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The Creepiest Old People We’re Glad Aren’t Our Grandparents

Photos: Everett Collection, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon; Photo Illustration: Jaclyn Kessel

Over the river and through the ahhhhhh! Dagnabbit, who knew old people could be so damn terrifying? Forget about baking cookies and flipping through dusty photo albums; these creepy geezers have other plans in mind. Out in theaters today is The Visit, M. Night Shyamalan’s new found-footage horror flick that follows Becca and Tyler as they get to know their estranged grandparents for the first time. With camera in-hand to document their trip, the siblings slowly begin to notice that their sweet, elderly Nana and Pop Pop are harnessing a dark, dangerous secret.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCsULFGldi8]

Known for his notorious twists, Shyamalan’s latest scare fare is sure to deliver an unexpected reveal. Whether or not it will be on par with his most famous suprise in The Sixth Sense or as unforeseen as his recent revelation in Wayward Pines is to be determined. In the meantime, however, let us reflect (and shudder) on the spooky senior citizens who haunted us long after they kicked the bucket. Here they are, ranked by their sheer ability to make us fear all unassuming and feeble members of the geriatric community.

**#20:** Old Man Marley, *Home Alone* (1990)
**CREEP FACTOR:** Dude was a *lingerer*. Hughes Entertainment

...But redeemed himself by saving Macaulay Culkin from an evil Joe Pesci.
[Where to stream *Home Alone*]Photo: Everett Collection

**#19:** Muriel and Eustace Bagge, *Courage the Cowardly Dog*
**CREEP FACTOR:** Weird, gross instances were a regular feature on this godforsaken kid's show that, in hindsight, shouldn't have been greenlit for Cartoon Network in the first place.Cartoon Network

...But sometimes they reminded us of our own cantankerous grandparents, so we gave them the benefit of the doubt.
[Where to stream *Courage the Cowardly Dog*]Photo: Everett Collection

**#18:** Mrs. Dolores Bickerman, *Lake Placid*, (1999)
**CREEP FACTOR:** She slapped a horse on the ass and sent him to a grizzly death.Fox 2000 Pictures

...But, like, it's Betty White. And she didn't exactly *mean* for the horse to get gobbled up like that.
[Where to stream *Lake Placid*]Photo: Everett Collection

**#17:** Madame Zeroni, *Holes* (2003)
**CREEP FACTOR:** The only thing we feared more than those yellow-spotted lizards was Zeroni's unsettling premonitions. *Shivers* Walt Disney Pictures

...But before creeping us out in *Holes*, Eartha Kitt was the original Catwoman, which, even for the youngsters, is pretty darn cool.
[Where to stream *Holes*]Photo: Netflix

**#16:** Hanson, *Scary Movie 2* (2001)
**CREEP FACTOR:** Any grown man who's that comfortable entering a turkey deserves a spot on the Creep List. Miramax Films

....And so does that hand.
[Where to stream *Scary Movie 2*]Miramax Films

**#15:** Ice Cream Lady, *SpongeBob Squarepants* (2004)
**CREEP FACTOR:** This sweet old granny wasn't a granny at all, but the geriatric tongue of a massive underwater monster.Nickelodeon

...But she still lured us in with the promise of sweets, like any old lady.
[Where to stream *The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie*]Photo: Nickelodeon

**#14:** Mrs. Baylock, *The Omen* (1976)
**CREEP FACTOR:** OK, so she didn't exactly have one foot in the grave, but this nanny was possessed by a force as old as sin. Twentieth Century Fox

...But after all, she was just doing her job.
[Where to stream *The Omen*]Photo: Everett Collection

**#13:** Mr. Slugworth, *WIlly Wonka & the Chocolate Factory* (1971)
**CREEP FACTOR:** Who could possibly ruin the beauty and innocence of winning the keys to a chocolate kingdom? This guy right here. Wolper Pictures Ltd.

...But I guess if we had to deal with sugared-up children all day long, we'd probably be a little bitter, too.
[Where to stream *Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory*]Photo: Wolper Pictures Ltd.

