10 Horror Villains That Could Beat Jason Voorhees (& 10 He’d Destroy)

Following the excitement of Freddy vs Jason putting the two slasher icons against one another, fans have been hoping for Jason vs Michael Myers and other horror movie match-ups to see who can beat the hockey mask-wearing killer. Ever since Jason was introduced in Friday the 13th Part 2 in his true villainous role, he has stacked a massive horror movie body count and cemented himself as one of the most formidable killers in the genre. While Freddy Krueger put up a good fight in their crossover film, Jason came out on top.

For decades, fans have speculated which horror baddies Jason would utterly beat down in a one-on-one bout and sometimes, which ones would deliver a knockout themselves. Jason Voorhees has already faced off against fellow slasher movie icons in comics and movies in the past. However, it remains a tantalizing ‘What If…’ type scenario to imagine the killer of Camp Crystal Lake taking on some of the other most famous villains of horror movie history, and there are so many to choose from.

Horror Villains Who Can Beat Jason Voorhees

Bruce The Shark From Jaws

The shark attacks Brody in Jaws 1975

Jaws PG-13

Release Date June 18, 1975 Director Steven Spielberg Runtime 124 minutes

When movie fans think of horror movies, they often think of slasher flicks, but movies like Jaws, with an animal that causes chaos for the main characters and strikes fear into the population of a small town, are horror movies as well. The shark in Jaws (known as Bruce by those who created him for the movie) is a nearly unstoppable killing machine. While Jason is, technically, dead during his movie franchise, Bruce the shark wouldn’t be scared or tripped up by a man in a mask. He would chomp down and keep on swimming, leaving Jason far behind.

Jason stalks his victims with a relentless and emotionless drive, but it is simply no match for the pure animal instincts of the shark. For the matchup to happen, Jason would have to be in the water and that means he is immediately at a disadvantage. These are Bruce’s hunting grounds and he would have no fear of Jason, only seeing him as his next meal.

Michael Myers From Halloween

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Halloween (1978) R

Release Date October 27, 1978 Director John Carpenter Runtime 91 Minutes

Lots of horror movie fans find themselves wondering who would win in a Jason vs Michael Myers situation. Many consider Jason to be the origin of the truest form of slasher villain, an invincible, silent monster with no emotions who slaughters scores of clueless teenagers in unique and gruesome ways. Yet, before Friday the 13th, there was Halloween. In many ways, Jason is influenced by Michael, the silent masked horror movie killer who hunts scared teens.

This kind of precision would help Michael take Jason down and claim victory.

Jason possesses many of the same attributes that Michael has and yet, while Jason relishes in his gruesome acts, Michael relies on stalking his foes and taking his time. This kind of precision would help Michael take Jason down and claim victory. While some of the Halloween movies introduced a supernatural element to Michael Myers, even as simply a human man the way he is in the original movie, he would best Jason in a fight. Michael is single-minded in his brutality and would never even give Jason a chance to fight back.

Pazuzu From The Exorcist

Pazuzu the demon staring from the shadows in The Exorcist.

The Exorcist R

Release Date December 26, 1973 Director William Friedkin Runtime 122 minutes

Jason certainly has a kind of immortal presence in the Friday the 13th franchise, being raised from the dead several times, and he was established as even a kind of malignant spirit that could move into new host bodies in Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday. However, as formidable a spirit as Jason might be, he’s nothing compared to Pazuzu. In a fight in the physical world, Jason’s strength and ingenuity are essentially useless.

He could probably disintegrate any host body that Pazuzu took hold of, but the demon has several eons on Jason when it comes to surviving through supernatural means. The issue Jason would face is that there is no killing Pazuzu. He could just take over another body and take on Jason once again. There is also the chilling possibility of Pazuz taking over Jason’s body and fulfilling his desire to kill the host.

The Blob From The Blob

A cropped image of a person trapped within the Blob from the movie poster

Jason can survive a lot, but it’s hard to see how Jason would manage to slash his way through The Blob. This highly corrosive hunk of space gloop is no laughing matter and, as shown in graphic detail in Chuck Russell’s 1988 version of the movie, will absorb just about anything or anyone in an instant. Jason may essentially be supernatural in his immortality, but it’s hard to see how he’d ever come up with a way of actually beating it, which requires a much more scientific approach than Jason has ever been shown to be capable of.

The issue with Jason as a killer is that he has no strategy. He is used to being able to hack his way through countless victims with ease. If he came up against The Blob, it is not as if he is smart enough to know he would need to try a new tactic. He would simply come at the extraterrestrial threat with his machete and quickly find himself consumed and digested.

