Clowns have always harbored a dark side, but with the proliferation of visual media platforms, their grotesque personas have taken center stage. A far cry from the jovial performers at children's parties and circuses, clowns have become a staple of the horror genre, from blockbusters like Stephen King's IT to indie cult favorites like Terrifier.

This book explores the full spectrum of clown horror, covering both films (shorts as well as features) and TV shows. While it includes additional information about cast and crew, the book primarily offers a broad survey of clowns in the growing subgenre of horror entertainment. Also providing an overview of clown history, tracing the clown's origins back to ancient Rome, this text offers a comprehensive exploration of the macabre world of painted faces, twisted laughter, and nightmares represented in horror media.