10 Horror Monsters That Became The Star Of The Show

A very different kind of monster to some of the others on this list, it is perhaps easier to see his appeal. He is eloquent, purposeful, and intelligent. He doesn’t (entirely) prey on the innocent, though some do get caught in the crossfire. He comes when he is summoned and is driven by twisted reason. He is by no means a mindless killer.

In his initial onscreen and literary appearances, Pinhead is a shadowy figure of mystery and fearsome presence whose origins are unclear. His screen time is limited, with the story focused more on the Cotton family and their sordid, murderous misdeeds. Pinhead and crew serve as a literal manifestation of the family’s nature, as opposed to an external force preying on the innocent.

Though the audience only encountered him briefly in that first movie, Pinhead was the star of the show and people have been returning to see him for nine direct sequels since. The franchise is a rare example of a series that is still limping on in its original continuity, without hiatus, remake or reboot.

If ever there was a case for the horror movie reboot, the last few films in this franchise are it. The most recent instalments have been little more than ashcan copy, as the studio tries to retain ownership, in order to produce the high-profile remake that has been in the works for a decade.

Though the quality of the series has dropped through the floor, people still seek out Pinhead.