Among the horror movies being released in 2025 is Clown in a Cornfield, and to prepare for it, there are a couple of movies worth checking out that have some connection or similarity to it. Clowns continue to be a recurrent figure in horror movies, whether horror comedies, slashers, or some of the goriest movies the genre has seen. The latest addition to this specific horror branch is Clown in a Cornfield, based on the 2020 novel of the same name by Adam Cesare and directed by Eli Craig.
Clown in a Cornfield takes the audience to the town of Kettle Springs to follow the new girl in town, Quinn (Katie Douglas). One of the town’s traditions is a parade with a float of the town’s mascot, Fredo the clown, a beloved figure among town residents. However, this year, Frendo will come to life in the most terrifying way, as a serial killer dressed like him is going on a murder spree, killing everyone who crosses his path. Clown in a Cornfield is already winning critics over, and to prepare for it, there are some movies that are worth checking out.
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Little Evil
Little Evil Was Released In 2017
Little Evil is a horror comedy written and directed by Eli Craig. Little Evil follows Gary (Adam Scott), who marries Samantha (Evangeline Lilly) and thus becomes the stepfather of her five-year-old son, Lucas (Owen Atlas). Gary struggles to bond with Lucas, and after some strange and tragic events around them, he’s convinced Lucas is the Antichrist. Little Evil was a critical success, with many calling it a blend between The Omen and Shaun of the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ due to its mix of supernatural horror and comedy.
Little Evil will give those unfamiliar with Craig’s work a good idea of what his take on horror is like.
Although Clown in a Cornfield isn’t categorized as a “horror comedy”, instead being a slasher, it’s expected to have its good dose of comedy, mostly because that’s Craig’s style. Little Evil will give those unfamiliar with his work a good idea of what his take on horror is like, and though it doesn’t star a killer clown (but it does have one who is a victim of Lucas), it’s a good primer for Clown in a Cornfield.
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Clown
Clown Was Released In 2014
If you want an evil clown, though with a twist in his origin, Clown is the movie you should watch before Clown in a Cornfield. Directed by Jon Watts, Clown tells the story of real estate agent Kent McCoy (Andy Powers) who, after the clown he hired for his son’s birthday cancels at the last minute, wears an old clown costume he finds in the basement of a house he’s about to sell. However, the following morning, after sleeping with the costume on, Kent realizes he can’t take it off, and that’s only the beginning of a disturbing transformation for Kent.
Clown follows the origin of a murderer and cannibal dressed as a clown, the peak of its transformation, and its downfall, with a layer of drama as Kent is a family man. Clown is more towards gore than slasher, but it’s a good watch before another clown movie like Clown in a Cornfield.
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Tucker & Dave vs. Evil
Tucker & Dave vs. Evil Was Released In 2010
Tucker & Dave vs. Evil is a horror comedy co-written and directed by Eli Craig. Like Little Evil, Tucker & Dave vs. Evil leans a lot more towards comedy, but it smoothly blends with horror to make a very entertaining and at times wild movie. Tucker & Dave vs. Evil follows Dale (Tyler Labine) and Tucker (Alan Tudyk), two hillbillies who get into a major misunderstanding with a group of college kids that go camping near their home. Tucker & Dave vs. Evil is a good example of Craig’s horror style, but with a good dose of laughs.
Tucker & Dave vs. Evil was Eli Craig’s feature directorial debut.
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Terrifier
Terrifier Was Released In 2016
The Terrifier movie series is one of the biggest surprises of the horror genre in recent years, and though it all began with the anthology movie All Hallows’ Eve, Terrifier is the most fitting one for this list. Written and directed by Damien Leone, Terrifier follows Tara Heyes, who becomes the target of Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton) on Halloween night.
When her sister Victoria arrives to pick her up, she also becomes Art’s target, but Art is one of the cruelest and goriest villains out there. Surely, Clown in a Cornfield’s Frendo isn’t as gory and brutal as Terrifier’s Art the Clown, but it’s yet another (very disturbing) version of a killer clown, and one that is now leading his own movie series.
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It
It Was Released In 2017
Of course, the best movie to watch before Clown in a Cornfield is Andy Muschietti’s It. Based on Stephen King’s 1986 novel of the same name, It takes the audience to 1989 to follow a group of kids self-named “The Losers Club”, who are haunted by an evil, shapeshifting creature they call “It.” This creature takes the form of its victims’ deepest fears, with its preferred shape being that of Pennywise the Dancing Clown. It mostly goes after children because their fears are simpler, and it takes a lot of pleasure in torturing his victims before killing them.
Despite It being a full-on horror movie, it has its moments of drama and emotional depth as the Losers confront their deepest traumas.
Pennywise is one of the most famous evil clowns in literature, TV, and film, and despite It being a full-on horror movie, it has its moments of drama and emotional depth as the Losers confront their deepest traumas. It got a sequel two years later, which follows the surviving Losers now as adults as they confront the creature one last time.
