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'Annabelle' is a hit: Hollywood's long history with creepy, killer dolls

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)
(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

While it might have just missed out on the top box office spot this past weekend (that honour belongs David Fincher’s much-talked-about big screen adaptation of “Gone Girl”), “The Conjuring” spin-off “Annabelle” pulled in an impressive $37.2 million in ticket sales. That’s more than enough to make the micro-budget horror movie a big hit and all but guarantees a sequel.

But when “Annabelle” was first announced, many wondered just how the producers would be able to base an entire movie around the titular possessed doll. Sure, her appearance in “The Conjuring” was extremely scary, but how could you possibly sustain that for 90 minutes?

However, those critics obviously forget Hollywood’s long big screen history with terrifying dolls and creepy puppets. Here are five other spine-chilling playthings that were thrilling and frightening movie audiences long before “Annabelle” came along.

Fats the Dummy - "Magic" (1978)

Before he was an on-screen cannibal, a real-life Oscar-winner, and a Knight of the British Empire, Welsh actor Anthony Hopkins starred in the forgotten 1978 horror film “Magic.” Hopkins played Corky Withers, a tormented magician/ventriloquist whose dummy, Fats (also voiced by Hopkins), starts telling him to murder people. The film, surprisingly directed by Sir Richard Attenborough (“Gandhi,” “Jurassic Park”), received very positive reviews and was actually named one of the best movies of 1978 by late critic Gene Siskel.

The Clown Doll - "Poltergeist" (1982)

As we all know, the only thing scarier than a real-life clown is a clown doll. Recognizing this important fact, “Poltergeist” writer/producer Steven Spielberg and director Tobe Hooper made darn sure to include a possessed clown doll in the terrifying 1982 horror movie. An entire generation of children would never be able to look under their beds again after seeing the famous clown scene in “Poltergeist.” We get chills just thinking about it.

Chucky - “Child’s Play” (1988)

When someone says “killer doll movie,” there’s usually only one film that comes to mind: 1988’s “Child’s Play.” It’s the killer doll movie that spawned an entire horror subgenre, five really terrible sequels, and most definitely helped inspire “Annabelle.” Toy doll Charles Lee Ray (better known as Chucky) is the star of the show and, despite his diminutive size, is about as iconic as '80s slasher movie villains get. Look out, Freddy and Jason, there’s a adorable doll with a very big knife coming to get you!

Dolly - "Dolly Dearest" (1991)

"It's time to play!" Speaking of the killer doll horror subgenre, 1991's "Dolly Dearest" stands out as one of the best/worst "Child's Play" knock-offs out there.

Billy the Puppet from "Saw" (2003)

While Billy the Puppet doesn’t really do a whole lot beyond acting as an avatar between the serial killer Jigsaw and his victims, he is easily one of the most iconic characters from the "Saw" franchise. With his tiny tuxedo, tricycle, creepy clown make-up, and sinister voice, the small dummy is hard to forget once you've seen him. The puppet is never actually named "Billy" on screen, but that was the name given to it by the writers and filmmakers.

Got a favourite killer toy or doll that didn’t make the list? Let us know your faves in the comments.