OLD DWARF PSYCHO PROSTITUTE WHO HAD PEDOPHILES FOR JOHNS
WHILE ACTUALLY BELIEVING SHE WAS A 9 YEAR OLD........GIVE US A F'ING BREAK HOLLYWOOD!!!!!!! -
Anika at 12:56AM on Jul 25th 2009
It's ONLY A MOVIE! You're not suppose to believe it.
Nightdame at 4:17AM on Jul 25th 2009
WM.......I agree with you 100%.The movie is in Spanish and I had to read the captions!!!!!!!!!!!! Nobody told me about that and I didnt notice it on the cover!!!!!!!! I tossed it out in the trash.What a waste of $ !!!!!!!!!!!
janelle at 6:17PM on Jul 25th 2009
wow those r some crazy kids
sonia at 2:33AM on Jul 25th 2009
For my money Damien, off of the Omen is one scary kid and then some. Get the whole set and watch this kid! Unfreakenbelieveable. Just when you think he can't get any worse it just keeps on going.
Wayne at 2:08AM on Jul 25th 2009
I thought Annie was pretty creepy. I found her very spooky. I remember the movies with Shirley Temple from when I was a kid too. I'd have nightmares about that little ghoul.
Jenni at 3:27AM on Jul 25th 2009
I was disappointed not to see Malachia from Children Of The Corn on this list. he was lots creepier than some of these!....
bllri at 3:55AM on Jul 25th 2009
cute!
jack at 7:57AM on Jul 25th 2009
hello jeson
cuchy11 at 9:45PM on Jul 25th 2009
hey just want 2 send a shout out 2 mike @ michelle red hook in the house...
did;nt like the orphan, thumbs down period...
elvis. at 9:50PM on Jul 25th 2009
you people heard my comments orphen thumbs down. red hook in the house...
annie at 10:22AM on Jul 26th 2009
Does anyone else out there remember the movie pet cemetary.. with the little boy gage or somnething like that.... after he was hit by the truck and the father buried him and he came back... ok well does nayone else out there think that michael jacksons first son prince michael. when he was younger and very blond loook s eeerily like that kid from that movie