Pinhead From Hellraiser

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Hellraiser (1987) R

Release Date September 18, 1987 Director Clive Barker Runtime 94 minutes

Being a masked serial killer who can’t die is one thing. Being an immortal hell monster from another dimension is another and a deadlier threat. Once the puzzle is solved and the cube is unlocked, Jason won’t stand a chance against the horrific force known as Pinhead. Physically imposing and hideously evil, Pinhead would utilize every evil trick in the book, ripping into Jason with chains, siccing his fellow cenobites on him, and just tearing Jason Voorhees a new one before dragging him into his realm.

Once again, Jason would find himself coming up against a villain who brute force would be no match for.

Once again, Jason would find himself coming up against a villain who brute force would be no match for. Jason would be torn apart over and over before he could even get close enough to Pinhead to take a swing with his machete. The calm eeriness of Pinhead in the Hellraiser movies shows a villain who is in total control and has nothing to fear.

The Thing From The Thing

The Thing in spider form

The Thing (1982) R

Release Date June 25, 1982 Director John Carpenter Runtime 109 minutes

Aliens on their own are tricky to deal with, but an alien the likes of John Carpenter’s The Thing, is another evil altogether. Both deviously creative in its abilities and creature design, The Thing is an assimilating force Jason would simply not survive. Not only would Jason not last the Thing pretending to be a helpless teenager or a powerless victim, but it would also more than anything make things worse for the hapless kids, absorbing Jason’s thoughts and bloodthirst into itself and simply making itself even more deadly.

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The ending of The Thing suggests that despite the heroes’ best efforts, the alien managed to survive. It seems like there is nothing that can kill it has leaving any piece of it alive gives it the chance to find a new victim to take over. Jason does not have the follow-through to ensure The Thing is dead enough not to pose a threat anymore.

Jigsaw From Saw

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Saw R

Release Date October 1, 2004 Director James Wan Runtime 103 Minutes

When taking into account that Jason doesn’t have well-thought-out plans, it’s easy to understand why Jigsaw or his followers would outwit and potentially outmatch Jason. It is true that, if Jason were to corner John Kramer on his own, the older villain would have no chance of survival. However, he is a man known to think many moves ahead of his enemies and it is more likely that he would lure Jason into a body trap or have him trapped in one of his sadistic games.

Jason isn’t the type of villain who is going to figure out how a trap works or puzzle his way out of a lethal escape room. He stabs first and doesn’t ask questions at all. Now, it’s true that since Jason is essentially a ghost he’s functionally immortal, but that doesn’t mean that Jigsaw couldn’t “win” their matchup, leaving Jason stranded or tortured.

The Yautja From Predator

A portrait of the Yautja Predator

Predator R

Release Date September 14, 2018 Director Shane Black Runtime 1h 58m

Going up against a final girl is far different from going up against a creature from another planet. Usually, aliens don’t trip when they’re running and, typically, they’re not running away from the killer. A creature the likes of the Predator is the one doing the chasing. In the case of Jason, the hunter would become the hunted, with the Predator essentially dancing circles around the immortal killer. Jason’s intimidation factor comes from the fact that his victims panic and attempt to flee in fear. The Predator would not only stay to fight but see Jason as a worthy adversary.

As much as the Predator only hunts other deadly beings, Jason would not last long on the hunting grounds. The Predator simply packs an arsenal that would make quick work of Jason at any time. It would camouflage itself, throw its bladed discs, or blast Jason away with its shoulder blaster.

Pennywise From It

Pennywise the Clown grins in IT Chapter 1

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*Availability in US Director Andy Muschietti Release Date September 8, 2017 Cast Bill Skarsgard , Jaeden Martell , Finn Wolfhard , Sophia Lillis , Jeremy Ray Taylor , Chosen Jacobs , Jack Dylan Grazer , Wyatt Oleff Runtime 135 Minutes

It goes without saying that clowns are among some of the more terrifying beings to grace the world of horror villains. So it is impressive that Pennywise is universally regarded as the scariest clown in all of horror movie history. Not only is his appearance nightmare-inducing, but he has a lot of powers to back that up with. Pennywise’s main weapon against his victims is their fear, which he exploits to torment them and ultimately feed on them.

While there are several killers who could defeat Jason, Pennywise might be the only one who could make him scared while doing it.

Going up against Jason, one wouldn’t think this would be a problem except that Jason has one fear, a fear of water and drowning. Using that knowledge after stealing it from his mind, It‘s Pennywise could easily create some kind of vision and lure Jason to his doom. While there are several killers who could defeat Jason, Pennywise might be the only one who could make him scared while doing it.

Valak From The Conjuring Universe

Bonnie Aarons as Valak in The Nun with teeth barred

The Nun R

Release Date September 7, 2018 Director Corin Hardy Runtime 96 Minutes

Though Valak makes appearances in several movies in the Conjuring universe of horror films, the demonic entity is the main antagonist of The Nun movies. Valak’s claim to fame is possessing others and appearing in the guise of a terrifying nun to his victims. While it’s unlikely that Jason would be particularly scared of a demonic nun, Jason wouldn’t be able to fight Valak with his usual blade. It’s faith that is able to stop Valak, and that’s not something Jason wields.

