10 Great Horror Movies That Started Out As Short Films

Just when it seemed as if clowns couldn't get any scarier, along came a chap named Art. 

The white-faced, gore-loving, flesh-eating harlequin is the focal point of the Terrifier series, which at this point has drenched its audience with more blood and guts over the course of three films than a thousand trips in that lift from The Shining. 

Through his despicable acts, Art (played by David Howard Thorton) has become modern horror royalty, and he got his start in a couple of short films that predate Terrifier by at least five years.

The first one was 2008's The 9th Circle, which features Art in a reduced role. He wouldn't take centre stage until another short called Terrifier, which was completed in 2011. Both pieces, which were written and directed by Damien Leone, ended up as part of an anthology called All Hallows' Eve, the first feature-length outing for Mr. the Clown, who at this point was played by Mike Giannelli. 

Our boy Artie has come a long way since those days, going from cult favourite to a box office topper with no signs of slowing down.