The Top 10 Unique Monsters of All Time
10 Unique Creatures That Climb, Crawled, and Clumsily Lumbered Their Way to the Top
As they said in Monsters, Inc., "They Scare Because They Care", and that's why we love these sometimes horrible, sometimes loveable, but always awe-inspiring dwellers from the depths of our imagination.
Provided in this discussion is a list of the "Top 10" monsters of all time, as portrayed through TV, Movies, and various forms of media. Specifically, this abominable assortment will be different than the typical; each entree will be a unique creation, one that had to pull its own weight to reach infamous status.
So with due honors, rest your weary mind and sullen disposition as those "one-of-a-kind" freaks of fright night issue forth: Here there be monsters!
Disclaimer: The graphic portrayed above, and many of the graphics provided here can be purchased as posters at AllPosters.com.
The truth about the Kraken is that the myth may have stemmed from a series of sea monsters, or from the sightings of giant squids in the days when voyagers worried they'd could sail off the ends of the earth.
Aside from those rumors, the Kraken was portrayed as a incredibly huge and towering beast under the control of Hades, the Greek god of the underworld in the movie Clash of the Titans. Later, we would see this legendary beast as a giant ship-destroying squid in servitude of Davey Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. (Sadly, the creature dies in each story/series).
The Kraken has seen singular popularity lately with it's name and is also the inspiration of Jules Verne's giant squid in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
Movies with the Kraken
Often he is called just "Frankenstein", but that's how it goes when you become too famous. In actuality, this creature is really known as "The Wretch" from Mary Shelley's classic tale, or simply "Frankenstein's Monster", later on. After all, Frankenstein was actually "Dr. Frankenstein", a scientist of the 19th Century, who toiled, day and night in his la-bor-atory.
Later in years, he was made famous by Boris Karloff, in the 1931 movie bearing his name. Even later, his likeness would appear in child cartoons, in TV series such as the Munsters, and could even be found sponsoring "Frakenberry", a marshmallow cereal.
Movies with Frankenstein
Number 8: The Loch Ness Monster
"Nessie"
The beautiful thing about the Loch Ness Monster, or "Nessie", as the inhabitants of Scotland like to refer to her, is that she is considered to be quite real. There are often visitors of the loch who go there just for sightings of this infamous creature, who is speculated to actually be a dinosaur known as a plesiosaur.
Today, though, Nessie has escaped her lake and made her way to all forms of media; her likeness is even found in online roleplaying games such as World of Warcraft and City of Heroes.
Items of "Loch Ness" Interest
Somewhere in the rivalry of monsters, The United States decided to throw their own version of gargantuans into the mix. His name was "King Kong", and it was clearly portrayed that he was the ruler of all the other giant monsters (at least those on his island).
But for our viewers, that was not enough; Kong was stolen away from his island, presented to the American public, and ultimately, he escaped, grabbing a woman and climbing the Empire State Building, where he is often, dramatically portrayed.
Well, if you've seen the movie, you know it didn't go so well for "The King", but ironically, his visage is often found, skewed, and re-represented throughout history. For example, on the game "Rampage", there is a huge monkey, scaling buildings, grabbing people, and knocking out windows; even The Simpson's made a parody of King Kong (with Homer as the beast).
King Kong in the media
Remember the The Kraken, at number 10 on the list of Unique Monsters? Ironically, Medusa can be in movies with that monolithic beast; for example, her powers, to turn other creatures into stone, is what ultimately kills The Kraken in Clash of the Titans.
But Medusa goes far beyond a typical movie, and this is why she rests at number 6 on this list.
Medusa's infamy goes back a long way, to greek mythology, where she is one of three sisters, known as the Gorgon. The most famous, by far, she is portrayed in varoius forms; sometimes as aliens, sometimes her myth is displayed as the inherant traits of an alien species, other times, she can be represented in the form of a superhero, but in most cases, she is a female, usually evil, and sports snake-filled hair.
Where you will see Medusa
Number 5: Godzilla - King of the Monsters
In the 70's, in Tokyo, you knew only one thing. RUN! That's because Godzilla was making his historical movie debut with dozens of movies. Known as "King of the Monsters", he sported his own comic book, cartoon, and transcended the Pacific Ocean with a duel against the American Monster "King Kong". There were actually two movies.
Lately, Godzilla has been fairly quiet, but he's probably doing that because of his royalties with the 1990's new version movie of his name. To this day, Godzilla figurines and stuff dolls still sell. In Tokyo, Toho Productions, Ltd., is still working with new effects to bring the monster to a screen near you; they must know a good thing when they see it.
