🎃 Ranking My Favorite Horror Icons (and the NECA Figures You Need on Your Shelf) | By: David Gibbens
Every horror fan has their icons — the villains who define fear and keep us coming back to the genre year after year. For collectors, these characters aren’t just movie memories — they’re centerpieces, display anchors, and conversation starters.
So here’s my personal ranking of the greatest horror icons, paired with figure recommendations that truly capture what makes each one unforgettable.
1. Chucky (Child’s Play)
Chucky is everything horror should be — chaotic, funny, terrifying, and somehow charming. He’s the rare villain who evolved across decades while staying completely himself. The franchise jumped from straight slasher to meta comedy to TV drama, and he survived it all.
Recommended Figure:
NECA Ultimate Chucky (Child’s Play 2) – Includes multiple interchangeable heads, classic Good Guy weapons, and that stitched-up look that defines his perfect mix of humor and horror.
Why it stands out: The sculpt nails his personality, from the grin to the blood splatter. Small figure, massive presence.
2. Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13th)
Jason is the essence of horror mythology — silent, powerful, and unstoppable. Every era of Jason tells a new story: the boy who drowned, the vengeful son, the undead killer, even the space nightmare. He’s become the most consistent force in slasher history.
Recommended Figure:
NECA Ultimate Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13th Part 4: The Final Chapter) – Arguably NECA’s best Jason sculpt, with clean articulation and that iconic axe-to-head alternate look.
Why it stands out: The realism and detail — from the wet, grimy skin tone to the texture on the mask — make it one of the definitive Jason releases.
3. Michael Myers (Halloween)
Michael Myers is horror purity — emotionless, unstoppable, and mysterious. He doesn’t need a backstory or dialogue to terrify; the blank mask and slow walk are enough. The simplicity of his design makes him endlessly collectible — subtle but deeply unsettling.
Recommended Figure:
NECA Ultimate Michael Myers (Halloween 1978) – Comes with the pumpkin, knife, alternate heads, and the best mask sculpt NECA’s ever done.
Why it stands out: This figure captures the quiet menace of the original film. Under low light, it looks like he’s actually watching you.
4. Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare on Elm Street)
Freddy isn’t just a killer — he’s a showman. He gave horror villains a voice, personality, and creative flair. Every dream sequence in his films felt like stepping into an artist’s nightmare. His humor, even when cruel, made him unforgettable.
Recommended Figure:
NECA Ultimate Freddy Krueger (Dream Warriors) – The syringe-hand accessory, the screaming souls chest plate, and alternate head sculpts make this one the perfect mix of creepy and creative.
Why it stands out: It’s the most expressive Freddy NECA’s done — cinematic, weird, and full of character.
5. Pinhead (Hellraiser)
Pinhead brings elegance to horror. His design is more sculpture than slasher — every pin and stitch feels deliberate. He’s both horrifying and mesmerizing, speaking in calm tones while doing unimaginable things.
Recommended Figure:
NECA Ultimate Pinhead (Hellraiser) – Comes with the Lament Configuration cube, two head sculpts, and beautifully sculpted robes with real metal pin details.
Why it stands out: The craftsmanship is unreal. It’s equal parts terrifying and artful — one of NECA’s most stunning horror pieces.
6. Leatherface (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre)
Leatherface is the rawest of all horror icons — no magic, no dreams, just pure panic. His story feels uncomfortably real, and his unpredictability makes him horrifying. He’s less a villain and more a chaotic force of desperation.
Recommended Figure:
NECA Ultimate Leatherface (Texas Chainsaw Massacre 1974) – Features multiple head sculpts, bloody apron variants, and the iconic chainsaw with weathered detail.
Why it stands out: It perfectly captures the grime and heat of the original film. It’s not a pretty figure — it’s supposed to feel unsettling.
7. Ghostface (Scream)
Ghostface reinvented slashers by breaking the fourth wall. He’s the fan inside the movie — quoting horror rules while living them. Each killer behind the mask adds new motives, but the mask itself never loses its charm or chill factor.
Recommended Figure:
NECA Ultimate Ghostface – Comes with fabric robe, alternate knives, scythe, and multiple expressive masks.
Why it stands out: The soft goods make posing cinematic. Under proper lighting, it feels straight out of the opening of Scream.
8. Pennywise (IT)
Pennywise is childhood fear made real. Both Curry and Skarsgård brought something unforgettable — one playful, one predatory. He’s terrifying because he represents every irrational fear we had as kids, wrapped in a clown’s smile.
Recommended Figure:
NECA Ultimate Pennywise (IT 2017) – Includes multiple head sculpts, red balloon, and hands in various poses for subtle creepiness.
Why it stands out: The sculpt is perfect — delicate ruffles, eerie eyes, and that unsettling grin. The contrast of color and menace makes it a standout display piece.
9. Candyman (Candyman)
Candyman’s power lies in tragedy. He’s not driven by hate but by pain — a haunting spirit that represents injustice and legacy. The elegance of his presence makes him unforgettable, and his mythology feels timeless.
Recommended Figure:
NECA Candyman (2021) – Based on the updated film design, featuring detailed sculpt work, mirror accessories, and incredible paint texture on the coat.
Why it stands out: It’s one of NECA’s most realistic paint jobs — dark, moody, and full of atmosphere.
10. Jigsaw (Saw)
Jigsaw isn’t a slasher — he’s a moralist. He doesn’t kill out of rage but to prove a point. That’s what makes his horror so unnerving — it’s psychological, forcing victims (and audiences) to confront their own flaws.
Recommended Figure:
NECA Billy the Puppet on Tricycle (Saw) – Technically not Jigsaw himself, but the most iconic symbol of his twisted games.
Why it stands out: The paint, the eyes, and that perfectly creepy grin make it one of the most instantly recognizable horror display pieces ever made.
Final Thoughts
These figures aren’t just collectibles — they’re storytelling in plastic. Each one captures decades of fear, creativity, and cinematic history. Whether you’re into the supernatural elegance of Pinhead or the unrelenting power of Jason, there’s a figure here that embodies what makes horror so magnetic.
For Halloween or any time of year, a shelf full of slashers is more than decoration — it’s a tribute to the monsters that made us love being scared.
Share