This is another instance of Jason going up against a threat that is more complicated than a bunch of scared camp counselors. Villains like Valak show how limited Jason is as a villain, not being able to adapt to new situations that his physical strength is unhelpful in. Jason would likely find himself doing Valak’s bidding or perhaps exorcised in Valak’s place by an enemy.

Horror Villains Who Jason Voorhees Can Beat

Norman Bates From Psycho

Norman Bates smiling in Psycho

Psycho R

Release Date September 8, 1960 Director Alfred Hitchcock Runtime 109 minutes

Norman Bates is an all-time great slasher movie killer, but he’s not exactly what even the most enthusiastic fans would call overpowered. Norman’s abilities as a killer come almost entirely from surprise and the vulnerability of his victims, with him hiding in plain sight as a mild-mannered soul who talks his way into people’s good books. In any kind of encounter, Jason would take Norman out with his bare hands and be done with it, stepping over his body and never giving it another thought.

Norman Bates is one of many horror movie villains based on real-life serial killers. While that does make him a chilling character to audiences, it also grounds him in a reality in which it is clear he is a normal man. Norman is also somewhat delusional meaning that he could not even be relied on to outsmart Jason.

Annie Wilkes From Misery

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Misery R

Release Date November 30, 1990 Director Rob Reiner Runtime 107 minutes

Annie Wilkes is one of the most terrifying villains of psychological horror because she initially comes across as someone helpful. She just wants to lend a hand and nurse someone back to health. Really, she’s someone who’s willing to take a sledgehammer to the ankles of her hero to make sure they have to stay with her. Unfortunately, her tactics wouldn’t work on Jason who wouldn’t care about getting her assistance, and wouldn’t allow her to use a sledgehammer against him before he used his machete against her.

The fact that she is ultimately killed by a man with several injuries from his car accident and her brutality proves that she would stand no chance against a real killer like Jason.

It is the circumstances of Misery that allow Annie to even be in a position in which she is a threat. She is not someone who can overpower anyone and only has power over her victim because he is injured and at her mercy. The fact that she is ultimately killed by a man with several injuries from his car accident and her brutality proves that she would stand no chance against a real killer like Jason.

Leatherface From The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Leatherface dancing during the finale of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) R

Release Date October 11, 1974 Director Tobe Hooper Runtime 83 minutes

Leatherface has a slightly sympathetic tint to him for a terrifying slasher killer, his home life clearly hasn’t been normal, and he often seems to be a bit of a big baby on the inside. Sadly, none of that will earn him any pity from Jason. Both of the villains share similarities, as they are masked killers who are not the smartest adversaries to go up against even if they are quite deadly. In fact, Leatherface may be one of the only horror movie villains who has less going on in his head than Jason.

Leatherface is clearly very strong, but he relies almost exclusively on the titular chainsaw of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. He is infantile and reckless, meaning that it would be a rare occasion in which Jason would have more finesse than his opponent. While the chainsaw might seem like a more intimidating weapon, Jason has proved himself to be much faster with the machete.

Chucky From Child’s Play

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Child’s Play R

Release Date November 9, 1988 Director Tom Holland Runtime 87 Minutes

Size isn’t always everything, but it is hard not to take it into account with his horror movie matchup. Part of the point of Chucky, the killer doll from the Child’s Play movies, is that it is comical to see him as a threat. A serial killer’s soul inside of a doll makes for a goofy villain, even if Chucky does manage to score an impressive body count in his movies. However, there is simply no way that a doll could be any match for Jason in a fight.

Although devious, tricky, and just as creative with kills as Jason, Chucky is still a doll, and while he may hold his own for a little while, he would eventually get caught by Jason and probably drop-kicked across Crystal Lake, meeting a quick and embarrassing end. The fact that the Child’s Play franchise more or less resorted to comedy over time, and the fact that Chucky is often killed by a child in the movies, shows he is no match.

Samara From The Ring

Samara in the woods in The Ring

The Ring PG-13

Release Date October 18, 2002 Director Gore Verbinski Runtime 115 minutes

The ability to scare someone to death is definitely a handy and worthwhile tool for a horror villain to possess, either against helpless victims or other villains. Yet for a cold-hearted and remorseless killer like Jason, the powers of the TV demon Samara from The Ring won’t do much. Samara comes after her victims seven days after they watch the cursed video, making it impossible to escape her wrath. However, the entire concept of her threat doesn’t seem like something Jason would have to deal with.