**#12:** Mr. and Mrs. Ulman, *The House of the Devil* (2009)
**CREEP FACTOR:** When two old people lure you in with pizza and the promise of free roam around their ancient mansion, it's never a good sign.MPI Media Group

...But then again, a lunar eclipse will do strange things to folks.
[Where to stream *The House of the Devil*]Photo: Everett Collection

**#11:** Kane, *Poltergeist II: The Other Side* (1986)
**CREEP FACTOR:** The deadened eyesI Those dentures! That hat! [*shudders*]MGM

...But you have to admit, he was pretty stylish.
[Where to streamThe Poltergeist II: The Other Side]Photo: Everett Collection

**#10:** ALL the old people, *Rosemary's Baby* (1968)
**CREEP FACTOR:** "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HIS EYES, YOU MANIACS!"

...But their collective creepiness is undeniably legendary.
[Where to stream *Rosemary's Baby*]Photo: Everett Collection

**#9:** Mrs. Tremond, *Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me* (1990)
**CREEP FACTOR:** She never spoke, but we could *feel* her fear. New Line Cinema

...But then she went on to become Happy GIlmore's sweet, old Grandma and all was forgotten... Or was it?
[Where to stream *Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me*]Photo: New Line Cinema

**#8:** Mother, *Mother's Day* (1980)
**CREEP FACTOR:** In this #problematic horror exploitation flick, this unassuming old lady makes her sons commit rape and murder for her own sheer enjoyment.Duty Productions

...But you can't help but be impressed by her unwavering energy.
[Where to stream *Mother's Day*]Photo: Duty Productions

**#7:** Violet Devereaux, *The Skeleton Key* (2005)
**CREEP FACTOR:** Ominous old people + voodoo + New Orleans = nightmares.Universal Pictures

...But Gena Rowlands *owned* it.
[Where to stream *The Skeleton Key*]Photo: Everett Collection

**#6:** Deborah Logan, *The Taking of Deborah Logan* (2014)
**CREEP FACTOR:** The only thing more terrifying than the thought of getting Alzheimer's is getting a possessed version of Alzheimer's that makes you murder people.Bad Hat Harry Productions

...But at least good, ol' Deb is bringing more awareness to Alzheimer's?
[Where to stream *The Taking of Deborah Logan*]Photo: Bad Hat Harry Productions

**#5:** Old fortune teller, *Black Sabbath* (1963)
**CREEP FACTOR:** *EVERYTHING*. Seriously, try getting any sleep after witnessing this. Alta Vista Film Production

...But this movie is *awesome* and inspired talents from Ozzy Osbourne to Quentin Tarantino, so it's definitely worth putting your fears of bedridden old people aside.
[Where to stream *Black Sabbath*]Photo: Everett Collection

**#4:** Old Witch, *The Shining* (1980)
**CREEP FACTOR:** What's creepier than an ax-wielding Jack Nicholson? That terrifying old lady who crept out of the bathtub in Room 237 and scarred us for life. Warner Bros.

**#4:** Herbert the Pervert, *Family Guy*
**CREEP FACTOR:** That WHISTLE though. Poor, Chris Griffin. 20th Century Fox Television

...But you have to commend his pedophilia efforts. Dude never gives up.
[Where to stream *Family Guy*] Photo: Everett Collection

**#2:** Gladys Foster, *Legion* (2010)
**CREEP FACTOR:** This movie would have been a forgotten reel on an abandoned shelf if it weren't for this beastly old biddie.Bold Films

**#1:** Mrs. Ganush, *Drag Me to Hell* (2009)
**CREEP FACTOR:** Her glass eye, her grotesque fingernails, her wandering blue tongue, and her ability to make it rain insects on command are enough to make Mrs. Ganush one of the most unforgettable, gruesome villains of of all time.Universal Pictures

...And dayyyum did she put up a fight.
[Where to stream *Drag Me to Hell*]Photo: Everett Collection

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