There is no more terrifying trope in a horror movie than a family at risk. From ghostly hauntings and vicious killers to terrifying monsters, and in films such as Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, TV’s Dark Shadows, and 1979’s The Amityville Horror, there is nothing more horrible than a family in peril.

There are many others: The Munsters, The Addams Family, The Freelings, and even the Deetz Family, but my choice has to be much darker: The Firefly Clan.

Rob Zombie created modern horror film icons with The Firefly Clan. Led by Momma Firefly, this murderous and satanic family terrorized the Southwest throughout three films. Sid Haig is the father, “Captain Spaulding,” and his demented offspring –  “Baby,” “Otis,” and Tiny – round out the clan.

After Tiny dies in the first film and Mother Firefly gets arrested, Spaulding, Otis, and Baby tear a bloody path through the land, leaving corpses and mayhem in their path. Thanks to the devil-may-care performances of Haig, Bill Mosely, and Sheri Moon Zombie, The Firefly Clan is one of the most popular of all horror film families.