The deep dark regions of our worries are sometimes the places where our imagination leads us! It’s no surprise that horror films with a terrifying monster – known as creature features – are a popular subgenre.
In terms of these creatures, we usually see them in ugly forms performing inconceivable acts, such as ripping humans and even cities apart. Except for their unusual designs and origins, several aren’t really noteworthy. They do, however, have one thing in common. They pique our interest, causing us to stay in the theatre to observe their antics.
If you’re as fascinated as we are and want to view some of the most amazing monsters we’ve ever seen, you’ve come to the correct place. Sit back and relax as we present you with a collection of bizarre animals and monsters that are just vintage and deserving of your full attention.
Rathalos – Monster Hunter (2020)
Monster Hunter is a film set in a weird universe where humans coexist with monsters. When their spacecraft is attacked by a strange underground organism, a trained monster hunter gets separated from his squad. Lt.
Natalie Artemis and her fellow soldiers are stuck in an alternate reality back in the actual world. They find themselves in a harsh desert habitat inhabited by terrible beasts, and to make matters worse, their superior weapons are useless against their adversaries.
Fortunately, they have some help in the shape of a seasoned monster hunter with incredible combat abilities. In a thrilling battle for survival, the soldiers must stay one step ahead of the monsters, and some supernatural help is just what the doctor ordered! Is there an escape from this alternate realm?
This movie was based on a video game by Capcom, and while you might complain about the basic plot, the supply of cool monsters and action-packed drama makes things interesting. The game series had a prominent monster called Rathalos, who features in the film as well.
Director Paul W.S. Anderson made it clear that the Rathalos is the rock star of the Monster Hunter franchise, and that he would put the creature to good use. In the games,Rathalos is one of the hardest creatures to kill, and in the movies, it is not much different. It is a large, bipedal wyvern, called the king of the skies because of its flying capability.
It uses its flame sac to shoot fire from its mouth, and the poisonous talons are enough to put an end to their prey. When it hunts from the air, one of the most lethal aspects of this creature is its surprise strike. They are lethal opponents even on the ground, and their muscular legs allow them to run quite quickly.
The Rathalos also possesses a massive clubbed tail that can cause a lot of damage, and it’s safe to assume that anyone who gets caught up in the grips of this territorial monster is doomed. The director drew on all of his Resident Evil experience for this film, and if you enjoyed the games, you’ll enjoy it immensely.
Baba Yaga – Hellboy (2019)
The film is based on Mike Mignola’s popular comic novels, and it depicts the heroism of the otherworldly being Hellboy. He is the offspring of a fallen angel who was brought to Earth by some odd procedure. He ended up with the Americans and served them while also safeguarding the rest of the world from grave threats.
Humanity’s unlikely defender is set to meet his match in this video! Along with his psychic partner Alice and Major Ben Daimio, he embarks on a dangerous mission. Nimue, the terrible sorceress and immortal Queen of Blood, has sinister preparations for the world’s destruction. Will Hellboy be able to keep his noble nature and save the world again again?
Baba Yaga is a familiar name for those who were interested in fantasy stories and fairytales. This legendary witch of Russian folklore was said to live inside a chicken leg house, and she counted dead men’s fingers. We have always known this witch to be an unpredictable character who might help you or eat you!
Hellboy had faced Baba Yaga previously on several occasions, such as when he was investigating the case of missing children in 1963. He defeated Baba Yaga, and she held a grudge for long time. In this movie, Baba Yaga somehow manages to summon Hellboy and transports him to her infamous chicken leg house.
We also get some insights into their previous brawls, such as when Hellboy shot her eyes while she was trying to resurrect the ghost of Stalin. Hellboy is desperate for the location of Nimue, and he promises one of his eyes to Baba Yaga if she reveals the whereabouts of Nimue.
However, he duped her without specifying a time frame, and when Baba Yaga discovers it, she is furious and sends him back to Earth. The sight of Baba Yaga is frightful, and she is creepy enough to make you uneasy.
The one-eyed face, which is not to be missed, was created with clay by make-up artist Joel Harlow. Yes, Guillermo de Toro’s Hellboy films were far more enjoyable, but this instalment isn’t awful either. It’s not a classic, but it’s always worth seeing for some absurd fantasy violence and a few laughs.
