2010s: The decade that was ruled by clowns

Clowns were everywhere this decade. From sightings to being in films, we’re definitely not clownin’ around when we say clowns ruled the 2010s.

Clowns are a hit when it comes to horror. Some love ’em, some hate ’em, and some suffer from Coulrophobia. Whatever the opinion, it’s clear that clowns aren’t leaving the genre anytime soon. And, if anything, the 2010s proved just how scary these face-painted beings can be. I’m officially deeming the 2010s as the decade that was ruled by clowns.

Clown Sightings

2016 still feels like a fever dream. It’s been three years and I still haven’t completely wrapped my head around what some call the “Great Clown Panic of 2016“.

Clowns were popping up everywhere in the US and the UK. Clowns were stalking schools and driving transit vans in Liverpool, and it seemed like these events were happening on a daily basis. Fortunately, a lot of these clowns didn’t cause physical harm to anyone. But seriously, imagine what being followed by a clown would do to the mental psyche? Especially because Coulrophobia is pretty common.

A lot of people thought that the clown sightings were a marketing ploy for Stephen King’s It: Chapter One released in 2017. This idea was shot down when some clowns did actually start to harm people, and one teenager was murdered by a person wearing a clown mask.

However, one sighting that took place in Wisconsin was a marketing ploy, and that was for a short film titled Gags the Clown.

Famous Clowns from This Decade

The 2010’s have provided horror fans with fresh new clowns and reimaginings of fan favorites. Art the Clown (All Hallows Eve, Terrifier) and Twisty the Clown (American Horror Show: Freakshow) joined the roster this decade. For those who have yet to watch Art the Clown in action, it’s probably safe to say that he’s one of the most sinister clowns around. Twisty, on the other hand, is a character that some might find misunderstood. However, we can all agree that he’s one brutal son of a clown.

Pennywise from Stephen King’s It is probably one of the most popular clown characters of all time. Tim Curry did a fantastic job in the 90’s mini-series, and Bill Skarsgard followed up that performance pretty well in the most recent adaptions that were released this decade.

Another familiar clown that we got to see this decade was Captain Spaulding. It’s wild to think that The Devil’s Rejects was released in 2005; making us wait 14 years to see the Firefly family again in 3 From Hell. Unfortunately, Sid Haig’s final act as Captain Spaulding didn’t provide him with a lot of screen time. But, in true Sid Haig fashion, he did amazing with the few lines he had.

Horror Films from This Decade Featuring Clowns

Need more clown? Here are some of the films released this decade featuring some of the greatest clowns around.

• Stitches (2012)
• Scary or Die (2012)
• All Hallows Eve (2013)
• Hell House LLC (2015)
• Terrifier (2016)
• 31 (2016)
• It: Chapter One (2017)
• It: Chapter Two (2019)
• Wrinkles the Clown (2019)

Do you suffer from Coulrophobia? Did Pennywise frighten you as a child? Who’s your favorite clown from this decade? Let us know all of your thoughts in the comments!