Mini busts aren't for everyone. A lot of memorabilia collectors appreciate these little polystone and resin statues that took the geek market by storm in the early twenty-first century, but some folks might prefer to spend their money on other items. That's cool. Because God knows there are enough collectibles out there these days to cater to every imaginable taste. But count me in the pro-mini-bust camp. Partly because I have a small apartment, and the amount of space in which I can display my collectibles is pretty limited. Full-size figurines are a little too big (and expensive) for me, and most action figures are too small, lacking in detail, and, well, plastic-looking. So the mini bust is the perfect three-dimensional medium with which to celebrate my favorite movie characters. After the jump, I'll look at what I consider to be the five best mini busts of the horror genre.

The Frankenstein Monster from Frankenstein (1931)

Boris Karloff's Frankenstein Monster is still the king of the movie monsters, as featured in director James Whale's 1931 adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel and its two sequels. Bride of Frankenstein remains the best of the trilogy, but Boris looked his best in the first film. So he damn well deserves this 8-inch bust from the X-Plus Universal Monsters line. A lot of toys and statues seem to mistake the monster's physical strength for bulk, or feature far too much green in the skin coloring. Not so this mini bust, which perfectly captures Karloff's lean frame and pale skin, as well as his eerie, dead-eyed stare.

One of the older horror movie mini busts, this can currently be found on eBay for 50 to 60 dollars.

The Crawler from The Descent

Maybe the most esoteric choice on this list, if only because Neil Marshall's 2003 breakthrough film debuted to strong reviews but at first escaped the attention of many fans (a typically modest indie advertising budget was no doubt the culprit). It's reputation has grown in recent years, and The Descent's savage underground-cave-dwelling creatures were given their due with this terrific mini bust from Gentle Giant, which looks fantastic on a display shelf. My favorite element is the pool of blood collected at the base. It's so perfectly painted it really does look like a fresh supply of our favorite fluid.

The creepy Crawler will only cost you $44.99 right now at Entertainment Earth.

Jason Vorhees from Friday the 13^th Part VI: Jason Lives

The most famous movie maniac of the modern era? Only Freddy Krueger offers serious competition for the title. (Of course we all saw what happened when these two titans faced off.) Gentle Giant strikes again with this 8-inch representation of Mr. Vorhees rising from the grave in his reanimated zombie form from Part VI of the saga. Undeterred by a little thing like gunfire, or, well, death itself, this Jason brandishes not only his trademark machete, but a severed arm brandishing a machete. Classic.

In stock at Entertainment Earth for $54.99.

The Pale Man from Pan's Labyrinth

The most memorable monster from Guillermo del Toro's widely praised phantasmagoria is the subject of this mini bust, also from Gentle Giant (which, between its horror work and its Star Wars mini-busts, may be my favorite producer of geek collectibles). Again, the wet, squishy feel of this kiddie-gobbling nightmare (which received just a few minutes of screen time) is perfectly captured. You can practically feel Doug Jones' performance bursting out of the resin.

Originally a Comic-Con 2010 exclusive, this mini bust can now be found on eBay for around 70 bucks.

Van Helsing from Horror of Dracula

The second mini bust announced in Titan's upcoming Hammer Horror line. With all due respect to Ash, Herbert West, and insert-your-favorite-Vincent-Price-role-here, Peter Cushing's Dr. Van Helsing from Hammer's 1958 Horror of Dracula and its sequel Brides of Dracula is my all-time favorite horror movie hero. One look at this bust and I'm immediately reminded why. The determination in Cushing's eyes – which somehow manage to be both steely and serene – the knack for improvisation evident in his use of candle holders, his impeccable wardrobe… Man, I cannot wait to add this puppy to my collection.

Available now for pre-order at Entertainment Earth for $79.99, the good doctor arrives in November.

Those are my picks, folks. What are yours? Did I miss any must-haves? Let me know!