The idea of Jason sitting down to watch the video is a funny concept in itself. Even if Jason watched the video and his seven days came to an end, Samara wouldn’t fare well, with Voorhees glaring back as she tried to scare him. Ironically, these two share similarities in their backstory, but it is not likely that Jason would take that into account when showing mercy to Samara.

The Fisherman From I Know What You Did Last Summer

The Fisherman in I Know What You Did Last Summer over an image of the original four cast members

I Know What You Did Last Summer R

Release Date October 17, 1997 Director Jim Gillespie Runtime 101 minutes

In the later installment of the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise, the Fisherman becomes a more mythic figure, but the first two movies feature a regular guy who picks up the hook to use as his weapon of choice against a group of teenagers. Like Jason, the Fisherman is out for revenge and to get rid of anyone in his way. Unlike Jason, however, the Fisherman is very much a flesh and blood man who lashes out instead of a ghostly projection, which means Jason is likely to outlast any brawl that happens here.

From his costume to his weapon of choice, he fits more into the category of a victim of Jason than a horror movie peer.

While the I Know What You Did Last Summer movies are memorable post-Scream slashers, the Fisherman was always a rather lackluster villain. From his costume to his weapon of choice, he fits more into the category of a victim of Jason than a horror movie peer. Perhaps the upcoming I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot will make him a little more formidable.

Freddy Krueger From Nightmare On Elm Street

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A Nightmare On Elm Street R

Release Date November 16, 1984 Director Wes Craven Runtime 91 minutes

Like Jason, Freddy Kreuger is more supernatural than human. Freddy lives in the realm dedicated to dreams but can emerge in the land of the living. The two iconic horror villains have actually come to blows before in Freddy vs Jason when they both targeted the same group of teenagers. Technically, that movie ended in a draw with neither ending up defeated, but moving on to fight another day. Freddy, however, also ends up decapitated in the movie, which means Jason is capable of getting the better of him, so Jason wins.

Freddy actually puts up a better fight than fans might have expected. Much of the violence he inflicts on his villains in the Nightmare on Elm Street movies are dream-like attacks without Freddy having to battle anyone. Fighting is not something he is known for and he actually looks scared when he initially realizes he is going to have to face Jason. In the end, it was an impressive fight that Freddy couldn’t win.

The Xenomorph From Alien

The Xenomorph jumps out of fog to attack in Alien 1979

Alien R

Release Date June 22, 1979 Director Ridley Scott Runtime 117 minutes

When Hollywood said that Jason was un-killable, they really meant it. Throughout all 11 films, Jason has been shot, drowned, and even dragged to Hell, and yet he comes back. While the Xenomorphs in the Alien movies are certainly terrifying and deadly, they are also shown to be easy to kill with the right weapons. Aliens, in particular, sees many of the deadly extraterrestrials killed and it is unlikely that Jason would have much of an issue even without futuristic weaponry.

There is nothing to suggest that Jason’s machete wouldn’t be able to cut through the Xenomorph as easily as it cuts through helpless teens. The one advantage that the Xenomorph has is that Jason would likely be sprayed with its acid blood as he butchers the alien. However, this would still mean that the alien is dead and Jason has come back from worse fates.

Ghostface From Scream

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Scream R

Release Date December 20, 1996 Director Wes Craven Runtime 111 minutes

Scream‘s Ghostface killer is a unique one among slasher movie killers. Instead of being a villain who returns again and again, Ghostface is like a mantle taken up by new killers in each new movie. However, one commonality between all of the killers is that they are human. Ghostface is seen to be a vulnerable killer, getting knocked down and tripping as they pursue their victims. It is a fun way of twisting the trope, but hardly seems like someone who could go up against Jason.

Each of the Ghostface killers are killed in each installment of the movie. While they might seem deadly to the other characters in the movie, once Jason steps onto the scene, there would be little distinguishing Ghostface from the other victims. Many of these killers are horror movie lovers as well, even name-dropping Jason as an icon and someone that cannot match up against.

The Monster From Frankenstein

Close up of Boris Karloff as Frankenstein in Universal's Frankenstein

Frankenstein’s monster, by most accounts, isn’t a typical horror villain. When he was first seen on the big screen in 1931, he had an unwilling antagonist reputation thrust upon him. Yet, as the years wore on, Frankenstein became a horror icon and slowly became a true villain over time. Despite that, Frankenstein going up against Jason wouldn’t be much of a contest. While both are of the undead variety, Frankenstein has his strength while Jason has a machete, a bloodlust, and strength ten times that of Frankenstein, making their fight short-lived.

Though Frankenstein’s monster does possess unnatural strength that he sometimes is not aware of, the original incarnation also shows that he is gentle by nature. Any hesitancy on his part to kill Jason would be quickly taken advantage of and Jason would show no mercy for the tragic creation.

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