Kronos – Wrath of the Titans (2012)
Perseus and his son Helius dwell in a rural community in self-imposed exile as fishermen. Perseus used to be a demigod slayer, slaying monsters like the Kraken, but now he just wants to live a quiet life.
Their lives are disrupted one day when Perseus is visited by Zeus, who informs him of the gods’ growing weakness. Humans have begun to rebel against them and no longer pray to them.
In this hazardous scenario, Ares, the malevolent god of battle, and Hades, the lord of the underworld, conspire to depose Zeus. They seize Zeus, and Perseus must once again take up arms in order to release him and save humanity from destruction. Kronos, the mighty monster,will emerge from captivity, and it will take the might of a seasoned demigod killer to put things back in order!
You ought to take a monster seriously if he is the king of the Titans and the destroyer of the universe! Kronos is the main antagonist in this film, and he is actually father to Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon. The physical form of Kronos is a gigantic lump of lava and molten rocks which make up his facial features.
You can tell that his insides are made out of molten lava, and it is believed that he has enough power to ruin everything in the universe. Kronos is just about as strong as a villain gets because even the combined powers of Hades and Zeus might not be enough to defeat him.
Previously, the Gods defeated this Titan and the others with the help of Kraken, but in the current scenario, they need fresh plans. Kronos is the epitome of all kinds of evil, and a terrible father too.
He even ate his own children to maintain his supreme powers. He also has a cunning mind, capable of striking clever deals. He offered immortality to Hades and the other Gods if they rescued him, but we never learn if this was a genuine vow or a ruse.
The moments with Kronos are the ones to watch out for, and the special effects do a fantastic job of portraying this terrifying villain. If you appreciate Greek mythology stories and have seen Clash of the Titans, you should definitely check this out.
Davy Jones – Pirates of the Caribbean (2003)
Captain Jack Sparrow, a shrewd and quirky pirate, teams up with Will Turner, a skilled blacksmith. They’re hunting for Elizabeth Swann, the governor’s daughter, with whom Will has fallen in love. The problem is that she has been mistakenly apprehended by Captain Barbossa, a former Jack ally.
Barbossa’s pirates are on the hunt for the last ounce of Aztec treasure, which must be retrieved and returned to put an end to an ancient curse that has befallen the crew: they will exist indefinitely without ever living or dying.
The only way for them to be free of the curse is to make a horrific sacrifice. Will and Jack steal a ship from the navy, and they arrive at Tortuga where Jack sets sail with his crew to save Elizabeth. But whose blood is actually required to complete the bloody sacrifice! The twist in this tale will blow your mind!
This movie is one of those classics that never gets old, and we are never tired of watching Johnny Depp’s hilarious performances. Another thing that made this film unforgettable was the supernatural ruler of the Seven Seas, the condemned captain of the Flying Dutchman, Davy Jones!
This ruthless captain would leave the bravest of sailors terrified, and there were plenty of myths and legends surrounding him. According to one particular legend, he fell in love with Calypso, the sea goddess, and had the task of ferrying souls who died at sea to the world beyond.
However, a tragic twist to his love story caused him to betray Calypso, and he was left heartbroken. He couldn’t bear his anguish any longer and cut out his heart, which he hid in the Dead Man’s Chest. Davy Jones has become dangerously ferocious since then, and he craves violence.
The Flying Dutchman was turned into a doomed ghost ship that preyed on lost sailors who opted to serve him in order to avoid death. Even the sea monster Kraken delivered him souls to join the horrible crew, so his crew continued to increase. Calypso eventually punishes him, and he dies as a result of his sins.
General Fallon – Jack the Giant Slayer (2013)
Jack has grown up hearing fascinating stories about giants who once existed and how they were ruled by a king with a crown. Many years later, Jack’s uncle sends him to the market to sell their horse so they can buy thatch for their roof. He comes upon a female who is being mistreated by thugs and saves her.
The girl’s name is Princess Isabelle, and she ran away from her father because he was set to marry her off to Roderick, whom she despised. Roderick was only interested in becoming king, and Isabelle was adamant that she would never marry him.
