With the ability to completely transform their physical forms, shapeshifters are creatures in folklore that have become a go-to in cinema and TV. Such beings are fascinating due to their mysterious powers of morphing into other entities, whether it’d be another person, animal, or object. Hollywood has utilized the captivating concept for decades, with many prominent programs and films tackling the mystical lore of shapeshifters and depicting the chaos they can inflict upon the world. From terrifying humanoids hellbent on destruction to loyal Disney sidekicks, the entertainment industry has showcased some seriously spectacular shapeshifters.

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The iconic John Carpenter frightened audiences everywhere with the 1982 cult classic sci-fi horror flick The Thing, which follows a malformed alien as it terrorizes a group of scientists in Antarctica. The fan-favorite Marvel character Mystique is able to effortlessly transform into any person in the beloved X-Men franchise, while the demon-hunting duo Sam and Dean Winchester battled countless Shifters on the smash hit dark fantasy series Supernatural. These are some of the scariest and coolest shapeshifters in movies and TV.

The Thing

     Universal Pictures

Based on the John W. Campbell Jr. novella Who Goes There? and a very loose remake of 1951’s The Thing from Another World, the 1982 sci-fi horror film The Thing follows a group of American research scientists in a remote part of Antarctica. Directed by legendary horror filmmaker John Carpenter, the creepy picture finds the scientists brutally hunted by a shapeshifting, malformed alien creature who can terrifyingly assimilate and imitate other organisms, causing the research team to become increasingly paranoid and distrustful of one another.

Despite an initial lackluster response by audiences and critics, The Thing has since become a cult classic and is now widely regarded as a major milestone in the horror genre and has been called “Carpenter’s most accomplished and underrated directorial effort.” Remakes have been attempted, but even with merely practical effects and little technology, The Thing remains a beloved masterpiece, one so successful that it was even screened in national theaters recently for its 40th anniversary.

Shifters (Supernatural)

     Warner Bros. Television Distribution 

America’s most beloved monster hunters Sam and Dean Winchester (played by Jensen Ackles) travel the country to rid it of evil creatures lurking in the shadows in the long-running dark fantasy series Supernatural, which follows the brothers as they battle nefarious demons, ghosts, and everything in between.

The adored duo have gone head-to-head with their fair share of chilling foes, and one recurring adversary are Shifters, monsters who can take the shape of anyone (living or dead) they want by shedding their skins, nails and teeth and are able to access their prey’s thoughts and memories. Shifters possess superhuman strength, speed and agility and are also able to regenerate, making them difficult to kill and all the more dangerous to their victims, and their eyes will glow in a silver-gold color when captured on film.

Mystique (X-Men)

     Marvel Entertainment

Easily recognizable for her bold blue skin, fiery red hair and golden gaze, the villainous Marvel mutant Mystique has the ability to take the form of anyone she wants in the thrilling X-Men film franchise. Portrayed by both Jennifer Lawrence and Rebecca Romijn in the popular cinema adaptations, the character is a dangerous threat to the eponymous superhero team as she can effortlessly embody any person, frequently using her powers to help aid Magneto and the Brotherhood of Mutants. Since she is a shapeshifter, Mystique is able to hold on to her youth and beauty due to her power of altering and rejuvenating her body’s cells, even though the human mutant is believed to be over a century old.

T-1000 (Terminator 2: Judgment Day)

     Tri-Star Pictures

Touted as one of the greatest sequels ever created and frequently deemed superior to its predecessor, the 1991 sci-fi action flick Terminator 2: Judgment Day features Arnold Schwarzenegger back as a reprogrammed Terminator who is sent by the resistance to protect Sarah Connor’s son from the evil artificial intelligence Skynet. The iconic character must contend with the ruthless and determined shapeshifting prototype Terminator T-1000, who is made of liquid metal and is virtually indestructible.

The lethal assassin can take the form of anyone it comes in contact with and is able to manipulate itself to overcome barriers and transform its body into a dangerous weapon. When describing the antagonist, director James Cameron stated, “If the [T-800] series is a kind of human Panzer tank, then the [T-1000] series had to be a Porsche."

Skylar (Heroes)

     NBCUniversal Television Distribution 

Zachary Quinto delivered a tour de force performance as the superpowered serial killer Skylar, who goes after the other superhuman characters in order to steal and possess their powers. Acting as one of the main antagonists in the lauded superhero drama series Heroes, the menacing murderer has the main power of “intuitive aptitude” and after killing multiple people he later acquires telekinesis, liquification and precognition.

Skylar is perhaps at his most terrifying when develops the ability to shapeshift, transforming into his mother multiple times and even masquerading as the President of the United States and adversary Nathan Petrelli; he finds his gifts are neutralized when his master plan fails, and he loses his powers.

Diaval (Maleficent)

     Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

In the 2014 dark fantasy adventure film Maleficent, the powerful titular fairy uses her magical gifts to rescue a raven and turn it into a human known as Diaval, with the grateful character acting as her loyal servant and confidante. With the use of Maleficent’s exceptional powers, Diaval can be turned into a human or any animal the dark fairy wants him to become, most notably a raven but also a bear, wolf and horse. He is transformed into a fierce dragon in order to help his mistress escape a dangerous ambush, and the character was given a more prominent and influential role for the live-action retelling of the classic Disney staple.

Venom

     Sony Pictures Releasing

Based on the famed Marvel Comics character of the same name, the 2018 superhero film Venom follows investigative journalist Eddie Brock as he unwittingly becomes the host of the eponymous alien symbiote in Spider-Man’s universe, gaining superpowers in the process. Venom and Brock are a hybrid duo who share the writer’s body and become a powerful vigilante, and the symbiote has impressive shapeshifting capabilities that come in handy during epic showdowns and battles.

Venom takes the form of his host and his grotesque suit can be used to protect Brock via shields deflecting bullets and transforming his arms into deadly blades. The character can camouflage itself to blend into its environment to avoid detection, and can shift into any being it wants as long as it’s a humanoid.

Experiment #210 (Gravity Falls)

     Disney-ABC Domestic Television 

The animated mystery comedy series Gravity Falls centers on the misadventures of twins Dipper and Mabel Pines, who travel to the titular paranormal hot-spot in Oregon when they are sent to live with their great-uncle Stan for the summer. During their time in the mystical town, the duo quickly discover countless secrets and supernatural beings lurking within.

The siblings cross paths with an evil shapeshifter dwelling within a hidden bunker known as Experiment #210, with the creature able to take any form it desires including the main characters and inanimate objects, and can even mix forms and become two things at once (resulting in some genuinely terrifying imagery). Voiced by the great Mark Hamill, the shapeshifter’s original form is a white slimy creature with a snout and fangs and menacing pink eyes, and is one of the creepiest creatures in Gravity Falls.