The Bogeyman (usually spelled boogeyman in the U.S.) is a common allusion to a creature in most cultures that is used by adults to frighten children into good behavior. This monster has no specific appearance, and conceptions about it can vary drastically from household to household within the same community; in many cases, he has no set appearance in the mind of an adult or child, but is simply a non-specific embodiment of terror. Parents may tell their children that if they misbehave, the bogeyman will get them. Bogeymen may target a specific mischief or general misbehaviour, depending on what purpose needs serving. In some cases, the bogeyman is a nickname for the Devil. Bogeyman tales vary by region but all regions have at least one. To most adults the Bogeyman is mythical, a tool to keep children in line. According to children, he’s definitely real, and lurking in all the dark corners of their imagination. As for these movies, they explore the legend and the reality of one of our oldest fears… the embodiment of evil that is waiting for us to drop our guard.
“Hush, hush, hush, here comes the boogeyman, do not run away from him he'll catch you if he can...." ~ Henry Hall
Honorable Mentions:
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, but his attempts to bring Christmas to his home cause confusion.
Oogie Boogie is your Oogie Boogie man. How can you not be little creeped out by this bug infested creature that lurks in the darkness and sings about his evil exploits!
And
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Several people are hunted by a cruel serial killer who kills his victims in their dreams. While the survivors are trying to find the reason for being chosen, the murderer won't lose any chance to kill them as soon as they fall asleep.
Normally we don’t think of ANoES as a boogeyman movie, but it is. They even call Freddie that a few times. But, again, we think of it more as a slasher, thus the honorable. Either way it is classic you can’t live without.
"I'm your boogieman, That's what I am, I'm here to do whatever I can
Be it early mornin', late afternoon, Or at midnight, it's never too soon"
~ Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch
#5: Child Eater (2012 Short Film 2016 Icelandic Feature)
A simple night of babysitting takes a horrifying turn when Helen realizes the boogeyman really is in little Lucas' closet.
We are foreign film fanatics here at the Creepercast so obviously a foreign concept of the man in the closet would make our list. Legitimately creepy film-making from Iceland starring our favorite dark villain.
And
The Boogeyman (1982 Short Film)
Based on a story in Stephen King's Nightshift. A man tries to explain to his psychiatrist that the Boogeyman is real and has been killing his children.
"The Boogeyman" is a short story by Stephen King, first published in the March 1973 issue of the magazine Cavalier, and later collected in King's 1978 collection Night Shift. It was adapted into a movie by Jeff C. Schiro in 1982. It has also been performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as a full length theatrical play, directed by television actor David Oakes. In 2010, Irish film-maker Gerard Lough adapted it into a 27-minute movie. Hey, its an early Stephen King adaptation so read the story for the true creep factor.
"I'm the king of the 20th century. I'm the boogeyman, the villian, the black sheep of the family."
~ Alan Moore
#4: The Boogey Man (1980)
Through the reflection in the mirror, a girl witnesses her mother's boyfriend's murder.
Ah the 80’s, known to have started a trend of providing the best, worst, and best worst of the horror genre. This original entry into the boogeyman is just like most 80’s movies... hard to define whether the shadow monster actually has anything to do with the plot of the film. Fortunately he does make obvious appearances in future installments of this stagnate franchise.
"The strongest human emotion is fear. It's the essence of any good thriller that, for a little while, you believe in the boogeyman."
~ John Carpenter
#3: Boogeyman (2005)
A young man tries to deal with the childhood terror that has affected his life.
As a boy, the boogeyman destroyed his family, but he’s not supposed to exist when you’re a full grown adult. In this boogeyman film he has unfinished business with a man who refuses to let go.
"We are fascinated by the darkness in ourselves, we are fascinated by the shadow, we are fascinated by the boogeyman."
~ Anthony Hopkins
#2: The Babadook (2014)
A single mother, plagued by the violent death of her husband, battles with her son's fear of a monster lurking in the house, but soon discovers a sinister presence all around her.
As usually adults refuse to accept the monster in the closet, but kids know that not only is he real, but he’s also a lot closer than we realize.
"The Boogeyman is your conscience. The Boogeyman is the result of your own bad behavior. I love this Boogeyman."
~ Sergio Aragones
#1: Sinister (2012)
Washed-up true-crime writer Ellison Oswalt finds a box of super 8 home movies that suggest the murder he is currently researching is the work of a serial killer whose work dates back to the 1960s.
By now everyone knows how much we love this movie. If not, guess what, we love this movie! As the film progresses we are actually given a name to call this boogeyman (the child stealing demon Bughuul), but the point is he is tall, dark, and creepy, which is plenty enough to put him on the top of this list.