Meanwhile, Jack fails to sell the horse, and a monk in a crisis takes it from him in exchange for some magical beans. He instructs Jack not to get the beans wet, but Jack’s uncle is infuriated by the silly deal.
He does not believe that the beans are magical and simply tosses them on the floor. Jack picks up most of the beans, but one sneaks through a crack. That night, the princess manages to sneak out of the castle once again and comes to meet Jack. Just as they are talking, the rain causes the bean to sprout through the ground and form a giant stalk.
It takes their house and the princess up into the clouds, and Jack is unable to save her. Later, Jack accompanies the soldiers of the king in a deadly mission to get the princess back from a mysterious land of giants!
If fairytales were made today, we’d want them to be just like this! The horrible villain, General Fallon, is also worth watching in this underappreciated treasure. Fallon, a two-headed monster giant, is the previous leader of the man-eating giants.
For generations, he has been their commander, and he even led the invasion of Albion. Using his magical beans, King Erik of Albion was able to tame the giants, but Fallon never forgot his defeat.
He is hell-bent on destroying Albion and devouring Erik’s bloodline’s final ruler. Although General Fallon has two brains, each one has its own opinions and perceptions. There are some scary moments where you see Fallon interrogate the captured Princess Isabelle, and he immediately begins making a planto get down and attack the humans.
Eventually, Fallon has an intense showdown with Jack and is about to devour him when, luckily, Jack manages to throw a magic bean down his throat. A giant beanstalk emerges from his body, tearing him to shreds.
Mrs. Dodds / Alecto – Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010)
When you discover your heavenly heritage, what do you do? This film tells the narrative of Percy Jackson, a dyslexic and ADHD-afflicted adolescent. He is plagued by a dreadful personal life, in which his violent stepfather makes his life a living hell.
His mother inexplicably vanishes after being attacked by a monster, and he discovers he’s trapped in the middle of a God-versus-God war. The lightning bolt of Zeus has been stolen, and Percy Jackson is suspected of being the thief. Jackson is revealed to be the son of Poseidon, the sea God, and he must play his part in preventing an all-out war between the Olympians.
The narrative takes shape as he and his friends go on a cross-country adventure trying to catch the actual lightning thief who framed Percy for his crimes. They must also save Percy’s mom, and the road to success won’t be an easy one!
Those who loved the original book didn’t really take to the movie adaptation, but we feel that it is still a decent effort. The film is visually terrific, and the interesting narrative will attract you right from the onset. We also remember the film for its notable antagonist, Mrs. Dodds or Alecto, one of the three servants of Hades.
Her name literally means implacable anger, and her mannerisms do justice to her character. She’s been assigned the task of apprehending Jackson and assassinating him. She’s an algebra teacher, and her dislike for Percy is obvious from the start. Alecto possessed superhuman strength, and her razor-sharp teeth and talons could rend flesh apart.
Even for the son of Poseidon, this shapeshifting monster was a bother because she could fly with her wings. She waits at the right moment in the film before attacking Percy in a remote location.
Percy, on the other hand, swings the Riptide and transforms her to dust, returning her spirit to the Underworld. She looks utterly awful in her altered and monstrous shape – the effects work done here is very excellent in this regard.
Basilisk – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Harry and his friends are in their second year at Hogwarts. While Harry waits for the summer holidays to end, Dobby the elf pays him a visit and tells him not to return to Hogwarts because terrible things are about to happen. As expected, there are some strange events taking place at the institution.
The Chamber of Secrets has been unlocked, as evidenced by bloody writings on the walls. The muggle-born students are being attacked, and it’s getting to the point where Hogwarts might have to close its doors. Before the school closes, Harry and his companions try to uncover the truth about the mysterious chamber of secrets.
Potter-heads need no introduction to the plot, and the brilliance of the story is reflected all through the movie. We were also awed by the serpentine monster, the Basilisk, who was an incredible monster in the movie.
This magical beast was bred by the Dark Wizards by hatching a chicken egg under a toad. If anyone looks at this beast in the eye, they die instantly. Even an indirect look would leave the victim petrified. The trick here is to look at it through another object. The creature is known to have incredible powers and cannot be tamed.
Because of its past deeds, it has gained the reputation of being a wizard-killer. Only Tom Riddle had some authority over Salazar Slytherin’s Basilisk, but Harry was completely unaware of this. The fifty-foot-long snake-like monster has huge yellow eyes that make you feel like you’re staring death in the face — literally!
