More than a decade after he introduced moviegoers to the Captain Spaulding, Rob Zombie unleashed six more circus-inspired psychos in “31,” an ultra-violent tale about a group of carnival workers fighting for their lives against killer clowns on Halloween night. Image Credit: Courtesy of Saban Capital Group Overflowing with circus-themed sight gags and macabre humor, “Killer Klowns from Outer Space” is a genuine cult classic. Written, produced and directed by the Chiodo brothers, a team of three siblings known for their special effects and puppeteering work, this horror comedy about clown-shaped aliens managed the impossible task of living up to its outrageous title. Image Credit: Trans World/Sarlui/Diamant/Chiod

“Killer Klowns from Outer Space” (1988).

In a stroke of luck, Roth saw it on YouTube and agreed to produce the actual movie. The filmmakers attached Eli Roth’s name to the trailer, hoping to lend it a sense of authenticity. This extremely gory horror film originally began as a fake trailer for a movie that didn’t yet exist. When a clown that he hired for his son’s birthday party doesn’t arrive on time, a desperate father finds a cursed clown suit in a basement, and slowly transforms into a demonic circus freak. Image Credit: Courtesy of Dimension Films Though the TV miniseries he appeared in didn’t hold a candle to King’s magnum opus, Curry’s terrifying portrayal of the child-eating clown remains one of his most unforgettable characters. Stephen King’s novel “It” became an instant bestseller when it was published in 1986, but it wasn’t until Tim Curry donned white greasepaint and a red nose that the evil Pennywise became a true horror icon. Image Credit: Lorimar TV/WB TV/Kobal/REX/Shutt Zombie wisely expanded the character’s role in the sadistic sequel “The Devil’s Rejects.” As Captain Spaulding, the lovably lascivious owner of a gas station and roadside haunted attraction, cult actor Sid Haig became an instant horror celebrity.

Rob Zombie’s heavy metal concerts have always had a carnival-like aspect to them, so it made perfect sense that his directorial debut would feature one of the most gruesome clowns in cinema history.

Image Credit: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock With the the upcoming release of Stephen King’s “It,” here are 20 of the most disturbing movie and TV clowns of all time. According to psychologists, coulrophobia (the fear of clowns) is a common phobia that often strikes children, and can continue well into adulthood.

Clown toy i have lived a thousand years