Pop-culture has a knack for creating cult followings over various attributes of famous films. There are a few accessories that evolve to define the whole premise of a movie. Masks are one of the greatest examples of this phenomenon. Let’s take a look at the most famous pop-culture masks.
Zorro’s Mask (Zorro series)
Zorro’s mask is definitely the most simple out of any on this list, but it’s so iconic they made an entire movie based around it (The Mask of Zorro). It’s all about how whoever picks up the mask assumes Zorro’s mythos and all that jazz, but really it’s about watching the beautiful mask.
Hannibal’s Muzzle (The Silence of the Lambs)
It’s not so much a mask as a jail cell for Hannibal Lecter’s mouth, but it’s by far one of the most terrifying ones on this list. It physically restrained Hannibal from eating people’s faces, but it never did contain him for long. Also, another great mask from Silence of the Lambs is the guard’s face that Hannibal uses to escape.
Scream Mask (Scream)
The Scream mask is certainly one of the most iconic masks in a genre full of them, but its Munch-esque design made it truly memorable. But as it turns out, it’s just a bunch of different people wearing it running around with knives, so it’s much less terrifying than say, Freddy Kruger invading your dreams.
Predator’s Mask (Predator)
An ancient mask from out there in the galaxy, Predator warriors use its many HUD features to stalk and kill prey, and also to conceal their horrendously ugly faces.
Guy Fawkes Mask (V for Vendetta)
It’s quite rare for the protagonist of the film to wear a mask, and it’s even rarer for that person to never, ever remove it, even at the end. But V’s Guy Fawkes mask has become the stuff of legend in a very short time since the film’s release.
Batman’s Cowl (Batman series)
We cannot say that the specific mask from Batman Begins is the quintessential Batman mask, but it is one of the better looking. It’s the only superhero mask worthy of making this list and has always been iconic no matter who was wearing it. Yes, even George Clooney.
Darth Vader’s Mask (Star Wars)
Most definitely the most iconic mask in movie history, Lord Vader’s helm went through many concepts before arriving at the final product we know today. And yes, it kept him alive, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t look sweet. But as slick, as it was, it only concealed the decay inside, as we saw at the end of Return of the Jedi.