The Basilisk has a long life expectancy, ranging from nine hundred to a thousand years. A Basilisk can only be defeated by damaging its eyes, which also removes its most lethal weaponry. The Basilisk’s venom is a lethal toxin, and the only antidote is phoenix tears.
Pale Man – Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
The story takes set in Spain in 1944, during the post-Civil War era. The rebels are still fighting against the Falangist army. Ofelia, a young girl who is enthralled by fairy stories, is on her way to visit her nasty stepfather with her pregnant mother. However, when Ofelia meets a fairy and discovers that she is actually a princess from a remote country underneath, the voyage is full of surprises.
Ofelia’s father awaits her, but she must first establish her royal status by completing three difficult and perilous missions. Ofelia tries her hardest to survive the duties in a dark and cruel environment. If she fails, she will never see her biological father again, but if she succeeds, she will.
Who could forget the hideous child-eating monster in Pan’s Labyrinth! Yes, we are talking about Pale Man, who looks exactly as his name suggests. His pale face and visible nostrils make him look like a manta ray, and he eats fairies and children.
He sits and sleeps by his table, and this table has all the food and drinks that you can imagine. However, if a child comes along and takes a bite, the grotesque creature awakens. The Pale Man then attacks, and children who have entered his lair can barely escape.
Much of the inspiration for this character came from Scandinavian and German folk tales, and he was originally supposed to be a skeletal life-form. This movie is one of the finest works of Guillermo del Toro, and it won three Oscars. The brilliant cinematography does not shy away from the brutality of war, and watching will be a magical experience for you!
Moorwen – Outlander (2008)
In 709 A.D., during the reign of the Vikings, a spacecraft crashes upon Earth. Kainan, the pilot, is transporting Moorwen, a deadly alien predator that manages to escape after the collision. Kainan uses his superior technology to quickly understand the language and culture of the land, and both man and monster want vengeance!
As he pursues the beast, he arrives across a burned-out settlement. Wulfric, a warrior, believes Kainan is the perpetrator of the atrocity and arrests him. More villagers go missing before being discovered as mangled corpses.
The Vikings recognise Kainan as the perpetrator of the atrocities and rally behind him to see the monster put down. Eventually, Kainan gathers an alliance and attacks the creature with his advanced technology, but will their effort be good enough to take the monster down?
Adventures seldom get better than this, and the concept of a giant alien fighting Vikings is intriguing enough. Mysterious heroes always work wonders, and this movie is not just another run-of-the-mill sci-fi B-movie.
The deadly monster, Moorwen, is clearly the star of the show, and has been given an adequately scary appearance. Kainan is actually from a distant world that was destroyed by the Moorwen, and throughout the narrative, he tries to stop the creature from harming people on Earth.
The story of this monster beast, however, has a little twist. It turns out that these animals were the original inhabitants of the planet, and that Kainan and his people massacred them mercilessly in order to take control in the first place!
Only one Moorwen escaped, and it exacted vengeance by striking while the military was away, killing Kainan’s wife and son, as well as a large number of others. The creature’s tragic history makes you feel for him, and our mysterious hero isn’t as good as he appears.
The mediaeval weapons do little harm to this dangerous monster’s skin, and it is immune to fire. Its agility and super-fast movements make it a near-invincible predator. It’s sense of smell, hearing, and sight are also incredible! This is not some brainless monster feature, but a movie that makes you think about who is actually in the right!
Swamp Thing – Swamp Thing (1982)
Wes Craven directed classics like The Hills Have Eyes and Last House on the Left, and his work in Swamp Thing will leave an indelible impact. Dr. Alec Holland is absorbed in his studies in the swampy plains when the narrative begins. He gets converted into a terrible mutant by accident, a hybrid of animal and plant that he was attempting to produce in the first place.
However, his struggles are far from finished, as an evil genius named Arcane is after his invention’s formula. Holland must also defend a colleague who is in grave risk! Will Dr. Alec Holland be able to stand up against Arcane as he seeks to capture the Swamp Thing?
This is a comic book film, and the narrative has the audacity to flaunt the low-budget element in the filming process. There are some thrilling action sequences and a monster the likes of which you haven’t probably seen before!
