14 Toys You Didn’t Know Were Based on Horror Movies
This list reveals 14 real-life toys that were inspired by horror movies, blending childlike charm with terrifying origins.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
Toys are typically made for comfort and fun, but some have surprising roots in horror cinema. This list explores 14 real examples of toys that trace their origins to terrifying films, many of which were never intended for children. From deceptively cute dolls to grotesque action figures, these toys reflect how horror continues to creep into unexpected corners of pop culture.
1. Chucky Doll (Child’s Play)
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Although it looks like a typical smiling playmate, the Chucky doll was born from the 1988 horror movie Child’s Play. After the film’s success, several toy companies released replicas of the Good Guy Doll, complete with the same cheerful clothes and red hair. While marketed to adult collectors, the doll’s childlike appearance continues to unnerve casual onlookers.
2. Alien Xenomorph Action Figure (Alien)
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Kenner released a 1979 Alien action figure for kids, despite the movie being a hard R-rated horror film about a monstrous alien killing a spaceship crew. The toy featured a massive head, inner-jaw action, and a terrifying sculpt based on H.R. Giger’s original design. Parents quickly protested, and the toy was pulled from shelves, but collectors now regard it as a cult classic.
3. Freddy Krueger Talking Doll (A Nightmare on Elm Street)
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This 1989 toy featured Freddy Krueger in his signature striped sweater and hat, complete with a voice box that repeated chilling phrases. Even though A Nightmare on Elm Street was centered on a razor-gloved killer who haunted children’s dreams, the toy was packaged like a typical doll. It was aimed at older kids and teens but caused backlash for blurring the line between horror and play.
4. Jason Voorhees Figure (Friday the 13th)
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NECA and other companies have released highly detailed figures of Jason, often including accessories like machetes and removable masks. Although clearly intended for collectors, these toys have occasionally been found in toy aisles, catching unsuspecting parents off guard. The figure’s accuracy to the films, especially its gore elements, keeps it firmly rooted in the horror genre.
5. Gremlins Plush Toys (Gremlins)
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At first glance, Gizmo from Gremlins looks like the perfect cuddly companion, and plush versions were a hit in the 1980s. However, the film’s plot reveals that these adorable creatures can turn into monstrous killers if fed after midnight. The toy’s appeal is at odds with its dark cinematic source, making it one of the most deceptively sinister merchandises.
6. Pennywise Action Figure (It)
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Funko, NECA, and other brands have made toys based on Pennywise from Stephen King’s It, especially after the 2017 remake. The figure often features the dancing clown’s eerie grin, balloon accessory, and sometimes even interchangeable heads with sharp teeth. It’s a nightmarish figure hiding in toy stores next to friendlier characters, which feels disturbingly fitting.
7. The Nun Figure (The Conjuring Universe)
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From The Conjuring 2 and The Nun, Valak has become one of horror’s most iconic recent villains, and her toy versions are shockingly realistic. These figures often come with fabric clothing and deeply unsettling facial sculpts. Though clearly made for adult collectors, the idea of a demonic nun figure being sold in toy form feels inherently chilling.
8. Re-Animator Herbert West Figure (Re-Animator)
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Super7 released a retro-style action figure of Herbert West from the cult classic Re-Animator, complete with a syringe and reanimated head. The film, based on an H.P. Lovecraft story, features grotesque body horror and dark comedy. The toy is bright and colorful, disguising the film’s disturbing themes behind a Saturday-morning cartoon aesthetic.
9. Beetlejuice Action Figures (Beetlejuice)
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Kenner’s Beetlejuice toy line from the late ‘80s and early ‘90s was based on the 1988 Tim Burton film, which, while comedic, had strong horror elements, including ghosts, the afterlife, and decapitations. The toys included bizarre transformations and creepy features like popping eyes and hidden bugs. They were heavily marketed to children, despite the movie’s PG-13 rating and adult humor.
10. Creepshow Creep Figure (Creepshow)
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Mezco and other brands have created figures of The Creep, the ghoulish host of Creepshow, a horror anthology film written by Stephen King. With a skeletal grin and cloak, the toy brings the comic-book horror host to life. While marketed to collectors, the cartoonish styling makes it seem strangely approachable, even though it originates from a deeply macabre film.
11. Sam from Trick ‘r Treat Plush and Figure
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Sam, the childlike enforcer of Halloween traditions from Trick ‘r Treat, is now a common sight in Halloween décor and toy sections. Despite his small size and cute burlap mask, Sam is a violent spirit who punishes those who break spooky season rules. His plush versions and bobbleheads are widely available, luring in the unaware with his deceptive charm.
12. Jigsaw Puppet (Saw)
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The creepy red-cheeked puppet used by Jigsaw in the Saw franchise, known as Billy, has become a popular toy and collectible. Life-sized versions ride tiny tricycles and have sound effects that mimic lines from the films. Though the puppet never kills anyone directly, its association with one of the most brutal horror franchises gives it an aura of menace.
13. Hellraiser’s Pinhead Figure (Hellraiser)
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Clive Barker’s Hellraiser introduced audiences to the Cenobites, including the terrifying Pinhead, whose figure comes complete with hooks, chains, and a puzzle box. These toys often lean into the grotesque with detailed sculpting of the character’s mutilated face and body. While it’s an impressive piece for horror fans, it remains baffling that such an extreme character is available in toy form.
14. Critters Figures (Critters)
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The tiny, hairy monsters from Critters spawned a line of figurines and vinyl collectibles. Though the creatures look cartoonish, they’re portrayed in the movies as vicious, sharp-toothed aliens with a taste for human flesh. Their toys strike a strange balance between grotesque and goofy, making them surprisingly popular among horror lovers.