Iconic scream queens in Hollywood history
For those who don't know, a scream queen is an actress associated with horror movies, either for one seminal role or for repeated appearances in the genre. Women in horror movies are usually the victims. They're there to fight for their lives while screaming their lungs out. And, indeed, this kind of acting offers its own set of challenges, emotional and physical. However, more and more we're seeing women take on more central roles in horror, bringing new depth to the scream queen character.
The horror genre doesn't have a reputation for producing many critically-acclaimed movies, but it does encourage a cult following. Serious horror fans hold the top scream queens in the highest esteem. They become revered icons, more loved than any Oscar winner!
In this gallery, let's take a look at the best scream queens in the history of cinema. Click on!
Shelley Duvall
Duvall's portrayal of a distraught, unraveling woman is visceral. Kubrick was what some might call emotionally abusive towards Duvall on set in order to evoke this level of emotion and realism. She had to repeat certain scenes more than a hundred times until she was truly desperate and exhausted.
Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis' career has spanned more than 40 years, and she's starred in a wide range of movies from different genres. But she will always be remembered for her first big hit: 'Halloween.'
Her performance as an all-American teen chased by a psychopathic murderer was genre-defining for the slasher. She carried on acting in horrors over the years, and even starred in the 2018 sequel.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Sarah Michelle Gellar is the classic example of an early 2000s scream queen. She starred in the movies 'Scream 2' and 'I Know What You Did Last Summer.' They're classic teen slashers and Gellar is the benchmark for that kind of role.
Mia Farrow
'Rosemary's Baby' is Mia Farrow's most iconic horror role by far. Her performance is still just as disturbing today as it was over 50 years ago. Farrow would go on to star in movies like 'See No Evil' and 'The Omen.'
Vera Farmiga
Vera Farmiga has a number of critically-acclaimed credits under her belt, like the Oscar-nominated 'Up in the Air' and 'The Departed.' But it seems like she has a preference for horror and thrillers, as she has gravitated towards these genres in recent years. She starred in 'Orphan,' 'The Conjuring,' and the TV series 'Bates Motel.'
Marilyn Burns
Marilyn Burns only ever had one successful role in her acting career, but that role made her a horror icon. She played Sally in the original 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' movie. Burns totally accepted her scream queen status and attended horror conventions for the rest of her life.
Naomi Watts
Naomi Watts is a multi-faceted performer, but she'll always have a home in the world of horror. She's starred in some of the all-time favorites and works wonders in an oppressively creepy atmosphere.
Samara Weaving
Samara Weaving's stardom is only beginning, but she's got a number of great horror credits under her belt already. She has appeared in 'Mayhem,' 'Ready or Not,' and 'The Babysitter' franchise.
Heather Langenkamp
Heather Langenkamp played the lead role of Nancy in the classic 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' franchise. She hasn't acted much since, but that role has earned her a place of prestige in horror history.
Carmen Ejogo
British actress Carmen Ejogo is unusual in that she started starring in horror films quite late in her career. She starred in her first horror in 2014.
Lin Shaye
Lin Shaye has been acting since the '80s, but she came into her own in the past decade as a favorite in the horror genre. She has appeared in movies like 'Insidious,' 'Ouija,' and 'The Call.' She's in her late seventies now and still going strong as a scream queen!
Barbara Steele
British actress Barbara Steele started out with the role of a satanic witch in the chilling Italian horror 'Black Sunday.' She went on to act in horrors internationally, once starring opposite the horror master Vincent Price. She hasn't been active in recent decades, but she wears the title of scream queen with pride.
Anna Paquin
Anna Paquin starred in the vampire series 'True Blood,' and let rip her fair share of bloodcurdling screams. Even before 'True Blood,' she starred in the cult classic 'Trick ‘r Treat.'
