FearStyle Friday: Fathers Day Favorites

Happy early Father's Day, boos and ghouls. I hope everyone is taking the time to celebrate dad this weekend. Like on Mother's Day, I have compiled a list of the 14 frightening father's of the horror genre. This one goes out to my dad who, although not a huge fan of horror, has always supported my love of the macabre. So, without further ado, my favorite movie dads!



14) Neil Prescott (Scream 1996): We start off this list nice and easy with Neil Prescott, Sydney's father. He loves his daughter and seems to work hard for her, so it is heartbreaking to find out that he was going to be accused for the murders of the teens of Woodsburough. Fortunately, he was saved before it was too late. He really wasn't useful during the murders, but I'd like to assume that he was a good support system for Sydney in the later movies.

13) Lt.Donald Thompson ( A Nightmare On Elm Street 1984): From Craven to Craven, we meet Lt. Donald Thompson. He is so dedicated to his town, he uses his daughter as bait to capture who he thinks is the killer. His heart is in the right place but after his wife's untimely death, his head got stuck in the booze. He comes around to make peace with his daughter but, in an ironic twist of fate, he is used for bait by Kruger to kill Nancy. Funny, eh?

12) Steve Freeling (Poltergeist 1982): Now here's a dad who goes above and beyond for his family. He works hard, protects them from thunderstorms, and invites paranormal investigators and clairvoyants into his home when his youngest daughter is sucked into the TV. Plus, he's a hip guy. Keeping up with his young children and keeping it fresh with his wife. He even likes to unwind with a little...um...smoke.



11) Louis Creed (Pet Sematary 1989): Speaking of having your heart in the right place, Louis is a heartbroken father who is grieving the death of his two year old son. However, instead of allowing for time to mend his wounds, he goes against nature to bring his baby back...and his wife. He might have not made the wisest decision, but he did what he thought was right for his family.

10) George Lutz (Amityville Horror 1979): Now here's where things start to get spooky. George Lutz is the everyday family man moving is young family into a nice new home. How could he have known that the house was possessed and killed the family before them? And that the evil house was going to drive him insane and to the point of almost killing his family? And that there was a literal hole to Hell in the basement? Well, I guess it's true that rel-estate is tricky business. Luckily, he gets his family out in time. He even manages to save the dog. That's just what good dad's do.



9) Nathan Grantham (Creepshow 1982): You know, my parents have always said "you don't have to like me but you have to respect me". I guess Nathan Grantham instilled this way of thinking in his daughter, Bedelia because she visits his grave every Father's Day. Granted, she did kill him because he was an overbearing, over demanding old grouch. Nonetheless, every year she would bake him a cake. That's dedication and you would think that she wouldn't be expected to continue to make him cakes after his death....but he does. It's Father's Day, after all, and he want's his cake!

*BONUS DAD!!!
Creepshow doesn't just give you one dad, but two. Billy's dad is the worst kind of dad; the one who hates horror movies. Fortunately for me, my dad has always supported my love of horror. Now, maybe Billy's dad just wants his son to interested in more productive hobbies, but what's the harm in a little horror? The kid deserves a little fun. But, maybe it's like he said "that's why God invented fathers". Or maybe he deserved to be tormented a bit with a voodoo doll. It's all about perspective.

8) Grandpa Sawyer (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 1974): Grandpa Sawyer is the ultimate patriarch in this good ol' Texan family. He instilled in his boys a deep rooted love of family, the family business, and prime meat. In his young'n days, Grandpa was a one hitter and taught the tricks of the trade to his son and grandson's. Oh, there is no doubt in my mind that Grandpa is a true family man...and the saw is family.


7) Chucky (The Seed of Chucky 2004): Now here's a fellow I've never had pegged as a family man. After finding out about Tiffany's voodoo pregnancy, Chucky does what he can to bond with his son/daughter. Chucky's idea of "bonding" is a murder spree but, hey, some people barley spend any time with their children, so he gets an A for effort.


6) Max (The Lost Boys 1987): Max seems to be an eligible bachelor when we first meet him. Upon closer inspection, we learn that he has children. Maybe children isn't right, what I should say is a gaggle of misfit punks who he has fostered and turned into vampires. When he meets Lucy, he is looking to expand his vampire family and a mother for his boys. At the end of the day, isn't that we are all looking for?


5) Dad Meiks (Frailty 2001): What can I say about Dad Meiks? In a bizarre way, he is kind of super dad. Not only is he protecting his own sons from demons, he is protecting the whole world. It may see brutal, but he is only following orders. Ultimately, he is setting a good example to his children about doing the right thing and having a good work ethic. Excellent lessons to learn.

4)Jack Torrance (The Shining 1980): Now here's a dad who just couldn't hack it...you see what I did there? Jack just couldn't find a happy balance. He's all work and no play... Between the pressures of writing his book, caring for the Overlook, and caring for his small family, it is easy to get lost in the maze...get it? In the end, he gives his family the cold shoulder and freezes them out and no one deserves a dad like that. Okay, I'm done with the puns.....for now.


3) Daddy (People Under the Stairs 1991): I think most people will agree with me when I say that sometimes dad can be a little scary. However, Daddy is straight up terrifying. Completely unhinged and clad in leather, he 'fixes' the bad children who break the rules. So make sure you mind daddy, ya'hear? You don't want to end up under the stairs.



2) Jerry Blake/ Henry Morrison/ Bill Hodgkins (The Stepfather 1987): The Stepfather is one of my favorite slasher movies of all time and Jerry Blake is the scariest movie father in my book, but doesn't make top spot and you'll see why. Jerry is obsessed with having the perfect family. He goes from house to house in search of the perfect family...the perfect life. Jerry, if that is his real name, learns quick that no family is perfect, but that isn't going to stop him from searching. He'll continue to change his name and his appearance until he finds his perfect life. Beware, he could be your Stepfather.



1) Satan (Rosemary's Baby 1968): Introducing the dad to end all dads, the Father of Lies himself, Satan! He makes top of my list because of his wicked evilness. Satan finds the perfect woman to birth his only living son and ensure's both of their safety and happiness. I mean, he does take of advantage of Rosemary but he does fulfill her desire to be a mother, makes sure her husband has a lucrative career in Hollywood, and the health of the baby. It is unspeakably evil but that's what we are after today and that's why Satan is number one!

Before we close out this post, I would like to take a moment to talk about my dad. I just wanted to say that he's the best. He is a hard worker, a weekend adventurer, and an amateur diamond hunter. Not to mention hilarious and seriously addicted to Hershey Kisses. I love you dad and hope you have an awesome Father's Day. I hope you all make some time to send some love to your dad's or the father figure in your life.

That's the end of the post! I hope you have a wonderful weekend and a Happy Father's Day. Feel free to share this list with your dad. Let me know what you think of this list. Leave me a comment down below or on any of my social medias. With that said, stay spooky!