This anti-hero started off as a scientist trying to develop a miraculous plant growth to end world hunger. When Anton Arcane attacks the lab, Holland takes a plunge in the swampy lake and is believed to be dead.
However, we soon see a green humanoid figure attacking Arcane’s henchmen. Unlike the other monsters in this list, this one fights for a good cause and clearly retains his human mind. After stopping the sinister plans of Arcane, he doesn’t try to return to his original form, and rather embraces his new life as the Swamp Thing.
The monster was created using costumes and makeup, and it was so exhausting for the actor inside that he had to take frequent breaks due to the heat. The sets look quite real because they actually shot some of the scenes in swampy areas.
If you can excuse the cheesy bits here and there, and if you like comic version, you will certainly enjoy the movie. There is also a sequel titled The Return of Swamp Thing, but it did not impress as much as the original!
Giant Snakes – Gods Of Egypt (2016)
Let us now enter the bizarre world of Egyptian mythology. The movie begins with the god Ra dividing Egypt into two halves, each of which is ruled by one of his two sons. Set, the vengeful deity of darkness, rules over the desert, whereas Osiris rules over the fertile fields. While Osiris is presiding over the crowning of his son Horus, Set betrays and murders his brother.
He kidnaps Horus’ eyes, which are the source of his abilities, and exiles him to the desert. As a robber named Bek and his wife Zaya, both devotees of Horus, decide to reclaim his eyes, they enlist the help of the heavenly power.
Horus is the only one who can end the tyranny of Set, and Bek manages to steal one of the two eyes from a well-protected pyramid. However, the theft is discovered, and although Bek manages to flee, Zaya is killed.
Bek promises to help Horus get back his other eye in return for his wife to be brought back from the dead. They have plenty of obstacles on their way, and this breathtaking battle will see them travel into the afterlife and across the heavens! Will this mortal and god team pass the test with their courage and sacrifice?
From the look of this film, you can tell that it was crafted with passion and enthusiasm. It is a big-budget effort, and it certainly looks the part. The likes of Gerard Butler and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau make it worth your time with some brilliant performances, but we cannot get over the terrifying giant snakes!
These were basically gigantic cobras that had the qualities of a dragon as well. They resembled regular cobras with black and white scales and could breathe fire like dragons. One of the most interesting aspects of the film was the enormous snakes! The visual effects are superb, and the CGI is rather impressive.
Keep in mind that they were not attempting to construct a historical documentary when watching this film. The mythical facts are clearly misplaced in the plot, and the creative licence can be pardoned. If you give it a chance, we guarantee you will not be disappointed.
The Tao Tei Queen – The Great Wall (2016)
A party of European mercenaries rides north of the Great Wall in this film set in ancient China. William Garin and Pero Tovar manage to flee a nomadic bandit raid and seek refuge in a cave. However, they are quickly kidnapped by Commander Lin Mei, and they soon discover that their kidnapping is not the worst thing that has happened that day!
The commander and his men are preparing for a devastating assault by a wicked Beast-monster Queen’s army. Their success will determine the fate of humanity, and William and Pero can assist them. Will they be able to defend the wall from swarms of horrible creatures?
Matt Damon received a lot of flak for his role in this movie, but we cannot say he disappointed! It is probably a plot that doesn’t sound all that innovative, but we were blown away by the exceptional execution.
This is more of Chinese Western collaboration, and with some decent CGI, costumes, and creativity, the ploy works fine. We were bowled over by one of the main antagonists, the Tao Tei! These are an ancient reptilian race, who invaded China from some faraway planet. They are led by their queen, and these carnivorous reptiles look like ceratopsian dinosaurs.
The TaoTei Queen is a shrewd strategist who divides her army into defenders and soldiers. The creatures as a race are so nasty that they would gladly devour their own kind in order to stay alive. However, they have one significant flaw: they are ineffective without the Queen.
Once every sixty years, the Tao Tei invaded the Chinese, prompting the formation of a force to defend the wall. William Garin eventually used an explosive arrow to kill the queen. The hive’s psyche was broken by her death, and the others froze in place. The Tao Tei battle sequences alone are motivation enough to watch this film