Ranking All 6 Art The Clown & Terrifier Films from Worst to Best

WARNING: Major spoilers for Terrifier 3 ahead!

In recent years, Damien Leone’s Terrifier franchise has surged in popularity, largely due to the chilling antics of its central antagonist, Art the Clown. With three films currently in the series, each installment has amplified the horror with unprecedented creativity and gore. The franchise gained significant traction after the release of Terrifier 2, which was so grotesque that it reportedly sent audience members into a faint. Adding to the excitement, a video game adaptation is in the works, indicating that the fascination with Art the Clown only continues to grow.

While anticipation builds for the future following the cliffhanger ending of Terrifier 3, it’s important to reflect on Art’s roots, which stretch back well before the 2016 film. This retrospective will rank the various appearances of Art the Clown based on scariness, narrative quality, and overall entertainment value for horror enthusiasts. Included in this analysis are prequels and anthology films that feature Art, showcasing his chilling evolution over the years.

6 The 9th Circle (2008)

Art’s First Appearance in a Short Film

Mike Giannelli as Art the Clown smiling at the camera in The 9th Circle short film

Art the Clown was first introduced in Damien Leone’s 2008 short film, The 9th Circle. Here, Art serves as a secondary character in a horror landscape populated by various archetypal figures. The film primarily showcases Leone’s exceptional makeup and effects skills, leading to a diversity of frightening characters. Leone described the project as a personal experiment:

I tell people it was my kitchen sink film … I threw in everything, clowns, witches, demons, monsters, everything up against the wall hoping something would stick.

In this short film, Art plays a sinister emissary of Satan, capturing a young woman at a train station to serve as a human sacrifice. Although his portrayal lacks the vibrant charisma that has come to define Art, The 9th Circle marks a significant milestone as his inaugural appearance.

5 All Hallow’s Eve (2013)

Art’s Prominent Role in This Horror Anthology

Ranking All Hallow’s Eve within Art’s collection of films is complex; as an anthology film, it features two other segments that also contribute to Art’s lore. In this 2013 movie, Art makes his full feature debut through the chilling narrative of a babysitter who discovers a cassette tape in her children’s trick-or-treat bags. As she views the footage showcasing three short films starring Art, the horrifying reality sets in as the real Art enters her world, having already committed murder in her house.

4 Terrifier (2011)

The Initial Encounter with the Iconic Art

The third film seen on the All Hallow’s Eve tape is another short from Leone titled Terrifier, released in 2011. This short film presents Art in all his grisly glory, as he stalks a young woman on Halloween night following a brutal killing at a gas station. Before David Howard Thornton lent Art his iconic portrayal, Mike Giannelli embodied the character in this earlier version.

This 2011 short film is key to understanding Art’s sinister character, showcasing his brutal flair for murder, as well as an early glimpse into his supernatural abilities.

3 Terrifier (2016)

The Groundbreaking Feature-Length Debut

The original Terrifier film from 2016 solidified Art’s place as a contemporary horror icon. This film features a simplistic yet effective narrative where Art terrorizes two young women on Halloween. Within its tight runtime, audiences experience Art’s chilling blend of menace and macabre humor, along with an abundance of gore.

In establishing Art’s character, Leone aimed to create a figure that would join the ranks of legendary slashers including Michael Myers and Freddy Krueger. The film introduces the character of Victoria Heyes, who plays a crucial role in the franchise’s ongoing story. Notably, Art’s grotesque killings and his penchant for sadism set him apart from typical horror villains.

2 Terrifier 3 (2024)

Art and Vicky’s Yuletide Carnage

Art the Clown dressed as Santa in Terrifier 3

With the immense success of Terrifier 2, Damien Leone faced the daunting task of creating a sequel that could equal its horrific impact. Terrifier 3 does not disappoint, as it features Art returning to unleash chaotic evil during the holiday season, targeting Sienna Shaw and her brother Jonathan.

This installment introduces fresh opportunities for innovation in horror, with Vicky emerging as a supporting character possessing unsettling depth. The film interweaves humor and horror, creating memorable kill sequences while significantly expanding the franchise’s lore.

1 Terrifier 2 (2022)

The Epic Confrontation Begins

Terrifier 2 crowned itself as the pinnacle of Art’s filmography by brilliantly establishing an immersive world around him. The film introduces new characters like Sienna Shaw, who embodies a heroine capable of confronting Art’s evil. Their juxtaposition heightens the tension and excitement, resulting in an engaging cat-and-mouse dynamic.

The notorious “bedroom scene”is a highlight of visceral horror, contributing to the film’s infamy. Sienna’s arc culminates in a face-off against Art, ultimately signalling a supernatural battle, suggesting both characters may share immortal traits.

What’s Next for Art the Clown?

Since his rise to prominence with Terrifier 2, horror fans have eagerly awaited what lies ahead for Art the Clown. As of now, the next planned entry in the franchise is Terrifier 4.

Director Damien Leone hinted at the conclusion of the series during early 2023, noting that Terrifier 4 might be the franchise’s final chapter. However, Leone’s statements have evolved, leaving much to speculation. In a recent interview, he acknowledged that while the story is firmly in his mind and will culminate in a thrilling conclusion, the timeline beyond Terrifier 4 remains unclear.

There is no definitive answer at this time regarding how many more films I will make before concluding the ‘Terrifier’ saga. Personally, I can’t see it going further than one or two more films, but only time will tell.

Ultimately, Art the Clown is poised for further adventures in Terrifier 4, but beyond that, possible future projects remain largely open to interpretation. With the demand from fans and Art’s extensive horror background, a reappearance beyond the main franchise remains a tantalizing possibility.

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