Is he unique enough for the all-time one-of-a-kind monsters list? You know it. Name another gigantic atomic, energy-breathing lizard; Godzilla will come smash him into pulp.
Interested in more Godzilla? Check out: Godzilla VS..
Godzilla Gear
Number 4: The Incredible Hulk - Green and Mean
Since the 70's and the popularity of the Incredible Hulk series starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno, this monster, a one-of-a-kind emerald-skinned explosive force, has been growing in fandom. In the 2000-2010 decade, he received two movies, with another to come; he's consistantly found in comic books and on superhero cartoons; amazingly, he is considered a hero, and yet no one can stop his uncontrollable rage...the one that destroys cities in the process.
The Incredible Hulk is clearly a rising force; no, he isn't as tall as some of the behemoths, but his rage puts his easily on par with the greatest unique monsters of all time.
Huuulk Smash! - The Destructive Power of The Incredible Hulk
Number 3: Cthulhu
Did you hear about his call?
Very few monsters fall into the "Gargantuan" and the "Undead" class; while the nature of Cthulhu is normally referred to as "Cosmic Horror", his horrifying powers seem to transcend life itself.
Born from the fearful and terrifying imagination of H.P. Lovecraft, this "god" shows up on T-shirts, cartoons, movies, books, and often gets remakes to make him even worse.
Although his name can be spelled in a variety of ways, there is very little chance you won't recognize the reference to Cthulhu when it appears. Metallica dedicated a song to this monstrosity; even Scooby Doo makes references to the creature. And we wonder, how can something so horrifying be so popular with the young and old alike? Whatever it is, Cthulhu still grows, in dread and invoked fear, to this day.
Where Cthulhu dwells
Number 2: Lucifer, The Fallen Angel
He's known by many names...
Throughout the horror genre, there have been many methods to display this one being. Why? Because he represents the greatest evil, threatening the Judeo-Christian beliefs.
He has been called the Prince of Lies, Lucifer, and other, less-than-polite names. But assuredly, he is seen and symbolized, in various forms across television through the imaginations of Hollywood.
It's true, we don't often cateagorize the Devil when we think about monsters, but that's a mistake. Actually, he's one-of-a-kind, and absolutely a creature of evil that can span many stories high or appear as a simple human; he's obviously a master of many guises. Often enough, what really makes him stand out is that he's as cruel and fear-inspiring as all the others, but plays with you, thwarts you, and ultimately tantalizes you with puzzles until you're clearly at the end of your rope.
Because of his wit and wile, the Devil is one of the best all-time unique monsters; about the only way you can beat him is to have innocence and the help of God on you side. Be careful with this one!
Some Movies with the Devil
Number 1: Dracula - King of the Vampires, Prince of Blood
Yes, he's typically number 1, just about everywhere you go. That's because he's "Lord of the Vampires", weaving his strange brand of evil and sinister secrets through the hearts (and necks) of young and old.
Dracula, although stemming from the undead line of creatures known as "Vampires", is definately the most single, notable dark and gothic persona of their kind. No matter the form he takes; the dark romantic, the vile bloodsucker, the comedic adventurer, he's always way ahead of the competition in sales.
Now you're probably wondering how Dracula can surpass even the Devil when it comes to all-time unique monsters.
That's just it! We don't really know how he does it, because if you think about it, a vampire is a servant of evil. Yet, Dracula broke the mold; he's got an entire generation of youth fantasizing about dark romance and reading books which reference him. On any given day, you'll see documentaries about Dracula or vampires in general, just to explain how he might have arrived at his infamy.
Dracula in the Media
Sesame Street Cookie Monster Giant Peel & Stick Wall Decal
The Cookie Monster had his beginnings in the late 1960's with an artist-puppeteer named Jim Henson, and debuted in the first episode of The Seseme Street in 1967. During that episode, a fuzzy blue creature interrupts Kermit the Frog's speech on the letter "W", by eating it.
What's he doing now? Well, good ole' Cookie Monster is still hangin' around Seseme Street, hawking his videos and plush dolls.
It's only fair to put Cookie Monster in this totally unique countdown of monsters; while he's not technically a movie-variety going abomination of fear and dread, he qualifies as a monster (it's in his name, after all), and he does have blue fur. So, without further rabble-rousing, Cookie Monster wins the "honorable mention" for being such a unique creature in his own right. Well done!
Please leave your comments; all are welcome.